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Permalink Reply by P.G. Holyfield on May 25, 2008 at 8:25am

I think that if you are a podcaster that has his own feed and is asking for community/listener help with digg and other sites (and are popular enough), then these social bookmarking sites should be a small piece of the overall puzzle. But I am not sure if there is much of a benefit if you are not actively pursuing feedback/diggs/etc.

As for building a connection to your listener community through social networking sites, twitter has been the best I've found so far. Most podcasters and dedicated podcast listeners end up 'following' each other, so there is always something going on. And if you need mobilization (hey can you check out this interview I did with such and such podcast?), it is awesome.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Lowell on July 31, 2008 at 5:35am

For me it's about that direct connection to listeners. I think the value of the tools is in providing that one-to-one link between author and fan. This isn't a broadcast medium, altho for some people it looks and feels like it.

I admit, I'm not much for "spreading out the message" much. I'd rather have a solid presence than an intermittent one.

I DO have a Facebook page for me and for the Golden Age.

I've listed the books on the Pickle but it doesn't seem to generate a lot of activity. That may be my fault because I just don't understand how the Pickle works.

I'm listed on iTunes because that seems to be a popular way for iPod owners to get content. Given the relative ease with which content can be put on an iPod from iTunes compared to -- say -- an iRiver, this is a significant channel for the distribution of my work and leads listeners back to my other spaces.

I have a blog (Trader's Diary) and a fan forum on my own site, and I make sure I respond to fan comments on the Podiobooker site.

I try to beat Holyfield in sucking up to warmly greeting new members here but it's a challenge to get ahead of him.

And I agree that twitter is probably THE single best way to connect with people who are - or might be - fans. It's short, fast, and immediate. It provides a very high level of social presence -- the sense of "being there" that other people have about you and that's key to making and keeping connections to listeners.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Sharpe on July 31, 2008 at 6:31am

That's how I decided to try Quarter Share.. was your greeting me on the site. (I occasionally go for a Welcome message like Nathan or PG does, that's when I post ahead of those two.)

Random thing.. I also have Face Book, and so does Evo and Mur. (Nathan: You've got TWO HOME PAGES!!)

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