Archive for the ‘podcasting’ Category

Saw a notice this morning about a new “Social Media Telesummit” being organized by author and consultant Leesa Barnes, and had osme questions.

So I asked, and she’s answered. Here’s the story in her own words:

• Do you consider this a step into the ‘commercial’ conference game, sort of an attempt to change the rules of conferencing?

What means we use to deliver the content isn’t the issue. Instead, it’s how attendees will choose to consume the info that is the true benefit. My guess is that the majority of attendees will access the recordings or purchase them on a portable device for consumption later on. For those who choose to access the sessions live, there will be two choices – use the phone or stream it over the Internet.

The big message I want to leave you with is that the Social Media Telesummit is all about choice. Attendees choose how much they want to spend to attend the Telesummit. Attendees choose when and how they want to access the sessions. Attendees choose whether to tell others about this or not. Attendees choose to attend the networking sessions in Second Life. And isn’t that the advantages of social media over traditional media? To be able to access what we want and when we want to?

It’s also about relationships. The speakers wouldn’t have answered my emails unless they knew me. Attendees wouldn’t register unless I connected with them using blogs, podcasts and Second Life. If they couldn’t hear or see me, why bother? Even my virtual assistant wouldn’t put in extra hours to help me launch the tools we’re using for the Telesummit if we didn’t have a relationship. Social media is about relationships and I’m glad that the Telesummit is proving just that.

Thanks, Leesa, for taking the time to answer the questions, and good luck — although I’m doubtful I’ll be part of the summit, I think it’s got great potential.

Ciao,
Bob.

At a podcamp Toronto panel with tons of folks talking about Web tools, which is being blogged live by Connie Crosby and Sean McCaughey. Listening to these guys, in particular the young and scarily energetic Steve “Snowball” Saylor, I have no choice but to say it.

I’M FREAKING OLD.

So many tech tools to learn about. So many more than I feel capable of learning.
Ciao,
Bob.

While we’re getting ready for a panel discussion at Podcamp Toronto, Tod Maffin is posting audio from “Hacking the MotherCorp” from the other side of the country.

Interesting discussions about media that took place at this camp. This may well stimulate more discussion on the podcamp blog…?

Ciao,
Bob.

For the love of God, people. If you’re sitting on a panel with a mike in front of you … DON’T POUND THE DESK! This means you, Julien.

Despite all this, I have learned a lot from him this weekend.

Ciao,
Bob.

Still podcamping. Jim Milles of the University of Buffalo Law School is talking now about “the academy and podcasting.”

They’re using a conversational model where they get one of their profs to hav ea chat with a guest. This gets through the apparently tedious (who knew?) process of parsing a 100-page law review article.

I want to find out about how they train profs in terms of interview skills and what the biggest pitfall to overcome in creating this series was .

Milles podcasts as well.

Ciao,
Bob.

Terry is just asnwering a qustion from Brent Cooper about whether there are examples of podcasts being used as sales tools or sales support, and made the point that Inside PR is a credibility boosting tool and that David Jones’s departure to Fleishman-Hillard was a good thing, becuase it increasd the podcast’s credibility. He has, consequently, forgiven David.

The whole point of all this podcasting / social media stuff goes back to a phrase that I first heard yesterday (somewhat behind the times, I think) — Return on Influence (ROI-version 2?). The point of all this, and this is something that has been demonstrated to be anathema to some of the more corporate types, is that it’s not ABOUT the sale. At least not directly. The return is just not that directly linked. Hard to get the corporate head around that.

Ciao,
Bob.

GREAT panel here at podcamp Toronto on “Should your corporation be blogging?” Mitch Joel is moderating and recording for his podcast, so yhou can listen to the whole thing soon.

Terry Fallis:

• A podcast is NOT a strategy
• Great for informing, advocating, communicating … but not SELLING. It’s a leadership positioning tool, less than a ‘sales’ vehicle.

Donna Papacosta:

• Thinking back to the days of sending out audiotapes; used Saturday pharmaceutical presentation as an example. Don’t necessarily replace internal newsletters etc; use podcasting as add-on. Can replace conference calls with podcasts.

Michael Seaton:

• Great voice for audio
• Looked at Scotiabank‘s digital marketing platform.
• Thought of Moneysense model, but branded for the newsletter.
• “Break the chains of the printed word”
• “Is it right for us?”

Luke Armour:

• The power when the podcasting technology it IS right with the strategy is amazing.

Mitch: “How do you sell this internally?”

• Donna: Low risk, low cost, the spoken word has great power, and you can leverage that power.
• Michael: Call it a pilot project, manage the expectations, control scope and focus, make sure it’s right on the content side.
• Donna: Could set it up as a limited series (3 podcasts on…)
• Terry: worth taking the time to produce a finished product, take it to the C-suite and give them the product, then explain the investment necessary.
• Luke: if there’s a need to be addressed (ie international conference call), that’s easy; sometimes, you have to get past the stigma some hold for the term (blog, podcast, etc).

Video podcasting:

There’s some concern on the panel about this, Scoble et al notwithstanding. Sense that there’s an inherent passivity in video and that the bar for entry into video podcasting was too high for many companies.

More from the Q & A soon.

Ciao,
Bob.

I’m heading to Toronto for Podcamp this weekend. My day job is beginning a podcast, and I thought this was a great way to get some formal(formal-ish, I guess) training in the discipline, and to do some schmoozing with blogging, PR, and media colleagues.

So a couple of things here:

#1: If anyone out there is desperate to meet me, GET THERAPY. Or just send me an e-mail and we can have a coffee, lunch, drink, or something. I’m also there on Monday, but not podcamping.

#2: There’s a podcamp meme happening, so here are my answers:

1. Which celebrity// blogger//podcaster would you most like to meet at podcamp? Why?

I would like to meet Hugh McLeod. I think he’s a very funny guy, and seems to have a quirky personality that I think I’d find entertaining. Plus, he could maybe get me a discount on a really great suit.

2. A little homework now: Which podcamp registrants would you liketo meet? Why?

So many people. Leesa Barnes, Donna Papacosta, Mitch Joel, Maggie Fox, Dan Misener, Dave Forde — all people who are on my regular ‘to read’ list, and all entertaining, bright people with strong personalities (judging by their blogs, at least). I like that sort of person. And I figure I could learn a lot from any or all of them.

3. Who is your “dream interview” for your podcast? Why?

Don’t know if this would work for our podcast on learning and education, which is still in gestation, but Buffy Sainte-Marie. A PhD, a Sesame Street veteran, an amazing writer and performer… what ‘s not to love about this woman?

4. Who would you like to interview at podcamp?

Any of the musicians coming. I love talking about music. This, of course, has nothing to do with the day job. I just love music.

5. What is your, “Can’t miss it” session at podcamp?

Should your company be podcasting. Look at the freakin’ lineup!

6. Ginger or Maryanne?

Why the either?

Ciao,
Bob.