To whet your appetites and pique your interests on what I have in the works, I did want to share with you something that I just realized has been available over at Blip.TV but did not make it to the blog…

Why have I kept this presentation a secret? Believe me — it was not intentional. I think between my return from New Zealand, my new job, my completion of Books & Braun, and the completion (and updating) of Sams Teach Yourself Twitter in Ten Minutes, the intent to post this introduction of the New Zealand edition of “Speak Geek to Me” simply slipped my mind. Now, with Christmas looming ahead, I wanted to give you this little holiday teaser of my “Finish Before the End of 2009″ project.

Will I be podcasting the rest of the talk? Oh you can count on it, but right now I am editing over two hours of video footage. I’m going to be releasing this talk as I did ANTI-Social Media and intend to offer up clips on YouTube as well.

So yes, Imagine That! may be quiet, but it is hardly standing still. While others may be looking at Social Media retrospectively at this time of the year, I am looking ahead. The journey is beginning anew and I hope you are as excited as I am on what awaits up ahead.

Come with me.

ATTENTION BLOGGERS & PODCASTERS: We are releasing this reading under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. Both Pip and I encourage you to syndicate this episode and point your subscribers to this endeavor of ours. We also would love to hear your feedback on this preview both here and at Pip’s website. Thank you for giving us a bit of space on your mp3 player of choice, and we will keep you posted on what happens with our daring duo from the clandestine organization that is The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.

From Bird House Rules comes a special In Your Right Mind episode, co-produced with Whispers at the Edge. Three times the size of a usual In Your Right Mind, this special edition is part-Social Media discussion/part-Arts Review of Cirque Du Soleil. Cirque offered to Blogworld attendees free tickets to any of their shows in exchange for reviews of whatever show they saw.

Special guest Philippa Ballantine and I are reviewing three:

• Zumanity
• O
• Ká

Yes, Ká was that good!

We wanted to say “Thank you” and go above and beyond what Cirque asked of us. Enjoy this special edition of Bird House Rules and Whispers at the Edge, and make plans to catch a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas.

Bird House Rules Artwork by Paul Fischer of Dancing Cat Studios

Feel free to syndicate this audio, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on Bird House Rules at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, Twitter, or here at the Bird House Rules Blog!

My article about Podcast Authors is up on Wired ! @scottsigler, @sethharwood, @jchutchins, @teemonster all appear. http://bit.ly/Pv53w

If there are true Renaissance Men among us, then Martyn Casserly is one of them. He is an accomplished writer, an accomplished musician, and now he is an award-nominated podcaster with his one-minute Movie Mantras podcast. (Martyn is also a dad and a good mate to boot.) It was Martyn’s tweet that alerted to me Wired Magagine (UK) ran on their site “Novels by Podcast” where he discusses how authors are giving away (yes, giving away for free) their works in audio format and finding success:

Rather than just putting their work online and hoping people would find it, the growing band of authors threw themselves into new media and social networking sites like Facebook, building large followers of fans and talking to them on an almost daily basis. A new website, Podiobooks.com, was set up so that all the authors could host their work in one place and increase the sense of community between them and their audience.

This close relationship enabled them to set innovative ‘challenges’ that helped promote their work. These included fans going into bookshops and slipping home-made adverts into the books of big-name authors, burning CDs of the podcasts and leaving them in public places like libraries, coffee shops, or trains, and co-ordinated buying of small press editions of the books to push them to the top of the Amazon charts.

When it comes to creative thinking, a hint of risk may be conceived as part of the equation; but this article and the success stories featured in it are proof positive that you can win audiences and, most importantly, brand loyalty if you are willing to offer to your potential clientele quality content. Not a sample of quality content, mind you, but the whole thing. Innovators like Earl Newton, Scott Sigler, George Hrab, The International Spy Museum, and Marc Gunn have all given away their hard work and found success on both independent and mainstream markets, and all of them — along with other content producers following this approach — are achieving success on a global market. Podcasting should not be dismissed as simply a hobby, but a viable means of reaching out to potential clientele. Focusing more on the product and less on promotion, businesses can win a new and dedicated fan base by opening a dialogue whether it be with blogging, podcasting, or some other Social Media outlet.

Think about it: You offer to your audiences something of quality and substance, and you say “With my compliments.” What kind of impression would that make?

I can tell you: a lasting one.

And here is the conclusion of my morning at Radio New Zealand and Chris Laidlaw of Sunday Morning. Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand, arranged this interview with Chris, and here we wrap up with the addiction of Social Media and the best way to handle it.

While you can find the audio here, Imagine That! presents (with gracious permission from RNZ) an exclusive video of our morning in Wellington, NZ.

Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, on Twitter, or here at Imagine That!

With special thanks to Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand, for making this interview happen, here is Part Two of my morning at Radio New Zealand and Chris Laidlaw of Sunday Morning. On the “National Public Radio” for the Land of the Long White Cloud, Chris and I focus a bit on Twitter and Facebook and we discuss when “so much information” is “too much information.”

While you can find the audio here, Imagine That! presents (with gracious permission from RNZ) an exclusive video of our morning in Wellington, NZ.

