So after 5 months, I’m finally getting the second session out that Marc and I gave at PodcampAZ last year. In this video we discuss some of the things we discovered during the first year with our podcast, The Wood Whisperer, including start-up equipment, marketing, media kits, press releases, sponsorships, advertisers, connecting and surveying your audience. And if you can believe it, we did it all in under one hour! Of course it goes without saying that these are just our experiences. You may find that not everything we talk about applies to you, but hopefully you can walk away with at least 1 new piece of information or insight into a relatively new medium (personally I think you’ll walk away with more And if the video wasn’t enough, you can also find our presentation on Slideshare.net

I would like to thank David Yamamoto again from the Phoenix PC Users Group. Without him this video would not have been recorded. Thank you Dave!!!

Some of the websites mentioned in the session

Skaeser Lights & Photography
blip.tv
Tubemogul
Podcast Designs
Branders.com
Survey Monkey
eSurveysPro
PRWeb
Podcast Brothers
Leo Laporte
Radiohead

Right Click to download iPod (mp4) file

Back in November of last year, Marc and I had the pleasure of hosting 2 sessions at PodcampAZ. The first dealt with how we used uStream.TV to connect with the of audience The Wood Whisperer. Of course uStream can be used all sorts of different ways, but really we looked at it as a tool to build connections with our audience. The result…both Marc and I have a much stronger sense in who is watching The Wood Whisperer as well as making some amazing friends in the process.

So for those who couldn’t attend PodcampAZ or were in another session (there were so many). I’m posting the entire session right here. Yes I know it’s an hour long, but there was a lot of great discussion going on and I didn’t want to leave anything out (not to mention I didn’t want another delay in putting the video out).

I’d also like to thank David Yamamoto from the Phoenix PC Users Group. Without him this video would not have been recorded. Thank you Dave!!!

Click to download iPod (mp4) file

First, I just wanted to thank everyone for the words of encouragement on the single episode of Everyday How-To. We really did have fun making the podcast, but I think it was just adding too much to both of our plates. So Marc and I decided to scale it down a bit. So without futher adieu I present DINKS Like Us. I’m not sure if this will be your typical ‘couples cast’, though we are a couple. Marc and I realized that we are both teachers at heart and I think if your going to listen to our show we really hope you walk away with at least one great piece of information you didn’t know before. So sit back, grab a sodie and enjoy our very first episode! Thanks for listening!

This is a question I get from time to time and to be honest when I first started looking into writing my own press release for The Wood Whisperer, I quickly wanted to hire someone else to do it for me. So I began my search for any and all information on the subject. One of the best places I found was a site called Publicity Insider and from there a complete run down of the process and purpose of a press release. Really I look at a press release as a means to formally define what your company/service (yes your podcast is your company) can provide.

The press release can then be distributed through a number of methods including free services like I-Newswire, PR.COM , 24-7 PressRelease and PRWeb.com. Once the press release is distributed then reporters or editors can choose to use some or all of it in their own websites/newspapers/magazines. Remember you are basically writing an article for them, in order for them to use it they will need to see the value/benefit in what you are promoting (ie are you providing a service that will solve a problem or make someones life better by watching/listening to your podcast) .

Here is what my original press release for The Wood Whisperer looked like and how a couple of sites took that information and repurposed it on their own sites:
901am
Social Computing Magazine

Now keep in mind that with the online PR sites there are 2 options, free and paid. I decided to use the free service that pr.com offers and then pay for the upgrade with prweb.com. Why? I had a nice little intro video that I wanted to couple with my press release and to get that service I had to pay. I’m sure many of you know much more than me about distribution of press releases so if you have additional advice, please add a comment below.

So what does this press release do for me? Besides the obvious of getting your company/service officially out to the general reporting public, it also can provide a go to “what your podcast is all about” statement. If I ever need to give a company or individual a rundown of what The Wood Whisperer is about, I can simply point them to my press release with video on PRweb. The information is designed to be straight and to the point and the video is entertaining as well.

So if you’re like me examples always help; so here are just a couple press releases I found from other podcasts out there. If you have one of your own, feel free to list it in the comments below. I’m always interested in seeing how other podcasts create their own press release and to be honest I don’t see very many.

