There’s nothing worse than showing up in jeans when everyone else has on a tie.  So, when our CEO recently went to the Where 2.0 conference in San Francisco, he wanted to make sure he knew the dress code.  Fortunately, the organizers had posted Web videos of last year’s event so he was able to check out what the attendees wore on the trade show floor and in meetings.

Not only did online video answer our CEO’s question quickly and easily, the organizers saved themselves the time and energy they would have spent answering a phone call or an email.  Because attendees could see the dress code in action rather than simply read about it, their additional questions disappeared.  As did our CEO’s tie once he saw the very casual West Coast attire…

What are ways your business can use online videos to answer commonly asked questions?  We’d love to hear your ideas!

We live in an older house with lots of wood floors so when we needed a new vacuum cleaner I assumed I’d be fine with a light handheld to spot-clean the rugs.  Okay, and I’ll admit it.  I was swayed by the fact it was bright colored and everyone in the commercials looked very happy dancing with it.  Unfortunately, our cordless stick vac didn’t bring us much joy; rather it brought enough complaining that we finally decided to break down and buy another vacuum.  This time though I wasn’t going to make the same mistake – I wanted hard evidence that our new vacuum was going to work.

So, I turned to one of the best-known brands in the testing business, Consumer Reports. Known initially for their magazine, ConsumerReports.org features product testing and ratings on everything from the best house paints to GPS systems.  Online videos show testers actually testing the products so consumers can see how Consumer Reports arrived at their ratings.  In one Web video, an easy-to-assemble bathroom vanity is assembled on-screen in less than two minutes.  In another, viewers tour the “Dishwasher Lab” where testers paint plates with egg yolks before loading up dozens of dishwashers.  Other videos target specific consumer problems, such as why white wine is a worse spill than red wine and questions to ask when buying a new TV.

In each case, Consumer Reports’ online videos provide useful, interesting information that consistently brings viewers back.  What sets them apart though from the traditional how-to and what-to-buy Web videos is they also use Internet video to show the depth and breadth of their research and findings.   Consumers can see that their confidence in Consumer Reports is justified, while Consumer Reports further solidifies their brand as the go-to experts in the product-testing field.

It’s not necessary though to have expensive labs, or even lab coats for that matter, to strengthen your branding.  Part of the beauty of Web video is that businesses can show, rather than simply tell, what they do well.  Kicks4all.com, a family-friendly Martial Arts studio, uses Internet video to show a full range of students, from young kids to adults, confidently performing martial arts in groups and alone.  The Broadmoor Hotel, a five-star luxury hotel, takes potential guests on a tour of their amenities, highlighting newly expanded spa treatment rooms and renovated gardens.  And Oakwood Homes, a home building company, offers a taste of the design options available to potential buyers.  In each case, online video reinforces the businesses’ brand by simply showing the business doing what they say they will do.  And honestly, what is more powerful than that?

Which is why when it came down to it, we ended up buying a boring black vacuum cleaner that actually vacuums up dirt and crumbs.  After I watched it perform in an online video, of course.

Have an example of a company using online video to strengthen their brand?  We’d love to hear about it!  Tell us about it in the comments section…

Today I listened to Whole Foods founder John Mackey speak about the future of business. Then Deepak Chopra talked a bit on consciousness. After which I listened to Darren Aronofsky give his perspective on his film “The Fountain.” Expensive, all-day seminar? Nope. It cost me $20. And I didn’t have to leave my house.

IntegralNaked.com has harnessed the power of Web video to bring spiritual and intellectual leaders to you. Started by New Age philosopher Ken Wilber, IntegralNaked.com features the biggest names in the consciousness field discussing everything from ecology to art to politics. Subscribers pay from $20 - $500 a month to access unlimited Internet videos of these conversations, an avant-garde concert series, and the occasional performance artist.

And with over 75,000 subscribers, they are doing something right. IntegralNaked.com has been able to tap into the spiritual market while keeping their costs down. By using Internet video rather than live speakers, they can feature a range of thinkers and artists for a fraction of the normal cost. And once they have the video, it can be downloaded infinitely, opening the door to a large online video library. Best of all, their subscribers are happy. They see who they want, when they want and don’t have to pay a high-ticket price to do it.

Noetic.org also features online video access to leaders and media designed to inspire conscious change. For $10 a month, subscribers can access interviews with experts such as spiritual leader Marianne Williamson and activist Julia Butterfly Hill. What Noetic.org does differently though, is to use Web video to generate interest in their membership. Cutting together music, images and a section of a featured speaker’s talk, they create one minute, free videos designed to “shift” the viewer’s perspective.
Because the online videos are short and to the point, there’s a good chance viewers will return daily or, if it’s a topic that interests them, subscribe in order to see the full speech. As well, Noetic.org has made it very easy to embed the video code into blogs and Web sites, thereby encouraging sharing and ultimately, leading to more Web site hits.

