Palegroove | Croncast - Life is Show Prep

Structured Data: Follow-Up to Palegroove Blog Post

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:02:54 -0400

In the my previous post at Palegroove, "Improving your SEO with RSS in 3 easy steps," I shared some insight about how to setup your RSS feed URL's so that they are search engine friendly. After reading the post again, well, I missed explaining why search spiders like feeds so much. The answer is structured data.

PC Magazine defines structured data as, "Data that resides in fixed fields within a record or file. Relational databases and spreadsheets are examples of structured data. Contrast with unstructured data." I'm sure a future revised version will include XML or RSS ;-).

When your content is placed into feeds it has the benefit of being described by a template - structured data. It is described by elements in the feed the same as mine, CNN.com, Apple, Microsoft or anyone else with a RSS feed. RSS is the ubiquitous, defacto standard for syndication. The simplicity of RSS as a standard to describe your content's title, description, dates, content, enclosures, etc makes it a magic API for search engines, developers and database administrators. Your website doesn't do this. It is full of unstructured data.

On your site the post titles could be in a h1-6 tag, div or a legacy table cell with a style applied to it. This makes it harder for search engines to understand your content. Sure, there are insanely engineered algorithms that are in place to create associations between the content on your site and the code that is used to display it, but RSS makes it uniform and much easier for search companies to cache, categorize, rank and re-syndicate your ideas. The primary reason is that the feed describes the data types instead ot telling a browser how to display it.

So, like I said in the last post, "Treat your feeds with the same care that you do your pages," with the caveat that maybe you need to treat them better because the next iteration of the web is being built on structured data.

Tags: RSS SEO structured data feeds seo

Kris, what the hell do you do?

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:24:25 -0400

Many of you guys have asked this question over the last few years and I finally found the perfect answer today when I was looking for a phone number.

This is what the hell I do, besides the show. I forgot that I had put this together a few months ago.

I do those things for my employers and I do them for fun. My current role encompasses everything that I have skills in . . . and then some. So that is what I do.

Tags: Nokia N95 Croncast Betsy Smith RSS expert podcast production

Back for Friday

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:46:59 -0500

Hey guys, sorry to leave you hanging this week - new job, new schedule.

We've gotten used to recording shows on MWF during the day but that isn't turning out to be good option now that I am working for BlogTalkRadio.

We need to get back into recording shows on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

That said, we're looking forward to Friday's show as we've now got about 7 days worth of show prep.

Tags: Croncast Palegroove Studios podcast production Kris Smith Betsy Smith

I hope this clears things up a bit

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:50:29 -0400

Hey guys, I wanted to clear up something that some of you might have been thinking about my exit from Room 214 because of my explanation. My intention was not to be vague but with any new direction in business partnerships you make agreements.

I was not *__insert your verb for no longer employed by here__* from Room 214. I left on my own.

After many long discussions with my partners, and friends, we agreed that it was in the best interest of the Room 214 that we make an arrangement, this arrangement, to move forward with development of Castlock and allow Room 214 greater flexibility.

What is Castlock? It is the software that I wrote in 2006 and have recently guided development of to release version 2.5 with many new features. You can take a look at Castlock.com.

In my return to Palegroove and the workforce in general, I am in good relations with my partners as we continue to do business together as co-owners of RSSready.

Which is more than I can say for most partnerships that I have experienced and many that you, yourself, might have been involved in. Believe me, I have heard the horror stories and lived my own.

This is a really exciting time. However, I'd be lying if I didn't also say a bit scary. But what would life be without change? Hmmmmmm . . . sort of like living in Naperville?

Tags: Castlock Kris Smith RSSready RSSignite Episodr

Stepping out of Room 214 into the hallway

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:49:34 -0400

In January of this year I took the position, VP, New Media with Room 214, an internet and search engine marketing company. I brought with me Castlock, the podcasting and rss metrics platform that I developed in early 2006.

This was an exciting opportunity. I had built a solid relationship with the founders of the company over the previous year working closely with them to produce podcasting and new media campaigns for the Alltel Racing podcast (NASCAR driver Ryan Newman), four podcasts for NFL Pro Bowl players during 2006 season and many other client podcasts; all the while holding a position as Associate Director, e-Learning for another company. Many of you might remember us talking about this last January.

