New Media VA

Tech Tuesday : Blog Talk Radio

Categories: BlogTalkRadio, Podcasting, Tech Tuesday, Web 2.0 apps | August 5th, 2008 | by Tammy | no comments

Blog Talk Radio is a free way to host live audio (talk) shows online. It  is the social radio network that allows users to connect quickly and directly with their audience. Using an ordinary telephone and computer hosts can create free, live, call-in talk shows with unlimited participants that are automatically archived and made available as podcasts. No software download is required. Listeners can subscribe to shows via RSS into iTunes and other feed readers. Our network has produced tens of thousands of episodes since it launched in August of 2006.

Blog Talk Radio is a great alternative to podcasting.  It’s free, you don’t have to worry about the costs you might have to with podcasting your own show and it’s live, unlike most podcasts that are recorded previously and you just listen to them at your leisure. Your blog talk radio can be podcasted following the show recording.

I love Blog Talk Radio, I don’t deny it. Here are a few reasons why:
1.  It’s free

2.  Unlimited listeners

3.  Unlimited callers (there are only 5 callers allowed on the line at a time, but any others that call in will be in line so that when one of the 5 leaves the next in line can be live and talk.)

4.  Blog Talk Radio provides the host with their own call in number for free.

5.  They also provide a seperate call in number for listeners for free.

6.  Hosts receive half of all revenue that their show generates.

7.  You receive your own Host page where all your shows are archived.

8.  You can host unlimited shows (there is a limit of 1 per day and you can only schedule your shows up to 4 weeks ahead)

9.  Your show can be 15, 30, or 60 minutes long and if you go over you can still talk for up to 2 hours

10.  You will receive a button to place on your other sites that links to your host page where listeners can interact with your current live shows and listen to archived shows.

11.  BTR may promote your show for you on their blog or homepage, but every show is listed on their programming guide and users can search for your show.

12.  They support multiple languages.

13.  You callers can talk live via a telephone or their pc if they have a microphone.

14. You can place an media player on your site so listeners can listen to your latest show right from there.

As much I love Blog Talk Radio, there are a few disadvantages of Blog Talk Radio :

1.  You don’t have total control over your shows.

2.  You can promote your show via email, but you have to do it via your host page.

3.  Only 5 people can call into on your show at a time.

All in all, Blog Talk Radio is a great way to get started in the podcasting world if you’re looking for a reliable way to host your own show but don’t feel comfortable with the expertise/money/equipment that podcasting can sometimes require. If you are looking for a show on Blog Talk Radio to listen to, make sure to stop by PodTalkDivas. We (myself and co-host Wendy Cooper) just recently took our podcast to BlogTalk Radio.

Moving on UP!

Categories: Blogging, Uncategorized | July 31st, 2008 | by Tammy | no comments

Okay, you’ve been a blogger for a few weeks or maybe even a few months.  You’re writing posts, but now you’re ready to take it all the next level. You understand that it’s all about creating a conversation with your blog community. You would like to see more comments, site traffic, and even some recognition. You want to be like one of the cool kids right?

But how do you go from being a little whole in the wall to be a place where the cool kids hang out? Well here a few things to try to take your blog to the next level.

 Who are you writing for?

 Does your blog have a niche? Does it focus on one particular concept? Ask yourself what your readers are going to “get” from your posts? How is it going to be useful to them? You want to make sure that your posts are useful, full of good information that they will be able to apply easily.

 Creating the conversation

 Give your readers a call to action and ask them questions. Remember it’s all about creating a conversation with your readers. Make sure to respond to comments on your blog, as much as you can.

 Put a picture of YOU on your blog, and make it known who you are. Be transparent in who are and give full disclosure. Your readers are going to want to connect with the person/brand, not just your blog.

Give them other ways to reach you besides the normal, like a Twitter/Facebook account. Here’s even a thought… a phone number.

Making it pretty

Make your blog posts easy to read. Insert white space by breaking up your text. You can also use bold titles inside your blog posts to separate sections.

