What is Online Video, and How Can I Use it on My Website?

Employing an online web spokesperson is the perfect way to personalize your customers’ experience. Making the best possible first impression is vital, which is why companies spend thousands of dollars annually on webpage layout and design. Dozens of man-hours can be spent agonizing over how much information to include and where on the screen to place it to best catch a visitor’s eye. A walk on spokesperson is an instant, cost effective way to eliminate the guesswork!

Online video presents the opportunity for you to interact with prospective customers in a personal way. Visitors arriving at your site are greeted and walked through the benefits of your product or service by a knowledgeable, engaging personality. You don’t have to worry about where to post your most important information to make sure it is seen; just put it in script form and let your web spokesperson share it directly with the customer.

The benefits of website ‘talking heads’ include:

 Ÿ  The ability to instantly capture (and keep) your customers’ attention

Ÿ  A friendly, down to earth explanation of what your site offers

Ÿ  Targeted, direct messages for your niche market

Ÿ  ‘Customer Service’ that is personal and positive

Ÿ  A ‘face’ for your brand or company

An online spokesperson connects in a way that plain text and graphics cannot. They can draw your visitor in and engage them on an emotional level, creating a feeling of trust and delivering a personal, effective call to action. By creating an online persona that appeals to your target demographic, you can present your information in a convincing format and effectively build trust with your visitors.

You can use a walk on spokesperson to:

Ÿ  Give your visitors a ‘real’ person to relate to

Ÿ  Educate and inform visitors about your products and services

Ÿ  Deliver your sales pitch in a relaxed, informal manner

Ÿ  Reassure visitors who are wary of shopping or gathering information online

Ÿ  Increase sales and create a memorable experience

Research shows that walk on spokespersons can dramatically increase time on site as well as conversion rates. Online video is a highly interactive medium, using sight and sound to make a lasting impression. An appeal from a web spokesperson can create the emotional setting needed to encourage consumers making the leap from window shopper to buyer.

Using an online spokesperson to present your call to action can make your company the one that stands out from the crowd. You can choose from dozens of professional actors, ensuring you get the look and feel you want for your brand – or even play the part yourself! Learn more about website talking heads and see one in action by visiting us at our website at www.ispeakvideo.com.

Online Video Spokesperson 2008- A Shift in Thinking

Introduction

 

Recently online video has revolutionized the way businesses can and will use the internet to advertise, educate and inform their prospects, customers and investors.  Streaming video content has now become easier, more effective and more affordable and is replacing the text and still graphic design templates of yesterday. 

 

According to eMarketer’s Report, 2008 “…represents a mass-market benchmark, as more than 50% of the US Population – 155.2 million people – will watch video online. “  With an increase in US online video on the rise, the next 4 years are forecasted to demonstrate a spending growth rate of 40% year over year.   These figures demonstrate that video has already been embraced by thousands of businesses, from your small mom and pop shop to your Fortune 500 conglomerate.

 

Why Use Online Video?

 

In the past we were forced to use text and photos to explain a company, service, or product.  Websites evolved over time but were still limited to photos and text only.  There is a shift taking place today in website design and usage that is occurring in front of our eyes.  This shift is a metamorphosis from text/photos based websites to video infused ultra dynamic websites.  By adding videos website owners can now explain their message clearly, cut down confusion, and increase conversion rates.   

 

Why Use Video?  The reason “because my competitor is doing it” may not justify it for today’s marketer.  Better yet, because it works, it’s easy to implement, it’s more affordable than ever before and it will increase sales revenue, brand recognition and online presence when done professionally.

 

Video communication connects with viewers in a multi-sensory way using sight and sound.  It speaks to all our senses.  It allows viewers to absorb more information much faster and take action.  With crisp audio and clear visual presentation, video can invoke an emotional response to your brands website more effectively than text and still graphics resulting in a more powerful “call to action” message for increased ROI on marketing and communication dollars.  More than any other medium, video alters our paradigms, and changes the way we communicate our message.  To follow suite, the internet is changing the way we do business by allowing the user to react immediately to the video message.

