Have You Caught The Buzz Yet?

Everywhere you go these days, it looks (and sounds) like streaming media (video and audio over the internet) is in the news. Digital media has come of age. One particular application of this digital revolution-video email has caught the interest of corporate America. In the early days of video over the internet (late 1990's), only Fortune 100 companies had the bank balance to afford the required hardware, software and IT manpower.

Today, any individual or small business can look like a Fortune 100 company without the accompanying expense. (See "Video-email goes Corporate"). Many companies such as the Miami Dolphins football team, DaimlerChrysler AG and Eli Lilly Corp. are relying on video e-mails for ad campaigns, internal announcements and market surveys. These businesses are also using the technology for sales training, public relations, customer updates and product releases.

Video over the internet is no longer the sole preserve of Fortune 100 companies.

Small business owners have caught on to the buzz too. Increasing numbers of entrepreneurs are now using streaming/digital media in their sales and marketing efforts. 

Lee Boyden: a Carlsbad, CA based real estate agent, uses VMDirect's digital media studios to sell homes. Lee invites the seller to create a video introducing themselves and the home to potential buyers. The video can be sent to friends, family and other agents who help spread the news further than the immediate vicinity of North County. Each video has four customizable areas that can be linked to a virtual tour, school reports or any other documents or media you wish to attach.

Lee adds his personal touch by following up with video to thank potential buyers for stopping by his open-house. Another great feature of Lee's video email is tracking. Imagine sending five listings to a buyer. You can deduce from the tracking which house details were forwarded and or watched many times over and when they watched it. So, when you follow up, you already know where the buyers interest lie. 

The video creation studio that comes with the video email system is so easy to use, I am considering interactive "Live" open-house broadcasts with the sellers at a remote locations.

The same system allows Lee to podcast, blog or vlog, web cast (live or on-demand) and video conference with other real estate offices in his network irrespective of geographic location.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of Lee's video email is the time saving. I can talk faster than I can type, he said and I don't have to worry about my grammar being misunderstood. Best yet, I can make voice over internet (VoIP) calls free, check my calendar, update my appointments, book flights, check maps, track packages and much more from within my any video email in my inbox with out leaving to open other applications or programs. 

Video email and video autoresponder email marketing truly have come of age. If you are not using it, your competitors are.