Digital INTRODUCTIONS

It's 2011:Why aren't you using Video Marketing?

2011-07-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

Why you need to incorporate Video into your marketing….

In the past few years Youtube dominance of internet videos has changed the face of marketing. The internet has expanded thus the attention span for an average website has gone down. This is where Youtube and video marketing come into play.
So, why should YOU incorporate video to your own marketing plan?
Video sells itself :

• You have a captive audience – people would rather watch video than read
• Effective video produces positive results in helping you reach your financial goals
• Video increases your visibility – allowing you to stand out…and be noticed
• Create traffic on your website. Videos dominate the search engines – so you can improve your ranking
• Relationship building – gain trust and you will get instant credibility
• Increases company branding
• Educates viewers - share your expertise and you will be seen as an authority
• Video allows you to give targeted information about your product in an entertaining way
• You can warm up your viewers – guide them to the sell page and include a call to action
• Quality video adds a dynamic element

Email me or give me a call to discuss how we can create a quality video for your business (digitalintroductions@gmail.com) or call Digital Intros (336-662-2990)

Recent Projects

2011-05-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

Digital Intros has had quite a busy couple of weeks. Recently we have had a fantastic opportunity to work with a few different clients and their businesses, as well as non-profit groups. The company "FirstPoint" asked us to develop two different videos for an online promotion. This is a link to their website StudentScreener where soon they will be using our video for their site. This company provides background checks for students, ideal for the modern age colleges, where security is a top priority. Another company we have had the pleasure to work with is "Medical Justice", they deal with the legal paper work to protect Doctors against litigation. We have developed a state-of-the-art DVD featuring all their documentation as well as a "Flipping Page" system, for easy cataloging and reading material. Here is a link to their website medicaljustice. Additionally we have been working with Angela Howard with her natural weight loss videos and we just captured the annual "Adult Enrichment Center" fundraising breakfast at the "Empire Room".

The past few weeks sure have been busy, but we are looking forward to the projects on the horizon and presenting our clients with their new videos! Also we are proud to have supported the Greensboro Public Library with their "Spring into Success" workshop seminars and we hope those who attended the events learned some valuable information for finding employment!

Stuart's lastest article in "Men Today Magazine"

2011-04-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

Seriously Man!

“Stuff Real Guys Like” by Stuart McDiarmid…. a regular bloke’s view of neat shiny toys, and where to find them!
If you have something to share, tell me and we’ll pass it on (stuart@digitalintros.com)
Now for the Man who loves to go bush but must keep Momma on speed dial...!!!
Here is the perfect pocket power unit to keep the old cell phone ready for that unexpected emergency or the MP3 banging out those 70’s tunes when the nearest power supply is miles away, or worst yet not available ..
This great little Solar Power device is really multi-tasked and comes packed with multiple plug types to cover most of our gadgets ….and it can also be used as a battery for a USB power driver.
Given the weird weather and disasters these days, this pocket size item should be part of your home emergency kit - or why not buy two and be doubly prepared?
Due to the high demand In Japan at the moment, limited supplies are available.
Specification:
Product: Solar Charger
Input: Voltage /DC 5V Max current: 450Ma
Output: Voltage / DC5V Max current: 1A
Capacity: 1000mAH
Charger Time: When using USB: about 4 hours
When using sunlight: 15 hours to 20 hours
Dimension size: 43x 110 x 12mm
Weight: 55g
Material: Plastic
Remark: the solar charger will be affected by weather

On-line Freebie of the Month www.stumbleupon.com StumbleUpon takes you to web pages, photos, and videos handpicked by your friends and like-minded people. If you have a few minutes to spare and are curious what you may “stumble upon” then give it a whirl.

Five Do's & Don'ts Using E-newsletters to Drive Sales

2011-03-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

Five dos and don'ts of using newsletters to drive sales for your business
When done right, e-newsletters have the potential to do great things for your business.
Done incorrectly, newsletters can also turn off a lot of potential customers and do more harm than good.
So, how does one end up in the first category, as opposed to the latter?

1. Do have a clear idea of what the newsletter is supposed to accomplish.
• If you want people to buy your products or services, be sure to include valuable coupons in the communication you send out,
• Provide a clear call to action.
• Feature customer testimonials and product reviews that highlight some of your best products.

