TiggrSuccess Blog

by Sharon Housley

The term “podcast” was initially used to reference an RSS feed that contained audio files in the item’s enclosure field. The meaning of podcasting has since expanded, and now refers to RSS feeds that contain all types of media, including audio and video, in the item’s enclosure field. For the non-technical folks, podcasting is simply a means of syndicating and distributing rich-media files via the Internet. The content contained in a podcast can vary significantly, from a song, to a educational lecture, to a political debate, to just about anything else. One great thing about podcasting is the wide variety of content formats it can contain. And unlike radio or television broadcasts, the recipient can listen or view at their leisure, choosing for themselves when and where they wish to listen or view a podcast.

How To Create A Podcast

While it may sound complex, the software and technology available today can make the process of creating a podcast quite simple…

1. Record The Content

The easiest way to create an podcast/RSS feed is to use software designed specifically for that purpose. There are a variety of audio and video applications available that make recording and editing rich-media files quite simple.

2. Create The Podcast Feed

Again, the easiest way to do this is to use dedicated software. There are applications available, such as FeedForAll (www.feedforall.com/), that will walk you through the process of creating a podcast feed. Or if you prefer, you can manually create the RSS feed following the steps at “Make RSS Feeds” (www.make-rss-feeds.com/). There is also a tutorial at www.feedforall.com/podcasting-tutorial.htm.

3. Publish The Feed

After the RSS feed is created, put it on your website, using an FTP client that is built into your podcast software or another FTP transfer tool, making it available for others to receive.

Podcast Promotion

Once you have the podcast created and uploaded to a website host, the next step is to let your website visitors know that it’s available. In order to signal to website visitors that an RSS feed containing content related to the website is available, you should include a colorful graphic on the website. It has become a standard that nearly all websites having RSS feeds available will use colorful graphics such as flags as indicators that RSS feeds are available for specific content. The flags were initially bright orange rectangles, but as the popularity has grown, some webmasters have bent the rules a bit. Use an icon that works well within your website design, and link the graphic to the podcast feed.

Another way of letting your visitors know that your podcast feed is available is to take advantage of the RSS “aggregators” in use by your visitors. Aggregators are used by people who subscribe to various RSS feeds, providing them with a consolidated view of the content from multiple RSS feeds in a single browser display. They will automatically detect an RSS feed on a website if you add a small bit of code in the header field of an HTML page:

[link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS" href=http://www.yourdomain.com/rss.xml]

In the above example code, be sure to replace “http://www.yourdomain.com/rss.xml” with the actual URL to your specific RSS feed, and also replace the “[" and "]” square brackets with “<” less-than and “>” greater-than symbols.

In order to increase exposure of your podcast, it should be submitted to the various Podcast search engines and directories. This can be done manually. Just as you would submit the URL of a website or web page to a search engine, you will need to submit the link of the actual feed located on your website to the Podcast directories. There is a large list of Podcast directories at www.podcasting-tools.com/submit-podcasts.htm.

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Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll www.feedforall.com/ software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll www.recordforall.com/ audio recording and editing software.

by Sharon Housley

You should not have to look far to find content or new ideas for your podcast show. Look to your daily sources to find fodder and ideas for new podcasting segments.

1. News
Both online and offline sources, from the Associated Press to CNN, contain a deluge of news item each day. Scan headlines on a regular basis to see what catches your eye. In addition, explore your niche market to find any industry-specific news portals that may warrant monitoring.

2. Blogs
Blogs are a fabulous source of ideas and inspiration. Monitor blogs for developing industry news. Comment on breaking news or editorials that you strongly agree or disagree with. Be sure to credit the source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote within your show.

3. Friends & Colleagues
Casual conversation with friends and colleagues often results in ideas for podcast segments. Day-to-day interaction generates ideas worth discussing.

4. Emails
Review emails from customers, colleagues or potential customers. Perhaps a subject or question asked may result in good material for your show.

5. Forum Posts
Forums can be another source of ideas for a podcasting segment. Review forums on a regular basis and keep a list of possible show ideas. You can also editorialize and summarize the forum posts. Or you can tackle difficult questions and those requiring complex answers better articulated in a podcast than typed in a forum.

6. Web Logs
Look at your website’s web logs to determine what shows were very popular or unpopular. Consider doing related segments as a follow up on popular shows. Or focus future shows on the material that generated the most listener interest.

7. Feedback
Encourage a dialogue with your listeners. Ask listeners what they like and what they do not like. Use the feedback to develop future shows. Don’t be afraid to try something new. The more receptive you are to listener ideas, the more they will share. Shape your show for your audience.

8. Advice
Dear Abby and Anne Landers were pioneers in the advice columns, but traditional columnists have failed to take hold online. Consider an advice segment related to your industry inviting listeners to engage you with questions.

9. Conferences
Often products are announced at conferences and trade shows. Candid reviews of new products that might be of particular interest to your audience may appeal to listeners.

