media tips

Kickstarting My eBook

 

Now that I’m almost ready to unleash my multimedia eBook to the masses, I’m realizing that creating the book is just one of many steps. In order for people to actually know that Camera Ready exists, I need to invest in stuff no writer likes to think about — distributionmarketingoutreach, and other initiatives to get the word out in a way other than asking my kids to tell their friends’ parents about “mommy’s enhanced eBook” at recess. That’s why I decided to launch this Kickstarter with a funding goal of $5,000 — to help cover my production costs, but more importantly, to give Camera Ready an even better chance for success.

I really want Camera Ready to be released in a timely manner and at an affordable price for hopefully everyone. The estimated release date is June 12.  With help from Vook it will be available on the iBooks, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble platforms.  I’ve created some nifty Kickstarter rewards that I hope will encourage you to support the project.  I was unable to secure unicorn rides BUT if you back the project at the $10.00 level or above, you’ll get a DRM-free copy.

Your support will also go towards paying some of the talented friends and colleagues I’ve hired (at a considerable discount) to help produce and creatively promote Camera Ready in a way that will give it the best possible chance for being a hit.

 

Posted in Books, entrepreneur, future of news, media tips, moms, On-Camera Tips, social media, start-up
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The Most Common Question I Get: What Should I Do With My Hands??

Every single person I media train for on-camera presentation asks me the question: “What should I do with my hands?”
And before I can answer, they say, “Keep them folded in front of me, right?” Where oh where did this instruction come from? Being a robot on camera is the best way to get your viewer to stop watching.  Watch why.

 

Posted in media tips, On-Camera Tips, Uncategorized, video ideas
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Being Your “Best Self” On Camera

When you are making a video for your website or creating a YouTube channel for your company, always aim for a conversational and personable tone. Many of my clients are sorry to hear that even just being yourself on camera requires rehearsing. That’s because just being you probably isn’t enough to reach through the lens and grab the audience. As Oprah says, you need to be your “best self.”  I would argue you need to be yourself but BIGGER. My very unscientific work shows that 95 percent of people who first go on camera are too mellow. In person they are engaging members of society, but on video they come across as boring, dull, and oops, I just turned them off. The other 5 percent are such energetic nutcases that they come across great on camera, or maybe slightly manic and need to turn down the volume. Watch Gary Vaynerchuk Wine Library TV or CNN’s Richard Quest to see what I mean.

You probably know whether you tend to be more reserved or extroverted but surprises always happen when the camera turns on. One mild-mannered student of mine morphed into the Muppet, Guy Smiley. He had watched so much bad local television news that he automatically assumed a plastic persona on camera. With some practice, we turned him into a camera-friendly version of himself.

Watch this video to find out who the Camera Ready experts think are awesome on camera in the fields of broadcast journalism, entrepreneurship, e-retail, and non-profits. Who do you think comes across really well on camera?

Who to Watch for On-Camera Inspiration


Posted in former students, media tips, media training, Popular, Uncategorized, video ideas, webcasts
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A Media Trainer says please don’t call me that.

All mustache no substance.

I’m really starting to hate the term “media training”.  I feel like such a cheeseball when I tell people that’s part of what I do.  It makes me think of Ron Burgundy, Will Farrell’s corny anchorman who is all mustache and no substance. So I’m working on a redefinition….

Traditionally a “media trainer” coaches someone to talk to a reporter and give a decent interview while looking composed.  But seriously, how many companies, non-profits, or professionals are dealing with the traditional press on a daily basis?  And should that even be their priority? Local or national media coverage can give you a boost but creating your own media constantly is key- from tweeting, to having a facebook page, to making videos for your website.  And coming across composed (snooze…..) isn’t necessarily the way to go.

Here’s where my “new media training” (“Cool Media Creation”? “On-Camera Upgrading”?) comes in…let’s say you are a researcher at a non-profit and suddenly you are being asked to be in a video about your fact finding missions.  Uh, that sounds time consuming and anxiety producing, you think.  Not if we sit down and sketch out 2 reasonable ’30 second stand-ups (you speaking to camera) that succinctly explain who you are and what your doing (“Hi, I’m Jane Non-Profit it and I’m in Kampala talking to Ugandans who have been granted money by our organization.  In this video you’ll see how your donations are actually building local businesses.” Video montage follows.)   We practice, pick out a shirt. It takes Jane an extra 30 minutes on her trip to film it.  And BOOM- she’s making a connection with people who believe in the cause, possibly raising more money, and giving everyone a glimpse into her work, in addition to her written report.

Some people LOVE being on-camera and are good at it.  Most people kind of stink or just don’t take simple steps (like looking the right way, or adjusting their webcam, or organizing their ideas) that would help them make a better impression, bigger impact, etc, all those true cliches.

We are starting to conduct all our business by video, whether it’s informal like skype or internal like a company webchat or for the outside eye, like how-to’s on  your company’s website.  If you have a better term for “media training”, PLEASE leave me a suggestion.

Posted in media tips, media training, Popular, social media, Uncategorized, video ideas, webcasts
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Journalism Start-Up Boot Camp

Our boot camp will be more interactive.

