The Biz

Google, on it's quest to organize the world's information, is preparing one of the largest endeavors the Internet has ever seen. It's called Google OpenSocial, and it's their answer to Facebook, the social networking utility.

The is indeed exciting times for the web entrepreneur. While we're focused on delivering a great experience for the community of users at Voices.com, we're always looking for ways to invite more people to get involved, mainly in attracting, educating and facilitating the hiring of professional voice over talent from outside our normal circles of influence.

For this reason, I'm announcing that in the coming months, we'll be pursuing creating a suite of applications for Google OpenSocial.

Already, several other web services have had the opportunity to develop applications. Selected partners include:

- hi5: Ramu Yalamanchi, Founder and CEO
- LinkedIn: Adam Nash, Director of Product
- Ning: Marc Andreesen, Co-founder
- iLike: Ali Partovi, CEO
- Slide: Max Levchin, founder and CEO

Here at Voices.com, our wheels are already turning with several ideas we're confident will be a success, however I'd love to hear from you.

What type of audio-related applications would you like to see built by Voices.com for Google OpenSocial?

Add your comments, ideas and suggestion below.

The Zune, is Microsoft's entry into the portable digital media market. Today's news is that the Zune now supports 1-click podcast subscriptions which makes adding new podcasts easier for Zune owners and also broadens the audience for podcast publishers.

Like the Apple iPod, Microsoft's Zune is a 30 GB digital media player that lets you share sample tracks and pictures from your computer.

To its credit, the Zune does have some very cool features, such as Zune-to-Zune wi-fi connections and a radio AM/FM tuner. If you have a Zune, be sure to explore the Zune Marketplace to add to your multimedia experience.

For those of you who are podcast producers, you can add the new Zune chicklet to your website by selecting from one of these nice icons.

Do you have a Zune? Have you tried the new 1-click podcast subscription yet?

If so, share you experience by leaving a comment below.

From our research, here are the main reasons we’ve discovered why so many business are incorporating voice-overs as a part of their marketing strategy.

Top 5 Reasons Companies Choose Voice Talent to Represent Their Businesses

1. Increased reach into the global community
2. Improved sales and conversion rates with the use of audio
3. Consistent communication with prospective clients or existing customers
4. Positioned and recognized as a market leader
5. Achieved higher levels of customer satisfaction

If you've ever hired a professional voice talent to provide audio recordings for your business, share your experience below.

Why did you decide to work with a pro? Let us know!

Monetizing a podcast first starts with creating a brand, reaching loyal listeners, and producing great content that will attract advertisers and generate an income from your audience.

STEP 1: Generate Valuable Content and Grow Your Audience

Is it your intention to make money from your podcast? It is possible, and we are going to show you how by providing you with tools and ideas that will help to you to create revenue streams to grow your podcast and podcasting business. Some of the key ways to create revenue streams are: receiving micropayments, selling valuable products or services that are an extension of your podcast, and gaining advertisers. Creating a brand, reaching loyal listeners, and producing great content will attract advertisers and generate an income from your audience.

STEP 2: Explore Subscriptions and Micropayments

Micropayments, a pay-per-listen model, requires users to pay for content each time that they want to download your podcast. Receiving micropayments is the most common revenue generator for podcasters. In asking for a micropayment, you are validating that the content within your podcast is worth what you are charging, particularly if your podcast is educational, provides insider information that you have written, and is unique to other content available on the web.

Here are a few companies that will help you to accept micropayments for your content.

PayPal Podcast Subscriptions

PayPal is an online intermediary that accepts customer payments on your behalf, then deposits the payments into your personal or business bank account.

PayPal allows you to accept all major forms of payment. You get features comparable to merchant accounts and gateways ? at a lower cost. Accept credit cards, bank transfers, debit cards, and more. A simple integration into your shopping cart allows your customers to pay securely and easily.

PayPal is affordable for businesses of all sizes. Fees are applied only when you accept a payment?if you don't receive money, you don't pay a penny.

