Triple Goddess Productions

Hello everyone.  I know it’s been awhile since I have updated, but getting back into the swing of professional productivity while balancing personal issues has been a bit taxing.  This doesn’t mean I haven’t been active here does not mean I have not been actively planning, promoting and pushing forward offline. And one such planning, promoting, pushing forward effort was attending Ohio’s second annual Podcamp, organized by Angelo Mandato, Co-founder of Spaceblue.

Billed as the “new media unconference for Ohio”, Podcamp Ohio extends the brainchild of Christopher S. Penn and Chris Brogan who kicked the podcamping phenomenon off in Boston in 2006.  Now while the name of the event makes one assume it is primarily geared towards podcasting, Podcamp is designed to provide proponents of new media (Blogs, Microblogs, Vlogs, and Podcasts) with tools to help make their broadcasting efforts or experience pop!

Being that I’m connected to a plethora of individuals who maintain new media mediums, I have heard about Podcamp repeatedly over the years.  Last year Doug Ramsey (Sunday Soundtrack) and Kenya Allmond introduced me to the concept by Tweeting and Blogging  about Podcamp DC, and this year Dantrel (Friday Favecast) and Evelyn (Cre8eve Touch Photography) Robinson continued the tradition with sharings about Podcamp Houston. With the four of them being more new media oriented that I am, I assumed you had to be a technophile in order to benefit from the events.  However, considering I run four Blogs in addition to being an editor and e-Publisher, when I heard about Podcamp Ohio I figured it would be worth my while to attend one or two of the sessions.  The way I saw it, if the event did turn out to be above my head tech-wise, I could at least network with others who could help me expand my knowledge and reach.  And with the great bargain of free registration, I didn’t see where I’d be losing one way or the other.

Accompanied by Emanuel C. Wallace of Eva Noslen Photography, I arrived “fashionably” late to the festivities (around lunch time) — which were held in the Mendenhall Laboratory on OSU’s campus — signed in, received my swag and proceeded to pick out which sessions I’d attend after lunch break.  My intentions were to bone up on all the marketing and promoting techniques I possibly could while I was there, so I checked off the sessions of interests, then went on to enjoy a lovely Mexican meal courtesy of Qdoba which I was not expecting at all.  Great choice, by the way.  Very tasty.

After lunch the bulk of attendees congregated outside Mendenhall to chat, exchange thoughts on earlier sessions, gather information for their personal coverage of the event and to just enjoy the sunshine.  The energy emanating from the differing personalities was inspiring and electric, buzzing with the excitement of sharing vital knowledge to help and be helped.  From the uber seasoned Blogger and veteran Podcaster to the serial Twitterer and occasional Vlogger, each of us represented a niche market for the progression of new media with a united vision to connect our varying sources.  Just to be there among so many creative minds was an inspiration, and even if you maintained a “wallflower” type persona, getting caught up in the spirit of the event was inevitable.  The passion was too thick not to be affected by it.

The first session I attended was “Building a Strong Brand for Your Podcast, Blog or Yourself”, conducted by Marketess CEO, Krista Neher.  A professional Blogger with an extensive and impressive background in brand marketing, Krista shared with us the five steps necessary for building your personal trademark as a Blogger, Podcaster or other new media developer.  Lively in her approach, and very knowledgeable in the content she presented, Ms. Neher advised us of the importance of first knowing who you are and what it is about you that you are trying to present via your social networking mediums.  It is from there that your brand gets its foundation, and you have a more solid idea of the audience you need to pitch your brand to.  Krista’s presentation was elementally Marketing 101, made personable by her ability to interact with us instead of simply presenting analytics and statistics.

The next session was “Using Social Media to Get a Job”, presented by InfoTrust’s VP of Social Media, Michael Loban.  For me, this session presented a two-fold promise of 1. teaching me how to use social media sites to find a “day job” to help finance my entrepreneurial goals, and 2. showing me tools that I can use to conduct market research to strengthen TGP’s foundation. While Mr. Loban’s approach was more fast paced and not as interactive as Krista’s, the information he provided was no less beneficial.  Listing various sites which helped streamline the process of keeping job search profiles updated and provided statistical information on prospective employers, Michael shared tips on how to use keywords to help place your resume at the head of the eRecruiting class.

The subsequent session, “Twitter Tools for Business”, conducted by Wendy Suto, the President of Search Circus, expanded Michael’s presentation by offering similar techniques by way of SEO marketing.  Keyword usage was the focus of Ms. Suto’s offering, as she shared ways for business owners to market their brand by means of auto Tweeting, using such sites as Tweetlater.com.  To find keywords that worked best, Wendy suggested a list of sites which would generate statistics of key phrases used most often via Twitter, such as Tweetbeeps.com which works simple to Google Alerts.  What I liked best about this session was the use of real time Internet demonstrations that corresponded with Wendy’s suggestions.

