The Power of Podcasting

With universal broadband access becoming more sophisticated, organizations are increasingly interested in podcasting as a way to reach their target audiences. Many have started to post podcasts or video-on-demand (VODcast) on their Web sites to promote their business culture, offer tips to help their customers in some fashion, share valuable information, and more.

If you desire to be highly effective at outreach, using multimedia content, like podcasts or VODcasts, can be a key component to engage your customers. You have a greater chance of your customers staying on your site and coming back repeatedly because you are entertaining, as well as informing them. Furthermore, you can build a relationship with your customers if you continue to publish new video content on a regular basis. The end result is more business for your organization.

Podcasting and VODcasting is a market that continues to grow as organizations are realizing that Internet video is the way of the future. Online video is a great way for organizations to incorporate this new medium into their outreach plan and target their local market.

There are five points to keep in mind when producing a podcast or VODcast.

1. Use multimedia and video as an effective branding, relationship building and outreach tool. Make sure the content is contextually and behaviorally relevant with your organization's mission and objectives.

2. Entertain visitors. Nothing will drive your customers away faster than boring content. The key to successful online video is to deliver compelling, value-added content that also entertains.

3. Preparation is important. You don't have to follow a script, but you should be prepared once that camera light goes on.

4. Keep a regular schedule. Find a schedule that works for you and let your visitors know when they should expect your next show, and give some idea of what will be in the next episode.

5. Finally, be sure to retain experts that would enable your air medical transport program to easily create and distribute high quality professional online video.

"You would not have a nurse or paramedic work on the engine of your aircraft or ambulance - just like you would not have a pilot or mechanic intubating patients," said Rich Obertots, CEO of ThinkThroughTools. "The same goes for Web 2.0. Invest in experts to enable you to attain maximum effectiveness and yield."

Starting next month, ThinkThroughTools will put this into practice. Obertots and ThinkThroughTools vice president, John Chamberlin, will provide you with engaging and humorous OutreachU™ VODcasts—from engaging discussions between ThinkThroughTools' staff and industry leaders to original songs and other audio effects that are paired with insights and tips from ThinkThroughTools’ experts. On a weekly basis, ThinkThroughTools will begin podcasting entertaining, engaging and educating downloadable podcasts for air medical professionals on the go.

For more information, visit http://www.thinkthroughtools.com/OutreachU.asp. 
To learn more about the “5Es” that ThinkThroughANALYTICS™ research has verified as the five essential elements of effective podcasting and VODcasting - e.mail on or before 14:00 May 28th 2008 info@thinkthroughtools.com and note “Requesting information on 5Es.”

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