Disqus - Latest Comments for Doug Haslam

Re: Adage Power 150

Doug Haslam — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:23:32 -0000

Nice article and dissection.

This is actually the first time my colleagues and I at Topaz Partners have seen the Tech Pr Gems blog dip below 150-- we were in the 150 as recently as last week. I suspect they have added more blogs to the mix, or our score has changed-- but yes, we agree that Blogger could be a problem-- we are moving the blog at some point in the near future.

Re: Adage Power 150

Doug Haslam — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:23:32 -0000

Re: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Doug Haslam — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:27:06 -0000

What a great idea Chris!
I am starting to raise money for the Jimmy Fund as I prepare to ride the Pan Mass Challenge this fall. You can pledge to me here:
http://www.pmc.org/egifts/giftinfo.asp?EgiftID=DH0159

Or "Chipin" at DougHaslam.com

Thanks!

Re: The Job Was Mine, but MySpace Tripped Me Up

Doug Haslam — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:13:52 -0000

Thanks for the link! The Tubes folks certainly do it is an issue - their software allows for private social networks, so you can keep your "fun" content off the public Internet if you choose.

Doug

Re: Second Life, Schmecond Life

Doug Haslam — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:51:09 -0000

Webkinz!

Re: Podcasting Begins At Home

Doug Haslam — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:56:36 -0000

David,

Sounds good-- and welcome to the "just do it already" school of jumping into podcasting (with gratuitous link).

Re: More proof if you needed it

Doug Haslam — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 16:13:33 -0000

True that SL is not for all companies, or even most of them. However, don't you think that quote represents a crass generalization of SL participants?

Don't get into SL if you don't want to play the "game" but there's a lot more going on there than cartoon sex.

Re: Boston bound

Doug Haslam — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:05:18 -0000

David,

Look forward to seeing you there-- it's my understanding there will be a Social Media Club meeting the evening of the 6th after the SNCR festivities-- last year we managed to get out afterwards, no reason we can't do it again!

Re: 2007/11/21/whos-your-favorite-new-media-douchebag/

Doug Haslam — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 03:54:41 -0000

The best part of this video is that soon there will be links to this post from other New Media Douchebags. I look forward to collecting the URLS and inviting you all to a new Facebook group where we can share New Media Douchebag tips and tricks.

I nominate Scott Monty (www.scottmonty.com), who originally showed me this video in October, to be one of the officers.

Re: The long road

Doug Haslam — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 16:21:04 -0000

Congratulations-- great launch party!

Re: First Coffee With crayon a Success

Doug Haslam — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:09:14 -0000

Nice forum CC-- thanks for the idea. This is a good example of how people ought to be using Second Life-- to facilitate communication among new group. I'll be back every Thursday I can make it.

Re: January 25th Coffee with crayon

Doug Haslam — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:10:08 -0000

Did we have another sim crash at the end or was it just me? I'm guessing the latter this time around, but another great event-- keep it up.

PST'er's I understand 6am is early-- I know we have Europeans showing up as well--I'm personally fine with the time as an EST'er, but if these guys are open to suggestions or mixing it up I know I'm flexible...

Re: Coffee With Crayon March 8, 2007

Doug Haslam — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:57:33 -0000

I must sincerely apologize for my typo of the word "Twitter" which I think sparked a group violation of the terms of the PG sim. :)

Re: Chitika Blog Bash

Doug Haslam — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:55:09 -0000

C.C.,

Your description is right on (I'm working with the Chitika folks on this thing). Looking forward to your contribution, and thanks again!

Re: Cat Spanking

Doug Haslam — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 16:25:33 -0000

Great, cats with fetishes-- a slight tweak to your post title and you could get a ton of search engine traffic

Re: Dave Says We Dont Take Podcasting Seriously

Doug Haslam — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:38:08 -0000

One way to settle this might be to experiment by holding one of the many PodCamps during the week. As I do a lot around podcasting and social media for my job, I would welcome a weekday event, but have always been accepting of the weekend schedule, and the idea that this is a community more than a business atmosphere.