 

Madison Avenue has been using sight and sound in TV advertising to spearhead brand advertising since 1941.  Billions of dollars are spent in TV advertising each year to support brands and create strong connections with consumers.   The shifts in marketing budgets online are reflections that marketers are finding a less expensive way to achieve the same result. Video can now be used online with all the same benefits achieved on TV, but with the added tracking functionality that is available online.   When a business marketed themselves on TV they typically use a video format, because it’s available.  It’s rare to see a commercial with only text and photos.  The reason is because video is much more engaging and effective.  This same rationale applies online.  Website owners were forced to explain their message through text and photos.  Today, the ability is there for a website to be completely infused with video.  Therefore, increasing appeal and creating a more effective website experience. 

 

How to Use Online Video?

 

With many different video production solutions to choose from, how to use online video becomes a matter of many different opinions.  One opinion that should carry the most weight is a company that specializes in online video productions.  Below are 10 tips to using a virtual spokesperson on your website and the possibilities are literally borderless with what you do with it once you shoot it.  A virtual spokesperson is a video of a real actor that can be implemented on any website in any form. 

          10 Tips to Using a Online Video Spokesperson on a website

1. HD Quality- Make sure the videos that you use are always shot in HD. We live in a world where we are judged by our appearance. If you have videos on your website that do not represent your business in an ultra-professional manner it’s waste to even add a video. Quality is key!
2. Close Captioning- Adding close captioning is important. The reality is that some users don’t have speakers or are hearing impaired. Therefore, taking into consideration their needs is imperative.
3. User Experience- You have the ability when adding a spokesperson to customize it where if the same user comes back to the same page within a 24 or 48 hour period of time, then that user would not get “force fed” the same video again. The user would be given the option to play the video again if they chose to, but wouldn’t be forced to watch it again. It is important to be courteous to your users and look at their experience when adding a video spokesperson.
4. Video Length- Keep it brief on the home page: The key component to a video spokesperson is to explain a product or service, but also the goal is to direct traffic to specific sections or specials within the website. Keep it brief on the home page under 45 seconds. The user does not want to watch a 2 minute video on your business. You are much better off with a quick video on home page then elaborating about a specific subject once the user gets to that specific page.
5. Actor Quality- Make sure you see the actor you have seen in some other performances. It’s imperative to choose an actor that is good quality and will represent your company with professionalism. Don’t sacrifice on the quality of the actor.
6. Choosing an Actor- Choose an actor or actress that fits your target market. If your market is geared towards baby boomers it makes sense to have an spokesperson that is of the same age range.
7. Full Body- Choosing a full body spokesperson will allow you to use the spokesperson to point at various page or sections of the website. It will appear that a small person is on your page.
8. Half Body- There are benefits to having your Virtual Spokesperson shot both half body and full body. In the half body format, you will see much more of the actor’s facial features which leads to more sincerity.
9. Add a Call To Action- The goal of the script is to not only explain your business it’s also to add a call to action. You want to engage the user to sign up or buy not just talk to them. It is even possible to add a sign up form or contact us button. Example: www.maispace.com
10. General Script = Longer Life- Make sure the message is general enough so it stays fresh. Stay away from price points and dates as this will cause your message to go “stale” and force you to purchase more unnecessarily.

 

 

 

Ways to use Video on a website:

 

 

Online Video Spokesperson:

One of the best uses of video online is through using a online video spokesperson to help a website stand out, direct traffic to specific sections, and explain a message clearly.  No matter what industry a video spokesperson will help a company enhance the website user’s experience. 

 

Examples:

http://www.buyasafe.com/

http://www.gys.com/

http://purpleemu.com/

http://www.voteforshapiro.com/

http://www.yourtravelrewards.com/hr/?mrksrc=0532847&xxNodeId=000q74qwp 

 

 

iVideo Headers

An iVideo Header is an effective way to incorporate a online spokesperson product with interactive flash graphics and screenshots. The key is to incorporate this unique product into the design of the website. This not only creates a sense of purpose for the product but it also provides enough room to drive home the message. iVideo Header is part video, part flash file incorporating graphs, screenshots, images, and so much more into the timing of the video so at specific times an image will correlate with a script read by an online virtual spokesmodels.

