Podcasting, the new buzzword

The definition of podcasting: the process of creating audio, sometimes video, files and distributing the content over the web, through RSS* syndication or in direct download format. The name “podcasting” came from the Apple iPod originally but you don’t need to own an iPod or even an MP3 player to listen to receive a podcast. Just about any multimedia software works Quick Time, Windows Media Player, etc. Most of the time people don’t bother to download the podcast to any device; they just access and listen straight from the web.

Simplified, podcasting is an opportunity to share your message with an unlimited audience. So whether you sell locally, regionally, or globally podcasting will allow you to reach your market in sound and video.

The great thing about podcasting is that people will voluntarily listen to your message. It’s not forced upon them like television or radio commercials. The podcasting audience is comprised of smart, savvy individuals and will most likely grow to over 10 million by the end of 2006.

To create a podcast you’ll need a good, quality microphone, plan on purchasing an external mike for the best sound quality. You’ll also need software like Audacity, a free program available from SourceForge.net. Next, you need an MP3 encoder – the software that converts raw audio files into MP3 format (no, you don’t need an MP3 to hear the podcast, but you do need it to create the podcast).

Distributing the podcast is as easy as putting a direct link on your website. You may want to create an archive of your podcasts and set up an RSS feed so other websites can distribute your podcast. You can also list your podcasts in directories like Yahoo! Sites like Odeo, iTunes, and Podcast Alley also have lists of directories. When you submit your podcast be sure to describe it by categories like “baseball,” “medical,” or “marketing” whatever category best describes the podcast.

Should you podcast? Well, there is certainly enough anecdotal evidence that podcasting produces results. There are even podcast-dedicated advertising companies like FruitCast, Podtrac, and Radio Tail which points to the fact that advertisers consider podcasting a valuable way to get the message out. Bottom line, podcasting provides a relatively easy way to engage your site visitors with quality information which, in turn, will help grow your customer base.

*RSS (Real Simple Syndication)