Podcasting 101

If you’re not familiar with the term Podcasting,  it is the use of audio or video to broadcast a message.  Though experts disagree on where the term came from (some say it came from a combination of the Apple iPod and the term broadcast, while others say it comes from Public on Demand + Cast), the medium is growing exponentially as a tool businesses use to communicate with customers and potential customers.

Think of it as an audio blog or an audio e-newsletter.  Like both of those tools, podcasts are an excellent and cost effective way to reach your target market in a personal and informative way.  Additionally, podcasts can be distributed through RSS format, which is a subscription service that announces and delivers the podcast to your subscribers like a blog or a newsletter.

One of the reasons for the popularity of podcasts is that users, your customers and your target market, are able to easily access the information and listen to it on their computer, iPod (or other MP3 player), handheld device and even their cell phone.

How podcasting can help your site or blog:

1. Podcasts increase your marketing reach and online visibility. You will expand your target market because different people prefer different mediums. Some customers like to read company information, others prefer videos or live communication and still others like to download your information and listen to it when they have time.  Many podcast users listen to downloaded podcasts on their way to work or while they’re working out.

2. Podcasts can improve your sales and conversion rates. Podcasts are yet another way to reach your customers, and the one-on-one communication provides the kind of personal touch that customers crave.  People are more likely to buy from someone that they feel they have communicated with directly, and podcasts enable you to do just that.

3. Podcasts provide a consistent line of communication with subscribed listeners. It has been proven that regular communication with your customers improves both your overall relationship with them and their buying frequency.  A regularly distributed podcast can strengthen your relationship with your buyers and help to build a community with your customers.

4. Podcasts provide beneficial and value added content, which increases customer loyalty. Podcasts can offer a different kind of content to what you can provide with a blog or an e-newsletter.  This kind of content can be extremely beneficial to your customers.

5. Podcasts allow you to distribute industry news and trends, which sets you apart from your competition and establishes you as a respected leader in your niche or industry. One of the best ways to get repeat purchases and loyal customers is to become the “expert” in your industry.  Once your business is established as the place to go for quality information, services or products, your profits will grow.

6.  Podcasting, or adding audio or video to your website and email messages, enables customers and prospects to access information in a more personal way. You can add video or audio testimonials, quick “how to” segments, and even a special promotional message.  Adding audio or video is a unique way to add a personal touch to your website.

7.  A podcast or an audio file can be used as a giveaway to build your opt-in list. Consider recording either an interview with an industry expert or a seminar or workshop, and then offering the audio file as a free download.  In return, you get their email address for future mailings.

Podcasting can increase profits:

The great thing about podcasting is that you can do it at home with a basic Mac or PC and an inexpensive microphone. Some podcast hosting sites even make it possible to podcast with your cell phone.  You simply register with the service and create your podcasts by recording them when you’re on your cell phone.

Podcasting on a consistent schedule is important when building a community and a wider audience.  In fact, don’t expect your podcast to have a large audience in the beginning.  But with proper promotion, quality content and a regular schedule, your podcast audience will grow.  Many podcast audiences number in the thousands.

Decide, before you get started, how often you will be able to broadcast.  Each podcast will take time to script, rehearse and record.  You are likely to want to commit at least four hours of planning and production time for each podcast.

To determine how long your podcast should be, you’ll want to consider how frequently you’re going to broadcast, what content you’re delivering, and who your audience is.  For example, if you’re doing a daily podcast you would be likely to want to keep it short.  Five to ten minutes is a perfectly acceptable length for a daily.  It is enough time to offer an inspiration, a tip for the day or an insight.  If you’re doing a weekly and you know that your subscribers generally listen to your podcast on their drive to work, then a 20-30 minute podcast would fit perfectly into that time frame.

Great news!  Podcasts can actually be free.  If your computer came with a microphone or you use the cell phone type set-up, then you already have your recording equipment.  All you need is a podcast host and, like blogging hosts, many are offered for free.  Simply use your favorite search engine and you’ll find numerous choices.