The last ten months working for Room 214 have been great, but the time has come for all of us to move on.

What will I do now?

I'm not sure. But I do have quite a few options . . . probably more than I realize. There are a couple that leading the pack right now.

My first option is to make sure my resume is up to the task of assisting me gain new full-time employment. It is pretty amazing how over the last three years podcasting and rss have transitioned to "new media" and are being welcomed into the corporate structure. All that bickering about every company being a media company seems to be coming true!

My second option is to put more energy into my podcast production company, Palegroove Studios, and get back in the saddle for podcast production, consulting and licensing of Castlock. When I started with Room 214 I put it on the back burner since I was doing the same work as my "day job".

My third option, and least viable as a solution, is to go all out Croncast. I would love nothing more than to be doing the show full time and bring video into the mix but this doesn't seem to be the right time.

That's it, that is what's been up around here.

Like any time of transition this is an interesting and exciting time. I am already wondering which path I will end up going down and where the choice(s) that I make will lead my family next.

If you've got any thoughts send them to me from the contact page, email kris[at]croncast.com or send them the old fashioned way and give me a call on my GrandCentral line (thanks Rick!) at 630.445.1719.

Update: I should have added this the first time around (it was in the show notes from Monday!)

Feel freed to check out my Linkedin Profile

Tags: Kris Smith Room 214 VP, New Media Palegroove Castlock

Kris Smith - New Media, RSS and Podcast Expert

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:43:14 -0400

Kristopher Smith
http://linkedin.com/in/ksmith
Naperville, IL 60565 (630) 445-1719 ● kris[at]palegroove.com

Career Objective

A leadership position with a company interested in benefiting from the opportunities presented by leading edge new media technologies where a commitment to innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit is recognized and rewarded.

Qualifications Summary:

Accomplished entrepreneur and strategist with a demonstrated history of success integrating new media technologies into existing platforms and campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.
Combined expertise in RSS and podcast development with an extended network of relationships with independent, corporate and mainstream media.
Developed and licensed Castlock, a robust new media management and RSS metrics platform that enables users to manage large libraries of content and maintain statistics privately.

Professional Experience

Room 214, Boulder, Colorado ● 1/2007-11/2007

Vice President, New Media

Leadership force for product development within an organization that integrates new media, public relations efforts, web marketing methodologies and technologies under cohesive systems that drive measurable calls to action via the Internet. Company services were solicited from some of the most recognized PR firms and creative agencies to positively impact corporate sales, brand awareness and communications.

Major Contributions:

Developed moderated media RSS feeds (mmRSS) for episodic and archived content delivery via RSS

Orchestrated product development and integration of emerging technologies such as Twitter and other social media API's into Castlock, a robust new media management and RSS metrics platform

Created and delivered new products from the Castlock code base, RSSignite and Episodr

Spearheaded integration of new media including podcasting and RSS into new client product offerings and marketing campaigns

Invigorated existing client marketing campaigns with new media elements

Directed digital media production from concept to final deliverable

Initiated research and development for RSS strategies and effective RSS search engine optimization

Served as company spokesperson at industry and new media events around the country

Career Note: As a representative of Room 214 and respected authority in the new media field I delivered the following presentations:

Podcast & New Media Expo (Sept. 2007) Ontario, CA."Compression Killed the Video Star"

PodCamp NYC (Apr. 2007) New York, New York. Panel "Podcast Open Metrics Initiative."

eLearning 2007 (Mar. 2007) Chicago, IL. "Using RSS Feeds, Podcasts to Deliver Distance Education"

Podcast Academy 5 (Feb. 2007) Duke University. "Understanding Authenticated & Personalized RSS Feeds"

Joint Commission Resources/Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois ● 5/2005-12/2006

Associate Director, eLearning

Promoted to direct eLearning digital product development for Joint Commission Resources. Led innovations in delivery of information required to comply with the accreditation standards of the Joint Commission on Accredited Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). JCAHO accreditation and certification is the standard of excellence in health care organizations.

