Podcastmatters

We have changed our name

2010-06-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

On the 17th June 2010 Podcastmatters merged with Design Matters and now we are called fatBuzz Ltd.

Please visit our web site and our new blog at the following links:

fatBuzz Web Site

fatBuzz Blog

FACEBOOK, July New Media Breakfast Glasgow and Edinburgh

2010-06-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

8am on Friday 2nd JULY 2010 at No.29, Glasgow
8am on Thursday 15th JULY 2010 at The Tower Restaurant, Chambers Street, Edinburgh

USING FACEBOOK
Facebook is without doubt the largest and most popular social network with over 400 million users world wide, it's difficult to avoid it nowadays with such a large following of private and business users.

Are you getting the most from your Facebook activity? Is your Facebook set up properly for your business; should you use a Group, a Facebook Page, Facebook Causes or, your personal provile? How do you determine your privacy settings? These are all questions we will explore at the next New Media Breakfast.

FACEBOOK ADVERTISING
Facebook advertising is growing everyday in popularity and importance; Joel Lumsden, the tallest member of the Attacat Internet Marketing team will make a cameo appearance at this breakfast to talk about why this relatively new platform is generating such a buzz in the online marketing world. He’ll explain how it differs from conventional pay-per-click platforms such as Google AdWords, share examples and tips on how to achieve good returns, look at the incredible demographic profiling available to advertisers and generally give an impassioned call to action for businesses to take advantage of the window of opportunity that Facebook advertising represents.

BOOKING - GLASGOW, 2nd July
Early indications are that this will be an extremely popular subject so, please book now to ensure your place.

COMPLIMENTARY FOR 29 MEMBERS
This event is complimentary to 29 Members - If you are a member you should email Malcolm to reserve your place.

BOOKING - EDINBURGH, 15th July

Early indications are that this will be an extremely popular
subject so, please book now to ensure your place.

7 Days to go and things are getting delivered...

2010-06-10T00:51:00.000-07:00

Only 7 days until the launch and we're starting to get "things" delivered to the office. The latest delivery are some wonderful shirts for the launch night from NKD Clothing - who else would you possibly go to for your corporate branded clothing?

The NKD have advised, assisted, designed and delivered - it's so good to work with companies that do what they say they'll do - thank you Gill, Steph and the rest of the team. And, thank you for your discretion and helping us to keep the name under wraps.

We will be doing a video about the whole process of choosing and designing the shirts but, Gill's off for a well deserved holiday so we'll get it finished when she gets back (Or, maybe she's leaving the country so she doesn't spill the beans about the new name!).

Client wins top RBS SE100 social business award in London

2010-06-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

Our clients, The Grow Organisation UK Ltd, have just been announced as overall winners in the growth category 2009-2010 RBS SE100 Index of social businesses at an awards ceremony in London tonight.

Congratulations to CEO Alex Cosgrove and all of her team, we enjoy working with you and we had every confidence that your truly fantastic business would triumph. We look forward to working with you as the business continues to 'grow'.

More on the award and this evening's event to follow.

Vince Update videos - Cup Cakes, Buns and Ginger Beer...

2010-05-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

Vince is the codename in the office for our name change which will be announced on the 17th June at a special event in No.29 (click here to see get an Open Invitation and special offer for membership).

We are now only 21 days away from the launch and things are starting to happen so we've decided to capture some of the preparations and discusiions on video and put them out as short clips between now and the 17th.

Here are the first two update videos:

Find more videos like this on Podcastmatters

Thanks to Tim Barlow from Attacat for being a sport in the secod of these videos.

We've got lots more videos to follow - next one will be Belinda Roberts from Winning Entrepreneurs and, if we're due to meet you in the near future, you might be asked to feature as well!

Keep following the blog to get the latest updates.

Open invitation to No.29

2010-05-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

Attendees at our New Media Breakfast in Glasgow will be familiar with No.29 in Exchange Square where we are fortunate enough to host the event however, you may not have had the chance to see the rest of the club and the facilities it has to offer. Here's a great invitation for you to see the whole place and enjoy a relaxing glass of wine at the same time.

29 Private Members Club would like to Invite you to our “Open House Evening” on Wednesday 16th June from 6pm till 8pm.

All areas of the Club shall be open so that potential new members can view the venue whilst enjoying a glass of wine and canapés with the compliments of 29.

Members of the 29 Team shall be on hand to explain the benefits of membership and also show you around.

New Members will also benefit from our Corporate Discount If you Join up the evening (£110 + VAT per annum)

Please RSVP to ann.patterson@lynnetleisure.com or Call Ann on 0141 225 6654 for further information

Social Media Podcast No.20 now available

2010-05-26T01:40:00.000-07:00

In Edition No.20 we talk to Iain Murray and Shona Lyttel about Connected FM's commitment to social media as an integral part of their marketing and how their whole web presence revolves around transparency and engagement. We also discuss the reasons for the forthcoming Podcastmatters name change on the 17th June.

Also mentioned: A rare Zappos mistake and how effectively they dealt with it, John McGuire and Phoenix Car Company's network site, the iPad, the sony Bloggie and Iain's usual gadget, App and software roundup.

We also talk briefly about the forthcoming New Media Breakfasts in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The Glasgow (4th June) and Edinburgh (10th June) breakfasts have Ben Rogers of Attacat presenting on Google Analytics and how to get actionable date from your stats. The Abedeen breakfast (9th June) has two sessions with me discussing podcasting and how it might be useful for your business and, Tim Barlow form Attacat will discuss Search Engine optimisation and pay-per-click advertising. Tim has already presented this topic at previous Glasgow and Edinburgh breakfasts and everyone found it to be an extremely useful insight into the importance of search and how it works.

You can find full details on all the breakfast events and booking details here.

You can download the Social Media Podcast from iTunes by clicking here.

Things are starting to happen

2010-05-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

Today is a bit of a milestone for Podcastmatters and Design Matters. As you are probably all aware, we are merging the businesses and launching the new company and new name on the 17th June so, why is today important? Today we received our stationery from the printer (who is sworn to secrecy) which is the first time we have seen the new name in print and we are all delighted with the result.

Seeing the name in print somehow makes it all a bit more real; up until now we have talked about it, we've created the branding, we've even started work on the web site but, actually holding a printed version in your hand seems to move everything on to a new level.

When we first announced the name change we put a countdown clock on the network site with 72 days to go and that seemed like lots of time to get everything done; now it's at 23 days, 20 hours and 12 minutes to go and the "To Do" list seems to be getting longer. The invitations have gone out and plans are well underway (or so I'm told) for the launch event at No.29, if everything goes to plan that will be a great night.

The whole experience of changing the name has been great. Over the past 24 years we've helped many organisations with their branding from start-up businesses to companies wishing to rebrand but strangely we've never actually been involved in quite such a radical change as this. After the 17th June we will probably share more about this whole experience in the blog and on the Social Media Podcast and, if you are changing your name, we'll be happy to share our experience in detail with you.

Please keep following the blog for more updates as the 17th draws closer, it's exciting times for us and we would like to share them with you.

New Media Breakfasts in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen

2010-05-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to confirm the dates and topics for the next New Media Breakfasts in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Firstly the dates and venues:

Glasgow - 4th June, 8am at No.29 Members Club, Royal Exchange Square Glasgow
Edinburgh - 10th June 8am at The Tower Restaurant, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
Aberdeen - 9th June venue to be confirmed

The topic for the Glasgow and Edinburgh breakfasts will be:

Actionable Insights with Google Analytics
Google Analytics is the most widely used website statistical service with over 50% of the top 100,000 websites having installed it. At this breakfast we’ll be trying to ignore the technical aspects of installing & setting up Google Analytics and instead look in detail at some of the reports available and the insights you can take from these.

The breakfast will look at the following:
· Importance of setting KPIs
· Tagging & segmenting different traffic sources
· Identifying weak & strong pages within your site
· The dangers of averages!
· What visitor information can tell you
· Optimising online & offline advertising

If anyone would be willing to share their Google Analytics data in a live demonstration during the breakfast please contact the speaker directly.

About the speaker:

Ben Rogers is a Director of Attacat Internet Marketing, the Edinburgh-based search engine and internet marketing firm.

Ben joined Attacat in 2008 with a strong technical background, having studied Computing Science at Aberdeen University. His passion for stats makes Ben a natural when it comes to analytics; he even passed the Google Analytics exam within 3 hours of it being launched, making him one of the first 100 people in the world to gain the Google Analytics Individual Qualification.

Ben has a proven track record of finding unique solutions with Analytics as well as improving website performances through clever use of data. He has also held numerous Google Analytics seminars and training sessions, whether it be a general session for beginners or a bespoke solution for individual companies.

Ben Rogers on LinkedIn
Ben Rogers on Twitter
Ben Rogers on the Attacat Website

Click here to book the Glasgow New Media Breakfast

COMPLIMENTARY FOR 29 MEMBERS
This event is complimentary to 29 Members - If you are a member you should email Malcolm to reserve your place.

Click here to book the Edinburgh New Media Breakfast

ABERDEEN BREAKFAST 9th June

1st Session
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION AND PAY PER CLICK MARKETING
Presented by Tim Barlow, Attacat Ltd

Search engine optimisation and pay per click marketing may be grabbing less headlines in the internet marketing world these days. However, they are still very relevant for businesses and gaining in relevance all the time. Search needs to be an integral part of any online marketing plan.

We'll examine the various different elements that make up the Google search experience and how businesses should go about seeking to appear in each different type of listing including:

• Sponsored links
• Regular "natural" results
• Maps/Local
• Shopping Results
• Video

We'll also examine some of the current trends towards more personalised results and social search.