Of course, for a few extra dollar s you can find podcast hosts that offer sound editing software, more storage and unlimited bandwidth.  To choose the right podcast host, it really depends on how many podcasts you want to produce per month, how big they will be and what kind of subscriber base you are expecting for your shows.

The name of your podcast is also important.  It not only reflects your business and your brand identity, but it also needs to inspire people to download it, listen to it, and come back for more.  Choose a name for your podcast that matches your content topic.  People generally search for a particular subject when they visit podcast sites, like “meditation”, “marketing”, “investing” etc.

Like any other online content, publicity is all about using the right keywords.  Your podcast can have your company name on it but you should also consider having a secondary name.  Dating the podcasts is also suggested, because it helps subscribers organize them and know what is new content and what is old content.

For customers that download onto their iPod or other MP3 player, they will see a 255 character id tag that scrolls across their screen.  Be sure to include your URL (and possibly your phone number as well) in that title.

Always script your podcast before you record it.  Make sure to outline your point or points first.  What message do you want to get across to your subscribers?  Make sure you are able to address this point accurately and completely in the time that you have allowed.  Make notes of where you want to add inflection.

Podcasts that are without inflection or a range of vocal emphasis are not interesting to listen to.  Add emotion to your voice; if you are excited about your material show it, and if you are discussing something serious or sad, let your voice demonstrate that too.

Don’t forget to plan pauses and breaths into your script and where you’re going to place your advertisements.  Advertisements work best when you can easily transition into them.

For example, “Speaking of making money online, head to our website now and save 10% on our new book 101 Ways to Save Money.”

Sample format outline:

• Introductory music or commentary
• Introduce of host(s)
• Begin topic
• Few minutes of content
• Advertisement
• Another few minutes of content
• Promotional mention of an upcoming events, episodes, guests, etc.
• Teaser for next episode
• Closing music or commentary

Advertising Tips for Podcasting:

Make sure that your audio or video includes an easy to remember phone number, because many people will be listening to your offers while they’re driving or working out.  They won’t be able to simply click through to your website.  That being said, make sure you also include your URL in your call to action so that those that are listening on their computer can immediately visit your site.

Keep your advertisements short. Listeners can easily ”fast forward” and not listen to your advertisements.  If you keep them to 10-15 seconds they won’t make the effort to skip over them.  Additionally, you should transition into them as you’re speaking so that the listeners aren’t  immediately aware that they’re listening to an ad.

Make sure that you keep the ads free of time constraints.  Due to the nature of a podcast, a person can listen to it today or six months from now.  If your advertisements have a “limited time offer” call to action, then you’ll miss out on a lot of potential customers.

Hook your audience with interesting content before you insert your ads. Placing your ads in the beginning of your podcast can cause some listeners to tune out; however, if you’ve already hooked them with interesting information, they’ll listen to a quick plug to hear the rest of your information.

Types of Podcasts

You can podcast on the following topics:

* Instructions or training manuals of your products
* Company news
* Commentary on your industry or industry analysis
* Creative endeavors like singing, reading poetry, reading fiction
* Behind the scenes information
* Interviews with experts
* Seminars or workshops
* Reviews on products or services
* “How to” guides
* From the field information
* Lessons
* Inspirations
* Meetings or mastermind group discussions
* Call in shows
* Monologues
* Dialogues or conversations
* Quiz shows
* News magazine format

Content:

Like any online tool, content is king.  In your podcast you absolutely must provide content that offers a benefit to your customers and target market.  A podcast that is simply an advertisement for your services may get listened to once but it won’t be revisited, and it won’t be forwarded to friends, family and associates.  However, a podcast that entertains and informs will grow and build your sales and your online presence.

Make sure that the content that you offer via your podcast differs from the content that you offer via your blog, e-zine or on your website.