Major Contributions:

Identified opportunities for new revenue streams utilizing innovative content delivery systems

Evangelized blogging and podcast initiatives to integrate new media technologies within the enterprise

Directed a division to develop digital products and manage legacy products focusing on increasing sales

Engineered courseware implementation, software, coding and course development for field cadre and central office employees

Disseminated educational training information to 400 global field staff via a custom RSS application

Palegroove Studios, Naperville, Illinois ● 2/2005-Present

Founder/CEO

Pioneered the start-up and development of the world's first podcast production company. Advised Fortune 500 clients on utilizing this medium to extend their brands. Developed podcasts from conception to deliverables which includes consulting with client on: show content, format, script writing, transcripts and creation of royalty free musical intros,outros and sweepers. Developed and licensed Castlock, a robust new media management and RSS metrics platform. Produced over 700 podcasts since 2005.

Podcasts Produced:

MasterCard, The Home Depot, Abbot Laboratories (2007)

Nascar Alltel Racing Podcast (2006 & 2007) produced podcasts in conjunction with XM Satellite Radio

NFL Alltel My Circle Podcast (2006 season) produced with nationally recognized radio talent from official team media outlets

Nascar Coors Light Racing Podcast for Coors Light (2006)

Fab 5 Summer '05 Podcasts produced for MTV Networks Affiliate Marketing (2005)

Developed and independently produced Croncast (2004-Present) delivered 3 times a week since November of 2004 and recognized by a number of media outlets including: The New York Times, Detroit Free Press, FOX News, and NBC (Chicago)

Career Note: As a successful entrepreneur and recognized expert in the podcast industry I delivered the following presentations:

PodCamp West (Nov. 2006) San Francisco, CA. Keynote panel "The Future of New Media"

Portable Media Expo (Sep. 2006) Ontario, CA. "Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Podcasting Consultant"

Podcast Academy 4 (Sep. 2006) Ontario, CA. "Web Design for Corporate Podcasting"

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois ● 5/2000-5/2005

Distance Learning Technical Support Specialist

Trained and supported university and college faculty throughout Illinois on the integration of technology into the classroom as part of ILLCO, a state funded initiative

Designed and developed all graphics, wrote code, recorded, edited and encoded all audio for a Flash virtual tour of the college campus for use online, CD-ROM and hybrid DVD

Recognized as innovator within organization promoted four times in five years

Languages

PHP, MySQL, RSS, XML, HTML

Audio/Video

Sound Forge, Acid Pro, WaveLab, Vegas, Waves, Fruity Loops

Blogware/Podcasting

Castlock and WordPress

Design/Interactive

Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator

Courseware

WebCT, aTutor, Scenario Studio, and HorizonLive

Education

BFA Visual Communication with an emphasis in Digital Design 2005

American InterContinental University, Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Associates of Arts Degree December 2000

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois

August 1993 - December 1994

Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois

Tags: RSS guru Podcasting professional PHP Castlock New Media expert RSS expert

Betsy and her husband Kris Aug 27, 2007

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:06:37 -0400
Croncast - 2007-08-27.mp3
Show: #402
Length: 26:33
Size: 18.4mb
Format: mp3
Betsy and her husband Kris Aug 27, 2007

This podcast is brought to you by Palegroove Studios
This is a cantankerous show
Betsy goes away for the weekend as another person
She returns crazed
No I had an urge Mr B
It has nothing to do with you
"I hung out at Jeanies"
"Well, I went to the beer garden"
That isn't what you said
Who are you and where did you go this weekend?
That perfect moment
During that awkward pause it was time to stumble down to the tattoo joint
Jeanie said a tattoo on your face is stupid
You mean like the Kat Von D chick?
I like it when you like ladies on TV
It takes the pressure off of me
I don't know what the direction of today's show is
It is in your brain Mr B
No it isn't
You switch out of mommy mode when you go to see Jeanie
You become "that" Betsy
Calling why the kids are screaming
Elliot be nice to your sister
Betsy blows this way out of proportion
Maggie burned her hand on a hot dish
Mommy is drinking guys . . . let me put the buzz kill on speaker phone
The buzz kill? I had $200 in my bank account
I look before taking the kids to the zoo
Negative $150
It was your fault Betsy . . . I was calling to verify you made the payment
I didn't even call you one time to complain
Booba is pulling no punches
The picture you paint for people, baby
It is a good thing you didn't go running around
I really haven't told you the extent of what is going on two floors up
You need to be down here drumming up cash
The handy-men have been here en mass
Sometimes it does feel like I'm living with my mother
Zues pees on the Corvette driving bathroom tile guy . . . You're hired
All I see is Grizzly Adams making love to my dog
Kris's broken arm setting story
Betsy gets it all wrong
People never related to your small town stories, Kris
I know it is hard, but that is the way that most people live
You mean Kris Smith the basketball player
I swore a lot during this show
Keep it down . . . Grandpa's listening
Show us some love and leave us a review at iTunes
Betsy says go an see Super Bad