About the speaker:
Tim Barlow is the managing director of Attacat, the Edinburgh-based search engine and internet marketing firm. Tim has been involved in search engine promotion since 1999 when he managed the first Innogy website for National Power. In 2001, Tim launched Pastures-New, one of the UK's leading rental portals, gaining similar levels of traffic with a marketing budget of £100 a month as Rightmove were then achieving with a multi million pound TV campaign.

Attacat was set up in 1994 to take advantage of Tim's knowledge. Self-taught in the art of search engine optimisation and internet marketing (there simply weren't formal courses in those days),

Tim passionately believes that good SEO is not rocket science or a black art but simply the result of effective online marketing and web design.

This approach has been proven time and again by Tim and his team achieving long lasting high ranks on competitive one and two word phrases for clients in a variety of fields. Pay per click (such as Google AdWords) has been a long time specialism of Tim and Attacat. Indeed Tim was one of the very first Qualified Google Advertising Professionals in the world and Attacat has held the company version of the qualification since its inception. Attacat use pay per click (PPC) to drive £10s of millions of business for a variety of clients from classic e-commerce sites to B2B businesses in niches you probably never knew existed.

Tim speaks regularly at Chamber of Commerce events.

2nd Session
CAN PODCASTING HELP YOR BUSINESS?
Presented by Gordon White, Podcastmatters Ltd

Podcasts are among the most intimate forms of communication. They offer the opportunity for you to talk directly in the ear of someone who has chosen to listen to your content. At this breakfast we will look at the various different types of podcasts and the tools trequired to make your own podcasts.

We will also have the new Apple iPad on display and we'll show you how that can be used to make audio podcasts. You will also get the opportunity to try it for yourself during the meeting.

This session will look at the following:

• What is a podcast?
• What is RSS and how does it work?
• Different types of podcast content
• Audio and Video Podcasts - what are they?
• Different ways to make a podcast - Agency and in-house
• How it can help your business
• What does it cost?
• How long does it take?

We'll also look at some of the companies using podcasts and how they use them as an effective internal or promotional communication tool.

Organisers:
The New Media Breakfast will be run by Podcastmatters Ltd, a leading new media company involved in Audio and Video podcast production, Niche Network creation and new media consulting for a wide range of organisations across many industry sectors.

Cost:
We are applying a nominal £25 charge for attendance and any profits from this event will be donated to CLAN (Cancer Link Aberdeen and North).

More Information:
For any further information please email Nicki Murray or telephone 01224 701383.

Timetable for the Event:
07.00 Tea/Coffee on Arrival
07.30 Search Engine Optimisation and Pay Per Click Marketing
08.15 Tea/Coffee/Bacon Rolls and Networking
08.45 Can Podcasting Help Your Business?
09.30 Questions & Answers
10.00 Close

Click here to book the Aberdeen New Media Breakfast

Social Media Podcast goes Top 10

2010-05-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

Delighted to see that the Social Media Podcast has gone to No.6 in the Audio Podcasting category of iTunes and, No.7 in the combined Audio and Video Podcasting category. It started the day at No.39 & No.63 respectively.

If you want to know why, you should be coming the the New Media Breakfast at the Tower Restaurant in Edinburgh on Thursday this week - all will be revealed!

Full details and booking info for the Breakfast are here

Download or subscribe to the Social Media Podcast here.

Social Media Podcast No.19 now available

2010-05-11T04:35:00.000-07:00

In edition 19 Gordon White, Kyle Murdoch, Iain Murray and Shona Lyttel chat about the iPad 3G tariffs and whether it's really worth taking a 3G package. We also discuss the dangers of exceeding the monthly bandwidth charge and how we've been caught out in the past. Iain does his usual look at gadgets and Apps and explains why his shiny new HTC Legend has been fired in the space of one episode of the podcast!

We hear from Tim Barlow at Attacat who answers a listener question about the value of regularly updating your YouTube Channel and whether it plays any part Search Engine Optimisation.

You can download or subscribe to the podacst here

Social Media Podcast No.18 - The Digital Economy Act

2010-04-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Digital Economy Act went through parliament under the "was up" procedure - in this episode we speak to Valerie Surgenor, IT Lawyer with Macroberts who explains the "wash up" procedure and some of the key aspects of the Digital Economy Act. Valerie explains where she forsees issues with the act and explains a little about the procedure for making future amendments.
Listen to the podcast
Subscribe to the Social Media Podcast
Download the iPhone App

Can podcasting work for you?

2010-04-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Podcasting is something everyone can do; no need for expensive equipment or dedicated facilities, podcasting is now within the capabilities of anyone with a newish computer or even a 3G mobile device. But, why should you podcast? Will it work for you? What kind of podcast should you do? If you want the answers to these questions and more, take my advice and go along to one, or both, of the podcasting events taking place in Glasgow in the next couple of weeks.

The first of these is this Wednesday at the Scottish Social Media Dinner at the Urban Grill & Brasserie from 6.30pm. There will be three very interesting speakers and many people (some expert, some beginners, some just wanting to find out more) at the dinner and, no matter what your current knowledge, there will be something of interest to you.

Full details of the Scottish Social Media Dinner and booking information are on Craig McGill's Contently Managed blog. Alternatively, you can book your place here.

The second podcasting event this month is at the Glasgow New Media Breakfast at No.29 on 30th April. The breakfast meeting will explore why you might consider podcasting and different styles you might employ. In addition, it will look at the equipment you can use (and most probably have already), where to publish your content, how to promote your show and the cost involved.

Full details of the New Media Breakfast and booking details are available here. Alternatively you can go directly to the booking page here.

If you’re interested in finding out about podcasting, go along to at least one of these events and talk to some people who are already doing it and, who are happy to help with your questions. Personally, I would recommend going to both and really get a cross section of views.

Neither of these events is for profit; both have been organised to help you understand podcasting and help you to make up your own mind if it can help your business.

The iPad - Two weeks on...

2010-04-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

We've been using the iPad for two weeks now and, if you listened to the Social Media Podcast review, you'll know that we concluded that it was a very cool and beautifully designed toy. We have shown it to many people now and most feel the same way - whether it's useful or not people still want one.

Well that was then. We used the iPad in a client meeting on Wednesday and suddenly we realised it is the most remarkable tool for presentations, especially if it's a web based topic you're talking about. The ability to pass the iPad to the client, the ability to find a web site and flip it over to show the client and, the speed at which it works makes it a truly fantastic meeting room device. No need to get the laptop screen at the right angle for someone else to view and no need to huddle round the screen, it was a genuine eye opener.

Battery life is amazing and it makes you wonder why the iPhone is so bad. After a one hour meeting and constant use the battery was still 92%. The iPad doesn't seem to heat up either, maybe someone can explain why that is?

We weren't looking to justify the purchase price but, it's nice when suddenly something you were happy to own as a gadget becomes a truly useful and impressive work tool.

Social Media Podcast goes to No.1 on iTunes

2010-04-08T17:47:00.000-07:00

We are delighted that the Social Media Podcast No.17 has gone to No.1 in the podcasting category for Audio and combined Audio & Video charts on iTunes in less than 24 hours.

The panel consists of Valerie Surgenor, IT Lawyer with MacRoberts, Shona Lyttel, PR & Marketing Manager with Connectedfm, our resident gadget man Iain Murray, CEO with Connectedfm, Alex Dobbie, Designer in Residence, Glasgow School of Art, Kyle Murdoch and Gordon White from Podcastmatters.

We also chat with John McGlynn of the Airlink Group who was kind enough to bring the iPad from New York for us and he tells as a bit about the experience in the queue and some of the people he met.

We also talk briefly about the proposed name change at Podcastmatters Ltd which will happen on the 17th June 2010 and more detail about the reasons for that will be outlined in a future podcast very soon.

Finally we catch up with Colin Gilchrist to talk about the Edinburgh Coffee Mornings and the Edinburgh New Media Breakfast.

Subscribe to the podcast here and it will download

iPad Review Podcast goes to No.2

2010-04-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

We are delighted that the Social Media Podcast No.17 has gone to No.2 in the podcasting category for Audio and combined Audio & Video charts on iTunes in less than 24 hours.

We also chat with John McGlynn of the Airlink Group who was kind enough to bring the iPad from New York for us and he tells as a bit about the experience in the queue and some of the people he met.

Finally we catch up with Colin Gilchrist to talk about the Edinburgh Coffee Mornings and the Edinburgh New Media Breakfast.

Subscribe to the podcast here and it will download

Social Media Podcast - The iPad

2010-04-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to get one of the first iPads in Scotland, less than 24 hours after it was launched in the USA so we got a panel together to try it out, discuss the features and, chat about whether there really is a market for this type of device.

The panel consists of Valerie Surgenor, IT Lawyer with MacRoberts, Shona Lyttel, PR & Marketing Manager with Connectedfm, our resident gadget man Iain Murray, CEO with Connectedfm, Alex Dobbie, Designer in Residence, Glasgow School of Art, Kyle Murdoch and Gordon White from Podcastmatters.

We also chat with John McGlynn of the Airlink Group who was kind enough to bring the iPad from New York for us and he tells as a bit about the experience in the queue and some of the people he met.

We also talk briefly about the proposed name change at Podcastmatters Ltd which will happen on the 17th June 2010 and more detail about the reasons for that will be outlined in a future podcast very soon.

Finally we catch up with Colin Gilchrist to talk about the Edinburgh Coffee Mornings and the Edinburgh New Media Breakfast.

