In this Issue:

	Intuitive Strategies
	Resources on the Net
	Advisor Feature

Podcasts

By: Thomas Young

You may have seen or heard the term "podcast" recently. Podcasts are audio segments that you can listen to on your computer or easily transfer to your iPod for listening in your car or burning to CD. Think of it as a newscast with a funny name because of the popularity of Apple's iPod audio and video players. Podcasts are dynamic. Plug your iPod into your computer and if a new "episode" is available, it will automatically be downloaded to your portable listening device.

Podcasts are important because it is an efficient and convenient way to add value to your customers and help them with their problems. They can listen in the car or at their computer as they multitask and keep busy. How do you develop a good podcast? Here are a few ideas on making podcasts work for you as a part of your Web marketing efforts.

Plan it Out First
Give your podcast a title that is specific to one of the needs in your target market. Think about what makes their job easier or enhances the quality of their lives. Decide on a length of time for the podcast and remember that a shorter time span will hold people's attention more effectively, but not too short. Keep it over ten minutes in length at a minimum. Get to the key issues quickly. Write your script or outline in advance and do not sound like you are reading when presenting.

How is it Recorded?
A professional recording studio can produce a digital audio file of your podcast that can be uploaded to your Website. The audio file can be recorded in a variety of formats and easily adapted for your particular listening device. Another option is to do it yourself on your computer, using a basic digital recording software program, which often comes with the computer. For better results, use a decent recording microphone and not the microphone on your computer. If this is confusing or difficult for you, get help from someone with experience recording live audio onto a computer.

Hire an Interviewer
An interview format is very effective. Plan your questions in advance and bring in someone with a convincing voice to be your podcast moderator or announcer. They will introduce the podcast, the guest (you) and ask the questions. They function as the host of the program and keep the interest level up.

Share Your Secrets
Do not hold back. Share every thing you can think of in the short amount of time that will bring value to the listener. You will gain customers because you are adding value to them through this podcast. Also, keep the podcast current and relevant.

Get Inside the Head of the Listener
Walk in the shoes of the listener. What would you want to hear? The better you can understand the listener, the better your podcast. Remember that the podcast is about the listener and not you or your business. If your listener is listening to your podcast they are intelligent and computer savvy, so keep the content at a high level and interesting. Give them something concrete to add to their action plan.

Video Versus Audio
Video is growing as a communications medium on the Web and should be considered when it is important to actually see what you are talking about. However, podcasts have three big advantages over video, first they are cheaper to produce, second they take less bandwidth and third people can multitask while they listen to a podcast. Make it a podcast, unless you must use video.

Podcasts work because people go to the Web first for information, and great audio presentations can help you better meet the needs of your customers and grow your business. Check out two of our most recent podcasts on our Website and look for more coming soon.

>Search Engine Marketing | A Podcast by Tom Young for TEC International

>Driving Sales with Your Website | A Podcast by Tom Young for TEC International

Thomas Young is CEO of Intuitive Websites. He is an Internet Marketing consultant and speaker. If you are interested in having Tom speak at your business meeting please contact him directly at 719-481-4040 or tom@intuitivewebsites.com.

• Podcasting by Wikipedia | More information on podcasting
• iTunes | Download Podcasts from iTunes
• Internet users judge Web sites in less than a blink | Reuters, January 17, 2005
  
• Web Acessibility Toolbar | By Vision Australia
• Top Search Engines/Search Terms | Nielsen/Net Ratings, November 2005
• Google Web Authoring Stats Study | December 2005

Online Intuitive Website Review - LIVE!

Our new online Intuitive Website Review tool provides a more cost-effective alternative to a complete review. It includes a 50 point review of the following critical areas:

• Market Research & Strategy
• Content Considerations
• Site Design & Technical Elements
• Internet Marketing

For $99, you can review your Website by completing a 50 question online assessment. Based on your answers, you will receive a customized report that includes recommendations to improve your Website. Once purchased, you have 30-day access and can take the review multiple times and receive multiple reports based on your answers. A popular use by our beta testers was to have different members of the staff take the review (marketing, IT, management) and compare answers. For more information, visit our Website, call 719-481-4040, or email tom@intuitivewebsites.com.