Today was a fantastic day! My heart is so full of excitement that our (my husband and me) presentation of "The Media Is You" was delivered without a hitch. I know that some of you missed it so we are going to edit a 10-minute version of it for YouTube over the next few days. But thanks to the magic of UStreamTV, we captured the entire 45 minute presentation on video, plus the 30-minute audio Q&A afterward so you don't miss anything! To enjoy the presentation, click the arrow in the player below.
(Update: 5/19/2009: Please note that the video may not stream smoothly throughout due to server load times and/or to Ustream's sometimes slow streaming capabilities. I apologize for the inconvenience.You can view the PowerPoint presentation that goes along with the video at this link. You can also click on the arrow under the player box to listen to the audio Q&A that followed the presentation.)
After the presentation, I hosted a 30-minute Q&A session to answer as many questions as possible. We discussed branding, Twitter, press kits and more. You can enjoy the audio Q&A here by clicking on the blue arrow.
Throughout the presentation the chat was a live with activity as people learned, shared and chatting their own tips and experiences. I captured them all so you can see what people were talking about and don't miss out on the fun. To enjoy the chat stream, get even more tips and meet some people, click the continue link below. Enjoy!!
Live Chatting!
11:56 ustreamer-64897 : Hi everyone
11:56 ustreamer-50306 : just testing
11:56 ustreamer-64897 : I hope I can get this to work
11:56 ustreamer-82217 : Hi all
11:57 ustreamer-50306 : Hello everyone! This is Nicole
11:57 ustreamer-97643 : Do we refresh at 12 to get the video?
11:57 ustreamer-93175 : Welcome everyone! The show will begin shortly.
11:57 ustreamer-50306 : Yes
11:57 ustreamer-93175 : Yes, You many need to refresh your screen
11:58 indiebusiness-5312 : the broadcast has started. if you can't see a picture in the box, refresh your screen.
11:58 indiebusiness-5312 : click the arrow if needed.
11:58 indiebusiness-5312 : ginger, let's do a quick audio check.
11:58 indiebusiness-5312 : can you hear me say test?
11:59 ustreamer-7964 : just got audio
11:59 ustreamer-31835 : no
11:59 ustreamer-10799 : Yes DM I can hear
11:59 ustreamer-70870 : I can hear DM
12:00 indiebusiness-5312 : We're counting down. Feel free to Twitter that you're here if you'd like! I'm excited about sharing with you today!
12:00 ustreamer-10799 : To display your name, in the chat box type /nick<nickname>
12:00 indiebusiness-5312 : To use your real name or Twitter name, type /nick {name}, then SEND
12:01 ustreamer-58469 : hi I have no audio yet
12:01 ustreamer-58469 : got thanks
12:01 ustreamer-60332 : Lots of reverb
12:03 {sulori} : test
12:03 {Ginger} : Hi Sulori!
12:03 ustreamer-90091 : {mineralsilk}
12:03 {sulori} : Hello Ginger!
12:03 {Ginger} : Hi Mineralsilk
12:04 Cactusandivy : Hey y'all!
12:04 ustreamer-90091 : HI
12:04 {Ginger} : Hi Catcusandivy!
12:04 Cactusandivy : Chello Ginger
12:04 {Ginger} : Hi everyone! Glad to see you here.
12:05 ustreamer-53088 : Hi from Plum Hill
12:05 drflower-2749 : if you are having trouble getting your user id to work, type this: /nick[space][username] without the brackets
12:05 {Ginger} : Thanks Drflower for the name tip!
12:06 drflower-2749 : anytime ginger 😉
12:06 earthmuffin-394 : Hi
12:06 Luci-819 : Hey Doc, thx and Hello All.
12:06 LaDolceDiva-7573 : how do i get rid of the 7573 after my name
12:06 Ginger-7360 : Hi Luci
12:07 Ginger-7360 : I don't think you can
12:07 Ginger-7360 : But if anyone knows, let us know. 🙂
12:07 [youscentme] : Interesting. When I worked for a travel agent, we used to have to answer the phone "how may I be of service?"