Part Three (and maybe some pre-interview banter) will becoming shortly. Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, on Twitter, or here at Imagine That!

Now, take a look at this schedule. This is where I will be in the upcoming weeks:

May 22-25
Balticon 43 in Hunt Valley, MD

May 29-June 1
Conscription in Auckland, New Zealand

June 2
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 3pm-5pm
Room 420 Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 3
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
Computer Lab Room 433, Kate Edgar Information Commons Building #315
2 Alfred Street, University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

June 6 (JUST ADDED!!!)
Podiobooks: The Best Audiobooks FOR FREE Online for Tararua District Library, 1pm-2pm
Dannevirke, New Zealand

June 15
ANTI-Social Media, presented for LIANZA, 12pm-2pm
Seminar Room, Reserve Bank of NZ
2 The Terrace
Report at ground floor reception no later than 11.45am
Wellington, New Zealand

All a Twitter, presented for LIANZA, 5pm-7pm
Conference Room, Department of Conservation
18-32 Manners Street
Report at ground floor reception no later than 4.45pm
Wellington, New Zealand

June 16
Social Media Mainline Workshop for LIANZA, 9am-5pm
SOLD OUT (Waiting List available)
Computer lab 510, Level 5, WelTec Wellington Campus
11-17 Church Street (off Boulcott Street)
Wellington, New Zealand

June 17

Speak Geek to Me, for Te Papa Tongarewa: The Museum of New Zealand, 10am-12pm
Location: TBA
Wellington, NZ

The June 16 workshop sold out in three days (WOW!) but if you are in New Zealand and looking for a primer on Social Media, you can still sign-up for the Auckland workshop. I could not be more excited about these opportunities the Land of the Great White Cloud is offering and I look forward to what is to come during my stay in New Zealand.

Thanks for paying me a visit here, and I will be talking to you all very soon from the Southern Hemisphere.

Welcome to the conclusion of my video miniseries, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0. This is the final segment where I go into the common assumptions and poor judgment calls the “mainstream” (defined here as those not willing to give Social Media attention) has made concerning the potential in blogging, podcasting, and social networking tools. I admit there was a huge gap between Part Three and the final part, but keep an eye here for the reasons (all good) as to why!

Filmed at the Merrill-Lynch Conference Center in Washington, DC and hosted by the Washington Network Group, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0 are case studies on Social Media when initiatives fall short. It is clear from the demand for Social Media in the professional sector and the popularity of Facebook and Twitter that companies and organizations are anxious to tap into this potential and promising outlet. Unfortunately there are many failures that cast doubt on whether or not these initiatives truly work.

The problem isn’t the media, but how it is handled.

Featured in this final segment are the success stories of Social Media (and the nod to CNN was before their Race to 1M followers which still disappoints me…) as well as my own personal secret in achieving success with Web 2.0 initiatives.

Thank you, all, for joining me in this mini-series. If you liked what you saw, rest assured: More is on the horizon here at Imagine That! Studios.

Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!

Welcome to Part Three of my video miniseries, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0. This segment is the longest one yet (close around the 20-minute mark!) as I talk about two social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter. I also give some playful shout-outs to Chris Brogan, Robert Scoble, and Jeff Pulver. For those of you who are subscribed to the high-resolution downloads, the video is going to be a good chunk of data (the joys of video podcasting) but worth the time and space!

Filmed at the Merrill-Lynch Conference Center in Washington, DC and hosted by the Washington Network Group, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0 are case studies on Social Media when initiatives fall short. It is clear from the demand for Social Media in the professional sector and the popularity of Facebook and Twitter that companies and organizations are anxious to tap into this potential and promising outlet. Unfortunately there are many failures that cast doubt on whether or not these initiatives truly work.

The problem isn’t the media, but how it is handled.

I put myself under the microscope in Part Three as I talk about the blurring lines between the professional life and the personal one. From Facebook, I move to Twitter where I make a connection between new school Twitter tech, old school marketing, and high school hijinx.

Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!

Presented by the In Your Right Mind podcast, this is Part Two of my video miniseries, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0. I could not be happier with the reactions from Part One (which included a shout-out from Wellington, New Zealand) and I’m thrilled to share this event with you.

Filmed at the Merrill-Lynch Conference Center in Washington, DC and hosted by the Washington Network Group, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0 is my seminar on where Social Media falls short. It is clear from the demand for Social Media in the professional sector and the popularity of Facebook and Twitter that companies and organizations are anxious to tap into this potential and promising outlet. Unfortunately there are many failures that cast doubt on whether or not these initiatives truly work.

The problem isn’t the media, but how it is handled.

Part Two takes delves into podcasting and three case studies where expectations and results fell far from the intended goals…assuming there was a “goal” in place to begin with.

Feel free to share this video, and provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!

Welcome to what will be special video features from In Your Right Mind. Anytime I speak, I intend to film the event and then edit the footage together to create a miniseries for your iPod or iTouch. This event turned out great, and I’m thrilled to be able to share this event with you.

