Years ago, hiring technical programmers to develop websites was required. Businesses were forced to outsource to graphic designers, website consultants and few saw the power in personal branding. People that couldn’t afford these services lost the opportunity to showcase their personal brand online or even a new e-commerce website. The words “JavaScript”, “HTML”, “Pearl”, “C++” and
“Visual Basic” confused the majority and came naturally to the minority.
Today, thanks to technological advancements in web software, platforms and overall development, not only can everyone have their own website in seconds, but they can have a voice. Podcasting has emerged as a great way to demonstrate your talents or create buzz. For all of you that don’t have a website, a podcast or a clue on how to step into this new world of freedom, expression and opportunity, here is the equipment you’ll need:
Website Equipment
For Blogs
- WordPress.com - This blog is crafted and hosted on wordpress.com, which is a free hosting site that provides you with all the tools to jump start your blog in seconds. All you have to do is register your blog, choose a template, configure your widgets, add links to your blogroll and write your first entry.
- WordPress.org – Instead of letting wordpress host your blog, you can register your domain at Godaddy.com for $6.95 (Promo code = OYH3). After purchasing your domain and space on their system (Promo code = BTPS7 to save 20%), you can upload the wordpress.com template you choose to the server via FTP. Once you complete that, it’s the same functionality of wordpress.com.
- TypePad – I rarely recommend this platform, but I have a lot of friends that use it and Seth Godin uses it. Basically, it will cost you $50 a year for a single blog, but the templates and format are professional, easy to update and manipulate comments.
For traditional websites
- Microsoft Expression Web – If you’ve ever used Microsoft FrontPage, then this application will be even easier to use. Basically, instead of typing HTML or any other script, you can work in an environment like Word or notepad and then upload the files to your hosting site.
- Google Pages – If you don’t want a blog nor have funds to purchase Expression Web, you can create a page on Google’s platform. They give you the template and you can type and insert media onto it with ease.
Podcasting Equipment
- Digital Video Camera – For just over $300, you can purchase your own Sony video camera, that also takes stills. I had a GE camera and let me tell you, Sony’s brand is worth the extra money.
- Microphone – $10 can get you your own microphone. Plug the microphone into your digital video camera and you’re ready to start recording interviews, whether your in a public or private area.
- Video Editing Software – Vegas Movie Studio by Sony is a $90 application that let’s you create custom podcasts. You can see the wavelengths and video, and add in graphics and animations over video.
- Additional – Some podcasters use amplifiers or synthesizers, but for the beginner these are just extra and require some technical know-how.
- YouTube.com – Once you have a file in .wmv format, you can upload that file (under 10 minutes) to YouTube. Decide to share it with the public or just your friends and embed the video on your blog or website for further exposure.
Build your brand online by leveraging the power of these tools. No longer will you have to rely on others to engineer a website or a podcast. The future and your brand lies in your hands!
No related posts.
Loading ...
[...] Tools for Your Online Personal Brand: Website, Blog & Podcasting Equipment (tags: articulo web2.0 blog personalbranding) [...]
Dan,
Great post!
I love how you laid it out so simply.
Maybe for the next post you can go more in depth with how to use those tools.
Completely up to you!
Hi Dan -
I’m with Scott. Can you speak more as to how to use these tools. I am on WordPress and I would like to learn more about how to use CSS to improve the quality of the appearance of my blog.
Dan – thanks for the reminder of how much scope we have nowadays to take control of our own message.
I’m a Typepad user and I’d say it’s a great entry point for new bloggers – most things are no more technically challenging than typing and sending an e-mail.
It does have limitations when you get to the point of wanting to customise it more yourself – but many bloggers don’t want to, and are happy to rely on what the platform provides them with.
Best wishes
Joanna
here’s yet another plug for Podbean.com … it’s an after-market customization of the WordPress platform, they have made it easy to integrate podcast-mp3 player with posts, and auto-submission into iTunes and a few other podcast directories. They do have a few drawbacks — embedding widgets in posts are a pain in the arse (except for youtube videos). But with their html ‘text box’ widget for the side panels, I am able to use all the web bling I want. And there is a free version, and for a few more bucks I get more customization.
Wish I got paid by podbean for this spam-like post, but I didn’t… Ironically, I pay them. I often recommend them for my clients when we want to often include audios with posts (which I thought I’d do more often — podcasting by cell phone in between client sessions is a habit I must return to).
Great resourceful post Dan
~ Vikram
PersonalBrandMarketing.com
Under traditional websites I would add the open source CMS, Joomla. It’s great for publishing involved research papers in addition to blogging. I use it for both.
Thank you so much for this post. I work with companies who are trying to begin using Web 2.0 and similar applications and techniques in order to market their brand. Most resources simply talk about why you should do use the technologies, instead of laying out a simple “how to” post. With this post, people have somewhere to start!
Thanks!
Erica DeWolf
eMarketing & New Media
Great post. But now I still use self hosted wordpress to my blog, maybe I will try typepad someday…