Women in Podcasting

Women in Podcasting

I posted about what I want Women in Podcasting and Blogging to be. SInce then I have come up with some questions that I want to discuss both on the blog and also when some of us meet in London on the 19th March at the European Corporate Podcasting Summit, where we will be speaking.

1) How do we take our message on the road to attract more women?
2) What kind of support can we provide between us?
3) How do we promote our message?
4) Can we formalise this group and would it benefit from a membership club?
5) What is our goal and mission?
6) How will we measure success?

Anything to add or start a discussion ahead of our first meet up? Remember just email me anna@theengagingbrand.com if you want to join us on the night of the 19th March in London.

Business Blog Angel - Messages

Claire Raikes, who is a great blogging consultant in the UK and one of the members of our group has a great post today for anyone wanting to engage with blog listeners - to read more and to understand the importance you can read her post here. Here is a snippet

"The MobaTalk Audio Comment System (or MyChingo as its also known as) appears as a little audio player module on your blog or website.  Visitors can click on the messages that others have left behind and play them - imagine having people record testimonials, thank yous, congratulations on your great service etc. Hearing an audio testimonial is always going to be more effective than reading something in writing, because we humans communicate using humour, tone, speed, inflection etc. And we are back to authenticity again - you just know when someone is being genuine (or not) when they speak.  So, having heard these audio comments,  listeners will not only be more inclined to engage, but they are also likely to perpetuate the cycle and leave their own message at some stage.

To do that, all you need do is click on the button and you are taken to a page where you'll see a box to input your name and email address and a set of clickable audio player/recorder controls.  Wearing your usual Skype headset, you now click on the record button and talk. It really couldn't be simpler.

Once the visitor has hit the send message button, the comment system host/owner will receive an email letting you know you have a message. You log into your account online and listen to the message. If you are happy to share, you press 'Make Public'."

Women in Podcasting

I thought I would share some of the women that I enjoy listening to, not necessarily in the UK but shining examples of how women can thrive in new media. Indeed Donna and Heidi were my inspiration for - and early guests on - The Engaging Brand. The disappointing part for me is that when I look through my podcast directory it is very male dominated - not from a feminist point of view but from a wish that more women cast aside their fears and took the plunge of producing a podcast about their passion. That is why this group is very important to me.

Donna Papacosta - a great insight into communication
Heidi Miller - covering public speaking and promotion
Penny Haynes - Ideas on marketing, business and strategy
Pamela Slim - Ideas for entrepreneurs and small business
Lisa Haneberg - Management Ideas

Do you have any others to share? Of course, I also listen to Relationship Matters, Wiggly Wigglers, Middle Age Shed

Women in Podcasting and Blogging

Ahead of some of us meeting up on the 19th I wanted to write down why I would like to form a support group. The main reason is that social media is full of great tools which can help you both in your personal and professional life. I want to try and encourage other women to become involved and have the fun that I am having, making new friends on a daily basis.

I also think that there is a real fear about trying the new technology and I want to support people through the early days, let them learn from my mistakes and get them up to speed quicker.

Why women? Well there are many male role models out there but fewer women. I want to be part of a network that promotes women in this area. Women do not always find it easy to network in a male dominated environment, or ask what seems to them simple questions. So I want to form a network of events that takes podcasting and blogging out to women, to encourage them to try it and have fun with it.

What do you want from this group? What ideas do you have on support, networking, learning and meetings?

Looking for Daily Inspiration

Another UK blog that I write is MabelandHarry which was the very first blog that I ever wrote so it has a very special place in my heart. Blogger as a blogging platform is a great place to start - it is free and very user friendly. You literally can start a blog within 5 minutes with no previous experience - fantastic!

It has progressed a lot and now you can add widgets quite easily and if you want to introduce someone new I would highly recommend it. If you are trying to run a business then you will want to move to Typepad or Wordpress later but blogger is a great way to get started.

Marion Ryan Saying Hello

Hello to Anna, Heather and everyone; and thanks to Raikesy for introducing me to your blog.

I'm a business coach based in Tipperary which is not really such a long way away, honest.  I'm originally from London but oh God, if I'm not careful I'm going to burst into song again and tell you that's why I love London so.  I've been living over here in Ireland for nine years but get back often to visit my favourite people and love the way the internet has brought me new friends and business partners over the years despite my geographical distance.

I've been blogging for a couple of years and love it though I can distinctly remember in early 2005 saying pretty crossly to myself, I just can't see the point to it / it'll never catch on...

I've been a bit baffled by podcasting to be honest but thoroughly enjoyed a teleclass last night with Claire Raikes which opened me up greatly to the possibilities and she so spoke highly of some of your podcasts, I can't wait to get stuck into listening to your pearls of wisdom.

I shall be taking a pleasant trawl through all your posts to date and look forward to contributing to this community whenever possible.

Two New Recruits

The wonderful blogangel Claire Raikes who joined our group last week has introduced another 2 UK bloggers to our group, a group that will help support and help each other. The 2 people are

Marion Ryan

blog url:  http://marionryan.typepad.com/blog/

Judith Morgan

blog url: http://www.judithmorgan.typepad.com/

Check out their work and see the power of blogging!Remember a few of us are meeting up on the night of  19th March in London to see how we can support and grow a womens community of bloggers and podcasters...so let me know if you want to join us at anna@theengagingbrand.com

Corporate Podcasting Summit

Claire Raikes, Barbara Bradbury, Heather Gorringe and Anna Farmery are all speaking at the Corporate Podcasting Summit. I will highlight the different sessions starting with Claire and Barbara today. Their session is called Demystifying the Podcast and covers:

After a day                     of case studies and inspiration this session tackles a number                     of the podcasting myths stopping the business community's                     wide adoption of the channel. Join a panel of podcasting and                     blogging experts, enterprise podcasters and digital media                     evangelists for this lively discussion!
                  

                  

Some of the myths                     thrown into the ring include:

                  

1. It’s completely irrelevant for our business!
2. Podcasts are not influencing B2C and B2B decision making                       processes
3. Our peers are not podcasting so why should we?
4. There is no real value in podcasting today
5. It’s an unproven and immeasurable method                       of communication
6. Why hit 2000 people with a podcast when we can hit 2million                       via traditional channels?
7. We have no broadcast experience so podcasting                       can only hurt our business!
8. The only demographic our podcasts will reach is a community                       of spotty teenagers and geeks!
9. Where does the journey end? If I start podcasting                       now I won’t be able to stop without damaging our reputation!

If you want to find out more and register for the event then here is the link

Two New Members

You will see that we have 2 new female blogging/podcasting fanatics on board as we try and develop on on line support community to share our experiences and enjoy supporting each other in this brave new world. Both Claire and Barbara are new contacts for me, I have only got to know them through new media and is a wonderful example of why you should give it a go. I now have 2 new friends who I love speaking to and keep me motivated when I am stuck at my desk trying to earn  enough to feed my cats!

As I said we want to arrange some meet ups in the North and South of England for people who want support, who want to understand more, who just want to meet like minded people....so watch out for details. In the meantime, remember all of us are in London on the 19th March and would love you to join us for a night of wine (or in my case cider) and chat.

Hello!

Thank you for inviting me to join you on this blog, Anna. I have been podcasting regularly since August 2006 and absolutely LOVE it! It is great fun and I am "meeting" many fascinating and interesting people through my podcasting. I started from scratch - a total novice who hadn't even heard of podcasting until last May - and now I'm about to give a talk at the 2007 European Podcast Summit in March.  It isn't difficult - come on ladies, give it a go!!