Podcasts have changed, or at least added the way marketers and content publishers disseminate messages and information to a certain extent.
No longer are they limited to the static text and image content to convey messages.
They can extend beyond those and include audio and video.
They add the power to audio and video content by the whole automation process.
Consumers can now download and consume select content at their own pace and place.
Coaches and consultants can benefit from this by using different ways to deliver messages and keep in touch with their prospects.
Moreover, podcasts have the potential to move strangers to prospects and then warm up prospects before they become customers.
If a part of your business operation involves getting customers from various online marketing activities, it may become obvious sooner or later that allowing visitors and prospects sample what you have to offer is an effective way to warm them up to the next level.
Writing articles for online publications is an example.
Other tactics include, but not limited to offering teleseminars or webinar sessions, publish email newsletter regularly and blogging.
If you are familiar with some of the these marketing activities, then you will appreciate what podcasts can offer to you and your audience or target market.
Podcasting allows you to leverage existing content for better business visibility.
To tell the truth, leveraging content and re-purposing content is nothing of a new idea.
Perhaps you have offered free seminar based on one article that you write months ago.
Perhaps your prospects can relate to one of the solutions you have created and outlined before.
You also frequently use the existing solutions as a blueprint for other clients.
We are leveraging and re-purposing content on a daily basis, and you can do it too with podcasts.
Prospects know you from many different marketing activities, and it is important that you diverse the strategies and tactics so you can get all the business you want.
Podcasts, for example, are great because of its unique opportunity to communicate beyond text and image and the whole automation behind it.
Coaches and consultants can move prospects to the next step in the buying process by offering educational materials that help the prospects relate to the problems and solutions they have to offer.
Imagine recording one teleseminar session and make it available as podcasts so other future prospects can listen to it, get updated content as you make available, and carry the content with them while commuting or exercising.
You win because they are more likely to consume the information.
You win because you can leverage your time and content so you don't have to offer every prospect a customized private session.
You win because they are more likely to listen to what you have to say before they come to you feeling excited that you can help them.
And finally, you win because most prospects are afraid of the responsibility to reciprocate your kindness.
They find it hard to refuse if after you have offered a free session, they don't buy at all.
Podcasts help them avoid the fear, literally extending your reach because of this and also time limitation on your part.
Podcasts can fit into various marketing process if you plan it strategically.
There are businesses who generate leads successfully using podcasts.
Others have used podcasts as customer retention tool to keep delivering focused messages to their customers.
In which part of your marketing can podcast fit? It is great for lead nurturing and I can be sure that by now you should have many ideas spinning, but please don't limit yourself with it.