Trafcom News Podcast

Trafcom News Podcast 86: Social media for the big guys

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:51:57 -0400

How are big organizations learning to thrive using social media tools? In this 12-minute podcast, you’ll hear an interview with Bob Pearson, president of the Social Media Business Council, which helps large enterprises to share best practices on social media issues. Bob spoke at Third Tuesday Toronto on July 7, 2009. You’ll see him pictured here in the converted church that is now the Berkeley Heritage Event Venue.

You can download the MP3 file for this podcast directly by clicking here, you can subscribe through iTunes, or you can listen via the Blubrry player on the right side of the Trafcom News Podcast home page.

Here are the show notes:
Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome; about Bob Pearson and the Social Media Business Council
02:10 Interview with Bob begins
02:20 Biggest challenge facing large organizations using social media? They have to not only think outside the box, but also create a new box. Are they aware of the conversations out there? Wake-up call!
03:30 Most people realize they are not speaking to customers at all; customers demand that you do things in a way that works for them; build a bridge between customers and organizations.
03:55 Social media skeptics change with time; lots of innovators are making things happen – Ford, Starbucks, Intuit, etc.
04:38 Why would you NOT want to build a better relationship with your customers?
04:53 Social media is very quantitative; you can see traffic, purchases, etc., helping you to understand what’s happening; ratings and reviews help you figure out where the passion is.
05:46 Even silence is a signal; it’s not a viral campaign if it stops when you stop spending money; word of mouth is the goal.
06:33 Great content at Social Media Business Council Web site; take a look.
06:40 Bob is actually in Canada on vacation.
07:12 Lots of info about Bob’s presentation on Twitter and blogs.
My own key takeaways from Bob:
07:39 Customers are shaping our reputations daily. Are you accidentally outsourcing the building of your brand?
07:55 True leaders identify issues before they happen; customers assume you are listening to them in real time; reminded me of the United Breaks Guitars event of this week.
08:20 Realize that the customer doesn’t care where YOU want them to go; they are part of their own liquid network.
08:42 Less than one percent of a customer’s time is spent purchasing; 99 percent is spent browsing and socializing.
08:49 Brands can build trust by being there when they’re needed, not when YOU need the customer.
09:00 Sharing of content is key. You must have content that people need to share. Why else would they come back?
09:19 Any time you’re talking to customers and you tell them the truth, you win.

If you work for a large organization and you’re involved with social media, check out the Social Media Business Council.

09:40 Thanks to Joe Thornley and the organizers and sponsors of Third Tuesday Toronto; in the fall Shel Israel will speak, launching his new book, Twitterville.

10:04 Take a look at the video version of my Webinar, “How to use new media to make the most of your event or conference.”
11:02 Lots of positive comments about my interview with Paul Barton of Hawaiian Airlines. You can find it here.
11:13 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog.

Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com. Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network.

Trafcom News Podcast 85: Internal podcasting at Hawaiian Airlines – An interview with Paul Barton

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:47:21 -0400

In this 16-minute podcast, you’ll hear a short commentary about the recent IABC world conference in San Francisco, and an interview with Paul Barton ABC, director of internal communication at Hawaiian Airlines, about their new employee podcast.

You can download the MP3 file for this podcast directly by clicking here, or you can subscribe through iTunes. Or you can listen via the Blubrry player on the right side of the Trafcom News Podcast home page.

Here are the show notes:
Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
01:15 A few words about the IABC world conference in San Francisco, California, including the FIR dinner, starring Lee Hopkins. Read the blog post about it.
02:47 The interview with Paul Barton, director of internal communication at Hawaiian Airlines
03:22 The audio podcast as a communications tactic
04:12 Getting to a hard-to-reach audience of pilots and flight attendants
05:27 Hawaiian is a rare airline in growth mode
06:00 Employees received iPods as a thank-you gift from the airline; these were preloaded with content
06:16 How the podcast is positioned internally
08:10 Feedback from employees is positive so far; people prefer to listen rather than read
08:30 Minimal investment to start podcasting; cost is easy to justify
09:00 If only 10 people listen and are moved, it’s worth it, according to Paul Barton
09:30 New ways to measure success
10:29 Comments from Sridhar Sathya, Sam Deeks at Mukaumedia, Martin at Bars & Tone, Valente Espinosa at Odaiba Net
014:52 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog

Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com, Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network.

