This episode of the Web Strategies Podcast takes the show in a new direction. As one of the first Internet Marketing pod-casts available on iTunes, the show was originally designed to be formatted as an audio file. The user would download and listen to the program on an iPod as if it were a radio talk show. But – as it always does – the Internet has evolved. The way we use iTunes and pod-casts has evolved.

From this episode on we will present in video. Here is the first of eight programs in a series on “The Digital Brand Review” filmed in July 2011 – with more scheduled to arrive in late august. While the show is not as highly produced as some pod-casts it does take a little time to edit, mix, transcode, test, and upload. The plan is to release them all as completed – but there will probably be a few days to a week in between each.

We take you for a “behind the scenes” visit to the production day of a series presented in edited form on YouTube. For this first broadcast set I used three cameras – two of which which are used only for the podcast audience. I thought it would give you, the viewer, a better sense of being in the room during filming. The intention is to let you see how we use this medium as an Internet Marketing Strategy.

The video posted below is optimized for delivery through iTunes and it’s not actually set up for streaming. Whether you watch online or through iTunes will probably take a couple of minutes to download.

As always I welcome your comments and questions.

After a fairly long hiatus, the Web Strategies Podcast to about to return. Like so many other podcast creators I knew this was the right thing to do – I have working knowledge of Web Strategies for business and the best way to widely share this knowledge is through podcasting. Getting the time to create the actual podcast while holding down a rather intense day job however, is problematic. For example – while I am making this post my lunch is cooking in the office microwave.

The content level here is about to improve – if nothing else by default… I have been asked to be a guest speaker on a radio talk program – and my recording of that interview will serve as the next new Web Strategies Podcast. See OMG

Hope you like the new look and feel of the site too – I use WordPress and just updated all the plug-ins too. Enjoy

While there have been shortages of episodes of The Web Strategies Podcast there certainly have been an abundance of changes lately. This is a time for introspection for me personally as I begin a new life.  Statistically a majority of us have gone through a separation or divorce, and I know I need say no more in explaining why this venue has stood in silence for several months now.  The focus of my world recently has been to transition to living solo which is going well.  I am now living in Chesapeake, close to my office.  Thankfully my professional life continues to flourish along with the  success of  Web Teks.

I guess the biggest news is the Open Source Music Project. With more time as of late to devote to my music, it brings me great comfort – and surprisingly others seem to enjoy it as well.  This project has a corresponding podcast which I will link to as soon as iTunes gets back to me with an ID.

The Open Source Music Project was actually germinated during my association with a group knows at A2 in 2007. Although I am obligated to leave out most of the details, A2 is an effort to launch a new kind of digital entertainment. As far as I know that is still an effort in progress.

So what the heck is open source music?

I made it up. But the concept is to allow the free use of any individual tracks as the ingredients for a new song. When you record and produce your own music it is usually a series of separate audio tracks blended together. My inspiration came from getting such different results when mixing certain tracks together and leaving some out of the mix. Some of them are not so great – but a few really shine.  On the Open Source Music Project site I encourage anyone interested to download these tracks and use them any way they like (under the Creative Commons Attribution License). If you take a listen let me know how abysmal that stuff really is.  You may comment on any track on that site and if you really are a glutton for punishment subscribe to the RSS feed.

This is The Web Strategies Podcast Number 01, and let’s begin by telling you what the show is not. There is no online course in business development to buy. We don’t have some mega seminar to buy tickets for– except in the sense that this podcast is distributing information widely. In fact we are not selling anything.

There is no such thing as a free lunch so I must say this podcast does have a business strategy. I believe, and our sponsor Web Teks believes, that by freely giving the same kind of information we give to our consultancy clients you may see a value in our level of expertise as it applies to your business. Otherwise, this is free.

I believe we have an interesting first program, talking about the difference between performance and return on investment.

In Wikipedia KPI is defined this way: Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are financial and non-financial metrics used to help an organization define and measure progress toward organizational goals. KPIs are used in Business Intelligence to assess the present state of the business and to prescribe a course of action.

While ROI is defined as equivalent a core financial; rate of return. It is the ratio of money gained or lost on an investment relative to the amount of money invested. Big difference, but both related. In Podcast WSP 01 Tom Walker gives us his views on the difference.

WSP 01 Podcast Extra

This week I wanted to offer you directions to get to one of the most remarkable resources on the internet: iTunes U. Apple accurately describes it this way: iTunes U puts the power of the iTunes Store to work for colleges and universities, so users can easily search, download, and play course content just like they do music, movies, and TV shows

Head and shoulders above the pack for my taste are three files I found on iTunes U featuring Author Thomas L. Friedman. First if you have not purchased the book “The World Is Flat” you are really missing the picture of how and why the world is transforming into a global economy. Do a power search for Friedman and you’ll find those files and a great talk about his new book, Green is the new Red White and Blue. This is Very worthwhile material. To find it go to iTunes and search for Thomas L. Friedman.

Welcome to the Web Strategies Podcast program web site featuring program notes and links for each show. You may subscribe to our program here or through iTunes. The Web Strategies Podcast is a program dedicated to the technology and techniques of marketing your business on the internet.  I am the site administrator and podcast moderator Tom Anthony.

How did we pick the name?  Well, first the program is a podcast, and it is specifically about web strategies.  That is where I live my professional life. In my day job I am the Vice President, Client Services for our program sponsor Web Teks, a Virginia based Consulting and eBusiness Solutions Firm.

Second – this is true so help me – while sitting in the waiting room at a routine doctor’s appointment I looked up this domain name on my Palm Treo phone. When I found it was available I actually purchased the domain through the browser on my cell phone. Seemed like a good sign.

Shortly we will post a series of programs with a focus on the strategic internet.  We welcome your feedback and hope you will review our podcast on iTunes.  Thanks for your interest.