Podcasting and video can be very scary to use…buying new equipment and software, and then learning how to use it all. The procedure might be a little more difficult than just writing text, but the outcome of engaging your audience is worth it. And if that doesn’t sell you, then what David has to say about it will. It sold me!

“The potential to deliver information to buyers in new and surprising ways is greater when you use a new medium. And while your competition is still trying to figure out ‘that blogging thing,’ you can leverage your existing blog into the new worlds of audio and video and leave the competition way behind.”

Who doesn’t like to watch a short video (mostly if it is funny) while reading a blog post? I won’t speak for everyone, but I am willing to bet the majority does. And it might seem scary at first, but putting a podcast or short video together really is not all that hard. Luckily, David has some tips for us to use as well:

For Podcasting

• Show preparation -gather ideas and create a script
• Recording when you are near your computer -use a microphone that delivers audio into your computer (need software here)
• Mobile recording gear - is required if you are going to be moving around interviewing people at different places
• Phone interviews - require a digital recording switch device that connects to your telephone
• Editing your audio files - optional
• Postproduction editing - sometimes includes running a noise-reduction program and sound compression
• Tagging the audio -adding text-based information about the audio to make it easier for people to find
• Hosting and distribution - so people can easily obtain your podcasts
• Promotion - you must provide links to your show
• A companion blog - to discuss the content of each show, and will also help to be indexed by search engines

For Video

• Posting to video-sharing sites - like YouTube, just shoot and upload
• Developing an online video channel - usually used with a unique URL
• Attempting stealth insertions to YouTube - dangerous, YouTube will find inauthentic video
• Vlogging - “video blogging” by embedding a video into a blog post
• Vodcasting - a podcast with video tied to a syndication component
• Inviting your customer communities to submit video - to help generate viral marketing interest

Our friends over at HubSpot recently posted a really funny video about imbound vs. outbound marketing that was a real success. They told us it only took an afternoon to come up with idea, write it, shoot it an edit it. See…worth it!