Power of Video::
Video versus text by Terry Anderson (www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk)::
One the biggest problems most companies face is how to promote the service or product that they wish to sell. How many times have you heard somebody say We find it difficult to explain what we do
We need to show what our product does
.Prospects cant easily see the benefits.
Any successful promotional medium must first be judged primarily by its ability to deliver an effective message to the target recipient often that means a potential client.
Whilst there is a place for traditional brochures and more recently Internet web pages, each has limitations.
Brochures are traditionally, a collection of static images and text. These may indeed show what a product looks like, describe the features and benefits. This may be good enough if the product is very simple or sold as a cheap alternative. Where the product requires qualification, it is unlikely to give the potential client a full appreciation of what it does, how it works or why that particular product may be better than those of competitors.
Brochures often have to be produced in long production runs. A common complaint is that the brochure is out of date but there are large numbers of unused copies. This is a waste of money and a waste of environmental resources. Many organisations give out brochures that never get read either due to pressures of time, laziness or they are collected indiscriminately at exhibitions.
Websites reduce the waste element and provide easy, cost-effective access to a worldwide market. They also provide excellent opportunities for E-commerce.
Web developers, however, evolve mainly from the print and graphic design sectors therefore the majority of sites retain the same fundamental limitations of static images and text as their methods of description. That no longer needs to be the case.
The UK now has more broadband subscribers than any other country in Europe. Of 160 million worldwide broadband subscribers, we are second only to the USA. Audiovisual provides a solution to all the restrictions of print. It has come to the forefront as a result of modern technology. The digital age enables far more cost-effective productions that can be delivered for a variety of applications in multiple formats.
Many businesses that provide a service find it difficult to explain what they do and how clients can benefit. We all know what a solicitor, financial advisor or private detective does or do we? What makes them stand apart from competitors?
Products or components can be demonstrated in real life that clearly shows how they perform, how they go together or how they work. Their uniqueness or advantages over rival products can be made obvious.
Audiovisual brings clarity. It enables a highly focused message to be delivered that is easy to understand and convenient to watch. University studies have also proved that the average memory retention between, images or text is quadrupled by the audiovisual medium.
The initial production may cost no more than a good quality brochure, however discs, can be economically produced in hundreds rather than thousands.
Different objectives may require different applications or formats and vice versa. Flexibility, however, is another strong advantage of audiovisual. Once the film has been produced, it costs comparatively little to convert to alternative formats. For example DVD, CD-ROM, CD business cards, overhead projection, laptop hard drives and website video all utilise variations of digital coding.
Having decided that video is for you, how should you go about it?
Filmmakers that attempt to cross over from the filming industry or TV into the world of corporate promotional video arent necessarily good communicators. Ive seen film editing with very impressive after effects (FX is the industry term) but it says little about the product or company it proposes to promote.
Its far better to approach the objective from the opposite direction. Delivering the message is always the primary focus so a company experienced in sales and marketing that specialises in filming is the better choice.
Delivering high quality video streaming through Internet web pages requires a skill so again; dont presume that the web designer has the best tools. Ive seen countless examples of low grade coding that spoils the opportunity. The film producer is more likely to understand the complexities and variations of the coding.
OK, Im biased and will probably never be as famous as William Caxton who has done us proud since 1474 and will probably continue to serve us well for many years to come, but in todays world of commerce everyone needs to think smarter by embracing the technology of the time.
Why online Video is Hot in 2006 by Mike Slawomir Cecotka (www.videoproductionsecrets.com/)::
One the biggest problems most companies face is how to promote the service or product that they wish to sell. How many times have you heard somebody say We find it difficult to explain what we do
We need to show what our product does
.Prospects cant easily see the benefits.
Any successful promotional medium must first be judged primarily by its ability to deliver an effective message to the target recipient often that means a potential client.
Whilst there is a place for traditional brochures and more recently Internet web pages, each has limitations.
Brochures are traditionally, a collection of static images and text. These may indeed show what a product looks like, describe the features and benefits. This may be good enough if the product is very simple or sold as a cheap alternative. Where the product requires qualification, it is unlikely to give the potential client a full appreciation of what it does, how it works or why that particular product may be better than those of competitors.
Brochures often have to be produced in long production runs. A common complaint is that the brochure is out of date but there are large numbers of unused copies. This is a waste of money and a waste of environmental resources. Many organisations give out brochures that never get read either due to pressures of time, laziness or they are collected indiscriminately at exhibitions.
Websites reduce the waste element and provide easy, cost-effective access to a worldwide market. They also provide excellent opportunities for E-commerce.
Web developers, however, evolve mainly from the print and graphic design sectors therefore the majority of sites retain the same fundamental limitations of static images and text as their methods of description. That no longer needs to be the case.
The UK now has more broadband subscribers than any other country in Europe. Of 160 million worldwide broadband subscribers, we are second only to the USA. Audiovisual provides a solution to all the restrictions of print. It has come to the forefront as a result of modern technology. The digital age enables far more cost-effective productions that can be delivered for a variety of applications in multiple formats.