Marketing your podcast:

The best way to increase the number of listeners you have is to tell everyone about your new podcast.  If you have an e-zine, then promote, and link to, your podcast in your e-zine.  If you have a blog, promote and link to your podcast there.  Include a signature “visit my podcast” or “listen here” in every email.  And of course, don’t forget to promote your podcast on your website!  Place a link to your podcast on your website, with an image, somewhere between 100×100 and 250×250, with an intriguing headline that makes the viewer want to listen.

Linking to and from favorite podcasts or other relevant podcasts is also a great way to increase your audience.  And don’t worry if the number of listeners you have is small in the beginning.  Podcasts are a medium and, like e-zines and blogs, tend to grow as word gets out.  The key is to get listeners “hooked” on your podcast so that they’re listening to every podcast regularly and talking to their friends and associates about it.  The best way to get them hooked is to provide great content.

Podcasting  tips and ideas

• Make sure you speak in a strong voice and add inflection.  If you sound like you’re uncertain about what you’re saying, your listeners will think so too.
• Make sure that your broadcasting frequency is consistent.  You want people to make listening to your podcast a habit.
• Offer variety.  Include different guests and formats if possible.  This will keep listeners intrigued and engaged.
• Make sure that your podcast content is different from your blog content, articles and e-zine content.  Chances are that listeners will explore all of your content, and if it is redundant they will lose interest.
• Focus on content, not sales pitches.  Your listeners will readily listen if you’re providing content that offers them a benefit.  However, if it’s merely a sales pitch you’ll lose them immediately.
• Plan on Podcasting for the long haul.  Podcasting is a medium that builds an audience over time and a “test run” won’t give you the results you’re looking for.
• Don’t read directly from your script.  Practice it a few times so that you know what you’re going to say and then let the podcast recording flow naturally.
• Invite others to contribute to your podcast by calling in, speaking, or contributing topic ideas.
• Include music at the beginning and end, and use the same music each time so that your audience begins to identify the music with your podcast.
• Give each podcast a headline or title.  Make sure that it offers your audience a benefit such as “10 Tips to Lifelong Happiness.”
• Podcasting is a very personal medium.  Talk to your audience like you’re talking to a friend, as if you’re having a one-on-one conversation.
• Podcasting, like any marketing tool, needs to be tested and evaluated from time to time to make sure that you’re getting optimal exposure.  Track downloads and test headlines for open rates.  Track click through rates by sending audiences to specific web pages.  Many audio/podcasting  services give you important statistics on downloads, play time and listens to completion.  This makes it easy to know if people are listening and enables you to make quick changes to meet what your audience demands.
• If you’re uneasy writing a podcast or audio script, you can outsource the project by hiring a freelance writer to create your script.  Remember to personalize the script when you make your recording.
• Before you begin Podcasting, research your competition’s podcasts or audio files.  Find out what they do that you can do better and differently.
• Before you begin Podcasting, visit and listen to numerous successful podcasts inside and outside of your industry.  What makes the good ones good?  What can you take away from the successful podcasts and make your own?

Adding a podcast to your marketing mix and to your website is a valuable and economical marketing tool that can bring you fantastic results.  You’ll grow your target audience, build a community around your brand, product, or service, and – best of all – you’ll help people learn more.  Podcasts are a win-win for both you and your customer.
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SEO and Active Links

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an art. If you own a website or blog and want it to grow and be a great site with lots of traffic, SEO must become a regular part of y our life. Webmasters, successful ones anyway, never stop optimizing their sites. There is always something that can be tweaked or new idea surfacing to help site owners have better SEO.

Active Link Factor and SEO

You must be very careful how many outgoing active links (that are not a part of your actual domain) on your site. If you have too many, search engines will think you are a link farm and punish you for it. If you research and look for successful, high ranking and high traffic sites, you will see that they are not an ocean of outgoing links…especially on their main page.

If you have a lot of resource links, consider just putting them up as a reference and not making them active. That way visitors can still access the resource, but you are not hurting your SEO with a sea of active links.

