Podcasting . . . . What's all the hype? Well, podcasting can get confusing easily, that's for sure. However, really it's a lot simpler than one thinks in the beginning. Podcasting is simply a means by which to distribute audio or video files. Podcasting actually came from the words broadcast and Ipod because of the popularity of the Ipod and this being a new way that information and music was being broadcast to the world.

Podcasts are dispensed over the Internet. These can be radio shows or video productions.
The podcasts are placed online where they can be downloaded or listened to via a virtual player such as a multimedia player either on the website itself or on a person's personal computer. Many people also download the files and then transfer them to a MP3 player such as an Ipod. It is really quite easy and can be done without your having to do much of anything the computer and the Ipod recognize each other and actually sync up on their own.

Podcasts also give you the ability to subscribe to them and in some cases can even be downloaded automatically on a schedule through a podcast feed. One of the ways to do this is with a program such as Itunes. Itunes gives you the ability to search their database of podcasts and find something in your area of interest to download. You then subscribe to the feed and automatically get a new file when the podcast feed is updated. There are podcasts out there on virtually every topic from parenting to car repair. Most podcast are done by ordinary people on topics that they are passionate about, many podcast are talk show style but there are also music podcasts out there as well. Many well-known people are now also using podcasts to advertise and promote themselves, their platform or even their products or services.

It is much easier than one might think to record and create your own audio podcast. If you have a low end, inexpensive microphone you can easily record digital audio via your personal computer. A recording software is also useful, and there are free versions such as Audacity available online for download. This software allows you to quite easily edit the audio and then to save it and export it as an MP3 file for use elsewhere. If you already have a website you might also already have server space available or you can purchase space to house your audio files on a website such as Audio Acrobat. Finally, an RSS feed is created for the files and a download link is made available where others can download and/or listen to the audio online.

Podcasting a fast growing phenomenon that almost anyone can take advantage of...and that's what all the hype is about!

Social media pertains to the group of websites that aim to bring people together to either exchange or distribute information. Some of the most used forms of social media are forums, wikis, podcasts, blogs, and message boards. Since these websites have millions of members combined, they are considered great marketing tools by almost all webmasters. If you intend to promote your products and services through social media, these 5 ways can help you get started:
1. Go for fresh content. When sharing information, make sure that what you distribute is the latest and hottest buzz about your chosen topic. When your information are timely, they will be surely appreciated by the readers.

2. Create interesting profiles. When joining social networking site, make sure that your profile is interesting, entertaining, and appealing so you can entice online users to network with you.

3. Always update your content. This is very important especially if you are maintaining a blog. To keep online users glued on your page, make sure you offer them something new every time they visit your blog.

4. Stick with facts. This will become handy when publishing content in wikis and article submission sites. These are considered reliable sources of information and if you post your articles on these web pages, they will be used by online users when they are doing their researches. To avoid misleading them, make sure that your information are factual.

5. Be friendly. Network with other people who share your interest and interact with them, by doing this, you will be able to build personal relationship with other online users. This is a great step so you can pitch your products later on.

6. Follow the rules and regulations of each website. To avoid getting banned, read and abide by the rules set by each website.

Audio streaming is definitely one of the hottest marketing tools these days that brings increased traffic and sales to various websites. If you would like to incorporate audio streaming to your site, here's the 8 best ways to do it:
1. Learn how to incorporate audio streaming on your website or hire somebody who can. Not all websites are designed for audio streaming especially those that were created a couple of years back. Thus, it is very important that if you want to incorporate this marketing strategy on your website, you must know how to properly do it. Search the internet for various tutorials that can help you in uploading streaming audio on your site.

2. Incorporate audio streaming on your squeeze page. Would not it be nice if you can communicate the benefits of being a member of your e-mail list through audio streaming? Enumerate the reason why your visitors should leave their email address and look forward to your promotional email.

