The word “podcasting” is used often around the internet these days, although many people are still not exactly clear on just what a podcast is! Simply put, a podcast is a blog (web log) that is made available in audio format. The audio portion is a standard MP3 file that contains a program or “show” that can be created by anyone. Think of it as a radio talk show that can be transmitted from a computer.

The podcast transmission uses Real Simple Syndication (RSS) technology. It may seem complicated but, as the name implies, it is actually fairly simple. There are many resources available to help people learn how to record and set up a podcast. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow. In fact, with just a few easy to learn skills, some low-cost (or free) computer programs, and the basic computer equipment and internet connections that you probably already have, YOU can create a podcast and host your own show.

In addition to setting up a podcast, you’ll also want to provide a written blog that offers helpful, supplemental text for your podcast material. For example, you may briefly mention a topic in your podcast and then tell your listeners: “For more information on this topic, please see the web site….” In this way, you can expand the amount of information your subscribers receive from your transmission.

When you have set up a blog and website, anyone with an internet connection can subscribe to your show. Listeners will use an RSS “aggregator,” such as Doppler or Ipodder. Both of these are FREE downloadable program that allow others to subscribe to any podcast of interest. They’re easy to set up and can be pre-configured to check for new podcast updates at set intervals. In this way, a subscriber doesn’t have to be “tuned in” to your podcast at a certain time; he can just receive notice of an update that is automatically downloaded to his computer and then listen to it at his leisure. Subscribers listen to these files just like their music files, using Windows Media Player, iTunes, or any other similar audio program that is compatible with MP3 files.

Needless to say, the topics of a podcast are limitless. For example, maybe you have a special interest (even expertise) in fly fishing. What a great idea to have a podcast devoted to the art and adventures of this great sport! You can share techniques, stories, and even take live calls during pre-set transmission times. Podcasting offers you the opportunity to become a true “internet personality.”

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Podcasting connects people who have a message with people who want to hear it. Yet, how can coaches take advantage of creating and hosting a podcast for their own coaching businesses? In Part 1, you’ll learn the benefits of podcoaching and how it can help you lower your enrollment costs and gain new coaching clients.

Podcoaching is the combination of podcasting and coaching. Think of it as coaching on the go. As a coach, you can create a podcast, highlight your area of expertise, help your target audience solve issues and showcase your coaching skills.

A podcast doesn’t give you the green light to focus on you, your life or your problems. Instead, podcoaching can help you to connect with a wider audience, plus offer your clients and prospects another freebie to help them build a rapport with you.

There are many benefits why as a coach, you should add podcoaching to your marketing strategy:

1. You can offer information on the go. Many people enjoy podcasts because they can be downloaded to an MP3 player and can be listened to it while working out, while commuting to work or while surfing the web. As a coach, you can offer great advice just by recording clever and useful information that people can listen to whenever they feel like it.

2. You can showcase your coaching skills to more people. If the growth of your coaching business is stymied by a lack of money, podcasting can help you reach a bigger audience without having to incur travel or advertising costs.

3. Your cost-to-enrollment will be much cheaper. Imagine getting a crop of new clients who are ready to purchase one of your packages all because they are regular listeners of your podcast. Instead of going through 10 or 20 one-to-one complimentary sessions, only to turn 5 of them into clients, your podcast will help your prospects feel so familiar with you that when they contact you, they are ready to pay your fees. With this group, you’ll be able to skip the complimentary session, thus decreasing your enrollment costs and increasing the amount of money you’ll put in your pocket.

4. Your podcast promotes you so you can focus on other areas of your business. With over 24-million iPods purchased by consumers in North America, iPodders are now looking for content to add to their listening devices. Through viral marketing, your podcast will gain more and more subscribers, which in turn helps you save money on marketing and promotions. You can then focus on other areas of your business while your podcast acts as a virtual audio billboard.

Podcoaching is an excellent way to compliment your existing marketing efforts. In Part 2, we’ll explore what type of content you should include in your podcast so that it captures a listener’s attention.

