Based on feedback from their users, Regator recently did a complete redesign of the site. The new design gives the site a slightly cleaner and slightly less green look. Most obvious improvements include: thumbnails for posts including images, search was moved front and center, and the UI was tweaked to make browsing and finding embedded audio and video easier.

Regator has also done some work on the back-end. They are based on AJAX, so they have done some major SEO work to ensure Google can find the content. This has already boosted their PageRank to a 5. Regator’s search was already fast, but they have fine-tuned it even further. They are also constantly adding new blogs to their 500+ categories, as many as 50 per day.

If you haven’t already checked it out, Regator is definitely worth a look. The “What’s Hot” feature will help you find out what the blogosphere is buzzing about. You can add your favorite blogs, rate them, and leave comments. If you are tired of trying to keep up with your RSS feeds, Regator may be a good alternative. Not only can you keep up with the blogs that matter to you, but you easily discover new and valuable content.

All of us tech savvy people have an entrepreneurial heart with the desire to start our own businesses. Whether you are in the stages of organizing your thoughts or you have invested in your product/service and have trouble reaching your consumer, there is always knowledge to learn that can be applied to help you succeed.

I work at one of the top PR firms in the world, but I do not consider what I do traditional PR. I work with Fortune 500 companies helping them to establish their external, online strategy. Work with every client is different and requires me to continuously learn new techniques on how to reach their target market. I want to share with you the work for a current client and suggest a few strategies that you can implement for any small business that you want to take to the next level by using technology.

The Client & Project

At 3:40 pm today, Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers will hold what we call at Ketchum Interactive a Press Conference 2.0. When you go to the following Web site we will be conducting an innovative approach to the traditional press conference in support of The Working Lunch, an online initiative that Healthy Choice Lunch Mixers will launch on November 12. For ten consecutive business days during the hours of 12:00pm and 4:00pm EST, starting November 12th and ending November 25th, you can visit The Working Lunch to participate in a digital experience by voting on sketch themes and directing an improvisational comedy group.

To encourage others to take part in this new and innovative way to eat while working during the 10 days, we chose to engage bloggers by giving them a sneak peek into what’s to come. We will be streaming live video of Dave Maly, the Creative Director of Bridge Worldwide, and two actors participating in the comedy segments, Branden Dowling and Jean Villepique, who will discuss their involvement in The Working Lunch and what can be expected or unexpected during the 10 days of improv comedy.

There is a lot that can be learned by this example, here are a couple:

Streaming Video

By holding the Press Conference 2.0 online, this allows the video to be viewed by anyone and in any location in the world. Additionally, viewers can chat and have discussions amongst themselves. We also allow people to call in and ask questions. We envision this as a way for companies to be transparent and allow their consumers to see a face behind the brand. For a small business, this can be a way for you to expand your business and reach people in different states or internationally as well. The format of the press conference can be used to inform people of new services or products that you will offer or even poll viewers to get consumer feedback.

Accurately know your consumer

We have taken time to understand the Fresh Mixers consumer and the additional market for those who like comedy and/or work during lunch. I previously referenced the term consumer and target market – I was a marketing major – but really knowing and understanding these individuals will help you better define your offering. This can also help you expand your small business into a larger business.

I remember a previous employer stating once that they will not consider a new business opportunity if there is not an appealing online component that will accompany the business. As we move forward, it will be impossible to find success without understanding your market and meeting them in online destinations where they live most of their day. I hope these ideas were helpful and permitted you to gain a different perspective on how to implement affordable techniques into your current business strategy.

You can experience the full BlackPlanet Universe one their YouTube Channel.

AND there is a brief page on how to apply for JOBS in the Obama Administration.  Shelton, the commenter mentioned above, also listed key contact people for the Administration:

Transition Senior Staff-

Chris Lu - Executive Director

Dan Pfeiffer - Communications Director

Stephanie Cutter - Chief Spokesperson

Cassandra Butts - General Counsel

Jim Messina - Personnel Director

Patrick Gaspard - Associate Personnel Director

Christine Varney - Personnel Counsel

Melody Barnes - Co-Director of Agency Review

Lisa Brown - Co-Director of Agency Review

Phil Schiliro - Director of Congressional Relations

Michael Strautmanis - Director of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs

Katy Kale - Director of Operations

Brad Kiley - Director of Operations

Also don’t search for the speech on YouTube, you can watch it right from his site!