Day after day, week after week, or month after month developing content for a podcast need not be a chore. It can be exciting to explore a variety of channels for podcast show ideas and segment topics.

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Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll www.feedforall.com/ software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll www.recordforall.com/ audio recording and editing software.

by Sharon Housley

Search engine optimization is a process, one that must always be revisited and adapted as search algorithms are changed by the search engines. Because SEO is a constant process, it is often pushed to the bottom of the “to do list” of marketers. Be that as it may, resolve not to ignore search engine optimization as it cycles its way through your task list. Give search engine optimization the attention that it deserves.

There are few things that you can do that will result in virtually “free” traffic, and therefore SEO deserves both time and attention.

1. Unique Titles

Every page should have a unique title that relates to what is included on that specific webpage. Do not make the mistake of using the same title on every page on a website.

2. Unique Descriptions

Each and every webpage within a website should contain a unique meta tag description. Audit web pages and develop summary descriptions of the page’s contents; including critical keywords and phrases.

3. Robots.txt

Check the webpage’s robots.txt files. An incorrectly formed robots.txt may prevent search engines from properly spidering web pages within a website.

4. Link Building

Participate in link building opportunities. Building links will increase a website’s popularity and search engines use this as a factor when they weigh search rankings.

5. Integrated Keywords

Integrate the appropriate keywords into the websites header tags. There is no point in optimizing a website for keywords that will not convert. Evaluate keywords and phrases that are most effective, and then integrate them into the website.

6. Participate

The online conversation is no longer a quiet hum. Find related forums and blogs and become part of the community. Participate in the discussion and post thoughtful comments that relate to your industry.

7. Log Analysis

Evaluate your logs to determine the habits of website visitors. If there are pages that a high percentage of potential customers leave your website, be sure to make changes. Evaluate the keyword that attract the website traffic and improve on them.

8. Get Social

Social media is a burgeoning market. Develop a comprehensive plant to integrate social media into your 2009 marketing and promotional campaign. Leverage social media websites to increase your websites popularity and exposure.

9. Usability

Add alt tags to images on your website. This will increase the searchability of your website. Additionally, these types of tactics will make your website easier for the visually impaired to navigate.

10. Go Web 2.0

Add tutorials, podcasts, RSS feeds, and videos to your website as a part of your marketing strategy. All of these interactive elements and mediums can attract new traffic to a website. Additionally, many web 2.0 elements can be promoted in alternative channels, increasing your website’s incoming links.

For the coming year be sure to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve your search engine exposure in 2009.

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Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll www.feedforall.com/ software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll www.recordforall.com/ audio recording and editing software.

by Kevin Nunley
www.drnunley.com/

Why do some sites succeed where others flop? The answers are more obvious than you think. There is never just one reason why a site does not succeed. A combination of the right elements is what determines your success.

So what are the right elements? Well, here are a few of them:

1.  Speed – People are in a perpetual hurry, so don’t make them wait around for your site to load. The more technology advances, the faster people expect your website to be. So remember to compress your images and don’t clutter up your site with unnecessary elements. Minimize your load time by keeping graphics small and don’t overuse javascript, streaming audio/video, and animation.

2.  Targeting – Know your target market and be sure your site caters to their needs. If your target market is teenagers, don’t design your site to look boring and corporate. If you’re targeting business professionals, use a clean, simple design and keep it easy to navigate.

3.  Payment Methods – Payment should be easy, no matter what method your customers choose to use. Offer a variety of payment methods. Also, you must accept credit cards. This is the cardinal rule of Internet payments. These days that can be as simple as signing up for a free PayPal merchant account.

4.  Content – This is by far the most critical element of a good site. Good content sells products. Does your copy convey the message you wish to send? Does it make people want to buy? If not, have a professional review your copy to ensure it is doing its job.

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See Kevin’s affordable promotion packages and business writing deals at DrNunley.com/. From ezine advertising, to a press release, to web copy that sells, get what you need fast.

by Kevin Nunley
www.drnunley.com/

If marketing tools were classified into a system of royalty, the autoresponder would be king. This widely used marketing tool responds automatically to any email message sent to it, providing an automatic response.

Autoresponders are also used to take a lot of the extra work out of the day to day routine of running a business. In fact, many people are able to run their online businesses almost entirely with autoresponders: they automate replying to requests for information, provide instant gratification for recipients, enable you to track your ad responses, and allow you to gather the email addresses of potential customers.

Here are some of the ways you can utilize the power of autoresponders in your business:

*Distribute articles for publication *Offer e-courses and reports on various subjects and use your signature file to promote your site or business *Provide free information about your site, product, or business *Immediately send information about your business opportunity to interested individuals *Distribute product listings and price lists *Welcome people to your business opportunity or online organization *Send thank you’s to customers and people who refer customers to you *Send order confirmations *Offer discounts and gift certificates to past customers

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Kevin writes YOUR one page sales letter, article, press release, or web site copy. See DrNunley.com/.