© 2005 Leesa R. Barnes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Leesa Barnes, Chief Divapreneur, helps consultants, virtual assistants, professional organizers and coaches pull clients to them using a podcast. Leesa’s advice is based on her experience producing and hosting a podcast where she saw a spike in subscribers to her ezine list and signed up 10 new coaching clients. Her audio program called Podcoach Your Way to Success: Secrets for Coaches on How to Use a Podcast to Market Your Business & Gain More Clients contains worksheets and exercises to help any coach set up their own podcast in as little as 4-hours.

Go to http://www.podcoachyourwaytosuccess.com and sign up for her free ecourse that will teach you how to use a podcast to grow your coaching business and pull clients to you.

If there’s one thing the Internet is fabulous for, it’s giving virtually everyone the ability to be heard. Long gone are the days of controlled media messages sent out by the powerful few, information available only by way of the Tom Brokaw and Time Magazine. Thanks to the World Wide Web and an influx of user-friendly software, now even old Mr. Jones down the street can project his voice across oceans.

Podcasting is one of the newest, freshest ways for him to do that.

Think of it like an audio blog; a podcast is a recorded program similar to radio (sans commercials, of course) made available via mp3 files on websites or RSS feeds. But unlike radio, users can download these programs onto an iPod or any other mp3 device and listen at their own convenience. Also unlike radio, there are no FCC standards to regulate the content; a podcast can say anything about any topic at any time. It’s revolutionary, really.

And by following a few fairly simple steps, anyone can make them.

1. Get a Niche. Maybe you already know precisely what your podcast will cover: you want to host your own music countdown, promote your friend’s newest invention or discuss the nitty-gritty political issues of your home state. That’s great, get to it! But for those who aren’t so sure, who know only that they want to give podcasting a shot, it’s a good idea to check out what other hosts are up to. iPodder.org and Podcast.net are home to tons of podcasts on a variety of topics; download several shows on issues that interest you and see what’s being done and how you might do it differently. Don’t be afraid of creativity; try putting a new spin on an old issue or blowing the doors off a topic that’s only rarely, if ever, covered. Listeners will continually come to your podcast if you offer something fresh and vivid.

2. Get a Plan. Once you’ve discovered your niche, get down to details. Though the beauty of podcasting is the ability to buck the rules of traditional audio broadcasts, it sometimes helps to consider what made those rules so traditional in the first place; this will help you map your show much more effectively.

First, consider format: how long will the podcast be? Will you have guests or take phone calls? Will you play music of any sort? Think about how other shows similar to yours function, remember all the radio programs you’ve heard before. Keep in mind that while you can certainly forget all the rules, you want to keep your listeners listening; a you-only six-hour program about cheese might not be the easiest thing to digest.

Once you’ve figured out the format, divide and plan the show accordingly. If you’re hosting a talk show, for instance, decide how many (and which) topics you’ll cover and how long each topic will get. And don’t forget to break it up; since podcasts have no commercials, you’ll need a way to give listeners a breather between issues — consider using some sort of music or audio clip. Also, make sure to prepare opening and closing remarks for the entire thing, maybe even give listeners a sneak peek at the next program; identifying yourself, as well as referring to future episodes, is a great way to remind listeners to come back for more.

3. Get Tech. You’ve got the idea in theory, now get it into practice. You don’t need to be a tech genius to record your podcast, but you definitely need some basic recording equipment and software. First and foremost, you’ll need a microphone. While it’s entirely possible to use your computer’s built-in mic to record your voice, it’s a much better idea to invest in an external mic; the sound will be that much cleaner and professional. Shure makes several microphones perfect for voice recording (try an SM57 or SM58), and you can find these at very affordable prices on eBay or any music shop that sells pre-owned instruments. And while you’re scoping out microphones, grab a pair of headphones to track the sound; you’ll want some unidirectional that covers your entire ear. Again, eBay and used music shops are the best way to go for these.

Now you just need the software. Mac owners tend to use GarageBand, as it comes with the newest operating systems, but PC users or those with no recording software already on their computer tend to use Audacity, a free audio recording/editing program that can be downloaded online (audacity.sourceforge.net); it’s a fairly simple program, but tons of tutorials are available to walk you through its functions. Just remember to also download the free mp3 encoder as well; you’ll need that to turn your podcast into the most easily consumable file type.