Subscribe to the podcast here and it will download

What you need to know about Podcasting & try the Apple iPad

2010-04-07T18:15:00.000-07:00

GLASGOW NEW MEDIA BREAKFAST
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PODCASTING and TRY THE NEW APPLE iPAD
8am on 30th APRIL 2010 at No.29, Glasgow

Podcasts are one of the most intimate forms of communication, they offer the opportunity for you to talk dirctly in the ear of someone who has chosen to listen to your content. At this breakfast we will look at the various different types of podcast such as Audio, Enhanced Audio and Video and, time permitting, we will attempt to make a podcast during the breakfast featuring interviews with some of the attendees.

We will also have the new Apple iPad on display and you will get the opportunity to try it for yourself during the meeting.

The breakfast will look at the following:

• What is a podcast?
• What is RSS and how does it work?
• Different types of podcast content
• Audio, Enhanced and Video Podcasts - what are they?
• Different ways to make a podcast - Agency and in-house
• What does it cost?
• How long does it take?

We'll also look at some of the companies that are using podcasts and what they do with them

About the speaker:
This breakfast will be presented by the Podcastmatters team

The New Media Breakfast Glasgow is on the 30th April at No.29, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow. You can book your place below.

COMPLIMENTARY FOR 29 MEMBERS
This event is complimentary to 29 Members - If you are a member you should email Malcolm to reserve your place.

COMPLIMENTARY FOR 29 MEMBERS
This event is complimentary to 29 Members - If you are a member you should email Malcolm to reserve your place.

I look forward to seeing you on the 30th.

Social Media Wallpaper for iPad

2010-04-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

This is a Social Media Wallpaper I have created for my iPad, feel free to use it yourself and please follow me on Twitter @gordonwhite

My new iPad

2010-04-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

This is the first blog post made from my new iPad and what a lovely thing it is. We are doing a review of the iPad in our next Social Media Podcast to be recorded on Tuesday afternoon and we are looking for one more member of our review panel for the recording. If you would like to take part, please email me to say you are interested.

The podcast will probably be recorded late afternoon or early evening.

That's all for now, I'm off to explore what else it can do.

What a good breakfast

2010-03-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

We had a great turnout for the New Media Breakfast in Glasgow this morning with a fantastic insight to Search Engine Optimisation and Pay-Per-Click advertising from Tim Barlow from Attacat
.

Tim has done a great blog post on the event and taken the time to post some of the many Twitter messages sent before, during and after the event.

Please take a moment to read Tim's blog post here.

Tim will be doing the same presentation at the Edinburgh New Media Breakfast on the 15th April at The Tower Restaurant in Edinburgh. If you would like to come along please book here

Want to know the truth about Search Optimisation?

2010-03-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

I had a very pleasant lunch yesterday with Tim Barlow and some of the team at Attacat, a great bunch with lots of knowledge, expertise, and enthusiasm. Naturally, the conversation was focused around social media and search optimisation and it occurred to me that perhaps companies could be so wrapped up in adopting new 'sexy' social media tools that they forget about search optimisation.

Search is still the primary method by which someone will find your web site and it shouldn't be overlooked. In fact, you could argue that it is more important than ever; the increase in businesses using social media platforms in addition to their tradition web site could mean it's getting more difficult to be noticed on search engines.

I also think it's a particular area of new media that gets a bad name; everyday I get emails promising me a No.1 listing on Google, how can they possibly promise this? People ask many questions about search optimisation:

• What do search optmisation companies actually do?
• Why do I have to keep optimising my site?
• Can anyone guarantee a No.1 listing?
• How do I decide what to spend on search optimisation?
• Can I do it myself or should I use an agency?

Hopefully we can answer some of these questions for you; Tim Barlow is the next New Media Breakfast speaker, on 26th March in Glasgow and the 15th April in Edinburgh. Tim will give a completely honest and open presentation about search optimisation and, you will have the opportunity to ask him these and any other questions about search optimisation and pay-per-click advertising.

If you would like to attend the New Media Breakfast in Glasgow or Edinburgh please select one of the links below to see full details and booking arrangements

GLASGOW EVENT

EDINBURGH EVENT

Social Media Podcast No.16 now available on iTunes

2010-03-10T15:40:00.000-08:00

Google Execs get jail sentence, Gadgets Galore and where to get a Social Media Policy free

Iain Murray from Chardfm makes his debut as our Gadget advisor, we're still trying to give him a name so please let us know your ideas at gordon@podcastmatters.co.uk Iain discusses lots of great gadgets, web sites and mobile apps.

John Mackenzie, Partner at Pinsent Masons the law firm behind out-law.com joins us to talk about the recent ruling in the Italian Courts which led to three Google Execcutives being handed suspended jail sentences. John explains the law behind this case and why it could be a landmark ruling.

Steve Cook from Empire HR http://www.empirehr.com tells us why it's so important for organisations to have a Social Media Policy and the implications for the companies that don't give out proper guidelines to employees.

Download or subscribe to the podcast here

New Media Breakfast Glasgow 26th March - Search Optimisation and Pay Per Click

2010-03-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION AND PAY PER CLICK MARKETING with TIM BARLOW, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ATTACAT
8am on 26th March 2010 at No.29, Glasgow

Search engine optimisation and pay per click marketing may be grabbing less headlines in the internet marketing world these days. However, they are still very relevant for businesses and gaining in relevance all the time. Search needs to be an integral part of any online marketing plan.

We'll examine the various different elements that make up the Google search experience and how businesses should go about seeking to appear in each different type of listing including:

• Sponsored links
• Regular "natural" results
• Maps/Local
• Shopping Results
• Video

We'll also examine some of the current trends towards more personalised results and social search.

About the speaker:

Tim Barlow is the managing director of Attacat, the Edinburgh-based search engine and internet marketing firm. Tim has been involved in search engine promotion since 1999 when he managed the first Innogy website for National Power. In 2001, Tim launched Pastures-New, one of the UK's leading rental portals, gaining similar levels of traffic with a marketing budget of £100 a month as Rightmove were then achieving with a multi million pound TV campaign. Attacat was set up in 1994 to take advantage of Tim's knowledge.

Self-taught in the art of search engine optimisation and internet marketing (there simply weren't formal courses in those days), Tim passionately believes that good SEO is not rocket science or a black art but simply the result of effective online marketing and web design. This approach has been proven time and again by Tim and his team achieving long lasting high ranks on competitive one and two word phrases for clients in a variety of fields.

Pay per click (such as Google AdWords) has been a long time specialism of Tim and Attacat. Indeed Tim was one of the very first Qualified Google Advertising Professionals in the world and Attacat has held the company version of the qualification since its inception. Attacat use pay per click (PPC) to drive £10s of millions of business for a variety of clients from classic
e-commerce sites to B2B businesses in niches you probably never knew existed.

Tim speaks regularly at both Edinburgh and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce events.

The New Media Breakfast Glasgow is on the 26th March at No.29,
Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow.

You can book your place below.

COMPLIMENTARY FOR 29 MEMBERS

This event is complimentary to 29 Members - If you are a member you
should email Malcolm to reserve your place.

I look forward to seeing you on the 26th.

Social Media on the move - 140 characters goes a long way

2010-03-02T10:32:00.000-08:00

NEW MEDIA BREAKFAST EDINBURGH

19th March 2010

Tower Restaurant, Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1JF

Twitter is on everybody's fingertips, status updates are fast becoming a way of life and the corporate world is getting in on the act; this month's New Media Breakfast will examine various web based sites that help you make full use of Twitter and other social media platforms whilst on the move.

We'll also take a look at some of the smartphone platforms such as: Symbian, Android, iPhone,Windows, Linux and Blackberry.

We are delighted to have Iain Murray, a regular attendee at the New Media Breakfast, to present on this extremely topical subject.

Iain is Managing Director of Chardfm Scotland’s fastest growing fm business, delivering multi-skilled fm services through a network of mobile engineers. The business made a significant investment in technology in 2009 which won them two national awards, the PFM Magazine and i-fm.net e-business award and national contractor of the year award from Mitchells & Butlers. During the same year Chardfm secured significant new business including the account to maintain the Co-operative Groups retail and banking outlets.

Iain has a track record of success in business, starting his first fm business in 1992, he has managed significant property portfolio’s including 68 care homes for Highfield Group. In 1999 Iain established Gardiner & Theobald Facilities Management for the G&T Group which grew to be the largest fm consultancy in the UK, delivering fm advice into the UK and NI governments, MOD, British Library and Cabinet Office. Iain left GTFM in 2004 to establish Jenkins & Marr Facilities Management which was sold to SMC Group plc. in 2006. In 2008 Iain joined Chardfm.

Iain is also the Chairman of the British Institute of Facilities Management the second largest fm Institute globally. His two year tenure finishes in June of this year after which he hoping to is join the Board of Global FM, the worldwide association of associations. Iain has been instrumental in moving the Institute towards more use of Social Media and regularly blogs and tweets during his Institute business. IFMA the American fm association recently published an article in their FMJ publication to their 50,000 readers on social media in business penned by Iain.

Iain is a member of the Entrepreneurial Exchange and is working on their behalf with Enlight the venture philanthropy part of the Exchange providing assistance to Skillforce.

Iain has been affectionately known to his friends as ‘gadget man’ for far too long, he has a passionate interest in technology and has a mantra of ‘if it improves productivity it’s not a gadget’, he started using Social Media in 2007 when he took the Chair of BIFM, blogging weekly until discovering and actively using Twitter, his business Chardfm has won awards for its deployment of technology and is actively using Social Media to develop new business. He has regularly tweeted at the New Media Breakfast’s.