RELATED CONTENT:
Article on podcasting inside the corporation, based on a piece written for the Journal of Employee Communication Management.
Podcast on podcasting inside the corporation (Trafcom News Podcast #53).

Trafcom News Podcast 84: New stats on podcasting, the myth of nonverbal communication

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:54:16 -0400

In this seven-minute podcast, you’ll hear about some new stats that show the growth of podcasting, at least in the U.S. I also share some blog posts I’ve come across this week about the “myth” of nonverbal communications.

Here are the show notes:

00:01 Intro and welcome
01:00 New stats about podcasting from Edison Research
02:35 Surprise! What we’ve been hearing about nonverbal communications for 40 years may not be true. Refer to the blog posts from Olivia Mitchell and Max Atkinson about the Mehrabian myth. Be sure to check out the cartoon that accompanies Max’s blog post.
04:30 What this might mean for podcasters; the value of vocal inflection, tone, etc., in conveying meaning and emotion
05:25 Heading to the IABC World Conference in San Francisco next week.

06:20 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog

Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com.
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Trafcom News Podcast 83: Why does my audio sound so bad? How to make it right!

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:59:58 -0400

Because I’ve been a denizen of the podcasting world for a while, people often ask me for audio tips. And the most common question I hear is: “Why does my audio sound so bad?” In this 18-minute podcast, you’ll get the answer!

Please listen and let me know what you think.

You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News Podcast blog by clicking on the player on the right part of the screen.

Here are the show notes:

Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome; this is a podcast about communications tactics for people who care about communicating in person, in print and online. Next series of podcasts: conference podcasting.
01:33 Your voice is not the problem, even if you’re not Joe Cipriano or Judy Madrin
02:11 Problem #1: Your microphone; built-in mic will not yield good results; headset mic can be ok if you know how to use it; genuine microphone is the best; link to Victoria Fenner’s post about her favourite microphones
04:22 Problem #2: How you’re using your microphone to get the best sound; listen to the podcast about microphone techniques with Joe Cipriano; experiment with your mic
06:22 Problem #3: Where you’re recording; ambient sound, room acoustics and more; using ambient noise to your advantage; Skype and phone recording; double-ender or mix-minus; I love Levelator, although some audio purists do not
09:18 Noise removal if you must; Soundsoap
12:00 Problem #4: The method in which you’re recording; record in an uncompressed format such as WAV
12:48 Recap of four problems and solutions
13:20 Comment on Trafcom News 82 (Five tips for successful podcasts) from Tom Keefe, who was inspired by Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson on FIR: The Hobson and Holtz Report; blog post on ephemeral nature of Twitter; InsidePR commitment to each other as podcasters
15:30 Two upcoming events: April 1 AIP event with Lynda Morris and Joan Vinall-Cox; April 16 HPCA event with Dave Fleet; refer to my blog post
16:55 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com.
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Trafcom News Podcast 82: Five tips for podcasting success

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:54:46 -0400

We may measure the success of our podcasts in different ways - audience numbers, influence, even sales - but certain tactics will help to ensure a healthy show: picking a niche, getting the right gear, being consistent, preparing, and having fun. In this 17-minute show, with a little help from some of my friends at Podcamp Toronto, I discuss these five tips.

Please listen and let me know what you think! You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News Podcast blog by clicking on the player on the right part of the screen.

Here are the show notes:

Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
00:55 How this show came about: inspiration from Podcamp Toronto; about Podcamp Toronto and the wiki where you can find lots of social media and podcasting goodness
02:20 Shoutouts and thanks to Podcamp Toronto organizers:
Connie Crosby, Dave Fleet, Eden Spodek, Jay Moonah, Rob Lee, Sean McGaughey, Tommy Vallier
03:10 How do you define podcasting success?
04:45 Tip #1: Pick a niche; examples of Inside PR and For Immediate Release: The Hobson and Holtz Report
05:50 Tip #2: Get the gear; advice from Victoria Fenner about external mics
07:34 Martin Waxman and Dave Jones of Inside PR on proper gear, planning, consistency
09:04 Tip #3: Be consistent; example of Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson and their consistency of publishing FIR on Mondays and Thursdays
12:29 Tip #4: Prepare; advice from Connie Crosby of Community Divas
13:54 Tip #5: Have fun while enhancing your brand; wisdom from Bob Goyetche of CanadaPodcasts.ca
15:35 Recap of five tips
15:55 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com.
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Trafcom News Podcast 81: Thriving as an independent

