What’s in your bag: Web Strategist Edition

I don’t need a TV truck, radio station, or printing press to reach thousands of people, and neither do you.

The Mobile Media Platform
In my current role at PodTech, much of my job was to be out in the field where the people are, and use social media to demonstrate how PodTech could deliver to clients. The tactic? I was a walking media platform, and at any time, anywhere, I could publish text, video, audio, or pictures to thousands of people within minutes. I could break news, live stream events, live blog, twitter from my mobile phone, send emails to the influentials, kick start conversations or most importantly, just listen to the network.

Over my time at PodTech, I uploaded close to 8,000 pictures, hundreds of videos, over 1,000 blog posts, and did at least 2 weeks of live streaming. I surprised folks by my rapid ability to post session notes, pictures and even video within 30 minutes of a conference. I want to record how life has been over the last year as things change. See all my posts tagged event or conference to learn see the output (please note most was in real-time or within 12 hours of an event).

Here’s what’s in my bag(s)

In the spirit of the popular “whats in your bag” flickr meme, here’s my response.

(click on picture to see notes in flickr)

Mobile Social Media Platform Inventory (Basic Kit)

Backpack: I just love this rugged and stylish backpack, it should be able to hold up to my abuse, with lots of utility.

Laptop: Thinkpad Lenovo T60 was issued to me

3G Wireless card: Important, as public WiFi is unwieldy

Power charger: For Thinkpad

Power extension cord: (in black mesh bag) important at conferences where supply is limited, and a great way to meet new friends

Moleskine notepad and pen: This is how I stay organized, and it’s in an easy to grab bag with pen

Extra DVR tapes for video camera

Webcam: On loan from Ustream

USB Extension Cord: Critical for live streaming, as the cam often goes on a tripod

Digital Camera (not picture): SD700IS. While only $350, my photos are in the SJ Mercury

Camera case on backpack: see small black pouch on front lapel of backpack, strateically situated for rapid access

Camera spare battery

Camera USB Cable: The gray one

Camera Lens wipes

Wallet: Need money, store parking passes, BART tickets, and business cards (picture of wife too)

Business Cards: Both mine and new contacts

Expense Bag: I throw all my receipts from business trips in that bag and sort out later, a good way to start organized

Reading material (varies week to week): Super Crunches from friend David Berkowitz, and Social Computing Framework

Various personal items: Gum, energy bars, breath mints, and some strange bandaids and hand sanitizer that a conference organizer handed out

(click on picture to see notes in flickr)

Mobile Media Platform Inventory (Show Kit)
If I’m going to do interviews for the PodTech’s Web Strategy Show, I would bring this kit:

Camera Case: compact, and can fit inside of backpack

Camera Case: compact, and can fit inside of backpack

Camcorder: Sony camera (DVR) for interviews

Xacti: Backup camera, USB

Battery Charger: Important to have spare battery on hand

Line Charger for direct power

Extra Tapes: DVR

Remote Control: For when camera is on tripod (not tripod)

Sling: Extra tether for camera, if going mobile

I have this phone on me, although outdated, it gives me access to the web, text messaging, with a powerful speakerphone. Why don’t I use a smartphone? Because I’m often in front of a computer.

What will future tools look like? Many of these will consolidate and become smaller, hopefully without the cost of quality

Alight, I’m tagging bloggers Robert Scoble, Mario Sundar, Chris Pirillo, Scott Squid, and Thomas Hawk to open up and show me what’s in their bags, give an inventory list, your strategy.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 31st, 2007 at 6:50 am and is filed under Ruminations, Social Media, Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.