It's never been easier to use audio to market your website, business, or product. Why? Partly because the perception of "radio" is changing. What was formerly just "audio" is now something much more glamorous called "radio" - at least to many users.
For instance: people think podcasts are radio. By definition, they really aren't. Yet, a podcast is an incredible simulation of radio thanks to the streaming capabilities of the Internet. Streaming Internet radio isn't really radio, by definition, either. But, that doesn't matter much anymore. It's all "radio" if the person using it thinks its radio.
"Radio" is blurring into any type of audio that can be created and offered by one person and acquired on-demand by another. So, let's not get hung up on old definitions. (For more on easy podcast creation, see "How to Create Your Own Podcast With No Technical Knowledge").
Thinking of Radio in New Ways
If you have a website, business, or product and you want to energize it, consider some of these different and inexpensive ways of offering your clients or customers some helpful or interesting radio. Remember: it's just as important to position your audio as it is to offer it. What your audio is about is content. But, what you name your audio is a marketing technique - probably more important.
5 Ways to Leverage Audio
Podcasts - The development of high-quality audio that could be compressed into relatively small files and then retrieved on demand has changed the nature of using audio. A podcast can be short or long and as simple or complex as you wish to make it. Creating one can be costless. Hosting a podcast on someone else's server is generally free. Hosting it on your own website is cost-efficient. A podcast can be simply you speaking for 5 minutes about one aspect of your business or product. You don't even need complicated equipment if you're just using your own voice. Why wouldn't you want to offer a podcast or several of them to add a human voice to whatever it is you're selling or promoting?
Serialized Lessons - An easy way to keep people coming back to your website is by offering an audio course. Pick a subject your visitors would be interested in and break it down into short lessons. A long podcast can also be presented as Serialized Lessons. You sound pretty magnanimous when you offer so much free information!
On-Demand Advice - Maybe there are various terms people need to understand about what it is you sell or do. How about making a list of them and then recording short explanations? You can call it an "Audio Glossary" instead of On-Demand Advice. Or, maybe you are in the financial arena. Maybe once-a-week you could offer On-Demand Advice for clients or potential clients.
Audio Pamphlets - Ever heard of an Audio Pamphlet? Probably not since I think I just made the term up. But, as a potential listener I already know I'm going to get some important information that has been prepared in such a way that I will be able to get a good overview of the product or service in a concise way. Design your Audio Pamphlet in the same way you would create a brochure or pamphlet. The idea of offering an "Audio Pamphlet" may be more conducive to certain websites, like travel sites, for instance. Can you imagine much more interesting it would be to listen to some details of a Hawaiian vacation with the sound effects of a Luau in the background and traditional Hawaiian music?
On-Demand Radio Shows - You can go all the way and offer a 15, 30 or 60-minute radio show by recreating the traditional format you would hear on any AM or FM station. A show intro, commercials, theme music, and other elements can all be included. Remember: the listener doesn't think about the fact that you assembled audio to simulate a radio show. To them, they're hearing a radio show because you've positioned it that way - because you've told them it's a radio show. (For more on creating Internet radio, see: "How To Create Your Own Streaming Internet Radio Station").
Using audio in new ways to imitate "radio" has become effortless because of the ease of access the Internet affords everyone.
Radio = Audio
Audio = Marketing
Leverage audio and the perception of "Radio" to make your presentation a more effective one.
