Posts Tagged ‘blogworld’

The world of PR is still a distant one for me. There are many things I need to learn about how to utilize this method to bring in more readers. I have worked with a few sites, but never thought of creating my own PR site for Geekazine.

Enter in MyPRGenie – They are a site that lets you create your own PR channel to be sent to over 4,000 newswires, as well as multiple social networks like Facebook and linkedIn. With a custom pricing plan, you can setup a free plan, to a fully featured plan for only $99.

In this video, Holly explains how MyPRGenie works and how you can set up your own PR channel.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (131.3MB)

We have used TechSmith products for a while. The best part of these products is the ability to capture the screen. Camtasia is their most notable item – it will let you record a screen, add a webcam, insert notation and a whole lot more.

While at Blogworld, I got to talk to the guys at TechSmith. Troy came on camera and talked about the screen capture software. We discussed how you can use it in your daily video work.

Other items in the TechSmith family – Jing: an online version of Camtasia, Snagit: a screenshot software, Camtasia Relay: an appliance for Camtasia, Morae: a marketing tool for your site or product.

Further, it can all be hosted on Screencasts.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (71.0MB)

The day after Blogworld, I got a great opportunity to play for the Grand Opening of the Full Compass campus. Full Compass is a full sound and light company for live and recording producers. Their online service sells millions of dollars in equipment a year.

My Band – Trailer Kings – got to enter their studio to record tracks for the live event that happened on Oct 23 – 24th. During this time, I took some video of the studio, and pictures of the tour. The following is a video blog about the visit.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (162.7MB)

On the Expo floor of Blogworld, we talked with Remco about a cool product called Yubby. Yubby is a system that lets you find, collect and publish videos on your site. With over 30 video sites in the mix, Yubby definitely has an interesting take on how to add video.

We found out that Yubby was on the front page of the Blogworld site – you would highlight the speaker and a small video would pop up with them. Pretty impressive in it’s presentation.

Yubby is free, but there is plans to make a subscription side which will be relatively low in price.

This week we talk about Blogworld and the switch of networks.

New Sponsor – 14 Day Gold membership from Audible

• Windows 7
  • Ubuntu 9.10 – Karmic Koala
• Droid
  • Motorola – Google
  • Focus on beating Razr sales first
  • Verizon needs to keep mouth shut
• Netflix on PS3 and soon Wii
  • Blockbuster needs to be concerned
• Roku
  • Leo Laporte
  • Completely different content
• Net Neutrality
  • Everybody equal
  • Devils advocate

On the first day of Blogworld, I headed to South Hall, got my badge, then – since I didn’t have the full pass and couldn’t watch sessions on day one – sat outside talking to the people to see what was going on. I ran into Brett from Mashable, Marla and Liz. They were congregating, talking about going somewhere. I thought it was just going to lunch at first, but when the Zappos bus showed up, I knew there was something more.

Zappos sells shoes online. They also sell other items like handbags, clothing and housewears – but they are known best for the shoes. So it was exciting to see a company that relies solely on the internet to build their business. After all, many other companies started with a physical store.

On the bus I met a lot of great people. Ryan – from Hubpages – was the first. Paolo from Microsoft, Shauna from Social Media Club, Sarah, David and a lot others.

We got to the campus in Henderson and piled into the lobby. We were met by Rosie – the Jetsons’ housemaid – who for some reason was a coffee machine. They had Sphinx and Pyramids and… POPCORN!

The tour was a lot of fun. I could talk about it, but I made a video. So check it out:

I like a good burger. When I get a burger for free, I am all over that. That is, unless I am then turned into a Zombie. But I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soo…. uuuuhhhhh….. brainssssss…..

Anyway – I participated in many events at Blogworld. One that was really fun to do was called the Fatburger Challenge. I have never had a Fatburger, so I was really stoked on this.

1/2 lb of meat on a bun with lettuce, tomato and all the fixins. I felt like this is a challenge for me. Therefore I signed up. It’s like I was the 12th grader competing in the 2nd grade spelling bee – I had no doubt I could finish this meal and still have room for more.

Twelve of us sat at a table with all the social mediaites around. 10 men and 2 women, ready to sink our teeth into a juicy Fatburger. Some of the names included Ed Morita, John Ciampa from Bloggers School, and a few others in which I sadly did not get names on. Except for Maria.

There were four groups of 12 that took the challenge. Out of all the groups, we had 11 out of the 12 finish the burger. One of them, was Maria.

In this video, you will see the competition in a shorter fashion.

We also look in on another 12 challengers, including Rick Calvert of Blogworld – New Media Expo, Zane from Zaneology, the Snuggie Guy and Rob, one of the very own Blubrry employees.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (268.0MB)

Got up. Showered. Shaved. Walked to convention center.

Then I woke up.

The opening keynote jumped us into gear. A panel of Andrew Edwards,Robyn Antone, Mark Gross and Jermaine Durpri. The subject: Celebrities and Social Media.

Really great discussion about how they look at social media. Anthony Edwards promoted his efforts in Africa. Jermaine talked about how he talks with people until they show that ended with Anthony Edwards making his first tweet ever.

Took in some sessions. Flash animations was a great show. We learned how to make the podcast lively with flash video. Different approach to casting.

Cali Lewis was next as she talked about video cameras and green screens. She, along with her producer Neil, showed off the cameras they use and how they produce video for Geekbrief.tv.

