Joel-Mark-Witt.com

I had the chance to sit on a panel this past weekend at Podcamp Philadelphia. We were discussing different methods of using new media with existing businesses. I was asked to be on the panel for my work on MarylandZoo.TV.

We were each given five minutes to present on who we are – what we do – and lessons leaned. Here is what I shared with the audience:

Target an Audience
It is much better to be making content for an audience that already exists. The Maryland Zoo decided to create content for our 15,000 members.

Don’t go it alone
Hire smart people. The first thing I do when launching on online show or podcast is to bring on talented people that can make it a success. If you are a business looking to create content – get people who know what they are doing.

Keep it simple – but push for quality
We decided that we were going to keep things simple. We have a three man crew and basic equipment. But we also shoot in HD so the visuals are high quality.

Create Meaning
Don’t just throw anything up online. Actually produce some content worth producing. If you want to make internet video or podcasts then strive to give it substance.

So that’s what I shared with everyone in Philadelphia. Do you have any advice to add? Leave a comment and let me know.

If you’ve never met Steve Garfield – you are missing out. He is one of the most interesting and fascinating characters I know. Check out my interview with him at Podcamp Philadelphia this past weekend…

Steve Garfield Interview

Podcamp Philly was this past weekend. This is me with Paul Kontonis, CEO of For Your Imagination in New York. They are a new media company producing online shows.

Podcamp was awesome! I presented in three sessions – “Thinking Like a Producer” – “Developing Your Elevator Pitch” – and the panel “Podcasting & Blogging for businesses.”

I also got to do several interviews for Folk Media. I’ll post these in the next few days.

In the meantime here are links to coverage of the festivities:

Flickr Stream: http://flickr.com/groups/456399@N25/pool/

3 Clips of PC Philly: By Chris Penn

Podcamp is a weird experience. You are being recorded constantly. I logged onto the Podcamp stream on Flickr yesterday and saw my photo flying around the net. Not sure who took the shot and posted it. I don’t even remember having my photo taken.

My life is now transparent. So is yours.

It is a lesson in the new media world. Be ready to be on camera at ANY time. The whole weekend was also streamed live over Justin.TV.

So for those of you who are awake and realize that we are “on air” 24/7 – Here are a few helpful tips for living a life in a new media culture…

Tip #1 – Never assume that you can leave your house without combing your hair.
This seems like basic advice – but I see people do it all the time.

Tip #2 – Always take a camera with you.
You are a media creator too – don’t be passive. The best kind of camera is one that can shoot both stills and video. A big plus if it is low key and small.

Tip #3 – You should be ready to capitalize on a good meme when it sprouts up.
A couple guys at podcamp pittsburgh came up with the term Bacn “email you want, but not right now” and it is sweeping the world – thanks to social media. I was there when they created it just a few weeks ago and now they have used media to move a great idea forward.

Tip #4 – Always consider your words.
Be truthful – consistent – and positive. What you say is being captured and it will be available for the whole world. Don’t gossip or talk bad about other people. They WILL find out. Always talk positively about other people. They WILL find out – and that is a good thing.

Tip #5 – Be Natural
Act naturally – especially when a camera is rolling. The camera has a way of picking up on insincerity better than the human eye.

Tip #6 – Make boggers and podcasters your friends.
They will paint you in a better light if they like you. Better yet get your own show and begin posting your own content.

Tip #7 – Don’t be an idiot.
Do I really need to explain this one?

Tip #8 – Build relationships.
Chris Brogan is a huge proponent of using digital tools to build better relationships. After all isn’t this what social media is all about?

What tips do you have for all of us living in an “on the air” world 24/7? Thoughts?

This past weekend I had the opportunity to co-present a seminar on podcasting basics at the Baltimore Music Festival with Barrett King – producer of Any Given Tuesday (www.anygiventuesday.info). You can listen to the audio here: Podcasting 101 (Barrett King & Joel Mark Witt).

I think money is a huge stumbling block for content creators.
They think that if only they had more money their productions would be better quality – or they could market better. Lack of money is definitely a problem for most of us creating new media. So we try to keep our financial costs low.

But there are more costs than just financial.
Good producers and creators keep their financial budget to a minimum and spend very little money while keeping production values as high as possible. Great producers and creators keep all their costs in check often times increasing their production values.

There are four basic types of costs.

1. money
2. time
3. cognitive stress (brain power)
4. physical exertion

The highest cost to you is what you have the least of…
If you have all the time in the world – time is a low cost for you. Obviously this is not rocket science. But I say this because people get hung up on money so much. There are other costs to consider.

Your goal is to reduce the costs in each of the four areas.
As a media creator it does you no good to keep your financial costs low and spend a lot in time or physical exhaustion. You will burn out – become resentful – or just plain lose interest or passion for your project. Sit down with your team and sketch out the real costs in each of these four areas.

Map out your cost lowering plan.
If you have limited time – look into bringing more team members on board. If you lack creative ideas (cognitive stress) then find others who can be creative for you. It may take some creativity and imagination.

So what costs you the most during your productions and creative process? How do you deal? I’d like to hear what you think.

So I got to interview Chris Brogan this past weekend at Podcamp Pittsburgh 2007.

Chris has some great ideas and insight into social media and community. Check his blog out at www.ChrisBrogan.com

I posted the interview below:

I had someone give me a compliment this past week.

Tough.

It’s hard to take compliments. How is one supposed to respond? It is tricky – so you don’t downplay what they are saying – but you also don’t want to come across as cocky.

Not sure exactly – but it was recently. I woke up one day and realized two things.

1. No one is planning my life for me.
What happens to me in this world is a direct result of the actions I take. There is nothing stopping me from doing what I want to do in this life. There is no boardroom of people I have to ask permission from. There are no kings ready to bestow their authority on me. I am free. You are free. I would be curios to hear – how do you handle this freedom?

2. My life is not leading up to something big.
Life is a marathon – but for some reason we all try to make it a sprint toward something grand. All we are really sprinting toward is death. I think this stems from our schooling years. We look forward to graduation like it is the end all of being. Then post graduation we scratch our heads and wonder why it was such a big deal. We expect that the big event of life is just around the corner. We are ever chasing – it is ever eluding.

Yes life can be exciting – life can be grand – life can be epic. But my life does not lead up to anything. I think this knowledge is really helpful. It takes me out of thinking I have to wait around for the big thing to happen. It forces me to focus on today and doing good work.

Do you agree? Do you feel like your life is leading up to something? Or do you feel that life is a journey – rather than a destination? Thoughts?

After launching three online shows I have learned a couple things about video online. Here are my top five tips…

1. Frequency
The more you post the more they come. People want to see a regular flow of content coming from you. Frequency is the best way to build a loyal and expanding audience. Weekly posting is a good rule of thumb. Daily will send you into orbit.

2. Fast paced editing
Video on the web is consumed quickly. The pacing of your content needs to be quickly paced. Keep the edits short and quick. Move the camera around and don’t feel shy about making jarring jump cuts.

3. Great sound
Sound is really 95 percent of great internet video. Remember that most internet video is flash encoded and viewed at 320 x 240. Sound can really set your video apart from the others. If your camera has the option – plug in an external mic and get it close to your subjects.

4. close ups are mandatory
Remember the whole 320 x 240? Well – long shots don’t really work so well. Get the camera in close to your subject. Fill out the frame. Show the audience what is going on.

5. Keep it short
You are good under five minutes – great under 3 minutes and stratospheric under 1 minute. Keep your videos short and people will watch. Make long videos (over 5-7 minutes) and people will think twice.

What are some tips you have for great online video? I would love to hear them.