Podcasting can be an easy way to reach out to entertainment consumers. Most mp3 players have the capability of allowing each unique user to add the podcast to their player and then replace that podcast audio with whatever audio content they wish whenever they want to. This can be accomplished in a matter of seconds.
Those who do not use an iPod or mp3 device generally have a fear about how the systems work and if they will ever be able to make changes once they finally do place content on their device.
Other consumers may simply download the podcast to their computer and listen that way. Some might even go so far as to burn the podcast to a disc and listen via a CD player.
That's the really good news regarding podcasts; the form of distribution is extremely flexible.
Many regular podcast users will often send the podcast audio directly to their download file through the use of Real Simple Syndication (RSS) and the content will update itself the next time they dock their mp3 player.
Let's say for instance that an individual likes a certain talk show, but can rarely listen when the content is live, or they don't live in an area that carries the content on terrestrial radio. These individuals can sign up for applicable podcasts, dock their mp3 player for an update and then listen to the entire program whenever they want ? they can pause the program when it is not convenient to listen then return to the podcast when they are able.
Consumers can even advance through audio content they may be less interested in.
Podcasts are sort of like TiVo for the ears, but with podcasts your potential sources for content are virtually limitless. In most cases podcast downloads are absolutely free. This dynamic continues to power the Internet as a one-stop shop for virtually anything you want.
Where once the Internet was primarily useful for sending and receiving emails and visiting a few rudimentary websites the Internet has grown up and continues to diversify its offerings to include so many additional possibilities. Podcasts are a huge part of the growing consumer confidence in the overall value of the online environment.
When customers visit your site do they find a podcast or audio stream they can tap into? For some individuals this may be the only way to reach them. Either they are too busy to read or they have trouble reading and a podcast explaining either the benefits of your product or a magazine style interview podcast with actual customers can help them connect with your business in a new way.
Needless to say not everyone cares about downloading a podcast and not all customers will listen, but as new users enter the world of online business you can be sure the relevance of a podcast will simply grow.
This may be a bit like customers who use texting as part of their cell phone plan. Some detest the idea of texting, but more and more cell phone users are discovering this to be a primary communications choice. Podcasting maintains a similar feel among users.
Fail Marketing 101 and no matter how passionate you are about your business model, you will sputter and spin out in time.
First, you need to assess the reality of your own marketing and sales situation. You may need some help in order to make this assessment brutally honest -which it needs to be.
Here is the reality of the situation: many professionals and business owners/managers find themselves at the bottom of the Marketing Learning Curve. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that their target market is also at the bottom of the learning curve in that they do not understand the value of your service(s) and/or product(s).
Moving yourself and your target market up the learning curve is what real marketing is all about.
If you want to get your professional services understood, valued, and used in the marketplace, ignoring this responsibility is not an option. If you need to build upon your core retail business, ignoring the need for astute marketing is not an option. LEARN your way out of your problem.
You, your business and your target market will generally land on one of four of the following steps:
Step 1-Not knowing what you do not know. . . aka you are clueless! For the business person, this might be understanding the 5 Principles of successful marketing (People, Promotion, Product, Physical Distribution and Price).
For your target audience it may well be not knowing that you exist or what exactly you and/or your service or product can do for them to help solve their problem or make their life better. Ignorance may be bliss, but I guarantee that it will rarely build your client list.
Step 2-Becoming aware of what you do not know stage. For the business person, this might be doing some basic research on effective marketing. Careful here. A little knowledge can indeed be a dangerous thing. You will need to sort and sift and ask a lot of questions.
For your target market, this might be you providing them with a free assessment of their needs and wants or providing testimonials of how other people in their shoes used your service or product to solve their problems.
Step 3-Testing before you plunge. The business person takes her newly-learned knowledge, sets up a plan and tries new things in order to improve results and build business. These marketing tests are designed to build the perception of your target market as to what is really in it for them to do business with you.
Test early and often to see if you are connecting with your target market. If not, change. If you are connecting, run with it.
Positive test results position you to close in on making the deal/sale.
Step 4 - Your batting average is improving. You are in a business that you love and that you do well. You have begun to get more hits than strikeouts and your fan base is building . . . because your clients/customers perceive that they have gotten the results they want and that they can trust you over the long haul. They are enthusiastic about referring more business to you.
Here are some ways to keep climbing the marketing staircase to success:
1. Read marketing articles relevant to your particular field. 2. Attend some marketing workshops. 3. Form a mastermind group. 4. Isolate ONE idea each week (or month) and give it a go. If it works, do it again; if it bombs, try something else. 5. Be patient with yourself and the process. You did not become an expert in your own field overnight and you will not become a marketing whiz quickly.
Marketing is not about hustling or twisting arms. Successful marketing is about sharing what you know with the right audience in such a way that they perceive the value for themselves in the work you do or the product or service you offer.
Success in business in general and marketing in particular is little more than being willing to do the tasks that most people are not willing to do even when you do not want to do them. Be willing to try new things that your competition is not doing or has not tried.
Know that you never arrive at the pinnacle of marketing expertise. It is a lifelong continuum.
Both Scott Lindsay & Robert Schumacher are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.