Audience Survey, please fill this out for us
Look for the graphic on "Audience Survey" on the main page

Tags: Kat Von D facial tattoos Super Bad beer garden Grizzly Adams

Dave Slusher does me wrong - open reply

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:23:29 -0400
The following is a comment that I left for Dave Slusher regarding his podcast from yesterday lambasting me on "podcasting day job" from a presentation that I gave in 2006. It is waiting approval at his site, and in case it doesn't meet the specs I thought I would post it to the public here. To hear what I am writing about you can download it and listen to 20:40 - 24:50.

I usually don't respond to this type of stuff but this deserves another perspective . . . like one from me, the guy in question. Thanks to the friend that pointed this out. He also rips Scoble, so I am in good company.

My comment:

Okay, where do I begin. Dave, you and I are not strangers. We know each other from podcasting and have spoken on more than one occasion. We've both been at this podcast thing for a long time, you since Aug '04 and me since Nov '04, we've both got some perspective.

I respect your thoughts on my presentation, but I don't agree with you.

The presentation in question, "Leveraging your knowledge as a successful podcasting consultant" from PME 2006 was based on sharing my experience working for clients to produce podcasts from my basement. It was to help give a framework to those who wanted to make some extra bucks. Shit, I even give out my own business template for pricing and structure to those who attended and to those still asking for it.

Success, for me has been doing what I love, audio production, writing code and using my creativity in projects that pay me. Would you have me buy the argument that only "real" creativity comes from the absence of greenbacks?

In February of 2005 I opened my consulting company and two weeks later I had MTV as a client. Was it also bad that in my presentation I shared how I lost them as a client? Maybe the fact that I recommend to podcasters that they should talk to a business attorney and an IP attorney so that they can avoid pitfalls like libel or onerous contracts?

In my life, I too am trying to save for retirement, college for the kids and a safety net. If I can make a buck podcasting for other people . . . big or small to put toward them by making podcasting my day job it doesn't feel like I am punching the clock. It might mean that I am working "just another shit job" in my basement. However, it doesn't feel like a shit job. It feels like I am doing something that I love. That should account for something in the personal satisfaction category, I rank this job a 1.

You and I simply differ on how to make money podcasting. You like the advertising/sponsorship model and I prefer to both produce my own personal podcast and use my skills to make works for other people. My personal podcast has been delivered 3 times a week for 2 1/2 years with my wife every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Want to question my passion for podcasting?

On this, I'm not asking to debate this topic but simply recommending that if anyone is interested to hear the presentation in question head over to http://pa.gigavox.com/ and look for big goatee and bald head for the right session.

The bottom line for me is this is what someone who enjoyed both of our sessions had to say about them:

"Dave Slusher from Evil Genius Chronicles. When he speaks, I'm there."

"Kris with Palegroove Studios gave the most honest, non sales pitch presentation on podcast consulting. He shared real world numbers, which is rare in this day and age."

Given our interactions in the past a comment about me like this shouldn't surprise me but as one podcaster to another, I'm sorry that you need to . . . wait, someone is asking for another mocha something, biab.

Back, I'll let the public decide if I am an evil prick trying to destroy "podcasting" by taking corporate money to work a shitty day job doing what I love from the comfort of my own home or if I got lucky and found a way for myself to make a living for family and our futures doing what I love from the comfort of my home . . . at my day job.

Tags: Dave Slusher Evil Genius Chronicles podcasting history ID3 Podcast Magazine day job

My session from the Portable Media Expo 2006 is on GigaVox

Mon, 28 May 2007 12:16:08 -0400
My session from the Portable Media Expo 2006 (renamed for 2007 to New Media Expo), "Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Successful Podcasting Consultant" is up now over at GigVox.

So if you want to hear about the fun stuff I was doing in 2006 and the state of podcast consulting and production head on over.

