The Guru Hub

Archive for January, 2010

Part of promoting your website business is getting in front of as many people as possible. While you are there, give them something interesting the read, listen to or watch that will direct them to your website through a link. One of the ways that people like to hear about new sites is through podcasts.

What is a Podcast?

A podcast is a multimedia tool that people can follow. Think of it as audio or video information that you can listen to or view on your computer, your iPod or any other multimedia enabled device. It’s like having your own radio show on your website.

Podcasts can be syndicated using RSS (really simple syndication). This is the same process that people use to keep up with blogs and websites. The RSS feed allows them to receive updates when changes are made on the site so they don’t have to visit every day.

Creating your Podcast

There is software available to help you create your audio and video files. You can embed code for them on your website so others can view them. Beyond the technical aspects, the purpose of the podcast is to present interesting information to your readers in a new and unique way. People browse the Internet to find useful items. They like to read, but would admittedly like to watch or listen as it is a more convenient way to get the same information.

So what will make your podcast stand out? Use engaging dialogue, present relevant topics and use visually appealing props and sets for video casts.

Going Viral

For one, don’t forget the keywords. You want people to be able to find your podcasts when they use their search engines. Even if you are using mainly audio, include keyword optimized titles, tags and links in your podcasts.

Submit your podcasts to directories. Use every avenue to get yourself in front of the public. That includes creating press releases to announce your podcasts if you are introducing them for the first time. Optimizing your press releases and submitting them to free press release sites keeps people finding them even after you are through using them.

Let your existing customers in on the new podcast. Use your email list to keep them in the loop as you unroll your podcast project. Give them links directly to the podcast so they can view it and hopefully pass the link on to others.

Your podcast can be turned into a radio show with regular guest spots. Interview other business owners in your niche and notable online personalities who would be of interest to your readers. A recurring show can increase your traffic and your following.

Want to get people to your website? Create a podcast. Turn it into a radio show or recurring video cast to create a following and gain more traffic to your business.

So…. your good friend recommends a product that she purchased and is having good luck with. You purchase the product without hesitation because you trust her opinion. Has this ever happened to you? If so, you are the beneficiary of word-of-mouth advertising.

This technique works well online as well. Here, it is called viral marketing. Marketing that is ignited by the spread of your product through “hyper” social channels online. Free Reports re a great way to get your own  viral campaigns up and running fast.

The reports we are talking about are special reports. They are usually around five to ten pages in length. In them, readers will find a wealth of information on a topic of interest. For you, the topic has something to do with your business niche.

Viral advertising only works when the product that you offer has mass appeal. This means that people will want to share it with others once they see it. It can be a unique twist on an old subject, something funny or something interactive. With reports, they can present a new twist, make someone laugh and provoke thoughtful discussion.

Hey, where can you find a report like that? You are going to write it. You don’t have to be a great writer to produce a free report worth reading. The best tool that you have is the fact that you know a lot about your niche. Your business is your passion and whatever you write needs to convey that passion.  The most interesting reports are those that offer something that the reader doesn’t already know or something that they need.

What do you want to accomplish with the free report? It can be a list of potential clients, a bigger sale or even a sign up for something else free like a trial membership or trying out a new product. Your answer to this question leads to your landing page. This is where you advertise your free report and give reasons why the reader needs to opt-in to receive it.

Your free report will touch off a viral storm but you need to let people know about it. It’s like using promotion to help you interest people in a product that will further promote your website. It sounds complicated but actually isn’t at all.

Are you familiar with article marketing? That’s when you write articles about your niche and submit them to article directories. At the end, you’ll include a link in our bio box that leads to your website business. With the free reports, you’ll write articles about the same subject as the report and link to the landing page so readers who like your article and find the free report.

How about your existing customers? They have already bought products from you and know how great you are. Send them an email with the link to your landing page. Do the same for your friends, associates and, if you have an affiliate program, your affiliates.

People like to get free items, but they also want them to be worth their time. Use interesting free reports to jumpstart a viral marketing campaign and drive traffic to your site.

Internet marketing innovations have been moving at lightning speed and 2010 should no different. With all the money on the table it is no wonder that it is a mad dash to see who can reap the rewards the soonest.

So, how many silver bullets have you chased lately (pun intended) and how many have proved to supply you the edge that you seek? My guess is the answer is “very few”. Why? Because most people, regardless of what they purchase, do not go out and just do it. They wait to perfect a product or develop this or that and never get started.

Still struggling for a New Years resolution? Here is one for you…..take action now! It doesn’t matter what you are looking to do, sell an ebook, software, affiliate promotion, physical product….. it really doesn’t matter what area you play the people who are successful take action.

The ironic thing about this is the best test is to get your product into the hands of the consumer. They will tell you, in no uncertain terms, whether your product or service is up to snuff or not.

I recall my first ebook. I was a nervous wreck getting ready to put out my first product but made up my mind that I was going to put it out as soon as possible and let the market be my guide. Well…they guided me…through several revisions until I got it write and now I have a good selling product that is market tested.

The key was listening to the market and making adjustments to fit their needs. They will tell you whether your product is good or bad and if it was worth the price you were asking. If you can handle the honest, hard core truth then get your product out there and let the market be your guide and judge. It could be the best move you’ve ever made.

Animoto will help you make professional looking video’s for free. This neat little tool comes in very handy for making professional looking promotional video’s for yourself or some of your clients. It is free to use and make unlimited 30 second video’s and it also has an upgrade feature that you can use to make DVD quality video’s for a very reasonable price.

This has my highest recommendations for being long on value and ease of use! Give it a try.

http://animoto.com

***This is an affiliate link and I may make a small commission if you purchase something.

Please leave your comments below!

After a long process on how to market The Guru Hub I have decided to make the base of the site free to everyone. This means if you are just starting out in internet marketing and need some help you can get it here for free. I have produced many “how to” video’s and will continue to create more video’s and articles.

Let’s take for instance that you want to learn how to purchase a domain name, or set up a hosting account, I have free video’s right here to show you how. Post a comment in our forum on what you would like to see and I will try ot create a video for you.