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Podcasts are one of the fastest growing information mediums on the Internet. A relatively new method of communication, the podcast has become a favorite of many an Internet entrepreneur. Some large companies have also seen the benefits of podcasting and started doing it themselves.
Podcasts are easy to distribute, and listeners can access them almost effortlessly. But there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of podcasts that most people do not realize. It’s not unlike a radio or television program, with its scripting, lining up of guests, editing, and technical aspects. Podcasters often need help getting everything done, and they can get that help from an intern.
A podcasting internship is a win-win situation. The intern gets to learn about the various aspects of producing a podcast. The podcaster gets an extra hand, allowing him to get more done in less time. It will take some time to provide the intern’s initial training, but after that things should go fairly smoothly.
What Can a Podcasting Intern Do?
Podcasting interns can handle many tasks with little training. Some things you could get your intern to do include:
* Research - Any program that provides information will require some research to be done. Your intern can research your topics and get the facts straight for you. He can also work on coming up with potential topics for the podcast.
* Lining up Guests - Guests are one of the most exciting parts of a podcast. The most successful podcasts feature guests regularly, but lining them up can be something of a chore. It’s not at all uncommon to end up playing phone tag, and that can take up a lot of precious time. Your intern can take care of this for you, freeing up your time so you can do other things.
* Script writing - You might be apprehensive about letting an intern write scripts, but it can be good for your podcast. Fresh ideas are a good thing. You don’t have to let your intern write the entire script if you don’t want to. Simply letting him work on a particular segment can give you a feel for his writing abilities. If it goes well, you can give him more writing work to do.
* Technical work - Interns with education or experience in technical pursuits can help with the technical aspects of your podcast. Even those who have not done such things before can do simple things such as making adjustments to the audio. You could also show your intern how to use your editing software and let him try his hand at that.
Interns can do a lot of things to help with your podcast. They are less expensive than hiring an employee or contractor, and they can perform some tasks with very little training. So if you need a hand with your podcast, consider getting an intern.
Most virtual assistants perform all sorts of tasks. They can handle correspondence, do web design, write blog posts, take care of scheduling, and much more. Each VA brings her own unique set of skills to the table, but she is almost always multitalented.
Aspiring administrative professionals can benefit tremendously by being an intern for a virtual assistant. VAs can often use an extra hand to get everything done, and their interns can learn many things by working with them. Here are five things interns can learn through a virtual assistant internship:
1. Multitasking - Being a virtual assistant is practically synonymous with multitasking! Each client usually has several things that they want their VA to do, and most VAs have more than one client. So prioritizing tasks and working on several things simultaneously is something that the virtual assistant excels at.
An intern can learn a lot about multitasking just by watching a VA. And once the intern has started performing some of the tasks, he can apply what he has seen to what he is doing. By the time the internship is over, he will probably be well versed in getting things done.
2. Customer Service - Good customer service is important to every virtual assistant. They apply it to their dealings with clients, and they might even handle customer service for those clients. So in order to be successful, a VA must know how to treat customers. She can pass this mindset on to her intern.
3. Webmastering - Virtual assistants are often proficient in basic web design and coding. They may design entire sites for their clients, or they may update existing sites. These are useful skills for anyone who does business online. The VA can teach her intern the basics while she is working with him.
4. Marketing - This is another thing that VAs can do for themselves and for clients. They must constantly market their own services in order to find work, and they often handle various marketing functions for their clients. Most do the bulk of their marketing online, but some also handle offline promotions. Any intern can benefit from learning about these things.
5. Writing for the Web - Virtual assistants often write web content, blog posts, materials for email campaigns, and sales copy. Each of these types of writing has its own unique characteristics. The differences are subtle, but they do exist. A VA can teach an intern how to write for each medium most effectively.
Whether they’re college students looking to gain experience or small business owners who want to learn new skills, interns can learn a lot from a VA. The skills taught by a virtual assistant can not only help someone who wants to be a VA himself, they can also benefit those who want to work in an office or break into another related career.
The term “internship” brings to mind images of a young college student making copies, digging through filing cabinets, and sending faxes. While this is the case with some companies, there are many more things an intern can do. If you have an Internet marketing business, an intern can be a great asset.
There are lots of things you can hire an intern to do that will help you out and provide a learning experience for him at the same time. Here are ten projects that are great for Internet marketing interns:
1. Writing articles - Every Internet marketer needs articles for one reason or another. You can place them on article submission sites, use them on your blog, include them in your newsletters, and do lots of other great things with them. Writing articles also allows your intern to brush up on research and writing skills.
2. Creating pages for Squidoo - Squidoo and similar sites are great for generating traffic to your website, but it might be hard to find the time to create a good page. This is a great project for your intern to do.
3. Finding reciprocal linking partners - Inbound links are a valuable commodity, and reciprocal linking can get you those links at no cost. But it does take some time to find webmasters of relevant sites who will link to you. Why not get your intern to do it?
4. Running pay-per-click campaigns - Pay-per-click advertising can be an Internet marketer’s best friend, but keeping track of your campaigns can be very time consuming. Interns can do this for you, and they can learn a lot about what does and doesn’t work in PPC in the process.
5. Search engine optimization - SEO is one of the most important considerations in online marketing. An intern who knows a fair amount about it can get hands-on experience by working on your site’s search engine optimization.
6. Running email campaigns - From the nuts and bolts of setting up autoresponders to tracking results, there is much to be learned from an email campaign. Letting your intern work on one will benefit both of you.
7. Setting up shopping carts - A shopping cart is a key component of any Internet marketing site. Allowing your intern to set up shopping carts on new sites will free up your time.
8. Dealing with affiliates - Helping affiliates is great for Internet marketing interns. It teaches them about customer service while letting them see how affiliate marketing works from your business’ standpoint.
9. Podcasting - Letting an intern work on your podcast will give you time to tend to other matters. It’s also a great way for interns to learn about podcasting and online audio.
10. Promotion of special events - When you are planning a special event, it’s always nice to have an extra hand. Your intern could handle the promotion aspect of it, freeing you up to do the planning.
