The popular idiomatic expression, "Strike while the iron is hot" perfectly describes the opportunity that live video offers the business world. Live video is a highly-effective strategy to get your business out there and is largely recognized but still relatively unexplored because not everybody can seem to just dive into it with confidence. Fortunately, with the right set of skills, some tools, and the courage to finally do it, you can create your own live videos and build a budding community around your business.

Todd Bergin is well-recognized as a live video guru. His entrepreneurial inklings started when he was only 13. Later, he found himself in the real estate business for 3 years. For about 6 years, he also practiced law and while he was at it, he got interested in guns until he had some parts manufactured, made a business out of it, did Internet e-commerce, and put up his own website. Eventually, he found his real passion was in helping other people grow their business successfully. He quit the practice of law for good and from there, became the go-to expert for everything live video.

In this Episode:

• How Todd found his real calling as a business person inspired by the Rich Dad, Poor Dad influence
• How to acquire the "creating-your-own-business" mindset instead of the traditional "study-to-become-an-employee" mindset
• How live video should be explored with its huge business potential
• How to take advantage of the open communication and engagement live videos bring to your business
• How to use video to get your message across, engage, and convert customers
• How to use Facebook, YouTube, Periscope, Instagram, Wirecast, and Switchboard to reach different kinds of audiences
• Startup equipment and software for live video including audio for different types of business needs
• How to deal with things that could go wrong while doing a live video
• The short-term and long-term benefits of live video
• What to do after broadcasting your live video

The need for live video is both undeniable and inevitable and every business owner recognizes it. However, going out there and doing it yourself for your business is also a daunting task. When you are not used to the spotlight, doing live video can be frightening. Part of the reason why it can cause fear for the newbie is the lack of knowledge as to what kind of content to feature, what equipment to use, and how to go about the process competently. Consequently, arming yourself with the right knowledge, skills, and gear can make you more confident doing live video.

Ian Anderson Gray is a multi-talented individual who is an expert in anything and everything live video. He founded Seriously Social, a social media-focused business that focuses on live video and productivity tools for businesses of all sizes.

Ian works with clients worldwide as a consultant. He is an in-demand international speaker at conferences in the US, UK, Czech Republic, Ireland, Poland, and more. At Select Performers, he is also partner and co-founder, utilizing his 10 years of experience to help people, organizations, and charities achieve online visibility and impact.

In this Episode:

• How Ian started and trained as a professional singer and went into the web development business with his father in the UK
• How the blog he created turned the tables around and launched his social media business
• How Seriously Social opened opportunities for consultation as people sought his expertise and training
• How creating content that's empathetic and easy to understand for your audience results in greater impact
• Different kinds of fear in relation to live video and how to overcome them
• How to generate content for blogs and live videos
• The essentials to prepare for live broadcasting
• How different types of businesses can take advantage of live video
• The impostor syndrome, how to overcome it, and still go live
• How to overcome your fear using a test run on Facebook, posing a challenge, or joining a group
• Some of the differences between OBS studio and Wirecast

How else can social media be used to maximize its power to market a particular brand? The concept of social media enablement seems like a novel approach. But at Adobe, employees themselves have been empowered to build their own personal brands while playing a big and active role for Adobe as it integrates social media into every aspect of its business operations.

Apparently, customers have more trust for the average employee when they are active on social media. And, they can be a profound source of expertise for Adobe. Adobe has recognized their employees' crucial role with clients and are actively training them to represent the brand. In this episode, Adobe's Lauren Friedman shares how.

Lauren Friedman is foremost a writer, social marketing strategist, and head of Adobe's Social Business Enablement. Lauren started out with a social marketing company called Context Optional before she landed at Adobe in 2011 after two acquisitions.

At first, she managed Consulting Services and then in 2013 joined the Social Business Center of Excellence. She ensures that social media is infused in every aspect of Adobe's business and developed the Global Social Media Training Program for its employees. Lauren was recognized in 2015 as iMedia 25's top marketing innovator and also specializes in content strategy for Fortune 100/500 brands, international business, quantitative and qualitative reporting and analytics, and social network strategy.

In this Episode:

• How Lauren started in a startup social media marketing company and got into Adobe through an acquisition
• How social enablement is defined for Adobe employees in line with its social media business integration
• How customers trust company employees more to represent real product insights that influence their purchase decisions
• How social enablement can be applied as both a B2B and B2C strategy for small and large companies
• The four categories of the social enablement program at Adobe including mindset, tool set, skill set, and habit
• How companies are implementing this concept of social enablement more than traditional advertising
• Guiding principles for use in social media branding
• How to define your purpose and rationale for adapting social enablement as a company and how to start

We now live in an intensely digital world. It is a fast-paced, dynamic, and ever-changing realm. What you seem to know about social media marketing, SEO, or artificial intelligence today, is definitely not going to be as relevant tomorrow. What you need is to constantly update yourself without having to take the time to determine what would be beneficial for your business or yourself. The Digital Slice podcast will guide you through the overwhelming world of digital marketing, tactics, news, tools and trends. This first episode is your ticket to The Digital Slice cutting edge podcast.

Brad Friedman is about everything digital marketing. He is president of The Friedman Group, LLC, which focuses on helping business owners and professionals implement inbound and social media strategies that generate revenue. Brad has an eclectic background which includes being an attorney, allowing him a professional understanding of his clients and their need to establish a solid online presence. He also has extensive experience in professional industries allowing him to help you harness the power of social networks in alignment with your brand development. Brad specializes in digital marketing strategy development, social media marketing, training, networking and more.

In this Episode:

• What the Digital Slice podcast aims to bring to its digital marketing-oriented audience in terms of business success
• Podcast topics to watch out for including inbound marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, digital advertising and so much more
• How the podcast will be an interesting variety of expert interviews and recordings of Facebook like interviews
• How to join the live Facebook broadcast
• What to expect from the Digital Slice in terms of length, frequency, etc.
• How to get bonus tracks, updates, insider fun, and more digital tips