Today’s new media markets allow even the smallest businesses to get in on the action. What’s hot today? Podcasting!

If you are not familiar with what podcasting is, here’s an official definition from the Wikipedia.org website: a series of audio or video digital-media files which is distributed over the Internet by syndicated download, through Web feeds, to portable media players and personal computers.

In layman’s terms – it is an audio recording that is made available to internet users through websites and other digital outlets.

For many, an audio cast is a fun, simple way to enjoy retrieving information that is important to them. Some people just don’t like wading through the mountains of text, and ads, and hyperlinks to get what they want, so they opt instead for regular podcasts that provide them with information and entertainment they are interested in.

The beauty of podcasting is that anyone can do it! I have a $100.00 Blue Snowball that I purchased at a local music store that works marvelously! Coupled with free, open source audio recording and editing software,  software I have turned my computer into a fairly professional recording studio!  So far, I haven’t jumped into the podcasting arena, but I am considering options for my market area.

Like everything else worth doing, this requires some time and effort. Podcast “stations” should be updated regularly, or listeners won’t be interested in coming back. Your content should be lively and fun, and as with writing, you won’t want to bog the listener down with too many complicated concepts or ideas. Save the details for a blog entry and then point them to your website for more information.

Here are a few important tips to keep in mind if you’re ready to join the podcast revolution.

1) You’ll want to be sure to get listed in major podcast directories. One example, Podcast.net or Apple’s iTunes store.

2) Be sure your title is very eye-catching. You may have the perfect audio topic, but if your title reads “first of my podcasts, come listen” who would be enticed to even click the link? This title says nothing about what you can offer the listener.

Not sure how to get started? Try Juke Ludington’s “Recording a Podcast“. Information here provides you with enough basics to get you started.