The Association for Downloadable Media announced an industry-wide proposal for advertising standards in podcasting and video podcasts. The highlights, as reported in Podcasting News:

• Insertions – Pre-recorded file provided by sponsor
• Time :10, :15, :30, :1:00
• Location: pre roll, mid roll, post roll
• Frequency: variable by episode or time period
• Audio: 128k stereo/64k mono mp3
• Video: H.264 mp4 Aspect: 4×3 or 16×9 – sd and hd
• Content Participation – sponsors message included in show
• Time: variable from :1 second to full episode
• Location: pre roll mid roll post roll or integrated w/in episode(s)
• Frequency: variable by episode or time period

Check out the ADM website for more. I like the concept of standards here, but as I’ve been posting lately, podcasters that are in it to make some dineros should probably seek to diversify beyond just ad revenues.

Podcasting News has a great story that goes hand in hand with my post from the other day about using podcasting and new media as a way to promote other things you are selling… like your book.

One of Nineball Media’s clients has found success in creating an ongoing community that is tied into a book. It’s a great way to expand on the concepts and create a launching point for other ideas… different products? a second book? The best part is that the podcast is free content that listeners are excited to receive – not merely a series of advertisements wrapped around some minimal content.

If you’re a budding author, think about how you can use new media before, during and after you publish as a companion to what you’re writing! With the news that podcasting continues to grow and reach mainstream acceptance, the time to integrate new media into your plans is now.

Podcasting News has a terrific article on the Will It Blend phenomenon… using new media as an advertising substitute (although that might not be the right way to look at it).

If you haven’t seen the videos, the Blendtec blender company has found a huge earnings jump by showing their product demolish things like soda cans and iPhones. Do yourself a favor and check out what happens when an iPhone is blended. Wow.

Moral of this stor: Think of your podcast or video podcast not as a revenue generator in and of itself… it might be a better awareness raiser for some other business interest: a service you provide or a product you sell. Sure, some podcasters are doing a good job monetizing their shows through ads, but for others this may be your better path if you want to leverage new media into profits.