Quick Overview of Video Podcasting

Here's a short video interview I did with Kara Ratliff for WebProNews at the Podcast & New Media Expo.

Topics included:

• How do you choose? Text, Audio, or Video?
• Why I think video is the "killer app" for business.
• A few examples of how to start playing with new media.

How to Apologize & Acknowledge Good Customer Service

People who work in technology get tons of requests from clueless customers - legions of funny lists have been posted. Rarely do you get an inside look though into an example of someone who can admit to "user error."

Hence the internet is often an unfiltered (though understandable) space full of exasperation morphing into meanness and plenty of "it's not my fault." We at Bare Feet Studios like to lobby for a little consciousness and kindness too.

I was really impressed with how my super geeeky super smart business partner replied to our email provider after bugging them for help, and wanted to share it with you.

OMG....!!!

Here's one for your Knowledge Base or in case you start to receive similar problems reported.

I upgraded to Mac OS X 10.5, Leopard, last night. Apple Mail in Leopard doesn't support some third party plugins and so reported an error and disabled those plugins. All good stuff.

But I had Rules based on those plugins. Because those plugins were now disabled, those Mail Rules grabbed every message coming in to the Inbox and placed them in random folders in Apple Mail.

I am very sorry for all your time I wasted this morning and humbled by my lack of insight that my Mail Rules could be messing with ALL incoming messages.

Webmail.us customer service continues to be top notch even when it's my fault and I don't have a clue it's my fault.

Much Mahalo (thanks)
-shane

I also found these tips for tech support you can use as needed.

If Marines can have a sense of humor, so can you and I

Who knew what a marvelous sense of humor the military has? I learned about it at a "friend's house last night after homemade sushi. Sushi chef Eric is a Major in the Marines, a helicopter pilot. He just returned a week ago from his second "tour" of Iraq. He presented us with a flag and a medal that he flew over the sands of despair. The medal is like a coin, and it has their squadron's mascot on it. I was curious about the whole culture of these things, so Eric brought out a few of his embroidered (right there - that sounds out of phase now doesn't t?) badges. Please note: he is not a collector, merely has collected some of during his service.

These things are hysterical! The Marines themselves design them and get them made, for no good reason or to celebrate the completion of something. The range is all over the place, from foul-mouthed quotes of Cartman and Snoopy, to emblems with multi-cultural icons included.

The point is, you laugh when you see someone wearing one of these velcro'd gems on their flight suit, or pulled out of a pocket and traded like Pokemon cards.

I took a picture of this one celebrating (commemorating?) a Power Point accomplishment. It's (not) common knowledge that Power Point Pukes. I was glad to learn this badge was for comedy only; thank heaven they are not tracking the actual hours spent in PP sessions.

Now really. If these people who are trained to exercise incredible discipline and literally are in life and death situations on a regular basis can spend a little time coming up with funny/snarky/in your face comedy, then certainly we can stop for a moment and laugh at ourselves too. Laugh at each other, out of shared misery or understanding, not mean-spiritedness. In recognition that we may be fierce competitors, but hey - that is the game we are in.

Like a lot of preaching, this one is aimed mostly at me. I am a Capricorn, and let's face it. we ain't famous for our sense of humor!

This video is an Iraq war classic - a must see if you haven't, and it's one of the rare few I recommend for repeat viewing. It was made by British soldiers to the tune of "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo". Watch it and be prepared to laugh and weep.

Advertising Getting the Wakeup Call

Here's a quote from the NY Times which I found courtesy of a Twitter from Guy Kawasaki

“We’re not in the business of keeping the media companies alive,” Mr. Edwards says he tells many media executives. “We’re in the business of connecting with consumers.”

That's Trevor Edwards, Nike’s corporate vice president for global brand and category management, speaking. One of Nike's major marketing shifts is towards the Nike+, a small tracking device that works with an iPod and a Nike web site to track your mileage, connect you to others, compete and even support non-profit causes. I like this device, the online visuals are exquisite, and though my remodel job yanked me off the running wagon, you can see my enthusiasm for it in this post-run Beach Walks video episode.

It's the same message Nate Smith (President of Oceanic Time Warner here in Hawaii) was delivering yesterday at the MegaComm Conference we both spoke at. Don't focus on an "internet strategy." Figure out how to support and talk directly to your audience.

And it's what many independent media producers have been saying as well from a different vantage point. We are creating audiences of loyal, defined people who are attracted to our unique programs. The mainstream media outlets that for so long held the only access to consumers are being marginalized. And the increasingly manipulative tactics of mainstream advertising are suffering from the law of diminishing returns at the same time. Creators are also turning traditional pricing strategies on their heads too.