This is what Mark had to say about my session:
"Kris with Palegroove Studios gave the most honest, non sales pitch presentation on podcast consulting. He shared real world numbers, which is rare in this day and age. More power to you."
Mark is a good guy and I didn't even have to pay him or beg for the review last year. Maybe this year ;-).

Tags: New Media Expo Portble Media Expo 2007 Kris Smith Podcast Consulting Podcast production GigaVox

I'm speaking at this year's Podcast and New Media Expo

Sun, 20 May 2007 13:15:39 -0400
Though it's the last day and time slot I'll be speaking at The Podcast and Portable Media Expo in the Advanced Creation Techniques track.

Compression Killed The Video Star
Track 4: Advanced Creation Techniques
Instructor: Kris Smith (bio) of Room214.com and Palegroove Studios
Room: 200ABC
Description: You've shot your video, done all the post work to make your project come to life, and finally uploaded it to all the video sites. But now every media player makes it look like it was hit by a truck and your audio sounds like an international phone call. Let's fix it! Compression of your project is key for the multitude of formats used online by YouTube, Revver, BlipTV, Brightcove. Veoh and the list goes on. Get the most out of your work by understanding compression, transcoding and codecs so that the viewer experiences your content as you envisioned.

Tags: Kris Smith New Media Expo PME07 Compression Killed The Video Star Revver

Betsy and her husband Kris Apr 23, 2007

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:12:12 -0400
Croncast - 2007-04-23.mp3
Show: #353
Length: 30:08
Size: 20.7mb
Format: mp3
Betsy and her husband Kris April 23, 2007

Join Croncast Cronies . . . thanks Kelly C.

This is a production of Palegroove Studios
You are the Junque Queen
They are investments Mr. B
You are pathological baby
Back when you took part in the plan
Watched the man
I am, I spent the entire day with the kids today
It has to do with the desire for you to part with your junk
How many times have you shopped alone?
Walking in to Goodwill and not knowing what you are going to find
I don't need another stuffed animal
That isn't what I said psycho-pants
Betsy forgets that she just told me something else
I'm fat because of you
You're going to be down here in a wife beater and a jogging bra Mr. B
Kris mowed the yard for the first time in two years
Turning dog poop in to confetti
Kris wore sandals to pick up Elliot and his feet were reflecting light
Last year you were a crazy workaholic
You took this new job to work less and it ain't so
When you turn over rocks that stuff doesn't look good
Mr. B you are the stuff under the rock
It's a problem because I say it is . . . you got to get out of the basement
It will be funny till you get diagnosed
Kris is going to Boulder on Tuesday
When I leave the house I go far away . . . it makes up for not going anywhere
Reference back to Jeanie's pee bomb story from her driving days
My work now is not like it was before
Closing up shop at the end of the day
I have to be there and if I'm not they think I'm not working
Kristopher! If they ping you at 2 am you would ping them right back
I love my phone
What they really want to hear about is my excellent weekend
The holidays don't mean a thing in junk . . . the first nice weekend it the best ever
Betsy needs all the karma trades she can get
Outside the donations box are two strollers
The "if you are a patriot you will donate something for retarded children box"
Betsy rationalizes and does the deed
- This is a great story -
Picking Elliot up from church on Earth Day
The wizard jedi master knight pope the 4th is there is his hooded wizard clothes
Don't you lock eyes with people and think this person is just like me
I don't want the hooded people at all
Don't twist my robe, I'll put a spell on you
Both the kids fit in to church
Gigi is a humanist and Elliot is way into it
The doll house wrap up
Thanks to Nicole Simon for the heads up on the broken feed

We are going to do a live show here in Naperville . . . hopefully in July. We'd like to get about 40 people to come out so we can have the joint for about 2 hours. That means you need to get your friends to come out too. Let us know if you can swing it.

Audience Survey, please fill this out for us
Look for the graphic on "Audience Survey" on the main page

Tags: Palegroove Studios donation boxes Nicole Simon junque queen psycho pants peg perego

Spam that makes me laugh

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:11:33 -0400
Last night I got a spam message to one of my palegroove accounts that was way too familiar. I give it a closer read and realize that it is a all stuff from our show notes, blog posts and listener comments.

Who knows, maybe it is a way to promote the show . . . let Russian spam hounds scrape the site and then send it out to millions of people who are just dying to get the next tramadol email.Instead, they get to find out about Geraldo tattoos, Slowsky stories and Goodwill.

