Bill Seaver with MicroExplosion.com, recently “pitched” a new concept: Social Media Batting Practice. Will You Play?

First up: How would a weekend fly fishing guide and instructor use social media to grow his business?

Here are 3 quick tips for this small business:

1. ‘Fly Fishing Tips’ Blog
   Creating an instructional blog is a great way to target specific customers. Don’t worry about revealing too much. You want to do just the opposite. This is a great opportunity to show your expertise in fly fishing.

   As an instructional blog, it has a clear focus. Many blogs are all over the place and have no consistency. Creating a clear, precise blog is a great way to target customers. Remember it’s not the quantity of visitors you want, it’s the quality. Five strong customers are better then 100 5-second visits.

2. Start the conversation on Twitter
   Start following friends, colleagues and competitors. Now of course, tweeting with friends will not expand the bank account. However, it does start the conversation. By discussing “fly fishing” the conversation expands beyond friends.

   After friends, begin following local lodging companies, restaurants, and local organizations. Don’t just follow. Join the conversation. Make friends. Make partnerships.

   Twitter creates followers, it creates buzz, and it eventually creates customers. It all begins with one sentence: “What are you doing?”

3. Flickr Photo Contest

   Ask for photographs of favorite fly-fishing spots. Then, give away free instructions to the best entries.
   
   After it’s over, be sure to give something to all entries. Even if it’s small, everyone loves winning.

   Flickr requires minimal time and investment. Plus, it has great photo sharing tools that allow you to integrate those photos into your blog and more importantly it allows “customers” to share those photos.

Other tips, outside of Social Media:

• Create packages with local lodging companies
• Place brochures in state border Welcome Centers
• Find ways to give away lessons. A small gesture will lead to great word of mouth
• Email is a great way to talk with customers. Look for ways to collect email addresses.

This week, I thoroughly enjoyed my speaking engagement at PodCamp Nashville. Plus, I was honored to be asked.

If you are ever asked to participate I would jump on the opportunity. Similar to BarCamp Nashville, the audience is eager and very welcoming.

As I stated while on stage, I am not a podcaster. My knowledge of any advanced media (video, audio, and graphics) is very limited, so I picked up great knowledge from the “camp”.

Below are some of the basic points I learned at PodCamp Nashville, which may seem obvious to those more experienced then me.

1. Anyone can be Podcaster
2. Advance equipment is not necessary for podcasting, but certainly helps.
3. Start small and build an audience before looking for networks or sponsors.
4. Users can quickly see through the sales pitch. Keep it personal.
5. I am starting to “get” Twitter. Thanks Dave Delaney.
6. Nashville wants to learn, they just need the opportunity.

I enjoyed my time at BarCamp Nashville so much, that I ask for more punishment.

I hope to bring my knowledge of search engine marketing to the media discussion at PodCamp Nashville.

We will have lots of creative people at the un-conference, so hopefully I can help with getting that creativity noticed by Google.

PodCamp Nashville is Saturday, February 9.

Stop by, say “hi”, and meet some great people. Join us at PodCamp Nashville at The Cannery Ballroom.

See you there!

Renowned tech insiders Joseph Jaffe and C.C. Chapman to Speak to local bloggers, podcasters, social networking specialists, new media marketers, and business leaders

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Members of the marketing, business, design, technology and music industries will gather at the historic Cannery Ballroom on February 9, 2008, for PodCamp Nashville, a nine hour “unconference” that aims to promote education, innovation and collaboration between technology and media professionals and Nashville’s blogging and podcasting communities.

“This is all about building community,” said Dave Delaney, an event organizer. “That’s what we’re trying to do here. By attending PodCamp Nashville, members of the blogging, podcasting, marketing, development and business communities will be able to join forces to put Nashville on the digital world map. After the huge success of BarCamp Nashville, it’s clear that Nashville’s tech community is alive and kicking.”

PodCamp Nashville (www.podcampnashville.com) is a community “unconference” for podcasters and listeners, bloggers and readers, and anyone interested in New Media. The first PodCamp was held in September 2006 in Boston, and the concept is now spreading across the world. PodCamp Nashville is a follow up to the highly acclaimed BarCamp Nashville, an “unconference” held in August 2007. A video recap is available here: barcampnashville.com.

PodCamp is spearheaded by Delaney along with Kelly Stewart and Marcus Whitney, area leaders in the fields of technology and New Media. The event, which is free to the public, is designed for anyone interested in the online world to share ideas, hear from industry experts, and participate in discussions and demos.