12:07 Luci-819 : Hi Ginger! dM is so right about what she is saying
12:07 Cactusandivy : Diva – If you log in from UStream, you won't have those #'s
12:08 drflower-2749 : you have to login and register with ustream to get around it ladolcediva 😉
12:08 LaDolceDiva-7573 : thanks
12:08 ustreamer-82383 : DrFlower, it's me EcommerceDiva. Can't get my name to show up, where did you type it?
12:09 Ginger-7360 : EcommercDiva, just type it in the message box and hit send.
12:09 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Ohhhh. Got it!
12:09 Ginger-7360 : type /nick – hit space bar – then type your name – hit enter
12:09 ustreamer-7703 : packagingdiva
12:10 drflower-2749 : high five jamilla!
12:11 Ginger-7360 : Yes we have a great group here today!
12:11 LaDolceDiva : ciao EcommerceDiva
12:11 ustreamer-15508 : vedasun/ hi all
12:11 ustreamer-59271 : Hi everyone!
12:11 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Hey Gina @VedaSun
12:11 Cactusandivy : Saaaaweet, Jamila!! Nice to see ya chicka!
12:11 soapylove : Hi EcommerceDiva!!
12:12 ustreamer-15508 : hey Jamila!!
12:12 soapylove : Yay Lori!
12:12 Ginger-7360 : Hi and welcome to those who have joined in the last few minutes!
12:12 bathdesserts-4147 : Hi Debbie!
12:12 soapylove : Hi Hi!!
12:12 ustreamer-59271 : Marianne with Gifts From the Earth is here!
12:12 LaDolceDiva : wow- where are her stacks of boxes? She can see her floor?
12:12 EcommerceDiva-8953 : DrFlower gave great tip – to get your username to show up, type /nick [username] (minus the brackets, insert your username)
12:12 soapylove : She is super organized.
12:13 TynishaThompson : Hey Jamila.
12:13 bathdesserts-4147 : Is the Nova Studio only in San Francisco?
12:13 soapylove : Yes.
12:13 EcommerceDiva-8953 : I like dM's made up word "passionizing"!
12:13 drflower-2749 : i don't see wasted space in lori's place either
12:13 bathdesserts-4147 : Don't you teach there Debbie?
12:13 EcommerceDiva-8953 : My studio never looked that neat… lol
12:14 soapylove : Yes, actually I have a class coming up on April 11 there!
12:14 bathdesserts-4147 : That's a long trip from San Diego!
12:14 soapylove : It's about using molds creatively with M&P.
12:14 ustreamer-4660 : testing…
12:14 soapylove : Yes, but it's worth it! Her studio is awesome!!
12:14 drflower-2749 : aha! must be why you won't be in ga that day, debbie
12:14 soapylove : Ah, yes! I wish I could do it all!!
12:15 earthmuffin-394 : Debbie: wish I was closer so I could attend
12:15 soapylove : That would be great – I'd love to do a class in the south sometime, though!
12:15 bathdesserts-4147 : I would go!!!
12:15 earthmuffin-394 : Come up north to me!
12:15 soapylove : Maybe I could do something at Southern Soaper's shop!
12:15 Ginger-7360 : If you have just joined the show, welcome. and if you want to display your name in the chat:
12:15 drflower-2749 : me too, debbie but timing sometimes chooses us…and there's always next year
12:15 Ginger-7360 : type /nick – hit space bar – then type your name – hit enter
12:16 BackPorchSoap-7341 : I've got to get pics up of my workshop studio! Come to Boston and take a class!
12:17 drflower-2749 : that's me…word is still not out
12:17 earthmuffin-394 : yep me too
12:19 BackPorchSoap-7341 : 60 percent of my sales come from Google search.
12:20 EcommerceDiva-8953 : There aren't many classes at all in the mid-Atlantic area – could be a great opportunity for an instructor
12:20 soapylove : I get lots of hits from Google searches but people aren't buying.
12:20 soapylove : Hm – thanks Diva!
12:20 drflower-2749 : keywords coming from your blog or your store – backporchsoaps?
12:20 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Marla @BackPorch, great! And it's great that you know where your traffic and sales come from, most people don't
12:20 bathdesserts-4147 : BackPorchSoap, – how do you get such a good presence with google, through SEO?
