44: Internet Marketing Superlist Author Shares SecretsAt the end of 2007, Tamar Weinberg assembled an amazing assortment of blog entries about everything from headline writing to linkbaiting to becoming a Digg.com power user. Tamar will give you a twentysomething’s perspective on social media. If you’re trying to really understand this phenomenon, listen to what she has to say. Four great trade show tips
Evan Schuman (TPRWS 39) of StorefrontBacktalk.com has spent a lot of time at trade shows lately and he sent us these four tips for getting the most out of media contacts.
Jennifer Mattern calls herself the “social media Grinch.” But that doesn’t mean she’s down on social media. It’s just that she thinks the focus on social media can distract PR people from their real work, In this interview, she outlines her cautionary advice about social media and stresses the fundamentals that PR people still need to employ.
I’m writing a how-to book about social media marketing and one chapter is devoted to hands-on techniques for finding influencers online. It isn’t as simple as it sounds. In this episode, I talk about what I learned conducting influencer searches on behalf of a mythical
47: Twitter magicMany people’s first reaction to Twitter.com is that they just don’t get it. It looks like barely controlled chaos. But Twitter has inspired a passionate following. Laura Fitton is a poster child for a service that is revolutionizing the way people interact with their social networks. In this interview, she describes what’s unique about Twitter and how it can be useful even to people who don’t use it that often.
Labels: blogculture, podcast, PR, social_media, social_media influence, social_networks, socialnetworks, twitter
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One of the best parts of writing my book was having a chance to meet some of the people who produce Mommycast, a podcast for mothers and families. In many ways, Mommycast exemplifies the concept of the "new influencer" because it's the product of ordinary people who did something great without any help from mainstream media, venture capitalists or other kingmakers.Early this year, Mommycast split from Podshow for unstated reasons, but it appears their new partner Podango, has got big plans. From a press release due to hit the wires on Wednesday:
“MommyCast and Friends” Network To Launch at Podango MommyCast, one of the most popular shows on the web, by and for women immersed in the fullness of motherhood and life, is launching the MommyCast and Friends Family Channel at Podango as part of an exclusive, multi-station deal with show producer KDCP Networks, LLC., the MommyCast production company. As part of the deal, KDCP Networks will develop “MommyCast and Friends,” a new network of family-oriented audio and video podcasts...
Started in March, 2005, MommyCast. has been featured in the Hollywood Reporter, Washingtonian Magazine, BusinessWeek, Variety magazines and the USA Today. Paige and Gretchen of MommyCast have also been interviewed by CNN, NBC, the BBC, Brandweek and The Wall Street Journal. MommyCast holds the distinction of being one of the first independent podcasts to land a major corporate sponsorship, which came via Dixie Paper Co. They have also established themselves as a member of the Buena Vista Entertainment Press Corps and are sponsored by Walt Disney Studios for family fare DVD movie releases.
MommyCast was the first podcast to do an enhanced podcast review of a movie, March of the Penguins, released by Warner Independent Pictures. MommyCast is proudly represented by The Endeavor Agency, Hollywood, California. MommyCast recently won the 2007 Webby, Best “Family & Parenting” Site category.
It couldn't happen to a nicer group of folks.
Labels: podcast
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I’ve done lots of radio interviews over the years, and they are invariably similar: the host has maybe three to five minutes to talk and asks a question every 30 seconds or so. You can't slow down because the listener's attention will wane and will switch to another station. It’s invigorating, but also ultimately frustrating because it's so hard to say much that’s meaningful in that short a period of time.
That's why my interview this week on Blog Talk Radio was such a pleasant surprise. Just minutes before going on the air, host Wayne Hurlbert informed me that the program lasted a full hour with no commercial breaks. This is like telling someone in a Porsche that they have the entire highway to themselves. It was such a pleasure to stretch out and really talk over some of the issues with Wayne, who asked excellent questions. I don't know if anyone has the stomach to listen to me for an hour, but if you want to hear more details about what I learned about social media while writing The New Influencers, give it a listen.
Labels: blogging, podcast, social_media
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David points out that technology companies are becoming more aggressive about launching their own online and even print publications, and that some of the senior editors who have lost their jobs in IT media will move over to work for vendors. We agree that these custom publishing operations are legitimate targets for PR people to place their clients. Now that everyone can publish easily to the Web, the definition of a “media company” is becoming fuzzier.
In Cheers & Jeers, I praise Oovoo, a new videoconferencing service that sent customized video messages to journalists and bloggers as part of its launch campaign. My jeer goes to Dell Computer, which sent a cease-and-desist notice to Consumerist.com, an action that ultimately backfired on Dell. But at least Dell was contrite in blogging about the mistake and even linking to underground photos of unannounced Dell products. My, how times have changed!
Listen to the podcast here (right click to download): 15:05
Labels: blogging, mainstream_media, podcast, PR, Web_2.0
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We asked Sam to talk about the up-and-coming influencers in IT media and his response surprised me. He's evidently looking at media that tap into the real issues that IT pros wrestle with week-to-week more than new publishers and editors. He also had a lot to say about the ethos of the blogosphere and how PR pros should work with this new class of journalist. Bottom line: deal with it. These are the new journalists and their ethics and practices aren't all that different from the folks you've dealt with for years.
Good stuff from a thought leader who pulls no punches.
Labels: blogging, journalism, podcast, PR, social_media
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This will be a two-part interview, with the second running next week. And we barely scratched the surface of what's in David's book. Download the podcast. It's free!
Labels: marketing, podcast, PR
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Our jumping-off point is last week's dust-up between Steve Rubel and Jim Louderback. Services like Twitter have lowered the barrier to putting your foot in your mouth, and Steve found out the hard way what problems an offhand comment can cause.
The show notes and download page is here.
Labels: journalism, podcast, PR
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Thanks to Alex Howard for tipping me off to the podcast's availability.
Labels: events, podcast, social_media
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Download the podcast here.
Labels: journalism, podcast, social_media
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