Podcasting

Power Podcasting

Introduction to Podcasting

Podcasting is one of the latest crazes over the internet and it continues to grow daily. Adam Curry and Dave Winer are credited with developing the podcasting movement. It's also interesting to note that Curry wrote iPodder. iPodder allowed him to download internet radio broadcasts automatically to his iPod. And Winer was instrumental in promoting RSS. They later devised a way to send audio through RSS feeds.

Ok ... back to podcasting. It should be pretty obvious that this term is a combination of the words "iPod" and "broadcasting". If not, you've just learnt something. Here's the biggie though. You don't need an iPod in order to listen to a podcast. You'll be fine with just a computer or an mp3 player.

In recent months, many radio stations have taken to podcasting and are offering their shows in the form of podcasts. Google "radio podcasts". It's not just radio stations though. TV stations are also embracing the technology. So we've got video podcasts as well.

Podcasting, in its basic form, is an audio file that you create and upload to the internet so other people can hear it.

What You Need for Podcasting:

Simply ... just a computer, a working microphone and voice-editing program like Audacity.

Can Anyone Do Podcasting?:

Absolutely! It is perfect for just about anybody including bums. Students, moms, working people are all podcasting.

With podcasting, you can:

1) Share your favorite passion and hobby with others

2) Talk about your business and increase your customer base

3) Become a small star by being your own DJ

As a matter of fact, if you wanted to, you could have your very own podcast up and running in less than 12 hours.

Err ... so what do I need?

1. A Working Microphone

To record audio of course. Most laptops these days will come with a built-in microphone. If you're working on a desktop, check if you have one. Doesn't cost much to own a microphone.

2. A Voice-Editor

There are many programs that allow you to edit your show. The only one I use is Audacity (Did I mention that it's free as well?)

3. A Hosting Website

You need to upload your show after you've recorded it. Either place it on your own website or leave it with one of the many podcasting hosts available. Google "podcasts hosts" for leads.

Now that we're done with the simple stuff, let's get to the point of this page and that is how you can get more website traffic by podcasting:
1. First things first. Be extremely clear about your objectives with podcasting. When you're clear, so will your description of the podcast be. It should give an accurate representation of the contents of your podcast. The podcast episodes should have a common theme like "learn japanese", "learn to podcast", "learn to increase web traffic", "daily news", etc

2. Following on point #1, bear in mind that not everybody is going to want to listen to your podcast. What we want to achieve is to attract targeted traffic from those interested in our niche. An example of a niche is people who want to make money online or people who want to increase their site traffic.

3. Use an attractive image to represent your podcast and theme. Be sure that it's relevant as well. This will act to attract your niche podcast audience.

4. Finally, promote the heck out of your podcast. No point having quality content without any viewers or listeners. Listed below are some podcast directories. Also google "podcast forums", etc ... Once again, be creative!

Podcast Directories:

Podcast.net

PodcastBlaster

PodFeed

PodcastAlley

Some Extra Tips on Podcasting:

1) Start off by submitting your podcast to as many podcast directories as possible. By doing so, you get some traffic, but more importantly it will get you precious backlinks to your site. These are powerful one way links. You can easily find at least 75 or more podcast directories around ranging from general ones to niche directories. Search for them and keep submitting. Leverage!

2) Wikipedia has a nice page on Podcasting if you want to learn more

2) Niche forums are a good place to find viewers and listeners for your podcasts. Participate and contribute on the forum (check out forum marketing for more tips). Whatever you do, do not spam. Customize your signature line and place a link to your podcast. If your podcast is interesting to the community you will attract listeners. Tip: Use Feedburner to monitor the number of listeners.

3) Finally, manage your growth. If you're doing something right, your listeners will explode into a potential cult status. It's at this time that you can do joint ventures or even press releases. The world is your oyster.

If you follow the basic guidelines outlined here, you won't go wrong and will definitely add 100s of visitors to your site each day.

P.S Podcasting is really fun! Be sure to try it!