10 Ways a Podcast can Build Your Business.
(From my Social Media 2007 talk in Chicago.)
1. Smart/Sexy Brand Builder
It’s a Cost-Effective, Easy, Cool Way to Get Your Company Message Out:
- Do something that fits your brand.
(ie. Church podcasting sermons, Publisher podcasting book excerpts.)
- The “Cool” factor.
It establishes and/or reinforces a forward-thinking/leadership perception.
(Depending how well you do it. Be creative.)
2. Broad, Free, Easy, Distribution.
- RSS feeds (ie. Feedburner)
- iTunes
3. Ad Media Outlet/Tip #1: Take advantage of the self-promotion without being tacky.
- Use “soft-sell” plugs for your own products/services. (Embedded content.)
- Because of the strong niche aspect of podcasting, listeners will be much more receptive.
4. Ad Media Outlet / Tip #2: Sell Outside Sponsorships.
- Within podcast.
- On the website itself.
5. Ad Media Outlet Tip / #3: Turn guests into clients.
With an interview format it’s easy to invite any guest that you’d value as a client. It allows for the opportunity to develop a peer-to-peer professional relationship.
6. New Business “Attract vs Chase” Strategy / Tip #1
- Engage: To sell, you must first engage prospects and build relationships.
- Educate: Offer your company’s product or service-related insights to help build/increase your value perception. Offer helpful business tips as “Teasers” or a “How to” audio book.
> Know your audience’s hot buttons.
- Optional Formats:
> Straight info/tips
> Co-host / banter
> Host w/Interviews
7. New Business “Attract vs Chase” Strategy / Tip #2
Use selected clips as targeted, prospect-specific emails to current prospects.
- Audio provides a stronger emotional connection.
- The “Tease Factor.” (ie. Prospect: “What is it?”)
8. Great Product Demo Opportunity (w/Video podcasts)
Examples:
Household Products:
- The Blendtec Blender.
Technology Products:
- “The PhotoShop Guys” for PhotoShop training.
- “Internet Business Mastery” for podcasting, blogging, SEO, etc.
9. As a PR Tool.
- Latest News/Info Outlet.
- New Product intro.
10. Helps with Organic SEO via descriptive “show notes.”
The more descriptive/relevant the text (key words, links) the more magnetic it’ll be for searches. (See “G-Cred” post below.)
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Relevant Quotes:
“The best business solutions are more creative than expensive.”
– Kenneth Cole
“It’s not just about technology. It’s about creative application of technology.”
– John Follis
For more info:
The Marketing Show podcast lets you hear different business owners and managers discuss their business, their marketing challenges, and their solutions. So, you gain helpful marketing insight while they talk about their product to a worldwide audience.
Marketing Therapy
Because anyone running a business needs therapy.
