For a long time I was reluctant to add podcasting to my list building arsenal thinking it was simply another task on my already long To Do list and, to be honest, it sounded tedious… manually submitting my podcast episodes to the various podcast directories so that people knew they were there; I didn’t have time for that!

Little did I realize how easy it was to implement this strategy, and reach a whole other audience too – those who prefer to learn by listening! But now that I know how easy it is to create a podcast, I want to share that information with you!

What is a podcast?

A podcast is a collection of individual audio recordings saved as a digital file, such as an Mp3 or WAV audio file. Each individual audio recording is called an episode. People can listen to your podcast (collection of episodes) on the Internet, on their PC, or transfer the file to their portable device such as an iPod or MP3 player. You can also create your own radio show through using podcasts… think about all the Internet Radio Shows you’ve listened to online or read about.

People can subscribe to your podcast using RSS feeds and therefore receive new episodes automatically whenever they become available.

You can easily create your podcast episodes from your newsletter articles and once you’ve recorded several articles you’ll have a well-stocked podcast.

So now you know what a podcast is, let me tell you how you can create your own podcast in three easy steps!

Step 1: Create your template

When you record a podcast episode (i.e. your article), you need to include an introduction and a closing paragraph. It’s not enough to simply record your article without any beginning and end – even though the article itself has a beginning and end!

You need to tell your listener who you are, what you do, what your podcast is about, and at the end tell them where they can go for further information, i.e. your newsletter sign-up URL.

Step 2: Choose your recording medium

If you’re already using one of the online streaming media services check out their services. I’d been using my service for over a year before I realized that I could use the same account to create my podcast.

And the best bit… my service will automatically syndicate each new episode to the various podcast directories meaning that my episodes are published and accessible immediately – even to iTunes! I don’t need to manually submit each episode to the various podcast directories.

Step 3: Use a cueprompter

Now, I could just print out my podcast template (complete with article) and read off that into my microphone and record my episode. But the danger here is that you might not sound natural; in other words, you may sound like you’re reading from a page. What you want to do is let your authentic self come through to your listener.

And the best way I’ve found for doing this is to use a CuePrompter – like newsreaders do when they’re reading the news, or presenters when they’re presenting a TV program. Search “cue prompter” and you’ll find several to choose from!

So now you’ve created your podcast template, chosen a recording medium, and loaded everything into a cue prompter, you’re ready to record and create your very first Podcast episode!

The whole process takes me about 15 minutes tops! And reaches a whole new target audience too.

About the Author
Online Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business. Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com.

• 0 Comments

  

Comments

 Add your own comments

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)

What next?

 Digg it

 Save This Page

 Subscribe to GetEntrepreneurial.com

 Leave a comment

Next Article: 5 Tips for Social Media Efficiency »

Previous Article: BIZNESS! Newsletter Issue 94 »

Tracey Lawton is a GE Network Expert. View Tracey Lawton's profile or read more articles from Tracey Lawton. Learn more about the GE Experts Network.

Have an expert opinion on issues entrepreneurs and small business owners face everyday? Join the GetEntrepreneurial.com Experts Network and share your expertise with the community!

The new GE Experts Network is inviting seasoned entrepreneurs and small business owners to come on board and contribute small business advice to our community of aspiring entrepreneurs. If you have an effective way of generating sales or you know how to use social networking to connect with your customers, join us in providing wider entrepreneurial content that would benefit small business owners worldwide.

Click Here to Learn More >>

Related Articles

 Ooh Local Activities » If you can find and do great, local stuff at home, why not do great local stuff that’s run by local people...

 Necktie Reuse » New Startups: Narwhal Company is the inspirational idea of an everyday person that was looking to move away from the 9-5 lifestyle...

 Dog’s Collar Comes with Tweets » "Puppy Tweets" dog’s collar allows dog owners to follow their dog on twitter. This plastic tag (introduced by Mattel), comes equipped with...

 Friend of Trends » Trend Friend is an online (and smartphone accessible) gift idea database that allows users to quickly find the trendiest gifts based on...

Need more brand new promising business ideas and innovations around the world you wish you'd thought of? Visit CoolBusinessIdeas.com now!

Ever wanted to be the CEO of your very own Starbucks or Amazon.com? Fire your boss and be your own boss? Now you can, with BIZNESS! - the free biweekly business newsletter about new business ideas, opportunities and innovations from around the world. More than just new business trends, BIZNESS! helps the aspiring entrepreneur (you!) with small business advice, business tips, and entrepreneur resources and opportunities.

   Subscribe for free now!    

---