MBA Working Girl Podcast
Fantoo Girls Podcast

Well it’s finally seeing the light of day…our first and only episode of Everyday How-To. My hope is when I can focus on the show more we will produce it regularly, but until then I thought it would be fun to release what we had recorded months ago. It’s a little long, but the outtakes at the end are worth it

Recipe for Crunchy French Toast

5-7 bread pieces
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp.vanilla
1 Tbsp cinnamon
3 Tbsp flour (all purpose)
1/8 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp butter (for the pan)
1 1/2 cup of Honey Bunches of Oats with or without Almonds (crushed)

What do you consider the measure of success? Is it becoming famous or possibly filthy rich? Is it power? How about a simply happy, content life?  In my opinion,  it’s different for everyone.  Marc and I have discussed this thoroughly and we’re pretty sure the “happy, content life” would be right up our alley (of course money helps with the happy part tooJ).   

So why am I asking this question? Well until recently Marc and I have been plugging along with our little video podcast, The Wood Whisperer, growing our audience, building relationships with sponsors and advertisers and honestly just enjoying  the roller coaster ride.  Then all of a sudden the question was asked “Have you ever thought of doing TV?”  I don’t think Marc or I thought when we started our podcast over a year ago that we would even be saying the word TV and The Wood Whisperer in the same sentence.  But there it is, someone asking us if we would like to shoot a “sizzle reel” (I’ll get to the terminology in a sec) for potential networks and sponsors.

Now while that particular opportunity doesn’t seem like it will pan out, it got me thinking.  How many of us podcasters (specifically video) want to “make it” on TV?  I ask this because Marc and I have discussed this very topic in great length and to be honest I’m not sure there is a right or wrong answer.  On one hand we are forging our own destiny and producing content the TV networks only wish they could do at the fraction of the cost.   Think about it, we are in the golden age of internet content; anyone can create anything and distribute it at a low to no cost.   And with the success of iTunes and various other aggregators, podcasts are becoming more and more mainstream by the day. 

So if technology is continuing to advance and we are finding new audience members every day; why would we ever go to an ‘old media’?  To quote someone in the industry, “TV is king!”  Ah yes, but for how long? Wouldn’t you like to put all of your effort into something that will surely be the hot new distribution medium and secure your place in history as one of the firsts instead of busting your butt, following someone else’s rules, and sacrificing your creative desires just so you can hear, “maybe we’ll get picked up by a network”.

The process of getting on television is quite stressful too.  In the past few weeks, Marc and I have learned a lot about the business side of making a TV show.  The best advice I can give if you are considering the jump, is to get a lawyer and get the details in writing (even if it’s just email).  Now to create a TV show,  you need a production company.  While Marc and I could easily create our own pilot or sizzle reel (clips of your show showing the best parts), I doubt we would have the time to shop the footage around due to our current Wood Whisperer obligations.   

To be honest, Marc and I have only gotten through the discussion phase, but I know if we decide to do TV we will learn more as we go (being very cautious of course).  So until I can blog more about our experience I’ll give you a recommendation on an excellent book that is full of great advice.  The book is called Starring You! The Insiders’ Guide to Using Television and Media to Launch Your Brand, Your Business, and Your Life.  Actually parts of this book could also be used for video podcasts (I’m sure that is what the Media in the title is referring too). 

I guess there are pros and cons on both sides.  Of course TV (if you can get there) will give you more exposure, but how far behind is internet content?  There have been some viral internet videos with numbers that would make a TV guy’s head spin with jealousy.  And its international to boot!  So do you think the general population is really aware of the great content that can be found on the internet?   I think we are well on our way.  The folks with Tivo’s and Apple TV’s already get it; it is just a matter of time before integration of podcasts on the television is the norm.

So again I come back to the question, do we as podcasters benefit from creating a television show?  I really wish I knew the answer. Who knows, if Marc and I agree on a deal with a producer you could see a version of The Wood Whisperer on television.  Then again maybe we’ll continue to build The Wood Whisperer and become one of the best damn video shows online!  What I do know is 2008 will be a very exciting and interesting year J

So as part of my “day” job, I travel from time to time. Typically my travel happens in bursts, meaning traveling non stop for 1 to 2 months straight. Now while I’m thankful for the experience, I’m pretty much over the whole process. Ah I remember when I first started at my job and traveling to a new state was exciting to me. Heck I even had a cute little map that I kept track of where ever I went. I made a true effort to explore everywhere I traveled too (you would believe how many covered bridges there are in PA!) Sadly I think I’m jaded. The process now is so emotionally and physically draining for me, that the most I ever see of a town is local mall or Target and that only if I forgot something at home. I guess that is what 8 years of traveling can do to someone.