Have a long section? Use the blockquote feature to make them stand out for the rest.

Insert images from your personal connection or perhaps grab some stock images for Stock Photo or istockphoto.com

Comment, comment, comment

Just as you want comments on yours, so do other bloggers. So, get out and comment on other people’s blogs.

You can also create a post on your blog commenting on something on another’s blog and track back to posts on other blogs, especially some of the popular blogs within your niche! What will that do?  Help your blog get noticed by others.

Post on a regular basis (at least once per week)

Post something useful at least once per week. You want to remember to keep the posts useful to your readers but its ok to write off-topic or even personal posts too.

Lead from the front

Prominently display your RSS feed up at the top of your blog so people will see it easily. It maybe helpful to even include a subscribe graphic.

Also be sure to ask your readers for advice, ideas, suggestion, and feedback. You want to make your blog useful for them so ask them what they want! You might be surprised to find out the results. 

You can also add the email-subscription option available thru Feedburner for those that aren’t quite sure about RSS feeds. You can also use this option in replace of a regular autoresponder type application if you’re so inclined.

Want feedback or suggestions for your blog? Well just ask away my friends. You can always email me at tammy AT newmediava DOT com or on any of the various social networks like Twitter, Facebook, etc. 

Social Networking: So many choices.. so little time!

Categories: Facebook, Social Networking, Twitter, Web 2.0 apps | July 23rd, 2008 | by Tammy | no comments

It is time consuming to build a worthwhile presence on any of the above networks so it would be a mistake to jump into all of them at once.  It’s smarter to take one at a time and give it your focused attention for a period of time.

Sounds great… what I have many aspects to my business??

If you have a multifaceted business, you should choose one aspect of your business to highlight and promote on a network.   Profile pages that list every business you’re involved in and every website you own is not likely to be effective as visitors are faced with too many choices.

For example:

You can add pages to your Facebook profile to highlight the part of your business that relates most closely to you on a personal level or that connects to a popular hobby.

1. Create a profile on LinkedIn that would appeal to professional contacts.
2. Create a Squidoo lens for each topic you have created an information product or content website about.
3. Create a Twitter account and update what you’re doing, what you’re writing about, etc

Tech Tuesday: Tube Mogul

Categories: New Media News, Tech Tuesday, Uncategorized, Web 2.0 apps | July 8th, 2008 | by Tammy | no comments

TubeMogul is a free service that provides a single point for deploying uploads to the top video sharing sites, and powerful analytics on who, what, and how videos are being viewed.

I just recently reviewed this site and all it offers. I think its awesome! Definitely a Thumbs UP!

The best overall feature about it is that Tube Mogul helps me with time management !

It allowed me to upload a client’s video in a variety of places rather than waste time going to each and every site that we wanted to include in their video deployment plan. Their stats and analysis tools are pretty amazing as well.

Go check out TubeMogul and let me know what you think!

Etiquette for Social Networking

Categories: Facebook, Social Networking, Twitter, Web 2.0 apps | July 7th, 2008 | by Tammy | 2 comments

Years ago when social networking primarily consisted of message boards and forums, etiquette there was pretty simple. The rules were black and white and pretty easy to remember. These days with all the various social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Squidoo , the rules are now gray.

This is especially true for business owners that use social networking as part of their marketing plan. Are the rules the same? Are they different? I mean seriously how do you know what you should be posting/tweeting/blogging about in the business area?

Recently I encountered a situation on a social networking application that really threw me for a loop. Someone had posted a comment to another person’s post that was just completely rude, unprofessional and inconsiderate. Not only was it none of their business to condemn Person A’s decisions but Person B continued with their rude, sarcastic comments. It was because of that I began to ponder what the exactly where the rules where for social networking etiquette.

Now there was no Miss Manners book of Social Networking to turn to so I thought I’d start off with a few of my own..

