Podcasting is all the rage – it’s everywhere.  More and more website owners are lending their voices to this very significant internet multimedia medium.  There are many rewards, financial included, for those who learn how to effectively use podcasting - podcasting is easy to do and can be done for little cost or even FREE.

But let’s stop here and first define the term.

What is podcasting?

First, let’s start with the "wikipedia" definition:

"A podcast is a multimedia file that is distributed by subscription (paid or unpaid) over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers[1]. Like ‘radio’, it can mean both the content and the method of broadcast. the latter may also be termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

Though podcasters’ Web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their content, a podcast is distinguished from other digital audio formats by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading feed formats such as RSS or Atom."

Why podcast?

Podcasting can truly enhance and humanize your visitor’s experience on your site – literally transforming your site from 2-D to 3-D.  Podcasting gives you a way to connect with a segment of the population that may be text-deaf – meaning they would rather listen than read.

Here are three strong reasons to consider podcasting:

Humanize the site

Podcasting can ‘humanize’ your site.  The internet is world full of ’strangers’; full of people we have never physically met.  This is a major obstacle for marketers to overcome – building trust without ever personally meeting your prospect/customer/reader. 

Podcasting is one of the mediums that can really bring a warm touch to your site — letting you make a stronger connection with your audience.  One of the evidences for me is the myriad of marketing sites that are now using some sort of audio to reach out to their visitor – it’s become downright easy to add just a little clip of audio to say hi – and the folks respond.

Attract audio learners

Are you aware that not everyone learns or processes information the same way?  We often hear of visual learners, audio learners and those who learn by reading the written word. 

Up until the late 90’s, the internet was a nearly silent medium speaking mainly in the realm of text – as a research tool and content reader.  However, the internet has been and is being stretched far beyond its text-based roots and the audio learners are rejoicing.  Audio learners can visit a site with audio content and absorb information in the way that best suits them – the spoken word. 

Easier to produce than writing an article (for some)

For some people, sitting down at the keyboard and trying to organize and write down one’s thoughts is a threatening task – they would much rather speak to their audience.  Podcasting is the perfect medium for them – as easy as using a tape-recorder.  They talk about a certain topic and then upload their recorded message to their website – that’s it.

In summary:

The bottom line is that adding podcasting to your existing site or blog opens your site up to a much greater audience.  And because it’s easy and can be FREE, there is no reason why you shouldn’t consider it for your site.