This article explores the benefits of podcasting.  It starts off giving a brief introduction to the article, talking about how podcasts are often overlooked in the business industry.  According to the article that references In-Stat, it states, “275 million people will own portable media players by 2011.”  With that being the case, it would be smart for businesses to start podcasting because podcasts can be accessible to this market of 275 million people.

As a result, the article details the benefits of podcasting and how creating podcasts will help one’s business.  For those who are unfamiliar with podcasts, this article talks about what a podcast is.

After reading over what it is, it states (I made bullet points for my site’s readers):

• An audio file that you broadcast or listen to
• Podcasts have a subscription option
• Updates can be downloaded to computers or MP3 players
• Enable you to listen what you want, when you want
• Podcasts cover a range of topics
• Do not need an iPod to listen to a podcast
• You can listen to a podcast on any MP3 player or computer with Internet connection
• Easy to create a podcast.  All you need is a microphone, computer, and an idea

The article then details the benefits of podcasting.  Here are some quick points that it stated:

• Reach a new audience.  Include other media options can help you reach a bigger audience.
• Build a relationship with your listeners.  Podcasts will add some “flavor” to your company so that it is not just a logo.  Attaching a podcast to your company gives it a voice.
• Highlight your authority.  Utilizing useful information in your podcasts can give credibility to what you are talking about, and more people are likely to believe what you say if you know what you are talking about.  While I read this part of the article, I thought about how some infomercials for medicinal products, for example, a product for weight loss, will include an excerpt about a doctor and how he believes that this product is the best product for weight loss.  It builds credibility for the weight loss supplement, and thus more individuals are likely to trust what you are selling or servicing.
• Podcasts can also fill people in on what they missed.  You can include podcasts of seminars or conferences so that people who did not make the event can listen.
• Increase advertising potential.  If podcasts for your business become popular, you could also start selling advertising slots in your podcasts.
• Respond to customer feedback.  You can utilize podcasts to address frequent customer questions.

The article then details if podcasting is right for you.  Before creating a podcast, you need to answer a few questions.  Here are some quick points that it stated in the article:

• Who do you want to reach?
• Why do you want to reach them?
• Can you produce a regular product?

All in all, this article talks about the benefits of podcasting, and some guidelines and advice on what one should consider when creating a podcast.  I thought this was really helpful because I could see how these benefits could be utilized in my own podcast.  For example, to address the issues of buying from big chain super markets for produce, instead of buying from local farmer’s markets.  This article made me think about talking more about the benefits of famer’s markets and flea markets.  I think this article is very informative in terms of detailing advice on why one should create a podcast, but does not necessarily give any technical tips on how to go about creating one.  I think showing the reader how easy it is to create a podcast would have definitely strengthened this article.  However, it does a solid job on detailing why one should consider integrating podcasts into their business.

Here’s a link to the article: http://socialmediatrader.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-podcasting/