CustomScoop's PR PodJots

Welcome to CustomScoop’s PR Podjots, a weekly rundown of PR podcasts.

We are hoping to continue expanding our universe of podcasts, please leave any and all suggestions in the comments section, and enjoy!

It’s “Podcasters Across Borders” week here in the PodJots, as all three of our highlighted podcasts discuss this year’s conference. For those of you who miss it, I recommend tuning in and hearing all about it.

Six Pixels of Separation - June 25, 2007 – Mitch Joel on the Information Overload

Mitch Joel of Twist Image calls for more technology simplicity as a way to combat information overload. He uses the example of the Nintendo Wii, a far simpler and enjoyable (to him) gaming system than its more complex counterparts such as the Xbox and Playstation systems.

The complex gaming systems, he argues, can be too overwhelming for users, just as the overabundance of technological advances may be overwhelming to those trying to break into the game. As someone who has recently tried out the Wii myself, I cannot agree more. Mitch is convinced that there will one day be a time when social media and new technology will be simplified and brought together into one convenient location.

The information overload is a continuing theme in many PR-related podcasts and blogs. Until a way to simplify our information intake is developed, many may shun the latest advances altogether.

Also discussed:

• New Facebook Group – Six Pixels of Separation Podcast Society
• Marketing Toolkit with Christopher S. Penn.
• Hugh McGuire - How Podcasting Will Save The World.
• Julien Smith - Getting Your Podcast Seen (As Well As Heard).
• Bryan Person - Managing Your Social Media.
• Neil Gorman – Comicology - Broken Toasters, William Shatner and Podcast Burnout. I’ll be in conversation with Neil next week.
• Six Points of Separation – Six Future Marketing Channels To Watch:
  1. Mobile Social Networking.
  2. Social Shopping.
  3. Many-to-Many Conversations.
  4. Personal Branding.
  5. Hyper-local.
  6. Mobile content.

Inside PR - June 26, 2007 – What a PR Education Doesn’t Tell You

This week on Inside PR, David and Terry take inspiration for a spirited discussion based on a comment from a PR student, who points out that some of what’s entailed in the practice of PR isn’t actually taught in university PR programs.

More specifically, the comment is about the “soft skill” of always remembering names and faces, as well as the ability to schmooze—that is, to network and engage others, members of the media in particular. Terry thinks this skill is somewhat underrated, and is something that’s important for PR professionals to cultivate. While the importance of interpersonal and communications skills can be underscored while in university, he argues, they arne’t really something that can be specifically taught.

David thinks PR pros can help themselves, at least with media members, by doing their homework—read up on what journalists have worked on or written, try to remember their names and faces at events, and speak to them in a way that may stroke their ego. He also reminds professionals that an overabundance of confidence can be just as off-putting as a lack thereof.

It’s an interesting discussion, especailly in this age when so much emphasis is placed on practices that leave the PR pro alone behind a computer.

Also discussed:

• Terry discusses Podcasters Across Borders 2007.
• Inside PRoper English: tortuous and torturous (hint: tortuous means “twisting,” while torturous means “relating to torture”)
• Fans of Inside PR group on Facebook

New Comm Road - June 27, 2007 – Stepping Outside Podcasting Echo Chamber

Bryan Person discusses what he calls the “Podcasting Echo Chamber” and mix up your audience and social media network. He notes that he bumped into a young student on his trip home to Boston, and she had not actually heard of podcasting. How do we reach out those people who may be interested, but are unaware that podcasting even exists?

Bryan recommends networking within your community’s (be it online or in person) various groups and organizations. This can include churches, schools and colleges, municipal offices, and even your own family. Spreading the word about podcasting, even to people who are unfamiliar with the technology, is invaluable to escaping the echo chamber.

Discussions such as these continue to be important in the new media age, as it is easy for the early adopters to forget that the vast majority, even those in the PR industry, may not be familiar with all that is out there. Bryan points out that there are even still folks who believe that it is actually necessary to own an iPod to listen to a podcast.

Also discussed:

• Recap of Podcasters Across Borders.
• Meeting with podcasters Mitch Joel, from the Six Pixels of Separation, the Twist Image Podcast; Donna Papacosta, from the Trafcom News Podcast; and Terry Fallis, from the Inside PR Podcast.
• Organized by Mark Blevis and Bob Goyetche from the Canadian Podcast Buffet.
• My talk on “Managing Your Social Media

Around the PR Podcast horn:

Other PR podcasts this week:

For Immediate Release – Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson also take on the social networking overload, and discuss Facebook marketing options, branding opportunities a the 2008 Olympics, and many other topics.

Trafcom News Podcast – In her most recent episode, Donna Papcosta discusses podcasting FAQs; a section on speechwriting with John Watkis, and another Podcasters Across Borders wrap-up.

Marketing Over Coffee – John Wall and Christopher Penn discuss Christopher’s visit to Podcasters Across Borders, the sale of Business.com, and th

Comments

[Mitch Joel]

Thanks for the recommendation of 6POS. I work hard on the Podcast and hope my passion rings through on every episode.

I hope you'll continue to "stay tuned."

[Sarah Wurrey]

Mitch, your podcast was a new discovery for me, but I definitely enjoyed it and will be tuning in for the next episode! Our goal is to make the PodJots a weekly guide to all PR podcasts--we will absolutely continue including 6POS. Keep up the good work.