My prediction for a weekday PodCamp? More business interests might attend-- not entirely a bad thing, as corporate podcasting and the business of podcasting are just as worthy topics as content, community and podcasting as a personal pursuit (just ask Paul Colligan).

I think "personal pursuit" gices everyone more credit than the word "hobby," or am I thinking too much about it b/c I am a PR guy?

Re: Make Your Own PodCamp

Doug Haslam — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:24:04 -0000

Lots of great points to take to heart there-- thanks Chris.

And, you weren't kidding about continued love for sponsors-- as a rep. for both Topaz Partners and Podcast Ready, thanks!

Our experience? I got an email from Chris Brogan and/or Chris Penn a week or two before PodCamp Boston, after I had signed up to attend. Turned out not only was my agency (Topaz) interested in supporting social media efforts (we have since gone on to help get the Boston chapter of Social Media Club up and running), but I had the perfect client, Podcast Ready, who wanted to show their support as well.

The sponsor burnout is a key point to make. There is no way we could make the commitment for all of the PodCamps springing up out there, but certainly we have an eye on the next PodCamp Boston for Topaz, and Podcast Ready already chipped by building virtual media rooms for PodCamp Second Life.

And yes, despite the business interests I represent, it was very clear at PodCamp Boston that it was about the community. But as Chris knows very well, it can all come back to you career-wise.

Now, I met several people at PodCamp boston that I don't remember (due to Jeff Pulver's generosity :)), but have caught up with in the months since. Anybody I missed? lol

Re: SNACK- Goodbye to NEW Media

Doug Haslam — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:39:22 -0000

"New" was always a self-terminating word-- it won't be "new" forever. Will "eMedia" distinguish from the original Web audio and video from the first time around? Does it have to ba ll "e?" What if tools like Twitter connect our online lives back to face-to-face?

Is "social media" accurate? Some people (who I think are just crying for attention) are trying to abolish that term but that's the one that has gotten the most traction in my circles.

Re: Tags Are Your New Website

Doug Haslam — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:06:23 -0000

As a tiny example of what you say-- boo me if I am misreading-- I use technorati tags on my Gischeleman blog and noticed that most of my traffic comes from technorati tags (webkinz was a recent example).

Re: Tags Are Your New Website

Doug Haslam — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 14:07:30 -0000

What I didn't say in my first comment-- I think you are definitely on to something, Chris. The "medium is the message" comment by Bob is right in my line of understanding as well: Even blogs aren't so different except that it is a new medium-- it's what you say that counts-- that is also true in my profession, PR--.

(McLuhan taps me on shoulder, says: "You know nothing of my work. How you ever got into the media business at all is totally amazing."
Woody Allen taps me on shoulder, says: "You know nothing of my work, either. To quote my best-known film out of context betrays your crass ignorance.")

Re: Personal Branding

Doug Haslam — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:59:35 -0000

Great post topic Chris-- I have been thinking a lot about personal branding, that's why I re-started my personal blog (which I am still finding a voice for) while still being part of the Topaz blogging/podcasting hydra. Kinda like being in a band and trying to have a successful solo career at the same time, without robbing either of its energy. I credit lots of people for energizing my thinking on that-- you are one of them, Chris Penn of course, and Ed Lee is another who had a similar post that kicked me in the head and got me going.

Keep killin' em, man!

Re: 30 Days of Experts Blogging

Doug Haslam — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:48:52 -0000

Chris,

You are sweller than I, that's why you are one of the 30 bloggers-- btw, the BlogBash has started-- go direct at http://chitika.com/blog. Chris Pirillo kicked off April 1, Malaysian super-blogger LiewCF today.

This is the company that Chris keeps.

Re: 30 Days of Experts Post is Live

Doug Haslam — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:30:12 -0000

Chris, fantastic post-- we expected nothing less, of course

Re: Chris Brogan One Year Later

Doug Haslam — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:48:39 -0000

You will get due credit for what you have done for social media communities-- while still deflecting that credit to other worthy parties and bring other members of the community up with you.

