I usually consider myself to be someone who is on top of technology stuff. There are some things that I’m a little slow about, for example, my printer is currently jammed and I have absolutely no idea why or how to fix it. I thought I fixed it, but it keeps telling me no. Another technology that I’m kind of slow with is my new iPhone. It’s definitely not the newest model, but it is the first smart phone I’ve ever had.
Photo credit to Yutaka Tsutano via Flickr Creative Commons
I find iPods and iPhones to be fascinating, even though I have a horrible learning curve with my own. One thing that I absolutely love about my iPhone is the ability to listen to music, audiobooks, and podcasts.
Podcasts are a fairly recent thing in the media world. I absolutely love them. I’ve listened and subscribed to podcasts about everything from sermons to gaming.
So, why am I talking about podcasts on a marketing blog? Well, friends, because they are a great marketing tool when used effectively. If you’re considering utilizing a podcast in your marketing strategy, here are three questions (out of many) that you should also consider.
- Is my topic interesting enough to podcast about? Or, on the other side of that thought process, can you make it interesting enough to podcast about? If your company or non-profit is fairly successful, then there’s probably people past your current customer base that are interested in whatever you are promoting. So, why not try it and see if you can expand your base in the process?
- Will I do it alone or with a co-host? In graduate school, I had to do a podcast for one of my classes. We could do it alone or with a partner. One of my friends and I decided to record our podcast together, and we ended up getting an A on the project. If you’re like me and work better with some prodding from a friend, maybe consider grabbing a co-worker or someone else involved in your work to podcast with. It’s usually more entertaining when two people are involved as well.
- How will I promote the podcast? With any new form of marketing, comes marketing the marketing. Isn’t that great! Will you have a link on your website? Will you promote it on iTunes? Will you advertise it on affiliate websites. Marketing the podcast may take some time, but in the long run, the extra time and effort could pay big.
There is software available out there for free if you just want to give pod-casting a whirl. CNet’s downloads website is a good place to look if you want to find safe, reliable, free downloads. A decent microphone is available at low cost if you look at Amazon or other electronics websites.
Consider adding a new twist to your marketing strategy this year. Podcasting, even once every two weeks, can bring a flock of new subscribers to your site or new customers to your base. Have a great day!
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Glad to see you cover podcasting. I've been podcasting since 2005 and it's huge fun! I'm a big fan of using podcasts to market, though I would typically recommend most businesses buy an ad on a podcast and most consultants create a podcast. Podcasts are time-consuming, and most businesses won't see the return on the time invested, but consultants will certainly benefit from the credibility/authority and it's a low cost (if resource intensive) way to market a small consulting business. I use Audacity to record my podcast, with cell-phone guru Keegan Sturdivant. http://thewebtangle.com/
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