Trafcom News

In case you missed it

Before the year is out, be sure to check out the "Share 2007" holiday greeting from Mitch Joel and the team at Twist Image in Montreal. It's an eclectic and very well executed collection of some of the best videos of the year.

Advice for would-be CEO bloggers

If you're working with a CEO who's thinking about blogging, please read Todd Defren's post right now.

On a related note, I'll be blogging/podcasting about CEO podcasts next week.

Book review: Podcasting for Profit by Leesa Barnes

Over the last three years, I’ve read just about every book on the market about podcasting; many deal with the subject from a technical angle.

Today I’d like to tell you about a podcasting book that’s a little different. In Podcasting for Profit, Leesa Barnes has done a thorough job of sharing her knowledge about generating income with a podcast, whether audio or video. As far as I know, hers is the first book in this particular niche. She covers advertising, sponsorship, affiliate programs and even podcast consulting as moneymakers.

Leesa brings the topic alive in her approachable and very readable style, using real-life case studies -- Screencasts Online, The Engaging Brand, the Jet Set Show and others.

If you’re a marketer or a budding podcaster, or if you run a small business, Leesa’s book is definitely worth a read. Right now she’s offering two free chapters online. Check it out.

One quibble: This book could have benefited from another round of proofreading.;-)

Reflections on a podcasted conference

Last week I enjoyed five days in Las Vegas, Nevada, podcasting the Autodesk University conference. I’d been working with Autodesk for months, producing pre-conference podcasts, and planning for this huge event. Can you imagine 10,000 people at the Venetian Hotel? The whole thing was a supreme example of a well-run conference with rich content, passionate employees interacting with equally passionate customers, and so many nice touches – from snacks to meals to entertainment to T-shirts and other goodies – that made attendees feel special.

Here are some observations from the podcaster’s point of view (that would be me):

Backups are a necessity. I didn’t actually need my second recorder and microphone, but I felt secure knowing that I had these devices on hand. My Samsung Zoom H4 held up to the pressure of long days and many hours of recording.

You can’t do it alone. I relied on two wonderful audio editors who helped me to produce more than five podcasts per day.

Plan, plan, plan your podcasts in advance, but be ready, willing and able to be flexible as you meet people and watch the conference unfold. Something that seems like a great idea for a podcast a week before the conference can turn out to be a dud, while you’ll discover opportunities that you didn’t know existed.

Walking up to hundreds of people with microphone in hand is not for the shy. However, you’ll find that people do like to express their opinions when given the opportunity. (Yes, there were occasions when I had to trot alongside people as they rushed to their next session. In this photo, I’m seated while interviewing CAD management expert Robert Green; I think it was the only time I sat while conducting an interview at AU!)

You have to think fast on your feet when you’re working without a script. Still, before plugging in your mic, you have to consider: What’s the point of this particular podcast? What kind of content am I looking for? Who are the most likely people to provide it?

Life is sweet when you work with a dream client: Autodesk people are smart, fun and energetic.

No shoe is comfortable when you wear it for 14 hours. Next time I’ll bring sneakers. Vanity be damned.