You will still be where you are-- work, home, PodCamp-- but you will have made them all different and better places with your energy and attitude--

You will conduct further experiments with facial hair. Some successful, some frightening.

Your additional blog posts (47 more by next February) about car troubles will shame Jeff Pulver into giving you a raise to buy a new one. Alas, you are not old enough for a midlife crisis car.

Re: Extend the Conversation

Doug Haslam — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:14:39 -0000

Dang, my comment got swallowed up in your server crash. Went to the two posts you prescribed and commented-- won't repeat the comments here, except to say that "we are talking to ourselves" has become a major concern of mine, especially with the podcast community.

This will change-- but for now we can use our superpowers to do what we used to do-- talk to the people that we talk to, but being social media into the discussion-- and bring these people back with you.

We all joke that "Only my mom reads my blog"-- but does she? What other blogs does she read? What about your Aunt? and the PTA?

Re: Extend the Conversation

Doug Haslam — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:57:25 -0000

@chris-- I don't think podcasting is as complicated to explain as, say, RSS. We need easier ways to get them. *warning client mention ahead* -- Podcast Ready is one of the tools that may just do that, because you plug in you MP3 player and whammo your subscriptions load automatically.

But we still need to get our moms and little league coaches and PTO buddies to go in and listen-- good content is the key. Give them what they want and they will go for it.

High school parents? give them Financial Aid podcast-- tell them how to get it. "Heroes" addicts? get them over to the 10th wonder. This is what makes fans.

Re: Extend the Conversation

Doug Haslam — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:19:24 -0000

Love Roger's comment- going beyond the social media echo chamber (which as Roger shows, and as Bum rush the Chart s showed, is much bigger than we sometimes think), we just need to tie together communities. I participate in a community blog. I asked all my school parent/homeowner friends in the community to at least read the blog. I post to that blog, and, when appropriate outside of the blog for people to follow links and broaden their sources. How has this worked so far? It's not instantaneous, but I know some of my friends now at least lurk on that blog, and a subset then follow links to other sources.
At the very least, my profile, or my cmments link, link to my own blog (like it does here-- ahem), which a few people might follow and then through my posts and my blogroll through to other thing. It really is a web.

Ok, now I'm rambling

Oh-- and thanks, Annie, apparently I made a good point earlier-- that happens on occasion

Re: 5 Ways to Extend the Conversation

Doug Haslam — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:15:11 -0000

I should make a correction -- I did not start http://thegardencity.net community blog. A friend, Chuck Tanowitz, and an accomplice, Kristine Munroe, did. I was an early contributor and remain on the blog. Though I have been neglectful lately, the site has built up enough community involvement to live without my feeble utterances for extended periods of time.

I talked to Chuck T. this morning, coincidentally, about this very subject-- getting people who don't normally blog into the conversations. It's just another social network, like meeting people at the Y or the playground or town meeting, but with further potential reach. The Garden Blog I hold up as a successful example of this, but I can't take credit for starting it.

Re: 5 Ways to Extend the Conversation

Doug Haslam — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:16:33 -0000

Oh, and beside the point- why do i need to link bait Jason Calacanis when I have Brogan to pimp for me? ;)

Re: Unconferences in Business Week

Doug Haslam — Sun, 06 May 2007 22:31:48 -0000

Mainstream Media recognizing new media tools is one of the steps in extending the conversation-- each such article brings in many potential audience members, users, and media creators.

Re: Connecting People

Doug Haslam — Mon, 21 May 2007 12:05:51 -0000

Chris, great post-- I was thinking of connections after hearing about a HS classmate who died last week. Just so happens she was a Newsday columnist and was writing about her struggles with cancer. Her last column relates to your posts, I think: "No Time for Last-Minute Commiserators. The point I take in this context is: make connections, but don't let them fade. Nurture them , keep them and value them.
I had some thoughts on it as well, if you don't mind me linking to my own blog post:

Re: An Autobiography of Sorts

Doug Haslam — Wed, 23 May 2007 11:27:04 -0000

Wow-- a lot more connections in there than I knew about- before.

