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With the help of the Online Education Database, you can find free podcasts to teach you anything from Quantum Mechanics from Stanford University to Heritage and Cultural Informatics (whatever that is) from the University of Glasgow. Amazing.
What’s the big idea?
Big Ideas, Small Budget will be a discussion about how nonprofit organizations can communicate better without spending wads of cash. Big Ideas, Small Budget will start as a conference call, the contents of which will become a special episode of the Trafcom News Podcast. You are invited to participate in this conference call.
Who can take part?
Anyone who works for or with a nonprofit organization can contribute – whether you’re a board or staff member, volunteer or consultant (writer, PR specialist, graphic designer, Web expert, podcaster, and so on). If you are involved in any way with communicating for nonprofits, we’d love your help.
When?
The conference call is at 12 noon Eastern Standard Time on Friday, February 15, 2008. Dial 1-605-772-3285, then key in the access code 877696#. Don’t forget the pound key (number sign) at the end.
How will the call be structured?
I will pose one question at the beginning and invite callers to join in. For starters: What are the biggest communications challenges faced by nonprofit organizations with small budgets? After a discussion about that, we can talk about problems and solutions.
What kinds of things will we talk about?
Creating a communications strategy with a tight budget in mind; developing a Web presence; using traditional and social media; hiring internally or contracting out; training staff in communications tactics.
How long will the call be?
I’m planning on 45 to 60 minutes for the call. The eventual podcast will be shorter.
Can the knowledge gained in the Big Ideas, Small Budget discussion be transferred to government and for-profit organizations?
In a word, yes!
Do I have to RSVP?
If you’re fairly certain that you’re going to take part, please let me know by commenting on the blog or sending me an email at Donna AT Trafcom DOT com. Of course if your schedule suddenly frees up on February 15, you’re more than welcome to dial in even if you haven’t alerted me in advance.
Who came up with this big idea?
Big Ideas, Small Budget was inspired by Tina Hansen, a frequent commenter on the Trafcom News Podcast. Tina volunteers her time and talents, particularly with the National Federation of the Blind. She and I have enjoyed an email exchange on this topic, and I’ve decided to run this conference call and then create the subsequent podcast to help her and others. I am a volunteer, too, and I know that communicating on a small budget can be challenging.
Who designed the nice logo?
Registered Graphic Designer Branimir Zlamalik created the Big Ideas, Small Budget logo. He and I often collaborate on projects. In fact, we both work on communications for a nonprofit organization here in Oakville, Ontario. Check out his GBCom Unlimited Web site.
Do I get any glory for participating?
I will ask everyone who dials in to send me their full name, organization name and URL, which I will include in the detailed show notes for the podcast. Even more, you’ll know that you’ve done something to contribute to the greater good, and what’s better than that?
What’s next?
Please mark your calendar for noon Eastern on February 15. And spread the word too!
The folks at Raw Voice are creating a Podcast FAQ and they’re inviting podcasters to contribute content. Check out the list of resources (which is soon to grow) if you want to learn more about podcasting.
And speaking of learning, Dave Fleet and friends have been busy building the Social Media Training Wiki, which is fast becoming a valuable resource for those who want to expand their knowledge about social media. Dave is seeking more contributors, so join in the fun. I plan to -- soon!
This week I recorded the inaugural podcast for Third Tuesday Toronto, a social media meetup. It features a short interview with Ali deBold, co-founder of ChickAdvisor.com, a successful Web 2.0 venture, as well as brief announcements about Podcamp Toronto and PRin Canada.
You'll find the audio and the show notes at the Trafcom News Podcast blog. It's only 10 minutes, so listen, eh?
According to Ad Age, “marketers and content providers are tuning into podcasting’s potential.” In a piece on January 21, they report that:
Radio revenue could very well stay flat for the third straight year in 2008, but there's one sector in the audio industry that's getting attention from the likes of Acura and MasterCard: podcasting.
The article quotes Chris Spencer, CEO of Wizzard Media, who values the podcast-specific ad market at about $100 million.