12:20 BackPorchSoap-7341 : Both drflower. Thanks Ecomerce!
12:20 EcommerceDiva-8953 : SoapyLove, people in MD, DC, VA, DE, PA are hungry for classes
12:21 BackPorchSoap-7341 : bathdesserts – it's my second job. 🙂
12:21 soapylove : Oooh – maybe after my book comes out I can go to the east coast for some workshops. Thx for the hints!!
12:21 EcommerceDiva-8953 : LOL! Yes, SEO can be a 2nd job if you let it!
12:21 BackPorchSoap-7341 : No, I mean literally.
12:21 EcommerceDiva-8953 : I know! lol
12:21 drflower-2749 : yeah debbie…georgia…wink wink
lol
12:21 bathdesserts-4147 : BackPorchSoap How many hours a day to you spend on your second job:)
12:22 packagingdiva : I teach a packaging class
12:22 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Are u using Google Analytics to track your stats?
12:22 BackPorchSoap-7341 : 30 hours. I have several clients.
12:22 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Hey JoAnn, have u ever taught in greater DC area?
12:22 drflower-2749 : in atlanta, packagingdiva?
12:23 soapylove : Thanks Dr Flower! Keep your couch warm for me!
12:24 packagingdiva : Wherever I can get a group together.
12:24 drflower-2749 : anytime debbie, you say the word! 😀
12:24 earthmuffin-394 : Packagingdiva, want to come to ND, MN?
12:24 soapylove : Sweet Dr Flower!! 🙂
12:25 EcommerceDiva-8953 : dM is talking about print ads to promote your biz. Have any of you tried that successfully?
12:25 soapylove : No – I haven't tried any actual print ads! I can't believe that!
12:25 earthmuffin-394 : me either – too costly right now
12:26 drflower-2749 : awful expensive…
12:26 BackPorchSoap-7341 : Free press is the best press.
12:26 soapylove : Oh, wait – I've been featured in a few magazines. I guess that counts.
12:26 packagingdiva : Might, I'm working on online packaging classes.
12:26 drflower-2749 : yep it counts debbie
12:26 earthmuffin-394 : I would love an online class!
12:26 bathdesserts-4147 : I would love to take an online packaging class!
12:26 soapylove : Oh, ok. Well in that case, my mag features have been very lukewarm.
12:27 EcommerceDiva-8953 : I've tried print ads for several of my biz. SOme local, and some including "souvenir journal" ads at local events w/my target market. None have ever recouped my investment. I'll stick to online marketing, it works better for me.
12:27 EcommerceDiva-8953 : I've done well with mag/newspaper coverage, just not paid ads.
12:27 EcommerceDiva-8953 : It's been easier for me to get featured as the *business owner* to promote my products, rather than getting direct press for the products, although that happens sometimes.
12:28 BackPorchSoap-7341 : I've had more success with direct mail over traditional print.
12:28 EcommerceDiva-8953 : At least with print. Online (bloggers) it's been about 50/50. So the key is to have a compelling *story* about your biz and you as the owner.
12:28 drflower-2749 : cactusandivy has an awesome video of just that jamila
12:28 Marianne-8333 : I have never had much success in print ad other than name familiarity.
12:28 bathdesserts-4147 : I saw that video. It's awesome!!
12:28 BackPorchSoap-7341 : Direct mail can be effective for wholesale accounts.
12:28 drflower-2749 : elizabeth with homemade at homestead also
12:28 EcommerceDiva-8953 : @BackPorch Really? I sucked at direct mail. lol! I've had better success with cold calling than direct mail.
12:29 BackPorchSoap-7341 : LOL
12:29 EcommerceDiva-8953 : What's Cactus&Ivy's video link?
12:29 earthmuffin-394 : no luck with direct mail here either
12:29 bathdesserts-4147 : It's at her website.
12:29 BackPorchSoap-7341 : Direct mail has to be very on-target w/message and to recipient.
12:30 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Yep.
12:30 LaDolceDiva : evil cycle of getting account and media coverage..hard balancing and maintaining both.
12:30 drflower-2749 : how do you gather addy's?
12:30 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Key is testing, I find that for me, testing online is cheaper and more effective than testing with print — printing/mailing gets expensive!
