For many of us putting our thoughts on paper brings back all sorts of unpleasant hazy memories.

• School and dreaded time writings
• A less than ideal grade on a composition.
• Worrying about looking ____ (you fill in the blank)
• Brain freeze ( when ideas, words just refuse to move from brain to fingers to computer)

For most of us talking is a lot easier than trying to organize our thoughts on paper. So take advantage of your ability to talk by podcasting.

The very, very simplified explanation: Podcasting is just taking an audio file and posting it on your blog. There's a couple of other steps, but you get the idea.

If you can talk, do email and have a blog, then you can podcast.  You won't even need an iPod to do it.

Podcasting lets you inject your personality into your message. Personality in writing takes a lot more effort.

So if you want to connect with customers and prospects try using a podcast. Podcasting is easy, convenient and fun to do.

It’s all about using Word of Mouse to promote your message,

Alysan

Learn more about Podcasting, Blogging, Using Video in Blogs(vlogging), Twitter and more at Podcamp San Antonio. It's a free event with costs underwritten by sponsors. May 3, 2008 in San Antonio at El Tropicano Hotel on the Riverwalk.  To sign up  or get more information  go to PodcampSanAntonio.org.

Thanks to Anita Patterson   for the use of her photo

Marketing today is everywhere. You go to the grocery store and tv monitors deliver commercials about certain products. I was in the ladies room at a beachfront restaurant in Ft Lauderdale and there were ads on the inside of the stall doors. Difficult to avoid that one. It seems every place you look, listen or go to there's another ad.

So how do you stand out from the other messages.  From my perspective it comes down to relationships and how well you connect with your customers and potential customers.  Part of this has to has to do with developing trust.

Most of it comes down to being consistent. And the only way to be consistent is to be yourself. As I mentioned in my post on doing teleseminars,  it's difficult trying to be someone you aren't and then remembering the whole story.

If you have a message you believe in, a marketable product or service, then you can find people online who will find your message appealing. These people will learn to know you through your blog posts. They will begin to trust you as a result of consistent messages, marketing and networking. Finally with those two parts in place the people you connect with will look to do business with you.

From the original internet system of the Pentagon to the static webpages and websites of the 1990's to today's blogging and social media, it's become easier to connect with people online. Whether it's stories, videos, photos, blog posts or twets on Twitter the internet has moved from just pushing information towards you with standard websites. Now the internet is a two way conversation where information is shared and passed around. It's like breakroom conversations on a world wide scale.

The old word of mouth has gone global. People are chatting, im'ing, texting and connecting across borders. The internet truly has become a global community. People want to do business with those they know, like and trust. Are you giving people the opportunity to get to know you and your business?

Are you ready to share? To connect with your customers and potential customers? Ready or not the time is here.

It’s all about using Word of Mouse to promote your message,

Alysan

If you are looking for an easy fun way to connect with customers and promote your business and yourself online, consider podcasting. You don't need an iPod to have one or even listen. Most computers have built in microphones so you can record and start your own podcast.

Live anywhere near Texas? Come over to San Antonio for a super conference on May 3rd. It's free and you'll leave knowing just how to start your own podcast. San Antonio is beautiful this time of year, high 70's to 80's with sunshine, the Riverwalk and Podcamp!

Here are the details:

Podcamp San Antonio Numero Dos on May 3rd at El Tropicano in San Antonio from 9am to 5pm.
Our goal is to encourage, educate and share how Social Media including Podcasting, Twitter, blogging, Facebook can be used by businesses to promote themselves or individuals who want to share their ideas online.
The Podcamp is a free event with expenses covered by our sponsors. ( 3Screens.net, BlipTV, http://www.parentdrivenschools.com/, Alan Weinkrantz And Company)

Our special speaker is Michael Verdi author and video blogging expert who will be speaking about his program on the virtual community Second Life. Brad Pearl from the Houston School District will be talking about using social media in grades K-12. Brad has lead several interesting programs about podcasting used to increase language skills for English as Second Language programs (ESL). Sessions will be held for beginners and advanced users of social media. People are invited to come, participate and share.

Last year San Antonio hosted the first Podcamp in Texas drawing people from all over Texas. Last year's attendees included USAA, local radio stations, IBM, and other large corporations. Social activitists, both local and international also were there as well as small business owners and hobby enthusiasts.   This year we are anticipating another outstanding event with a varied group of attendees from many backgrounds. So come join us!

A special thanks to Laura Lorek of the San Antonio Express-News for a fantastic interview session and  a great  mention in her Tech Clicks blog

It's all about using Word of Mouse!

Alysan