People have demonstrated that they want to connect, they want to know about stuff and about people, and they want to be in charge of when and how they do this. If you want to play in this game, think about how you can become part of a conversation, part of a connection. If you want to be part of the conversations, get online. It's not the only place where the action is, but as the Nike example demonstrates so well, online tools give meaning and connection and tremendous scalability to the offline activities, that continue to feed and enrich the online community. It's a truism I learned a long time ago from Multiple Sclerosis patient and pioneer, Jimmie Huega : the more you do, the more you can do. The less you do, the less you can do. The updated caveat: be sure some of your doing, is online!

To those who may disagree, Wired Magazine questioned, "Is Advertising Dead?" The publication date? February, 1994.

Will I see you Honolulu colleagues at MegaComm tomorrow?

I am speaking at MegaComm 2007: Hawaii 5.0, the combined PRSA and IABC Annual meeting on Friday, Oct 12 in Honolulu, HI. I've re-produced the conference info for you here.

I am going to try to find time to mention this case study from Robert French, among other things. Thanks to Steven E. Streight for the referral on Twitter. Leave us your comment if you have any free advice for PR and Communications experts.

Advancing the Communications Professional • Friday, October 12

This unique program is specially designed to equip communications professionals with up-to-date tools and strategies needed to effectively influence Hawaii's unique culture, employ rapidly changing technology, and transform the economy. Join us for an enriching half-day event and learn from some of the most experienced communicators in our state.

Friday Oct. 12, 2007 - 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii
2454 S. Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
Google Map Link

REGISTER ONLINE NOW!

Registration and Continental Breakfast - 8 - 8:30 a.m.

Exploring the Brave New Underworld of Web 2.0 - 8:30 - 10 a.m.
Exploring the Brave New Underworld of Web 2.0. This session will cover blogging as a business communication tool, and examine the new models for today's web success. A fascinating case study on mini or mass multi-media marketing, highlighting the development of a rich website for the 2007 CD release of Israel Kamakawiwao'ole.

Steve Petranik, 24/7 - News Editor, The Honolulu Advertiser
Roxanne Darling, Bare Feet Studios
Chris Kanemura, Entheos Interactive

Cultural/Community Engagement - 10:10 - 11 a.m.
What does it mean to proactively engage communities? Why is it so important and how do you ensure you are successful? Successful community and cultural engagement can be the critical link to helping you achieving your business and communications objectives. Hear how Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric Company's senior vice president of public affairs, and Dawn Chang, principal of Ku'iwalu Consulting, have successfully navigated their way through this challenging arena, successfully building community support for their projects.

Robbie Alm, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Hawaiian Electric Company
Dawn Chang, Principal, Ku'iwalu Consulting

Employee Engagement - 11 a.m. to Noon
Internal communications is a vital tool for binding an organization, enhancing employee morale, promoting transparency and reducing attrition. Even more critical is having an efficient delivery mechanism. How do you manage and deliver internal communications efficiently and effectively? Hear how Brandt Farias, First Hawaiian Bank's vice president of marketing; Doreen Griffiths, Grant Thornton's managing office partner; and Mike Gonsalves, Hawaiian Electric Company's video specialist, champion the communication processes in their successful and vibrant organizations.

Mike Gonsalves, Video Specialist, Hawaiian Electric Company
Doreen Griffith, Managing Partner, Grant Thornton

Luncheon - Noon

Keynote Address: Convergence Media - 12:30 p.m.
Nate Smith, President, Oceanic Time Warner Cable

Welcome to the digital age, where the melding together of different media has resulted in a seismic shift in the way we view communication. Nate will share how media convergence has brought a new way of doing things and what it holds for the future.

For more information: Call 585-7931 x105 or email darcies@hawaii.rr.com or Patrick Williams at email patwill9@gmail.com

I lost your phone number!

Can you relate to this story? I picked up a voice mail from our Santa Fe location. 99% of the calls we get there are spam. So even though I get an email notice the instant we get a message, I've become somewhat hardened and dismissive when I see the emails come in from MCI.

Nonetheless, I picked up a request from a gentleman in Santa Fe last week, and jotted his info down on a sheet of paper on my desk.

It has disappeared. And I have no way of contacting him. Like my Mom, I keep my Inbox has clean as possible.

So this is my public apology in hopes that perhaps he is doing his due diligence and reading our blog in advance of possibly working together. Yes, I know. It's a long shot. But it feels like my only shot! I suppose worst case scenario is that he thinks our customer response is terrible (and in his case I agree!) but maybe, just maybe, this will reach him. Maybe he will complain enough about us to his friends, until one of them decides to come over here and check us out personally. And discover that we are not so bad, just occasionally experience human mistakes.