12:30 packagingdiva : Do you follow me on Twitter? I give lots of packaging tips.
12:31 earthmuffin-394 : what is your twitter account?
12:31 packagingdiva : You can met some great media on Twitter.
12:31 BackPorchSoap-7341 : drflower – several ways but I handpick.
12:31 earthmuffin-394 : I agree twitter has been great for me
12:31 EcommerceDiva-8953 : So true! I got some great media hits by being on Twitter
12:31 packagingdiva : packagingdiva
12:31 EcommerceDiva-8953 : It allows you to create relationships with folks you may not have otherwise had access to
12:31 mineralsilk : Good to know about print ads I have been talking to someone about an ad in Ladies Home Journal – I think I will save my cash!
12:32 soapylove : Not me!
12:32 Ginger-7360 : http://www.priia.typepad.com
12:32 BackPorchSoap-7341 : hey soapy!
12:33 EcommerceDiva-8953 : dM & I co-author a blgo called Bootstrap babes. I wrote article about my $4,000 direct mail marketing mistake! lol http://is.gd/nJa0
12:33 BackPorchSoap-7341 : I get hits from Priia's site.
12:33 soapylove : Yes, BackPorch!
12:33 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Hey, Kelley from Priia was one of my blog bootcamp students. GO KELLEY!
12:33 drflower-2749 : awesome thanks jamila!
12:34 packagingdiva : Great tip. I have extensive list of other packaging blogs on my blogroll too
12:35 LaDolceDiva : EcommerceDiva-have you scheduled the blogging make-up class form last fall?
12:35 EcommerceDiva-8953 : QUES: have any of you been getting biz from social networks besides Twitter? Not just having an account, but getting new customers/subscribers?
12:35 EcommerceDiva-8953 : LaDolce – it's coming in April – details to come
12:35 soapylove : Oh, yes – ecommerceDiva.
12:36 drflower-2749 : facebook ones here
12:36 BackPorchSoap-7341 : yes, I am a Facebook junkie. LinkedIn too.
12:36 LaDolceDiva : great! I will look forward to hearing from you.
12:36 soapylove : The Switch Boards Forum has been an amazing source of biz.
12:36 drflower-2749 : no orders from linked in folk
12:36 soapylove : tsy was also instrumental for me.
12:36 soapylove : Oops – "Etsy"
12:36 Luci-819 : I have gotten subscribers for Here We Are…with Luci from Twitter.
12:36 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Interesting – what's Switch Boards Forum?
12:36 earthmuffin-394 : some from facebook
12:36 packagingdiva : I have great luck on LinkedIn but takes a lot of work. More than Twitter.
12:37 BackPorchSoap-7341 : I agree pkgdiva
12:37 EcommerceDiva-8953 : More work or more luck?
12:37 soapylove : Switch Boards is an online forum for women owned biz's. Let me get you the link.
12:37 drflower-2749 : how so packagingdiva? why more work with linked in?
Same for me. I get more bang for buck on Twitter because it's so easy and fun. Getting lots of biz from there.
12:37 soapylove : http://www.theswitchboards.com/forum
12:37 EcommerceDiva-8953 : THANKS SoapyLove!
12:38 earthmuffin-394 : Thanks soapylove
12:38 soapylove : I feel like my results from Twitter are diminishing. I must be doing something wrong.
12:38 EcommerceDiva-8953 : What makes you feel they are diminishing?
12:38 Ginger-7360 : http://twitter.com/indiebusiness
12:38 packagingdiva : LI works best when you answer questions. That takes time and more thought to provide good answers.
12:38 soapylove : Fewer and fewer replies and site hits.
12:39 EcommerceDiva-8953 : @P'Diva, I see.
12:39 earthmuffin-394 : I find that the more people I follow the harder it is to interact
12:39 soapylove : I need to remember dM's tip "help people." Maybe I'm selling too much.
12:39 bathdesserts-4147 : Does anyone here pay for search engine optimization?
12:39 drflower-2749 : tweetdeck helps with filters earthmuffin
12:39 soapylove : That's interesting, earthmuffin.