Once you’ve recorded your podcast and edited out any mistakes (and added music or audio samples), you’ll need to minimize the file size (by either lowering the sample or bit rate), convert it to mp3 and upload it onto your website. Don’t have a website? No worries! Our media (www.ourmedia.org) has recently begun providing users with completely free bandwidth and storage for podcasts and other sorts of media. It’s a great way to get your podcast online while avoiding fees (if the podcast starts to gain a following, however, you’ll definitely want to consider creating a website for it specifically).

4. Get Heard. So you’ve got the first episode of your podcast recorded, edited, uploaded and ready to go. Now you just need some listeners — but how do you find them? The most obvious and widely used way of attracting listeners to your podcast is by submitting it to podcast directories and search engines, of which there are hundreds (run a Google search to find them). And while directories and search engines are a definite means to getting your voice out there, it’s sometimes worth looking into alternate methods of promotion if you really want to take your podcast to the next level. Get involved in online forums and blogs that are similar to your topic and trade links with like-minded people; there’s a whole community of podcasters out there eager to check out your program. And if your podcast has a regional slant, try getting some publicity in local papers or magazines. Though it may seem difficult, it’s often entirely possible to get mentioned in print media simply by asking. Create a press release and personal bio for your podcast and send it off to as many media sources as possible; you’ll be surprised at what may transpire.

Sonia Winters enjoys podcasting and writes for Andy Hagans Link Building ( http://www.andyhagans.com ), a link building service.

What is Pod casting?

Pod cast is like a radio show. Each show consists of a series of individual episodes that you can listen to how you want — on your PC, using your MP3 player, or with just a web browser. If you’ve never listened to pod casts, you’re in for something exciting. Manager’s tools, Sports, comedy, movies, food, politics, music, books, speeches, Cookery classes, tours, whatever — you name the topic and you’ll find pod casts about it. Not only do you have a variety of choice, you can listen whenever and wherever you want.

How to listen to a Pod cast?

Do you need an IPOD to listen to Pod cast? No, you can listen to a Podcast right from your computer speakers, any MP3 players, Pocket PC, Cell Phones and most importantly you can listen to whenever and where you want. That is the essence of Pod cast.

Where do I find Podcast that is right for me?

You can use a web search to search for web Pod cast, Search by interest, topic, author, subject, or any other keyword. Whether you want the whole series or just a specific episode, you should find what you’re looking for in search engines. One easy way to find Pod cast is directory in iTunes or Pod cast directories like Pod cast Alley, Pod cast Pickle, Pod show Music Network, Yahoo Music search, these automatically-updated pod casts can then be easily synchronized to your ipod or any MP3 player for offline listening.

How to subscribe to Pod cast? Does it cost me money to Subscribe?

It‘s almost free. When you subscribe to a Pod cast you’ll get the newest episodes delivered right to your MP3 player or to your computer as soon as they’re available. To subscribe, all you’ll need is some music software like the Apple iTunes, Yahoo Music search, and Pod cast alley. New episodes will show up there whenever they’re available and updated. If you just want a just listen to a particular episode, you don’t have to subscribe. You can just click the “Download” button to save to your computer.

Please feel free to call us or email us if we can help you with Podcasting or business
The Fox Internet Marketing Solutions,

A Division of the Fox Advertising Agency, Inc.
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Propertycasting is the commercial application of podcasting for the real estate industry. Propertycasting involves the distribution and publishing of audio and video feeds, that offer medical information delivered over the Internet, for on demand listening.

In order to be successful in this area of the industry, quality production must be a key factor. Audio is no longer an acceptable format for presenting Real Estate, a video is a much better sell. Video combined with audio voice overs given by the agent themselves will prove to be extremely powerful in terms of niche marketing to prospective clients.

This is a new step in the evolution of on-demand real-esate information delivery, making it accessible, informative, useful and appealing. This mix presents the real estate industry with a very unique opportunity to reach its target audiences through this new medium. Those individuals, who are already seeking real estate information actively, will use RSS subscription technology built into each podcast feed, to receive information immediately as it is updated by the medical institution. With one click of a button, a user can subscribe to a feed that may be interesting, and any related information that is ever updated to that feed will be automatically processed to their personal aggregator. An aggregator is able to subscribe to a feed, check for new content at user-determined intervals, and retrieve the content.