To view this event on Connect, please visit Winning Entrepreneurs New Media Breakfast

Future New Media Breakfasts will take place on a monthly basis and there will be 1 topic covered, they will start at 8am and finish at 9:30am. I hope you will be able to join us for what will be an informative and participative breakfast and if you have any queries in the meantime then please contact Belinda Roberts

Social Media Podcast No.16 with Paul Levinson

2010-02-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Social Media Podcast No.16 is now available on iTunes. In this episode we chat with Paul Levinson, Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University in New York and author of New New Media and 15 other books.

During the discussion we chat about his book, New New Media, social media in politics, China, Amazon, YouTube debates, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, blocking access in the workplace and other new media related subjects.

As you will hear, Paul loves to talk and his passion for new media and writing is evident throughout the conversation, I hope you enjoy listening to him as much as I enjoyed chatting to him.

By 2013 mobile devices will be the most popular method to access the web.

2010-02-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

I've just been corrected by our speaker on Friday, Iain Murray, that mobile devices will become the favoured access method to the internet by 2013 (How quickly things change in Social Media). So, I have decided to repose this blog with the correct heading.

Find out about social media on the move at the New Media Breakfast in Glasgow on the 26th February with Iain Murray for Chardfm and the Podcastmatters team. For full venue, programme and booking details please link here

By 2014 mobile devices will be the most popular access for the internet

2010-02-20T03:24:00.000-08:00

Find out about social media on the move at the New Media Breakfast in Glasgow on the 26th February with Iain Murray for Chardfm and the Podcastmatters team.

For full venue, programme and booking details please link here

Busy end to the week...

2010-02-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

We're having a busy end to the week at Podcastmatters, just got back from the Inverness New Media Breakfast which went extremely well with lots of questions and discussion and, tomorrow morning we have the re-launch of the New Media Breakfast in Edinburgh with Winning Entrepreneurs. We will be re-presenting the first two from the end of last year and the third session will focus on "Social Media in the Workplace", with better opportunities for networking this time round.

New Social Media Podcast - Edition 14

2010-02-13T10:11:00.000-08:00

On the latest Social Media Podcast we have Scott Allison talking about his trip to Las Vegas to visit the headquarters of Zappos who are renowned for their customer service mainly delivered through the use of Twitter. Scot tells us how the trip came about and provides a first hand insight about how Zappos operate the company around 10 core values. It's always useful to look at what successful companies do and even more so when you can hear it from someone who has actually been there and met the people involved.

We were also joined by Iain Murray and Shona Lyttel from Chardfm who talked about Social Media access in the workplace and the forthcoming New Media Breakfast about Social Media on the move. Iain Murray, MD of Chardfm will present on this subject and on the podcast he told us about some of the tools we will be looking at.

Other topics on Edition 14 include our new iPhone App, our favourite applications, who should you put in charge of you social media activity and the forthcoming interview with Paul Levinson, professor of Communication & Media Studies at Fordham University in New York and author of the book, New New Media.

Download Social Media Podcast No.14

Paul Levinson, author of New New Media

2010-02-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

Paul Levinson took time out to talk to us about his book New New Media in a very entertaining and informative interview which will be available soon on the Social Media Podcast. Paul is professor of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University in New York and author of 16 books, some fictional and some non-fictional.

Paul talks about his book, social media in politics, blocking social media access, television, China and much more.

Subscribe to the Social Media Podcast to be sure you get this great interview.

Social Media on the move - 140 characters can go a long way

2010-02-08T15:01:00.000-08:00

Iain is Managing Director of Chardfm Scotland’s fastest growing fm business, delivering multi-skilled fm services through a network of mobile engineers. The business made a significant investment in technology in 2009 which won them two national awards, the PFM Magazine and i-fm.net e-business award and national contractor of the year award from Mitchells & Butlers. During the same year Chardfm secured significant new business including the account to maintain the Co-operative Groups retail and banking outlets.

Iain has a track record of success in business, starting his first fm business in 1992, he has managed significant property portfolio’s including 68 care homes for Highfield Group. In 1999 Iain established Gardiner & Theobald Facilities Management for the G&T Group which grew to be the largest fm consultancy in the UK, delivering fm advice into the UK and NI governments, MOD, British Library and Cabinet Office. Iain left GTFM in 2004 to establish Jenkins & Marr Facilities Management which was sold to SMC Group plc. in 2006. In 2008 Iain joined Chardfm.

Iain is also the Chairman of the British Institute of Facilities Management the second largest fm Institute globally. His two year tenure finishes in June of this year after which he is hoping to join the Board of Global FM, the worldwide association of associations. Iain has been instrumental in moving the Institute towards more use of Social Media and regularly blogs and tweets during his Institute business. IFMA the American fm association recently published an article in their FMJ publication to their 50,000 readers on social media in business penned by Iain.

Iain is a member of the Entrepreneurial Exchange and is working on their behalf with Enlight the venture philanthropy part of the Exchange providing assistance to Skillforce.

Iain has been affectionately known to his friends as ‘gadget man’ for far too long, he has a passionate interest in technology and has a mantra of ‘if it improves productivity it’s not a gadget’, he started using Social Media in 2007 when he took the Chair of BIFM, blogging weekly until discovering and actively using Twitter, his business Chardfm has won awards for its deployment of technology and is actively using Social Media to develop new business. He has regularly tweeted at the New Media Breakfast’s.

The New Media Breakfast Glasgow is on the 26th February at No.29, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow.

You can book your place below.

COMPLIMENTARY FOR 29 MEMBERS

This event is complimentary to 29 Members - If you are a member you
should email Malcolm to reserve your place.

I look forward to seeing you on the 26th.

INVERNESS
Click here for full details on the next New Media Breakfast Inverness 18th February

EDINBURGH

Click here for full details on the next New Media Breakfast Edinburgh 19th February

NEW MEDIA BREAKFAST INVERNESS

2010-02-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce, due to numerous requests, we have scheduled our first New Media Breakfast in Inverness on the 18th February at the Kingsmills Hotel in association with Empire HR.

You can see full venue, programme and booking details here

News about Edinburgh Breakfast:
We have also posted details of the Re-Launch of the New Media Breakfast in Edinburgh in association with Winning Entrepreneurs. You can see full venue, programme and booking details here

New Media Breakfast Re-launch in Edinburgh with Winning Entrepreneurs

2010-02-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to announce the re-launch of the New Media Breakfast Edinburgh. The resounding success of these breakfast meetings has led us to rethink how we manage and run them in the future and we decided that these would run far more efficiently with a local partner in each city (New Media Breakfasts are now in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness starts on 18th February), we are please to announce that Winning Entrepreneurs will be our partner in all furure Edinburgh breakfasts. This first event starts with registration at 7:45am and will finish at 10:15am. 3 topics will be covered with a 15 minute break at 9am.

As some of you are aware, Pocastmatters ran 2 of these events at the end of last year therefore the first 2 topics covered will re-visit the presentations given previously. If you attended these and a re-cap of those topics is relevant to you then please arrive for registration at 9am. Following on from the presentation, there will be a Q and A session and the opportunity to network with fellow attendees. Each New Media breakfast will feature specific areas of new media and will demonstrate via live examples how commercial businesses and non-profit organisations are using these to market themselves to raise brand awareness, increase brand loyalty and improve customer relationships.

TOPIC 1 - WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA ALL ABOUT? 8am

New or Social Media is on everyone’s lips, we hear references to Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In and other new media tools on a daily basis but, do we really understand them or know what they do?

Topics covered include:

• Social networking
• Facebook, Bebo, MySpace etc.
• Niche networking
• B2B, B2C and Non-Profit
• Podcasting, RSS and iTunes - Audio and Video
• Viral video and video syndication
• YouTube, Viddler, Facebook, iTunes etc
• Blogging
• Micro blogging - Twitter, FriendFeed, Facebook Status Updates etc.
• Live broadcasting - Audio and Video
• Virtual Worlds
• Social Bookmarking and Tagging

TOPIC 2 - NICHE NETWORKING & DEVELOPING YOUR ONLINE COMMUNITY
We will look at examples of how some of our clients are using Niche Networks to engage and communicate with existing and potential customers.

This will include B2B, B2C and Non-Profit organisations. We will look at open and closed networks and the ways that companies are growing their communities.

TOPIC 3 - SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE WORKPLACE 9:15am
Exploring the issues surrounding employee access and the use of social media as a communication tool. What are the potential pitfalls if they do? There is no right or wrong answer to this; many factors will influence whether or not it is right for your business. With this in mind, we will explore the topic in order to help you make a more informed decision about allowing access and the use of social media in your business.

• Does enabling social networks in the workplace adversely affect productivity?
• What are the options if I do allow staff to use social networks?
• Are guidelines available?
• What are other organisations doing?
• What are the potential risks and rewards?
• Will it fit with other marketing activities?
• What does it cost?
• What are the common mistakes?
• Can you keep your brand off social media?

To view this event on Connect, please visit Winning Entrepreneurs New Media Breakfast

Future New Media Breakfasts will take place on a monthly basis and there will be 1 topic covered, they will start at 8am and finish at 9:30am. I hope you will be able to join us for what will be an informative and participative breakfast and if you have any queries in the meantime then please contact Belinda Roberts

Podcastmatters App now listed on iTunes

2010-02-01T04:53:00.000-08:00

The podcastmatters iPhone App is now fully listed in the iTunes Store. The App allows you to download and listen to the latest Social Media Podcast from Podcastmatters and displays show notes for each episode. You can link to our pp page on iTunes here

Looking forward to a good discussion...

2010-01-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

With 83 people pre-booked for the New Media Breakfast at 8am in 29, Glasgow, we're looking forward to some interesting discussion about Social Media in the workplace.

We've got representatives from over 60 organisations and a wide variety of market sectors so hopefully we'll get a real cross section of views.

Watch out for our report and social media podcast.

We've got our own iPhone App!

