7 Reasons To Start A Podcast On Your Blog Or Website

If you’re looking to increase traffic to your website or blog and you think you’ve exhausted all possible options, the likelihood is that you’ve only scratched the service.

If you’ve kept a keen eye on your analytics, you’re probably aware of what niches your content appeals to. But have you considered the medium by which your content is being delivered? More specifically, have you considered creating a podcast?

Podcasts are one of the biggest trends on the Internet right now. iTunes alone has 100 million active users, making it a lush garden of subscribers.

Here are seven reasons a podcast is so useful:

It’s an inexpensive way to generate new traffic. 
– Podcasting is, for all intents and purposes, free. Free to produce and free to distribute. It’s like having your own radio station, except you’re not beholden to anyone except yourself. The same way some people prefer getting their news from the radio, some people prefer listening to blogs as opposed to reading them.

By having a podcast component to your blog you’re opening yourself up for an entirely new stream of traffic, and without making any kind of investment besides time and effort.

It’s a great way to expand your knowledge base while improving your blog.
– Which sounds more beneficial: doing two to three hours of research in order to write a blog that’s going to add minimal new value to your site, or interviewing a dynamic personage who will educate you and your listeners while creating a new stream of traffic?

That’s right, the second option is the way to go. Don’t forgo written posts, of course. But incorporating podcasts is a smart way to take on new subjects and enhance your content.

It gives your subscribers more options.
– Visitors to your site can turn on one of your podcasts and listen to it while perusing the rest of your content, or doing something else completely.

Maybe someone wants to clean their house while listening to your blog, instead of having to read it: a podcast accomplishes that. And you can still offer a written transcript for SEO purposes.

It adds quantity and variety to your content. 
– Every blog has text, video and pictures. So should yours, of course. But every new form of media you can add to your blog enhances it by diversifying the scope and format of communication and increasing your reach. Having an actual human voice featured makes your blog more personal. 

A video podcast simulates having your own television show.
– It may look a lot more impressive than your production costs and time would actually suggest, but you’re the only one who knows. A video podcast can give your blog a feel of legitimate authority and help you to build your online brand.

You open up another avenue for monetization.
– Because podcasts are easy to produce and distribute, if you find a market for selling your podcasts to educators, subscribers, or other online buyers, you stand to make a handsome profit for minimal work.

Having a podcast AND blog creates an opportunity for cross-promotion and stronger PR.
– Blogs and podcasts attract different audiences and guest contributors. A guest host on your podcast can add a lot to your blog’s value, as can a guest blogger. The combination of the two creates a constant stream of PR.

The verdict is in. In terms of traffic, SEO, page rank, and quality, podcasts greatly enhance websites and blogs. If you were on the fence before, now is the time to loosen your chops and get your voice out into the blogosphere.

Image Credit:Martin Canchola.