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First there was vox humana. Then came vox populi. Now we have vox post -- or voice posts -- unrolled last week on sites such as OhGizmo and Boing Boing.

But wait! you say. The concept sounds vaguely familiar. That's because voice posts aren't new. Odeo's Audioblogger service hit the scene a couple years ago and partnered with Google and Blogger, only to be laid to rest in November 2006.

Still, it was enough time to pique interest among forward-thinking bloggers. And now HP is resurrecting the technology as a marketing strategy.

You might also be thinking voice posts are podcasts by another name. Well, not quite. Voice posts consist mainly of voice recordings sent by mobile phone, and posted directly to blogs. Essentially, they are aural versions of traditional text posts, where authors speak their views instead of typing them.

Podcasts, on the other hand, are digital media files distributed via syndication feed, and available for download and playback. They often feature interviews and shows, which range in production value, length, and complexity.

Voice posts offer some unique benefits to experimental authors. Faithful blog audiences get to hear raw, unedited views expressed in their favorite bloggers' actual voices. This strengthens a personal connection to writer and content.

Plus, varying written and spoken formats add interest and texture to blog sites, and can attract a new subset of followers who prefer listening to reading.

Now the drawbacks. Some authors express themselves better through the keyboard than the recorder. And while blog posts aren't usually heavily edited, their publishing structure does let writers add some spit and polish before sending them into the great wide Web.

In contrast, off-the-cuff voice posts risk becoming rambling streams of consciousness, where the most cogent points are lost in the babble, rather than called out on the page.

That said, I think authors who apply basic blogging guidelines for readable text to voice posts will make the format work. These best practices include offering clear, concise information; calling out links; and providing interesting analysis for your audience.

If any of you already use voice posts on your business or personal blogs, let me know how it's working out. We welcome all dos, don'ts, and dohs you've discovered along the way.

Labels: Blog, Podcast, Voice posts

We couldn't resist. It wasn't enough to blog about James Kotecki's political YouTube channel. We had to invite him for a podcast, too.

But we didn't talk about politics. Instead, we grilled James about how he creates his videos, connects with his subjects and audience, and works across social media and traditional media platforms.

He also gazed into his crystal ball for the next big social media innovation, and predicted his own place in the media landscape come 2008.

Considering he started his video blog in January -- and it's already garnered enough attention to land him on CNN, NPR, Fox, and others -- James's story is worth a listen for anyone aspiring to market themselves or their business through the online airwaves.

So play it here, download for later, and share with 1,000 of your closest friends.

Labels: James Kotecki, Podcast, YouTube

Business isn't what it used to be. Past generations of customers didn't have many choices. Shopping was usually done in the town where they lived. So if the shoe store didn't have the color sneakers someone wanted, too bad.

But in today's world, customers have all the power. They can now shop online to find the products they want, and search from Tennessee to Tokyo.

So how do you connect to this new breed of customers across the country and around the world? Businesses used to build reputations through personal contact, but the detached nature of the Internet makes cultivating relationships tricky -- unless you know the tricks of the trade.

Social Computing Magazine tells all with a list of the Top 10 Web 2.0 Technologies for Getting Closer to Your Customers. The takeaway: Communication between companies and patrons has never been easier, even though many customer service departments might never see a customer's face.

I've often discussed the importance of social networking, blogging, and podcasting here , but that's only the tip of the iceberg. As the list shows, there are plenty of methods to try. My recommendations:

* RSS feeds. This keeps customers and partners automatically updated about changes in your company or services.

* Search engine optimization. You can include key copy in your Web site that makes sure search engines send relevant queries right to it.

* Tagging. Customers can rate the usefulness of answers and information provided. And with each rating, merchants gain important feedback they can use to improve customer service and effectiveness.

In the end, personalizing a customer's experience in a largely impersonal technological realm can make a world of difference in repeat business and sales.

The secret is to foster conversation between customer and company, and build a strong user community, in whichever Web 2.0 medium works best for your biz.

Labels: Blog, Podcast, Small business, Social Networking, Web 2.0

Maggie Fox says she's never met a medium she didn't like. We say she's our kind of woman.

She's the founding partner and chief blogger of Social Media Group. This is Canada's first agency devoted exclusively to helping businesses navigate the world of Web 2.0, and harness the power of emerging social media channels.

Maggie certainly practices what she preaches. This communications and content expert blogs, writes, produces, strategizes, and counsels on social media around the world. She also hosts the weekly Social Media Today podcast for the Social Media Collective.

We decided to podcast the podcaster, and turned our mic toward Maggie to glean her thoughts on defining social media, translating offline business experience in Web 2.0 success, and crafting effective blogs and podcasts.

It's 20 minutes well-spent with an industry insider. Listen, absorb, and share with other eager minds!