The day then took me to walking the floor and talking to various bloggers and casters. That is, up until 1:45 PM when it was time to show my Wisconsin skills and eat a 1/2 lb Fatburger. We were the winning team of the weekend, as not only I finished the burger, but 10 others completed the massive consumption. This included Maria – the only female that did it all weekend. She did it with grace and distinction.

More walking of the floor as I ran into Cali again, then stopped by the Chad Vader booth. It’s cool to see those guys do well, especially since they are from my neck of the woods. Season 2 is almost over and they are planning for Season 3 already. Awesome!

By 3 PM it was showing that the conference was wrapping up. You could see people packing up their booths and crews starting to knock down the exhibit. But the day wasn’t over.

Sat in a couple more sessions. Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee talked about getting your podcast cataloged. Sat in on a Wordpress session, too. All in, a great day. Time for Guy Kawasaki and the key note with Kevin Pollack, Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda from Chad Vader and Jenny Lawson, the Bloggess.

It was a different keynote as it was more of a talk show than a keynote. Very open – of course if you’ve seen Kevin Pollacks’ show, you know what could happen. Yes, the Larry King game was played. Matt Sloan did an awesome job with it.

Jenny the Bloggess was the surprise for me. I did not hear of her until now and her interview was pretty funny. She tried to to get the Bloggers to tweet that Vegas has turned into Zombieland. Mmmmm, brains…

The show was awesome, but now it’s over. At least the conference. There was a lot more to happen during the evening. It all started at the Pool of the Hilton. Good food, drinks and more talk between the bloggers.

It was then downstairs to the casino where the party continued. Never thought I would be seeing Karaoke in the Star Trek area of the Las Vegas Hilton. I suppose I never thought I would be singing Karaoke in the Star Trek area of the Las Vegas Hilton. But I did. Queen – Somebody to Love. It was by request of Todd’s Mother – a Podcaster herself – of the Chericast.

What a great evening. What a great weekend. I met a lot of great people and did a lot of cool stuff. This is my 3rd time in Las Vegas – more as a participant – but I did get a lot of work done. Created a lot of video that I won’t probably be able to get ready until I get back, but once I get home, it will be processed.

BTW – this is the last picture I took of the evening. I don’t know why an orange was in the middle of the Hotel floor, but there was a woman sleeping just about 30 feet away. Guess she lost her key or something…

So now it’s time to relax in Las Vegas for the next 24 hours. Safe journies home, everyone.

This is the photoroll of blogworld 2009

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This morning started late. For some reason (maybe the fact I didn’t sleep in 48 hours), I woke up at 10 AM. I don’t normally do that, but what is more interesting is I am in Pacific Time zone. So technically, I slept until noon.

I got up, worked on some stats and headed off to the South Hall in Blogworld. I got registered and got a chance to really talk to some people. People like Hope from Windy city social and Rob Walch from Wizzard.

Hope was very interesting for the short amount of time I talked with her. She shows me that no matter how many people say there are no more .com names, you can always find a .com to register.

The most interesting point of the day, though was I met Marla from d-vin-ideas and Brett from Mashable. Marla asked me: “You wanna get on a bus?” I said “Sure, why not!”. So I got on a bus.

Really. That was the conversation. But what I ended up getting was an experience.We went to see the Vegas campus of Zappos.

We got a tour of a pretty liberal company. Each area had warmth and teamwork involved. We got to see, take pictures, record video of the whole area. Best part is there was a lot to see, not just shoes.

Also met a lot of great bloggers and marketers. Ryan from HubPages andDave Matthews (Gadget Guy) from Peoplebrowser for example.

Got back in time to check out Chris Brogan keynote. He talked about how you help others in social networking. Give, then give more. Bring wine to the picnic. Blog about someone and be selfless. We don’t read long-form anymore. Give ideas handles.

We want Disneyworld authentic.

The evening went by fast. Dinner with Andy and Simon from SimonSezIT. The trip over to the Bellagio for the TechSet party – I ran into Michael Butler from Mevio Music and Ryan from earlier in the day. But then it was back to the hotel to do some work on the website. So I walked back.

Stopped at Margaritaville to check out the band. But the walk otherwise was brisk and very impressive. Got back and dealt with Videos, charged everything back up and set up for tomorrow, which will be a long, but productive day.
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The day was long, but well worth it. I got on a plane about 5:10 this morning. The flight would take me to Chicago, where I would have to wait until 8:11 to continue on.

However, problems kept us in Chicago a little longer. The plane had some technical glitch that could be fixed by unplugging (something), then taking one from another plane. They kept saying it would only take a couple minutes.

…Two hours later…

We finally got underway after 10 AM. With a 2 hour time shift, that brought the plane in at about 11:45 AM.

Got to the hotel, however, my credit card was not functioning. Apparently the card now wants me to call them and let them know I will be traveling. Not sure why I need a babysitter, but it was a minor setback.

Took a walk around the hotel. Extremely close to the Hilton and the Convention center. Also really close to a Walgreens, 7-11 and McDonalds. Pretty cool.

By 5 PM, met up with Todd and the RawVoice team at the Hilton. We sat by the poolside talking shop for a few minutes. We made plans and headed to dinner. A nice Japanese restaurant in the hotel with it’s own fireworks show every hour. Don’t worry – the fireworks was just a light show, but it was still impressive. Andy McCaskey joined us for some great food.

Then it was off to the pre-Blogworld Tweetup. I got a chance to really talk to the Raw Voice team. I also got to talk to a couple bloggers and Kosso – the creator of Phreadz. That brought it to the end of the night for me. Back to the Hotel where I would get some needed work done.