 

Examples:

www.ifbyphone.com

www.dealeron.com

www.roomadvice101.com

www.biztrade.com

 

 

Video Presentations

iVideo Presentations are a powerful solution that allows your company to explain your message clearly. No borders, no limitations, plenty of space and time to drive home your point.

Are you selling a product that at times can be difficult to explain? Are your prospects confused about certain details in your product offering? Are they bored with reading through confusing brochures or unengaged in long sales calls? Imagine sending your prospects a simple link to a powerful presentation. Watch confusion go down and results go way up.

 

 

 

Examples:

http://www.gomcgruff.com/m/HowItWorks.asp

http://www.apus.edu/financing-your-education/index.htm

 

 

 

Video Banner Ads

 

Are your banner ads not getting noticed? The traditional banner ad is dead! Today, traditional banner ads have an anemic click through rate and are not getting the results that they once did. An internet video banner ad takes the banner ad concept and adds a new spin on it. Our ads contain video from top to bottom and from left to right…basically anywhere within the ad. It is completely customizable. You can choose to have a person speaking from a close up angle or from a full body perspective.

In addition, we can we film the actual product within this banner with a voiceover. Through research it was discovered that adding a banner that “Speaks” is an innovative and impactful way to get noticed.

 

Video Product Demo’s

Why use text or photos of your products when you can demo them through video using an online spokesperson? This new video product allows websites to come alive in the form of a “How to” videos. Customers will learn how to use the product which will not only cut down on common questions but also help increase conversion rates. Great for “How to build” Videos, “How to Return” Videos, “How to Use” videos, and so much more!

 

VIDEO FAQ’s

It’s inevitable that website owners will get the same questions asked over and over again. They are right there listed in a “Frequently Asked Questions” section. But, customers/users are simply not reading them. The answer is an engaging new Video FAQ product. A video spokesperson can help answer any question through video. This will not only make a website easier to use it will also help reduce common questions which can help save time and money.  

 

Examples:

http://www.ufsol.com/q-a.html

 

 

Other Uses:

Check out pages, Video Press Releases, Video Landing Pages, Email Campaigns, Corporate Communications, How to Order Videos, How to Ship Videos, and Intranets.

 

CLOSING

 

Very few companies are offering this extensive line of cutting edge online video products.  iSpeakVideo is the leader in this young industry.  They have an impressive array of products and talent.  The client can actually pick their own actor from a portfolio of over 75 pre-screened professional spokespeople.  They even have studios around the country so if the client decides to be their own spokesperson they can simply go to a local iSpeakVideo partner studio and become a website star.  iSpeakVideo offers a great product at a very affordable price point. 

 

For more information contact them today at www.iSpeakVideo.com or call them directly at 866.443.0862.   

 

ONLINE VIDEO SPOKESPERSON COMPANY FURTHER EXPANDS BRAND INTERNATIONALLY

 

 (BOCA RATON, FL)— iSpeakVideo the leader in providing business websites with online video spokesperson has announced that it now has added operations in the UK, Australia, Spain and Portugal to match its already existing service in Japan- iSpeakVideo Japan.

According to Erik Kretschmar, VP of business development for the company, iSpeakVideoUK, based in London, went live on July 26^th.  AngloMedia Ltd. is partnering with iSpeakVideo and will manage the U.K. operation.  AngloMedia will serve as managing partner of iSpeakVideo Australia, which is set to launch in early August.  The company has also signed an agreement with Internet Business Technologies

 to launch both iSpeakVideoPortugal and iSpeakVideoSpain.  Kretschmar said they expect that both of those European sites will go live by the beginning of August.  iSpeakVideo first began serving the Japanese-speaking Asian market when it launched Tokyo-based iSpeakVideoJapan in December 2007. 

 

“We are excited that we’re able to advance our global market strategy by adding two key partners to our team in four new countries,” Kretschmar said.  “With the addition of these markets, we’re on our way to making our exciting brand available to businesses worldwide.” 

Kretschmar added that each partner will be able to offer client companies a complete line of iSpeakVideo products beyond the company’s signature service, the popular Virtual Spokesperson.  Also available will be the iVideo Header, where the spokesperson interacts with graphics and screenshots; the iVideo Presentation, providing a more in-depth explanation; iVideoFAQ’s to answer visitors’ questions; iVideo Product Demos; iVideo Banners /Ad Units; and even iVideo Distribution, which allows businesses to add their virtual spokesperson to video advertising networks and social networking sites.   