This one is just too close to my heart to delete.

Tags: funny spam croncast as spam Geraldo tattoos Goodwill Russian spammers

Croncast number 350 hit the shelf this morning

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:22:45 -0400
Making the most of numbers, I labeled today's show #350.

I was quite sure we wouldn't go more than a few months doing the show. Off by a couple years.

Thanks for having us over so often!

Tags: Croncast Kris Smith Betsy Smith Palegroove Studios 350 podcasts

Sorry for the late shows

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:09:23 -0400
Hey guys, just want to apologize for the show timing lately. That couple hours can make a difference if you have developed a routine. Like this morning I had other work that needed to be done before I could put the show up.

I need to get back into the groove. I will be getting the shows up earlier in the morning like they used to be so that you can start your MWF right.

Tags: Croncast Palegroove Studios Castlock late shows into the groove

Looks like we're on for Monday

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 06:30:42 -0500
Well, for the first time in a long time life got in the way of doing a show. I feel dirty for not knocking out a show yesterday but a new reality set in by not getting it done.

That reality? Baby Maggie, working from home and party preparation are not a conducive mix making 30 minutes of Croncast time.

But it does not matter . . . we'll be back on Monday like usual to make the world right again.

Tags: Croncast Kris Smith Betsy Smith Palegroove Studios Gigi

Betsy and her husband Kris Nov 09, 2006

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:11:10 -0500
Croncast - 2006-11-09.mp3
Show: #299
Length: 30:55
Size: 21.22mb
Format: mp3

Betsy and her husband Kris November 09, 2006

LAST DAY TO ENTER 300 by 300th CONTEST - ENDS 11:59 p.m. CST
It's Betsy's two year Croncast anniversary!
She felt pity for me and my nerd type shows
Listen to our first show together
Booba wouldn't do it with me
Roping anyone and Betsy's desire to hear how much better it got with her
Doing all the shows in the last week
We'll send out the
Recognizing spousal work
Betsy got the ChildServ people on the horn and here's what we got
For now . . . until I am able to find time to make a cool donations page stuff here's the deal:

Send donations to - kris@palegroove.com or checks to:

Kris and Betsy Smith
P.O. Box 9690
Naperville, IL 60567

That is the skinny
Astronaut Dave my former college roommate
The busyness of life
Leaf sucking and not blowing
Life is show prep
Betsy needs a holiday learning session
QVC returns on palettes - Betsy's new nirvana
She wants a new raking outfit
The Queer eye shoosh
The Puffy Cuff shoosh

1) Fill out the appropriate form for you - *New* Listener or Get a Handle (current listener)
2) Verify your email address (Activates and qualifies those with a "Handle")
3) *New* listeners get activated and qualified by using their special RSS feed
4) 300th new listener and the person whose Handle they use win iPods AND
5) A drawing for 2 more iPods from everyone who entered!

Tags: QVC returns ChildServ iPod contest Puffy Cuffs Queer Eye shoosh

Two Years Of Getting It On! Nov 8, 2006

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 07:05:52 -0500
Croncast - 2006-11-08.mp3
Show: #298
Length: 42:46
Size: 29.3mb
Format: mp3

Betsy and her husband Kris November 08, 2006

It is the Croncast 2 year anniversary! Read on for reason of lack of show notes.

This sucks . . . I blew away the show notes by closing the tab after typing them in and not submitting. Firefox should ask if I really want to close the tab instead of just doing it. This sucks.

Betsy tells her auction story, possibly a classic and we also talk about what we're going to do for the group home kids. So we are going to be doing a donation drive for them. I will have some more posts and set up a process for promoting it but it will be later. Got lots of information about the organization but check out their site for more Childserv.org.

For now if you would like to make a cash donation to be given directly to the group home send it to kris@palegroove.com (PayPal).

Auction photos:

1) Fill out the appropriate form for you - *New* Listener or Get a Handle (current listener)
2) Verify your email address (Activates and qualifies those with a "Handle")
3) *New* listeners get activated and qualified by using their special RSS feed
4) 300th new listener and the person whose Handle they use win iPods AND
5) A drawing for 2 more iPods from everyone who entered!

