Content Marketing With WordPress – Using Podcasts
This tutorial is part of our series on using content marketing to create more exposure online for your business and drive more traffic to your site.
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In this tutorial, we look at incorporating podcasts and audio content into your content marketing mix.
What Is A Podcast?
The origin of the term “podcasting” is attributed to one of two sources. Some argue that it is derived from the Apple iPod and the term “broadcast”, and others claim that it comes from the terms “Public On Demand” (i.e. POD) and “Cast”.
Podcasting is an effective medium that more businesses are employing to communicate with existing customers and reach new audiences of prospective customers.
Essentially, a podcast is an audio blog. You make regular audio recordings and then post them for an intended niche audience, who can then subscribe to access your podcasts and be informed when new podcasts are published, much like an RSS feed.
Like blogging, podcasting is also a very cost-effective and personal way to reach out and communicate with an audience.
A podcast or spoken word audio recording is something that people can listen to on their smartphones while commuting to and from work, standing in a long queue, waiting around, or just relaxing at home or in a park.
Podcasts can be made collaboratively for an audience or talk show (e.g. interviewing experts in your industry or niche), or to train or motivate your sales team on your company blog. It is well documented that Ray Kroc, the founder of the McDonald’s franchising system used to create regular audio recordings for his franchisees and employees about the values, standards, and qualities he wanted people to adopt for his growing fast-food company. You can do the same for your business.
How To Create Podcasts
Here are the basic steps to follow if you plan to add audio recordings or podcasts to your website or blog:
1 – Choose A Topic
Decide on a clear theme. Choose something that you are passionate about or have a great deal of expertise in (ideally both!)
There are as many ideas for audio content as there are for content in general. Choose a theme that will engage your audience by its ability to be explained completely using words and sound. Publishing transcripts of videos that rely mostly on the audience’s ability to process lots of visual information (e.g. a how-to training video for using a specific type of software) is not going to be engaging if most of the content on the audio is “now … click here” or “move this over there”.
2 – Choose A Format
How are you going to structure your podcast in terms of content segments? Will it start with a short introduction followed by welcoming a guest or doing an interview with a client, then a summary of the takeaway points, or will it be structured in a completely different way? If you plan to create regular podcasts, it’s generally best to stick with a familiar structure that your audience will recognize.
Other elements of building a format for your audio broadcasts include creating and scripting segments, deciding on the average length of episodes (according to Stitcher.com, a popular online radio and podcast site, the average listener stays connected for about 22 minutes), enrolling the help of others to assist in production and how often you plan to schedule new podcast episodes (e.g. weekly, biweekly, monthly, bimonthly, etc.)
Just as images cannot be used without permission, audio elements like sounds, songs, and music can also be subject to copyright.
Beware of copyright infringements if you are planning to include music or use audio bytes from published media sites in your podcast. We recommend using media files that have been specifically licensed for use, and make sure to get the artist’s permission before creating your audio recordings.
Here are some places where you can search for free audio content for your podcasts, licensed sound effects, field recordings, etc.:
- Creative Commons Search: Creative Commons Search offers convenient access to search services provided by other independent organizations.
- Freesound.org: Freesound is a collaborative database of Creative Commons Licensed sounds.
3 – Podcasting Equipment
You really don’t need anything more to start with than a smartphone to see if there is a positive response to your audio content. If there is an enthusiastic reception from your audience and you think this could be a viable strategy for distributing your content, you can then invest in better quality equipment to create a better quality podcast. Even then, getting good quality podcasting creation equipment and tools can be fairly inexpensive.
Professional podcast recording equipment includes microphones (e.g. a dynamic USB microphone), headsets or a headset & microphone combination, sound mixers, and sound recording software. You can also search online for “podcasting kits”.
You can record interviews over Skype with free or inexpensive software like Pamela for PC users or Call Recorder For Skype for Mac users, and edit your audio content using free tools like Audacity for PC, or GarageBand” for Mac.
4 – Record Your Podcasts
Once you are ready to record your podcast, launch your recording software and begin recording your episodes. Stick to the format you’ve developed and go through the recording software tutorials and online how-to podcast tutorials to learn how to create better quality content. Like anything new, expect to run into some technical issues at first until you get more familiar with the process. The same goes for developing a better presentation and style. Practice makes perfect.
5 – Your Finished Audio File
Once you have created your audio file. The next stage is to edit and produce it into a shareable format. Once again, practice and experience will help you improve the quality of the final product.
Once your audio file is ready to be shared, you will want to upload it to your server, a cloud server, or host it somewhere suitable for hosting large media files like audio.
Podcast Hosting Services
There are many dedicated podcast hosting services online, including:
You can also stream your podcasts in WordPress using a plugin like PowerPress.
PowerPress
The PowerPress plugin not only makes it easy to add audio files to your content, but it also provides full iTunes support and audio players.
To learn more about this plugin, go here: PowerPress
6 – Distribute And Promote Your Podcasts
The last step is to make your podcasts available to listeners and start promoting your podcasts.