Turns out Chris worked for a client and I didn't even know it.

So, who will play Chris in the film? I see a little Rip Torn, esp with the beard, but he is way too old.

Re: Popularity Meme

Doug Haslam — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:39:23 -0000

I'm flattered (Scott should be too) that this meme was Brogan-worthy. I think our navel gazing can benefit our readers, if the posts we highlight our interesting enough. And like I wrote elsewhere, some posts deserve a second chance (though that's more of the "favorite posts" meme I tacked on to my own response.

Re: Use Google Reader to Blaze News

Doug Haslam — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:34:54 -0000

You are a mind-reader-- I went to Google Reader just this week after using Firefox Live Bookmarks for years. the main reason was that I could see where and when there were new posts. I could not bring myself to like BlogLines and never touched the other readers.

As for the Star-- I would recommend using it-- if you are skimming feeds and want to give an article a better going-through later, I do recommend starring it.

I still like the idea of having the feeds sorted in my browser sidebar so I can see them while browsing elsewhere. Wonder if Google Reader will/does do that?

Thanks!

Re: Activated Communities

Doug Haslam — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:21:22 -0000

I think this is in sync with the folks above, but my thoughts:

I always say that content is 1st-- that relates to the comment above about "cause." You have to have something compelling to get people to respond. The compellingness quotient increases or decreases depending on the medium.

Twitter? Low threshold: ask people to read a blog post and respond, ask a quick question about what people like about Ning or Drupal (which I have done), and get a quick answer. Want people to download something, contribute comments to a podcast, or even buy something? More commitment is required more buildup (of your community), and more credibility, which you need to build up first before people will jump for you.

Diva's comment about podcasting is something that has been on my mind. Podcasting is funny-- the nature of the medium is that it really does not encourage participation, simply because it is asynchronous. Sure you can participate by sending in a comment, but why should you? Why should I? Give me a reason.

I comment on podcasts because those podcasts mean something to me, and, frankly, I want these people to value my opinion and listen to my podcast in return.

Re: Organizing and Thinking

Doug Haslam — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:11:10 -0000

I have a different approach, might not work for what you a re trying to do, but:

I use Copernic desktop search, and when I am looking for something-- a keyword, a person, a type of document, I search through Copernic and then narrow down if I have to.

I have been abel to find anything, even on our company's network, in minutes or seconds. Those of us who use it are the "go to" people for finding stuff.

It doesn't categorize per se, but if you are in the habit of tagging things smehow, it may find that
(no, Copernic is not a PR client)

Re: 3rd Grade Sci Fi

Doug Haslam — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:29:04 -0000

Chris, these are priceless videos from a colleague's sons and their classmates. In fact, this may have been made not too far from Stately Brogan Manor. Beware the Falcon!

Re: Is this A-Hole Week

Doug Haslam — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:59:23 -0000

To answer your question directly, yes.

It is A-hole week.

Re: Three Things LinkedIN Does Better than Facebook

Doug Haslam — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:53:11 -0000

the most relevant reason for me to keep a hand in LinkedIn is because people I want to reach are there but not necessarily in Facebook-- yet. This could change. The main point is staying in networks where the people are.

More thoughts at: Tech PR Gems

Re: Weaving Communities

Doug Haslam — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:50:15 -0000

Chris, to speak for myself-- you ar eon a wavelength that keeps me building on these same networks, and seeing the relevance to my day-to-day work. Furthermore, I can justify and prove uses to my bosses and clients.

As a PR guy, the social Web is reminding me that all PR- -not just "PR 2.0" -- is about relationships and trust. We're just building that trust on a new platform.

Keep on keepin' on Chris!

