The term podcasting has been floating around the radio and in discussions with
friends, but you’re still not sure what it’s about and if it’s relevant to your
deal.
I’ll start by explaining in simple terms what a podcast is.
A podcast is the combination of an audio or video file and an RSS feed file,
placed on an Internet server and available for download.
Let’s say you plug a microphone into your computer and record a 15-minute commercial.
about an area of knowledge that you have. You now have a sound file on your computer
waiting for a home, and you want that home to be on the internet for millions of
people to listen to.
You will first need to find a “host” company to take your file and put it on your
“server” to make the file available to the world. This is called a “podcasting” server.
Once you have contacted a server and have placed your file on their server,
you want people to find your file. To do this you have to create a special document that
“publishes” your file to the world.
This document is called an “RSS” file, which stands for Really Simple Syndication. In
This document will put vital information like subject, keywords, website,
contact information and other information about the podcast and your business.
When this RSS file has been created, it is placed in the same folder as the audio file.
on the podcasting server. When you have published an audio file and have published it using
your RSS file, you have successfully created a “podcast”.
Now you want people to be able to find your podcast
There are many online directories for podcasts that have searchable databases.
These services are generally free. On these sites, people with new podcasts complete a
form to tell the world about the topic of the podcast, which is published in the
directory.
Once your podcast information is published, anyone who visits that directory
search for podcasts that contain the topic of your podcast,
immediately find a link to your podcast.
Of course, the more directories you list, the more people you will expose your
podcast a.
Another great advantage of these directories is that Google and other search engines
visit these sites to find content, so there is an even higher chance that people will find
your podcast
Once your podcast has been published on a number of podcasting directories, you are now
available to millions of potential listeners around the world.
How do you listen to a podcast, you ask?
It’s very simple. Once they have clicked on the link to the directory or your website,
the podcast will automatically download and play in any audio player that is
appropriate for the podcast file.
So VOILA, they are listening to your podcast.
The beauty of an RSS file is that once it is posted to a directory,
you don’t need to go back to the directory if you decide to add a new podcast
episodes. All you need to do is update your RSS file to show that there are more
episodes associated with the podcast. Listeners will pick up on this if
locate your podcast after a new episode has been added.
Millions of listeners and Google users are looking for information in the form of a podcast
to listen in your spare time. This is the most beautiful part of podcasts. The listener,
once they’ve downloaded a podcast, they can listen to it many times, at their
convenience.
How can podcasting help your business?
Simple, a key part of your RSS feed is the URL of your website and company
information.
When someone listens to your podcast, this information becomes clear to them.
within your podcasting information. Consequently, this can generate a significant momentum
in internet traffic to your website which can result in more sales.
You don’t need to be a radio professional!
If you talk to clients on a daily basis about your specialized knowledge,
they are perfectly positioned to record and launch a podcast.
Where to start?
First, get a decent microphone for your computer (USB microphones are best), and
practice recording to feel comfortable recording yourself and delivering your
message. The process is the same for video, but a video file will be created instead.
of an audio file.
When you have a recording you’re happy with, save it as a file in its own folder and
contact a podcasting service provider. You can find one on the internet.
Once you’ve located a podcasting service provider, they’ll help you with the rest.
of your podcast, to creating an RSS file and successfully posting it to a
podcasting directory.
It is important to find a host that provides ‘unmetered’ hosting. If your accommodation is
measured, the more often your podcast is downloaded, the more your service
the provider will charge. An unmetered host charges a flat fee regardless of the number
of downloads
Podcasting is a wonderfully affordable way to be heard and found. it is portable and
easy to access. Once you learn how to do it, podcasting can be an easy way to reach
potential customers.
Podcasting is really a great gift for small businesses.