2. Do know whom you're e-mailing.
• Take your subscriber list and put them into different categories - the idea is to enable you to target specific customers with whom the message will resonate.
• Make sure you review your list, and send the announcement only to the people who are really going to care.
• Don't ever buy lists or subscribe people without their knowledge or permission, and include a way to opt out at the bottom of every newsletter.
• Don't be a spammer - the absolute worst thing you can do with your newsletter is give people the impression that you're just spamming them – tell users what the e-newsletter is about and let them opt-in.

3. Do make sure that your newsletter provides some value,
• Send out newsletters once a month instead of weekly. If you have a new and exciting development - alert readers to it,
• Linking to your Web site will also generate more traffic, which is great if you have ads up that pay per impression
• Since people usually scan e-mails pretty quickly, place the most pertinent information at the top instead of burying it somewhere at the bottom.

4. Don't overlook the importance of design. And Remember the KISS, Keep It Short & Sweet
• The most effective newsletters have a clean and simple design to them, and the fewer the words, the more likely people are to finish reading an article.
• Keep the colors to a minimum….use only one or two to make the text stand out.
• Use easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Times or Verdana, which are universally accepted by most e-mail programs.
• If you think something should really stand out, put it in bold.

5. Do consider professional help, and remember ROI

• With advanced analytics that can include detailed tracking information (forwards, opens and click-throughs), the pros can help you to figure out what works best for you and appeals to your customers the most.
• Seeking the help of a professional may cost you money – however when you consider the potential revenue – it may be worth the initial expense.

www.fastlivemail.com

7 Ways that Video Newsletter Marketing takes it up a notch!

2011-02-08T06:45:00.000-08:00

7 Ways that Video Newsletter Marketing takes it up a notch:
1. Take your email marketing to the next level with professional VIDEO newsletters that have a competitive edge that immediately captures attention
2. Capture your unique brand to STAND OUT from the pack – you can communicate who you are and what you do by telling a compelling branding story with the power of video
3. Build name recognition as an expert in your field. Create emotionally connecting video (and/or audio clips) that instantly convey your uniqueness and value
4. Show off a new product and convey a better understanding of what you do through video demonstrations and/or training
5. Provide a tour of your office or facility
6. Build excitement for your promotions & events
7. Include video testimonials from your clients - they are powerful sales tools as nothing compares to seeing and hearing the enthusiasm & sincerity of a satisfied customer!
Take advantage of the Free 30 day trial - www.FastLiveMail.com

Are you ready to make 2011 a GREAT BUSINESS YEAR?

2011-01-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to make 2011 a GREAT BUSINESS YEAR?
Is your present marketing program showing signs of tiredness with the “same old, same old” approach?
NOW is the time for your customers to see new energy, and to get people talking about you, your products, and services…..and what better way than by taking advantage of the power of VIDEO to instantly increase your visibility, competitive edge, and market share?
Online video is the “fastest growing sector of the internet and SEO searches” – and through fastLivemail you can accelerate your current marketing efforts with a system that is world class at an affordable cost.
With fastLivemail you have the ability to communicate with e-motion by adding audio and/or video messages – and you can quickly respond to breaking news and trends in your industry.
So start to think differently RIGHT NOW – capture the spirit of trying something NEW, and communicate in a fresh way – and you will gain new repeat business with the "WOW” factor of utilizing VIDEO.
FREE 30 day trial with fastLivemail.com!!

Here’s A world class business marketing tool designed right here in the Triad

2010-12-29T07:41:00.000-08:00

Here’s A world class business marketing tool designed right here in the Triad. www.fastlivemail.com is a powerful Video, Audio, coupon newsletter platform like no other! Web based, the site delivers email messages with E-motion to your inbox, whether it be a laptop, IPhone or Android portable type device.
This local company prides itself on using local venders wherever possible for their secure hosting, custom design work, videography, audio, and script writing. The advantaged analytics or “’Test and Measure “as they like to put it, drills down to the heart of marketing…. The site measures every aspect and gives comparisons on the campaigns - even if the coupons are printed. Can you imagine the “Wow” of receiving an email with clear crisp images, HD video, a coupon and audio message?
Now here’s the kicker, the subscription based site pricing starts at just $21.95 a month, and there are no never- ending contracts. So if you plan on running for the big office, or just need to get your dead inventory sold, the folks at www.fastlivemail.com certainly have you covered.
Try it free for 30 days and check out all of their bells and whistles.
Look out for ROI the friendly bee mascot for FastLiveMail.com