However I would like something to come from all of these trips. I have found through the course of 8 years, I’ve picked up a few tips that I assume everyone knows. But after a recent trip with my mom, I realize that isn’t the case. So here are a few things I’ve learned along the way. If you have any tips feel free to share them here.

Tip #1: Always, Always, Always check in online the day before. I have seen to many people get bumped from a flight because it has been oversold and they waited till they got to the airport to check in. Plus in most cases you’ll avoid getting the dreaded middle seat.

Tip #2: If you are connecting, make sure to have a change of clothes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had connections that either didn’t go out or in and I’ve been stuck in city X with nothing but what was in my carry on. One of my favorite hotels is the Hampton Inn because they hook travelers up with all the little extras that may still be in your bag. Speaking of bag, invest in a nice vertical wheeled bag like this (you want long not wide). It’s big enough to put everything you need including a change of clothes, plus it will fit nicely under any seat on the plane. Don’t mess with the bags for your shoulder. I have such a cute Coach laptop bag and within months I threw my shoulder out due to all the weight I was carrying.

Tip #3: Carry food with you. Now I don’t mean a sandwich or anything, but something like a granola bar or even a bag of pretzels. When I’ve sat on a runway for 5 hours, it’s those little snacks that have saved me from being a really mean hungry person. Right now my favorite snack to pack is from Kashi. Holy crap these are so good AND they are good for you? Someone must be pulling my leg.

Tip #4: If you travel a lot, invest in a good set of headphones and a video iPod. I waited way to long before I did this and wow I could never imagine traveling without both of these now. For me I choose to get the Bose Series 2 and have been extremely happy with them, however I know there are a ton of these types on the market…take your pick. Also if you use a program like DVDFab, then you can catch up on all the movies you don’t have time to watch since you’re traveling so much. When your sitting in the airport for 12 hours, you’ll thank me. Just be careful to not get too caught up in the movie and miss your connecting flight (yep that happened to me).

Tip #5: Designate your “travel wardrobe”. If I had to I could walk into my closet and pack for a 2 week trip in less than 30 minutes. It wasn’t until my mother-in-law told me she was amazed by this that I realized what I had accomplished. (she admitted it takes here a whole day to pack). Slowly over the years I’ve figured out what clothes worked well on the road. For me black and dark grey is key. I add color into my wardrobe in my tops, so I don’t look to dark. I also stay away from cotton. I know I hate to iron, so why bring clothes that you know you’ll have to iron. I make sure I pack 1 pair of shoes. Of course if you workout when your on the road this becomes 2 pair. I also keep a bag that always has my toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo and any extras ready to grab and go. And when you pack, always count the days you’ll be gone and pack enough underwear for all days plus 1. Seems silly, but you never know when you’ll get stuck somewhere or have to extend your trip.

So there are just 5 tips from me to you. Some you may already know, but hopefully it will make your traveling a little bit more enjoyable and you won’t become a jaded traveler like myself

Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out my new site. It occurred to me the other day that I am very involved in all things web, but the one thing I didn’t have was my very own website. Which is odd, considering back in ‘95 I had a kick ass website (all 200kb!). It was called Nickee’s World of Sights and Sounds (unfortunately the site is no more). Funny I know, but it was the best little website out there…Tripod even gave me an award. It really was just a collection of wav files (mp3 wasn’t even around then) of movies & music I liked and pictures of places I had been. This little website was really how I found out I loved working in technology. But alias, in ‘99 I started a new job and my playing and learning on the web was no more. So hear I am in 2007, I still have that job, but I’m making time to get back into what I truly love…the internet.

Now while this site is new, I’m am not new to blogs. Some of you may know me as 1/2 of the video podcast, The Wood Whisperer. I really don’t star in the show (occasionally I’ll have a small part), but I do find myself handling most of the marketing and business. Which is interesting to me, considering I received a degree in Marketing, but never put it to use after college. Now I find myself in an amazing opportunity; to share my love of this ‘new’ technology and using my business background to make a living doing something I love. So I see this site as a home to my thoughts as Marc and I take this journey with our podcast. I’d like to say it will be all good, but with anything there are highs and lows. Maybe our journey will help you in yours.