The "Wow" factor that accompanied the introduction of streaming media on the Web has long passed, and the technology now has to prove itself to marketers. Its' acceptance by advertisers, in conjunction with other rich media technologies, is on the upswing, but it's still not widely used to enhance commercial sites.
Companies trying to do business on the Internet are bombarded with marketing advice. Go to your target market. Promote your brand. Develop a web "community." Publish a Zine. All of it, good advice. But shopping carts are still being abandoned at an alarming rate, and conversion has become the most important web statistic.
In the absence of live salespeople, who know how to listen and focus in on the customers' desires, businesses on the Web must use the technological tools available to replicate that human experience. Streaming is one of those tools.*
Streaming Media is a natural way to motivate purchasing. It can be integrated into your website as a means to help people get over that "hump" when they haven't been able to see or touch a product. Use it to calm customers' nerves, build their trust in your company, and to keep their excitement about your service alive.
When would streaming media serve visitors' needs on a commercial or business site? Use it for:
*Product Demonstrations - Visuals are powerful and convey product features difficult to explain only in text. Medical devices are great candidates.
*Installation issues - especially for products geared to personal safety such as child car seats - are expertly handled with video.
* Human Resource professionals can use it to enhance corporate Intranets for remote sales forces and clients. Training programs can be stored and viewed by personnel at their convenience. Both audio and video can be used in conjunction with written materials to explain company policies and procedures.
*Streaming slideshows are an economical method of showcasing vacation facilities, business plants, and real estate properties.
*Demystify the shopping experience - use it to navigate the selling process.
*Teachers and coaches of dance, sports and gym activities can highlight their training methods with short demonstration clips.
Many businesses would like to use streaming media but are put off by high production costs. Keep in mind that existing materials might be perfectly suited for current needs. Your streaming provider should be able to assist you with preparing and, if needed, modifying your material.
Streaming media is a very effective and affordable marketing tool. In today's world, where consumers have more purchasing power and choices than ever before, it can be used to make your customers aware of benefits that can't be found elsewhere. And, benefits often turn into sales.
Streaming media should not be used arbitrarily, however. Unless your material is relevant to your visitors and adds perceived value to their purchase, don't waste your time or theirs. When designing your streaming media presentation, ask yourself what it will accomplish that your current content doesn't. Will it complement your existing material? Will it be utilized to enhance your offering? Will it provide additional incentive to make your visitor buy?
If you can answer yes to those questions, streaming media should be a strong candidate for your marketing dollars. Use streaming media technology wisely, and it will go a long way to making your business site stand out in a very crowded field.
*What IS streaming? Streaming promises quick access to crucial audio and video content without the aggravating wait for files to download. Downloading requires that files be sent to the user's PC in their entirety before they can be played; MP3 audio is a perfect example of this. The files then remain on the user's machine until they are deleted. Streaming continuously sends these same files, which have already been digitized, to the user's PC while the user is listening or watching. When the stream is ended, no data is left behind on the user's machine.
Ronni Rhodes is the owner of WBC Imaging, an Internet company that specializes in web site enhancement utilizing streaming media technology. With her husband, Don, a digital media engineer, they work with companies to incorporate streaming as part of successful and meaningful sales and marketing programs.
Please direct all questions and comments to: ronni@wbcimaging.com 520-742-5780 ronni@wbcimaging.com
apartment cleaning near Highland Park ..Countdown to Armageddon - at least you'd think so judging... Read More
As an online Entrepreneur you require a successful website.One that... Read More
First you need original content. Content is the heart beat... Read More
We would all like to have the best looking website,... Read More
A professionally presented business website is a powerful and essential... Read More
Let's face it. Buying products and services from the Internet... Read More
Congratulations! You've got a brand new site and it's doing... Read More
QUESTION: My business is very small, just me and... Read More
I once created a notepad-like editor. It is possible with... Read More
"Oh, my eyes, my eyes! What an eye sore. Quick,... Read More
Unless you are an inventor, most likely you are selling... Read More
The Psychology of ColorAre you using the best colors for... Read More
Just about every list of the "Top 10 Web Design... Read More
A question we frequently get asked is, "how do we... Read More
Learning how to convert visitors to your web site into... Read More
We've all read the countless publications about effective web site... Read More
Do you have a website? If so, you need an... Read More
The HTML editor is usually a webpage design software that... Read More
When a prospect lands on your website will he or... Read More
What is web usability & why is it important?Web usability... Read More
If you'd like to create/maintain a website, having some HTML... Read More
Whether you are planning on having a website built for... Read More
Websites, there's literally billions of them out there in cyber-space.... Read More
This article gives free tips on how to find a... Read More
"It's good.""You've done a nice job.""I don't like it."At some... Read More
cleaning lady near Arlington Heights ..When designing your website, remember to avoid useless and confusing... Read More
Page ranking by search engines such as Google are not... Read More
Hire a designer or a programmer for your website is... Read More
If your website is falling through the cracks, the chances... Read More
Projecting a professional image is paramount to your website's success.... Read More
Website design is a very competitive area and there is... Read More
Do your web pages, sales letters or personal presentations include... Read More
In this article, I will attempt to cover the basics... Read More
This article gives free tips on how to find a... Read More
Never put form over function. Why? Because it's crucial that... Read More
Web Design is a very subjective process. Your idea of... Read More
We've all surfed the web and seen some awful web... Read More
The effective design is this one, which is maximum simplified,... Read More
Let's look at what your user wants to see at... Read More
Do you want to use unsafe web colors without offending... Read More
Are you going to design or redesign new website or... Read More
Here are a few programs I can't do without. They're... Read More
What do the key words represent?Key words - these are... Read More
There's no doubt about it - the first page your... Read More
A well designed web site is great to have, but... Read More
When your company built its website, did you think about... Read More
(Making Your Graphics Work For You)It's no secret that a... Read More
Building a website that is exactly what you want and... Read More
As of September, Smartads went through what so many have... Read More
In retailing there is a saying that sales are made... Read More
Web Design |