Brady Media Group

First, the definitions.
We need to understand what and why.
A simple podcast is, according to iTunes, “an episodic program delivered via the Internet using an XML protocol called RSS. Podcast episodes can be audio files, video files, documents, or any combination of the three.”

Youch. Sounds complicated, but basically it’s a digital recording (usually audio) made on a recurring basis, and available for regular distribution or download to a wide circle of listeners. And it’s a popular new media tool.

More importantly, it’s a conversation whereby you can share your expertise with the world. Instead of a cocktail party, golfing foursome, or Rotary Club luncheon, you can chat with a global audience of people who might want to learn something from you.
Yes, you!

But why should anyone listen to a recording of me talking? What’s the point?Well, have you ever heard of talk radio?
It’s wildly popular and terribly simple.
And an audio podcast is virtually the same: One long stream of uninterrupted talk in which one or more people share their conversation, humor, insight or wisdom with a wide audience of listeners. And it works.

So if you have anything to promote, solicit, endorse, advocate, share, advise, recommend, sell or tell, you should probably consider a podcast.
Record your conversation about something worthwhile and post it on iTunes. Post it on your blog. Post it on your website.

Need more detail? OK

1. Buy a hand-held digital audio recorder. I purchased mine from Fry’s electronics for about $60. Then I bought a clip-on mike for another $50 because I have a lot of talking to do.
2. Pick a broad topic of interest – one with so many sub-categories that you could conceivably talk about it for the next six months (cooking, carpentry or coin collecting, for instance) and never cover the same subject twice.
3. Find someone to interview on the subject. It’s better if it’s someone you like and enjoy. You’ll have more fun, and so will the listener. Of course, you could just talk by yourself. But wouldn’t you get bored after the first three or four conversations?
4. Pick an enjoyable setting. Maybe in a park or at a local diner. It will sound more real and authentic than if you are in a quite, stagnant office. Yes, you may have to start off in an office to estabilsh your comfort zone or privacy. But I would encourage you to move out of the stale environment as soon as you can. Listeners will sense that you are more open and authentic.
5. Press “record” and go for it!
6. Try it again until you have at least one version that you really like.
7. Create an account on iTunes if you don’t have one already.
8. Post your podcast on iTunes. (Apple has a page of detailed instructions.) Post it on your website, too. Get your host to help.
9. Then select another topic to discuss with another guest, (or even the same one), record another podcast and post it, too.
10. Then go for another! Pretty soon you’ll have your own podcast channel!
(If this sounds like too much, look for someone else in your community who’s created a podcast and as them for advice, or post a short ad on a coffee shop bulletin board for a “podcast recording engineer” and see who responds.

What’s the point? Well, with a podcast you are (1) Sharing your expertise with the world. (2) Helping others who need the information you have – by posting FREE, valuable information. (3) Establishing yourself as an industry leader. I’ll bet not many (if any) of your competitors record and post their own podcast. You will be the visionary new media guru! (4) Creating fresh content for your website. Ideally, you would post your podcast on your site as soon as its finished. Regardless, get it up as soon as possible. It helps with Search Engine Optimization!
Are those reasons enough?

If it just seems overwhelming, at least go to the Podcast section of iTunes and explore. You can find podcasts on everything from digital photography to travel guides to sex therapy to the history of medicine. It’s amazing.

And keep in mind I DO practice what I preach. My first Brady Media Group podcast is launching this week.
Stay Tuned.