Link Exchanges should be made only with good ranking sites and or quality niche sites. Be very picky. Also, make a separate page for link exchanges. Better yet, place link exchanges around your internal pages in places they will be most appreciated by visitors and encourage the same for those you exchange with. Remember, a quality link coming IN does not necessarily need to e a high ranking page. A page within your NICHE is the best.

Good SEO requires commitment and regular attention. Take the time to optimize your site regularly and you will reap the benefits for years to come.

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

10 Reasons cPanel Hosting is the Best

There are many hosting companies tooting their horns these days. However, if they do not have cPanel with Fantastico, they are pointless and not worth your hard earned money.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that you should never spend more than $65 per year on hosting, and that is if you are getting premium hosting. Basic should be no more than $50 per year. Period. Oh, and avoid builders at ALL costs!! If you want easy, go with a free WordPress or Blogger blog.

10 Reasons cPanel Hosting is the Best

1. They Offer More than the Average Host. With cPanel you are getting more than just hosting. The platform is user-friendly and comes with video tutorials. A great option for the savvy webmaster and/or a beginner.

2. Email Accounts. Depending on the plan you purchase, at least 1 email account should be included. Not only do you get email accounts, you also get at least a couple different choices on retrieving webmail, optional forwarding, mailing list and more. With the webmail, there are signature options and sending options as well. Tons of mail features come with cPanel hosting.

3. Superior File Manager. Your files are in good hands with many options, including; back up abilities, ftp accounts, and more. Once in your file section it is extremely easy to manage. There is even a WYSIWYG editor for creating website pages…and many other helpful features for files and website pages.

4. Awesome Log Features. One of the best parts of cPanel hosting is the stats and logs that come with it. It has a bandwidth checker so you can keep track of bandwidth usage. It also comes with error log and several different stat counters for website traffic. The traffic stats are great and show you several different demographics and other important information on  your visitors.

5. Security Features. You can password protect pages, have hotlink protection, ip deny manager and more.

6. Domain Options. Again, depending on what package you purchase, you can have add on domains, parked domains, subs and redirects. How many depends on package.

7. Databases. No matter who you get cPanel hosting through, one database should be included. Otherwise, it is not worth it. Databases can be used for fantastic features, forums, blogs, and much more.

8. Software Services. This is bar far one of the best parts of cPanel hosting. Depending on the company you choose to get hosting with (and I recommend you shop), you will have several features to choose from. A few of them may be…

• Fantastico. It’s all free and included with hosting. However, you must make sure you have enough databases for what you will be wanting to accomplish. With fantastico, you have easy access to many features, including; free forums like SMF, WordPress and other blog platforms, classifieds, content management, ecommerce options, image galleries, website templates and building options, Wiki, PHP form generator, auctions and much more…all at the click of your mouse!
• RV Site Builder. This is a great option for beginners. Instead of paying a ton of money ($20+ per month or more) for a  builder host, RV site builder is included with most cPanel hosting companies. Very easy to use. Tons of templates and customizing features. It is a very user-friendly software.
• PHP Pear Packages. PEAR packages are collections of functions that allow you to perform tasks in PHP.
• Perl Modules functions and installer. Perl modules are collections of functions that allow you to perform tasks in Perl.
• cPAddon Scripts. These are great for adding chat, bulletin boards, carts and more. Check with your host for more information.
• CGI Center. Pre-installed scripts for you to use with your site. Some examples are; random HTML generator, advanced guestbook, java clock and much more.

9. Advanced Features. As if cPanel hosting did not come with enough features, you will also find things like; Apache handlers, error pages, index manager, Cron Jobs, Network tools and many more goodies depending on your host.

10. The Administrator Back Office Set Up. Not only is it easy to navigate, but there are admin features that make it easy for you to know what you have and your stats as well.