“Thanks to the Internet, this is a new day and age for artists hoping to be heard,” says T-Pain. “That’s what inspired me to form Nappy Boy Digital. This is a label designed to break down barriers and introduce new voices to the masses. I’m looking forward to working with OurStage to find an exciting new artist and take him or her to the next level.”

“We are thrilled to work with an accomplished artist like T-Pain. It continues to be our priority to work with top-notch artists and production companies who graciously offer insight and professional opportunities to OurStage artists,” said Ben Campbell, CEO, OurStage. “We strive to further enhance the value of OurStage through key partnerships that are mutually beneficial to both our artists and industry professionals.”

To enter, artists must download T-Pain’s “Everybody Else” on OurStage, listen to the first 30 seconds and then complete the song with their own lyrics. In addition to the winning song being posted on T-Pain’s Web site, the winner will receive a one-track recording contract with Nappy Boy Digital, with the option to extend. In addition, all entries ranked in the Channel’s Top 10 will be featured on Radio One affiliate stations in December. T-Pain will play top entries and announce the winner on-air.

As you can see the videos are high quality and have similar functionality to videos on MTV.com and Hulu.com. If you are not familiar with Hulu, it is a website that offers free, ad-supported video of TV shows and movies from NBC, FOX and several other networks and film studios. MTV Music’s comparison to Hulu has been echoed all over the web since its launch.  And while Hulu’s business model is still up for debate it is clear MTV Music is ready for the challenge.

From a design and functionality standpoint MTVmusic, like Hulu, is visually a cleaner; the site is very simple and (thanks goodness) is not over designed. Standard sharing and commenting capabilities are integrated into the site well, you can embed the videos on your blog, MySpace, Facebook profile, etc. Viewers also have the ability to join/sign in and make comments, view the number of people who have watched the video, rate the video, and add the video to his/her profile.

Destinations such as Hulu and MTVmusic differ from YouTube mostly because they house videos legitimately from sources like television stations, film studios and music labels.  No more searching for a video on YouTube and coming up with a “video” slideshow of images with the song’s audio in the background.  Don’t you hate when that happens!

While MTVmusic serves a real need the biggest questions at hand are:

Can they get users to switch or at minimum use their service instead of an existing habit of going to YouTube?

Can they monetize the site based on a  Hulu-ish business model?

Wayne Sutton

Wayne describes himself as a New/Social Media Technology Evangelist, IT & Mobile Consultant. There are not many things going on in the Social Media & Tech community that Wayne is not directly involved with or well versed in. If you say you’re into social media and web 2.0, you probably know Wayne. If you don’t know him, you might want to step your game up and subscribe. I won’t draw a comparison between Wayne Sutton and Robert Scoble, but I’m sure you get my drift.

Corvida

Another titan in the social media/tech community, Corvida is actually how I found Twitter in the first place. I was doing some research and came across her blog at SheGeeks.net. In addition to blogging at SheGeeks, Corvida is a ReadWriteWeb Writer and Social Media Co-ordinator. Definitely a pillar of, not only the black web, but the social web in general.

Justin.tv

Michael Seibel, CEO of Justin.tv, is one of the few black CEO’s in Silicon Valley. We just recently interviewed Michael here on Blackweb2.0. Justin.tv is one of the hottest spots for live video and social interaction. Follow Justin.tv on Twitter to find out what’s going on with the video community.

blogdiva

Liza’s Twitter name says it all. Blogdiva extraordinaire, Liza is quite active on Twitter. She is a political blogger of the highest calibre, combining the facts with a sense of humor. Definitely worth a follow if you’re looking for news and discussion about issues affecting our community.

jsmooth995

Jay Smooth is the genius behind the ill Doctrine hip-hop video blog, creator of the hip hop music blog and founder of New York’s longest running hip-hop radio show, WBAI’s Underground Railroad. Not only is Jay an authority when it comes to hip-hop, but he has also provided some thoughtful insight into topics like no-homo and how to tell people they sound racist.