Is Your Audience Listening? Get Your Prospects & Customers to Hear You ... Whenever, Wherever!
Podcasting is still an alien word to many business owners perhaps conjuring the 1950s sci-fi flick, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, where pods cast from outerspace took over our world.
Today, in the world of new media marketing, business owners use podcasts -- which are digital audio or video files delivered in a portable format -- on their websites, blogs, and social media to rapidly spread the word about what they do in a global marketplace.
However, before business owners start incorporating audio or video podcasts in their marketing arsenal, they usually ask the No. 1 burning question:
Is my audience listening?
The resounding answer is YES!
According to eMarketer.com, "there was a 285% increase in size of the US podcast audience in 2007, a growth to 18.5 million. That audience is expected to increase to 65 million in 2012. Of those listeners, 25 million will be 'active' users who tune in at least once a week."
So how do you make sure that your audience is listening?
- Give them information that addresses their challenges and focus on their needs.
- Keep your audience listening with engaging content. Mix it up. Talk to other experts. Add music at the beginning, in between segments and at the end.
- Keep your podcast brief -- 10-15 minutes.
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Promote your podcasting feed on your website, e-zine, blog, and social media.
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Go where your audience seeks information and make yourself known on podcast directories, forums and other groups.
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Prominently display your podcast subscription chicklet (the orange RSS button) or sign-up form so your audience will immediately receive your podcast when you post.
With podcasting a big part of the entire new media suite -- your website, e-zine, blog, and social media -- you will be able to speak even more directly to your audience and connect on a deeper level. This is the medium for anyone who doesn't love to write but is a passionate speaker.
It's obvious that business owners who are only using text to communicate with their audience need to ramp up their new media efforts. And if you're using audio then go to the next level with video.
An integrated new media strategy that includes an optimized website, e-zine, blog, podcasting and social media will ensure that your audience is listening and you will accelerate your business growth. Like the inciting pronouncement: "They're all here!" at the end of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, podcasting and all of the new media strategies -- "are all here!" ... to stay.
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Written by Lena Claxton, Chief Marketing Maven. Contact her at 704-644-2831 or at lena@newmediamavens.com. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2008.
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