For better or for worse I will be present at the 2006 Portable Media and Podcast Expo this coming weekend. The better part means that I’m excited to connect face to face with some of the people I’ve been connecting with virtually over the last year. Recents events will insure stimulating conversations and hearty debates while having some good times.

The better part also means that I’m excited to explore the Expo floor in search of new or improved product and service offerings that can enhance the podcast experience for both the producer and the subscriber. Last year I found out about PodTrac, Audible WordCast and got to meet some of the folks behind FeedBurner and LibSyn. I’m very interested to hear what these folks will have to offer in the upcoming year.

In keeping with the Expo theme my plan is to focus the considerable assets of Awakened Voice on podcasting for the next week. That means blog posts, podcasts, lessons and maybe an entry or two for the social media wiki. On the podcast side I plan to try and interview a few of the people who are maintaining services that business can use to spread the word via podcasting. I’d also like to interview some business people that have been using podcasting as a tool.

For the learning center I’ve got a two part tour of the functionality of the Blubrry podcast community. I’ll try to create one or two more podcasting related lessons as time allows.

Now for the worse portion of my time at the Expo. Of course this depends on the way you look at it, but I’m going to be on the lookout for podcast charlatans. Podcast charlatans are the folks who are selling a phony bill of goods making outrageous claims without any reasonable data to back it up. I’ll also be on the lookout for people selling vaporware. I think it is very important that people reading this blog get the straight skinny on the tools and services available to them. Hence my tough but certainly very fair approach.

I plan on achieving my goal by asking pointed questions while taking no statement for granted. I want to get past the marketing hype and delve into the gritty details of the topics that I cover. I won’t be a yes man and I won’t be a cheerleader for the sake of cheerleading. Some folks who know that this is my approach might avoid me. Others who have the goods may seek me out. I have a feeling that there will be plenty of people to talk with one way or the other.

So if you’re going to be there I look forward to meeting you. And if you’re going to be somewhere else I’ll do what I can to bring the vibe and tone of the Expo to you via my social media channels.

[tags]Social Media, Podcasting, Podcast Expo, Blubrry, Conference[/tags]