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Archive for the ‘F.A.Q.’ Category

Posted on December 1, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

Google Wave review part 2: screencast, thoughts, examples and resources.

As Google Wave invites continue to spread like wildfire and more than just geeks are starting to explore Google Wave, I’ve seen an increase in the “what are your thoughts on Google Wave” questions. I’m humbled that individuals are interested in my thoughts about Google Wave, I’m also seeing a lot of consultants ask the same question, to see if I’m using Google Wave for any business/marketing use. Regardless, after spending a few days over the weekend to clean out my Google Wave inbox and do some research myself, I’m made a social bookmarking group of Google Wave resources. Also I recorded a video screen cast about how I’m using Google Wave now. Back to what are my thoughts on Google Wave and how I’m using it; here’s a list below.

I think Google Wave will replace Gmail in the years to come
I think Google Wave will be used by companies internally for communication and collaboration in the future
I think Google Wave will be a part of Google’s social network that will include Google Reader
I’m using Google Wave to collaborate on projects, where I upload files and brainstorm ideas in real-time with others
I think Google Wave will become more popular to use for note taking at conferences
I think Google Wave will be used to for training and webinars
I think Google Wave will find use in the media / entertainment industry but I don’t know how yet besides communication or a commerce buy and sale music system
I think Google Wave will become more social by integrating with Facebook and Twitter
I think Google Wave will be used as a video chat solution
I think Google Wave should be used with Google Chrome on Mac and windows for best performance.
I think there’s a slim chance we’ll see a Google Wave/ Chrome gadgets/extensions app store or just all listed on Google Gadgets site
I think I could be wrong about all of the above.
I think it’s to early to put limits on Google Wave or predict all the uses for it.

If you’re new to Google Wave, I would start here: The Complete Guide to Google Wave is a comprehensive user manual by Gina Trapani with Adam Pash.

You can add me as a contact on Google Wave by entering: waynesutton@googlewave.com

Now, it’s your turn. What are your thoughts on Google Wave and how are you using it?

Posted on October 6, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

How to become a social media conference speaker. Tips and a free conference pass.

Photo: by chrisheuer

If you listened to my podcast yesterday on the ROI in attending Social Media Conferences, then you know I just returned from IZEAFest a marketing / social media conference in Orlando, FL. organized by Ted Murphy. In my podcast I mentioned how the ROI for attending various social media conferences is relationships and from the relationships it could lead to more business deals and/or speaking opportunities. While it seems that everyone now is a social media guru or expert, or ninja or “fill in the blank”, the next social media must prove yourself thing to do is write a book or speak at various conferences. While my book is on the way, haha, I have been fortunate enough to take part in both local and national conferences / events such as SXSW, CLT WordCamp, SoFresh, Social Media Club meetings, Triangle Chapter of the American Marketing Association meetings, IZEAFest and more before the end of the year such as BlogWorld Expo, the Social Media Business Forum and Internet Summit 09.

Often I get asked how was I able to take part at various events or how can someone become a speaker at those events. While I’m no “keynote” speaker … yet :), you can see a list of my past speaking events here on FriendWayne.com. I still have a long ways to go, but here are a few tips on how to become a social media conference speaker that I have seen and done.

How to become a social media conference speaker:

Start local – Be known in your own backyard before you try to go global
Establish a personal brand / identity / voice – What will people say about you.
Keep your social networking profiles updated (outdated info can cost you a gig)
Attend other social media conferences – Network!
Create valuable content to showcase your skills. No blog, no videos, no podcast = no gig. Unless you work for a major brand!
Start your own conference / event and ask others to speak – if it works out they may return the favor… maybe.
Have a travel budget
Share your existing presentations on http://www.slideshare.net

Speaking Tips – As you start becoming social media speaker, you need to do a few things such as:

Be memorable and awesome
Provide great content
Provide new content (dont’ just talk about post you read on Mashable)
Tell jokes and stories
Rap – hat tip (Chris Brogan), I dare you! Wait, that’s Chris’s thing so …
Don’t copy other speakers ( I know it’s hard to be creative)
If you’re a quiet person, provide Really great content
Practice, breath and have thick skin
Don’t think about the tweets or “noise” that are being posted while you’re giving your talk.
Have someone video your talks so you can post online for later.
Ask yourself what separates you from the rest and why do you want to become a speaker.
Be yourself.

Free passes to the Social Media Business Forum

If you have Never spoken at a conference in the past and would like to Attend the Social Media Business Forum on Friday, October 23 in Durham, NC, the first Two people who leave a comment on this post saying “I want to attend the Social Media Business Forum” will receive a free pass to the 1 day event. *Tweets or ReTweets of this post do not count.

