by A.man.I

This invention is great, and it’s going to help turn dog fighting into a much gentler sport.

It’s officially called the “Dog Powered Scooter.” The device allows you to strap in Spike, Fido, or Fee Fee and race around the hood.

Just image the new sport called “street dog racing.” I can see it on the X-games already. It looks like that family is having fun.

Somebody with a camera needs to help the inventor Mark Schuettee make a video.

I’d love to see how it works.

by A.man.I

The Blogger Podcaster directory could break new barriers for serious bloggers/podcasters and companies looking to grow an audience, according to the new media magazine’s publisher, Larry Genkin.

Genkin responded to a prior post on MyUrbanReport about the new directory service Blogger Podcaster Magazine is publishing through an agreement with USA Today.

…there are also many people that are also very serious about trying to make a full time income from their blog/podcast. This dream is only possible when you have built a sizable audience. Fail to build an audience and you’ll also fail to make money. This venture with USA TODAY, that I architected, is really not intended for hobbyists.

The idea is that there are masses of people who have no clue about sites like Technorati, Blip.tv, and PodcastPickle. The partnership with the paper could give the new media players exposure to the newspaper’s audience. Is it a win, win?

It could be, especially if the newspaper is able to replace revenue lost because of dwindling circulation. It’s no secret the newspaper industry is looking for answers. Genkin continues:

Yes, USA TODAY’s doing it to make money, but wouldn’t you agree that it’s wise for them to find at least one way to replace their declining print advertising revenue? If they don’t they’re going to have to lay-off even more than the 10% of the editorial staff which they just announced yesterday. Everyone should understand it took me 5 months to get this deal done with them. This venture is a big risk for USA TODAY.

The media revolution is unfolding, and its good to see big newspapers experiment with new ways to make money. It’s called innovation. I believe it would have been riskier (more risky?) for USA Today to do nothing.

My main sticking point is the $40 bucks per month fee. Maybe I’m just not serious enough.

One more question though: What’s up with the shameless blog promotion? Are the bloggers being paid? Do they get a free listing?

Anyway, the whole idea sounds much more appealing after getting the other side… Which is important to do in this citizen journalism/new media world.

Lesson: If you write a commentary and the person or organization responds, give em some “blog-time.” That way, your content will be be a little more “fair and balanced.”

By the way, Genkin says he signed up 350 folks on the first day three days. No bad. I might have to scrape my pennies together.

CLARIFICATIONS: Genkin explained:

USA TODAY circulation is increasing.

Here’s info on how bloggers/podcasters can receive a discount through an affiliate program.:

I’ve arranged affiliate deals with about 20 bloggers/podcasters. The terms (which I’d make available to you as well) are: 1) We’ll give your readers/listeners one month free so they can try the service (no strings attached); 2) If they’d like to continue on with us, they’ll receive a 20% discount; 3) Our affiliates receive $10 per month, per client. Pretty straightforward, nothing sinister going on. Should be a win-win for everyone.”

Sounds even more interesting now.

by A.man.I

My Urban Report received an email from a fellow podcaster (KFC aka PodChick) about a new magazine published for bloggers and podcasters. Guess what it’s called? Blogger and Podcaster magazine. It hails to be the first industry mag for this growing genre.

Darn, why didn’t I think of that. While any publication that focuses on new media can only further this communication genre, the following comments in the e-mail really got My attention:

I’m trying to share info about their new affiliation with USA Today and tell folks about opportunities to advertise in B&P Mag. If I already told you about this and forgot, please forgive me.

My Thoughts: No. You didn’t forget KFC. Is this a mass email? I’ve had no communication with you since we met at the Video on the Net conference in San Jose earlier this year.

But I digress. Let’s continue to investigate.

Highlights include free listings in the directory/guide for podcasters and a way to get your message out to our industry for media/tech companies.

Love your help getting the word out to those who can benefit.

So, I suppose I’m “getting the word out” by writing about the “opportunity.” However upon further inspection… rather, after clicking this link I discovered that this directory is hardly free. Well that’s not entirely true. The first month is free, but after that… Well read for yourself.

- If, after the first month, you want to continue promoting your blog or podcast in ‘The Blogger & Podcaster Guide’ (there’s no obligation whatsoever. You can take the free month promotion to over 10 million per day and run) all current ‘Friends of KFC’ will receive a special 20% discount off the regular rates (you’ll pay only $39.95 per month and can cancel at any time.)

- Want it in the actual paper/print edition too? The USA TODAY’s print edition of ‘The Blogger & Podcaster Guide’ costs $195 per week. However ‘Friends of KFC’ will save 25% (you pay only $145.)

KFC has to be getting some referral money (and I’m not mad at her). It says that using her special product code will save you some bucks. That’s not my point though.

From what I know bloggers are hardly making big bread. It’s safe to say for most, blogging is a passionate hobby. If I had $40 bucks a month to spend on promotion, would I spend it on a pay for directory?

There is the possibiltiy of exposure to the some “10,400,000 unique visitors daily” that visit the USA Today website, but come on… That $40 a month will quickly add up. Besides there are plenty of ways to promote for free.

I’m glad there’s a magazine dedicated to this new craft, and the relationship with USA Today is a great. My Urban Report, however, is hardly a big budget operation. For now, I’ll have to respectfully pass on the deal.

Question for you bloggers: What are some free ways you promote? Would you spend $40 a month to be listed? I just wanna know.

I’ll set it off:

I self-promote by cross posting my videos/podcasts on YouTube, but the main site I use to host my videos is blip.tv.

Blip has an excellent cross syndication feature and has a cool video player.

People are embedding my content, and finding my blog via blogrolls links, and keywords.

I can’t forget aboutTwitter.

My podcasts are also syndicated with MeFeedia, and FireAnt.

A link to my blog is included in all e-mails. The result? So far I’m getting five thousand uniques a month, and I’m greatful for each hit.

PEACE!!

The Urban Reporter