It's Podcamp AZ Time Again! Yippeeee!

You all know I love this social media stuff. Connecting. Networking. Seeing how I can make all the new ways to communicate (that seem to pop up daily) relevant to me, and incorporating it in real life situations, as well as with my own podcast and radio show. This is where an un-conference like Podcamp AZ comes in. The 4th annual Podcamp is coming to the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe on November 20th and 21st!

4 years of this and it only gets bigger and better- that's what she said!!

"Un-Conference?" Podcamp? What the heck is that?" you may ask. Basically, it's for anyone who is interested in new media (podcasting, blogging, or video blogging for example), and would like to learn more about it and see how to make it relevant in their life. The un-conference part comes in because you don't just go and sit listening to others tell us what they know about new media. YOU are as much of a part of Podcamp as anyone. No one is deemed an expert, although we all have different levels of knowledge about new media and its relevance. Which makes it perfect for anyone to attend, since we all contribute and we all learn something new.

If you want to know more (and if you're surfing around on the internet then I bet you might be), head over to Podcamp AZ's awesome website at http://podcampaz.org to get all the information you need. Find out more about what podcamp is, why Arizona is becoming a bigger new media hub every year, and even see some of the speakers lined up. Then go ahead and register- it's TOTALLY FREE. Seriously, I'm not kidding. Although we do still need some sponsors, so check out the sponsor page and pass it around if you think you know of any sponsors. Podcamp AZ is entirely run by volunteers and sponsors, which makes it everyone's conference. One big happy geeky family!

Register now for Podcamp AZ 2010!

Flickr Photo Meme

Usually I feel dread when I'm tagged for these meme's, but this one is actually pretty neat. Andy from the Andycast tagged me, and the meme is you have to go to your 6th page of flickr photos, and blog about the 6th picture. Here's Andy's post.

Like Andy, I have already blogged about the 6th picture on the page, so I figured I could just pick whatever photo I wanted. I've blogged plenty about our summer travels too. I thought about a post on my beautiful daughters and how quickly they are growing up, but figured it would turn into a whine about how old I'm getting. So I chose this photo, which is of myself with author Chris Lester, both of us sporting the T-shirts of his podcast, Metamor City.

Now a lot of people who read this blog are family and non-internet/twitter friends, so they don't know very much about my other hobby. Sure, they know about the political podcast, and they also know about KWSS. But I don't talk too much about the voice acting I do. I was bit with the voice acting bug back when I met Jon Russell of Dream Realm, and I haven't been able to stop since.

Metamor City is nothing short of amazing, and I'm not just saying that because I have a role in it. If you love fantasy stories, with amazing detail that sends you right into another world, then this is a story for you. Oh, and it has vampires! And empaths! And magic! And sex! Oh my!

My role is Sasha, who is my opposite in nearly every way. Nearly. She's blonde, warrior strong, can read minds, and deeply in love with another female. What I can relate to is her fierce devotion to her family, and the drive to protect them at all costs. I absolutely love playing Sasha. I had no idea at first it would be such a pivitol role, and when I saw what it would entail I was a little nervous. When you're bringing someone's vision to life, you want to make sure you treat the character the way the author envisioned. So far I think I've done pretty well. Chris is a wonderful director, and has really given great- well, direction!- in how best to bring Sasha to life. If you are looking for a good book to listen to, head over the Metamor City's website and subscribe to the feed.

Chris recently made the move across the country to California. When he stopped in Phoenix briefly along the way, we had a small group get together at Tempe Marketplace. It was wonderful to finally meet him in person, and it was a great evening of food and laughs and all kinds of conversation.

See, sometimes it's not so bad meeting guys on the internet! ;-)

I hereby taggeth Debbie, Dawn, Paul Fischer, Temple Stark, and Marla. Don't groan when you get this- it was fun to go back in the flickr photos and blog about what I found!

TS34: Continuing to Cover Up The Truth

A cover-up that continues to be un-covered, the death (murder?) of Pat Tillman. Consider this a continuation of episode 26. But first, plenty of headlines, feedback, and trip-happy music for you.

