Everyone wants more Clicks!

How many e-mail newsletters do you recieve on a daily basis?  How many do you actually read?  Time is limited, I know, and you can’t read everything that comes through your inbox.

Conversely, how often are you on the other end of that - sending out an e-newsletter and wondering the best way to increase readership?

One of the best ways to solve this problem is video!

Including video in e-mail marketing has shown an increased click through rate of over 96%* and when it comes to e-newsletters “clicks” are what matter most.  Unfortunately, you could have great copy, full of fantastic, useful information but that is not always enough to encourage readers to continue to your web site.  With the addition of video, however, people become more engaged with your organization and interested in learning more.

Have you noticed an increase in “clicks” since adding video to your email marketing?

What sort of videos do you normally include?

With a quality video, full of useful content, your email marketing can become one of your most effective ways of reaching potential clients.

That’s the Golden Perspective...what’s yours?

*source: invodo.com 

Bringing Your Newsletter to Life

“In one campaign, including video in an e-mail campaign drove a 51% increase in subscriber-to-lead conversion.” (Blue Sky Factory Webinar, 2010)

For anyone involved with e-mail campaigns or considering the use of one, 51% is a very promising statistic!

Often, people question the effectiveness of filling potential clients’ inboxes with monthly correspondence, but when done correctly an e-mail can be a great way to stay in touch.  Video is one element that can be added to that campaign to increase click-throughs , leads, and hopefully eventual sales.  When potential clients can see your organization or product in action, they become more connected to you; and without that connection sales are definitely a little harder to close.

If you are able to turn your monthly e-mail into your biggest lead generator, your time and effort creating that message would be well spent.  Including a video in every “issue” is a solid step in the direction to make that happen.

What response have you received by including a video in your monthly e-mail?

Have you noticed an increase in readership or click-throughs?

That’s the Golden Perspective...what’s yours?

US Executives

Last time I shared with you the high number of executives who engage with online video on a regular basis. Not only are these “decision makers” watching internet videos, but their viewing habits are shaping their online activity in general:

“65% of US executives surveyed by Forbes in October 2010 visit a vendor’s web site after viewing a work-related online video.” (engage.tmgcustommedia.com)

Usually, executives have limited time during the day and they don’t like to waste it on useless tasks. You have to make the most of the two minutes you are given and tell an impressive story. A short web video can easily convey that message for you in under two minutes. The planning undergone during pre-production and production ensures that your best story is being told, in the most effective way possible. When you have the opportunity to present these men and women with a high-quality video about your organization, they are likely going to take the time to visit your website - but creating that video is the first step!

Video is gaining a place on the internet in ways other than just random music videos or funny baby tricks; it is becoming a trusted source for finding potential clients and vendors. If high- level executives recognize value in the messages shared by a video, and act upon what they experience, this sort of online presence is something you should definitely consider.

That’s the Golden Perspective...what’s yours? 

Decision Makers

The goal of most sales professionals is to catch the attention of decision makers. “How do I get in front of those executives?”
“What events do the ‘decision makers’ attend - I should be there?”

One of the best ways to catch an executive’s attention is through video. According to engage.tmgcustommedia.com, “75% of all executives said they watched work-related videos
on business web sites at least once a week, and more than 50% use YouTube to watch those videos”. If you are looking for a way to be more efficient in your sales approach, video is certainly the way to go. One video could reach more decision makers in a matter of days than your sales team could at a month’s worth of networking events - not that I would suggest replacing your sales team, they are doing a fantastic job! When you are deciding the best way to reach your target audience, however, a video would be a fantastic way no matter the industry.

What success have you had reaching your target audience with one of your videos? 

That’s the Golden Perspective...what’s yours? 

Finding Your Video's Place on the Web

Everyone knows video is a beneficial addition to any web site because, for one reason, it raises the SEO (Search Engine Optimization). The big question is how does this happen? There are three major factors contributing to this jump in rankings: video markup, video sitemaps, and syndication.


* Markup looks at the way in which a video is incorporated into a site; and includes ensuring the video has a proper title, effective keywords, is embedded in the actual web page, and is linked to other material. *

* Video Sitemaps are essentially the same as a standard sitemap for a web page, except it contains information specific to the videos, explaining where the file is located on the site - which is also similar to the information for “markup”. This map helps search engines find each clip embedded on a site.*

* Syndication comes from sharing a video amongst several web sites. For example, if a video is placed on your homepage but then shared on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. search engines have a better chance of finding it - and ultimately you!*

Each of these factors plays a role in how effective your video will perform be once it is uploaded to the internet. Once a quality video has been created, with the assistance of a web designer, it can be added your site and start generating interest in your organization.

What steps did you take to ensure the effectiveness of videos added to your web site?

That’s the Golden Perspective...what’s yours?



*source: searchengineland.com

Giving the Best You

Have you ever found yourself standing in the middle of a room, in complete awe of your surroundings, and not knowing where to look first?  As I entered into this "indoor courtyard" I was in total amazement.  Somehow designers were able to create an indoor space with the look and feel of being in the courtyard of a southwestern or Spanish villa!

Every direction in which I looked there was a different piece of artwork adorning the wall, tile mosaics on pillars, ornate lighting...the list goes on.  Several times I had to stop and remind myself that I was standing inside during the middle of a cold January instead of outside on a bright sunny, summer day.  When I looked through the window, though, and saw piles of snow I was quickly reminded!  I was enjoying this room so much I didn't even want to leave - and if not for my next appointment I would have stayed a little longer.

How much care was taken when designing this building to give visitors a unique, unforgettable experience?  As a business owner I can relate to that sentiment.

If you, too, are a business owner what can you do to ensure your customers receive the best experience possible...something they will not forget for a long time?

What can you offer that is completely unexpected, but completely "you"?

After a few minutes of basking in the sunshine of this Southwestern excursion, I had to re-enter the realities of a Northeastern winter...but with a new found inspiration.

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?

What Do You Do Now?

I suddenly felt old as I passed this playground recently.  Where are the swings and the monkey bars; and what happened to those big domes that you could climb over, under, or through?  Are modern, sleek playgrounds another sign of a "technologically advanced" society?

This was not the first time I had seen this playground, but it was the first time I actually stopped to try and figure it out...and "figure out" is not an exaggeration.  There were odd little stool-type things positioned around these large octagons, some with springs for bouncing while others were secured firmly to the ground.  I stood there wondering if you actually have to be a child to understand what to do on such a playground.  Now, I've always thought of myself as a creative person with a pretty good imagination, but that still didn't help in this situation.  Aside from climbing up these geometric shapes, what else can you really do?  How can you imagine flying through the air without a swing or climbing through and between tall trees without monkey bars?  Have I reached another plateau in my life: the time when there is yet another thing that I don't understand from the younger generation?

Maybe this playground is supposed to be like life: an open slate for you to make of it whatever you wish.  This is your chance to fill the empty space with your own wishes, dreams, goals, and eventually achievements.

Even still, I wish I could do my dreaming on a swing!

That's the Golden Perspective...what's yours?