If you are a podcaster, you should consider posting show notes that accompany each episode. Show notes are simply a written description of the show's content.
There are lots of reasons to create show notes. One of the best reasons is that it gives you text that search engines can see. While it's currently not possible to rely on good audio search, text search via engines like Google can bring you lots of traffic.
Another reason to post show notes is that it helps your audience know what to expect. Just like the TV newscasters tease the weather forecast, you can use your show notes to tease what's coming up in your show.
Show notes also help your audience keep track of your podcasts. They give you a chance to promote your sponsors. They help you promote your show. They help listeners find phone numbers, email addresses and URLs mentioned in your show.
Show notes are typically offered on the show's accompanying blog and may range from very detailed missives to short, curt sentences providing bare bones information.
At a minimum, I always try to include the following in my show notes:
1) Show title, number or date
2) Names of all who appear on the show
3) Topics discussed on the show
4) Contact information for all guests and products discussed on the show
If you want to make things like links and contact information more valuable, be sure to code them for HTML linking.
Some podcasters have even started offering verbatim transcripts of their podcasts as show notes.
And finally, if you want to get the most out of your shownotes, make certain that they are available in a variety of places and formats. For instance, you can include the show notes within the tags that go into your RSS feed and you can list them on your blog.
I noticed a marked increase in listenership for my podcast when I started using show notes. So if you aren't taking notes, give it a try and let me know if you see an increase in your audience.
For more information on podcasting, visit my site www.podcastingtricks.com
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