Messaging Through Earbuds, Pt. I
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If you don't think of podcasting as a mobile medium, think again! Any users with MP3 players (including smartphones) can load podcasts onto their devices and listen to them anywhere—while sitting on the subway, jogging, walking the dog, you name it. Podcasts are inexpensive to produce, and once you've loaded one onto your server, you can spread it via a website, iTunes and your feed-reader of choice. It's time to get your message out to earbuds across the land!
A podcast can range anywhere from a minute—say, John Hodgman's "Today in the Past"—to an hour: NPR's "This American Life," Bob Knorpp's "The BeanCast," or Bill Green's and Angela Natividad's "AdVerve" (the last two being ad/marketing related, and the NPR show being a series of human-interest stories).
So, how can you take advantage of this new phenom? Consider the product or service you're trying to offer, and the market you want to reach. Then fit a 'cast to them! Every industry has a series of quirky or charming stories to share, whether historical anecdotes or tales about how people have used a product in unexpected ways.
For added traction, invite testimonials or experiences from your listeners, then read them aloud. Add color to your 'cast by incorporating music from independent music labels or little-known local artists, bringing an element of discovery to the listening experience.
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Comments
I listen to a lot of podcasts. I get hours upon hours of free DJ Mix sets via podcast and listen to a lot of news and media related casts on my IPod especially in the summer when I am far from the house at the gym, laying out in the sun, or jogging. I also listen in my car when driving around or on road trips (radio doesn't exist to me anymore) And I need to give special props to both The BeanCast and AdVerve for being excellent podcasts discussing current topics in Advertising, Media, and Technology.
I think this is an absolute must for people. I think podcasts are just beginning to tap into being the "DVR" of the iPod/iPad. I am the president of a company that produces ear bud covers called Breppies. We are playing with the idea of doing podcasts as an additional marketing tool. Since our product keeps earbuds comfortable for hours, keep them in your ears and come in hundreds of colors and styles, we think that we could use this medium to show potential customers the advantages of our product. Great article!