PB Wiki

Yeah, that's right! Peanut Butter Wiki. HUH?
Advertised as the wiki that's as easy to create as a PB & J sandwich. This truly is a very easy way to create a FREE wiki. It takes two steps to sign up for this free service.
1. Go to the site.
2. Follow the 'confirm' link in the email they send you.
It's that easy! But what the hell is a wiki, and how is any of this important? Wiki's can be used by/for the following:

Teachers and students sharing notes, co-workers jamming on shared projects, friends sharing lists, notes and recipes and individuals jotting ideas for themselves to tap on the go. -Adage.com

I'm currently using the PBWiki for improving communication on my upcoming debut of my podcast. This is allowing myself and others to collaborate on ideas, and where we want to take our podcast. It eliminates the need for us to all be in the same room to exchange idea's. I have mine currently set to public, but can turn it private instantly. Also note that it takes a password for anyone to make changes. This password is up to you to distribute, or you can post it right out front for all to see. If you've used PBWiki before, please leave a comment to share your experience.

AdAge Podcasting

I get 2-3 emails a day updating me on the most recent news from AdAge.com. Do I really need a podcast from them too?

YES.

Why? Because it's one more way for me to get my advertising news. It's great to see the headlines for the day, and on average I read 1-3 articles a day from AdAge. It's also great to watch content on their website (minus the fact they insist on using Window's Media Player---ICK!) But for me, and other consumers out there, having audio content that I can listen to on my way to a meeting, or struck in a traffic is a great way for me to continue my advertising news for the day/week.

Page Counter

On a project I was recently working on I was asked a common web question: "How many people are viewing my page?" I did a quick Google search and came across Stat Counter. So far I have it running on two sites and one page. I haven't had too much chance to print out the stats, but it seems to have a lot of good, FREE, options. Take a look at it. Let me know what you think. If you have used a better page-view counter, and it's in the right price range, drop me a comment.

Veoh! for Viral Video

Here is a great site to post video content.
If you are already creating creative digital content, there are several great ways to deliver that content. The most common would be to simply put the video on YOUR website. Second would be to use a service like Veldhiezen provides and put the video in an email. Third would be to place the video in a podcast. Fourth would be to upload the video to a video-community site such as Veoh.
What's great about Veoh, is that you can deliver your message to ten's of thousands of potential eyeballs. If done properly, videos on this site can create a buzz about your products, allow more bloggers, and video bloggers to talk about, or discuss your video. Bottom line this will drive additional people to your website/blog. What makes Veoh unique is that it allows users to view the video, as well as to download the video (for iPod or PsP). In addition, they make it easy for you to link to your video from your blog, website, or MySpace page.

Web Design From Scratch

Here is a great website to help people of all skill levels improve their web design capabilities. There are absolutely hours of information to read through. Check it out, let me know what you think, and if you learn anything from it?

Marketing Managers in top 10

Recently I was surfing the BizJournals website and I came across a top ten highest-paying jobs in the private sector. I was a bit surprised and happy to see that Marketing Manager was number 6. Now if I can just find someone to pay me this! Granted I may need to go back to get my masters. But for a $100,000+ a year, I would be more then willing to go back to school. Better yet, find a company that helps employees go back to get their masters. They also stated that this area will continue to grow through 2014. Below is from the BizJournals:

Average annual earnings of full-time workers: $103,883

Average annual hours of work: 2,131

Average hourly earnings: $48.74

Education and training required: Bachelor's degree with a broad liberal-arts background. Master's degree is preferred by some employers.

Outlook: "Employment of advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2014, spurred by intense domestic and global competition in products and services offered to consumers." (U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook)

PodBop

Here's a cool new Web 2.0 application. Simply type in a city and state, and you can see upcoming (musical) shows, and hear mp3's from the bands performing. In addition it's a local podcast, constantly updating you on the local scene.

What is Podbop?

Let's look at it like this:
Old way: Looking up concerts in your town on an event site, googling 100 different bands, tracking down an MP3 for each band, and then deciding which show you want to go to.
The Podbop way: Type in a city, get MP3s, discover a band you like, and go see them.

What is podcasting (a.k.a. the Podbop Feed)?

It makes your life easier. Take the Podbop Feed, dump it into iTunes (or any number of podcasting applications) and it will automatically download your city's MP3s to your desktop. Try checking out the Wikipedia entry on podcasting if you are still confused.

Sierra Club

I was happy to find out that my recent project for the Northstar chapter of the Sierra Club has made their front page of their website. Erika approached me about a month ago asking if I might want to capture some content for them on their Mining Without Harm campaign. From there I worked with Clyde to determine an appropriate presentation to capture. The entire page was created with Apple's new iWeb '06 and the video files are stored on Veldhiezen's server. For this project I've compressed the video for streaming, for the video iPod, as well as an audio file for those with dial-up only access.

50 Below

50 Below designs, develops, and maintains large-scale Internet based programs used to protect and enhance corporate identity while at the same time building local business solutions. Whether your corporation has 100 or 10,000 dealers, our eBusiness solutions give your entire network unprecedented Internet Marketing, while maintaining your corporate branding and control.