My Thursday afternoons this summer are spoken for: I’ll be hosting mediabistro’s weekly online conference and workshop on entrepreneurial journalism.  Here’s the description:

Learn what to consider when launching your start-up. Draft your business plan over eight weeks with the help of your peers. Participants will vote on the most viable business plans in the group and the winner will have the chance to hear feedback from entrepreneur and venture capitalist Larry Kramer, who will also answer questions from the group. We’ll discuss viable business models for media start-ups and address key questions related to content distribution and monetization.

Very excited.  Not only a new method of teaching for me and mediabistro but also looking forward to getting to know participants with big (or small) media ideas…

See the full program and speakers list here.  Join us.

Posted in conferences, freelance work, future of news, media, media tips, mediabistro, reporting work, social media, Uncategorized
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Inside Scoop on Mediabistro’s 2-Track Socialize Summit

I’m hosting Mediabistro’s Socialize event on Thursday and Friday.  The goal? To discover how to leverage social media to drive revenue.

Each days kicks off with a keynote speaker (Mitch Joel of Twist Image and Ian Schafer of Deep Focus) and then we break up into 2 different rooms.   Day #1: Choose between Social Gaming or Going Mobile. Day #2: Focus on Optimizing your Social Media strategy or New Ways of Monetizing Social Media. OR-  mix and match- go hear the panels that you think are most going to give your business a boost. I’ll be in the Grand Room for the Mobilize and Optimize tracks.   I’m particularly psyched for the Social Video session on Friday- we’ll discuss how businesses should put video to work, with Online Video-Analyst and Videologist Grant Crowell of ReelSEO.

We’re expecting several hundred people with about 8 exhibitors, an on-site bookstore, a cocktail reception, and the surprisingly good coffee from The New Yorker hotel.  Come on down!   And before you do, download the conventionist app to get the schedule, map, social, and other cool features.

Posted in conferences, media, media tips, mediabistro, social media, video ideas
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QVC endures

QVC's New Control Room in Milan

I’m fascinated by the fact that the shopping channel QVC continues to not only do well, but attract high quality and prestige brands.  The image I used to have was of porcelain dolls and collectors coins being hawked incessantly.  But somehow, in the past several years, the products have changed and expanded.  Now you see makeup from Estee Lauder, clothes from the Mad Men costume designer, and even Birkenstocks being sold.   I’ve been working with a client who is bringing his brand to QVC and it’s made me wonder: when did QVC become “cool”?  Ok, maybe not cool, but desirable enough that ‘prestige’ brands are anxious to be on-air?  My theory is that when wealth became more showy and was no longer considered distasteful (ie during the boom years of the 2000′s) brands were happy to cash in on the cache they had built with more discreet and discerning customers.  Remember Coach handbags?  Only fancy ladies had them when I was growing up.  Now the hoards snap up the much flashier mid-level prices totes and the company’s latest annual revenue was $3.6B.  But it’s not just the mainstream masses- apparently the highest number of QVC orders come from zip codes on NYC’s Upper East Side.

From a media trainer’s perspective, savvier audiences mean defining your company/product’s narrative and delivering a succinct and sincere message is paramount.

Posted in media, media tips, media training, Uncategorized
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User-Generated Content: NPR’s Take?

ugcx01

I’m starting to prepare for mediabistro’s User Generated Content Conference on October 20 & October 21.

Highlights will include a talk from I Can Haz Cheezburger‘s founder, the makers of this really cool Blade-Runner inspired branded web series, and a keynote from Vivian Schiller, NPR’s CEO and President.   NPR has, of coursed, just relaunched their website BIG TIME.  I’m curious to hear whether/how they are buying into the whole hyperlocal strategy and if they’ve burned through all that Kroc/McDonald’s money.

Come join us.  We’ll be doing the conference old-school style at the New Yorker hotel.  Bring your fedora.

Posted in conferences, future of news, media, media tips, mediabistro, social media
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Mobile Conference Makes G4 Sexy

mobileYesterday I hosted mediabistro and PCMag’s ThinkMobile conference.  I was concerned that most of the event would fly right over my head but it was actually very encouraging and informative for journalists…and reassuring.  Mobile means insatiable appetite for video news pieces!

Here are some of the key points that I found surprising/intriguing:

-On average, Phillipinos text 200 messages PER DAY…on the low end, Brazilians send only 5 per month. (that’s from Mike Wehr, Mobile Marketing Association)

-The average app lasts only 3 days. (that comes from Jeff Arbour of The Hyperfactory)

-Developers can measure how hard/with how much urgency you press an app icon, say Nokia’s Marco Argenti (MUST…GET…EPICURIOUS…RECIPE)

-Brands should expect to pay $200-$300k for a top-notch app.  (that’s from Razorfish’s Kyle Outlaw). not cheap for quality.

For a full list of the speakers, click here.  Good people to follow on Twitter if you’re interested in mobile or media in general.

There were 1 or 2 low moments- like when an audience member’s phone kept going off with a cricket chirping ringtone. Kind of the last thing you want to hear when your speaking at a conference, right?

Posted in conferences, future of news, media, media tips, smartphones
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