Video is an extremely powerful media that can be used for many applications. Here is a list of the main areas for its use:

Promotional Videos–Include a corporate image video (on DVD, CD-ROM, on-line, or on videocassette) in your sales materials and presentations. Optimal length is approximately 4 to 7 minutes.

Employee Training and Orientation Videos–Use video to explain all the standard procedures and responsibilities involved with different processes, positions and your organization. Approximately 5-20 minutes.

Product Training Videos–Offer a reference for your customers to refer to when using your products. Approximately 5-20 minutes.

Point of Purchase and Trade Show Displays—Increase point-of-purchase sales in retail stores, at trade shows and other locations where customers are making their purchasing decisions with an attention grabbing video. Approximately 2 to 4 minutes of looping video.

Events and Seminars–Capture your event or seminar on video! We can provide you with single or multiple camera production services, depending on your needs.

Or you can show video at your events. Nothing mixes it up and creates a ‘mental break’ like video. At your next convention or event, you can have a looping video projected on a large screen that will display the information or message you wish to project (no pun intended!)

Or if you’re giving a seminar or other presentation, people appreciate an entertaining, informative multimedia or video presentation as a change of pace.

Television Commercials–Produce creative spots for cable and network television, posted on your website, or emailed to current or prospective clients. They should generally be 30 seconds in duration. However, a 60 second spot can also be effective.

Video News Release – This is a press release in video form. It is generally a 90-second video piece that is paid for by corporate sponsors and then distributed, via satellite or mail, to stations around the country to be included in local newscasts. They are, in effect, paid advertisements in a news format. When they are well made, it is almost impossible to distinguish them from a regular news segment. Fortune 500 companies create them to inform the public about their latest product research. And, in the last decade, a growing number of small companies have begun to use them as an effective public relations tool.

E-commercials – Break into the booming market of internet video advertising. Capture someone’s attention with a commercial on the Internet. These can be posted on your website, emailed to current or prospective clients, or posted on other websites for a fee. Generally 30 seconds. Occasionally 60 seconds.

Podcasting – Podcasting is yet another vehicle that people are using to send information out to people and promote their products. As defined by Wikopedia, a podcast is a digital media file (or a series of such files) that is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players and personal computers. Like ‘radio’, it can mean either the content itself or the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

Podcasts can be downloadable from your website and listened to at any time. You can instantly establish yourself as an authority (and possible a vendor) for a variety of topics and needs.

High Definition – If it has to be dramatic and the best quality, then High Definition (HD) is the way to go. The image quality rivals film, yet HD is much less expensive. Within the next one to two years, everyone will be using HD. Why not get a head start on the crowd and differentiate yourself from the pack? There are different ‘flavors’ of HD out there, so you may want to consult with an expert (such as Video One!) to discuss which type is appropriate for your needs.

Copyright (c) 2008 Irwin Myers

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I Can’t Live Without My Cell Phone!

Just about everyone today has a cell phone. Having a wireless phone seems like more of a necessity rather than a want. With so many cell phones on the market, people can use them for work, play or both! However, in this day in age I’m finding that more and more people are using cell phones for work. So much so, that the need of having a multimedia phone is becoming increasingly popular.

Take me for example. I work as a freelancer in the entertainment industry and I need to have constant access to my emails. Having email access on my phone was mainly the reason why I got the new BlackBerry Pearl. I can’t haul around a laptop everywhere I go when I need to check or send emails. With my email accounts delivered right to my cell phone (I can have up to 6), I’m alerted immediately and can reply as easy as 1…2…3…and it’s great! I don’t miss out on job offers or interviews anymore. Not to mention, if I get a call or email for a job interview at the very last minute, I can easily go to the maps section on my cell phone and get directions (I don’t have the GPS system in my car yet).

Other Uses For Multimedia Phones

Multimedia phones like the BlackBerry or PDA’s are perfect for people who are always on the go, especially for business professionals. I use my multimedia phone for emails, text messaging, maps, weather reports and scheduling. However, you can also use multimedia phones to read Adobe PDF files, Word, Excel, send efaxes, print and more! Just check to see which software is available for your phone.

Now, not everyone will use a multimedia phone for business purposes (you need to have room for play too, you know). With your average cell phone you can easily download games, ringtones and wallpaper. However, with a multimedia phone you can also watch videos, movies and listen to music…and that my friend is very, very cool!

Selecting a Multimedia Phone

Whether you use a multimedia phone for work or for play, they’re great to have and loads of fun! Check with various carriers to see which multimedia phones are being offered and select the one that is right for you. With so many carriers trying to compete for your business, big carriers like Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T are willing to offer some of the most popular and stylish phones free or hugely discount them with a new wireless plan. Remember, being able to browse the web, check emails, watch videos, etc. are added features. Depending on which phone, plan and carrier you select will determine how much extra you are going and/or willing to pay to have a multimedia phone.