Now, I like to think I have a pretty good handle on it all and that I can hold my own to a certain degree. I’ve read “Trust Agents”, by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith. I’ve read “Six Pixels of Separation” by Mitch Joel; “Get Seen” by Steve Garfield; and “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk. All are considered the “bibles” of social media.

This weekend I attended my first ever “Pod Camp” along with 1400+ others. Pod Camp Toronto 2010 took over the Rogers Communications Centre at Ryerson University on February 20 & 21. It was a wonderful, action-packed weekend with multiple speakers running simultaneous seminars throughout the day. It was tough deciding which one to attend at any given interval. My favourite part was actually meeting some of the people I have been actively communicating with for some time ― in person ― and recognizing them from their avatars. So what did I learn? I learned that no matter how much I think I know, I know nothing! There is more to learn every day: new stuff, updated stuff and stuff I’ve never heard of!

Last night (Tuesday February 23, 2010) I am attended my second “Meet Up – Third Tuesday Toronto”. One presenter – Mitch Joel from Twist Image, author of “Six Pixels of Separation” – with 400 people in the room. Mitch Joel brought his “A” game for his presentation and for answering some pretty complicated questions.

There is no lack of participation in these groups. You could probably attend something different every night and find it to be standing room only. There is no way to keep up with all of it. You can only do the best that you can. The key is to not let it overwhelm you. All of these Social Media tools are just that… tools. Fill your tool box with what works for you. When you get a new tool, give yourself some time to get the feel of it. If it doesn’t work for you, put it down and try another. Social Media, in one way or another, is here to stay. You might as well start building.

So, what’s in your toolbox?

Forbidden partners with Brightcove

10th Feb, 2010

Forbidden Technologies today announced that it has partnered with Brightcove, the leading online video platform. The partnership will enable Forbidden Technologies to integrate FORscene, the Company’s Cloud-based video editing platform, into the Brightcove platform, enabling organizations to tap into the full suite of video publishing and distribution capabilities from Brightcove and video editing features from Forbidden.

FORscene enables video, audio and still images to be uploaded into the Cloud from either a PC or Mac and includes frame-accurate logging and editing tools. The simple to learn, yet powerful, platform gives users the benefits of Cloud computing. Searchable metadata enables targeted advertising – published content is directed automatically as H.264 to the Brightcove platform for multi-resolution compression and hosting in the user’s channel.

Metadata added in FORscene can be published with the video. This material can be used to direct targeted advertising throughout the video. By increasing the accuracy of targeted advertising, this provides added value to video content.

Cameron Church, Technical Channel Director of EMEA, Brightcove said:

“We are always looking to bolster our Brightcove Alliance partner program with value-added technology and services that complement the Brightcove platform. FORscene will give our users the tools to create engaging video content that can be easily distributed through the Cloud”.

Pete Burns, Project Manager at Forbidden Technologies said:

“The world of Cloud computing is rapidly growing with the Cloud now providing centralised productivity tools. We are pleased to partner with Brightcove, as the unique combination of FORscene and Brightcove will help to bring online video monetization to a new level”.

For more information visit:

www.forbidden.co.uk/solutions/brightcove/
www.brightcove.com/en/partners/forbidden-technologies

In 2010 there are numerous ways you can “put yourself out there”.  Most of these ways involve the internet. You can tweet on Twitter, you can be a friend on Facebook,  you can write a blog  on pretty much anything your heart desires.  I have found that one of the most useful tools professionally is LinkedIn.  There are many more tools out there, however, none of them are of any use if you don’t utilize them to their full potential.  You can sign up, log in or create an account to give you an online presence, but you have to keep the content alive and engage your potential audience for them to take notice.  So many LinkedIn pages I visit are blank. There is the name and perhaps a contact or two, maybe even your current title or occupation and then nothing.  How often will you visit a page that offers you no insight or fresh news? Not often, perhaps twice just to confirm that no one is active on that page.

I applaud CWC for challenging their membership to become better communicators, and therefore better members.  I would like to challenge all of you to take a look at this very simple list, even if you are not a member of CWC, and to fulfill the tasks on it.  You will be rewarded by expanding your professional network and your online presence.

What more could you ask for?

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