2010-01-25T09:59:00.000-08:00

Podcastmatters now has an iPhone App called "Podcastmatters" (lots of thought went into that). with the App installed you can access the Social Media Podcast directly from your iPhone. You can also read the show notes for each podcast and share an episode with your Facebook friends.

I created the App in iSites which is a new site that allows you to create you App for $25; you create all the graphics and links and they take care of the iTunes submission for you - it's all very simple.

The company has been inundated with applications, so much so that they sent me an email yesterday saying they intended to batch all the orders and submit 75-100 Apps each day to iTunes. They also said they have stopped taking payments until they clear the current backlog. I thought I might have to wait a while for the App but this morning I noticed two mentions of our new App on a Google Alert for Podcastmatters - I clicked the link and there it was.

It works extremely well and, not that we've got it listed, we can start to tweek it and improve it. I have already noticed that the iTunes Store graphic is too small so I've changed it and uploaded a new graphic - it will be interesting to see how long that takes to filter through.

Social Media Podcast No.13 - We are currently at No.2 on iTunes

2010-01-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

We released Edition No.13 of the Social Media Podcast on Thursday and it's now at No.2 in the Audio Podcasting section in the Podcast Category. Download it to find out what we did in a car park in Inverurie and what happened to Evan Ratliff...you could just help us to that No.1 spot AGAIN!

Download the podcast on iTunes Click Here

Social Media Podcast No.13 - What we did in a car park in Inverurie!

2010-01-20T10:32:00.000-08:00

In this episode we discuss the Wired Magazine article - Vanish. Evan Ratliff tried to disappear for a month, did he conduct a realistic exercise. Can you disappear and maintain a social media profile? Read the article in Wired

We talk to Eddie Gilmour, MD of Spymasters about the exercise and your digital footprint

We also talk about Bakupify which offers a back-up service for all your social media activity

What we got up to in a car park in Inverurie with a cow!

Beans on Toast - We review the Red Laser iPhone App

We also review a couple of other iPhone Apps - AudioBoo and Four Square

Although, we may have referred to Four Square as SquareSpace in the podcast which is something completely different! We will address this in the next podcast (I blame Kyle!)

New Media Breakfast 29th January - Social Media in the Work Place

What happens at a Fake Bake at Home Party?

2010-01-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

We recently filmed a FaKe Bake at Home Party to capture what actually happens at these events, what we didn't figure out in advance was how much of the footage we couldn't use on a public channel!!! I guess that's what happens when 20 women get together in their casual gear drinking wine and champagne!!!

Here's the video footage we could use.

New Media Breakfast Glasgow 29th January

2010-01-11T03:13:00.000-08:00

SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE WORKPLACE

Exploring the issues surrounding employee access and the use of social media as a communication tool.

We have been asked on numerous occasions in the latter part of 2009, and already in 2010, about allowing employees access to social networks at work; should they encourage employees to use social networking in connection with their business and, what are the potential pitfalls if they do?

There is no right or wrong answer to this; many factors will influence whether or not it is right for your business. With this in mind, the next New Media Breakfast will explore the topic in order to help you make a more informed decision about allowing access and the use of social media in your business.

The meeting will be an open discussion with two or three very short presentations designed to help the process. We are still formalising the exact content of each presentation however, we will structure them to help cover the following issues:

• Does enabling social networks in the workplace adversely affect productivity?

• What are the options if I do allow staff to use social networks?

• Are guidelines available?

• What are other organisations doing?

• What are the potential risks and rewards?

• Will it fit with other marketing activities?

• What does it cost?

• What are the common mistakes?

• Can you keep your brand off social media?

We don’t particularly want to focus too much on actual social media tools, they will change; this discussion is more about the principle of adopting social media as a communication tool.

There is little doubt you will continue to hear about social media in 2010 and you will probably be asking if, and when, it is right for your business; hopefully this New Media Breakfast will help you to focus on the issues you need to consider to make the right decision.

So, if you would like to be part of the discussion or, you simply want to hear what others think, come along on the 29^th to No. 29, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow. We would like to see you there and we look forward to finding out the thoughts of business leaders, charitable organisations and the public sector about this extremely important issue.

To book your place click here and follow the payment details at the bottom of the page.

No.29 Members

If you are a 29 Member please email Malcolm with your name, company name and 29 membership number.

Social Media Podcast No.12

2010-01-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

Just like buses, you wait ages for one then three come along in quick succession.

This is a short interview with John McTaggart of Modernity Scotland. John talks about social media in education and how Modernity Scotland are using social networks to deliver up-to-date content. He also talks about the use of social media by the political parties ahead of the General Election and why social media may be even more important in the Scottish Elections.

Thank you to John for the interview.

Forget No.5 we're No.1 now!

2009-12-29T02:46:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone that downloaded or subscribed to the Social Media Podcast, We're No.1 in the Podcasting Section for Audio Podcasts this morning and, No.4 in the combined Audio and Video Podcasting Charts.

Gary Dixon, Spectrum Personnel asked me this morning why the podcast was doing so well; I said to him that, whilst word-of-mouth plays large part in these things, it is the extent and reach of our social media footprint that gets the word out there in the first place. When we released this podcast we promoted it on several platforms some of which are listed below:

• Podcastmatters Blog
• Podcastmatters Social Network
• Podcastmatters Twitter
• Gordon White's personal Twitter
• Design Matters Twitter
• Kyle Murdoch's Twitter
• New Media Breakfast Twitter
• Facebook
• Social Media Group on Spectrum Social Network
• New Media Update Group on Engage (Entrepreneurial Exchange's online network)
• Social Media Podcast Group on Podcastmatters Network
• Linked-In

These were the main outlets however, there are other networks that our updates post to via Ping.fm and FriendFeed

This highlights the benefits of a good social media presence. It is also worth noting that we didn't create this presence yesterday - it has taken a long time and we will continue to develop our community and take advantage of all new opportunities. New Year is traditionally a time to reflect on where you are and plan for the future, you should be looking at how you can create your on-line community during 2010, believe me, it's worth it.

If you want to download or subscribe to the Social Media Podcast please click here

Social Media Podcast Top 5 positions on iTunes

2009-12-28T18:42:00.000-08:00

We are delighted with the progress we're making with the Social Media Podcast - today it rose from No.57 to No.5 in the Podcasting category.

The most recent podcast No.11 is a round-up of the year and some discussion about recent news stories like Telstra's commitment to Social Media and Pepsi's decision to put their $20 million Superbowl advertising budget into a Social Media campaign meaning they will not launch a new advert during the ball game for the first time in 23 years.

We round off the year with a look back at 2009 and a look forward to 2010 when we will continue the New Media Breakfast series as well as launching a new event in Inverness.

You can download all episodes of the podcast or subscribe here

Rounding off the year

2009-12-24T15:30:00.000-08:00

Social Media Podcast No.11 is now available on iTunes. We chat about the hot stories this week in Social Media nad round up the year with a look at some of the work we've been doing and explore things like the "Book of the Year", Quote of the Year, Video of the Year and some other general ramblings.

You can search for "Social Media Podcast on iTunes or, link to it here.

Very encouraging story...

2009-12-24T05:19:00.000-08:00

It's very encouraging to read stories like the recent post on Mashable about Telstra and their commitment to social media.

Telstra have recently announced mandatory social media training for its 40,000+ staff. They have formalized a '3R's' policy (responsibility, respect and representation) which will empower every member of staff online.

Furthermore, they are re-enforcing their commitment to transparency by announcing their intention to publish their training guides on line.

Well done Telstra.

If you look at the Mashable link you will also see that Pepsi have announced they are withdrawing from Superbowl advertising after 23 straight years. This is not a cost cutting exercise, they are spending the $20 million budget on a social media campaign instead. As reported on Mashable, "Rather than spending money on a Super Bowl ad, Pepsi will launch the Pepsi Refresh Project on January 13, 2010. At that time, users can submit their ideas to Pepsi for ways to refresh their communities, making the world a better place."

This is a major piece of news because Pepsi were one of the companies that made Superbowl adverts iconic in the past, their shift to social media speaks volumes about the changing nature of communication, advertising and engagement.

Can you opt out of Social Media?

2009-12-15T11:44:00.000-08:00

You may have seen my recent Twitter post about the Atholl Hotel in Aberdeen not allowing us to plug in a laptop - we were asked not to use their electricity. There were many comments and retweets about this; one Twitter user even recalled a food poisoning scare from last year at the same hotel - not something they would have wanted to re-kindle I'm sure.

This was a good example of how businesses will end up on social media whether they like it or not. People can update their status anytime, anywhere. So, people involved in customer service should be particularly mindful that a bad customer experience will be transmitted around the world instantly. Just the other day a friend of mine, John McGlynn of the Airlink Group posted about a bad experience he was having with EasyJet, I knew all about it, while it was happening. To be fair to EasyJet, they do monitor Twitter posts and I know that Iain Murray of ChardFM received a voucher because he did defend EasyJet in a Twitter post.

The Atholl Hotel incident was closely followed (the next day) by a similar set of circumstances in Simpson's Hotel in Aberdeen - we needed to charge our laptops whilst having a meeting and coffees in their lounge area, they were happy to let us do it - and their coffee was better and cheaper!

The whole incident reminded me of a blog post I read back in February this year from Chris Brogan about the Roger Smith Hotel in New York who actively promote their understanding and commitment to new media by encouraging users to have their meetings in the hotel. Now it's the place that most new media people (and I suspect many from traditional media) choose to stay in New York City, the Atholl Hotel could do with taking a leaf out of their book.

The point is, you can't opt out of social media, everyone is now connected and bad customer experiences will be reported. Understanding and embracing social media is the way forward, connect and engage with your customers, watch what their saying about you and act accordingly.