Labels: Maggie Fox, Podcast, Social Media Group, Social Media Today

Podcast listening is on the rise.

So says a new study from Edison Media Research that reveals the latest statistics, questions, and trends about podcast consumption.

From 2006 to 2007, podcast awareness in the United States rose 15 percent -- from 22 percent to 37 percent -- while podcast listening increased, from 11 percent to 13 percent.

Some skeptics have squabbled over these results, pointing out the disconnect between the awareness and adoption rates. But remember: Even a 2 percent increase in the estimated 219 million American Internet users means almost 44 4.4 million people.

Tom Webster, Vice President of Edison Media Research, comments on the varying opinions of what this means for podcasting, referring to what he considers "the glass half empty" syndrome.

Plus, podcasting can now shake the stigma of geeky tech boys in glasses working out of their garages. Statistics show podcast consumption is almost equally split between men and women.

And advertisers take note: Almost half of all podcast listeners are between the ages of 24 and 44. This spans some of the most lucrative consumer groups in the country.

The study also touched upon podcast producer demographics. Turns out the majority of podcasters are well educated, with at least a college degree, and are more likely to live in high income homes.

My conclusion: Consumer-controlled content is the future of audio and visual production, with podcasting taking the lead.

Labels: Podcast, Web 2.0

And so do small businesses and non-profit organizations, thanks to Sandra's lifelong passion for helping people achieve their career goals.

She's a Philadelphia entrepreneur who works in conjunction with the Community Capital Works at Philadelphia Development Partnership. Her mission: to help microenterprises develop core business skills, and get their concepts off the ground.

It's a fitting role for a woman who got her start in business 50 years ago selling household goods door to door. And her later experiences running a grocery store with her husband taught her about the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of small business ownership.

Now, she draws on these lessons to teach other start-ups how to find capital, obtain licenses, develop consistent marketing tools, and refine organizational vision.

We called Sandra up for her direct insights into the small business universe. The result was an informative, inspirational podcast that will give new business owners actionable advice about where to start.

And, whether you're a new business owner, or know someone that is, send the podcast along to spread the resources.

Labels: Microenterprise, Philadelphia Development Partnership, Podcast, Sandra Wilks

You won’t find Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony on the Billboard Top 100, but you will find it at Arkiv Music LLC. The online music store sells the hits from three centuries ago, and plays to the tastes of classical music lovers.

But why use a modern medium to sell antique music? The site’s creators, President Eric Feidner and COO Brian O'Connor, thought that distributing classical music through the Internet would be more efficient and cost-effective than establishing a brick-and-mortar store.

Their reasoning: Classical music doesn't sell the volume of CDs and DVDs that would warrant stocking shelves, but its demand is significant enough to generate brisk online sales.

Their instinct proved correct. Five years later, over 350,000 customers worldwide have purchased CDs and DVDs from Arkiv Music. The result: sales that return 25 to 30 percent growth each year.

Of course, it's best to hear the story straight from the source, so our podcast team interviewed Brian at the Main Line Chamber of Commerce event.

Brian’s background also includes Director of Operations of Music Boulevard, which has since merged with CDNOW.

Listen to Brian’s advice for starting a successful online business -- we promise it will be music to your ears.

Labels: ArkivMusic.com, Brian O'Connor, Main Line Chamber of Commerce, Podcast

Danna Crawford is not your typical stay-at-home mom -- unless mothers who make their living entirely off eBay have become the norm since my childhood.

That's because Danna is an eBay Power Seller, trading assistant, and education specialist based in Ocala, Fla. She's also the proprietor of AskDanna.com and PowerSellingMom.com, and the author/editor of various e-books ranging from instructional eBay guides to Irish cookbooks.

With her fingers in a wide array of digital pies, Danna has been able to work from home since 1997, pay her bills, and make her kids her No. 1 priority -- all because she had an Internet connection and the determination to make the most of it.

We got on the horn with Danna to discuss her techniques and strategies for self-employment through the Web. She gave us great insight into the eBay universe; offered advice on maintaining a consistent Web identity across multiple sites; and alerted us to some cool services geared toward small business owners.

This podcast is for anyone who wants to sell goods online, but has no idea where to start, or who wants to kick personal e-commerce efforts up a notch. Listen, absorb, and pass along!

Labels: Danna Crawford, eBay, Podcast

Remember my post on successful e-mail strategies?

I got to build out those ideas even further for Entrepreneur Magazine Radio last week, when Lee Mirabal interviewed me about ways to implement and execute effective e-mail campaigns.

Check out the third link on the right side -- '13 Tips for a Successful e-Mail Marketing Campaign.' And thanks for the opportunity, Lee!

Labels: E-mail, Entrepreneur Magazine Radio, Podcast

What do you do when you suspect your avocation won’t pay the bills? Give it up? Choose a related career path? Or find a way to turn your talents into a viable job, and jump into a new venture with both feet?