Amazon.com is also in on the action, showcasing exclusive videos and interviews from big name stars. They have Paul McCartney strumming his ukulele, Willie Nelson’s newest video and an exclusive interview with, none other than, Hannah Montana. The videos and interviews generate buzz for soon-to-be released CDs and DVDs (and up pre-sales) while giving people a reason to check back often.

While you may not have access to A-list celebrities, most industries have accomplished people that are happy to give interviews for the chance to promote their product. Posted on your Web site, they help establish you as a guru in your field and again, increase traffic through your Web site.

Have you profiled any big names successfully? Tell us about it and we may feature you in an upcoming newsletter.

Okay, I admit it.  I have a bit of an addiction.  I love my craft magazines.  Show me how to create a stuffed owl out of a pair of socks and googly eyes and I’m busy all weekend.  Want to know 12 uses for your discarded light bulbs?  I can find you 15.  And I’m not the only weekend hobbyist who loves her niche magazines.  There are trade magazines that cater to RV enthusiasts, flyfishers, scrapbookers, even bloggers.

While magazines are a great way to get in front of your target audience on a consistent basis, for most companies, the time and costs of creating, printing and distributing are prohibitive.  Enter the online niche magazine.  Web video magazines allow you to quickly and easily cover a range of topics and highlight your products in a useful, informative way.  Best of all, it costs a fraction of the time and money you’d invest in a hard copy magazine.

“The Fit Show,” Bodybuilder.com’s online video magazine, has taken the world of bodybuilding and made it accessible to weekend warriors and hardcore athletes alike.  By offering short (1-2 minute segments) on a variety of topics from weight lifting to nutrition, they appeal to a diverse bodybuilding audience.  And because video is portable, they can show proper weight lifting form in a gym and proper cooking techniques in a kitchen, allowing them to show, not just tell.

Their Web video show also keeps people coming back to their Web site.  “The Fit Show” is chock-full of interesting, value-added information for bodybuilding enthusiasts.  They offer a training tip of the week, which features big name bodybuilders demonstrating the proper form of weight lifting techniques and insider tips.  They interview celebrity athletes, offering an inside look into their lives and training schedules.  As well, they feature a “Posing Routine of the Week” (which I’m pretty sure I saw flaunted last week at my local 24 Hour Fitness).

Because the format of each Internet video episode stays the same, viewers know what to expect and can return weekly for new tips and poses.  By building continued rapport with their audience, Bodybuilding.com establishes itself as the expert in their field and gives them multiple opportunities to turn viewers into buyers.

Bodybuilder.com does a great job of promoting their products (and ultimately, making money from their Web video) in a soft sell manner.  Their segment, “What’s Hot at Bodybuilding.com” features different supplements, wallpapers and nutrition plans that, you guessed it, Bodybuilding.com sells.  They highlight the features and benefits of each product and answer commonly asked questions.   Because the product highlights are just another segment of a larger show, they feel informative and helpful rather than sales-y.

They also promote other parts of their interactive Web site, which includes a myspace-style networking forum, articles, blogs and contests.  Viewers are encouraged during segments to enter contests for “Best Amateur Bodybuilder” or “Best Supplement of the Year,” as well as give feedback on episodes.   They even have a specific forum to chat about the just-watched show.  They give viewers multiple opportunities to participate in their community, as well as multiple reasons to return.

Have you created an online video magazine?  We’d love to check it out.  Share your link in our comments section and we may even feature it in an upcoming post.

Last year I decided to buy my boyfriend a digital camera for his birthday. Rather than tromping through a bunch of different stores, I figured I’d leisurely make my (informed) decision from the comfort of my couch. But, as I started clicking through the tech-related Web sites, I could feel my enthusiasm turning to panic. Between the ISO’s, Megapixels and image processors, all the cameras started looking the same, separated only by price. In the end, I did what any reasonable tech novice would do - I tromped through a bunch of different stores.TigerDirect.com aims to ease this type of online buying experience with a series of Internet videos that recreate the experience you’d have at your local store. General information videos walk buyers through what to look for when buying a product, break down the tech specs into understandable language and show the purpose of all those dials and buttons that most of us have never used. More specific Web videos feature TigerDirect.com’s best sellers and have a “salesperson” that takes you through the individual product’s features and benefits.

By using online video, TigerDirect.com is able to literally bring the salespeople to the customer. They anticipate shopper’s questions and answer them in an easy-to-understand manner, which means that shoppers don’t have to leave their Web site (or chairs) to find answers or ultimately, make their purchase.

Similarly, Buy.com demystifies the tech buying experience with their BuyTV segments. Designed as an online news magazine, their hosts do everything from rate movies and CDs to teach you the best way to network your home for wireless Internet. They feature “Top Ten” segments, which highlight the best products in specific categories, such as electronics, cameras, and even kid’s toys. They also give a rundown of specific products, offering insight into why a product may or may not be the right choice.

