Podcasting is a method of producing a media file (either audio or video) and uploading it to the internet, providing an opportunity for people to subscribe to and receive them automatically as they are uploaded. What's great about podcasting is anyone who has something to say can now have a voice online, but also listeners (and perhaps potential clients) can download and listen to your podcast at a time that suits them.
No more having to tune into a radio/TV show, or listen to streaming media from a website, now you can download the show to your iPod, pda, mobile, Zune or other handheld device and listen to it on the train or in your car.
Here are 10 reasons why you should seriously consider riding the podcasting wave!
1. Establishing yourself as an expert in your industry is becoming a challenging prospect. A podcast provides the opportunity for people to get to know you and your work.
2. Podcasts provide you with an opportunity to communicate with your audience on a world wide scale.
3. Podcasts have an advantage over articles. You may have written hundreds of articles but the disadvantages are that the reader cannot feel the emotion behind the words. With podcasts you get to express emotions that can influence, entertain and inspire your listener.
4. There is an opportunity to create additional revenue from your podcast by creating podcasts that focus on a particular product, or training method and promote that.
5. You have an opportunity to re-use your written work and create it into a media format. Whether you take that written word and create a video or audio the opportunity is there for you to dust off those old articles, thesis, half written book and use them.
6. If you enjoy using metaphors, stories, prose or poems as a way of inspiring people then here is an opportunity for you to really have them come to life through your voice.
7. Podcasts provide an opportunity for you to take your unpublished work and distribute it to subscribers making them excited about buying the finished product.
8. It is a creative and fun process! Your podcast does not have to contain serious lecture style information. You can provide "fire side chats" where you inform and inspire.
9. You can create "how to" videos for your subscribers, providing them with the ability to watch how to use your product, or how to get the most out of your service.
10. It provides an alternative method of communication for the visually impaired and in the future if "signing" is introduced to videos could also become a valuable source for the deaf and heard of hearing community.
The great thing about podcasting is the public will become your critic! If you know you are as talented and as great as a leading expert in your field but you just need the opportunity to get yourself known, then creating a podcast provides that opportunity.
Podcasting is a serious business and keeping up with new technology is important in any field if you are not going to be left behind.
As with anything new a period of learning is recommended, but as with anything new learnt well, it won't be long before you are motivating, inspiring and entertaining the world wide web with your media delights!
