Podcast as an adcast = misses the point

I had to post this one, from my new Interactive Media Tips blog...

http://interactivemediatips.com/online/2007/11/21/prweb-podcasting-aka-sales-puke-cast/

It's Podcast, not Pod Cast or Pod-Cast

Mini-rants and tip for all the folks trying to be hip and in with Web 2.0...

It's Podcast.  Not Pod-Cast or Pod Cast.  Podcast, for better or worse, with Zune putting it on the main menu with it's now revision, will be the word that is used for the medium of audio and/or video provided on demand and by subscription.  If those two agree, then that's what it is.  I'm surprised, but that's how it's shaken out.

If you write Pod Cast, Pod-Cast, Pod-casting, or any other incorrect form of the term you automatically will be perceived as not knowing what you are talking about.  So just don't do it.

A Flurry of Podcasts

Hey all,

What a crazy week! We've had a flurry of podcasts, site builds, and productions.

First off, I'm proud to announce we'll be podcasting the Network Pods Mega Event on December 4th.

Secondly, we've put together a podcast for Automation Alley promoting the Business Development Series. First one of this monthly show features two people I like a lot - Terry Bean from Networked, Inc. and Charlie Wollborg from Curve Detroit (If you're not going to hire us, do yourself a favor and hire them. Or hire both of us. Either way, they're great folks).

Thirdly, the new episode of Global Business Perspectives Radio is up, and it features Faris Alami, the CEO of Integrated Systems Management. Over on that podcast, they're talking international business and the book "Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands?"

ArbCamp Wrap

Spent Saturday at ArbCamp - it was fun, interesting, and informative.

Although I had to cut out before the Jaffe Keynote, the sessions I went to were diverse and informative, and were user-generated. In short, in the beginning everyone got together in a circle and decided the agenda by posting topics on the wall.

This allowed a lot of diverse topics to be covered. In the morning, I "led" a session on podcasting. Although we had some really useful conversation, near the end it devolved into a discussion the technical aspects of podcasting. It's frustrating as every event I seem to go to becomes a technical discussion - which editing programs, which mics, the basics.

To move the media format forward, I think it's critical we get together a higher-level group who wants to talk content and best practices. It is my opinion that there are a million and one resources out there for podcasting, including Podcasting For Dummies.


Although Detroit/Ann Arbor is not San Francisco, there is no reason we can't establish a strong community here. The resources are here, and there is a wealth of trained TV and radio talent here that need work. Yes, it's a democratic medium, but it (just like broadcast TV and radio) requires talent and skill to do well.

Some look at the low cost of theoretical entry and think it's for everyone - but anyone who's actually worked production is that it takes time, creativity and planning. I'll be putting together a conference/meetup on this soon. I've learned that if others don't want to create anything east of the Mississippi on this, sometimes, it's best to grab the horns and do it yourself. If you're interested in this idea, comment me - I'll get in touch with you.

Now, since these camps have multiple sessions running concurrently, I'll have to relate the pieces I know...

Checked in on the folks from oort-cloud.org about Social Publishing.

These guys are really bright - and knowledgeable. I think that with the services out there, self-publishing is a reality. Even hearing about groups that will be community editors of your writing... I think it's all great, and now it's time to talk what is the business model of some of these things - how do the dollars get flowing for this stuff.

All I can think of, post-session, is Jonathan Coulton - sure, he's a musician - but he's making a living all on his own, giving away parts, charging for others, touring... it's great to see. Again, the model isn't totally developed - but it's gaining some traction.

Startup funding is a very popular topic, and it was a good discussion about resources - and that people need to leverage contact networks, barter, etc. to make it. I mentioned one of my favorite books, Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time which has some very sage advice. One of the themes I particularly like is have goals - including the people you want to meet.

Blogging and PR is another hot topic in the space, and had some great conversations, with Mr. Jaffe joining us for the mini-session. It's really interesting hearing what different companies are doing with blogs - mostly outreach, but not much discussion of company people doing it themselves.

So in short - thanks to everyone and the organizers, it was fun. To those who I got business cards from, I'll do my best to follow up this week. I look forward to next time. We need more like this around here.

A Chill For Online Media: Corporations Ban Employees From Blogs, Podcasts and Forums

I got an interesting email from a friend, which has echoed a situation that many are starting to share - and we need to be aware of it as a media creation community.

More and more companies are dealing with forums, blogs, social media and podcasts by banning people's participation completely - their reasoning being that employees may say something damaging or secret.

In fact, they're banning participation or even attendance at recorded events because of that fear. I also wonder if those same people are banned from calling in to radio shows.

I'm not a lawyer, but this, in my opinion, is a clear violation of first amendment rights.