And last, but definitely not least, the last session of the day, “How Social is Too Social”, conducted by Life Enthusiast, Kristen Beireis of Amazing Steps Coaching.  Admittedly, all of the sessions I attended were informative, but Kristen brought the fun along with hers.  Guided only by her iTouch outline notes, Ms. Beireis led a small group of maybe ten attendees in a round table discussion of the importance of content appropriateness.  She started each of her point with a question, encouraging us to not only interact with one another as a way to break the ice, but to “see” how each related to our Net sharings.  Whether for personal or professional use, Kristen provided us with tools to help determine how we could best create our image via our content, and ensure that our “brand” was directed at the proper audience via the proper platform.  After approximately two hours of sitting and listening, this session was indeed refreshing because we were directly engaging one another in a “brainstorming” type way.

Podcamp Ohio ended on a very upbeat note, gathering all the participants into the auditorium for prize giveaways — which got a little jabberwocky because so many of the winners left previous to this point — and to thank this year’s sponsors, volunteers and attendees.  It had proven to be a long day for those who’d arrived at 8:30 and remained through to the end, but the air of excitement was still prevalent as Angelo  brought the technopalooza to a close.  Although I had only planned to stay for maybe a session or two, I am very glad I was able to stay for the entire second half because I learned a lot.  I didn’t get to network with as many people as I would have liked, but I left with tons of information and an eagerness to return next year.

Desire visuals?  Visit my Podcamp Ohio Flickr Set.

Thank you Angelo for coordinating a fun and worthwhile event, and to everyone else who worked to make my Podcamp debut a good one.

mmichelle Articles Amazing Steps Coaching, Angelo Mandato, attracting the right audience, auto tweeting, blog, blog or yourself, bloggers, blogging, blogs, brainstorming, brand specific, building a strong brand, building a strong brand for your podcast, Chris Brogan, Christopher S. Penn, content specific, Cre8eve Touch Photography, creative collective, creative enegry, Dantrel Robinson, developing your blog brand, developing your brand, Doug Ramsey, Emanuel C. Wallace, Eva Noslen Photography, Evelyn Robinson, Facebook, FridayFavecast, geek, how social is too social, InfoTrust LLC, inspiration, interacting, iTouch, Kenya Allmond, key phrases, keywords, Krista Neher, Kristen Beireis, life enthusiast, Marketess, marketing, Mendenhall Laboratory, Michael Loban, microblogs, new media, new media unconference, new media unconference community, not what you say but how you say it, Ohio Podcamp 2, Ohio State University, OSU, pco09, Plurk, Podcamp, Podcamp DC, Podcamp Houston, Podcamp Ohio, podcast, podcasters, podcasting, promotion, Qdoba, round table discussion, Search Circus, season blogger, SEO marketing, SEO search engine optimization, social media, social network, social networking, Spaceblue, Sunday Soundtrack, techie, technophile, tweetbeeps.com, tweetlater.com, Twitter, twitter tools for business, uber techie, using social media to job search, veteran podcaster, video blogging, vlog, Wendy Suto

][ originally published in The Essence Ezine ][

When you look through your list of personal contacts, how many of those associates are a part of the literary community? Of that group, how often do you touch base with them just to “kick it”, “shoot the breeze”, or offer a complimentary service? How close are you to those few individuals? Do you know their spouses? How many children they have? What genre of writing do they favour? Their mother’s maiden names? Okay, so maybe you don’t need to be that “in the know” with them, but you should always try to keep a select conglomeration of writers, editors, publishers and the like close at hand for fortification and networking purposes? Why you ask? Well let me give you a personal example.

My husband is a mechanic who just so happens to be my story guinea pig. Whenever I share a concept for a piece with him or read to him something I have just worked on, I get the customary response of “Oh that’s good honey” followed by a kiss on the forehead. No suggestions of sentence structure change, grammar correction, concept reconstruction – none of those things you expect when you share your work with someone. Or how about this one (I know you all have experienced this): you have been working on a story for two weeks straight and then hit the “wall”. You know the one that has “Thou Shalt Not Write Another Word” painted on it in Day Glo yellow. At times like that I am almost in tears and cursing like I was born on a ship, but all Mr. Smith does is look puzzled saying “Well, it’s not the end of the world sweetie.” Is he blind? Does he not realize I have a deadline to meet, goals to reach, and a mission to be completed? No publication will accept two lines of story with “To Be Continued” at the end. This is the very reason to arm yourself with acquaintances of like mind who have been at this point too, and may have just the thing that helps you cope.