Filmed at the Merrill-Lynch Conference Center in Washington, DC and hosted by the Washington Network Group, ANTI-Social Media: What NOT to Do with Web 2.0 is my seminar on where Social Media falls short. It is clear in the demand for Social Media in the professional sector and the popularity of Facebook and Twitter that companies and organizations are anxious to tap into this potential and promising outlet, yet there are many failures that cast doubt on whether or not these initiatives work.

The problem isn’t the media, but how it is handled.

In the opening of this seminar I look at blogs and go into two instances where the marketing plan behind two corporate blogs backfired. I also go into the lessons learned from these case studies.

Feel free to provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!

What does your profile picture on your blogs, on Facebook, or elsewhere on the web, say about you? In this episode of In Your Right Mind, we look at avatars, the images associated with your online presence. While some businesses tend to lean toward their logo as an avatar, you can allow yourself a personal touch while still staying professional…

Avatar for Imagine That! on Twitter

Or make a statement as Imagine That! did concerning the Internet Blackout for New Zealand:

Here were other creative statements made during Blackout:

top row (l to r): author and podcaster P.G. Holyfield,
podcaster Brandon Hill, web designer Rita Lewis
bottom row (l to r): David Van Sunder of Flying Squirrel Media,
open avatar as used by Leo LaPorte, Neil Gaiman, and Stephen Fry,
attorney and podcaster Kevin Crosby

So while images can speak a thousand words, avatars can go even further online. So what would you want you avatar to say?

Feel free to provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!

So you’re listening to me and other Social Media experts and enthusiasts, and you’re leaning more towards producing a podcast. Before you hit record, it is crucial to create a plan for your podcast. What are your goals and how much time do you want to invest? Asking important questions before manning the microphone will help you achieve success with your production

Feel free to provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!

As you read this posting or listen to this podcast, I will be on a plane heading west. Las Vegas, baby! I’ll be attending the Social Media Jungle, hosted by Jeff Pulver at the CES 2009 Expo. If you didn’t know about this event, you can still join us. If you are planning to be there, I would love to meet you! Don’t be shy.

And if you use the phrase…

“You’re Tee Morris? I’m all a Twitter.”

…on meeting me in Vegas, I’ll have a “special” moo card for you. I only have a few, so make sure you remember the special greeting.

Since I am heading out to Sin City to brave the Social Media Jungle, I thought building social communities would be a good topic for this episode. We take a look at the real costs of a Social Media initiative to your business. It’s not money. It’s not even resources of your workplace, or even your computer.

The cost is time.

Feel free to provide feedback or topics you’d like to hear discussed on In Your Right Mind at 703.791.1701, tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com, or here at Imagine That!

“Hi, this is [your name here] of [your business, podcast, endeavor], and you are listening to In your Right Mind.”

…I will gladly feature it in a future episode. Feel free to email bumpers
at tmorris (at) imaginethatstudios (dot) com.

Well, here it is!

Welcome to the beginning of the latest podcast project from Tee Morris. In Your Right Mind, officially launching on Tuesday, January 6, in celebration of the Social Media Jungle and CES 2009, is your monthly ten-minute visit to the right side of my brain. Along with the content featured here, In Your Right Mind will feature creative solutions for the workplace. I am very excited about this podcast, and after Tuesday’s launch, I hope you will be, too.

The questions on many’s minds are (1) what happened, and (2) what new mixer did I pick up?

Here are the answers to both…

1. I have a very curious studio staff. One of the perils of allowing pets into your recording environment is they might get curious of what exactly is on your desk; and while you might step away from your desk if only for a moment, something might happen. I left a full glass of iced tea by the mixer, thinking the kittens were preoccupied with other fascinations of a finished basement, but apparently Benedick (the gray-white kitten) really wants to podcast. Like any skilled podcaster he wanted to whet his whistle before recording. The tea was soon everywhere, and while I was assured “Nothing got on the mixer…” that was when the hum appeared. A hard (and expensive) lesson learned.
2. The Alesis MultiMix-8 FireWire Podcast Package from BSW is still my mixer and podcasting kit of choice. I picked up the MultiMix-8 before the Billibub Baddings podcast and both mixer and microphone (included with the purchase) has been rock solid for all my recording and mixing needs. I even took it on the road and used it for an interview with award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer. The mixer is a workhorse and reliable to a fault…provided kittens do not knock over glasses of iced tea across it. So I am replacing the humming MultiMix-8 with a new MultiMix-8 (and the AKG Perception-100 is a FINE microphone, one I highly recommend) and I expect to be back into the recording of Chapter Sixteen (and Seventeen) of MOREVI: Remastered by Monday night.

As far as the posting schedule goes, I am still aiming to get episodes of MOREVI online this month. With Double Trouble and my tour schedule as it is, that will make posting on a regular basis a challenge. However, I do have a good portion of Sixteen already recorded. I can continue with audio clean up and resume mixing voices, music, and special effects. Sixteen may not post as one complete episode (I may have to return to chapters divided into sections.) but I should still be able to produce something and keep the story moving forward.

Thanks for checking in with Imagine That! Studios, and thank you for listening to MOREVI: Remastered. Please tell a friend about the podcast, and enjoy the ride.