-JC Hutchins likes Geek-chicka Commies.
-Podcast Pickle Reviews for Riches Contest
-Hey I'm number 19 in the Pickle 100! That's insane!
-One week left!
-Headlines from Democracy Now
-Background music: "Midnight Blue Odyssey"
-Barely wants his money back
-He also thinks I shouldn't give Congress so much credit. (and he's right!)
-This poll tells you why
-Only 20%, Steve?
-How can you be both pessimistic and optimistic? Is that considered 'flip-flopping'?
-An Australian finds the show by accident
-TS33 Thread on Podcast Pickle proved mildly entertaining- mildly.
-Taking a break with "7th Son Project: Alpha"
-The Pat Tillman cover-up continues
- Editor and Publisher article
-AZ Republic Article 1
-AZ Republic Article 2
-One more hit from TWiG: "Blackened"
(all music this episode brought to you by TWiG- thank you!)

Listen directly HERE

Links are a podcasters friend

Recently a podcast I used to take such pride in being a part of, wrote about how "dull" links are. I was instantly tweaked, for a couple of reasons. One, on the personal level. To see a show I gave so much to pretty much slam my hard work by calling what I was doing "dull"- well, grrr. But I gave it up to the age and experience (as she is still learning this podcasting etiquette thing, as well as being on the younger 'all about me' side). The show has become pretty much more about the hosts than the actual content now, I'm very saddened to say. But I digress...

The other thing that bothered me was, how do you know where to find more information about things discussed on shows without good notes and linkage? I will give her that she did say all necessary links are on their show notes page. However, I've watched the show notes page of this particular show slip downhill since I stopped producing it, and just look thrown together and rushed (I realize this sounds very arrogant of me, but just looking at it makes me cringe. Just this past week they didn't even put in the correct links! They also never link to the promo's they play. It's just sloppy and lazy.)

So, in an effort to justify my arrogance (hee-hee), I went to the best source I know- and pulled out my Podcasting for Dummies book. Sure enough- Chapter 8. Posting show notes!

In an internet world where everything is now tagged and cross-posted, linking is of the utmost importance, in my opinion. I thought at first it might just be me, and with my show content needing to link to my information, but the book backs up my view. Not only for finding more information about things discussed, but simply because cross-linking and tagging gets more exposure for your show in searches, which could end up bringing more traffic to you.

My personal preference is giving a general overview of what the episode is about, then adding my links to short sentences about the particulars. Podcasting for Dummies (OMFG every podcaster or potential podcast should have this book!!) gives three basic tips for show note etiquette:

1. Intriguing and informative titles. The title is the pitch for your show. You just don't know if someone is a regular listener, or hitting your site for the very first time. You need to cover both with one title.

2. Include links to all the locations mentioned in the podcast. Good linking can only bring "good karma" as they say. Especially if you're playing a promo for a show. Why wouldn't you link to the show you're helping promote? When you think about the very high percentage of people who still listen to podcasts off their computer, it's even more important for those (like myself) who want to just click over while listening and get more information about something they heard on your show.

Again you need to keep in mind that someone might be hitting say, your Myspace page for the very first time, and not know a thing about your main show site. The point is making it as easy as possible for a potential new listener to get where they need to be. If they need to make several clicks to get around, they could get bored and just move on.

3. Be concise. (I love this) Remember, these are show notes, and not show transcripts. You tell everyone every detail of your show, well then, there's no need to listen!


This is some great advice, I think. If you really don't feel like cross-posting everywhere you talk about your show, at the very least, leave a link to get to the show notes easily. I mean, you don't have to be very detailed, and it really doesn't take that much time. But showing a little effort, and being correct in your links as well, can make you look like you have a show worth listening to.

How you put your notes together, is a reflection of how you put your actual podcast together. At least that's what I think. Take pride in your podcast from every angle. Show notes are a part of your podcast. Check your links, and put the effort into it, even if it takes a little more time than you want to spend. It's totally worth it, and I know your show is worth it too!