Startup BizCast

 Startup BizCast Episode 5 [5:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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SHOW NOTES:

In episode 5 of Startup BizCast, I go solo (i.e. without an interviewee) for a short episode to talk about online news release distribution. It’s a great strategy for small business owners to distribute a release or two every month if there’s something to talk about. Online distribution is a smart way to go since it not only gets the word out about your company, but also can create very important links back to your business website.

In the episode, I run down five distribution services I use for my clients and give pros and cons for each. At the end of the program, with much fanfare and applause, I let you know which I think are the best!

Links mentioned in the podcast:
PR Newswire - www.prnewswire.com
PRWeb - www.prweb.com
PR Leap - www.prleap.com
PRLog - www.prlog.org
PR News Now - www.prnewsnow.com

I would love to hear from listeners who have used different news release distribution services. I want to hear success stories or failure stories! The best way to contact me is to leave a voicemail by calling (206) 984-0860. You can also email me directly by using the Startup BizCast contact form. Of course, you can also leave a comment in this blog post.

Also, please be sure to fill out the Startup BizCast Listener Survey!

The next episode of Startup BizCast is in production and should be published as soon as this afternoon. This will be a solo episode, as I wanted to spent a little time on how to distribute news releases via the Internet. I’ll run down some of my favorite online news release distribution services, and give my opinions on which are the best. Don’t miss it!

Here’s this week’s recommended reading for small business owners!

Writing Press Releases For Your Business - Part 1
YoungEntrepreneur

How To Write Eye-Popping Headlines While Exhausted
Instigator Blog

Don’t Spam Journalists
AllBusiness

Is Work / Life Balance Possible For Small Business Owners?
AllBusiness

 Startup BizCast Episode 4 [10:15m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Get each episode as it’s published: RSS - iTunes - Blubrry - Podcast Pickle

SHOW NOTES:

In Episode 4 of Startup BizCast, a podcast providing small business advice and education from small business owners and other experts, we’re talking about how to promote your company. Without at least a little word-of-mouth buzz, most businesses will stagnate. Unfortunately, hiring a public relations firm is out of the price range of many small firms.

In this episode, I’m excited to interview Joe Slay. Joe is president of SLAY Public Relations and an inductee in the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.

Joe has decades of experience promoting companies of every size and shape imaginable, from Fortune 500 giants to “Mom and Pop” operations. He tells us about some publicity strategies companies should be using that DON’T require a great deal of money. Joe also draws on his past life writing a newsletter on small business management to give us his thoughts on how managing a small company has changed in the last 30 years or so.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and future ones. The best way is to leave a voicemail by calling (206) 984-0860. Of course, you can also leave a comment on this blog or on iTunes.

Also, as I mention in the podcast audio, please be sure to fill out the Startup BizCast Listener Survey!

My Odeo Channel (odeo/c4e05b764ec9bb7c)

I was interviewed last night for an upcoming appearance on a podcast called One Minute How-To. It’s hosted by George Smyth. It’s an ingeniously simple podcast. Guests on the show have the challenge of explaining in one minute or less how to do something. People have tackled such unrelated topics as “How to Homeschool” and “How to Pick a Lock”.

I explained in one minute (it actually only took me 54 seconds) how to choose a name for your new business. It was a lot of fun!

Look for my episode to run sometime next month. I’ll update you when it’s live!

The next episode of Startup BizCast is in production and expected to be published by Thursday, June 22nd. I interviewed Joe Slay, an inductee in the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame and president of nationally recognized PR firm SLAY Public Relations. In the episode he’ll give advice on how small business owners can promote their companies without spending a lot of money. He’ll also discuss how small business management has changed over the last few decades. Don’t miss it!

Here’s this week’s recommended reading for small business owners!

How To Get More Done In Your Day
YoungEntrepreneur.com

Is Your Content Worthy For Social Media Users?
Search Engine Land

Life After Death by PowerPoint (video)
Don McMillan (via MySpace)

I’m tinkering around with a new look for the blog. If you’re a return visitor, surely you’ve noticed. I like the previous theme, but I was having a problem with it “slipping off”. On multiple occasions I pulled up the site to take a look, and it was on the default Wordpress theme. I don’t know what caused the problem, so I figured I’d switch themes. If it happens with this one I’ll know it’s not a problem with the theme. Plus, I like this theme an awful lot!

 Startup BizCast Episode 3 [8:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Don’t miss a single episode: RSS - iTunes - Blubrry - Podcast Pickle

SHOW NOTES:

In episode 3 of Startup BizCast, a podcast providing small business advice and education from small business owners and other experts, we’re talking about how to improve yourself. Many small business owners have likely wanted to go back to school for a class or two in order to become better businessmen and women, but were worried they didn’t have the time or the money.

One solution to the problem is to take classes at one of the more than 1,200 community colleges in the U.S. Classes are affordable, and many schools have non-credit programs designed for entrepreneurs.

In this episode I interview Theresa Bryant, Vice President of Workforce Development at Tidewater Community College, one of the 23 schools in Virginia’s Community College System. She talks about some of the programs offered by most community colleges and how they’re useful for small business owners.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• American Association of Community Colleges
  
• AACC Community College Finder

We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and future ones. The best way is to leave a voicemail by calling (206) 984-0860. Of course, you can also leave a comment on this blog.

I have a schedule change to let you know about. The next show, which I planned to feature an interview regarding small business public relations and changes in small business management over the years, has been rescheduled. However, I’m excited to say that the episode I’ve lined up as a replacement will be of great interest to any entrepreneur who has ever wondered if continuing their education could help their business. In episode 3 of Startup BizCast, I’ll talk to an expert on continuing education who will give tips on how the community colleges can be used by owners of startups and small businesses. The episode is in production now, and is scheduled to be published on Thursday. Don’t miss it!