Tags: Chenoa auction Pot belly pigs cement camel huggies box of geese little people

Betsy and her husband Kris Nov 01, 2006

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 07:00:50 -0500
Croncast - 2006-11-01.mp3
Show: #292
Length: 29:12
Size: 20.0 mb
Format: mp3

Betsy and her husband Kris November 01, 2006

Super short show notes. It was a slow day in the Croncast world so we tried something new on the show. Not quite sure how it turned out. I'm not sure we'll be doing it again.

The thing? What we did? We addressed comments of late regarding some of the things we've said and done. Topics like age (you know we are only kidding!) and Betsy's QVC fashion show.

Think of this show as a anomaly in the Croncast world as we also address naming the show 'Croncast' and why Palegroove.

We answer many questions that people have had about the show and our lives that we rarely speak to.

1) Fill out the appropriate form for you - *New* Listener or Get a Handle (current listener)
2) Verify your email address (Activates and qualifies those with a "Handle")
3) *New* listeners get activated and qualified by using their special RSS feed
4) 300th new listener and the person whose Handle they use win iPods AND
5) A drawing for 2 more iPods from everyone who entered!

Tags: tell us all about it dr. denise triple strength smoother QVC dairysnake Costco

WE HIT 300 - Way to go Mel!

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:08:23 -0400
Ok, this took me longer than 10 minutes to write but I got a whole lot of good news.

Congratulations to new listener winner Adam Martin and Handle owner Melanie Sullivan! You have both won the first of the two sets of 30 GB video iPods. The video iPods are presented by Palegroove Studios (my podcast production company).

Don't forget that we are still giving away 2 MORE 30 GB VIDEO iPods when the contest ends on November 9th at 11:59 p.m.. The winners will be announced on our Friday November 10th show. Keep those new listeners coming.

Also, Tom from Webfeed Central had a great idea to shoot for 400 by the 300th on November 10th. Will will give away iPod Shuffles for the 400th new listener and the handle owner! Sweet.

Tags: 300 by 300th iPod Contest Croncast Kris Smith Betsy Smith

Portable Media Expo audio released

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:14:46 -0400
Wanted to let those of you who were interested in my session from the Portable Media Expo a couple weeks ago that the audio from the Expo is now available. The audio is bundled so you can't get individual sessions (like mine) without picking up the entire set for $99.00 for now. GigaVox will be releasing some of them later . . . if my session makes the cut I'll let you know and point you to the podcast.

My recommendation is that if you are interested in podcasting this is a steal. And look at it this way, you didn't have to see the painted gals and you can hear all the good information that was shared.

Some of the other highlights include (from the GigaVox site):

Keynote - Leo Laporte, Host of TWiT and Tech Guy on KFI 640

Keynote - Ron Moore, Executive Producer Battlestar Galactica

Kris Smith - Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Podcasting Consultant

Dave Slusher - "Amateur Means You Do It For Love"

Panel - For Musicians Only: Promoting Your Music with Podcasting

Paul Figgiani - Planning and Building a Podcast Production Studio/li>
Michael Geoghegan - Solving The Corporate Dilemma

Paul Colligan - 7 Proven Strategies to Monetize Your Podcast

Panel - Monetize with Ads and Sponsorship

Jason Van Orden - Promoting Your Podcast: Cost-Effective Strategies

Panel - Podcast Metrics: Gauging Success With Different Audience Segments

Keynote - Andrew Baron, Rocketboom

Peter Levitan - Podcasting: Marketing's New Change-Agent

Panel - Successful Podcasting in Education at the University Level

Tags: Portable Media Expo PME Kris Smith Palegroove Studios GigaVox

I'm speaking - Podcasting: An Insider's View

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:25:42 -0400
Update: View archived session.

~~Register (It's free)~~.

I'm speaking tomorrow for a webinar series put on by ReadyTalk here's the lowdown:

"Kris Smith will bring his insider's view of podcasting from the beginning of this exciting medium straight through to today and into the future. We'll discuss podcasting's history, tools, music, theme, content creation, copyright and other tips that can help you hit the ground running as a producer."

