How to Use Podcasts As An Educational Tool

Podcasts are a wonderful marketing tool. They help to establish you as an expert. They repeat on a regular basis so they are always reinforcing their message. They are well received and looked forward to by many busy people.

But can you use them as an educational tool?

The answer is a resounding yes!

In fact, it's hard not to use podcasts as an educational tool. In this article I'm going to show you how to use podcasts as an educational tool. There are a number of formats that you can use to deliver learning content. I'm going to cover each of them but I'm also going to discuss some overall formats that you can use.

So what formats can you use to deliver learning content?

Of the four major formats for podcasts, only the audio blog will not deliver learning content. And even that can deliver education. However, it typically includes learning content, commentary and even humor. Because of this flexibility -- and its personal nature -- the audio blog is typically not consistently an educational tool.

Interviews on the other hand, do work well as an educational tool. Most podcast interviews do focus on providing information in the form of a question and answer. In theory they could provide non-educational information (for example interviews with celebrities) but in practice that isn't common.

The audio article, like any article marketing, is focused around providing information. One could probably create a pure humor article with no redeeming value but it's hard and would be most unusual.

The hybrid or column format of course mixes all three formats. Often at least one of the columns is humorous or at least commentary. However the rest of the podcast is usually educational in nature. This will flavor the whole of the podcast.

Now that we've examined how you can use each type of podcast to deliver education, let's consider the format of the podcasts overall. So how can you use podcasting as a tool to deliver education?

Podcasting is by definition a repeating information product. Otherwise it's not a podcast it's a one off audio product. Because it's repeating it can easily be the centerpiece for a monthly membership product. When combined with a newsletter or other product it can be the core for a very valuable monthly recurring income product.

Podcasting can also be used as a free service especially if it is made available to existing customers as a relationship builder. In this case it functions as a newsletter equivalent.

Podcasting can also be used as the ethical bribe for an opt-in page. The weekly or monthly education provided can help to create a strong relationship with your potential customers.

Finally, it can be used as a free educational product for the purposes of traffic generation and reputation building.

The Benefits of Starting a Podcast   Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written   How to Begin Podcasting the Right Way   The Art of Podcasting   How To Pick A Great Name For Your Podcast   

Why Your Audience Hates Your Podcasts And What You Can Do About It

So you've noticed your podcasts are falling in the ratings. You're getting less and less traffic from them. Or worse, people are listening once and then never returning! Continue this pattern and you may as well stop creating podcasts. In fact, you might be better off not having them at all!

What are you doing wrong and how are you going to fix it?

Well, the good news is that you can fix most of the problems. The bad news is that some of them are unfixable.

So how do you fix your podcasts so your audience starts listening to them again?

In this article I'm going to identify seven reasons that your audience might hate your podcasts and give you ways of fixing the problem.

1. You aren't listening to your audience.

This is probably the biggest mistake you can make. Your audience is different from every other audience out there. To keep them you need to give them what they want. Not what you want. What they want. And that means you need to listen to them. Better still ask them what they want.

2. People can't find your podcasts.

One of the common problems for new people to podcasting is that they don't know where to look for podcasts. You need to help them find your podcasts. That means using a host and your own site. That means using SEO and other traffic techniques.

3. You aren't sending traffic to them.

Traffic doesn't just happen. That includes traffic that listens to podcasts. You need to drive traffic to the podcast. Yes, your host will account for some of the traffic but you need to be active about it as well.

4. You're boring them.

Now this is a personal problem. Which really is good when you think about it. That means you can fix it easily. Want to switch from boring to exciting. Let a little passion into your speech. You know how your topic excites you. Well let a little of that excitement into your voice. Stand up. Gesture when talk. Pace. Jump up and down when you're angry. Move your audience.

5. They need more information than you're giving them.

One of the problems with podcasts are that they're so short. You don't have a lot of room to squeeze information in. So you need to be very focused when you record your podcast. Be real. Be yourself. But don't waste time. However, even if you aren't at fault your audience is going to want more information. That's good. So give them a place where they can get more information.

6. You forgot why you're creating podcasts.

I have a friend who creates learning content in all forms of media. But he never manages to make it succeed. Why? Because he keeps trying to sell during the presentation. He's lost sight of the real reason for creating the media -- to establish a reputation that makes people want to listen to you. Selling is for later... when your audience actively wants to buy.

7. They believe that podcasts are obsolete.

Okay, you know how I mentioned that some things you can't fix? This is one of those problems. Many people believe that podcasts have become obsolete. You're not going to change their minds. The only choice you have is to create other types of content that they don't believe is obsolete. That will attract them. Not everyone is going to be your customer. Keep your podcasts for those people who realize that they are still valuable.

The Benefits of Starting a Podcast   Podcast Transcription: Converting the Spoken to the Written   How to Begin Podcasting the Right Way   The Art of Podcasting   How To Pick A Great Name For Your Podcast