Stuart's August Article for Men Today Magazine

2010-07-30T08:44:00.000-07:00

Seriously Man
Stuff Real Guys Like; by Stuart McDiarmid, a regular bloke’s view of neat shiny toys, and where to find them!
If you have something to share, tell me and we’ll pass it on. stuart@digitalintros.com

When a soup can is your best option to make a phone call in the 21st century it’s a pretty sad day… well the old Scotsman, Alexander Bell can finally rest…..
3G Microcell from AT&T. – Despite what the ‘so called experts’ say, mobile phone coverage in this state stinks…. the phone either works or it doesn’t…. in fact my mobile phone works better in Russia than in my office here in GSO! I can’t mention the coverage at my home… because there is none… I lie, that is unless I stand outside on the fence.
Well no more !, Last week I hooked up a wireless router designed to work with up to 4 mobile phones connected to the internet …after a somewhat painless registration online and a configuration time of about 90 minutes - all 3 of our mobile phones were registering 5 bars.. The last time I saw 5 bars was in my old rugby days, and that was 100 years ago …I better not go there!…
For $149.00 this device, about the size of a small cereal box, should be placed near an outside window to maximize the signal boost. For me this solved my dropped call issue at home. I have a second router in my office as well and it is working as intended.
Available at AT&T Stores, Greensboro NC
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

Web Freebie – Bookmooch - a great website – Give books away. Get books you want. Need a special hard to find book? Swap it for just the shipping cost.
This site offers a really unique concept . Find at http://www.bookmooch.com/

Stuart's July Article for Men Today Magazine

2010-07-30T07:33:00.000-07:00

Seriously Man
Stuff Real Guys Like; by Stuart McDiarmid, a regular bloke’s view of neat shiny toys, and where to find them!

Oh to the smell of spring, fresh lawn clippings, blisters, sweat…Having fun yet?
Well some lady over at Troy-Bilt, I’m just guessing now! Had the compassion to design a Real Man’s tool… Electric Press2Start™
She probably felt that since her old man was too miserable to buy life insurance and that her imminent cruise vacation was not on the cards she would design the “Ultimate” garden tool and at least keep the cheap labor around the house a while longer.
Yes!! A weed whacker with an electric starter!! Imagine her husband’s delight knowing that today he would dodge another bullet and wouldn’t need the services of the cardiac team as he would normally curse and tear at the lifeless little 2 stroke…
Available at Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores http://www.troybilt.ca/troybilt/press2start.asp

Web Freebie http://www.connectify.me/ Turn your laptop into a Wifi router when there is only one plug-in…
Connectify is a free and easy to use software router for Windows 7 computers. With Connectify, users can wirelessly share any Internet connection: a cable modem, a cellular card, or even another Wi-Fi network. Other Wi-Fi enabled devices including laptops, smart phones, music players, and gaming systems can see and join your Connectify hotspot just like any other Wi-Fi access point and are kept safe and secure by password-protected WPA2 Encryption.

ACT by Deese's Parkinson's Class

2010-06-10T12:32:00.000-07:00

A.C.T. By Deese "Foremost in Fitness" have a special needs niche - patients who suffer from Parkinson's Disease can take part in a program (with their physician's approval) called "Parkinson's Turned On" which gives them strength training and improves balance.

Gina & her husband Prince's program is beneficial for people with movement disorders that includes Parkinson's Disease. Other programs are available that address special needs conditions like MS, Fibromyalgia, etc.

