The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Business Success

Chapter 11. Talking About the Podcast (Audio Create)

Why do you suppose some automakers are rushing to make their cars iPod-compatible? Because so many people who drive—especially those who spend a lot of time in their cars—like to listen to music, news, sports, weather, and other forms of audio information. Historically, this has been the exclusive domain of radio, an industry that was built upon finding ways to entertain, inform, and then sell stuff to a captive audience of drivers during the highly lucrative drive-time hours.^[12] But that was then.

Automakers today know that the iPod has become such a ubiquitous and indispensable device that people want to bring them into their cars. And now you and your company can be there—and all of the other places people take their iPods—as well, provided you know why, when, and how to make podcasting part of your business strategy.

After one of the authors began podcasting, he received an e-mail from a listener requesting that the podcasts be saved and uploaded in an MP3 file format so he could more easily download the podcasts to his iPod. It turns out that every time a new podcast came out, the listener would transfer it to his iPod and listen to them at the gym. What an efficient way to use that time!

What's In It for You?

Podcasting is an effective way for you and your business to be heard—to capture the valuable mindshare of customers, prospects, and employees. And, like nearly all of the social media tools in the ecosystem, it's free! ...