Christmas Videos for Heroes - 16th December, Holiday Inn, Glasgow

2009-12-15T10:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas Videos for Heroes from Holiday Inn
Families offered chance to record personal video messages at Holiday Inn Glasgow

This December, a vast number of men and women from the UK will be serving abroad during the Christmas period. To help spread some festive cheer, the Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport is offering family and friends the chance to record a personal video message for their loved ones overseas.

Taking place from 10am until 1pm on Wednesday 16th December 2009, the Holiday Inn Glasgow will provide staff, cameras and a media suite to enable family and friends to come in and record up to three minutes of footage per video. Each video recorded on the day will be uploaded to the dedicated YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/HolidayInnHeroes, for service men and women to view online.

Commenting on this initiative, Douglas Winfield, General Manager at the Holiday Inn Glasgow said, “We wanted to do something for those local serving men and women who will be away from their families this Christmas, and we hope these messages will make this time more bearable and remind them that they are always in our thoughts. This is a way for us to show our appreciation for the work they are doing to make our country safer. We look forward to welcoming friends and families to record their messages of love and support for our brave heroes.”

Anyone wishing to record a personal video message should call Kate Trussler on 0131 226 3000 and book a time slot.

IHG, the world’s largest Hotel company, owners of such popular brands as Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Intercontinental and more, have set up a 35% discount scheme on short breaks, for all Forces/MOD family and personal as part of their commitment for Help For Heroes. This means that forces families can benefit from this great offer all year round across Europe for Short Breaks, Holidays, and theme parks. Visit www.IHG.com/forces for more information. The offer is available to all forces members from cadets to vets.

New Media Breakfast Glasgow 27th November

2009-12-01T05:29:00.000-08:00

The Glasgow breakfast in Friday 27th seems to have been a success with lots of good feedback about John MacKenzie's presentation on legal issues and user generated content. John MacKenzie, partner with Pinsent Masons is clearly an expert in this field and, a very enthusiastic user of social media. And, what a great compliment to his presentation that we ran out of time for the scheduled look at some viral video, the Q&A session and discussion was too good to cut short.

John took us through case studies covering the following topics:

• Using third party's material
• Ownership of material posted on social networking or blogging sites
• Mashups
• Web-scraping
• Protecting reputation on Facebook
• False testimonials

John also referred to some articles and web sites during his presentation, I have listed these here in no particular order:

• Bogus online reviews face EU ban
• ECJ rulings on Google keywords might not resolve controversy, warns High Court
• Monsterski raising money for the MS Trust
• Swede can't swallow McDonald's Pizza
• Tech companies revealed as source of fake reviews
• Why the Advocate General got Google Adwords wrong
• Wikipedia:Text of Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Thank you again to John for his presentation, I recommend you come along and hear him at the New Media Breakfast in Edinburgh if you missed him in Glasgow. (Date of New Media Breakfast in Edinburgh to be confirmed)

Thanks also to No.29 who again provided the bacon rolls, tea and coffee with excellent service and attention to detail. What a difference it makes to turn up at a venue and have everything provided the way they said it would be. (See my previous post about Pittodrie in Aberdeen)

The December New Media Breakfast would have fallen between Christmas and New Year so, we have decided to make the next one on the 29th January 2010, we will be posting details about the topic and speakers in due course. To be sure that you are kept up to date with all the events you should join the Podcastmatters Network then join the New Media Breakfast Group where you can get all the details and leave comments or suggestions for the New Media Breakfast Team.

New Media Breakfast Aberdeen 24th November

2009-11-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

We were delighted with the response to the first New Media Breakfast in Aberdeen last Tuesday.

The morning got off to a bad start when we arrived at Pitoddrie (home of Abedeen Football Club) at 6.30am as arranged and there was nobody to let us in. In fact, some attendees had arrived before us for the 7am start and we were all left out in the cold for 20 minutes.

Inside things weren't much better; the sound technician they had promised us hadn't turned up and still hadn't by the time we finished at 10am. Thank you to Graeme Coghill of K10 Solutions who managed to figure out the projectors and sound for us.

The late arrival of the Pittodrie staff meant there were no bacon rolls for people on arrival so, we moved them back to the scheduled break at 8.15am.

There were over 80 people in attendance which was remarkable for such an early start on a cold November morning and, all in all, the feedback was superb. I attended the CLAN Ball in Aberdeen on Friday evening and I was still getting great feedback from people who had been at the breakfast. CLAN were also the beneficiaries from the profits of breakfast with a cheque for over £400 being presented to them as part of the fundraising on Friday evening.

The Ball raised over £130k and this was in no small way due to the extremely hard work put in by Pauline Cook of Fraser Media and Steve Cook of Empire HR who we also owe a big thanks to for arranging the Aberdeen New Media Breakfast.

We haven't set a date for the next New Media Breakfast yet but, we are looking to be back in Aberdeen for the next event around the end of Jaunary or beginning of February - watch this space for further details!

Do you know your legal position with social media?

2009-11-24T07:18:00.000-08:00

There are many issues surrounding New and Social Media that users must be aware of, particularly if you are adopting this as a medium to promote your business, your brand or, your products.

• Who actually owns the content posted on social network?
• What rights do your employees have to the contact base they create in your time?
• Astrotrurfing - the issues of transparency and disclosure
• Scrapping – gathering content from other sites for your own use
• Social networks in the workplace – employers and employees rights?

These are just some of the topics that need to be considered when employing social media. John MacKenzie, Partner with Pinsent Masons, will discussing these and other issues at this week’s New Media Breakfast (Friday 27th November at No.29). This promises to be an extremely informative presentation with lots of valuable advice for anyone using social media. I hope you can make it along, I’m sure you wont be disappointed.

We will also take a brief look at some effective viral video to show you how some consumer products and business to business users are utillising sites like YouTube to get their messages out. I hope you can make it along, I’m sure you wont be disappointed. You can book your place at the breakfast here or, call Fiona on 0141 616 3152 and she will add your name to the attendance list.

I look forward to seeing you there.

John is a Solicitor Advocate who deals with a range of commercial litigation matters. His principal expertise lies in intellectual property, and IT litigation. John also advises client on IP portfolio management, and particularly online disputes. John has dealt with many major claims before the Court of Session and appears before the higher courts on a regular basis. His clients have included UK and global banking, IT, energy, manufacturing and utility companies. He has also carried out extensive advocacy before the Inner House of the Court of Session (Court of Appeal equivalent).

John regularly lectures and writes on IP and dispute resolution issues and is the author of the book ‘Written Pleadings’. He sits on the Lord President's Consultative Committee on Commercial Actions.

Breakfast Update and welcome Aberdeen!

2009-11-18T02:39:00.000-08:00

We already have 60+ people attending the New Media Breakfast in Aberdeen on the 24th November but, as I mentioned in a recent Tweet, Pittodrie is a big venue so there's still time to book your place.

GLASGOW & EDINBURGH:
The next Glasgow breakfast is Friday 27th November. The main speaker for this and the next Edinburgh event is John MacKenzie, Partner at Pinsent Mason who will talk about IP and legal issues surrounding user generated content.

We will also take a short (light hearted) look at Viral Video and how organisations are using this to great advantage.

If you would like to book your place at any of these events please click here.

Speaker announcement for New Media Breakfast

2009-11-11T14:50:00.000-08:00

We are pleased that John MacKenzie, Partner with legal firm Pinsent Masons is going to be the main speaker at our next new Media breakfast in Glasgow (27th November) and Edinburgh (4th December - TBC).

John will be talking about various legal aspects of user generated content in social media in what promises tobe a most interesting useful presentation.

John is a Solicitor Advocate who deals with a range of commercial litigation matters. His principal expertise lies in intellectual property, and IT litigation. John also advises client on IP portfolio management, and particularly online disputes. John has dealt with many major claims before the Court of Session and appears before the higher courts on a regular basis. His clients have included UK and global banking, IT, energy, manufacturing and utility companies. He has also carried out extensive advocacy before the Inner House of the Court of Session (Court of Appeal equivalent).

John regularly lectures and writes on IP and dispute resolution issues and is the author of the book ‘Written Pleadings’. He sits on the Lord President's Consultative Committee on Commercial Actions.

To book your place at the New Media Breakfast please click here.

New Media Breakfast Edinburgh 13th Novemmber

2009-11-09T03:09:00.000-08:00

The next New Media Breakfast Edinburgh this Friday will look at Niche Networks and Building an Online Community. This will be an interesting (and sometime humorous) look at what companies are doing in New Media and how they are engaging in converstaion and building relationships with their customers.

If you would like to come along please reserve your place, you can get full details and booking information here

New Media Breakfast Glasgow - Notes

2009-10-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

The New Media Breakfast today in Glasgow had over 90 people in attendance, very encouraging to see so many people at 8am on a late October morning, thank you all for coming and, for the overwhelming support for what we are trying to do in the emails we have received today.

I must say, it was a relief to get home in one piece - explaining the Little Miss Matched socks to the assembled audience was one thing, explaining it to a couple of paramedics may have been another!

As promised, I have listed below some of the links to the various books I mentioned this morning for those not technically savvy enough to have picked them up from Iain Murray's Twitter posts = thanks Iain for posting them and, for letting us know that Neville Hobson sent us a message.

I would also like to thank No.29 again for their continued support of the event.

Here we go...

SIX PIXELS OF SEPARATION - This is a link to the blog where you can get details of the podcast and Mitch Joel's Book.
PURPLE COW - Link to the book on Amazon
SETH GODIN - Link to Seth's blog
THE CLUETRAIN MANIFESTO - BOOK - Link to Amazon.co.uk
THE CLUETRAIN MANIFESTO - Link to the Cluetrain web site
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BLOG - Link to the Hobson & Holtz report blog
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Link to the podcast on iTunes
SOCIAL MEDIA PODCAST - Link to the Podcastmatters Social Media Podcast
LITTLE MISS MATCHED SOCKS - Link to web site. Go on get with the craze!

