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Adding Audio Podcasts to E-Mails

You can boost the effectiveness of your opt-in e-mail newsletters and campaigns by adding sound, music and even your own voice. Audio adds another dimension to your messages, setting them apart from other e-mails in your recipients’ inboxes.

It’s easy to create a podcast file and link to it from your permission-based e-mail marketing. A podcast is simply an audio file saved in MP3 format that is played or delivered on demand when someone clicks on its link. Saving your audio in MP3 format compresses it so it takes up much less disc space. You link to it from your e-mail just as you would link to an image or Web page.

To learn how to create and link to a podcast, continue reading this article or listen to our podcast at http://www.mailermailer.com/newsletter/createpodcast.mp3.

To create a podcast, you need: a microphone; software to record an audio file and software to save your file as an MP3 file. To listen to your podcast, recipients need software that plays MP3 files (such as Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime or iTunes)

To create and publish your podcast, follow these simple steps:

  • Record your message with a microphone and audio recording software. If you lack software that lets you create a file in MP3 format, you can download some inexpensive or free software on the Web.
  • Save your audio file in WAV format and edit it – if you like. You will need software that lets you save your file in WAV and then MP3 format. Again, free software is available on the Internet.
  • When you finish editing, save your file in MP3 format and publish it on your Web site. Or, ask your tech support or Webmaster to do this for you.
  •  Create your e-mail newsletter or message as you would normally.
  • Create a link name that you will ask recipients to click on. For example, we used Listen to our Podcast (http://www.mailermailer.com/newsletter/createpodcast.mp3) in this article.
  •  Link to your MP3 file. Do this as you would normally link from your e-mail to any image or Web page. When someone reads your e-mail and clicks on that link, your podcast will play immediately – if they have software that lets them listen to MP3 files. Most computers come preloaded with Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime or iTunes.
  •  Finish editing and save your e-mail. Most e-mail marketers create an HTML version as well as a text-based version.
  •  Send a test version to yourself. Click on your podcast’s hyperlink to ensure it launches properly.

That’s it. You are ready to send your message. For more podcasting tips and ideas, see http://www.morebusiness.com/podcastresources.brc.

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