Tags: Kris Smith podcasting ReadyTalk webinar Palegroove

Betsy and her husband Kris Oct 04, 2006

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 07:14:40 -0400
Croncast - 2006-10-04.mp3
Show: #280
Length: 25:54
Size: 17.8 mb
Format: mp3

Betsy and her husband Kris October 04, 2006

Back after the Expo
What a deal we are out of practice
And you were gone . . .
Kris leaves and the kids get sick
Moose has given up sleeping in his bed
Betsy says Kris is too lazy and doesn't obey even when sleeping
Our bed is a peninsula
Doesn't matter the kids get more of the California King than I do
Just like during the day you don't follow my direction
I can't rely on you any more in the p.m. than the a.m.
Reliability and follow through
I really mean that I'll do it
At the Expo people expected the blue glasses and to weigh 750
Piano case Kris
Maybe tuba case Kris
Booba got new glasses after Googie took hers down
Not too good with the sunglasses at the theater
The subdivision hay ride like a single mommy
Drunk or other I want you at next years hay ride
At the Expo I hung with lots of people that I wanted to see
Betsy even cuts into my pricing
"I told you that you were and idiot"
Hitting the bricks with an Expo recap
Palegroove pricing excludes those searching for "affordable"
You never approach someone and say, "I want your worst product"
Yes you can do this in your basement too but get good at it
It all depends on how hard you want to work at it
Any naughty conventioning behavior that you would like to put forth
I just happened to be in the wrong place
Naked women being painted and spanking
Craig Pathcet and a myriad of others can verify that I didn't move off the patio
I know you are a guilty man . . . and that is what makes you a good husband
Preemptive care taken to limit Booba criticism
"Not having you around sucks," is that my twisted way of saying I love you? Yes.
That's not true I miss you putting the kids to bed
Don't call the kids names the grumpsters will fire up
The tae kwon do chop that did in the iMac and Betsy's newsletter
Betsy wants to replace it with a hand-written newsletter
Paying Betsy to blog at Resale Queen
300 by 300th . . . let's get on it people!
Tonight's show . . . awkward like married people sex

1) Fill out the appropriate form for you - *New* Listener or Get a Handle (current listener)
2) Verify your email address (Activates and qualifies those with a "Handle")
3) *New* listeners get activated and qualified by using their special RSS feed
4) 300th new listener and the person whose Handle they use win iPods AND
5) A drawing for 2 more iPods from everyone who entered!

Tags: California King Resale Queen PME Palegroove Goodwill

From the back of the milk carton

Tue, 03 Oct 2006 10:41:14 -0400
Anybody in here? Man, things got crazy at the Expo as the week was closing out and Sunday night I hung out with Betsy to talk about life and podcasting and work and how tired we both were.

To make this quick, we'll be back on schedule and have a show for tomorrow.

To make this long, I've been working on client work since the day I left and have more to do as soon as I stop typing the next few sentences. I have yet to do my big post-Portable Media Expo entry or entires. I met so many great people and listeners that I want to do them justice in a post not as short as this.

Tags: Croncast Palegroove PME Kris Smith Betsy Smith

Resale Queen is ready

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:14:51 -0400
www.resalequeen.com.

"Everybody thinks its nifty to buy something for 50 cents and sell it for 50 bucks, and Ebay has become the stay at home mommy home biz of the new millenium- kind of like catering and real estate was back in the 80s. While selling on Ebay is fairly straightforward, the difficult part is knowing what sells and for how much. This is where the hard work comes in. If you like to stay up until 1am bleary eyed reading completed Care Bear auctions in order of highest to lowest price- then join me compadre as we venture forth on the journey to turn garbage into gold."

Tags: ResaleQueen.com Resale Queen Betsy Smith Betsy Palegroove

The September 1st show yet to exist

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 06:30:57 -0400
Amigos, following our 'life is show prep' model, Betsy was at puppy training class from 7 to nearly 11 last night. And as I type this she is making that awful 'aaah aaah' noise to tell the doggy he's bad.
Regardless of this morning's 6:30 a.m. drama we will have today's show up a this afternoon.
It's been a while since we missed a night and had a show go up late in the day but it will be worth it to hear about puppy class, some kids who think Slowsky is a semi truck and from a guy who had his first fork full of Chinese food in college (while trying to find a wife).
So if you are a new listener and want something to listen to feel free to hit up our hidden archive page for some Croncast. And if you are behind on shows you'll never know the difference.
Update: It now exists.

Tags: Croncast Kris Smith Betsy Smith Palegroove Studios 300 by 300th