Once a potentila clietn has chose to receive your feeds, you will have direct access to him interms of marketing your properties. As propertycasting grows in popularity, so will the effectiveness of this incredible tool.

Ryan Hoback is Chairman of What I Want Podcasting. What I Want Podcasting specializes in developing podcasts & nanocasts for a wide range of industries. Our development team guides our clients through creating podcasts that incorporate brand integration and deliver the target message through a positive visual & listening experience.

www.WhatIWantPodcastting.com

Bill gates recently wrote an internal document to his executives, titled “The Sea Change”. This letter speaks of the movement towards internet delivery of content, for Microsoft, its software and numerous other applications. So I went to bed that night after reading that article, and I had a dream……

Last night I had a dream about the fusion of Broadcasting and Internet television, and its current closest medium, podcasting. As podcasting has evolved over the past few years, it has morphed into all sorts of shapes of programming. But the real “Wow” factor behind podcasting is yet to be talked about, or not highly publicized at all.

That is, the merging of what we know as the “internet” and current broadcast, cable or satellite programming. It has long been discussed that the internet and television would one day be one in the same. But there has not been much talk into how this transition, into a new future of “Informative Entertainment” or “Intelligent Programming” will develop.

The question and conundrum that most dreamers faced is, what catalyst will form that will make this bridge possible. Well in my opinion, the catalyst is “podcasting”. Let me explain further.

Podcasting is the fusion of “pod” and “broadcasting”. “Pod” stands for personal-on-demand, so the word means personal on-demand broadcasting. It is based around an internet platform and xml/rss programming. Podcasting has now opened a new section of its market, which is called Video-podcasting, or Vod-casting. Vod-casting is the transmission of video over the internet in podcast format, for viewing on the web, or on personal devices.

Video podcasting has opened the floodgates for internet television to directly compete with traditional broadcast television. Over the next few years, companies like Microsoft will introduce home T.V. set-top boxes, which will stream internet feeds directly to televisions in your home. This is the birth of home internet television in its purest form.

As this medium grows, podcasting will become internet programming. The popularity of podcasting will grow the market to morph once again into a new-age of internet broadcasting companies. These podcasts will become T.V. shows with new programming, or re-runs. These shows will be able to be subscribed to, just like cable, but on an individual basis. As these shows grow in popularity, internet broadcast networks will start to form, and the traditional companies like ABC, CBS, NBC, and all the cable and satellite channels will have to conform to new technology to prevent being swept aside.

As the popularity of internet television grows and everyone has the ability to watch iTV in their home, a new vision will immerge. This new vision is what I call “Informative Entertainment” or “Intelligent Programming”.

Now you ask, “Well, what is this” and “How will that work?” Well, let’s start with the basics. Everyone owns a DVD or two right? If not, you have at least watched one, I hope. Now, when you put a DVD into the machine and turn it on, it takes you to a menu screen. This menu screen gives you options to choose from, such as scenes, extras, director’s cut and so on. These extras are huge draws for DVD sales, like Shrek, Star Wars, Madagascar, etc. The reason they are a big success, is because they put the power of choice in the hand of the user. Whatever your choice may be, the DVD will follow, and execute.

So what if podcasting had the ability to implement “user options”? What if you could watch a Video Podcast, and have the ability to choose different features of that podcast by simply placing your cursor over the screen and choosing your option. What if you had the ability to alter and control video, with the same user applicability that you can on a webpage or search engine.

You see, as I pondered this question, I thought about how this could even be possible, given our current internet code framework. Now I am not a tech junkie at all, in fact the only programming course I ever took was in 7th grade and it was on ms-dos basic. We were making video games with 40 x 40 bitmaps, with 16 bit colors, and h-line, v-line programming.

My current partner in my Podcasting Company, What I Want Podcasting, has extensive knowledge in c+ programming and understands today’s world of code writing. In the few years I have worked with him, I have picked up on a lot of knowledge he has, just by being around him.

