Online Marketing Blog

Search engines love text and people love engaging content. This message was made clear during the SES session on Podcast & Audio Search Optimization where Daron Babin of Webmaster Radio, Amanda Watlington of Searching for Profit and Rick Klau of Google presented on the opportunities of search marketing with audio.

Audio search has come a long way and still, we’ve barely tapped into the full potential for audio content.
But why should we podcast? Watlington tells us that the value of audio content lies in its ability to create and foster an emotional connection with the audience. It is yet another opportunity to engage users while adding a human context to the message.

The podcast and audio search session was very good. It started with Amanda Watlington giving an overview of of podcasting. Other speakers included Darion Babin of Webmaster Radio and Rick Klau of Feedburner. They all made excellent points on podcasting. Takeaway points included:

• Bandwidth can be costly, but it’s worth it.
• Don’t just get into iTunes, submit podcasts everywhere.
• Make it as easy as possible for users to subscribe.
• Quality does matter so get good software, a good microphone and a pop screen.
• Prepare for growth.
• Always transcribe your shows and make that accessible to search engines.

Our public relations firm consistently uses the PRWeb Podcast service for our clients, but I’ve not taken advantage of the service very often for our own PR efforts with TopRank.

Yesterday for the second time ever, I personally used PRWeb’s Podcast service that’s available when you select a $200 or higher option for press release distribution. As with the first time, I was totally impressed.

The process is pretty simple. You order a press release to be distributed and pick the $200 level. As you go through the process of enabling or activating the various options for the release, you’ll have the option of scheduling a PRWeb Podcast. Pick a date and time that works for you and you’ll get an email with the phone number and access code.

Here is the next installment of Online Marketing Blog coverage of ad:tech Chicago 2006:

With a slight delay, this standing room only session started off with Moderator Henry Copeland of blogads.com introducing the speakers which included: Michael Moore of Nestle Purina Pet Care, Robert Claypoole “Consumer and Professional Relationship Marketing” for Johnson and Johnson Vision Care division, Heather Sefcik of Henkel Consumer Adhesives (Duck Tape) and Brian Bloom of Ligget Stashower, a marketing PR firm that works with the Duck Tape brand.

Last week I had two interviews on SEO, blogs and press release optimization. One was a podcast and the other published in a newsletter. You can find the podcast interview over at the Novita Issue Communications Blog where Ernie Landante keeps me honest and runs through questions on the synergy of search engine optimization and public relations as well as some of the mechanics of the press release optimization process. At least until I started making death threats.

Spotlight on Search - Interview with Daron Babin of WebmasterRadio.FM

Photo courtesy Strikepoint Blog
There are many success stories on the web and one of the most interesting is WebmasterRadio.FM. The brainchild of Old, Old School SEO Daron Babin and his partner Brandy Shapiro, WebmasterRadio.FM has become the “go to” resource for live streaming radio and podcasts on all things related to search and interactive marketing.

After threatening Daron with sex, fame and a nice hangover, he succumbed to answering a few questions about how he got into the SEO game, what’s up with New Gen Media and his evil plan for a multi media search engine and delivery platform.

About a month ago, Grant Crowell of Grantastic Designs posted an article at Search Engine Watch on SEO for podcasts, which pointed out how straightforward it would be.

Stephan Spencer also wrote up an informative list of Podcast SEO tips on his blog.

I would also like to point out a few things regarding how podcasts can support your online marketing efforts, particularly in conjuction with online PR.

The first is the very cool Podcast recording, production and hosting service offered by PRWeb Podcast. More details in this press release.

Chris Pirillo and Jake hit up Search Engine Strategies New York and did a number of interviews which you can hear at his SES 2006 Archive page. Interviewees include:

• Copernic on Desktop Search
• David Sifry on Technorati and Entreprenuership
• Lee Odden on Blogs and Search Marketing (More “umms” and “ahhs” than you’ve ever heard in one conversation!”
• Jay Budzik of Intellext on Watson Contextual Search
• Jim Lanzone of Ask.com on Search
• Joshua Stylman and Peter Hershberg of Reprise Media on Contextual Advertising
• Danny Sullivan on SES, Tags and Googlefasting

Dave Naylor and Mikkel De Mib Svendsen (gotta love the red suit) have launched a new SEO Podcast blog called Strikepoint in conjunction with WebmasterRadio.fm. I’ve listened to a few shows already and it’s very good (and funny). The show on BMW Germany’s issues and Google is particularly interesting.
Here’s an entry about Outrageous And Contagious - Viral Videos. This is an interesting and timely post as I do believe viral/creative SEO is the future of organic search marketing. That and online PR.
If you haven’t checked out WebmasterRadio.fm’s awesome shows, you are missing out on some excellent information. Top voices in search marketing from Danny Sullivan to Tim Mayer of Yahoo talk about current issues, tactics and trends. Fire up your iPod because these shows are a must-listen.