1. Be open and honest yet fair
2. Play nicely - Don’t be a bully!
3. Be respectful
4. Remember - to be transparent and utilize full disclosure
5. Before you post something online , ask yourself would I say this in person

I guess the most important thing to remember is that if you don’t follow the “rules”, it will come back to haunt you one way or another.

What “rules” do you follow when social networking?

Business & Learning.com for sale!!!

Categories: Messages from Tammy | June 27th, 2008 | by Tammy | no comments

Many of you know that I’m co-owner of Business & Learning with my good friend, Wendy Cooper.

We have decided to sell BusinessAndLearning and TheWAHExpo. We feel that it would be a huge benefit to all WAH’ers if it was handle by someone that works within your target market! We’ve both changed directions on where we are going with our own business. We decided it was time to give up our labor of love in order to make the Expo a bigger and better opportunity for all exhibitors, sponsors and participants, all dear friends of the Expo.

Please feel free to pass this information along to anyone that you think may be interested.
http://businessandlearning.com/for-sale.html

World Blog Commenting Day

Categories: Blogging, New Media News | April 28th, 2008 | by Tammy | one comments

Did you know that it is World Blog Commenting Day?? Leave comments on at least 3 blogs today!

New Update for Skype Recorder for Mac

Categories: Announcements, Mac, Skype, Software | February 14th, 2008 | by Tammy | one comments

Ecamm Network just released a new update for Skype Recorder for Mac. Get it here

What’s new in v2.3:

• Adds compatibilty with Skype for Mac v2.7.
• Adds new two-track video recording option.
• Enhanced recorded video quality.
• Includes updated Convert To MP3 and Convert To AAC utilities.
• Fixes an issue that could cause a recording error after an audio device is disconnected.

January 30 - It’s International Delete Your MySpace Account Day

Categories: Facebook, New Media News, Social Networking | January 30th, 2008 | by Tammy | no comments

Yep you read that right! Today is the day that you should delete your MySpace account. I’m not a big fan of MySpace never have been. Facebook and other social networking sites are far better in their ability to create conversations within your community.  I’ll be deleting my account today as well! Will you?

Simon over at bloggasm.com is asking everyone to delete their MySpace accounts! Here is a list of things that bug him…

1. You rarely log in to Myspace except to delete spam friend requests from nude webcam girls.

2. You spend five minutes writing a wall post only to hit an error message when you try to post it because of all the website glitches.

3. You’re a girl who constantly gets marriage proposals from random men in the middle east.

4. You visit someone’s Myspace profile only to suddenly have music start blasting out of your speakers. Bonus points if it happens to you while you’re at work.

To read more, click here 

It’s our birthdays - but you’re getting the gift!

Categories: Announcements, Blogging, New Media News, Web 2.0 apps | January 17th, 2008 | by Tammy | 2 comments

Good friend Shannon Cherry and I have a lot in common: being entrepreneurs, having two daughters and being a bit geeky. We also share the same week for our birthdays - which are only a day apart. We both like a good party - and thought how can we celebrate with all our friends and colleagues when we’re thousands of miles apart?

Then we decided to use the Business & Learning webinar platform to host a birthday bash unlike any other - because we’re giving you the gifts!

That’s right. On January 23 at 9 PM (EST), join Shannon & I for a virtual cupcake, fun times, and some great door prizes. We’re hosting a f^ree-for-all publicity chat, where you can ask Shannon and me anything about offline or online marketing. From websites and blogs to direct mail and mastering the media, Shannon and I will share all our insider secrets - for f^ree.

And if you’re a virtual assistant, you really need to be on this chat, as Shannon & I are giving away a special press release for you to use to market your business.

So put on your party hat, come with your burning marketing and publicity questions, and join us for Shannon’s and Tammy’s Birthday Blowout! Simply log in at http://www.businessandlearning.com/expo on January 23 at 9 PM (EST).

To log into the conference room, enter your first and last name with the password:learning . It’s an audio conference room so make sure you have your mic and/or speakers plugged and turned on. It’s Mac and PC Friendly, so everyone can attend.

Hope to see you there!
Tammy