- No monthly fees
- No setup fees
- No gateway fees
- Anti-fraud systems at no extra cost

This is an easy, quick way to start accepting credit cards online. Add PayPal if you already accept credit cards online, and connect with PayPal's 78 million accounts.

PayPal's fees at time of writing are as follow:
Monthly Sales Volume = $0.00 CAD-$3,000.00 CAD
PayPal Fees per transaction 3.9% + $0.30 USD

Amazon's Honor System

Web sites use the Amazon Honor System to collect voluntary payments from their users and to accept payment for digital content. In many cases, the Honor System is the only way a Web site can economically collect small payments. In others, the Honor System allows the Web site to raise money for continued operations without resorting to intrusive banner advertisements.

STEP 3 : Offer Advertising

Open your podcast up to advertisers that sell complimentary products.

Since your podcast covers a specific topic, it is likely that your audience consists of individuals with a heightened level of interest in the subject matter that you are discussing. When good content and a large audience for that content is combined, the opportunity for generating revenue from your podcast through corporate advertising will arise. If you can grow your audience and show that you have X many listeners, and X many subscribers, you can then approach companies and present a brief proposal about how you can advertise their company?s products and services on your podcast.

Advertising for Niche Markets

Find merchants who want to be a part of your podcast.

When looking for niche market advertisers, review the theme and concept of your podcast. What is it that you are knowledgeable about and what do you promote on your show? Are there any related fields that you could endorse? For instance, if you are a doctor with a health show, you might consider finding advertisers from the pharmaceutical industry and promote a pain reliever such as Tylenol or a natural remedy such as Lakota.

Advertising in Geographical Areas

Focus on one area and target local businesses.

Advertising works well not only for niche markets but also for podcasts that promote a specific geographical region such as Yellowstone National Park. There may be a camping equipment supply company wanting to reach that audience. With your podcast, you are now providing a means to reach their target market.

Do you have a podcast?

Add a link to your podcast in the comments below. Be sure to give a description of the show and if you are considering monetizing your podcast.

Technorati tags: iTunes | Voices.com | Podshow | Podtech | podcasting | podcast | Techmeme

In an effort to kick-start their Audio Ads program, Google is offering current Adwords advertisers the opportunity to receive a customized proposal for businesses considering advertising on the radio. Despite these noble efforts, does Google really think they are going to win in audio?

Special Offer

As part of their latest effort to move remnant ad inventory, Google is offering an introductory offer; spend $1000, and receive $2000 towards your next radio advertising campaign.

Audio Ads Proposal

Here are the details:

- Complete and submit this request form telling us about your business and advertising goals.
- An AdWords specialist will customize a radio campaign proposal aligned with your business goals, usually within ten business days. Be sure to list contact information so we can email the proposal to you.
- Review the proposal and run an Audio Ads campaign by December 31, 2007, spending at least $1,000 on that campaign.
- If you are eligible*, you'll receive $2,000 towards future campaigns!

Sign up and receive a Google Audio Ads proposal here.

Voices.com Provides Voice Talent for Google Audio Ads

The truth is the search giant is going head to head with Voices.com, a web service that specializes in connecting buyers and sellers of audio production and voice over services, in the realm of audio advertisements. While Voices.com may be the smaller of the two companies, it’s by no means a featherweight where the production and acquisition of audio recordings is concerned and, by the way, is also home to over 15,000 voice talent.

Facts

Google's Creative Ad Marketplace hosts only 67 voice talent.

Voices.com hosts 16,804 voice talent.

As of October 10, 2007.

Recommendations for Audio Ads Advertisers

While Google offers the ad delivery platform, the commercial script writing, voice-over recording and production is best done by sourcing talent from an online marketplace. In addition to knowledgeable staff, Voices.com offers supporting documentation, a production rate card [PDF], as well as the willingness to help you out by speaking to you one on one.

Question

Have you advertised with Google Audio Ads? What's been your experience? Were you happy with the turnaround time and fees for the ad creation?

Share your experience by leaving a comment below.