Many businesses that provide a service find it difficult to explain what they do and how clients can benefit. We all know what a solicitor, financial advisor or private detective does or do we? What makes them stand apart from competitors?
Products or components can be demonstrated in real life that clearly shows how they perform, how they go together or how they work. Their uniqueness or advantages over rival products can be made obvious.
Audiovisual brings clarity. It enables a highly focused message to be delivered that is easy to understand and convenient to watch. University studies have also proved that the average memory retention between, images or text is quadrupled by the audiovisual medium.
The initial production may cost no more than a good quality brochure, however discs, can be economically produced in hundreds rather than thousands.
Different objectives may require different applications or formats and vice versa. Flexibility, however, is another strong advantage of audiovisual. Once the film has been produced, it costs comparatively little to convert to alternative formats. For example DVD, CD-ROM, CD business cards, overhead projection, laptop hard drives and website video all utilise variations of digital coding.
Having decided that video is for you, how should you go about it?
Filmmakers that attempt to cross over from the filming industry or TV into the world of corporate promotional video arent necessarily good communicators. Ive seen film editing with very impressive after effects (FX is the industry term) but it says little about the product or company it proposes to promote.
Its far better to approach the objective from the opposite direction. Delivering the message is always the primary focus so a company experienced in sales and marketing that specialises in filming is the better choice.
Delivering high quality video streaming through Internet web pages requires a skill so again; dont presume that the web designer has the best tools. Ive seen countless examples of low grade coding that spoils the opportunity. The film producer is more likely to understand the complexities and variations of the coding.
OK, Im biased and will probably never be as famous as William Caxton who has done us proud since 1474 and will probably continue to serve us well for many years to come, but in todays world of commerce everyone needs to think smarter by embracing the technology of the time.
Advantages of Video by APS group (www.apsvideo.com/advantage.html)::
1. Powerful: Television and video are the most powerful communicative tools in history. Video allows you to communicate your message quickly and effectively, while holding your viewers' interest.
2. Convenience: Video doesn't infringe on your prospect's time. He or she can watch at their own pace, wherever and whenever they want--including at home.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: Producing a sales video often costs no more to produce than a high-quality 4-color brochure. What's more, one of video's major advantages is its ability to give a great deal of information in a short amount of time. A well-scripted, 8 -minute video can give as much information as an entire stack of print materials!
4. Video gets results: Using video to promote your products or services will give your company a competitive edge. For example, Soloflex, Inc. offers a free video demonstrating its $1,000 exercise system. Each tape only costs the company $8.00 and nearly half of those who view the video order a system.
5. Image: Using video can help your organization project a positive image. Video can also help your company increase brand visibilty.
6. Standardization: Video presents standardized information for every viewer, every time. This is especially important in training applications, because it allows the viewer to go back over areas they missed. Remember, video never has a "bad day"!
7. Effective Introduction: Video makes a great ice-breaker for sales calls on new prospects. Rather than the salesperson trying to give a mental image of the company, video can do it with pictures, music and exciting special effects. A corporate overview video can also create a friendly, caring image for your company by introducing viewers to upper management and key members of your staff to put a "face with the name".
8. Attention: With video, you can expect nearly 100% viewership. People will watch your sales video, because it is a unique presentation. Market studies show that nearly everyone given a promotional video will watch the tape in its entirety--out of curiosity, if nothing else.
9. Versatility: The same video can be used at sales meetings, trade shows, point-of-purchase displays, for customer training and as a video brochure.
10. Simplicity: Video is an excellent way to sell a product that has any degree of complexity. Video lends itself particularly well to small, highly-technical products, because it can get "inside" the product to show how small parts work.
11. Vitality: Video can show your product in action, something brochures can't do. It can bring your product's features and benefits to life!
12. Resourceful: Video saves travel costs. For companies who do business with distant customers, it's an ideal medium, because the average sales call costs approximately $600, including travel and lodging. Using a video in lieu of the trip can substantially decrease your cost per customer contact. We can also reproduce the video message in any language in the world.
13. Personable: You may not be able to get every prospect to come and see your facility, but with video, your facility can come to them. Video will take a viewer right inside a manufacturing plant to see the entire production process, including the quality of materials and workmanship that goes into your company's products. Video also allows them to view your facilities at their convenience--even at night or on the weekends!
14. Preferred Medium: Today's "visually literate" society gets most of its information from television: 9 out of 10 Americans say that television is their primary news source. Marketers are realizing that video is increasingly becoming the medium of choice.
15. Persuasive: One of the reasons why video is such a powerful medium is because it involves the viewer's emotions. Even for businesses, buying decisions are often made on an emotional level. The ability to reach a prospect with images and sound can be incredibly persuasive.
16. Time-Saver: Video saves time, because the message can be presented more quickly. A recent study conducted by Pennsylvania University's Wharton School of Business discovered that video speeded-up buying decisions by 70%.
17. Precision: With video, you have complete control over the message. Viewers are presented with only the information you want them to receive, in the exact order you want them to receive it.