12:39 EcommerceDiva-8953 : @SoapyLove – hmm. Change your convo. Start RTing valuable info from others, its gets u more subscribers and create bond w/the person you RT'ed.
12:39 BackPorchSoap-7341 : You can do SEO yourself.
12:40 Luci-819 : @soapylove – the more I talk about other people or plug their stuff, the more followers and hits I get
12:40 soapylove : Thank you Jamilla! I will work on that.
12:40 Ginger-7360 : http://www.linkedin.com
12:40 drflower-2749 : started with SEO help from network solutions…was a great foundation…but got too pricey to continue
12:40 earthmuffin-394 : even with tweetdeck I seem to get overwhelemed with the stream
12:40 EcommerceDiva-8953 : ..and start providing short tips. It helps your readers, and it makes you more RT'able, which brings your followrs and traffic.
12:40 Ginger-7360 : http://www.facebook.com
12:40 packagingdiva : I have good RT on Twitter. Try being a little controversial or discuss a hot topic.
12:40 Ginger-7360 : http://www.twitter.com
12:40 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Luci, me too. It's about sharing, connecting.
12:40 Ginger-7360 : http://www.twittermoms.com
12:40 bathdesserts-4147 : I have been, but the results haven't been there
12:41 EcommerceDiva-8953 : @EarthMuffin, I agree, there needs to be better Twitter mgmt tools.
12:41 drflower-2749 : winks at packingdiva
12:41 packagingdiva : Plus provide good relevant info.
12:41 earthmuffin-394 : definitly
12:41 BackPorchSoap-7341 : drflower I'll dm you afterward with some tips
12:41 soapylove : Thank you Luci! Yes, I need to do that.
12:41 EcommerceDiva-8953 : I like TweetDeck, sorta, but it's still kinda clunky. It's helpful if you arrange the ppl you follow into groups
12:41 LaDolceDiva : i paid for SEO- i would rather put that money into getting help. it is expensive
12:41 drflower-2749 : great backporchsoap
12:42 drflower-2749 : yeah video! soapylove videos abound!
12:42 Luci-819 : Totally. I always use "good intentions" so it isn't just promoting for personal gain, but the payoff is there is you start out with positive intent
12:42 EcommerceDiva-8953 : LOL @ dM "take your camera everywhere you go" So true – she lives by that!
12:42 drflower-2749 : cute lil flip you have!
12:42 soapylove : Aw, thanks Dr Flower!!
12:42 bathdesserts-4147 : I have been approached by a lot of people and it was very expensive, I just don't seem to get good results.
12:42 EcommerceDiva-8953 : ..and you shoudl know if you ever meet dM in person, you had better look CUTE cuz your photo WILL end up on her blog! lol
12:42 BackPorchSoap-7341 : Got camera? Got lipstick? 🙂
12:42 soapylove : That's a great tip, Luci!! "Good intentions." Thank you!
12:42 soapylove : LOVE my flip!!
12:43 EcommerceDiva-8953 : @Luci, true! Ppl who go to Twitter to "promote" are missing the point.
12:43 Luci-819 : you are very welcome!
12:43 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Go with intention of connecting and sharing, and the promotion takes care of itself.
12:43 packagingdiva : Twitter motto give before you get.
12:43 EcommerceDiva-8953 : @P'Diva: I like that!
12:43 drflower-2749 : I'm starting to get requests for guest blog posts from twitter connections
12:43 soapylove : Yes, excellent reminders!
12:43 EcommerceDiva-8953 : @DrF That's awesome!!
12:44 BackPorchSoap-7341 : drflower – that is great! You can link to and from. That helps build SEO too.
12:44 Luci-819 : The Doctor gives good advice!
12:44 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Twitter is also *great* for helping SEO!
12:44 earthmuffin-394 : emommerceDiva: How is that
12:44 bathdesserts-4147 : True!
12:44 drflower-2749 : blogcatalog has been a good tool too
12:44 EcommerceDiva-8953 : b/c Twitter is highly "Google-able"
posts, it counts as inbound links to your web site, which helps boost your search engine rankings
12:45 EcommerceDiva-8953 : Same for blogging, Facebook
12:45 Ginger-7360 : Once dM closes, we
