My good friend from Brooklyn, Eric Rochow, has been producing his indie  show, GardenFork for almost 2 full years now. Gardenfork is described as a weekly internet video show about cooking, gardening, and other stuff.
Eric started out by filming himself, editing himself and posting himself online. Quick shows, featuring downhome cookin' and easy DIY projects, each posted weekly to his website.

What amazes me, however is how in the past 2 years how much Eric has harnessed just about every tool the internet has to offer to promote his brand.

Eric now has 2 shows: Gardenfork and RealWorldGreen (all about how to live green). I have been a subscriber to his Gardenfork since the early days and I am always impressed by just how much he has going on with it. For this article I’m going to focus on the presence of Gardenfork, but suggest that you check out RealWorldGreen as well. 

Gardenfork Case Study on Harnessing the Power of the Internet:

1.    Email Blasts. He started out just drafting quick emails and sending to friends, but now he uses Constant Contact. This enables lots of things, but most of all, pretty pictures, great design and a catchy email full of links (not to mention databasing and subscription software). He sends one out every single Friday without fail.

2.    Powerful Website. Eric has created a virtual meeting place for fans of his shows, www.greenhouse.tv.  It is a hub, not just a place to watch his show. You can have your own blog, participate in the cooking and gardening forums, as well as watch the endless videos in his library.

3.    iTunes: Gardenfork is now available on iTunes and downloadable via podcast. You simply click through the link on his site and you can instantly subscribe to receive his shows.

4.    Twitter: Gardenfork uses the power of Twitter to update in quick and easy blasts. http://twitter.com/Green_House_TV

5.    Facebook: Gardenfork has a facebook profile, with a fan base! Comments published to the website are uploaded in the notes section of the profile.

6.    Zazzle. Gardenfork products are available through the Greenhouse.tv, provided through the on demand print shop of Zazzle. IT’s a great way to make some cash through your brand, without having to pre-print and have a huge amount of merchandise on hand.

Basically Gardenfork does something really smart. It is omnipresent.  Eric doesn’t just rely on one way to get the word out about his show(s), he uses multiple tools, links them all and he creates his work without fail. You always know, every Friday, that you will hear from Eric.  As a fan this is really important. I know that if I get hooked on Gardenfork, I can find it, and I know when I can see it again.

I almost forgot the most important thing Eric does -- Dogs!  Eric uses lots of videos and pictures of his dog, and the neighborhood dogs and puppies. You want to get people to watch your show? Throw a dog in it. Eric swears by it.