3. Use audio streaming on your sales page. Instead of posting testimonials of your satisfied clients, it will be more impacting if you can actually record their voice and use the audio on your sales page. It will appear more credible and enticing.

4. Promote your products and services through audio streaming. Every once in a while you can run a radio-like ad to entice your visitors to buy your offerings. Make it upbeat, interesting, and lively.

5. Make sure that your audio files are of high quality. They should be crisp and easy to understand. People can easily get annoyed if your audio is full of hiss or is very choppy.

6. Pay attention to the tone of your audio files. If you are running a professional website, it would help if your tone is formal to compliment the theme and topic.

The internet is continuously evolving to address the ever changing needs of various online users. Gone are the days when websites are just full of text and images. Today, various features such as audio streaming are incorporated to websites to allow visitors to hear recordings, music, and audio presentations. Here are the 7 ways to audio streaming:
a. Learn how to add streaming audio to your webpage. There are various free eBook or DIY articles over the internet on how you can add streaming audio to your website. Familiarize yourself with the steps and tricks to make sure that you will offer your visitors the best quality audio.

b. Identify what kind of streaming audio that will appeal to your visitors. Put up a survey or a poll to determine if your visitors opt to hear interviews, music, news, or testimonials on your site.

c. If your website is all about do-it-yourself guide, convert your step-by-step instructions to audio file so your online visitors can easily follow.

d. Make sure that your streaming audio compliments the theme of your site. If your website offers professional help, it will not be a great idea to incorporate hiphop music. Make sure that your content, your website design, and your audio are geared towards communicating the same message to your visitors.

e. Check your audio files periodically. Make sure that they are working as designed to bring great listening experience to your online visitors.

f. Do not overload your website with audio files. Large files, such as audio files, can eat a lot of bandwidth and can dramatically slow the downloading time of your site. As such, be careful not to overload your site with audio files; instead balance it with great content and great website design.

g. Remove outdated audio files. Get rid of audio files that are no longer needed by your visitors. For example, news clips that are two weeks old will no longer serve its purpose on your site.

Streaming video is actually available through a number of different formats. Many people are aware of streaming video on the internet, since this is roughly when the term began to be used. Prior to this, video was often streamed in other ways, but there was no need to differentiate between the methods of transfer since the streaming method was not used to the extent that it is used today. Streaming is the way in which the video is sent. It is sent between the supplier and the recipient in a real time manner. The information is being sent on a constant basis so that the individual consumer will be able to pick it up or open it whenever they want. Obviously the internet is able to accomplish this since it is open twenty four hours a day. On the internet, there are a number of ways to capture, or record streaming video.
One of the simplest ways is through getting a software program that will allow the individual to record the streaming video of the individual's choice over the internet. In some other cases, there will be an option to download the streaming video. Another option is that the hyperlink for the streaming video will be offered, and this link can be posted or imbedded in other areas to make the streaming video more accessible in a certain area. Many people will add a video to their blogging site in order to access certain videos with more ease.

However, the internet is not the only forum through which streaming video is offered. One of the first venues to offer streaming video was the television. Television channels are also offering streaming video at virtually all times. Channels and stations are perpetually broadcasting, waiting to be picked up by the consumers. When it comes to capturing this type of streaming video, many people are actually very prepared with the process. By setting up a video cassette recorder, an individual is able to record the video that is streaming into their TV and capture it on the video cassette that is in their VCR. As the technology of the time progressed, it also became possible to record onto a disc.

Many DVD players will now allow the individual to capture the video and burn it on to the disc. In both of these cases, it is possible to then transfer the captured video over that medium, either the cassette or the disc. Capturing streaming video is very important to many people because it allows them to transfer information and save different types of information in a very simple and convenient way. In order for our society to grow and develop, it is very important that we are able to share information between ourselves and through capturing streaming video we are able to do just that in many ways, which makes it more effective as a way of sharing ideas as well. Information through streaming video can be captured by news stations and individuals, and can be used for personal and professional reasons.