Here you can view a video taken at one of their Parkinson's classes - they used this video for a presentation to a group of Neurologists in order to demonstrate how their program is benefiting their special needs clients:

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Stuart's June article featured in "Men Today Magazine"

2010-06-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

Seriously Man
Stuff Real Guys Like; by Stuart McDiarmid, a regular bloke’s view of neat shiny toys, and where to find them!
If you have something to share, tell me and we’ll pass it on. stuart@digitalintros.com
Big hitters….where’s my Golf Buddy?
Now an affordable GPS with Hazard Avoidance, No mate! “Man-made hazards” not the old girl giving you a tongue lashing for being out with the boys all day!!
So you’re an Army golfer? Left, right, left, right ! Too busy marching across the fairway to notice the distance markers? Now here’s a great game equalizer… heck you can’t count on your mates to give you honest advice, since they are lining you up to buy the beer anyway! Well this little device automatically gives you the exact distance to the pin, making it a breeze to select the correct club… and once you’re back-on-track, just a quick key stroke to enter your score and you are ready for the next hole..
A really cool feature - the GPS is pre-loaded with course & hole recognition for over 20,000 courses. When switched on, it finds exactly where you’re standing with the fairway, showing all topography on the color LCD screen before you…a bit like a tomahawk missile locates its prey before it creates a new bunker !!
Golf Buddy allows you to measure your shot distance - at the touch of a single button, it begins measuring distance values to the green and to all target points. Priced from $239 - $289 this a great gift, plus there are no service fee requirements.
Available at Golf USA on Battleground Ave. Greensboro NC
http://www.golfbuddyglobal.com/
Web Freebie– Instructables - a great DIY website – neat projects and crazy inventions – build a 55 Gallon Barrel Chair, the boys will love you, but it’s going take a bit of a sales job to get it by the old girl !!!….
This site offers a variety of great affordable & fun DIY projects…..
Find at: http://www.instructables.com/
Stuart McDiarmid is co-owner of Digital INTRODUCTIONS (www.digitalintros.com)

Alzheimer's Memory Walk, May 15/2010, Greensboro, NC

2010-06-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

How can YOU optimize your online videos?

2010-05-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Did you know that your videos stand a much better chance than your text pages of being shown on the first results page of a Google search?

I recently read a great article that says "If you're not optimizing your videos - you should start"

So - how do you do this? They offer the following suggestions:

1.Insert keywords into your video filenames.

2.Host your videos on YouTube, and embed those YouTube videos into your own site. Google says its algorithms consider how many times a video is viewed, and any views embedded videos receive on your own site get added to the 'views' tally on YouTube.

3.Optimize your YouTube videos by writing keywords into your videos' titles, descriptions, and tags.

4.Embed videos into relevant text pages on your site. The context provided by the text on those pages.

5.Also create a video library on your site, so Google knows where to find your video content. (Google Video Sitemaps can help with this too.) Write keyword-rich annotations for each video in the library.

You can read the entire article at: http://blogs.forrester.com/interactive_marketing/2009/01/the-easiest-way.html

Stuart's 1st article in "Men Today" magazine!

2010-04-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

April 2010

Seriousy Man!
By Stuart McDiarmid, a regular bloke’s light-hearted view of neat shiny toys, and where to find them!
Each month we will try and give you tips on real men’s toys…. No not your Grandfather‘s set of Craftsman’s wrenches but real MAN stuff.
If you have something to share, tell me and we’ll pass it on. Ladies check here for ideas of what to treat the old man to if he ever completes the honey-do-list. Email me at: vbcardz@gmail.com
Sono: Here’s a great one – even your 7 year old can figure this out, he’ll have it up in running in 10 min! - Tell your wife it’s a half day project and send her to the mall…. So what does Sono do? – You can play music or listen to the game anywhere in your home or out at the Grill while having a cold one. No need to turn your home into Swiss cheese drilling holes to pull a web of wires, this great little device is a small transmitter box that streams internet content from your music library or free internet radio like Pandora directly to tiny receivers wirelessly connected in each room’s stereo system. Play up to 12 zones with different channels simultaneously; flip channels with your iTouch or iPhone without leaving your chair. How Much? 1 transmitter $99, and receivers starting at $399, Buy local at:
Big Kids Toys - www.bigkidstoysllc.com

Waze: Free GPS App voice assisted works on about 100 different mobile phone models,
“Remember real men never ask for directions”….
I tested this bad boy out in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago while listening to the Hertz GPS system bark directions; I let her have her say as I navigated the 56 mile journey though 5:00 o’clock traffic just in case the freebie App led me in the wrong direction. Actually my old mate (some English guys voice) didn’t yap as much as Ms Hertz and gave me a clear picture of where I sat on the planet. The Waze App; while plugged to my charger gave great directions and real time traffic updates. This is a great tool but, keep your charger handy as it is battery hungry…. Find Waze at http://www.getjar.com

Congratulations to HOME INSTEAD

2010-03-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to "Home Instead Senior Care" who have recently celebrated their 10th anniversary! Chcek out some recent photos from their ribbon cutting ceremony.

