And for those that represent them… Many of my clients that get started in social media do so because they have too. In other words, a blogger has started to cover the company in an intense way that garners attention, or someone in management says, “Get me one of those blogs.” Then the marketing or PR department, to whom this feat has been assigned and whom often have little or no experience with it, casts its net for someone who “understands this stuff.” Usually, they end up calling hybrid professionals who have been blogging or podcasting for some time and who also are public relations and/or marketing professionals. As those who read more...

One of the most difficult things for marketers and public relations professionals that are interested in exploring virtual environments, such as Second Life, to enhance their brand, is figuring out what channels of communication work in these environments. Machinima, which is basically a video created in real time in a virtual environment, is one of these channels. This month, Second Thursday in Second Life participants will meet at Alt-Zoom studios with Moo Money, a well-known macinima promoter and creator in Second Life. She will talk about how machinima is used to promote products and services in Second Life through such venues as read more...

MQ-1B Originally uploaded by planephotoman. Many newspapers and mainstream media outlets have started their own blogs, podcasts and other trappings of “new media.” But the The San Francisco Chronicle may have taken in a step further with its podcast, “Correct Me If I Am Wrong.” The Chronicle has a call-in read more...

I love blogging and the magic of social media and all of that; however, sometimes it is cool just to sit down with someone that you have been corresponding over the Internet and have a real, live lunch. I was in Austin this week to moderate a focus group for a client, and I had the chance to sit down with Connie Reece for lunch at one of my favorite places in Austin, 1886 Café & Bakery in the Driskill Hotel. Connie is a fairly new blogger who has taken read more...

The conversation died ... Originally uploaded by Laura Bell. Social media platforms, like this blog, are only as good as the relationships that one builds through them, both with an audience and with other bloggers, podcasters, etc. In other words, it doesn't work if no one shows up to the "conversation." Last night I participated in a two-hour roundtable on Blog Talk Radio that included Jim Kukral from read more...