In this day and age finding other budding writers is as easy as entering words in a search engine and clicking a mouse. I found most of my online groups through Yahoo, and trust me there are a million of them out there. I also did a search for offline organizations, because a writer cannot live on message boards alone. Face to face interaction is just as important as and Email chat or telephone conversation. And don’t just be silent once you’ve joined those organizations that suite your personality and style. Get out and mingle with the other participants. Let your name and works be known! Broadcast your events and aspirations. You will be amazed how many people in those groups share you vision or can link you with someone else who does.

Once you have made those friends and influenced some people don’t think your work is going to be done. History tells us that our society was built on a bartering system, and there is no more powerful resource in the life of a writer. If you write poems and know someone starting a Web site or publication showcasing poetry, send in a couple. When they are selected, or even before, tell everyone you know not just that your poems are being featured, but sell them on the Website itself. If another friend has a newsletter, offer an article. Someone else dong a book signing? Become their town crier and help spread the word. It will surprise you how far that will go when it’s your turn in the spotlight. Those same people you showed that kindness towards will return the favour without you having to ask.

In general, networking with like minds can take your career to heights you never dreams because there will always be something fresh and new coming from another source. That one friend who runs the newsletter may be a top-notch editor who helps you with that structure problem you’ve been having. Mr. or MS. Book Signing maybe a good PR rep that develops a killer marketing strategy for your next book. But you will never now, until you get out there and meet them.

copyright © 2003 – 2009 AngelaMichelle Smith

mmichelle Articles

][originally published in The Essence Ezine ][

You’re a new writer. You’ve penned a couple of poems, pounded out a few short stories and have embarked on the path of writing “The Great American Novel.”  Your family and friends rave about your talent, giving you praise that could all on its own win you a Pulitzer. You create a Website showcasing your labours of love, ready to wow the masses you are sure your literary prowess will generate. Any minute now you are sure your phone will begin to ring non stop with calls from numerous agents and publishers begging to put your book on store shelves… offering you the promise of dreams come true!

Then in what seems like a flash, six months pass and you are still a virtual unknown. Checks to your Website reveal that not even your mother has signed your guest book and hit statistics are less than encouraging. You label yourself a failure and vow never to pick up a pen again… but wait. Don’t despair. It happens to the best of us. It’s very unlikely that even the greatest of writers signed a mega deal their first time out the gate, and for you it will be no different. But how do you survive the disheartening bumpy path to publishing success and gain exposure that will take you from talented hobbyist to in demand author? Well let’s ask some published authors the secret of their success and find out.

Dominique Grosvenor, author of “Fever”, “Bloom” and “The Plural Thing” offers this advice: “I am not sure there is a secret to publishing success. When a book is good, and there is a buzz about it, it usually ends up on the best seller’s list. Write a good book would be my first tip. Reaching your target market would be the second since that’s who creates the buzz.”

“Submit! Submit! Submit!” advises columnist, author and speaker Sylvia McClain. “Writers just starting out should enter every contest, use every opportunity to do readings, submit pieces to magazines and newspapers, go to workshops and attend conferences. Also, join as many groups that work out for you to network in. Making these kinds of connections allows you to have an inside circle of people to help promote your work.”

Rosalind Stormer of Heavenly Bound PWhile I am not yet a chart topping published powerhouse I would have to say that I agree with each tip listed here. The journey to publishing success will need to be fortified with belief in yourself, clever marketing of your work, resiliency and drive. The differences between seeing your name in print on a book jacket or magazine page and seeing it on a rejection letter are putting your best foot, and efforts forward. Never cease perfecting your craft, learn to take constructive evaluation… and a little prayer never hurts!

One last tip, and probably the most important one. While talent may be all that is needed to create an unforgettable storyline, research and preparation are going to carry that storyline the rest of the way towards The New York Time’s Best Seller’s List. Bone up on industry standards by checking out various publications geared towards publishing and writing. Read all the books you can about procedures and expectations. Interview or query as many professionals as you can such as agents, publishers and published authors to get their views on the process. As it is with all things, information is key and the more you have, the greater your chances are of seeing your dreams fulfilled in black and white.  I wish you much success!

copyright © 2003 – 2009 AngelaMichelle Smith

mmichelle Articles

][ originally published in The Essence Ezine ][

In my experience as a writer I have found that the best materials for realistic pieces, be they poems, short stories, or that “Great American Novel”, are often found within the pages of my own life. From the cat who seems to always be in the bathroom as if he has business there to the seven year old burst of energy who is my third son, there’s always some story going on within the Smith household. As the old saying goes, everything is tale waiting to be told, and keeping a clear, concise, and expressive journal is the key to turning the dishwasher breaking down right after Thanksgiving dinner into the next best selling novel by “YOUR NAME HERE”.