 

About iSpeakVideo, Inc. – Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, FL iSpeakVideo is home to a state-of-the-art video production studio, talented technology and creative teams, sales force and customer service.  It maintains a network of more than thirty video studios in every region of the U.S. plus Canada, Europe and Asia to meet clients’ needs.  iSpeakVideo also operates iSignVideo, which provides online sign language services for the hearing impaired.

About Anglo Media Ltd – Based in London, Anglo Media Ltd is dedicated

to delivering high quality, cost effective borderless iSpeakVideo products to

 websites.  With over 10 years experience in delivering video

 products Anglo Media can advise and help develop video strategies for

 companies wanting to improve the effectiveness of their websites and company

 presentation collateral. 

 

About IBT – Internet Business Technologies.  IBT is a global provider of e-

business solutions. Our modular applications and agile tools, built on a robust

framework for personalization and self-service, power mission-critical web portals

that deliver unparalleled added value to diverse customers. Hundreds of

organizations, — including Bank Itau Europa, Bank Credibom, Bank

Flexibom, Sorisa, ANA Aeroportos, Emparque, REXEL –rely on IBT as the

partner of choice for their e-business initiatives. For more information visit our

website at http://www.ibt.pt

Ten Tips to Adding a Video Spokesperson to your website

Adding a Video Spokesperson to your website can not only improve conversion rates but also help you explain your product or service with ease. 

 

Some companies do a very good job of using a Video Spokesperson on their website.  However, there are a lot of mistakes that are being made that can significantly hurt a websites appeal. 

I’d like to help by sharing with you our “10 Tips to Adding a Video Spokesperson to your website”.   

 

1.       General Script = Longer Life:  Make sure the message is general enough so it stays fresh.  Stay away from price points and dates as this will cause your message to go “stale” and force you to purchase more unnecessarily.

2.       Add a Call To Action: The goal of the script is to not only explain your business it’s also to add a call to action.  You want to engage the user to sign up or buy not just talk to them.   It is even possible to add a sign up form or contact us button.  Example: www.maispace.com

3.       Half Body: There are benefits to having your Virtual Spokesperson shot both half body and full body.  In the half body format, you will see much more of the actor’s facial features which leads to more sincerity. 

4.       Full Body:  Choosing a full body spokesperson will allow you to use the spokesperson to point at various page or sections of the website.  It will appear that a small person is on your page.   

5.       Choosing an Actor:  Choose an actor or actress that fits your target market.  If your market is geared towards baby boomers it makes sense to have an online spokesperson that is of the same age range.

6.       Actor Quality: Make sure you see the actor you have seen in some other performances.  It’s imperative to choose an actor that is good quality and will represent your company with professionalism.  Don’t sacrifice on the quality of the actor.   

7.       Video Length: Keep it brief on the home page:  The key component to a video spokesperson is to explain a product or service, but also the goal is to direct traffic to specific sections or specials within the website.  Keep it brief on the home page under 45 seconds.  The user does not want to watch a 2 minute video on your business.  You are much better off with a quick video on home page then elaborating about a specific subject once the user gets to that specific page.   

8.       User Experience:  You have the ability when adding a spokesperson to customize it where if the same user comes back to the same page within a 24 or 48 hour period of time, then that user would not get “force fed” the same video again.  The user would be given the option to play the video again if they chose to, but wouldn’t be forced to watch it again.   It is important to be courteous to your users and look at their experience when adding a video spokesperson

9.       Close Captioning- Adding close captioning is important.  The reality is that some users don’t have speakers or are deaf.  Therefore, taking into consideration their needs is imperative. 

10.   HD Quality- Make sure the videos that you use are always shot in HD.  We live in a world where we are judged by our appearance.  If you have videos on your website that do not represent your business in an ultra-professional manner it’s waste to even add a video.  Quality is key! 

 www.iSpeakVideo.com

Press Release- iSpeakVideo- Video Spokesperson

Florida-based corporation Blend Advertising, a fully integrated branding and interactive advertising agency, announced its web advertising technology product line-up through its newest subsidiary iSpeakVideo. 

iSpeakVideo’s unique technology allows businesses of all sizes to add a borderless online video to any section of their website.  Among other applications, the company’s technology can be used for marketing, recruitment, corporate training, demonstrations and testimonials. 