NEXT EVENT and GUEST SPEAKERS

The next New Media Breakfast Glasgow will be on the 27th November in No.29 and you can book your place now at http://www.tinyurl.com/newmediabreakfast

This breakfast is the morning after the Entrepreneurial Exchange Annual Awards Dinner which is normally a late night with lots of "networking" so, it's probably a good time to introduce guest speakers to the New Media Breakfast. We already have some volunteers but we are looking for more so that we can twin topics. The idea being that we will have two speaker per event with approximately 25 mins each including Q&A's. So, if you would like to take part in the future, or indeed on the 27th Nov, please email me (Gordon) with details of your area of expertise and availability.

We like to try and keep the content of Glasgow and Edinburgh the same each month so it would be good if guest speakers can take part in both events.

We are trying to do something positive - New Media Breakfast Glasgow 30/10/09

2009-10-30T05:56:00.000-07:00

We've just got back from the 2nd Glasgow New Media Breakfast and what a great event. Over 90 people turned up and so far we've had lots of great feedback on Twitter, Facebook and via email, it's nice when people appreciate what you're trying to do and the effort you've put in to something.

There was one comment on Iain Hepburn's AudioBoo.fm, "Boo Media Breakfast" that I tried to respond to on the AudioBoo site but couldn't. I don't know if Iain doesn't allow comments or if the comment function is not working so, I thought I would post it here on our own blog. First, you should listen to Iain's AudioBoo comment.

Link to Iain M Hepburn's AudioBoo

Just listened to Iain's AudioBoo comment and, yet again I despair. This was always promoted as an event for business people who are beginners in New Media; nowhere have we ever claimed it to be anything else, Iain seems to be having a problem grasping this. Yes, experienced New Media people turn up and we're happy to have them but the primary intended audience has always been business people who want to find out about new media.

There were 91 people in attendance and everybody that myself and my team spoke to afterwards claim to have learned something from it, I'm happy with that.

There also seems to be some confusion about the Dubai network site. Craig did touch on the use of competitions as a "hook” that is exactly why we use them. The competitions help us get the word out about the network, if a member has joined there is a good chance other people he or she knows will also be interested because they are in his address book or, "community". At know time did I claim that 47,000 people were interested in going to Dubai. In fact, a very very small proportion of that 47k will accept the invitation to join but the ones that do will opt in because they are interested in that niche topic.

Reference to our clients is surely understandable; they're the ones we have live experience with therefore the most knowledgeable about.

Showing this morning's audience how to set up a Ning site would have been a total waste of their time, even if every single person in the room decided they must have one of these today, only a handful (if that) would actually do it themselves. However, I concede that I know more about the attendees and their positions than you or Craig so this is perhaps more obvious to me.

Iain, you also posted the following on Twitter, "Gordon White admits he's not even looked at the Kingsmill confessional campaign. How the hell can he cite it as a good example then”. Were you in the same room as me? I specifically said I couldn't comment on whether it was a good campaign or not because I hadn't looked at it. Kingsmill was raised to highlight an example of how companies are engaging with customers and I made that very clear. If you don't agree, I invite you to come to our office and watch the video footage of what I said.

How can encouraging people to engage on other people’s networks be considered spam? The whole point of these social networks is to engage.

In summary, I am happy that you comment via Audio Boo, your blog and Twitter, all I ask is that when you do so you consider everything in it's proper context. The people this is intended for are giving us great feedback and the numbers have risen from 72 at the first one to 91 at today's event, it might only be 20 at the next one, who knows and, who cares as long as the intended audience is learning something.

Lastly, the comments about "a lack of engagement with the audience", you didn't ask any questions or contribute to any part of the conversations that went on, is there a reason that you dont speak up at the time?

We are trying to create something good for a specific audience and we are fully aware that people will have their own opinion about our motives but, the fact is there is a lot of work has to go into the organisation and presentation, It would be nice if you at the very least acknowledged that fact.

Gordon White
Podcastmatters

NEW MEDIA BREAKFAST - TOPIC

2009-10-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

A few people have been asking about the topic for the next new media breakfasts in Glasgow and Edinburgh (Glasgow 30th October, Edinburgh 13 November), this has been more difficult to decide than you might think. There's a large cross section of people attending the events and we want to keep them as interesting as possible for everyone present.

For the next event we will featuring one main topic: Niche Networking and Developing Your Online Community.

We will look at examples of how some of our clients are using Niche Networks to engage and communicate with existing and potential customers. This will include B2B, B2C and Non Profit organisations. We will look at open and closed networks and the various ways that companies are growing their communities.

We will also try to feature some news items (suggestions are very welcome) and maybe throw in the odd light-hearted look at social media. There will of course be a Q&A session and some good old fashioned networking.

New Media Breakfast Edinburgh

2009-10-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

We launched the New Media Breakfast Edinburgh yesterday in Amicus Apple and all seemed to go well

On Wednesday Kyle and I went to Amicus Apple to check the AV set up and make final arrangements with Calum Mackinnon, owner of Amicus, I must admit we were worried about the choice of venue and whether it was going to work, it was certainly going to be intimate!

Thursday saw a late run of bookings which meant we had to add an additional presentation form 10am - 11am, Fiona got on the phone and managed to speak to around 15 people who were happy to switch to the later time. All in all, I think the layout and venue worked really well, a much different feel to the Glasgow Event which attracted over 70 people but, it was equally good.

I'll leave it to others to comment on the content however, thank you to Calum and his team - we got lots of positive feedback about the bacon rolls - and we were very well looked after. We are all looking forward to the next event on the 13th November.

You can also enter the Amicus Apple competition to win a Christmas Meal for you and 10 friends, go to the Amicus site for more details.

Social Media Podcast Edition 8 - Alastair Campbell

2009-09-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

Former Head of Communications for the Labour Party, Alastair Campbell gives us his thoughts on using Social Media in politics and, his opinion of how prepared the current political parties in the U.K are for running a effective social media campaign. A huge thanks again to Alistair for taking the time out to record this interview. We also talk about the range of companies attending the New Media Breakfast in Glasgow. We are now also holding this event in Edinburgh.

PLAY

RSS

iTunes

Twitter

New Media Breakfast
Podcastmatters

I'm doing the ironing

2009-09-24T14:37:00.000-07:00

Just ironing out a few of kinks ahead of the New Media Breakfast in Edinburgh

New Media Breakfast Edinburgh

2009-09-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

We are now taking bookings for the New Media Breakfast in Edinburgh on Friday 9th October in Amicus Apple on Frederick Street. Please book early for this event because number are limited.

We are also now taking bookings for the next New Media Breakfast in Glasgow on 30th October in No.29 in Exchange Square at 8am.

Click here to book for Glasgow and Edinburgh events

Social Media Podcast with Alastair Campbell...and others

2009-09-24T13:49:00.001-07:00

The new Social Media Podcast featuring an interview with Alastair Campbell is now on iTunes, you can listen to it here

2008-12-22T12:50:00.001-08:00

Please join the official FAKE BAKE "SAVE YOUR SKIN" campaign that seeks to highlight the dangers of sunbeds at
http://ping.fm/tcsu6?gid=37185114613&ref=ts

2008-12-21T04:08:00.001-08:00

Still not decided what top do for Hogmanay?
http://ping.fm/He8ag

The Power of Podcasting

2006-11-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

Delivering messages directly into a persons ear has to be the most intimate and direct methods of communication. I know I would rather hear someone explain something than read it in a memo or email. I would rather have something technical shown to me than read a complicated instruction manual and, I would rather take a walk through a hotel via a video podcast than wait for the highly 'staged' glossy brochure arrive through the post.

By listening to someone you can hear the emotion and the passion they have for their product or service. Having been in design for over 20 years I can certainly say that it is very difficult to portray the company owners passion on the printed page, podcasting makes it easy.

Having discovered this means of communication I have dug deeper to see what it's being used for. When you do this you quickly realize that the opportunities are limitless and I haven't found a single company in my client portfolio who couldn't take advantage of podcasting.

Here are some of the ways that organisations are using podcasts:

A certain airline company has offered free pre-loaded Mp3 players as an incentive to use their premium services. Passengers received a corporate branded MP3 player preloaded with an audio magazine about other destinations served the airline.

A luxury car manufacturer offered MP3 players to encourage customers to take test drives. The players were preloaded with an audio infomercial with customer testimonials and interviews with engineers and designers.

A financial institution gave away MP3 players to new customers as an incentive. The players were loaded with an audio magazine giving valuable advice on investment and money management strategies.

Perhaps the most significant use I have come across is the move by National Semi Conductor to issue 8500 staff with video iPods. National Semi Conductor has identified podcasting as the most effective way to communicate and train their staff.

Having been 100% convinced about the effectiveness of podcasting I have now set up a podcast production company in Glasgow, Scotland. The site http://www.podcastmatters.co.uk gives more examples of how organisations are using this exciting tool. The site also gives detailed explanations about how it all works and all the different aspects of podcasting.

SCRIPTING

2006-10-29T14:36:00.000-08:00

The content is the most important part of a podcast.

No amount of editing, clever presentation or catchy music will mask bad content.

If the message is not interesting or valuable, people wont listen.

Podcastmatters will assist you with scripting, ensuring you have the correct content mix to make your podcasting both interesting and informative.

You may wish to provide your own content or, parts of it, if so we can work with you to ensure it is a suitable format, length and style for your podcast.