Eagle Resourcing Networks Client Spotlight!

2010-03-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to Kurt Storm of Eagle Resourcing Networks for their recent "Eagle Impact Showcase".
Kurt did a great job with organizing many vendors with great looking displays, and providing valuable information with his FREE workshop sessions. Kurt also uses our Video Business Cards as an innovative marketing tool for his business.
Check out the photos here from his recent event.

What is a Video Business Card?

2010-03-18T17:03:00.001-07:00

Testimonial from "A.C.T. by Deese"

2010-03-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a video testimonial from one of our clients, "A.C.T. by Deese"

Stories Told in Video

2010-02-15T13:51:00.000-08:00

Stories told in video can be amazingly powerful. You can use text, photos, audio, or video - and put it all together to tell a story

Video shows motion - but also gives flavor and personality. You can convey emotion with video - and your audience will be immersed in watching it.

Have You Got Video?

Some ways to effectively use video are as follows:

*It can be embedded on your website for streamed viewing
*You can put it on YouTube and direct potential customers to a link to view it
*Put it on a flashdrive - which is lightweight and easily portable - so you can pop it in a computer to demonstrate what you do, and you can also project it up on a screen
*Put it on a Video Business Card - which can be handed out or mailed out to prospective clients - and allows you to give them a 'taste of your personality', and explain more fully the benefits of doing business with YOU!

Give us a call to discuss your marketing needs - and see how video can "Tell YOUR Story"! Phone: 336-662-2990

If a picture is worth a thousand words.....what is VIDEO worth?

2010-01-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

Video is a powerful tool to tell a story. One of our clients is "A.C.T. by Deese" - a unique fitness center which specializes in special needs programs for people who suffer from Parkinson's, Fibromyalgia, Heart Disease, and Diabetes - and they asked us to film a video that they could use as a presentation tool for a meeting that they had in early December with a group of top neurologists. Our client was very pleased as she felt that having the video was instrumental in explaining their program - and it has led to several new patient referrals for them. View the video that we produced for them: http://www.wellcomemat.com/video/679ACCC163

Spotlight on "Events with Excellence"

2009-11-23T13:44:00.001-08:00

Congratulations go out to one of our special clients - Nishaka Proctor from "Events With Excellence". Nishaka has had a really busy time recently with back-to-back events, and as always she handles them all with ease - and consistently gets rave reviews. Just recently she did an outstanding job with a grand opening for "Malt-O'- Meal" in Asheboro, NC. Check out a recent press release:

Events With Excellence Adds Excitement
to the Arrival of Malt-O-Meal

Event Planner Nishaka Proctor Organizes the Grand Opening of
Malt-O-Meal’s Plant in Asheboro, N.C.

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- October 9, 2009 -- Government officials, dignitaries and employees heralded the opening of a new Malt-O-Meal plant recently – with a big assist from a Triad-based event planning firm.

Events With Excellence was selected to fan the flames of excitement for the more than 200 guests in attendance at the event, which put the Triad’s newest corporate resident in the spotlight. The Malt-O-Meal grand opening was a highlight for the recently-formed Events With Excellence, led by longtime event planner Nishaka Proctor.

“We were pleased to be able to bring an extra level of professionalism and excitement to an event as important as this,” said Proctor. “Feedback was entirely positive, and the guests seemed to truly be enjoying themselves.”

The guests in attendance – which included Chris Neugent, the CEO of Malt-O-Meal; Keith Crisco, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce; as well as local politicians, clients and vendors of the company – were treated to music by a 30-piece local high school band; a virtual tour of the new production facility projected on two flat-screen TVs; and other festive activities.

