What is a PodCast?

I like to think of PodCasts as a Internet Radio Show, that anyone, all over the world, can listen to. To first understand what a PodCast is and start creating your own, you have to listen to a few. I would recommend familiarizing yourself with Apple iTunes. Click the title above download iTunes to your computer. It's free, and easy to do. (If you have any problems doing this, just call me at 949.249.4958 and I'll walk you through it).

Once you've downloaded iTunes, and it's installed, open it up and click on "Podcast" on the left-hand side. Then start browsing the different PodCasts you see on the center of the page. If you want to search for a particular kind of show, then go up to the "Search" button at the top-right-hand side of Apple iTunes. Type in what your looking for, such as women business, business coaching, motivation, funny...whatever you wish..and click "Search". A list of Podcasts will show-up below. Click on one that looks interesting and listen to an episode. When you listen to one you like, click the "Subscribe" button, and Apple iTunes will download the RSS feed* to your Apple iTunes, which will be updated every time theres a new "episode" of that particular PodCast. So, instead of going through the Apple iTunes Store, you will click the "Podcasts" button on left-hand side when you want to listen to a new episode. Subscribe to as many Podcasts as you would like, and listen to them for some ideas on how you would like your OWN PodCast to sound.

Tomorrow, we'll discuss how to start thinking of creating your own PodCast.

*think of an RSS feed as you would your email: you have an email account, and when someone wants to write to you they use your email address. When you subscribe to an RSS feed, your saying that every time that person updates their Podcast or Blog, you want it to go directly to you, just like an email. To "Read" other RSS feeds, you need an RSS reader, such as Google Reader. To try-out a RSS feed from somewhere other than iTunes, check-out Podcast.net and follow their directions on how to add an RSS feed to your Reader, IndrasVoice.com or even CNN.com. Soon, you'll be a RSS pro!

PodCasting and More!

Audio Acrobat has been my life-saver for PodCasting, adding audio to our website, and soon to come-adding video to our website. Their program is incredibly easy to use, and their customer service is second to none. I had a little difficulty understanding how to have my PodCast, Indra's Voice, become an RSS feed on my site, so I called them up, and I got a live person on the other end that walked me through it! Amazing!

I also highly recommend them if you want audio testimonials. You can have your clients call a number, Audio Acrobat will record their testimonial, and you get the audio on your website.

Tomorrow, I'll explain what PodCasting is, why you should start one, and how to get started! Step one in PodCasting is click the Audio Acrobat link to sign-up for their free one-month trial!

Introductions

This past week, I attended a conference in California. It was full of wonderful speakers, inspiring and full of wisdom. I only wish, however, that their wisdom was more heard than their accomplishments. When the panel of five would start their 1 hour seminar, on say marketing, they would introduce themselves. This was expected, however the 5-10 minute explanation of their career up to that point was unnecessary. We admire them, we know they are at the top of their field, yet I got the feeling they were trying to "sell" us on how great they were. Then, once everyone in the panel got done telling us about themselves, there was hardly any time to discuss the real reason we were there, such as marketing tips.

So, I started thinking: how often do we do this to ourselves? How often do we "over-talk" or "over-sell" ourselves, and make the other party feel disconnected and bored? Some of the best networking advice I've heard was from Mel Brodsky (PowerOfMentorship.com), who said to "Ask questions." Ask someone when you first meet them who their ideal customer is, what's their biggest challenge, what are they most proud of, how did they get their first client? Listen, build a relationship, and grow your business. If you listen closely, you will find opportunities to "plug-in" your business, without it sounding like a speech, but more as a conversation.

Try it, and let me know how "asking questions" works for you!