The next episode of The New Mediology is now online (or in iTunes if that’s how you like to listen to it).

In this episode, Nathan and I discuss social networking and how (and even if) new media marketers can use it well. This was a different sort of podcast for us because we’re usually on the same page but we have some different views when it comes to social networking. Personally, I struggle with social networking platforms as a helpful means of promotion. I think they’re great to connect people together but most people don’t want to be sold or promoted to in the same space. I know I don’t. I think a better thing to do is create a more focused social network in Ning, though Nathan made a great point that you don’t want to miss an easy opportunity to gain awareness through the use of a Facebook group. I think I’ve just seen a lot of Facebook and MySpace groups that were started because it was easy to do but then there’s virtually no upkeep to it. It’s easy to create one but should you do it just because you can? I question whether that’s a good enough reason to do so. Without a plan and intention to maintain it I don’t think it’s the right move.

The latest episode of The New Mediology is now available in iTunes or you can listen online.

In this episode, Nathan and I discussed the online advertising methods we have seen work since on the last podcast we talked about banner ads as something that doesn’t usually work online. If you listen to the podcast (or have listened to previous podcasts) be sure to leave a message on the comment line at 1-800-881-6059.

Being busy with work is great (particularly when you’re self employed as I am) but when you’re trying to keep a blog up it gets tough to maintain sometimes. Last week there were some things I wanted to mention but didn’t take the time to, so here are three things I’ve been meaning to post over the last several days…

Thank you PRSA Nashville. Last week I had the opportunity to be on their panel discussion about social media and it was a lot of fun. It was interesting to hear what some companies are doing in social networking but there were also traces of the old thinking when one person commented that her organization doesn’t allow blogging. I got the sense that she was not a fan of that particular policy but she’s not in a position to do much about it. I would name the organization here…but that would give them further reason to dislike blogs, so I won’t. It was a good reminder that there’s still a lot of understanding needed for all the social media but what I’m seeing now is that even the staunchest of holdouts from a year ago are finally realizing that the new media isn’t a fad and is actually changing media as a whole.

Google Maps has street level views in Nashville now. Google announced last week that Nashville is one of thirteen new cities with the street view. I wasn’t familiar with what Google Maps is doing to get actual images from the street level for major cities around the country until an episode of The New Mediology when Nathan told me about it. Since then I’ve wondered when Nashville was going to get it, and wouldn’t you know it just launched last week. It’s very cool. [HT to Rex Hammock for this.]

Adobe launched a free, online version of Photoshop last week called Photoshop Express. I’ve heard mixed reviews about Photoshop Express but haven’t yet had a chance to play with it. My guess is the people who didn’t use Photoshop previously will like it whereas all the designers who are familiar with the software will recognize any limitations it may have. Adobe is positioning it as a lighter-weight version of Photoshop so you have to expect it won’t do everything the software does but you sure can’t beat the price. [HT to Steve Nesmith for sending me an email about this a few days ago.]

In the latest episode of The New Mediology, Nathan and I talked about banner ads and the prevailing attitudes from consumers about them. We cited some stats about the types of banner ads that are considered better than others, but in the end there are actually very few circumstances when a banner ad is going to be a good use of your marketing money.

I have actually changed my view on banner ads a little bit over the last year. I used to be completely against banner ads but have actually found there are a few cases when it’s worth the money. The only times I’ve seen banner ads bring positive results for my clients (both in brand recognition and direct sales) is in the cases where a blogger reviewed the client’s product positively and then we went back and advertised on the same blog a few weeks later…so that has become the exception to my previous ban on banner ads.

As always, you can download The New Mediology in iTunes or listen online.

That’s the topic Nathan and I discussed on the latest episode of The New Mediology podcast. Also, check out the blog that inspired this entire conversation, GoodURLBadURL.com.

You ever have one of those weeks where you think things are going to be one way and they turn out completely different? That’s what this week has been for me. Between a sick wife and daughters and the resulting cancellation of several meetings, a crazy storm night on Tuesday that derailed an entire evening of catch up time and a complete transfer and little details required for the redesigned MicroExplosion.com (thanks to AnthologyCreative) it’s been a little nuts. Somewhere in there I’ve been trying to squeeze in the time to finish my presentation slides for PodCamp Nashville this Saturday (sorry I’m late Kelly) and record the next episode of The New Mediology. Then, of course, there’s client work that trumps all of this (except the family stuff of course.) So…it’s been a little different than expected. Regularly scheduled blogging will resume soon and I’ll still have a video of the week tomorrow!