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:23:08 -0500

Are you an independent, or thinking of becoming one? In this 17-minute podcast, I share some of the lessons I’ve learned over the last 20 years as a sole proprietor. Whether you’re a writer, PR practitioner, graphic designer or just about any kind of freelancer, I think you may pick up some tips here. Of course I’d love to hear your suggestions. Please comment below.

Here are the show notes:

Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
00:55 How this show came about: I get lots of calls for advice from independents and would-be independents
01:45 Skills in your work (writing, designing, etc.) do not equal skills as a business person
02:19 Network and build relationships
03:42 Know what value you add, and be able to communicate that value (unique selling proposition)
04:38 Carve a niche and make it part of your brand
04:55 Diversify your client base; tip from Sue Horner of Get it Write
05:55 Create a team so that you can take on projects bigger than you
06:55 Delegate or contract out what you don’t do well or don’t want to do
07:47 Get organized; tip from Sue Masterson of Master & Associates, Consultants, Inc.
08:30 Keep your name in front of people
08:48 Ask for help when you need it; find a mentor; tip from Craig Fairley of Imagine Creative; his mentor is Wendy Marlow of The Art of Marketing
10:05 Don’t neglect the business details: invoicing, taxes and other evils
10:38 Get a line of credit from your bank or credit union before you need it
11:01 Invest in the right trappings (high-speed Internet, business cards, etc.)
12:35 Use social media (blogging, podcasting, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)
13:35 Givers gain
14:18 Always be learning
14:56 Invitation to my Webinar: Friday, February 20, 2009, 2 p.m. Eastern, Using new media to make the most of your event; email me at Donna AT Trafcom DOT com for login instructions
16:00 Promo for Podcamp Toronto from Peter O’Connell
17:00 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com

Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Trafcom News Podcast 80: The best podcasts? Plus top 3 tips for multimedia success in 2009

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:47:18 -0500

In this 21-minute podcast, you'll discover suggestions for finding podcasts to add to your playlist, as well as three tips for successful multimedia projects in the coming year. Please listen and let me know what you think! You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News Podcast blog by clicking on the player on the right part of the screen.

Here are the show notes:

Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
01:15 How do you find podcasts to listen to?
02:20 Go outside your zone; why I listen to Digital Flotsam (Thanks, Shel Holtz)
03:00 I listen to podcasts in my clients' industries, as well as to my clients' podcasts
03:21 Dave Fleet's top podcast list:
Six Pixels of Separation
For Immediate Release
Inside PR
Managing the Gray
CBC Search Engine with Jesse Brown
CBC Spark
Media Bullseye Radio Roundtable
PRobecast
Marketing Over Coffee
Trafcom News Podcast
Shill
Media Driving
05:10 List of top video podcasts about technology, software and the internet from Amit Amit Agarwal who publishes the wonderful Digital Inspiration blog
05:20 Check out iTunes and Podcast Alley
06:14 Intro to top three tips for multimedia success this year
06:57 Tip 1: Where does it fit?
08:50 Tip 2: Details, details
12:12 Tip 3: Leverage your content
13:48 New acquisitions since publishing The Podcaster's Toolkit
14:57 Comment from Mark Blevis
17:30 Comment from Luke Armour
18:15 Comment from Frank Bonkowski
Good sources for royalty-free podsafe music: Shockwave Sound and Podsafe Music Network
19:22 Comment from Wayne MacPhail
20:21 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com.

Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Trafcom News Podcast 79: The Podcaster's Toolkit

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:04:07 -0400

In this 19-minute podcast, you'll get a peek into the typical podcaster's bag of tricks. Well, at least my bag of tricks – the gear and software I use to produce the Trafcom News Podcast as well as clients' podcasts.

