The undersigned

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article about why business blogs are important. I have received a lot of great response on the article, and I want to do a little follow up on it.

The internet is changing and evolving all the time, at it is really going fast! As mentioned earlier on this blog, blogging has evolved too, and the content is today featured in more ways, such as vodcasts and podcasts. The newer ways of sharing content isn’t here to take over the blogs, but is meant to be featured off your blog. With the fast evolution of new micro medias and the new ways to reach the end-user, it is never to late for your business to join the game.

What is a vodcast?

Here is what Wikipedia says about some of the different micro medias:

Vodcast (Video podcast):
Vodcast (a portmanteau of ‘video podcast’ or ‘video on demand-cast’), VODcast or video podcast is an emerging term used for the online delivery of video on demand video clip content via Atom or RSS enclosures. The term is an evolution specialized for video, coming from the generally audio-based podcast and referring to Video On Demand (VOD) and (web-, narrow-, broad-) casting where the RSS feed is used as a non-linear TV channel to which consumers can subscribe using a PC, TV, set-top box, media center or mobile multimedia device).

Podcast:
Podcasting is the method of distributing multimedia files, such as audio programs or music videos, over the Internet using either the RSS or Atom syndication formats, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers. The term podcast like ‘radio’, can mean both the content and the method of delivery. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster. Podcasters’ web sites may also offer direct download or streaming of their files; a podcast however is distinguished by its ability to be downloaded automatically using software capable of reading RSS or Atom feeds.

Usually a podcast features one type of ’show’, with new episodes released either sporadically or at planned intervals such as daily or weekly. In addition, there are podcast networks that feature multiple shows on the same feed.

Cases

1. Let us assume you run a furniture store, and you have recently started blogging about your business and about furniture design in general. I bet that this would be a very popular topic to base a blog on, and you might already have a good amount of regular visitors - why not give it a boost and join the game of new technologies? Create a vodcast every second week, showing the newest furniture design? Do interviews with upcoming designers and release them as podcasts?
2. You run a small electronics shop or reselling company? You know your field of business, take trips to exhibitions and interview different people, make reviews of upcoming products and feature it as podcasts or vodcasts?

Examples

I have gathered a few examples of companies using pod- and vodcasts:

• Dunlop Tires
• Volkswagen
• bare feet studios
• InfoWorld

How do I get started?

I have collected a small list of links on the topic:

• How to create a vodcast
• How to Create Your Own Podcast
• Make Your First Podcast
• Create your own podcast
• How to Record, Edit, and Promote Your Nonprofit’s Podcast

If you need further information or help on getting started, you are welcome to contact me.

Discussion

Think closely about your field of business and how you can use pod- or vodcasting to spread your word. Do you have ideas for other micro medias to use, do you already use it, do you have positive or negative experiencing using pod- or vodcasts? Share your story!