Of course many podcasters produce their shows for reasons beyond ad revenue: increasing brand awareness, educating their audience or supporting other PR and marketing efforts. Still, these kinds of potential ad numbers might inspire podcasters who are seeking paid sponsors.
My advice: Before you worry about money, start with excellent content in your podcast. And, as my friend Christopher Penn of the Financial Aid Podcast said to me on Twitter last week, you have to be persistent in promoting your podcast too.
Guys too. Come to Third Tuesday Toronto (held on Wednesday, January 23) to meet ChickAdvisor co-founders Alex and Ali de Bold, who will share a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and experiences of establishing a Web 2.0 site.
Check out Joe Thornley’s ProPR blog for details.
See you Wednesday night!
A few months ago, I published on my Trafcom News blog the Podcaster's Checklist, handy sheets of tips for any podcaster who needs to get organized around
In this 19-minute podcast, I flesh out a few points from the Podcaster's Checklist and share my plans for a special podcast called Big Ideas, Small Budget. Please spread the word! Go to the Trafcom News Podcast page for the download and show notes.
And maybe you don’t WANT to know, but Collin Douma has asked me, so here goes.
1. I am related to Athenagoras, Patriarch of Constantinople.
(As my late mother would say: “That and 50 cents will get you on the subway.” Of course today it’s more like $3.)
2. My first career was as a systems analyst. I thank my mentor Tony Halaris for introducing me to technology (an IBM 360 – w00t) when I worked as a student in the Computer Center at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. (See the photographic evidence.) After several years in IT, I switched gears to study magazine journalism at Ryerson in Toronto. I’ve had my own practice, Trafalgar Communications, since then.
3. Early in my second career, I wrote prolifically for parenting magazines and even penned a parenting book (still in print). Do I consider myself a parenting expert? NO!
4. I grew up in Astoria, Queens (home of Archie Bunker), but was fortunate to go to a private Catholic girls’ high school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Some of those “girls” are still my best friends today.
5. I gave birth to my second daughter at home. By choice. And I wish I had done so the first time around.
6. Offer me a hunk of cherry cheesecake, a slice of apple pie or a bowl of wholegrain pretzels, and I’ll pick the pretzels every time. Yes, I am addicted to salt. Perhaps I was a sea creature in a former life.
7. Years ago, I attempted to become bilingual and diligently studied Spanish in high school and college. Sadly, my Spanish skills have languished since I moved to Canada in 1983. My French isn’t that hot either.
8. Every night, no matter how late I get home, I must read before going to sleep. I just finished The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis – a very nicely written humorous political novel.
I’m tagging Lee Hopkins, Heidi Miller, Terry Fallis, B.L. Ochman, Luke Armour, Sue Horner, Michael Seaton and Tod Maffin.
One of the advantages of having teenagers with jobs: better gifts for Mom. No more painted walnut shells, gift certificates for “free hugs” or “final sale” Christmas socks.
All kidding aside (I actually treasure those handmade presents from years gone by), I was delighted when my daughter presented me with an iHome for Christmas. Now I can listen to my favourite podcasts while I’m in the kitchen preparing meals, cleaning up, or just enjoying a cup of tea. In the past, I’d often use my iPod at home, but found that I suffered from earbud fatigue. Plus, I prefer to be aware of ambient sounds while cooking (especially when I use the smoke alarm as a timer). An added bonus: while helping me to prepare the holiday feast, my kids heard some of InsidePR, For Immediate Release: The Hobson and Holtz Report, NewComm Road, Six Pixels of Separation and my own Trafcom News Podcast. Now they know a little more about my world.
So if you’re an avid podcast listener, or would like to become one, think about an iHome or similar device (there are others on the market, for sure).
Has the CEO of your organization considered using audio to communicate with employees? In the latest Trafcom News Podcast, just 23 minutes long, I share some recent experiences producing audio messages for corporate leaders.
Please listen and let me know what you think!