Here are the show notes:

Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
01:10 A question I hear a lot: What kinds of gear and software do I need to produce a podcast?
02:12
Microphones
Apex condenser mic
Art pre-amp
Check out USB mics at Marshall Electronics
Read Victoria Fenner's blog post on microphones she likes
Pop filter
Mic stand or table stand
Headphones

Software
Audacity
Amadeus
Adobe Audition
Garage Band
SoundSoap from Bias
Levelator
ID3 Editor

Portable digital recorders
Edirol R1
Samsung Zoom H4
Marantz PMD 620
Mixer

Remote recording
Skype
Audio Hijack Pro
Call Recorder
Hot Recorder
Calliflower

Music or jingles
Shockwave Sound
Podsafe Music Network

Listener comment lines
K7.net
Maxemail

Related services
Libsyn
Blog platform like Wordpress or TypePad
Feedburner
YouSendIt.com

17:16 Shout out to fellow podcasters; tell us what's in YOUR podcaster's toolkit

17:21 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com.
18:03 Comment from Sam Deeks

Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Related links

Podcaster’s Checklist

Sound check (listen to different recording media)

Podcast and voiceover tips from Joe Cipriano (how to make the most of your voice)

Trafcom News Podcast 78: New Media Expo and ProductCamp Toronto

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:21:50 -0400

Featuring an interview with Robin Maiden

In this 23-minute podcast, you'll hear highlights from the New Media Expo in Las Vegas, including an interview with podcaster Robin Maiden.

Later, there’s a sneak peek at the upcoming ProductCamp Toronto.

Please listen and let me know what you think! You can download the show right here or subscribe through iTunes. You can also listen on the Trafcom News blog by clicking on the player on the upper right part of the screen.

Here are the show notes:

Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome; New Media Expo in Las Vegas
The link to my blog post about the NME
01:31 Audio and video are intrinsically wrapped around all we do
02:20 The gulf between those who edit and those who wing it
03:00 Great networking at the NME
03:20 Excellent presentation by Shel Holtz and John C. Havens on their upcoming book, Tactical Transparency
03:50 Interview with pilot and podcaster Robin Maiden; how he got started in podcasting; look for his New Media Expo presentation on his site
05:44 Process Robin uses to create his podcast; intranet version and iTunes version
06:45 Preparing guests in advance is important for Robin, the guest and the airline
07:09 A tip about brainstorming before recording
09:18 Review process; yes, lawyers
10:17 How to avoid tricky changes
12:00 Energy changes if you re-record
14:00 Future plans may include video
15:29 The hosting challenge
17:00 Hosting from LibsynPRO and Raw Voice
17:55 ProductCamp Toronto interview with Chris Herbert
21:21 Comment from Sam Deeks
22:04 Comment from Andy Donovan
23:00 Future series of podcasts: Podcasting in the Real World
Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network

Trafcom News Podcast 77: Social media and new media in action

trafcom@gmail.com (Donna Papacosta) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:10:25 -0400

In this 15-minute podcast, you’ll hear a short report from the IABC International Conference in New York, as well as a great tip for PR people, and some news about upcoming events.

Here are the show notes:

Comment line: 212-624-0209

00:01 Intro and welcome
00:55 About the IABC International Conference
02:20 Opening keynote by Nicholas Negroponte about the One Laptop Per Child program
03:11 Steve Crescenzo's session on internal communicators using social media tools
03:45 Shel Holtz's presentation on social networks and business communicators
04:14 Steve made a great point about limited-series blogs and podcasts, something I often recommend to clients
04:55 Angela Sinickas spoke about measuring the impact of social media tools; excellent presentation
06:10 If this man can blog, so can your CEO: The story of Bill Marriott online
07:50 Seth Godin’s closing keynote speech outlined the trends that are changing business forever
09:15 Help a Reporter Out: a great service from Peter Shankman
Upcoming events
10:54 New Media Expo in Las Vegas
11:30 ProductCamp Toronto
12:25 Webinar on how to use new media tools to make the most of your event RSVP to donna AT trafcom.com
14:37 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog.
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com.
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network.