In February of 2007, Blend Advertising formed iSpeakVideo with the intention of providing companies the ability to explain their product or service offerings through the use of a video spokesperson.  iSpeakVideo launched with a technology called Virtual Spokesperson, a method of advertising which allows marketers to connect with consumers and experience a consistent increase in consumer action via direct sales, pages views and click through.  This internet video technology has been shown to decrease cost per acquisition. 

“Our latest suite of borderless internet video products allows clients to ‘speak’ to their website audience through a live person walking directly onto their website.  We accomplish this through the usage of HD Quality video, full motion graphics, and crisp audio.  Adding a virtual spokesperson to a website is only the beginning of the transition we will see from text to video based websites,” states Erik Kretschmar, VP, Business Development of iSpeakVideo. 

The companies’ newest offerings include Virtual Spokesperson, iVideo Headers, iVideo Presentations and iVideo Banners.  Each of these products provides a clear benefit to marketers looking for an alternative to traditional web communication. 

iVideo Headers integrate interactive flash graphics and screenshots into the header portion of a web site in a seamless way.  Graphs, screenshots, images can be utilized to bring areas of interest to the attention of the web page audience.   Information is presented by a virtual spokesperson in a way that connects with the consumer from the first interaction.   “We have received a spectacular response since we added the iVideo Header to our website.  It allows us to explain our website in a manner that is both informative and effective. “ John Greco, President, BizTrade.com 

iVideo Presentations provide marketers the ability to execute full, interactive presentations straight from their web sites.  This product offering has been shown to exponentially decrease routine questions and increase consumer product understanding. 

iVideo Banners transcend the traditional banner ad by allowing the inclusion of a customizable video spokesperson.   Links are imbedded with the video that enables direct click through to a web site or activates tools for lead generation.

iSpeakVideo’s state of the art facility includes a professional, full-service, production studio with experts in technology, creative marketing, sales, customer service and account management.  The company takes a consultative approach to understanding each client’s unique business needs and specializes in delivering turn-key corporate video production solutions to clients nationwide.

ABOUT BLEND ADVERTISING and iSPEAKVIDEO
Blend Advertising is a fully integrated advertising agency based in Boca Raton, Florida.  The company’s mission is to provide turn-key advertising solutions to clients in a variety of industries.  iSpeakVideo is a subsidiary of Blend Advertising formed to add emphasis to the “virtual spokesperson” product line.  Both companies specialize in providing custom interactive advertising solutions and developing long-term relationships with their satisfied clients.  Visit iSpeakVideo on the Internet at www.ispeakvideo.com.

iSpeakVideo add Video Spokespeople to websites

This is the first installment of a new blog about Adding Video to websites.  The subjects will be mostly about  an exciting new industry that is spawning in front out our eyes called Borderless Video.  Have you seen a Virtual/Video Spokesperson on a website yet?   I am a partner with  firm called iSpeakVideo.com, we provide borderless video solutions to websites.  What does that mean?  Well it means on a high level that we add video of real people to websites.  Feel free to review our website at www.ispeakvideo.com.  We basically give websites a face and voice through our product.  However, it’s much more then that, we go in and really analyze a companies needs and try to help them get their message across.  This new industry is rising in front of us and I feel the need to talk about it.  We have worked with several companies ranging from large corporations to small mom and pops.  We are excited as a group about the future of this industry.  We feel the every website will eventually have a online spokesperson or virtual spokesperson or video spokesperson or online greeter or whatever you want to called it.  We choose to call ours Virtual Spokesperson.  There are so many applications for this product and we are trying to tap into many of them.  As this blog develops you will hear me talk about several subjects…whatever comes up really.  I look forward to venting my frustrations, talking about new video innovations, and woohooing our achievements.  In general, I will try to keep it as unbiased as possible.

Erik Kretschmar

iSpeakVideo.com

 

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