Great news!!!

Just wanted to let you know that ever since my Comedy Clip of the Week podcast was listed on iPodder.org, my site hits and downloads have increased something close to 500%! And I'm #5 when you search for "Comedy Clip" in Google!

Unbelievable! Upon my 2nd try to submit Brain Storm!, my business news, technology and strategy podcast, I was immediately (and very graciously) received and accepted by the business page administrator.

I've decided to totally revamp my marketing system, and focus solely on blogging and podcasting for marketing. I'm perfectly set up for it, since I have so many excerpts from Encouraging Audiobooks audio books.

If you are not up and podcasting yet, don't waste any more time...if you need help, ask for it. If you want to do it all yourself, go for it. If you want to outsource it and spend your time doing what you do best, then outsource it.

But don't wait any longer...think 500% increase in traffic and orders!!! (smile)

Penny

In a March 22, 2005 article by Stephan Spencer entitled "Move Over Blogs: Here Come Podcasts", he makes some excellent observations.

Podcasting is not for everyone?

Not everyone likes to listen, and not everyone likes to talk. And for those that do like to talk and listen, not everyone has the technological know-how to create a podcast.

Spencer quotes Laura Ries, author and expert on marketing and branding, as saying:

"Blogging is a written medium, and podcasting is an audio medium," says Ries. "It takes a unique skill to deliver content verbally. Some bloggers could make the switch, but many I am guessing could not. Also, one of a blog's unique features is the ability to link to other content on the Web—something that podcasting would have difficultly doing."

Now, I must say that I agree and disagree with Laura's comment.

I agree that bloggers will not all be able to make the podcasting transition. Not all writers are good speakers, and not all bloggers have the technical skill it takes to create a podcast.

I disagree about the disadvantage of not being able to link to other content on the Web. Quikonnex has solved that problem and made it possible to enjoy the best of both worlds. You can have your podcast, and your links, too!

Remember that a podcast is an RSS feed with MP3 "enclosures", and you still have that business blogging advantage when you podcast on Quikonnex. You keep your links and your key-words. You ping weblog search engines. You just also double your potential audience by offering your thoughts in audio as well.

Doug Kaye of ITConversations.com doubled his site traffic by podcasting.

Now that has to tell you something. But he also makes another very good point:

"As the number of podcasts grow, amateur podcasters will find it increasingly difficult to compete with the more formal, information-packed, professionally produced podcasts," Kaye says.

Not everyone has the skills or abilities to record and edit audio.

Some may have both skills and abilities, but no time or patience to get it done. They are busy taking care of their own business. The problem is that they are missing out on an incredible opportunity for exposure by sitting on the sidelines.

That's why 1st Podcast Publishing (or 1stPod.com) offers everything you need to create a podcast,

including your own dedicated RSS feed and podcast channel (public or private) or a shared podcast channel, storage and bandwidth options, recording options and resources, editing, music mixing, and even narration for those who don't like public speaking, or just don't have the knack for it.

So if you are interested in creating a podcast, but don't want to have to learn it from scratch, 1st Podcast Publishing will get you up and running within a week. You can share a podcast with others, or enjoy a dedicated podcast for your business alone. If this is what you've been looking for, contact Penny Haynes at penny at 1stpod . com, or use the QMTP (Quikonnex messaging system) on this page. We'll get you up and running within 1 week - that's my promise to you!

So what are you waiting for? Get podcasting!