What exactly is New Media? In a nutshell New Media is Web-enhanced communication. It is using your Web site, your ezine, blog, podcasts and social media such as MySpace, Facebook to reach out to your audience near and far

        2.    Why do businesses need it?

                In today’s marketplace, communicating with your customers is the single most important thing a business can do. It’s not just about having a flashy Website, it’s more about what you say and how you say it and New Media tools will help you to communicate faster and better in order to build and sustain relationships with your customers.

        3.  How technically savvy do you need to be to get the benefits from using New Media?

            Once you’re set up with these tools it’s only a matter of typing in your thoughts and hitting the submit button. Podcasting has a few additional steps but it’s easily within the grasp of any business owner.

        4.    Can you talk about the cost of using New Media?

            The good news is that New Media is FREE or low-cost. Some blogging providers are free. An ezine provider is $15 or so per month and all you need for podcasting is to purchase a good microphone. A Website can cost thousands of dollars or it can cost you a few dollars per month when you use a Website builder.

        5.    How would a business owner use each component?

Website:  We’ll briefly talk about the 4 major components, Websites, ezines, blog an podcasts. Your Website is the foundation for all your marketing efforts on the Web it’s an integral part of your business identity and your calling card for doing business in the 21st century.

Ezine:
Consistently sending prospects your ezine (online newsletter) will help build trust and brand awareness so you can be the person who comes to mind when they need your service or products. Marketing studies indicate that potential customers or clients need to hear your message at least seven times before they make a decision to buy.

Blog: 
Blogs are the most direct two-way online communication vehicles, making them the heart of organic discourse. They’re engaging, they’re interactive, and as a result, they create a conversation, not a monologue.

Podcasts:
Audio and video podcasts are for anyone who has the gift of gab and who like to show and tell.  If you cringe at the thought of sitting down and writing anything, this medium is for you. Instead of writing like you would on your Web site, ezine and blog you now speak, in your own words, directly to your audience.

        6.    You hear about sites likes MySpace and Facebook and other social media sites. How is that different from New Media?

            Social media is all integrated into New Media as part of the plan to communicate with your prospects and customers and build community. Social media sites allow you to set up a profile Web page, talk about who you are and what you do, and create your own visible network that others can tap into.

        7.    Who has time to do all of this?

            One of the biggest drawbacks of implementing any radical change to the way you have always done things is  . . . finding the time to do it! Just as you create a marketing plan for your business you need to integrate New Media into this plan. The most important thing you could do is to schedule these online strategies on your calendar.

        8.    Is this a fad? Will this type of marketing go away?

            No! New Media is here to stay! The days of the one-size-fits-all business model are over. We are becoming an increasingly wired society. You have to get with the program or your business will be left behind.

        9.    In your book, you talk about Organic Small Business. How does that work with New Media?

            The organic movement started as an idea of what you put into your body. It evolved into what we put into our environment. As New Media Mavens, we have taken this idea to the next step. It’s now about what we, as a society, put of ourselves into our businesses and our communities. This is a revolutionary way of approaching your entire business and means that your marketing should not be separate from your business philosophy. Owning an Organic Small Business encourages you to take the core essentials of who you are and apply it to your work. This allows for more passion; more fulfillment and attracts the kinds of customers that you want.

        10.    How does a business owner know they are ready for New Media?

            They can visit our Web site www.newmediamavens.com and take the interactive assessment: “Is Your Business Ready for New Media.” They will instantly get a score and the next steps to proceed with integrating New Media into their business.