"So what's so great about podcasting?" you might ask or "How can it help my business?" Well if you have already subscribed to a podcast then you have a head start in realising the potential of podcasting. So Astral Voices advice is for anyone new to podcasting is - subscribe to a podcast today, choose a subject, a hobby or interest, a business sector and browse a podcast directory to see what's out there. You'll find some podcast directory links on the right to help you. OK so now you've experienced podcasting, what are some of it's benefits?

Education is one of the best ways to sell: Are you an accountant? Talk about tax. Beautician? Produce a programme on your therapies & products. People buy from brands they trust, and there are fewer ways to build trust than direct from you and your spokespersons to the ears of your audience. Podcasts can inspire and persuade far more effectively than a piece of printed brochureware.

Internal Communications: Podcasts are ideal for internal communications. Audio is so much better than an email or memo to staff working independently or in far-flung branches. Podcasts can be restricted to a company's intranet or protected by a password.

Cost-effectiveness: Podcasting is an extremely cost effective way of communicating and has a higher Return on Investment than most traditional marketing methods.

User-Friendliness: Listeners appreciate the simplicity of podcasting & the fact that they can listen to a podcast with an MP3 player, whenever & wherever they wish. In the car, on the bus, whilst gardening or in bed. With an MP3 player podcasts are mobile.

Affordable Distribution: Independent artists are using podcasts to promote their art. The Artic Monkeys came from nowhere to worldwide fame using web based technologies & Ricky Gervais has shown that the Internet allows artists to bypass the traditional media distributors through podcasting.