Registration is now open for this year’s BlogWorld and New Media Expo. I attended last year and am hoping to do so again this year schedule permitting. If you really want to hone your new media and social networking skills then this is the place to do it. It would be cool to have other ag folks there!

Join us at the World’s Largest New Media event and learn about Content Creation, Distribution and Monetization strategies, step-by-step techniques and bleeding-edge tools from the most successful Bloggers, Podcasters, Social Media Pro’s, Internet TV and Radio Broadcasters, and Podcasters! From the premier educational sessions at the Social Media Business Summit and BlogWorld Conference, to the resource-rich New Media Expo, to Amazing Networking events…it’s One economical trip, One weekend, One Big Show you can’t afford to miss!

Darren says that a blog allows you to build a community around a niche topic and that if you are successful doing so you’ll find advertisers who want to be a part of it.

You can listen to my interview with Darren here: bwe-09-rowse.mp3

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

He says the exhibit show has been packed and I can attest to that since I’ve had to wait at times to get an opportunity to speak with an exhibitor. He says next year’s dates are October 14-16 back here in Las Vegas.

Rick says that one of the beautiful things about new media is that it allows a company or an event to have a media outlet since most of us are in niche topical areas and it may not be big enough to even be mentioned on network television. He says new and social media “cuts out the middle man” and let’s you communicate directly which is how we naturally converse. It’s a tremendous benefit for small business.

You can listen to my interview with Rick here: bwe-09-calvert.mp3

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

It’s relatively easy to measure downloads and subscribers with services like Libsyn or Blubrry. Results might require conducting a survey of your listeners to determine what they’re doing. For influence Leesa suggests looking at your social networking community with attention to things like Twitter follower growth. In our conversation we also discuss what sponsors or advertisers want to see to show their return on the investment they’ve made in your podcast.

You can listen to my interview with Leesa here: bwe-09-barnes.mp3

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

Activity on the floor was great to get the show started.

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

While we were at Bellagio last night we watched their famous fountain shows. I got one on video with my phone that I thought I’d share with you.

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

They surveyed bloggers this past year and he’s showing us some selected statistics. He started out by saying that the blogosphere is very healthy and contrary to media reports otherwise, bloggers are blogging even more than last year. Of the professional bloggers, 40 percent have worked in traditional media. He says, “Blogs are media.” I fully agree with that.

I’ll do my best to get an interview with him and update this post if I do.

Post Update: I caught Richard on his way out after his keynote address and you can listen to my interview with him here: bwe-09-jalichandra.mp3

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

He says that not only do blogs increase your searchability but also your results because you’re making the searcher happier. He says to remember that social media is about people. It’s about human beings and blogs help articulate the humanity of the organization.

Chris is seen in the photo talking with some BlogWorld participants after his talk.

Listen to my interview with Chris here: bwe-09-baggot.mp3

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

I think most companies choose investment since they’ve got cash in the game. They want to know what they’re getting for their money. That goes for an ad buy on a blog all the way to creating their own social networks via tools like Twitter. I attended a session on this subject this morning and afterward spoke with one of the panelists, Jim Marks, Virtual Results.

Jim says the most important component is setting goals and expectations up front. What is it that you hope to achieve for example? Then he does place a lot of weight on traffic (to your blog, # followers, # friends, etc.) and conversion.

Listen to my interview with Jim here: bwe-09-roi.mp3

BlogWorld Expo Photo Album

After the opening session I did get to speak with Laura, Pistachio Consulting. Laura says that the main message she wanted people to walk away with was “Be Awesome.” She also wanted to plant the idea of using social networking mechanisms like Twitter to connect with other people and get your ideas out in the world where they might yield awesome results.

She says Twitter has helped take her from a busy stay at home Mom to giving the keynote here, publishing a book and launching her business. She points out how well Twitter works for business since there are so many Twitter tools.

Listen to my interview with Laura here: bwe-09-fitton.mp3

Part of her message so far is to be or become lucky and she’s telling her story of how she has become successful through her expertise in “microsharing.”

I’ve started a photo album for the conference which I’ll be adding to periodically over the next couple days: BlogWorld Photo Album

I’m looking forward to several days of immersion in all things new media and will be posting here as often as I can. I’ll also be tweeting so make sure you’re following along @ZimmComm.

My hope is that I can shed a little more light on how and why you and your company should be utilizing new media mechanisms like blogs, podcasts and social networks.

It’s almost time for

If for some reason you can’t make it then I will be writing about what I see and hear. So I can be your new media eyes and ears. You can count on posts starting a week from today. With me will be daughter Carly and our webmaster, Robert. Robert and I are cooking up plans for new capabilities for ZimmComm and our websites and the Expo gives us some good face time to discuss.

Now if you really want to create some online branding for your company while learning more about today’s communications tools and mechanisms then I will be happy to have you “sponsor” my coverage. Just let Dave Larson or me know and I’m sure we can work out a deal!

BlogWorld & New Media Expo is the first and only industry-wide tradeshow, conference and media event dedicated to promoting the dynamic industry of blogging and new media. Designed to give participants the strategies, tools and technologies they need to leverage new media communication in business, editorial and entertainment environments, the conference features dozens of seminars, panel discussions and keynotes from iconic personalities on the leading-edge of online technology and Internet-savvy business. BlogWorld & New Media Expo will place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, October 15-17, 2009. More information on BlogWorld & New Media Expo can be found at www.blogworldexpo.com.