Adventures in Mobile Marketing

I was recently on a podcast, and after listening to it, once it was post-production, had a lot of “constructive criticism.” The funny thing is that criticism wasn’t just about podcasting, the aural experience, or using the myriad of technical tools available to auditory editors. Nope, it was just good writing.

1) Make your point quickly. Especially with video and podcasting, users can’t graze or glance through material, so get to the main point, gist, angle, funny quickly. David Sedaris uses the “40-second rule” as does most of This American Life. Make your joke in 40 seconds.

2) Why are they here? Why should they listen? Think of your audience and why they’re giving you their precious time. Imagine in your head a composite audience member- some readers you know about or just guess who your ideal reader would be, and give them reasons to stay.

3) Short is good. I jumped into the podcast in 20 minutes. 20 minutes of the host rambling. I honestly can’t tell my friends to listen to it because they have to hear this guy for that long. (Actually I tell them to fast forward to 20 minutes).

4) Be niche. It’s an easy way to get a dedicated audience. This isn’t a requirement, just a tip.

Probably the best way to learn from good podcasts, videocasts, and blogs, is to show them.

Podcasts
Stuff You Missed in History Class (http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/category/stuff-you-missed-in-history-class/)
WNYC Radio Lab (http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/)
This American Life (http://www.thisamericanlife.org/)
Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me (http://www.npr.org/programs/waitwait/)

Videocasts
Illdoctrine Hip Hop Video (http://www.illdoctrine.com)
Steve Isaacs (http://steveisaacs.tv/)
Bronto TV (http://blog.bronto.com/videos/)