Audio is becoming the “next big thing” on the internet lately. We’re finding welcome messages on websites, audio blogging, podcasts, even audio newsletters sent out once or twice a month. Internet surfers are enjoying audio and today’s technology is making it so simple for us to download audio to our MP3 players, listening to it whenever we like.

You can take audio files that you had for any interviews you are conducting for information products or articles and make money with them in other ways. You can do this in the following ways:

By offering a product upgrade: If you have already created a written info product (ebook or special report) and have conducted interviews while doing research for the product, you can then offer the audio files as an upgrade to the base product. For instance, if you offer the basic product for $19.99, you can include the audio files to the customer for an upgraded price of $24.95 or higher, depending on how much audio there is to accompany the product.

By offering a product downgrade: This is a bit opposite the above description. If you offer a program that includes written content and audio content (like interviews), offer just the audio interviews for those who can’t afford the entire package. For instance, if your package price is usually $199, offer the audio only for a price of $75. This can be a way to capture the sale from someone who would have otherwise not been making a purchase.

Audio Information Product: In addition to the product upgrade and downgrade features, you could offer audio files as entirely new information products. In addition to selling interviews with experts you recorded as research for existing information products, you could invite people who have already purchased the product onto a teleconference line for a question and answer session with you, and possibly, the other experts you interviewed when creating the product. You could record the q&a session and offer it to all future customers.

Seminar Series: A great way to generate some traffic for your site, create buzz, and make money is to offer a seminar series. You can approach other business owners that your target market will find interesting and ask if they would like to be a part of your seminar series.

If you already have a built up amount of traffic to your website, you may also be able to charge seminar presenters for a spot in your seminar series. Other ways to profit off the series is that after you have people be a part of the teleconference line or meet in a web conference room for free, record the seminar, then charge a fee for access to the recordings. You might also opt to charge a fee upfront, and give preference to paying customers only to the live seminars.

As you can see, there are numerous ways to make money with your interviews. You will find readers will enjoy hearing your voice, as well as hearing from other experts. With a little organization, you can bring a whole new stream of income with your audio interviews.

Having a podcast is a fun and exciting way to grow your website traffic and connect with your customers. Just like your website, a podcast still needs to be marketed so people will find it. If you create a podcast and just stick it on the internet, it won’t attract much traffic.

You have many choices when it comes to marketing your podcast. One way to market your podcast and grow your list at the same time is to keep your podcast private. Simply set up a mailing list within your autoresponder for the subscribers to your podcast, and include the sign up link on your website.

Should you already have a mailing list, simply send those members an email letting them know you are offering an exclusive podcast- encourage them to sign up. You can also ask your affiliates to spread awareness about your podcast, and offer them the opportunity to buy advertising.

When ready to release your new podcast, send an email to those that are on your list. Be sure to include the downloadable link within the email. You can also market other products or services of yours to this list as well.

Depending on your goal (if it is to gain website traffic and find customers), you can make your podcast available to the public. There are many directories in which you can submit your podcast. People will seek out podcasts they may be interested in, and could easily find yours, even if they didn’t realize that your website existed.

You will need an RSS feed added to your podcast if you are to submit it to a directory. This works similarly to a blog directory. This is a very simple procedure; there are many different feeds to choose from- try doing a Google search to find one.

iTunes is most likely the most well-known podcast directory. You can easily add your business podcast to the iTunes store. By following this link: http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/podcast/ you will be directed to Apple’s Support page. Here you will find a form to fill out to have your podcast added. It will also answer any questions you may have.

There are many other directories that you should also submit your podcast. The more places you have it listed, the more likely you are to have visitors find it. Two other large directories are Podcast.net and Podcast.com. By simply doing a Google search, you can come up with many more.