How to Prepare a Podcast Campaign

Podcasting is specialized syndication. It empowers you with a worldwide resounding voice via RSS feeds. The process is simple. You prepare a podcast campaign audio file in MP3 format to contain your own scripted radio show. Next you create an RSS file which holds the directions for sending your MP3 file, at the request of a user program. Finally you upload the RSS “feed” and your MP3 file to validate operation. You are now ready to start your podcast audio campaign.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer
• Internet access
• Podcasting software
• MP3 file
• RSS file generator program
• FTP program
• Unidirectional, dynamic-type microphone

1. Design your podcast series to feature your product or service in an appealing and entertaining style. Motivating music, stimulating sound effects and natural narration will capture your listeners’ ears.
2. Record your audio scripts in an MP3 format. You have two options. You might buy an MP3 recorder to operate apart from your computer or you can purchase computer software for MP3 recording. A free and popular choice is listed in Resources.
3. Add your podcast title and author to the MP3 format, along with your website address. So each person who plays the file will view an instant promotion for your site. Now save this MP3 file in a form that will recognize it as a podcast. Tutorials are available online at no charge to guide you. Several sources are included below for peak podcasting.
4. Publish your podcast and post the feed. The “feed” is an RSS file which describes your podcast and links to the corresponding MP3 file. For beginners a Podcasting Starter Pack is recommended. More advanced podcasters might post with an RSS-feed generator which provides a basic interface, but is technically demanding.
5. Post the audio to your website and a recognized audio sharing site. You will find site addresses for two highly visited websites under Resources.
6. Drive traffic to a magnetic landing page on your website by specific mention of your site within the audio. Copy on the landing page spells out the promise and enhanced USP (unique selling proposition) of your podcast.
7. Promote your podcast campaign series through benefit-oriented copy targeted to attract the people who land on your site. Capture their commitment, names and email addresses via an opt-in field. You now have potential podcast subscribers who will develop into regular revenue through relationship bonding follow-up emails.

Tips & Warnings

• Podcasts provide several appealing advantages to a consumer. It takes no special effort to listen to an audio file. The podcast is portable and perfect or commutes or travel. Subscribers can listen at their easy convenience on an iPod or MP3 player.
• Most music stores offer an excellent selection of microphones which range in quality and price. For affordable voice recording, choose a brand name unidirectional, dynamic-type microphone.
• Windows has developed its own recording utility called Sound Recorder. To access this utility click: Start/Programs/Accessories/Entertainment/ Sound Recorder. Sound Recorder saves files in a wav format. If you decide for Windows, you will still have to convert your final recording into an MP3 file.