Don’t miss PodCamp Nashville’s keynote speakers, Joseph Jaffe and C.C. Chapman. Jaffe is one of the most sought-after consultants, authors, speakers and thought leaders on New Marketing. He is the President and Chief Interruptor of crayon, a conversational marketing company, specializing in community, dialogue and partnership. C.C. Chapman has been described as a New Media maven, a podcasting pioneer and a grounded futurist. Chapman is a Partner of The Advance Guard, a new company focusing on using social media and emerging technology to create radical marketing programs.

New Media Marketing experts predict that businesses will thrive in 2008 if they embrace social media and conversational marketing methodologies. Forrester Research predicts that spending on interactive technologies will grow to $61 billion by 2012 and social media (podcasting, blogging, etc.) will drive emerging channels to $10.6 billion.

Participants of PodCamp Nashville are guaranteed to return to their offices revitalized and excited about what New Media has to offer. Students, hobbyists and professionals are encouraged to attend to network and to learn. Experience with blogging or podcasting are not requirements to participate:

Anyone with an interest in technology and new media is welcome to attend.

PodCamp Nashville is proudly presented by the PodCamp Nashville Crew (PCNC), Emma Email Marketing, Griffin Technology and Sitening.

PodCamp Nashville will be held on February 9, 2008 at the historic Cannery Ballroom from 9am — 6pm. Visit podcampnashville.com to learn more.

It is official. PodCamp Nashville will be February 9th, 2008.

Because of the success of BarCamp Nashville, PodCamp Nashville is born. If the name does not give it away, PodCamp Nashville will focus on podcasting, audio and video web events, and other forms of media on the web.

More details PodCamp Nashville to come later, but in the meantime “save the date”. Just like BarCamp Nashville, PodCamp Nashville will be a free event, but space is limited. You can RSVP and find more details at www.podcampnashville.com/blog

StudioNow has put together a great highlight reel for BarCamp Nashville.

Here’s one last push for BarCamp Nashville

10. Although participation is encouraged, you definitely don’t have to.

9. There is something for everyone

8. Two great venues: Exit/In Schedule and Cafe Coco Schedule

7. Networking opportunity

6. A welcoming audience

5. Social time

4. A free exchange of ideas, where people want to hear what you have to say.

3. Nashville DOES have a community for you …not matter what it is you do.

2. Terrific presenters (well, for the most part)

1. It’s free

If you are in the Nashville area, you definitely need to check out BarCamp Nashville.

There will be a wide variety of technology professionals at BarCamp Nashville. The list of topics includes Blogging, Social Media, Search Marketing, Web 2.0, and various forms of audio and video web publishing tips.

Plus, it wouldn’t be Nashville without music. BarCamp Nashville will close with live music at The Exit/In.

It’s a free event, but I hear registration is filling up quickly. Find more details on BarCamp Nashville here: www.barcampnashville.com/blog/

BarCamp is coming to Nashville August, 18.

“BarCamp will create the greatest digital festival in the history of Nashville. Bringing together entrepreneurs, technology visionaries, digital creators, music revolutionaries and marketing gurus under one roof for twelve hours of education, innovation and recreation. BarCamp Nashville is a ‘future’ festival. Expect a mashup of unexpected presentations with a great lineup of internationally recognized keynote speakers and live music” - Source: BarCampNashville.com

What does all that mean?

Frankly I do not know, but I am oddly intrigued. I feel like I need to be there, although I am still not sure exactly what it is. And I WILL be there.

The few things I do know about the BarCamp conference, er … event, make me think it’s a step in the right direction. I know BarCamp will be a Nashville gathering of Techs, Geeks, Developers, Designers, and Digital Marketers. I am sure I fit in at least one of those categories.

Since the BarCamp Nashville event is an un-conference, it’s hard to say what my role will be. Whether I am a presenter or just a silent participate, it should be interesting either way.

Details about the event can be found at http://www.barcampnashville.com/blog/

On his second day at work as the new CEO of Yahoo, Jerry Yang signed the acquisition papers for Rivals.com. It is a move that hopes to move Yahoo closer to the obsessive sports fans.

Rivals.com is vast online site that features college and high school sports, along with recruiting information. Based in Brentwood, TN, Rivals.com generates most of its revenue from subscription services. The site currently has about 185,000 subscribers, with about 150 smaller sites.

This allows Yahoo to reach a demographic they are struggling with, younger and highly educated. Let’s face it, that’s currently not the typical Yahoo customer.

This also clearly matches what Yahoo has proved to be over the years, an online publishing company. Rivals.com provides that content and expertise Yahoo has needed to reach the serious sports fan.