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The podcasts I record for I'd Rather Be Writing cover the latest trends in technical communication. I interview tech writing luminaries around the world as well as record STC presentations and other audio content. You can subscribe to podcast specific feeds using the subscription information below.
Podcast page in iTunes
(My STC Summit Blogging Presentation Is Free
October 1st, 2009 | Posted in Blogging, Podcasts 6 Comments »
As you know, the sessions at the STC Summit in Atlanta last year were recorded. My blogging presentation, Introduction to Blogging: A New Technical Communicator Role, is the only recorded session you can listen to for free. It’s labeled as the “Featured session – free of charge.”
I didn’t even realize this until someone tweeted it this afternoon. I figure it means one of two things — either my presentation was so lame they couldn’t fathom actually charging for it. Or it was so cool they decided to use it to try to get people to buy the entire recorded Summit package. Either way, it’s a good hour and a half discussion of blogging. I talk about how “writing a product blog can help you connect and communicate with your users while simultaneously helping them move up to a more advanced level of product knowledge.”
To view the audio synced with PowerPoint, click the View button at the link above. To download the MP3, click the drop-down arrow in the upper-left and choose Downloads. To include this in my iTunes podcast feed, I also included the MP3 file here.
My blogging presentation at STC Atlanta
By the way, I’ve been listening to other recorded Summit sessions. There’s a ton of informative content available. Of course recorded presentations aren’t always as engaging as a podcast recording, especially when someone is clicking through 200+ slides and answering audience questions (that you can’t hear), but still, by and large the content is highly worthwhile. If it’s available to you, definitely listen to it. I’ve already listened to about 7-8 sessions. Just 80 more to go.
Tags: corporate blogging, Creativity, endurance, search engine optimization, SEO, stc summit atlanta
Tom, I just got started in blogging and wanted to thank you for this presentation, particularly the ten tips. I learned a lot!
You’re welcome Patty. Thanks for the note. I just subscribe to your Write Trends blog.
Tom,
Thanks very much for letting us access your presentation on blogging for free through the STC. I started a Wordpress blog a year ago as a test. I linked to yours on my Favorite Tech Writers’ Blogs page months ago. I think some tech writers are afraid to create a personal blog because they’re putting their own ideas and opinions out there. I say: No risk, no reward! After following your blog, Anne Gentle’s, Sarah Maddox’s and others, I think it’s a great idea to share info. I especially like the part of your presentation where you say that if you have something to say and it might help someone, there may be someone somewhere in the world that could really benefit from it, so blog about it (I’m paraphrasing, of course). I don’t know how tech writers today could look for a job without having a presence out there with a Web site or blog. I have another personal Web site that I’m considering taking down and just using the free Wordpress one hosted by Wordpress).
Is there a printed version of your presentation? That’s the one thing about audio and learning styles. I am completely visual and spatial, and I retain that much better than trying to recall something I’ve heard. One other small thing: it’s hard to hear the people in the audience, so I hope the STC gives them their own microphones next time.
Thank you very much for all the posts on your blog and this free presentation! I’m paying my way and attending my first STC summit in Dallas (May 2010) so I hope to see you there. I hear you’re speaking at our Suncoast STC meeting in Tampa in November, right?
Gina Fevrier
Hi Gina, thanks for leaving a comment. I agree that having a web presence via a website or blog is critical for a job search today. I added your blog’s feed to my Google Reader.
Re printed version of the presentation, I don’t have one. Transcriptions of audio are really time consuming, and the written word contrasts with the spoken word in significant ways. You can download the MP3 by right-clicking the mp3 link and choosing Save Target As or Save Link As. Then drag it onto a playlist in iTunes and sync with your iPod (if you have an iPod). Podcasts are really intended to be listened to when you don’t have the ability to read. Of course if transcription were easy, I would do it because of the SEO benefits alone, not to mention the accessibility. Since I keep getting these same requests, I may have to figure out a technique for transcription.
Yes, I’m speaking to the Suncoast STC chapter in November. See you there.
I just noticed your MP3 link to the presentation in your post. Downloaded it and look forward to listening to it! Thanks!
Tom,
One more question: Is there a way to download the audio from your presentation to an .mp3 or to my iPhone/iPod? I would love to listen on my drive to and from work!
Gina Fevrier