Whilst each podcast is scripted, it is not necessarily going to be presented in a scripted manner. We work with you to achieve a unique style for your podcast, which may be in the form of a discussion or an interview. The aim is to get your particular message to your target audience in the manner they will best accept it.

There may be people in the organisation that can present your podcast with greater passion than a professional presenter can, if so we can work with them to develop their broadcast presentation skills.

DEVELOPING A STRATEGY

2006-10-29T14:35:00.001-08:00

Like any corporate communication, podcasts need proper planning.

If you intend to use podcasting as a means of communication, it is important to develop a strategy that clearly identifies your objectives and truly reflects your brand.

Here are some of the initial considerations:

What is the purpose of the podcast, promotion, information, training or, a mixture of some or all?

What style is most appropriate, serious, humorous, light-hearted, corporate or, a mixture?

Presentation; in-house staff member or external professional.

Who will provide the content, generated internally, sourced externally or, combination of both?

How frequently will you produce podcasts, regular productions or released as required?

What is the target length of the programme?

How do you plan to promote the podcast service to existing and new customers?

Podcastmatters work closely with clients to help establish a strategy that fulfils all the aims and objects and promotes the brand in a professional manner.

PODCASTS FOR EDUCATION

2006-10-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

Delivering information in an interesting manner makes the learning experience much easier. This applies whether the students are young or mature.

For young students the technology is appealing, most children are able to operate mp3 players and the vast majority already own them. Delivering lessons or revision sessions on podcast is an ideal way to reach the younger generation outside the classroom in a manner they will embrace.

The mature student is very often learning in their spare time. They need to be able to get lessons, information and study at odd times. Podcast delivery opens many more learning opportunities for these people.

It is not only convenient for the students to learn via podcasts, educators can benefit greatly from this new media. By committing lessons and lectures to podcast, they can create the perfect reference and revision tools.

Many individuals from commerce and industry have relevant experiences to share with students but simply don't have the time to offer, podcasting can be the key to releasing a vast wealth of knowledge not currently shared.

PODCASTS FOR PROMOTION

2006-10-29T14:34:00.000-08:00

Marketing and promotion is a key factor to success of any business. Communicating your message is vital if you are to gain market share.

Podcasting gives you a vital edge. Clear messages delivered directly into your customers’ ear.

It is very affordable. For the cost to produce a 30 second radio commercial, plus a minimal cost to host and serve the podcasts, you can be reaching your target customer in an entirely new way.

Apple estimated 10 million iTunes users in 2005, while some research analysts suggest it may be as many as 200 million today.

Here is an interesting development. Apple has collaborated with Motorola to offer an iTunes ready wireless phone device, the Motorola SLVR. Now you can listen to your music and podcasts right on your wireless phone.

Podcasting will very shortly not be just about viewing or listening on mp3 players. So if you do choose to use this medium as an advertising vehicle, your target will very soon have many different ways to review your message.

You should also note that podcasting is an opt-in service, meaning the receiver has given the podcaster permission to send it to them in an ongoing way.

PODCASTING FOR TRAINING

2006-10-29T14:33:00.000-08:00

Training is essential to any business. In a fast moving technological world, there is a constant need to train, update and refresh employees. Unfortunately, training staff means taking them away from their normal role and that is costly.

Podcasting reduces staff downtime.

By developing a podcast based training programme it is possible to deliver strong, effective messages to staff without the need to take them from the workplace. Remember: you don't need to be download a podcast to an mp3 player; you can be view them on a computer.

National Semiconductor has already purchased 8500 iPod Videos to distribute to staff for training and communication. This represents a $3m dollar investment in hardware alone; they obviously believe there is a value in podcast training.

Content doesn't necessarily need to be generated by the company; other relevant podcasts are distributable via the same channels as the in-house training versions.

Consumer product training via podcast reduces the burden on customer support departments. Clear audio or video instructions are much more effective than written manuals.

PODCAST DISTRIBUTION

2006-10-29T14:32:00.001-08:00

The real beauty of podcasting is that it's a global communication; your message can go all round the world within minutes of you publishing it.

When you have recorded the content, encoded the files and, uploaded to the server, you are ready to tell the world about your podcast.

Podcast Directories publish categorised lists of podcasts and it is important to have your podcast listed on the main directories. Currently the most popular directories are iTunes Music Store and Yahoo Music Store. Many other directories exist and many more will emerge in the future.

It is important to list your podcast in the proper categories and use good descriptions and strong graphics. Podcast Directories are similar to Search Engines in that your podcast will be competing for attention alongside many other podcast of a similar nature.

Popular Podcast Directories include:

• iTunes Music Store http://www.apple.com/itunes/

• Yahoo Music Store http://podcasts.yahoo.com/

• odeo.com http://odeo.com

• ipodder.org http://www.ipodder.org/

• Podcast Alley http://www.podcastalley.com/

• Podcast Central http://www.podcastcentral.com/

• Pod Nova http://www.podnova.com/

The list is extensive.

Directory submissions will get your podcast noticed however, like any other business activity, ultimate success is down to marketing; both on and off line.

VIDEO PODCASTING

2006-10-29T14:32:00.000-08:00

Video podcasting is a powerful way to deliver a message; the ability to see and hear the presenter is a strong combination. Video podcasts tend to be more polished and 'staged' productions than audio podcasts.

Seeing is believing.

Video podcasts are ideal for product demonstrations and for training purposes when visual demonstration is required. Practical demonstrations of complex procedures are much easier to consume and understand than any training manual. It is safe to assume that such video presentations will reduce the burden on customer support departments.

Retailers are already using video podcasts; what better way to communicate your new range than to distribute a video podcast to your customers?

Hotels offer the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the power of video podcasting. Imagine you want to see what a hotel is like before you book a stay, or an event. Simply download the podcast and take the walk through tour.

AUDIO PODCASTS

2006-10-29T14:31:00.000-08:00

Audio podcsats are like mini radio programmes. They are relatively simple to produce and can be downloaded very quickly.

CEO's have been quick to embrace podcasting, they realise the intimacy of delivering a message directly into a staff members ear has far more impact than a memo or email.

70% of cars sold now have some kind of mp3 connection.

Ideal uses for audio podcasts include:

Corporate training and communication

News and events based content - business or leisure

Corporate newsletter in magazine chat show format

Conference content distribution - speaker presentations and conference round up

Whatever the use, it is an unquestionably effective way to communicate your message. Large corporations are already distributing pre-loaded, corporate branded iPod Nano's with their audio messages already installed.

FACTS ABOUT PODCASTING

2006-10-29T14:29:00.001-08:00

National Semiconductor has just issued 8500 video iPods to their staff because they have identified Podcasting as the best method of communication and training.

Amazon has recently announced it is to start selling pre-loaded mp3 players. They will offer these devices with content of your choice already loaded.

70% of cars sold now have some kind of mp3 connection.

Business podcasts are amongst the most popular, this is evident when you consider that Business Week, In Business, City PM, Financial Times, The Guardian, Today, The Chartered Financial Analyst and The Wall Street Journal all feature regularly in the top 50 podcast downloads on iTunes.

Other notable business podcasts available on iTunes by organisations such as UBS Bank, Deloittes, McKinsey, Accountancy Age, MBA, Bank of Scotland and Venture Week.

Liveoffice.com, the leading Internet provider of Internet and video conferencing facilities, now offers to provide same day podcasts from your conference calls.

Further proof of the growing popularity of this communication channel is evident when you see companies like Cisco, IBM, BMW and Johnson and Johnson publishing public consumption podcasts. Even The White House and the Scottish Executive have realised the enormous benefits and use Podcasting as a method of communication.

Concerning training, organisations are becoming aware of the benefits of audio and video Podcasting. The message is easy to consume but, more importantly, it drastically reduces the downtime normally set aside for training.

WHAT IS PODCASTING?

2006-10-29T14:27:00.000-08:00

Podcasts are audio or video* messages delivered via computers onto hand held devices, normally mp3 players. Files are stored on a server and accessed via podcast delivery channels. The most popular channels are currently iTunes and Yahoo Music Store although hundreds of new channels are emerging. Many of these channels, or directories, are dedicated to business content.

The delivery channel will display details of the name, content and graphics for the podcasts on a directory. When the viewer clicks on the name they see details of all the published episodes, they can then choose to download a specific episode or subscribe to the podcast (subscriptions are free of charge). When the viewer 'subscribes', they will automatically receive all future podcasts whenever they refresh on iTunes.

A customer who consumes your message on their terms is a satisfied customer.

Podcasting success can be attributed to the corporate belief, you should do unto customers as they want done unto them.

Currently mp3 files need to be downloaded from a computer, technology is under development to enable wireless downloads directly from the Internet onto the player. Sonos, the mp3 manufacturer, has announced their new wireless model will be available by the end of the year. This emphasises the growing demand for portability.

*It is also possible to deliver PDF files via podcast channels.

INTRODUCTION

2006-10-29T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Internet has created a source for information that is not only enjoyable to consume but easy to use. Gathering information has never been easier, quicker or more enjoyable.

However, consumers have become increasingly sophisticated about how they receive their information. Advances in technology have enabled new methods of content delivery. Consumers now want content that is able to be time and space shifted.

'"Time" shifted media is information recorded for consumption later. "Space" shifted media is information that is downloaded and transferred to a portable device allowing the user to watch or listen to it where and when they want.

Provision of time and space shifted media is the key to successful communication.

Already communication experts are saying if your message is not portable, it is dead.

Podcasting provides portability and has become thee major method of effective communication.

This blog will explain the various aspects of podcasting as well as peoviding useful facts and figures from the inductry. We also bring you all the latest industry information.