Podcasting, Vodcasting, Blogging. Oh My! Communicating in the Land of Oz

Transcription

1 Podcasting, Vodcasting, Blogging. Oh My! Communicating in the Land of Oz Presented by: Carol Todd Thomas, CMO Fowler White Boggs Banker, P.A. Ten Offices Throughout Florida Suite E. Kennedy Boulevard Tampa, FL Communicating to Compete What s Happening in the Market? New forms of communication Rapidly evolving Overload of information Relevance Competition What this session will cover Communications challenges New forms of communication Choosing what is most effective to compete What s next? 1

2 Roles: Accounting Billing, Collections Auditing Boards Compliance Dissemination of Information Roles: IT Technology Users Marketing and Communication Application Dissemination Roles: Legal Information posting Research Public Relations Promotion Dissemination 2

3 Podcasts "Podcasting" is a compound word coined in 2004, that combined two words: "ipod" and "broadcasting." Even though the name is a misnomer, in that podcasting doesn't require an ipod and no over-theair broadcasting is required, it has maintained its prominence in the face of numerous alternatives. The use of "podcast" to describe both audio and video feeds seemed natural to some users, while others prefer to reserve the word for audio and coin new terms for video subscriptions. Other "pod-" derived neologisms include "podcasters" for individuals or organizations offering feeds and "podcatchers" for special RSS aggregators with the ability to transfer the files to media player software or hardware. The "pod" name association came about because Apple Computer's ipod digital audio player was popular when podcasting began. The use of "pod" in 2004 probably played a part [1] in Apple's development of podcasting products and services in 2005, further linking the device and the activity in the news media. Vodcasts Vodcast (a portmanteau of 'video podcast' or 'video on demand-cast'), VODcast or video podcast is an emerging term used for the online delivery of video on demand video clip content via Atom or RSS enclosures. The term is an evolution specialized for video, coming from the generally audio-based podcast and referring to Video On Demand (VOD) and (web-, narrow-, broad-) casting where the RSS feed is used as a non-linear TV channel to which consumers can subscribe using a PC, TV, set-top box, media center or mobile multimedia device). From a web server, a vodcast can be distributed as a file or as a stream. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Downloading complete vodcasts in advance gives the user the ability to play the vodcasts offline on, for example, a portable media player. Streaming allows seeking (skipping portions of the file) without downloading the full vodcast, better statistics and lower bandwidth costs for the servers; however, users may have to face pauses in playback caused by slow transfer speeds. A podcasting client may work with a separate, or integrated player. One such example of the latter is itunes, which is an unusual case of a web feed aggregator being added to a media player rather than vice versa. Vodcasting took off in the Netherlands, for several reasons. First, over 60% of the Dutch have broadband Internet of 1 Mbit/s and faster so there's a large potential audience for ondemand video services. Second, vodcasting was pioneered and promoted by Dutch streaming specialist at vodcast. Blogs A weblog, which is usually shortened to blog, is a type of website where entries are made (such as in a journal or diary), displayed in a reverse chronological order. Blogs often provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Most blogs are primarily textual although many focus on photographs, videos or audio. The word blog can also be used as a verb, meaning adding an entry to a blog. 3

4 Podcasting Uses Podcasts, simply put, are audio files of any length on any subject Our law firm uses them to educate and update our clients on breaking legal news as well as on standard legal subjects. e=fowlerwhite.com FWPodcasts: 4

5 Podcasting, cont. Branding Other uses: Education Board and shareholder meetings Conferences Demonstrations Vodcasting Uses Vodcasting, simply put, is a video file posted and disseminated through the internet and . Typical uses are similar to podcasting: Seminars Other information distribution Real time or recorded Blogs Are Demanding 5

6 Blogging Web logs have been used for years by a variety of web users, but have recently caught on as a standard communications form. Aside from the blogs used for personal expression, they are used by educators, legal sectors, the government, etc. as a collaboration tool. Popular Blogs Legal Blawgs Illinois Legal Blog Tax Prof Blog: a blog by Prof. Paul Caron Discourse.net: a personal blog by Prof. Michael Froomkin from the University of Miami School of Law How Appealing: a blog on appellate litigation by Howard Bashman 6

7 Judges read blogs, too Judges reading legal blogs From Steve Bainbridge, I picked up on discussion between he and Howard Bashman on judges reading legal blogs. Howard asks: What should judges do if, while visiting the legal blogosphere, they encounter... to be treated any differently than law reviews or treatises. Not sure why we're so afraid to accept blogs. Blogging Takes Time Time sensitive Personal journal Discussion-based Can help you and hurt you Creates conversation on any subject Enews: the Death of Paper 7

8 enews Incorporates industry news Provides firm news Links to podcasts Links to other sites Links to Short, relevant, deep and timely The dark side of this technology Uncensored Opinion-based Time-sensitivity Overload of information The bright side Using as many forms of communication as possible Differentiation Knowledge of the newest forms of conversation Leveraging methods to reach broader market 8

9 Meaningful Messages Wrap-Up Forms of Communication to Compete 5+ Personal Meeting Seminar Gossip Newspapers Memos Radio Television Websites Blogs Podcasts Vodcasts Coaching Which to Choose? What do your customers prefer? Match the means to the audience and message. What can you do effectively? Who are you trying to reach? What is your message? 9

10 What s Next? Wikipedia-style editing Trusted sources will develop Credibility factors Buzzing Conversations Final Word...or not Remember your audience Determine underlying demand Deliver relevant and meaningful content In a manner best suited to your audience And you will need to do it many ways to effectively deliver your message Comments/Questions/Suggestions? Thank you for attending. 10