Artist Jaye Coltharp chose the last option, and is now standing tall as a small business owner. She's the sole proprietor of Fashioned by Jaye, an arts and crafts store she opened in Springfield, Mo., this past September.

Seven years ago, however, Jaye was on her way to a career in architecture. It wasn't until she started selling her artwork on eBay that her true passion found financial stability, eventually enabling her to open a brick-and-mortar space.

Jaye's journey from trading wares on the Internet to buying a downtown shop is a great case study in using online tools to support offline business. Her presence on eBay and MySpace has gained her recognition, ensured a reliable customer base, and attracted artists eager to sell at her store.

And her visible storefront in Springfield fuels word of mouth from satisfied customers, encouraging local people to return. The upshot: Marketing is the one small business challenge Jaye doesn't have to worry about.

We caught up with this artist/businesswoman for a podcast to discuss her career path, successes, and lessons learned. So if you're thinking about pursuing your dream job, or want to reinvigorate your existing business, this is one interview you don't want to miss.

Labels: eBay, Jaye Coltharp, Missouri, MySpace, Podcast

Actually, make that the not-so-accidental tourism marketer. We're talking about -- and with -- Annie Heckenberger, Social Media Director at the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. (You have to love her title!)

Annie is part of the dynamic team behind the City of Phildelphia's image. She's an expert in new media, which includes online outreach, mobile content, and even computer gaming.

One of Annie's most visible efforts has been uwishunu, a blog her department created to tap the talent of Philadelphia's creative class, and tout what Annie refers to as "unconventional city life." (Here's the complete 411.)

The secret to uwishunu's success as a tourism initiative: Annie's team used the right approach for the right audience. They needed to reach tourists who wanted to 'stay like locals' in the city. And they knew these people had near-total use of Internet tools to research, purchase, and plan travel.

So they met them on their own turf, with a funky, well-designed blog that attracted fresh content from local artists, musicians, foodies, and more. The result: a fun, informative source on the newest regional hot spots that reached its intended audience, and convinced them to visit Philadelphia.

Listening to Annie's podcast is a fast and effective way to glean her proven insights on creating and leveraging a successful tourism blog. And if you like what you learn, pass it along to spread the good word!

Labels: Annie Heckenberger, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing, Podcast, UWISHUNU

Here's another dose of business guidance from the Main Line Chamber of Commerce event -- this time, courtesy of John Durso.

John is the marketing manager of St. Edmonds Federal Savings Bank, one of Philadelphia’s oldest, yet smallest banks, with only six branches. He helps organize local events that encourage small and mid-sized businesses to leverage the Web and technology.

When we interviewed John, he echoed what I've long evangelized here: Using the Internet to grow your small business is the only way to increase market visibility. Competing against larger businesses is difficult, perhaps impossible without it.

John practices what he preaches at St. Edmonds. The bank recently upgraded its Web site to make it interactive, and increased its leads as a result -- proof that a well-conceived Web presence works.

But better to hear the story directly from John, as he stresses the importance of being online.

Labels: John Durso, Main Line Chamber of Commerce, Podcast, St. Edmonds Savings Bank

Any B-school grad worth their salt had the four P's of marketing drummed into their heads: product, price, place (distribution), and promotion.

But did you know there's a fifth P? Neither did we, until we spoke to author, blogger, and consultant Ben McConnell.

Ben and his business partner Jackie Huba are the brains behind the pioneering Church of the Customer blog. They're also the authors of "Citizen Marketers: Where People are the Message," which hit bookstore shelves last month.

The book discusses how regular people are the new cultural influencers, using nothing more than a laptop, a broadband hookup, and their own research and opinions to shape business products and practices.

And they are directly responsible for the marketing mix's new 'P' -- participation. By giving customers ownership in the business world through participation, a business can build loyalty and grow profits.

There's more good stuff where that came from in the podcast, so click it, take it, share it, and learn from it.



Here I am with Ben (center) and Andy (right):



And here's our producer, Warren, interviewing Ben:

Labels: Ben McConnell, Citizen Marketers, Jackie Huba, Podcast

Meet Steven Wray. He's the Executive Director of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, a nearly 100-year-old organization focused on making the region more prosperous.

He leads a powerful board of directors made up of influential business leaders from around the region, all of whom pursue a number of initiatives, including accelerating minority business development.

We first met Wray at the CCPA event in February (the same event that gave us Krista Bard and Thomas Morr), and followed up with him to get his thoughts on the past, present, and future of the local economy, and how businesses can play a role going forward.

I won't give away the store here, so check out Wray's podcast for the big picture.

