We have been pumping out a steady stream of content here on this site for quite some time.

I realize that we have quite a number of subscribers reading articles and posts via the Amazon Kindle. Which got me thinking about how many readers may not know how to connect with us online.

So here is a rundown of how you can get connected with the solid social media content we are pumping out online. There are tons of ways to connect but I’m breaking it down to the most effective ways for your business.

Folk Media Insider eMail Newsletter [START HERE]

If you are serious about using the internet and social media to grow your business, then the best place to connect is through the Folk Media Insider. This newsletter comes out at least once per week and has practical action steps and special trainings offered. Get signed up now.

Facebook Page

Our Facebook page is the place where real online marketing problems get SOLVED. A community of like minded business owners, marketing professionals and social media managers. Be sure to “like” the page and interact with the community we are building there.

Twitter

Ahh…. Twitter. Misunderstood by some – used effectively by others. Whatever your take on this platform Folk Media plays here too. So follow Folk Media on Twitter and don’t be shy about sending us an @reply to introduce yourself.

YouTube

Video trainings, insight and just a whole set of visual goodies live on the Folk Media YouTube channel. You can subscribe to the Folk Media YouTube channel and get any new videos once they are posted.

LinkedIn

Follow Folk Media on Linkedin. It’s a platform different from the others since it’s more focused on business-to-business. This is the platform we like to connect our community together.

Amazon Kindle Blog Subscription

If you own a Kindle Folk Media consider subscribing to the Folk Media blog on your Kindle device. Each time we post great training or resources you’ll have them delivered directly to your Kindle device.

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Joel Mark Witt is the Publisher of Folk Media. He is a producer, author, speaker and social media marketing coach who consults with businesses on how to use social media in marketing and communications. Get more from Joel on Twitter.

*Photo by xcode

I’m just suggesting that you think beyond the 30 second ad.

Of course TV isn’t going anywhere and newspapers will always be around in spite of those who would argue this point.

Treating the web as a distribution or broadcast platform is one of the biggest mistakes people make online with blogs, podcasts, and other tools. We are all used to television, radio, and the newspaper as a one-way broadcast medium.

Communications online work more like a telephone than a TV receiver. The web is a conversation medium not a broadcast medium.

As you plan your business blog think about using it to start conversations.

So let me give you a tip on content and what to write about.

What is it about my product or service that people want to talk about?

This is the big question. Ask yourself this and center your blog content around the answer.

Your product or service should have some really great benefits and features. What are the benefits that people would share with their neighbors? Begin to write and talk about these to stir the conversation. The guys over at Will It Blend do this on video in a very funny way.

I would recommend that you put at least 80% of your time into talking about the features that people find amazing about your product or service.

Blogging about your best product and service benefits and inviting discussion can really pull in your business readers and help you create compelling content.

So thinking past the 30 sec ad mentality means thinking as a conservationist not a broadcaster. Does it require hard work?

You bet.

But it is worth it because of the leverage your business will gain from customer feedback, insight, and participation.

Stay tuned for future articles as we help break down ways to use online media to market your business.

Joel Mark Witt is a producer, speaker, and new media leader who writes about social media and its impact in the business world. He is also the Founding Director of Folk Media. Send him an email: joelmarkwitt (at) folkmedia.org or follow him on Twitter.

*Photo by -Mandie-

I have three quick tips to help you schedule your business blog posts. Listen to them here:

1) Post once per day.
Don’t try to be a super hero and post five times a day. One piece of content is good enough for a business blog.

2) Schedule your posts ahead of time.

No need to write each time you need to make a post. Block out large amount of time and use the auto posting feature in Wordpress, Blogger, or Typepad.

3) Spread the workload.
Get your entire company involved in creating blog content. It is a lot easier to have five people each post once per week than one person posting 5 times per week.

Joel Mark Witt is a producer, speaker, and new media leader who writes about social media and its impact in the business world. He is also the Founding Director of Folk Media. Send him an email: joelmarkwitt (at) folkmedia.org or follow him on Twitter.

*Photo by -Mandie-

Joel interviews Jessie Newburn about generations and social media.

The Folk Media Show – Episode 29

Joel was interviewed by the folks over at LA New Media from the exhibit floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center. This was broadcast live during the New Media Expo 2008.

While it’s not a Folk Media Project, MarylandZoo.TV was Joel and Jordan’s first project together. They didn’t really know what they were doing at the time but they did have a lot of fun making the show and enjoying the company of countless animals.

If you haven’t seen the final episode of MarylandZoo.TV then now is the time to do so. Episode 10 is one of the episodes we are most proud of. This episode focuses on an Animal Keeper at the zoo who works in the farm area.

The Folk Media Show is an audio podcast hosted by Joel Mark Witt with David Morely and Brian Morrison. The show discusses podcasting and its uses as a medium for storytelling as well as offers tips, tricks, and advice for the budding new media creator.

You can listen to the podcast here:

The Folk Media Show

If you’d like to subscribe to it on iTunes you can do so here:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=251165457

At this point in time Folk Media is split into two main branches. This blog will keep you up to date on all of our production related news. Here you’ll find exclusive previews of upcoming podcasts, information on all of our shows, and special behind-the-scenes looks at what we do.

On the other hand, Folk Media Network will focus on building a community of new media creators and sharing resources. You’ll find training opportunities, tips, and helping hands. If you need someone to help you shoot next weekend, information on the latest HD Camcorders, or would like to pitch or discuss show ideas… this is the place to go.

We hope you take advantage of what both sites have to offer.