Podcasters Across Borders : programmation maintenant en ligne

Podcasters Across Borders est devenu un incontournable au calendrier des baladodiffuseurs canadiens, attirant également un bon nombre d'américains. Pour y avoir assisté l'an dernier, je suis en mesure d'affirmer que le contenu est riche, l'ambiance sympa, les activités de réseautage en soirée divertissantes et le tarif plus que raisonnable.

La programmation 2008 est en ligne depuis cet après-midi ... et j'y suis. Je présenterai les résultats archi-préliminaires d'un blog qui ne sera même pas lancé avant le mois d'avril. Le projet est trop beau pour ne pas en parler.

À suivre.

Regrettable de ne pas voir ni Mitch Joel ni Julien Smith au programme cette année, mais je suis heureuse de remarquer le retour de Tod Maffin et de Neil Gorman, qui étaient tous les deux très mémorables l'an dernier, ainsi que la présence de Jay Moonah, Marko Kulik, Dan Misener et notre ami Sylvain Grand'maison. Et comment oublier nos hôtes, Bob Goyetche et Mark Blevis?

Facile de se lier d'amitié avec ces passionnés. Je vous invite à vous joindre à nous en vous inscrivant à PAB2008 ici.

Dear Rockers : an exercise in online mea culpa

The incomparable Darren Barefoot has a new project on the go. Dear Rockers (a.k.a. Paying back musicians five bucks at a time) aims to free us all of the guilt we bear for downloading or otherwise pirating music.

Many of us own music that we didn't pay for. We don't feel guilty about shafting the record company, but what about the musicians themselves?

Here's how it works:

1. Pick a musician

2. Write them a letter

3. Scan or photograph the letter and send it to us

4. Send off the letter

5. Enjoy your new, guilt-free life

Darren must have been raised Catholic. As was I. Here's my contribution:

Dear Gipsy Kings,

In October 2006 (strikeout) 1996 I received a mixed tape from my then boyfriend, who was a Californian god. I specify, because it’s the only excuse I have for being seduced into accepting a non-purchased gift of your music. I enclose 10$ : that’s 5$ for my sin and 5$ for Surfer-god Tom’s. Thanks for the memories.

{heart} Michelle

If you look at the top centre of that photo, you can almost make out the tiny head that is Tom's portrait among the dried flowers and plane ticket. My, my, was he ever lovely. Thanks for the memories, Darren.

Tod Maffin (for Gowan), Julie of Boot and Blade (for Imogen Heap), Tanis of Boob Tube (for New Pornographers) and Monica of Your dose of lunacy (for Billy Joel) have already joined in the fun.

Now if I could just find a stamp ...

Endorsements in the Social Media age

In today's blog, Donna Papacosta has publicly endorsed Tod Maffin, sharing information about his newest presentation, Recruiting in the Facebook Generation, with her readers. She describes him as a futurist, (...) brilliant and (...) funny as hell.

The immediacy of blog publication makes the already supportive environment of the social media community so easy.

So, I've decided to keep the cycle going.

Yesterday, I sat in on Donna's podcasting Webinar. Fantastic introduction to the world of podcasting by a highly respected mover-and-shaker. Donna's podcasts and blog are always full of interesting tips and tricks, most notably her checklist for podcasters, a must-read for anyone thinking about dipping a toe in the podcasting pool.

Donna, who is based in Southern Ontario, offers customized workshops to communicators and companies interested in exploring the social media landscape.

A very classy lady.

Vancouver : staying connected

Have I mentioned that I'm spending the summer in Vancouver? Taking advantage of my time here to hook up with some local social media illuminaries, including Tod Maffin and Kate Trgovac.

The great thing about social media is how effectively it can be used to network. I've taken advantage of LinkedIn to book meetings with Vancouver's telecom upper management in order to do some outreach for my Hall of Fame client. Very effective.

And just minutes ago, I had the somewhat mindblowing (one would say for small minds) experience of spotting a post on Kate's blog about a Vancouver Third Tuesday organizers launch meeting with Joseph Thornley next week, moving over to Facebook to message Joe to see if I could crash the party in the hopes of gleaning info that would be useful for starting up the Montreal chapter, and finally moving back to my Facebook homepage only to discover that Joe had already or had simultaneously sent me an invitation for the event.

Smooth.

As the tagline goes : Now if only life were like that ...