Yammer

Definition:

Yammer is a social networking service designed for private communication within organizations but can also be used by podcasters to engage with their audience. It facilitates discussions, content sharing, and community building through features like message boards, group chats, and file sharing.

Importance:

1. Audience Engagement: Provides a platform for podcasters to interact with their audience, gather feedback, and build a community around their podcast.
2. Content Sharing: Allows podcasters to share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive information with their listeners.
3. Collaboration: Facilitates collaboration and discussion among listeners, enhancing the sense of community and listener involvement.

Characteristics of Yammer:

1. Private Networks: Designed for private, secure communication within specific organizations, but can be adapted for creating dedicated groups for podcast listeners.
2. Discussion Threads: Supports threaded discussions, making it easy to follow conversations and engage with specific topics.
3. Content Sharing: Features tools for sharing files, links, and multimedia content within the network.

Benefits:

1. Focused Interaction: Provides a dedicated space for podcast listeners to interact with the host and each other, fostering a strong community.
2. Feedback and Insights: Allows podcasters to gather direct feedback from their audience, guiding content and strategy improvements.
3. Exclusive Engagement: Offers a platform for sharing exclusive content, updates, and events with a dedicated listener base.

Key Features for Podcasters on Yammer:

1. Groups: Create specific groups for different interests or segments of the podcast audience.
2. Announcements: Use announcements to share important updates, new episode releases, and special events.
3. Polls and Surveys: Conduct polls and surveys to gather listener feedback and preferences.
4. File Sharing: Share additional resources like show notes, transcripts, and multimedia content with the audience.
5. Integration: Integrate with other tools and platforms to streamline content sharing and management.

Steps to Use Yammer for Podcast Engagement:

1. Set Up a Yammer Network: Create an account and set up a dedicated Yammer network for your podcast.
2. Create Groups: Establish groups for different topics or segments of your audience, such as general discussion, episode feedback, or special interest groups.
3. Invite Listeners: Invite your podcast listeners to join the Yammer network, promoting it through your podcast, website, and social media.
4. Share Content: Regularly share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive information to keep the audience engaged.
5. Engage in Discussions: Actively participate in group discussions, answer questions, and encourage listener interaction.
6. Gather Feedback: Use polls, surveys, and direct questions to gather feedback and insights from your audience.

Tips for Effective Use of Yammer:

1. Be Active and Responsive: Regularly engage with your audience by participating in discussions and responding to comments and questions.
2. Share Value-Added Content: Provide valuable content and insights that go beyond what is available in the podcast episodes.
3. Foster Community: Encourage listeners to interact with each other, share their thoughts, and participate in group activities.
4. Promote Exclusivity: Highlight the benefits of joining the Yammer network, such as access to exclusive content and direct interaction with the host.
5. Monitor and Moderate: Ensure the community remains positive and respectful by monitoring discussions and addressing any issues that arise.

Example Scenario:

Suppose you host a podcast on entrepreneurship and want to create a community for your listeners. You set up a Yammer network and create groups for general discussion, episode feedback, and specific topics like startup funding or marketing strategies. You invite your listeners to join through your podcast and social media channels. Once the listeners join, you share exclusive content like behind-the-scenes videos, upcoming episode sneak peeks, and additional resources. You actively engage in discussions, answer listener questions, and use polls to gather feedback on potential episode topics. This interaction helps build a strong, engaged community around your podcast, providing valuable insights and fostering listener loyalty.