These people who work for these companies not allowed to speak or attend, period, without it being approved by the company, on anything? What if it's an event on greek mythology - and you're a real estate broker? What about church?

Many, many churches record and podcast their broadcasts. Guess you can't go to service. What if you want to speak at your local school board meeting? Forget about it, it's being recorded for TV.

Again, there is no trust by employers - and so why should employers expect any trust or loyalty back? I think this economy shows we're all free agents - and companies that block free speech are going to suffer long-term. The best and brightest won't accept this - or will temporarily until their next job a year from now.

Apple keeps changing the media landscape...

Admittedly, as a content creator for the iPod and iPhone I have skins in the game, but this is possibly Apple, yet again, setting the pace.

First the iPhone came out - and at $599 and $499, a bit pricey. For mac-loving early adopters.

Now, you can buy NEW 8gb iPhones for $399, and 4GBs (I'm sure for a limited time) at $299. Talk about so competitive you now start truly eating into blackberry (I'll be posting the conversion/love story of a sales exec to the iPhone later).

Now, add to that a video player with an OK screen size at $149... and now, you have a mass market device. Next step is $99... but $149? There is now no real financial barrier for everyone to have fully functioning video in their pocket.

The opportunities this opens for organizations, corporations, media - it's the maturation of a new on-demand platform that truly gets close to the democratization content.

Sure, it'll still cost you money or resources (time, sweat, tears) to create GOOD stuff - but this opens it up to companies to have a device that is now going to be delivering audio and video and be as ubiquitos as the television.

Podcast is now available

Here is is...




Also, here is the RSS feed for you to subscribe. As soon as iTunes makes the podcast link available to auto-subscribe, I'll have it here and on the right side of the site.

http://www.portagemedia.com/blog/businessviews.xml

Featured in Great Lakes IT Report

I'm very proud to tell you all about our Podcast/Green initiative being featured in the Great Lakes IT Report.

An Answer To The Cold Call Jitters...

I was rumaging about this weekend, and realizing how much one needs to embrace cold calling. This of course will not replace my networking, my meetings - however, the good 'ol cold call is an effective way to drum up new business. Problem is, that although there are sales skills within me, my "mirror" view always seems to be that of entrepreneur or visionary - not salesperson (more on that in my "Business Lessons" series very soon).

So, into Google the search goes - and voila - a piece of podcast gold.

"The Cold Calling Podcast" is full of really useful information - and I can say in the ten episodes that have been devoured, there has been more information than a library of books could tell me.

There is a lot of content I need to catch up on - but I already fully recommend it.

YouTube is Fun, Not Smart

Great piece of information wound up in my inbox today from Mediapost (free login required) - some key snippets...

But the real problem is not with content, as marketing clips should (and must) be every bit as creative as popular clips on YouTube; instead, it lies in the delivery of this content. Only a handful are approaching video with the same care as one would any other medium.

Webcasts can be sent to an email list or delivered on-demand from a link on the company home page. Podcasts can be pushed through an RSS feed or available for download off a brand's site. Either way, a company needs to link itself directly with the content and keep viewers coming back for more. Otherwise, there's a good chance that an entertaining clip on YouTube will do more to promote YouTube than it will to sell your product.

Costco Connection features Podcasting

You know podcasting is starting to hit the mainstream if Costco Connection is starting to cover it.

A really good article is in this months "Costco Connection" (yes, I'm an avid Costco shopper) about podcasting.

It's not available online yet, but I'll quote a couple interesting excerpts. When it becomes available, I'll link up.

It's a marketing tool that is paying off with new customers for Rightlook.com, says Stephen Powers, a Costco member and president of the San Dieo-based company. Rightlook.com's salesforce refers customers to its podcast library as part of it's sales pitch.

"In many cases, we've documented where customers will call us back and make a purcahse after spending hours listening to our podcasts the night before," says Powers. "They make a commitment and see that we are the right company to choose."

Podcasting acts as a silent sales force, Powers adds. "It increases the effectiveness of our sales force, so, in a way, it replaces hiring some new sales staff. You've got this extra tool that helps us increase our sales and profits."

UPDATE: Here is the link to the article

Podcasts and Personal Branding

I have been hearing more and more people talk about using podcasts as a tool for personal branding - I couldn't agree more.

You, like radio in some ways, can get right into your audiences' head and they can develop and affinity and connection for you. However - here is the big key - it's NOT a commercial.

Remember, give to get.

Podcasting Story on NPR

Interesting piece I heard this morning on Morning Edition - about podcasting, and who makes money doing podcasting.

And, I think it has a fair look - however, it also talks about the toolmakers and people who create podcasts making money, much like the goldrush.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7711156