Labels: CCPA, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, Podcast, Steven Wray

We're on a roll with podcast interviews this week. This time, we grabbed the ear (and mouth) of Patrick Delany, mayor of Lumberton, N.J.

Why Lumberton? I seem to remember a recent news story that put the white-collar town of 12,000 people on the e-commerce map: eBay named Lumberton its most active community of buyers and sellers in America, on a per capita basis.

You're probably thinking, "Wait ... Lumberton, N.J.??" That's right, folks. Over 46,000 eBay listings originated from Lumberton during three weeks in November, and over 3,000 residents are members. And most of those are small businesses and individuals operating out of their homes.

As online biz junkies, we had to get the mayor on the line, and ask him just what it is about Lumberton that makes it such a happenin' eBay community.

But that's not all we talked about. I learned a of couple personal things about Mayor Delany, too. But if you want to hear it all, you gotta listen to the interview. Curtains, please!

Labels: eBay, Lumberton, Patrick Delany, Podcast

For owners of mid-sized to large businesses, Seth Godin needs no introduction. But how many small business owners have heard of him? I'm betting not many. But that's about to change.

Seth Godin is one of the top bloggers emeriti in the blogosphere. He's the author of The Dip (out May 10), in addition to many other bestsellers about business, marketing, and blogging. And as if this doesn't keep him busy enough, he's also the founder of Squidoo.

Many of America's most successful organizations take Seth's advice. Now he has turned his attention to small business, and is offering up his own unique counsel for achieving marketing success online.

We've closely followed Seth's work in this area, and we think it's important to help him bring it to the forefront. That's why we've got him on podcast. Give him a listen, and in 20 minutes, you'll know why so many people are searching for Godin.

We also encourage you to download Seth and take him with you. Send him to friends. Or leave comments and questions for him here.

Labels: Books, Podcast, Seth Godin, Squidoo, The Dip

CCPA -- the organization that keeps on giving! (Podcasts, that is.)

We recently caught up with Thomas Morr, President and CEO of Select Greater Philadelphia, and one of the expert panelists at CCPA's State of the City event.

The result of our conversation: a fascinating look at how regions market themselves to businesses, and how new media supports those efforts.

But it sounds even better when Tom says it. So turn your ears over to him and listen ...

Labels: CCPA, Podcast, Select Greater Philadelphia, Thomas Morr

Are you a vidiot? That is, someone who doesn't know how to approach a video project ... so won't even try?

If you are, then it's time you got schooled in video production basics. Multimedia is fast becoming an expected component in marketing materials. Make one investment in a solid, expertly produced piece, and you can incorporate it on your Web site, share it on YouTube, embed it in your company blog, and more.

But you don't have to take our word for it. Hear it from the 'reel' deal: Rich Tolsma, producer, director, editor, and head honcho at Rich Tolsma Productions in Philadelphia.

We caught up with him at the CCPA event (the same evening that brought you Krista Bard), and pestered him with lots of questions about why and how businesses of all sizes implement the power of video.

Lucky for us -- and for you -- he had great answers. Listen, learn, and let your inner Spielberg loose!

Labels: CCPA, Podcast, Rich Tolsma, Video

"Why, then the world's mine oyster,
Which I with sword will open."
-- The Merry Wives of Windsor (II, ii, 2-3)

These stirring words from one Bard help us introduce another -- Krista Bard, President of CCPA, whose 'State of the City' event we recently attended.

Krista has the honor of being the subject of the first IncPlace podcast. Here, she discusses how small business collaboration and community support go a long way in growing a business.

We hope Krista's expertise provides just the sword you need to crack open your own business oyster (you get what I mean). Many thanks, Krista! And happy listening to all.



And for your viewing pleasure ... here I am with Krista the night of the event.



Seun joined in the fun, too. Here, we're discussing small business Web development.



Behold, the actual podcast production! Here's Julia Rocchi, one of our producers, with Krista hot on the mic.

Labels: Business Development, CCPA, Krista Bard, Podcast

The podcasts are coming, the podcasts are coming!

Thanks to our trusty microphone, snazzy recorder, and lots of free time, we're ready to start posting podcasts. Doesn't get any better than this, folks -- real conversations in real time from real people, all available for immediate listening and downloads.

Believe me, the entire production process has been a prime example of flying by the seat of our pants. But we've learned a heckuva lot, and we know you will too, once our interviews hit your speakers/headphones.

After all, business knowledge is only as good as the people imparting it. That's why we're going where the rubber meets the road -- grilling industry experts, bloggers, analysts, business owners, customers, and community leaders on your behalf.

And remember: This is for you, so let us know if you like what you're hearing, how you respond to what you're hearing, and who you might want to hear next. Feel free to pass us along to friends and enemies -- we want their feedback, too.

In the end, we're all ears. And we thank you in advance for yours!

Labels: Podcast