Podcasts are XML files that index the audio files and their associated metadata. WordPress automatically generates your podcast XML/RSS feed, which you will need when submitting your podcast to sharing sites like iTunes and others.
Using a plugin like PowerPress will help you generate the code required by podcasting sites (e.g. iTunes). Alternatively, you can generate the XML tags yourself, use software tools, or host your audio content with podcasting directories (see below), which will typically generate the RSS feed for you. Many directories also include the tags required by sites like iTunes, making it easier to get your podcasts listed.
Check to see if your RSS feed is valid here: W3C Feed Validation Service
You can submit your podcast to a number of podcast sites like iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, etc., and also submit your podcast feeds to online directories, social media, etc.
For more information on getting your podcasts promoted online, see the section below.
Podcasting Directories
Use the list of podcasting directories below in addition to the sites already mentioned to get your podcast distributed to a wider audience of listeners:
- http://www.itunes.com
- https://www.stitcher.com
- http://www.podcastalley.com
- http://www.digitalpodcast.com
- http://podcastdirectory.com
- http://www.blubrry.com
- https://podcastsmanager.google.com
- https://www.spreaker.com
Submitting Your Podcasts To iTunes
iTunes is by far the largest, most far-reaching, and most well-known site to get your podcasts listed.
In order to get your podcasts listed on iTunes, you will need to make sure that your content is submitted according to their specifications and guidelines.
To learn more about getting your podcasts listed on iTunes, go here: How to Submit Podcasts to iTunes
You can also submit your podcast to Spotify partners.
To view a list of podcast hosting companies that have partnered with Spotify and how to submit your podcast, see these articles:
Podcasting Courses
When looking for courses that will teach you how to build credibility, drive traffic and make sales using podcasting, look for courses that will help you answer questions like:
- How do I get my podcast syndicated?
- How often should I update my podcast?
- How do I make my podcast go viral?
- Where do I host my podcast?
- How do I make money with podcasting?
- How to get your podcast featured in the iTunes store?
- What podcasting directories can I submit to?
- How do I prevent pod-rot?
- What’s the fastest way to attract new listeners?
Learn how to set up your own internet radio show on iTunes and other podcasting directories around the internet with this podcasting course: How To Podcast
If you are not confident recording podcasts in your own voice, consider recording podcasts using text-to-speech with natural-sounding AI voices.
Podcasting – Resources & Additional Info
Visit the sites and resources below for more information on creating and publishing podcasts:
- https://www.podcastinsights.com
- https://www.thepodcasthost.com
- http://www.toprankblog.com/2014/01/podcasting-content-marketing
- http://www.wikihow.com/Start-Your-Own-Podcast
- http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/how-to-podcast.htm
- https://help.apple.com/itc/podcasts_connect
- http://www.miroguide.com
- http://www.blubrry.com/addpodcast.php
- https://www.digitalpodcast.com/users/sign_in
Content Marketing With Podcasts and Audio – FAQs
Here are frequently asked questions about content marketing with podcasts and audio:
What is a podcast and how does it fit into content marketing?
A podcast is a series of spoken-word audio episodes focused on a particular theme or topic, which can be integrated into your content marketing strategy to enhance engagement, reach a wider audience, and establish authority in your field.
Why should podcasts be a part of my content marketing strategy?
Podcasts are highly engaging and can significantly increase your brand’s visibility. They allow for deep dives into subjects, helping to educate your audience and build a loyal community around shared interests.
How can I integrate podcasts into my WordPress site?
You can host your podcast files on your WordPress site and use podcasting plugins to manage episodes. These plugins often provide tools for easy uploading, RSS feed generation crucial for podcast directories, and media players for direct listening on your site.
What are the best practices for promoting podcasts in content marketing?
Promote your podcast across all your digital platforms, include guest speakers to expand your reach, and engage with your listeners through social media or listener Q&A sessions. Utilize SEO strategies for podcasts such as keyword-rich titles and descriptions.
How do I measure the success of my podcast in my content marketing efforts?
Track metrics such as number of downloads, listener growth rates, episode engagement, and listener demographics. Also, pay attention to social media engagement and direct feedback from listeners to gauge impact and areas for improvement.
Can podcasts help improve my SEO?
Yes, podcasts can improve SEO by generating fresh content that attracts backlinks and increases time spent on your site. Transcribing episodes and using relevant keywords can also help improve your site’s visibility and searchability.
What should I avoid when using podcasts for content marketing?
Avoid poor audio quality, irregular posting schedules, and overly promotional content. Focus on providing value through informative or entertaining content that appeals to your target audience’s interests and needs.
Summary
Podcasting is a powerful way to reach an audience and promote your website and business.
Action Step
Consider adding podcasts to your content marketing mix. Go through some of the resources above and begin planning your strategy for promoting your business using the power of audio.
For additional tutorials on ways to create content for your website, go here: Content Marketing With WordPress
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Updated: July 5th, 2024