• Search. Can’t find what you need in your cPanel. They provide a search function.
• Frequently visited area. This is a great help if you mainly visit your mail, stats, and a couple other areas in your cPanel. It is like having a “quick links” section.
• Stat Section. I am not talking about website traffic. I am talking about an admin stat section. Things like how many databases, email accounts, etc that you have, versions, bandwidth usage, disk space, and more.

As you can see, there are many many reasons that cPanel hosting is the best option for hosting  website or blog. Do some research and find the best company with the most reasonable prices. Make sure you know what you are getting with your cPanel and be sure Fantasitco is included, and RV site builder if you will need a user friendly builder system. Personally, I think a WordPress blog through the Fantastico will do the trick.

Do not forget that more than $50  a year for basic and $65 a year for premium hosting is a rip off. Period.

If you would like more information on cPanel hosting at reasonable pricing, click here.

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Promoting Content is an Important Part of Increasing Traffic

Writing original content is vital for designing a successful website or blog. New content must be added on a regular basis to keep it active. If a site is neglected, PR ranking and traffic will be lost and hard to get back.

One thing to remember: writing and posting the content is only part of the work involved in promoting a website. The content itself needs to be promoted.

10 Tips to Promote Content for Free

• Start a Newsletter. A mailing list is extremely helpful. It allows the owner of the list to send out weekly or monthly updates about website, specials and new content. It also keeps business owners in touch with their readers and clients. Note: Only including partial articles in the newsletter will encourage readers to keep reading the piece on site. They may wind up reading more than the article that got them there!
• Tweet about it. Twitter is growing in popularity every day. Business owners, bloggers and webmasters should jump on this lucrative social networking bandwagon while they have the chance. Who knows what the next “in thing” will be! Read more about promoting on Twitter here.
• Digg It and Others like it. These types of sites are designed to get the word out about new and top notch content. Joining these free sites and using them to promote content is a must for getting the word out about a website and it’s content. A few of the good ones are; digg.com, plurk.com, buzz.yahoo.com, delicious.com, reddit.com and stumbleupon.com.
• Facebook. Another great place to network and connect with other business owners is to have a facebook account. It should be used for more than just connecting with old highschool friends. Using it to connect with others in business is very savvy. Starting a fan page is also a great way to get the word out about new content. Posting regular updates on facebook will bring in more traffic and new readers.
• Submit Content to Article Directories. It is important to have a good authors box with 1-2 links back to writers websites. After 30 days, sending original content to article directories, makes it available for others in the same niche. It is a great tool to get free back links.
• Install Social Plug Ins. WordPress is by far the best blogging platform in this writers opinion. They have fabulous plug ins to help readers promote what they read. Every blog owner should have social links in the footer of their articles. It gives readers the ability to tweet about great posts they read, or at the very least give it a thumbs up on sites like digg!
• SEO. Always make sure articles have good titles, meta tags, h1 & h2 headings, proper key word usage and tags. This helps search engines promote the articles, and index them properly so potential readers can find them! Proper SEO is a vital key for increasing traffic. Tip for WordPress Bloggers: Install All In one SEO plug in.
• Encourage and Respond to Comments. If an article receives a comment, respond to the comment. Encouraging conversation is the site owners job. Asking colleagues and friends to read and comment on articles is a great way to get conversations going. If a site is intriguing to readers they will come back, tell their friends and maybe even post about it on their site/blog!
• Link to Articles. Visit other blogs and leave NON spam comments. Instead of linking back to home page of site, linking to actual articles on site will help get the word out about the content. This is also a great tip for forum signatures. Using the title of article with link is also a good way to intrigue potential readers and make them want to click and follow.
• Guest Blog. Being a guest blogger is another free way to promote a website. In the authors box can be a couple links back to articles that are popular or new. Guest blogging for website with high ranking and same niche is the key to making the most of this tip.

Promoting a website is an ongoing task. There are no “quick fixes” to increase traffic. It takes hard work and determination to create popular websites.

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved