Nola New Media (da Clyb)

Welcome Back! New Beginnings

2011-01-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

Special thanks to Launchpad, our new meeting venue.

   For me personally, 2010 was a great year for exploration and innovation. I think many of us tried some new things with our new media projects and there was a lot of trial and error. That's a good thing. We're all learning as we go along, and people are experimenting with some exciting new things. Now is a great time for the indie media community in NOLA to get together to brainstorm, trouble-shoot, and support each other.

   Our first meeting of 2011 is now scheduled for February 8th at 6:15 pm at Launchpad New Orleans. If you produce podcasts or web videos, or maybe you're interested in starting a podcast or web series, we encourage you to join us in the conversation. We're open to all levels of interest and experience.

   What can you expect from Nola New Media in 2011? Our blog and web site will be updated more regularly, with news and events in the regional new media community. We hope to expand our online directory to include a larger variety of regional podcasts and web series, including separate lists for independent productions and corporate media. I'm working on some special guest speakers to join us each month and some fun activities for us to get involved in as a group. And I don't know about you, but I'm all about bringing back some guerrilla marketing and a new volume of Nola New Media selections to distribute to the community. They were a big hit last year.

   Don't forget to RSVP to our event invite, so we know about how many to expect. I look forward to seeing your faces, both familiar and new, in February!

- Aura Fedora
   Podcast Enthusiast, Nola New Media Founder

"It is the province of knowledge to speak And it is the privilege of wisdom to listen." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

August Meeting Wrap-Up and Some Thoughts on twitter

2010-08-18T09:20:00.000-07:00

We shared some great ideas at our meeting last night. It was good to see some new faces as well as some familiar ones. One of the topics that came up was whether or not twitter is a successful tool for promoting independent media. We talked about the ways in which we made it work for us. Ray Nichols shared a video this morning that he mentioned watching last night. It discusses effective means of utilizing twitter to curate content. I think this covers most of the bases. If you've ever had doubts or confusion about how you can make twitter really work for you, this is a great start.

A great quote from this interview: "If you want more followers, you have to follow better people."

Thanks for sharing, Ray!

New Podcast App for Blackberry Users

2010-08-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

From podcastingnews.com ... a new app for Blackberry Users makes podcast content available on the go.

http://www.podcastingnews.com/2010/08/11/wizzard-blackberry-podcast-partner/

Great Video by Nola New Media Members

2010-08-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

...featured on backstage on the Bayou, but we're sharing it with you here, too.

Imaginary Buttons

2010-07-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

You got me pushing imaginary buttons
Step away from me lover, away from me lover
-"Buttons", Sia

In the past 60 days, I have come to appreciate the importance of choosing the right button.

No, really.

When I first started posting podcasts, I understood that many people were intimidated by using services like Itunes and still a few do not fully grasp the concept of subscribing to feeds. I knew that having an option to post episodes on a blog with an embedded media player in each post was important to reach more listeners.

For over a year, each episode posted to my blog contained a bar-type media player, where the listener could click on the "play/pause" button, see the progress of the track as it played, and make adjustments to the volume. It looks like the display on an old cassette deck or CD player, so my logic was that people who were less familiar with the technology would feel more comfortable with it. If one hovered over the correct place or right-clicked, they could also be shown a direct mp3 link that was downloadable (though I admit that it was not overtly obvious to locate.)

On so many occasions, I would come across people who had heard of my blog, had even visited my web site and browsed the episode descriptions and titles, but admitted that they had never actually listened to them. My site statistics put this phenomenon in plain, painful view.

At one of our Nola New Media meetings, a few of our members suggested that I use the round button instead of the typical bar-style media player. There were jokes about making it large so that the near-sighted and elderly could find it. Kidding aside, I am willing to experiment a little bit to learn what works and what doesn't, so eventually, I gave the round button a try.

Just out of my wry sense of humor, I made the button a bit over sized.

I closely tracked my flash player, podcast, and download statistics over the next several weeks.

Sure enough, I had a significant increase in the number of listens to my podcast, but not for the reason that I expected to.

Yes, there was a small increase in the number of people who used the flash player, but the number of people who actually downloaded the entire episodes of the podcast increased by over 200%. Prior to this, there were some episodes that were never downloaded, other than in Itunes.

So what's the difference?

In the template, there was an option to add the mp3 link underneath the button. In very plain, obvious font it simply says "mp3", and when you click on it or hover over it, the full link is revealed, so you can play the podcast or download immediately.

As a podcaster, this is what you want to see. Why?

When the user thinks that the only method of listening to your content is via the flash player on a web site, very often, they don't listen to the podcast all the way through. For example: My podcast is generally 12-20 minutes in length, but the average visitor only remains on the site for just under five minutes. If they're using the flash player, this means that they've only listened to part of my show. (How sad!)

When the user downloads a podcast, they're able to listen on their own time, whether or not they're connected to the Internet.

When it comes to increasing the number of listeners to your podcast, sometimes it's really just about getting them to push your buttons.

Quotable Clyb No 3

2010-06-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

Quotable Clyb: funny, insightful, or notable quotes from podcasts or web series by Clyb members.

This week our Quotable Clyb is from the Backstage on the Bayou podcast titled "Spilling the Beans" ...

Anyone who is willing to do the work and has the talent is able to be seen ... there's no excuse to not be working on your craft.

- ...Gavin Speiller of The Upright Citizens Brigade (who was one of the writers of the popular BP Spills Coffee sketch) on how new media creates a platform for artists and entertainers.

Found: Google TV

2010-06-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Integrated technology is making access to content easier and more enjoyable. Google recently announced the pending release of Google TV, an available device (or TV's with the device built in) that integrates a web browser with DVR capabilities, as well as Android apps. This is a great way to enjoy web-based content without being attached to a laptop or your desktop (or that even more depressing thought, watching movies on your smart phone. ) Google released this video to demonstrate how it works. Fun stuff!

June Meeting - Get in on the Action!

2010-06-07T21:08:00.000-07:00

Our meeting of the minds for the month of June will be on Tuesday, June 15th, 7pm at NOVAC. The address, details, and map can be viewed in the box to the right. If you use facebook, you can also RSVP to our event there.

This month, we have some exciting announcements to make. We'll also start planning our promotional event! If you have any interview, skit, or talent booking ideas you would like included in the event, start thinking about them now, and start discussing them, too.

Please feel welcomed to come if you are new to Nola New Media or haven't been to one of our meetings in a while. We would love to have your input, share our announcements, and help answer your podcasting questions, too.

Also:

There will be cookies. Word.

Gambit's First Best of New Orleans Web Awards

2010-06-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Gambit Weekly is hosting their first-ever Best of New Orleans Web Awards. Like their other Best of New Orleans awards, the nominations are open-ballot. You can vote HERE, but there's only two more days to vote!

It should be noted that they are categorizing podcasts under the same group as radio station web sites. So if you want to vote for someone like Radio Wazoo, The Matt and Jack Podvast, or backstage on the bayou, you have to nominate them under the radio category. It seems a little unfair that blogs separate from big media have their own category, but podcasts don't. So, if you want to show your support for indie web content producers, make sure you nominate your favorite podcast!

Sadly, they are also lacking a web video category, as well. Let's hope that next year, they step up their A-game and improve some of the categories, so that it really does emulate a local version of the Webbys!

Creating Original Community Content Once Again

2010-05-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

In the early days of television, local stations had their own original programming. Far beyond the daily newscasts and local sports there were variety shows, children's programming, and local interest shows. New Orleans was no exception to this, with fare like Morgus Presents! or WDSU's "Colgate Comedy Hour"... and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

It's safe to say that whether it's the radio or the television, local programming is not what it used to be. Thanks to new technology, that's about to change. With the inception of digital TV, the gradual emergence of HD radio, and the capability to produce independent content on the Internet, there are now a multitude of options for every taste and talent. And there is no shortage of talent and ideas in this city.

Yet in order to keep content from getting lost in the sea of options, it's important that we create a presence within the community. As I said in the previous blog entry, one of the things that people said would generate their interest in consuming new media or indie content was a recognizable presence in the community on a local level. We have the opportunity to experience vibrant growth within the creative class if we are able to create an atmosphere of communication, collaboration, and consistency. This means working with established media outlets in the city, participating in community events, and maintaining sources for people to be able to easily locate this new content. It also means helping newcomers to independent media find their voice and their audience.

If you know someone who already has a podcast or creates webisodes in or around the New Orleans area, we encourage you to share our web site and group with them. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about new media and independent media, please feel free to join us. We are open to all skill levels and levels of interest.

We are currently working on collaborative content, crossovers, and a live event. Details on these are soon to follow. Keep watching our blog and twitter accounts to find out more!

Sincerely,
Aura "Fedora" Shannon
Founder, Nola New Media
Creator & Host, backstage on the bayou

Quotable Clyb No. 2

2010-05-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Quotable Clyb: funny, insightful, or notable quotes from podcasts or web series by Clyb members.

I'm not like Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs. I'm not fundamentally against the process of tipping.

- Matt, The Matt and Jack Podvast

Quotable Clyb No. 1

2010-05-18T11:45:00.001-07:00

Quotable Clyb: highlighting funny, insightful, or notable quotes from recent podcasts and web series created by our members.

'Hey, Baby' is never followed by anything good.

- Joe, Radio Wazoo

Answering Questions and Creating a Community Connection

2010-05-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

   We've learned a lot while crowd sourcing at recent events around town, like the Alternative Media Expo and Launch Fest. The biggest eye-opener has been that so many people aren't sure exactly what a podcast is, or don't realize the potential of how podcasts can improve their quality of life.
   When I first started out, Podcast Alley provided a lot of helpful information. It's still an excellent resource, and this article gives a good overview. You can also read the full Wiki article on podcasting. If you are already a podcaster, these are good articles to refer your behind-the-times friends and relatives. (Though, let's be honest. Even among the tech-savvy, new media is not as well-promoted and organized as it could be.)
   As a consumer of media, if you haven't already discovered the benefits of enjoying podcasts, there are many reasons that they are worth checking out. For starters, you don't need an I-pod or even a separate mp3 player to listen to podcasts. You can simply download the programs of your choice on your computer and listen to them while you are doing other things, much the way many people listen to talk radio programs while working or engaging in other activities. In many cases, podcasts are available on a website or blog on a media player you simply click to hear your music or broadcast, eliminating the need to download anything on your computer if it has limited memory. If there is a podcast you find you enjoy enough to listen to regularly, you can subscribe to it via an RSS feed, or services such as I-tunes.
   Some people complain that they can't focus on what's being said while doing other things. I think that this is a side-effect of poor production on the end of the podcast creator. A well-produced podcast, much like a radio show, should be easy to follow and engaging. You may have to listen to a few before you find some that you like, but luckily there are many options to choose from, ranging from individual amateur podcasters to content from some of your favorite mainstream media, such as CNN, NPR, and MTV.
   In surveys we had people fill out at the Alternative Media Expo, some people responded that they didn't listen to podcasts because they were too busy or didn't have time. I found this a little bit amusing, because one of the primary benefits of podcasting as a form of entertainment or source of news is that it allows for multitasking. You can listen while you commute, jog, do housework, work on the computer... you name it! And because the content is "on-demand", you don't have to revolve your schedule around a program. You can listen to it whenever you like.
   Another complaint that people shared in their survey answers was that it was too hard to find new podcasts
or to find recommendations on podcasts that were relevant to them. Many said that they would listen to more podcasts if others recommended or referred them by word of mouth. On a local level, that's a problem we hope to alleviate and this is something I will cover more in depth in my next article.
   Until next time...nerd out! And feel free to share your podcast-listening experiences here with us or post any questions you may have.

Nola New Media at the Alternative Media Expo

2010-04-12T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Alternative Media Expo is a great event coming up on Saturday, April 17th from Noon - 6pm at The Contemporary Arts Center. Featured in the expo will be "writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians, print makers, 'zinesters, publishers, designers, community organizers, crafters, anyone involved in alt. media..." There will also be concessions and giveaways.
Come out and meet us at our table! We'll have free CD's available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more info on the Alternative Media Expo and a comprehensive list of participants, check out
http://www.myspace.com/alternativemediaexpo

Welcome to Nola New Media

2010-04-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Nola New Media! We are a group of independent web media producers in the New Orleans area who meet once monthly to talk technique and technology. We represent a diverse group of individuals with varying levels of experience and interest. Many of our members work or have worked professionally in the entertainment and media industries, whether full-time or on a freelance basis, though some are hobbyists with an avid enthusiasm for pod casting and web series development.

Nola New Media is open to anyone in the area with an interest in pod casting or web video production, regardless of level of experience. We help one another with everything from trouble-shooting technical issues to better developing our content and craft. We also hope to be involved in special projects and events throughout the year.

Our blog is a hub of information on these topics as well as a source for news from our members and participants. In the task bar on your right, you will notice a blog roll of participating members with content currently available on the web. Each of those links is plugged in to a feed, so you can see when the most recent content was posted. You'll also notice our twitter feed with all of the latest news, as well as some discussion topics and links.

We will soon have articles and blog entries from members and exclusive collaborative content here, so be sure to add us and subscribe to our blog. You won't want to miss out on any of the great surprises we have in store!

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 at 7:00pm. Event details are available in the left column, as well. If you're interested in seeing what we're all about, please come. And don't forget to follow us on twitter!

Please feel free to comment. We would love to hear from you, especially if you have any suggestions for what you would like to see on our blog.

Until next time,

Aura "Fedora" Shannon

Host/Producer Backstage on the Bayou

Founding Member, Nola New Media