Today’s guest post is written by Kristine Simpson.
It all started with Inside PR, a 15-minute discussion about PR, social media, and communications and how they intersect and on occasions diverge, hosted by Gini Dietrich, Martin Waxman, and Joseph Thornley.
And now I have become an advocate of the podcast.
As the producer of Inside PR, I have seen what a podcast can do to build your brand and relationships with your audience.
Here are just a few reasons why I love podcasting, and why you should love it too.
Extend your network by communicating with everyone.
Everyone absorbs information in different ways. Some of us are visual learners who do well with charts, graphs, and colors. This part of your audience probably loves your YouTube channel.
Some of us are tactile learners who gain through experience. This part of your audience probably loves communicating with you directly through Twitter, Facebook, or other social media channels where they can share personal, one-to-one conversations.
And some of us are more auditory, learning best from oral speeches and music.
In walks the podcast.
Put a voice behind the face.
The face of your company may be an attractive woman in her 30s (who has a dog and an awesome blog, *cough* Gini *cough*) in a smashing outfit, but to your audience, a picture and a bio on your “about page” isn’t personal enough. Podcasting puts the face of your company behind a microphone and shows your audience you do exist. You are human…just like everyone else.
Show them how smart you are.
A podcast gives voice to your CEO/business leader. As with blogging, podcasting is a form of sharing your knowledge and your insight on current issues and affairs in an informal and relaxed environment. Take Inside PR for example: Gini, Martin, and Joe recently discussed the privacy issues behind Pinterest. These debates and discussions can truly demonstrate your expertise while showing some personality.
It is easy.
OK, so this point may be subjective, but podcasting is not difficult. There is very little cost involved in running a podcast, and, once you get a hang of the production, it doesn’t take up a huge chunk of your time either. If you are not a fan of writing, blogging may not be your best outlet to share your knowledge, but if you can talk, then you can podcast.
And the final reason podcasts rock…
Because… #5
My mom used this line a lot when I was a kid, and I used to say it was unfair and didn’t work. Her response: “It does work if I know more than you.”
So take it from me, podcasting is an easy, fun, and unique way to connect with your audience through a new outlet.
Have you been thinking about adding podcasting to your content strategy? What’s stopping you?
Kristine Simpson is a public relations and communication professional working in Ottawa, Canada. When she is not at her desk at Thornley Fallis & 76design, she produces Inside PR, writes at Running a PR Life, and soaks in the genius minds of our day on Twitter. Kristine is launching her very own podcast called Young PR Pros with her co-host Charlie Hamilton from London. Stay tuned for their first episode coming soon!