If you don’t like writing, why not use another medium to get your message across?  How about podcasting?  There are many different services you can use – some paid, some free.  Since the beginning of 2009 I’ve been using Blog Talk Radio to broadcast a weekly internet radio show, as I mentioned in detail in an earlier post.

Unbelievably that post was 6 months and many shows ago!  I have since set up a separate blog for the Radio Show and update it each week after the event, providing a short summary with links to the guest’s website and also back to Blog Talk Radio.  To see what I mean, click to visit the show blog.

As well as the show Sam & I did last week about the implications of BING, we thought you might be interested in listening to recordings of some other recent shows, as the interview topics are very relevant for you savvy business owners out there!

Small Business blogging
Why Twitter works
Making Facebook work for your business
Just how secure is Cloud Computing?
Email Marketing – get better results with permission

Your comments about any of the topics are most welcome, as are suggestions for future shows.

While there are many other podcasting platforms available, Blog Talk Radio has several advantages for the novice podcaster:

• No technical knowledge required – It all happens behind the scenes.  All you have to do is follow the very easy instructions to schedule your show, dial in at the right time and hold your show.  The recording is done automatically and appears on your ‘show page’ about 20 minutes after the end of the show. 
• Free of charge – Apart from the cost of your phone call, there is no charge for hosting the recordings of your shows.  There are also some excellent guidelines available to download.
• Add content to your blog – This is as technical as it gets.  Simply copy and paste a few lines of HTML code from the show page into your blog and you have the recording of that show (or several shows if you wish).  Your show guests can grab the code too for their blog or website (spreading the word about you at the same time!)
• Google likes Blog Talk Radio – New entries show up in search results within just a few days.
• A good social networking tool – other Blog Talk Radio hosts will make contact and invite you to become a ‘friend’ of their show.
• Establish yourself as an authority – even if (as I do) all you do is interview your guests, if you do a good job you will enhance your own reputation as well.

While the advantages of hosting your show far outweigh the disadvantages, there are a couple of snags to consider:

• You may be approached by complete strangers offering to be interviewed.  Do some careful research before accepting, both to make sure they are of the calibre you want and their topic fits in with your overall theme.
• As with written blogs, podcasting requires a commitment of your time.  My Blog Talk Radio show is a weekly 30 minute slot (http://blogtalkradio.com/louisebj).  As the host, I have to dial in at the allotted time or it doesn’t happen.  Make sure you are willing and able to show up!

Do you have a podcast?  What platform do you use?  Let us know by commenting below.