Re: Blog Day is August 31st

Doug Haslam — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 11:36:09 -0000

Damn you, sir! I shall have to do some thinking, try to come up with something different, or maybe something right under our noses. hmmm....

Re: If Communities are Just Marketing Pools

Doug Haslam — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:56:24 -0000

Wow, great post, Chris-- and not just because you said nice things about me (though that works).

You really nailed it in my opinion. One thing-- you don't necessarily have to think of it as marketing or selling, but that's what you are doing, even if you are merely selling your own cleverness with a funny quip on Twitter. In other words, Chris Wilson's comment is a valuable part of this post. Read the comments people!

As a PR person,. I cannot say enough about disclosure. there's nothing wrong with disclosing that I am talking about a client-- I will only tweet/blog/whatever when I think some of the readers will find it relevant, maybe even cool.

Thanks again Chris!

Re: Should I Utter

Doug Haslam — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:18:44 -0000

This looks cool-- I'll check it out-- am definitely looking at Twittergrams as well for more short-burst dispatches

Re: A list bloggers: keeping the little guy down?

Doug Haslam — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 11:27:02 -0000

It has been an adjustment for most PR people to figure out how to "pitch" bloggers. Particularly, the mental adjustment to pitching via comments: Do I feel like I cheapen a client such as Podcast Ready with a naked pitch that everyone can see vs. a private email in hopes of a "neutral" blog post (ok that link was gratuitous-- it's in my blood)?

Changing from one-to-one communications to many-to-many is a big deal for traditional PR people. But it's a conversation, and the new era of disclosure means we're all out in the open-- or should be, and we have to get used to it. If we're not, we'll be found out (hello Edelman) and hung out to dry in public.

Robert, this is a nice discussion (as is the Arrington one) that we all need to be having-- all over the place.

Re: PodCamp email taken out of context…

Doug Haslam — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:20:14 -0000

Wow, what a kerfuffle (tm Hobson/Holtz). I hope everyone takes time to sort out that (as I read it) Safuto was not representative of the general spirit of PodCamp-- at least not in this action.

We may have just seen a danger of the wiki-style organization of un-conferences, but also an example of the community pulling together in a voice that will set people straight.

I commented somewhere else that if anyone who really wants to see Scoble at PodCampNYC-- if it's truly that important to anyone-- might want to (or find someone to) pony up the money in the form of a targeted sponsorship. My company and a client sponsored PodCamp Boston in a similar way-- the money expressly targeted to the Sat. nite party.

Otherwise, as Robert and Chris say-- there are lots of PodCamps that would make more geographical sense to attend. And I believe there are a couple of somewhat well-known podcasters in NYC that should ensure a star-studded roster.

Re: Cisco smacks back at Apple on its blog

Doug Haslam — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 15:07:48 -0000

I agree with those that call this a PR bonanza. OK, I'm a PR guy so I'll see things through that lens anyway. I'm sure the Apple lawyers remember a little letter they sent to Podcast Ready this fall.

Re: Stowe’s right: kill the social media press release idea now

Doug Haslam — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:49:41 -0000

In agreement with many of the sentiments expressed above, particularly:

Scoble et al are not targets of the Social Media Release. Anyone pitching you or a similar media entity (blogger or whatever) is a near-complete idiot.

In fact, I don't like to use press releases to pitch anything-- it may have background information or some other useful reference content, but a personal message-- whether by phone, email or blog comment-- is the only good way to engage any serious media content creator.

The Social Media Release-- to me-- is a way to make press releases do better what they should already be doing well-- and that is to be found, and serve as a record of news.

But for the love of god, not to pitch journalists/bloggers/whatever you want to be called

Re: PodCamp Nano

Doug Haslam — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 13:08:56 -0000

Is the 2 drinks a minimum?
Ok, that makes at least 4 Boston people on this thread, we may have a quorum-- where's Brogan?

Re: An Open Letter to Apple: Podcasts in the iTunes Wi-Fi Store, Please!

Doug Haslam — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 20:34:00 -0000

I agree as well!

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