If you’re a speaker I would love to hear any thoughts you have in the comments or if you have any speaking tips.

Posted on June 20, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

My 4 favorite WordPress Video Blogging Themes

Last week on my Facebook wall I was asked to suggest a good WordPress template to use for a web site television show. Below are my 4 favorite WordPress Video Blogging Themes.

1. eVid wordpress theme – http://www.elegantthemes.com – Membership $19

2. TV Elements – http://www.press75.com- 1 Site License for $75

3. WooTube – http://www.woothemes.com – 1 Site License for $70

4. Quommunication Video - http://quommunication.com/video/ – 1 Site License for $75

Also See:
6 Brilliant WordPress Themes For Video Blogs or Vlogs
Best Video WordPress Themes

What is your favorite WordPress Video blogging theme?

Posted on January 17, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

What makes a successful twitter iPhone app? A tweetie screencast video review. My 5th most asked question: What twitter app do I use on my iPhone?

If you’ve visit my F.A.Q section then yes I skipped #3 or #4 but I’ll get to those later but #3 will be how I got so many twitter followers and #4 will be who created my twitter background and the history of twitter backgrounds. Keeping with the twitter theme here my 5th most asked question is “what twitter iPhone app do I use on my iPhone.

Before tweetie was released I was using the iPhone web app Hahlo mainly because the amount of people I’m following on twitter and the other iPhone applications were hanging on loading my twitter public stream and my replies. Then a few weeks ago my good friend @Ocell told me about tweetie and I’ve been using it ever since. Tweetie is made be atebites and can be downloaded from the iTunes here [app link] Here’s a screencast demo of tweetie.

A few other notes about successful twitter iPhone apps:

Remember to keep it simple and clean – one of the reasons why twitter works is that it’s simple.

Separate the replies from the direct messages and public tweets. I love twitterrific but this is one of the biggest complaints I hear about the app.
Make the app have some PEE, that’s stands for Popularity EnhancEr. – One trend about successful iPhone apps is that it either shoots, farts or is a flashlight and tweetie does two out of the three

Monetize it. – tweetie cost $2.99 and just look at what tweetdeck a popular desktop twitter air app has just received VC funding.

What is your favorite iPhone twitter app and what desktop twitter app do you use?

Posted on December 20, 2008 - by Wayne Sutton

Poll: Help pick my video intro & why I use Vimeo

If you have seen any of my videos on WayneSutton.TV then you know they’re live shows via Ustream.TV and not pre-recorded. We’ll starting after Christmas I’ll be producing a few non live videos for the site and I’m working on a video intro, outro and intro music too. Below are two samples of the intro and I’m looking for your feedback.

The first video is a fade in single word text with a swipe animation, it’s around 14 seconds long. The second video has a fade in to stick text animation that’s 6 seconds long.

Update: The two videos below do not have any audio. thanks via @barrycunningham

Vote in the poll or leave any feedback/suggestions in the comments. If anyone wants to help with the video intro, including audio or special effects feel free to contact me.

intro 1

WayneSutton.TV video intro sample 1 from Wayne Sutton on Vimeo.

intro 2

WayneSutton.TV video intro sample 2 from Wayne Sutton on Vimeo.

The Poll

Speaking of Vimeo if you’re a current user, you can add me as a friend here: http://vimeo.com/waynesutton. Also I just create a WayneSutton.TV video channel on Vimeo here: http://vimeo.com/waynesuttontv

A few people have asked me on twitter why do I use Vimeo over Youtube or other video hosting social networks, a few of the reason are below.

I love Vimeo’s embed player, it’s clean, simple, flush with the page
Vimeo was one of the 1st video social networks to support HD video uploads
Vimeo has HD video embedding options
Vimeo is simple, it’s easy to upload videos
Vimeo has multiple community building options: channel, groups, albums
I like Vimeo’s video options to embed custom upload thumbnail, add flickr photos, etc
Vimeo Plus http://vimeo.com/plus options are great and worth the $59.00 a year

But there are a few features I don’t like about Vimeo or I wish they had such as:

Video encoding is slow if you don’t have a plus account (I’m a plus user) & it still can be faster.
Vimeo doesn’t support video comment insertion like Viddler
You can’t link to a time spot in Vimeo like you can with Youtube
More options for image/logo overlay
The ability to support pre-roll video ads

If Vimeo would add or work on those features, they’ll be almost perfect. IMOH

Which Video social networking site do you use and why?