Multimedia is a great way to build engagement, and both podcasts and screencasts can help you to build a following for your brand. Unfortunately, getting found in a sea of competition can be difficult, especially if you are just starting out. However, there are three things you can do today that will help you reach more people, and build your audience. Keep these in mind as you go forward, and you will maximize your potential reach.

Choose Multiple Syndication Venues

While the iTunes store is the most obvious choice for podcasters and YouTube is a given for most screencasters, they aren’t the only online venues. A quick search can turn up multiple places to submit podcasts and screencasts, many of which are tailored to niche markets.

Doing a quick search for “your keyword phrase” podcasts or “your keyword phrase” screencasts will likely turn up many individual podcasts and screencasts. However, this search will also most likely provide links to directories that focus on your niche.

Submitting to relevant directories will give you the advantage of reaching a group of listeners who are targeted and engaged in your message. But no matter where you choose to syndicate, you’ll need to do more to stand out.

Optimize Your Descriptions

Whether you are hosting your podcasts and screencasts on your website or through a third-party, you want to optimize your descriptions. While this does mean keyword optimization on a basic level, you also need to be sure that each description has an interesting lead in that makes people want to tune in.

Combining keyword optimization with engaging descriptions will give you the most opportunities for engaging the audience that you want to reach. Never rely on a “catch all” description for individual screencasts or podcast episodes, as you lose the opportunity to engage listeners who are interested in specific topics within your niche.

Give People Multiple Ways to Subscribe

The more choices you offer, the better the chance you’ll be able to turn a casual listener into a long-term subscriber. Offer your podcasts and screencasts through an RSS feed, through email newsletters, and on every applicable third-party venue that garners enough traffic to be worthwhile. Make sure your social media pages are updated whenever you post a new podcast or screencast with a link for your followers.

The easier it is for people to subscribe, the more followers you’ll have. Keep that in mind as you optimize and promote your work, and you’ll get better engagement for your efforts.