The first step in your process it to ear mark a journal. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, a wire bound, college ruled notebook will serve this purpose nicely. Once you have chosen your sounding board, take great pains not to use it for anything other than journaling. No grocery lists, or notes to yourself to remember little Tommy’s doctor’s appointment next Thursday. This notebook will be your lifeblood when the evil that is Writer’s Block comes a calling. You don’t want to be thrown off track by wandering thought.

Your journaling time can be as short or long as your emotion carries you. You may find that on some days when your mind is running at 50 MPH and climbing, your entries may ramble on while on other days you can barely get out one sentence. There is no major word or time limit, unless you set one for yourself, but it is important that you are as consistent with making entries as you possibly can be. I personally set a limit of four entries per week – this way I never miss writing down an important event or feeling. When I am strapped for content I utilize various journal prompts found on the Internet, from friends, and through various writer’s resource material such as Writer’s Digest Magazine.

Another “must” in this process, you have to make sure you are descriptive and expressive as possible. Try to list every detail of what happened or how you feel – this will be very helpful when you use your journal entries as a story base, assisting you in providing a vivid scene for your and dish the low-down to one another? Use the same premise with your journal.

Lastly, but never least, your journaling time should be at a time in your day when you can spend quiet, private time reflecting. As a mother of four and full time freelance writer I know that time alone can often times be a rarity, but simple time management can help here. Think about your day in full. What time do you wake up? What time do you go to bed? How do you spend the time your children are in school? A very close look at your time schedule can uncover prime journaling time, void of distractions. If something happens in your day that you just need to write down right then and there, pen a reference note and come back to it when you have a moment to yourself and can delve head first into chronicling the experience.

Keeping a journal can be an enriching experience for your writing career, serving as a base for quieting frustrations as well as providing you with fresh material for that next literary baby you give birth to. Happy journaling!

copyright © 2003 – 2009 AngelaMichelle Smith

mmichelle Articles

][ originally published in The Essence Ezine ][

The day had finally arrived! April 1^st, 2003 – the day yet another manifestation of my literary goals came to life! I logged in countless hours, brought together some of the best novice talent to showcase, and utilized the best of the best free Web enhancements I could find. My husband and children barely recognize me for all the time I’ve spent “in the lab”, but that doesn’t matter. On this day it was all going to pay off! I cut the ceremonial ribbon and launched The Essence Ezine amidst a flurry of flash and fanfare! I promoted my fanny off and positive reviews started rolling in from family, friends, and the writing community. I began to receive potential contributor Emails almost from the moment I set up shop. I was pumped. I was excited. I was floating in a buddle of unabashed euphoria! And then, I took a gander at my announcement Email – typo… repeat word… missing letter… sentences not recognizable in the English language or any other that I knew of. Panic surges through me as I log onto the Ezine hone page and notice more errors. And even more on the corresponding pages. OH MY GOD! How many viewers had seen this? What will they think? How unprofessional has my venture appeared? After weeks of build up and promotion how will I ever live this down?

Hold up drama queen – it’s not the end of the world as we know it and there will be no Simon Crowel proclaiming to my peers that I am the worst writer ever. I just succumbed to the first mistake new writers often make: forgetting to proofread in my excitement to present my work. While this is almost as common as Writer’s Block, proofreading (or the lack thereof) can make or break your writing career. The first thing that is sure to turn off agents, publishers and readers a like is a writer who does not care enough about their work to present their best possible effort. And nothing says that louder than mistakes in a manuscript or Web site. So how do you keep this from happening? To help you with that, I offer four foolproof ways to present error free work that allows your talent to shine through.

Read, read, and re-red – Once you are done, or even before you pen “The END”, continuously read through your work to pick up on commonly make mistakes. If you get to the point where you are “tired” of reading, and time allows for it, put the piece down for a while and come back to it when you are refreshed.

Never trust your PC screen – Always print a copy of your piece and read it, even after you’ve proofed it in your monitor. There are very subtle errors that can bypass even the most classically trained English professor if they’ve been staring at a computer screen for too long.

Enlist “editors” – Get friends, family, mentors, and peers in on the job. Sometimes it takes two, three, or even four pairs of eyes to find the most obvious mistakes your eyes may overlook.

Read the piece aloud to yourself – Typos are not the only mistakes that you can make when penning your first draft. Grammatical errors can rear their ugly heads as well when you aren’t looking. Reading aloud to yourself will give you a feel for how your work sounds, as well as aid in catching tense, context, and punctuation errors.

There are many more techniques that help spot possible blemishes in your work, but these four should come in as handy staples in your writing process. Always remember, even the most seasoned writers make mistakes. But the most successful ones will never let you see it.

copyright © 2003 – 2009 AngelaMichelle Smith

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