So in my dream the other night, I saw a formula. Now this formula is basic in its inception, but I believe a very good beginning base for code-writers to understand the concept.

Video Extensive Hyper-text Markup Language powered by MRSS technology is what I am speaking of. (Vxhtml-mrss) . This is the name I have given it; however it is yet to determined what it will grow into.

In order to bring user manipulation of video and interaction capability, the user must be given an interface. This interface must be translucent in its visual appeal, and it must be synchronized based on bitmap programming to the video below.

Example:

Let’s say you are watching a commercial for a car, an intelligent commercial. This car is driving down the road, and the narrator is telling you about the performance of the vehicle. Now picture yourself with a cursor or arrow, like on any website. You can then place that arrow on pre-programmed places in the video, such as the wheels of the car, the engine of the car, or the windows of the vehicle. Once you click on that location, the intelligence begins to work. You “the user” has chosen to learn more about, let say, “The wheels.” So in theory, as you click on the wheel, a new video will start streaming that tells you all about the wheels of that particular car. These video will be programmed, and are ready to play once the user has chose that particular location of the video.

So now you can see how the translucent layer comes into effect. The layer allows you to manipulate the cursor over the moving video. Then, the bitmap allows you to pre-program coordinates according to the motion of the video, so that when the cursor interacts with the video, it selects a feed which was already pre-programmed to that location.

Let’s transition now to the code side of things, and this formula that popped in my head while sleeping.

We need additional support from the browsers, although I believe Microsoft and Netscape have new browsers that very close if not there already, in order for this to take place. So let’s talk about how the programming will work with this.

My understanding is that Markup Language does not support goto commands. Which is why html or xhtml exists, it is used to make the two work together. This process will combine xhtml with mrss to make this a reality.

With the evolution of mrss, comes the ability to use numerous multimedia channels for online access to content. These channels are what will allow the seamless transition of video from one user choice to another.

Here is the formula and its legend below.

T1 = Beginning of Video – Original Starting Point of the Feed

A = Cursor (user interface tool)

(X1, Y1, Z1) = Cursor Selection (User Choice) [Also, the Bitmap Coordinate location]

(RST1, RST2, RST3) = MRSS feed

(T2, T3, T4) = New Audio or Video files to be played (most likely MP3 or MP4)

The formula:

T1 is playing

If A= (X1, Y1, Z1, etc.)

Then goto string (RST1, RST2, RST3, etc.)

String RST then plays ( T2,T3,T4)

Car Commercial Example:

T1 = Beginning of Car Commercial

A = Cursor

(X1 )= Wheel

(RST1) = Wheel information feed (mrss)

(T2) = New Video about the Wheels

In order for this model to work, the formula below be implemented in to a Java, J-script, or C++. This code then should be implemented into the Hyper Text which should in theory allow it to function off the XML, which drives it the source of the MRSS.

Here are the key factors in review for this concept to begin its birth:

An interactive translucent interface must be developed. This interface must use pre-synchronization to mirror the movement of the video. Interface must use coordinate location in conjunction with pre-synchronized scripts to trigger user request.

These requests need to be seamless. In order for this to be seamless, better browsers must be developed that use a new type of coding. Maybe Video xhtml, or whatever this topic morphs into. In order to succeed in developing formulas that incorporate the “goto” function of this process, programming must be done on the Hyper-text side of the equation to make the XML work in conjunction with the MRSS.

Now this is my dream, physically adapted to paper and in my own words. This should at least spark the topic of discussion further in our press, and at it most grand effect, spark the minds of programmers and large corporations around the world to make this practically applicable in today’s society.

Ryan Hoback is Founder of the Motivated Entrepreneur, a Business Incubation & Consulting firm, specializing in helping entrepreneurs achieve success starting and growing their business.

He is also Chairman, and co-founder of What I Want Podcasting. A business podcasting firm specializing in developing the commercial application of podcasting, by integrating corporate branding and using nanocasting models.

He can be reached at 305-670-0998, or Rhoback@MotivatedEntrepreneur.com, Rhoback@WhatIWantPodcasting.com