Using podcasts to market a product

http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Podcasts-for-Marketing-Buzz&id=253992

The Ipod by Apple was launched in 2004 and has since sold over 40 million units. With this large market, this lets companies use podcasts to market their products. Video podcats allow people to watch broadcasts over their Ipods. Podcasts can be about anything. They can range from entertainment, such as comedy, music videos, and short films. They can also cover news, current events, and give how-to tutorials. Podcasts are good for niche marketing. People who view podcasts do so because they are interested in that particular content. This gives an opportunity for marketers advertise specifically to these consumers. A popular way marketers are advertising to consumers via podcasts are actually sponsoring a podcast. They will sponsor podcasts that are related to what they are selling. This works out for the company because they are able to maintain the site for the person making the podcasts and getting to run a commercial for free at the beginning of the podcast. Another popular way to market using podcast is by having somebody endorse a podcast. Have somebody who is well respected in a particular niche market to host the broadcast and have them include the product in the podcast. They can also be used as PR to help build brand reputation and equity by building relationships with the community, or to make consumers aware of a particular PR event that is currently happening.

I think podcasts are a great idea for targeting niche markets. The first reason being is that podcast are inexpensive and virtually free to create. Anybody with a camera and a microphone can record a podcast. Another reason podcasts are good for niche markeing is that they are getting the right people to see their advertisement. The people who download and watch these podcasts are viewing them because they have a particular interest in the content of the podcast. If a company is able to sponsor a podcast, they will hold awareness in the consumers mind when it comes time to make a particular purchase. For example, in a DIY podcast on how to install a wood floor is sponsored by Home Depot. When the consumer decides they want to install their wood floor, Home Depot will come to mind when they are thinking of purchasing their supplies. It is a cheap way to develop a strong brand recall with a niche market.. Over 40 million people have Ipods and the number continues to grow. I believe that given some more time podcasts have the potential to make a strong impact in marketing as more people start downloading podcasts.