I was recently connected with 50 Below from a mutual contact from Amsoil. What amazes me is that 'podcasting' was the word of the year last, yet so few people know about the availability of this new way to deliver and receive content. I have recently taken it upon myself to begin educating those around me on podcasting. In doing so, I have also offered my assistance in helping other produce and delivery digital content. This offer has most recently been extended to help a fellow Duluth company provide podcasting to their customers and clients. For me this a very exciting possibility. This would be a great opportunity to partner Veldhiezen (digital asset delivery) with 50Below (website creator) with www.frostNfire.com (digital asset production). I'm excited to see how things shape up.

My little brother

Just a quick plug for my little brother Huzefa Hashim. I met Zef when we both attended UMD, and when he joined Phi Kappa Psi. During pledging I was fortunate to have Zef as my little brother (even though he was older, HA!) Since graduating Zef has returned home to Karachi, Pakistan. Where he is currently a Director for both Modern House, and Stitches (both companies that his family owns). I'll try to get him to post a comment with a greater description of the products and services they provide. Zef we miss you. Keep working hard.

Non-Linear World & Your Media

I came across a great article today on AdAge.com. This article drives home what Veldhiezen has been promoting for the last 2 years now. DELIVER YOUR CONTENT ON MULTIPLE AVENUES. This becomes especially important when you have consumers that may still be limited to dial up (God help them). The best advice is to really listen to your customers, and if it's financially viable, deliver you content so the can get it. CONTENT IS KING. Just remember, bad content delivered 5 different ways, is still just bad content.

At the top of everyone's mind at the 4As Media Conference this time around is the explosion of media choices. It's now universally acknowledged that the consumers are in control, and the media companies just have to figure out how to best put their wares in front of them, whether its video on demand, iPod downloads, broadband video, a robust Web site, e-mail or mobile phone content. ~Ad Age's MediaWorks

The article goes on to interview 5 different people working in or for the following: Time Warner Cable, Magazine publisher, Clear Channel, CW (broadcast company debuting in Sept.), 'ol trusty Newspaper. Each have an industry specific comment on providing content in a non-linear world. As always, comments and opinions welcome.

Caribou and Apple?

And no, I'm not talking about a new drink at Caribou.

The "Wake Up and Smell the Music" promotion will feature an instant win game with more than 30,000 prizes, including iPods and free iTunes downloads. The grand prize winner will receive either 1,000 iTunes music downloads or a Caribou gift card worth $1,000. ~Minneapolis Business Journal

I think it's great to see a MN Based company doing a promotion with such a big company like Apple. To me this is about as great as peanut butter and jelly. Apple has quickly earned itself a place in my heart since my purchase of a 15" Powerbook, and recent video iPod. And, well...Caribou has definitely won a place in my stomach. Man they make a damn good Mint Condition (and I used to hate coffee). Swinging this conversation back to marketing; I have always been very impressed with Caribou's marketing and advertising. (Apple's marketing is a given, and may deserve a future post just to praise the way they're changing the world). But with Caribou, they consistently have a very clean, humorous message. It's on everything they do. Consistent use of colors and branding too. I also love the ambiance in their stores. A very welcoming, Northwood's feel. Keep up the good work. As always, comments or additional thoughts are always welcome.

JEEP for SALE

'Jeep' To New HOME: Can you help?

'Jeep' enjoys road trips, camping, hiking, staring at the stars, rock climbing, kayaking, rollerblading, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, hunting, fishing, golfing, towing the boat and snowmobile trailer, and enjoys tailgating at the big game.

While in the process of selling my '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, it has come to my attention how tough it is to put a price tag on a used vehicle (especially one with 138k miles). Where do you price something that has brought you so much joy over the past 5 years? A good place to start is Kelly Blue Book. I figure a fair price is someplace between the private seller price of $4,110 and the retail price of $5860. It's also difficult to figure out the current value of any after market stuff you've added to a vehicle. For my Jeep it has new tires, new rear speakers, Pioneer CD player, Pioneer 12-disc changer and a full size spare. So taking all that into consideration, I'm asking $4,845 b/o for it. In addition, I've decided to sell my Thule Bike/Ski rack ($325), 2 10"sub/boxes ($150), and a Grille Guard ($150) with the Jeep.

I guess we'll see how close I am to selling it at fair market price. If you have any thoughts, advice, or feedback, please leave a comment. OR if you know someone interested in a used SUV please contact me.

Calico Barn and TW Remodeling

Two of companies that are close to my heart are now on the NET! When I was still going to college I had a sweet summer gig working for TW Remodeling. During one such summer we worked on a huge project right on the edge of downtown Osseo building the new home of the Calico Barn. This was a huge project that I'm very proud of. I recently came across a postcard sent to my house with their upcoming seasonal dates. On the back of this card, they had their new web address. This then prompted me to do a search for TW Remodeling, and sure enough, Todd has a site up for that as well. I'm happy to see these two great company now have a web presence. Best of luck to the Wallock family, TW Remodeling, and the Calico Barn. If you've had a postive experience with either company, I'd love to hear your feedback, and your experience.