Podcasting: A new form of Marketing

We live in a wonderful age of the Internet's infancy where, if you look in the right places, many things can still be found for free. Web 2.0 is the new requirement of modern websites now adopting to use video, audio and social media to interact with customers rather than having them just read the pages as in years gone by. Visitors to a webpage now expect to take part either by listening to audio or watching videos. Podcasting is one such popular way for companies or website to interact with customers or listeners. They are web-based media files (audio, video or even text-based) that a user can download from the internet onto a computer or music player. Podcasting is different from media streaming in that it needs special software (example: iTunes) to play it. This software (also called pod catcher or media aggregator) works on retrieving readily available media files only after the user has subscribed to a Podcast.

Podcasts are similar to magazine subscriptions in that they allow the user to receive updates all the way to his computer or iPhone. The update in a Podcast can be done manually or can be done automatically after a new episode is available depending on the setting the user has selected. Customers download the sound file and by adding it to an iPod or mp3 player they can listen to it when walking, exercising or sitting around the house between TV shows. Almost anyone could build a Podcast and make it available online. All that is needed to publish a Podcast is an account, a computer, a microphone, and an interest the user would like to share with other users over the internet. Radio shows and talk shows are one of the best examples of Podcasting. Very few people use this form of advertising because of the technical aspects of setting up a podcast and what to talk about. Actually it is a lot easier and more affordable than one might think. If we can get past the initial intimidation factor and get started, it actually only takes around 20 minutes per week, so it's also time effective.

Following these simple steps can get you started with using a new form of marketing Podcasting also called web 2.0 is capable of spreading your message virally.

1. You need a microphone.
2. You need an audio recording program. Audacity is an excellent free program that you can use.
3. You need a hosting account for your podcast. Just go to podomatic and they will host your podcasting account and actually give you a blog for your podcasting.

So what are you waiting for, create an audio file and spread your message virally to take maximum advantage of Web 2.0 technology.