With friendly hosts and access to large tech events, Buy.com is able to use Web video to create rapport and trust. They give buyers the inside scoop on technology trends and new products and firmly establish themselves as technology experts. And because Internet video is easy to produce, they can meet customer’s needs by looking at products in different ways, for example: where it ranks on their Top Ten list, individual features and manufacturer demonstrations.

In both cases, TigerDirect.com and Buy.com have tapped into a way to make money from online videos by adding value to their customer’s experience and making it easier for shoppers to make informed decisions quickly. Shoppers are more inclined to become buyers thanks to short, informative Web videos. And I’ve got to say, that is a lot easier and more attractive than running around to every store in town.

Are you using Web video to help your customers make decisions? Tell us all about it in our comments section.

In the past, if you wanted to tone up and de-stress, it usually involved a commute to the local yoga studio, paying a hefty class fee and then struggling to find space for your mat. No longer. YogaLearningCenter.com decided to harness the power of online video by introducing an online video library of yoga and meditation practices. For $7 a month, subscribers can access videos based on teacher, experience level, and the benefit they want to achieve (weight loss, stress reduction, etc).

For subscribers, it’s an easy, fast way to get results, or peace and quiet. YogaLearningCenter.com has short yoga videos that are designed to do at your desk or quick meditation practices to center you before you ask for your big raise. They also offer an easy way to upload the videos to your iPod so you can take your yoga on the road (although, then you really don’t have an excuse for not exercising).

What makes YogaLearningCenter.com so successful is that they were able to take a niche market and use online video to make it cheaper, easier and more interesting. They saw that people wanted the flexibility of working out in their homes but didn’t want to have to watch the same DVD over and over. Because online video is so much cheaper to produce than DVDs, they were able to meet this need and frequently expand their content and even niches (they are planning on moving into Pilates this next year) while still making money with their online videos.

DanceTutor.com similarly took dance classes and put them in an easy-to-use format online. Knowing that people want to learn at their own pace and might need more time and instruction than a class can provide, they use online videos to break down dance steps into easy-to-learn steps. Again for a flat $7 a month fee, subscribers can learn dances from the Lindy Hop to Salsa to Tango.

The advantage of the online video is that viewers can watch the same dance steps over and over again, until they really get it - something that might be a bit draining for even the most patient teacher. And with supplemental diagrams and written instructions, students truly have all the teaching tools they need at their fingertips. The only excuse wannabe dancers have left is just that – two left feet.

Know of a cool company that is using online video to make their niche market more accessible? Post it in our comments section and we may just feature them in an upcoming post.

This year, be creative with your Valentine gift by sending a Video Valentine from your VB account. Simply log in and record a quick message using your webcam. Send this to your special someone and add a special video surprise this Valentine’s day.

You have just finished your awesome video and you want to use some news footage in it. Can you use the news footage without authorization? When it comes to online video and fair use, the laws can be confusing. Fortunately the Center for Social Media has resources to help clarify questions. Check it out at:
http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/
Please, remember to follow all applicable laws when using music or video in your online videos.

Happy New Year from VideoBloom! We had a great 2007 and 2008 looks very exciting for us (and for you).  This year we have moved from Beta to Final Release of our website and will be offering exciting solutions to help you add videos to your website.  If you are already using online video then you know how important it is to the development of your company and in 2008 we will continue to bring innovative online video tools. If you have not yet made the leap, 2008 is your year.  After all, 2008 is a leap year!  Here are my predictions for online video in 2008:
*There is a growing demand for professional quality videos;
*High-Def videos, due to their superior quality and scalability, will begin to play a larger role in online video;
*Streaming video will be the more prominent method of delivery for video content;
*More portable devices will support streaming Flash video.

Under our products tab, we have added some great new products! Check out our Product Recommendation Matrix to help you decide which VB product is right for your company’s needs. In our Video Management Platform we have added a “Record” feature and a “Playlist” feature. Use your webcam to create several videos, and then create a Playlist.
A Playlist:
* Is a collection of videos that play in a specific order.
* Has it’s own properties, including a title and description.
* Can be embedded into your website like a regular video.
* Can be arranged by the viewer in any order.
* Is a great way to present a series of online videos in the order you want them viewed.
Playlists are awesome! Try creating a Playlist for your website.
For our Developer/Integrator users we have the Developer API and the Integrator API. Contact us for more information about using our API for your company.
To present your video, your company needs a custom skinned player to help maintain your company’s “look and feel.” Our VB Players page shows a sampling of some of our players. We can also create custom players to fit your company needs.
Finally, our VB Templates page shows some of our Templates that can be integrated into your business model, including Video Business Cards, Newsletter Templates, and custom Video Ads.
Excited? We are and we thank you, our loyal community and look forward to being your online video platform in 2008!