Organizing an event of such size and scope takes a great deal of planning and flawless execution – details that did not escape the notice of Malt-O-Meal’s executives.

“I was very impressed by (their) organizational capability, and equally important, Proctor’s calm and cheerful willingness to accommodate the inevitable last-minute changes,” said Linda Fisher, Director of Client Services for Malt-O-Meal.

Proctor has experience in sales and marketing alongside her 10 years experience as a full-time event planner. Proctor and her team at Events With Excellence specialize in organizing events ranging from a modest reception to large conventions,

“We take a systematic approach to event planning, so that no detail is left unaddressed,” Proctor said.

For more information on Events With Excellence, visit their website at: www.eventswithexcellence.com, or contact Nishaka Proctor at, nproctor@eventswithexcellence.com.

PROMOTIONAL FLASH DRIVES

2009-10-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

What are flash drives? If you are not familiar with what they are and how effective they can be used, check out this article at: http://www.ehow.com/facts_5002763_what-flash-drives.html
In case you haven't heard...we're now able to offer preloaded USB drives which are well priced. They are unique gifts for your clients, branded with your logo, and can save you money and keep you green with all types of digital content including powerpoint, employee manuals, brochures & catalogs, etc. Get a quote on promotional flash drives, email us at:jan@vbcardz.com

Promotional flash drives are lightweight and compact. They are an extremely useful marketing tool and can be imprinted with your company name and/or your logo. They are available with various storage amounts - and since they are used to store data, they have the potential to be seen by many people.

Give us a call if you are interested in personalized flash drives - we will work with you to help you achieve your marketing goal. Call us at (336)662-2990, or send me an email for more information: jan@vbcardz.com

Online Video is HUGE

2009-10-02T14:13:00.000-07:00

Online Video is HUGE

ComScore Video Metrix released July 2009 data showing that 158 million U.S. Internet users watched online video during the month, the largest audience ever recorded. Online video reached another all-time high in July with a total of 21.4 billion videos viewed during the month with the average online video user spending 500 minutes (8.3 hours) watching Web videos! Every minute YouTube users upload 20 hours of online video. That’s incredible!!

I read an interesting article the other day online that said “If you're not yet using Internet video, you risk becoming obsolete because there's a pretty good chance your competitors are.....”

However, many people are unsure how they can utilize video on their website, so here are 10 ideas that the article suggested which I thought were really good:
• Walk customers through the features and benefits of your products
• Have product demonstrations
• Show "before & afters”
• Keep viewers coming back to your Web site with a monthly or a weekly series of tips and tricks in your area of expertise
• Feature interviews with relevant experts in your field offering insider tips, feature what's currently "hot" in your industry
• Do you offer a service that people regularly pay money to attend in person? Create an online video version so people can benefit from your expertise
• Talk about upcoming trends in your field
• Offer ‘how to’ videos
• Give a tour of your company and the people who run it
AND my personal favorite…
• Client testimonials - let your customers tell the camera why they love your product or service and how it has affected their life or business
If you are interested in trying any of these ideas, or you have an idea of your own to create an effective online video….give us a call.!!
We can create a video for your website, and also get it up on YOUTUBE. Give us a call today: (336)662-2990 or email me at: jan@vbcardz.com

What our clients say about us.....

2009-09-11T10:30:00.000-07:00

Click in the box below to hear video testimonials from some of our clients:

View My Videos

Testimonial what our clients say about us

Steve Brock's Testimonial on Digital INTRODUCTIONS

Virtual Salesperson / Video Marketing Tools

7 Ways to Effectively Utilize the Power of Video

2009-08-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

1.Video Testimonials
*Increase sales by building credibility - your customers are your best sales people!
2.Video Web Clips
*Increase conversion on your website - engage your visitors and turn them into customers
3.Video Business Cards
*Mini CD's with a personalized video message and a direct link to your website
4.Video Flash Drives
*Logo Flash drives with your marketing information and personalized video...that is also a gift for your clients
5.Video Email & Video Newsletters
*Make an impact by communicating with live streaming video - you can create and send personalized video messages
6.Video Sales Person
*A "Virtual Sales Person" immediately captures attention, and KEEPS online visitors on your website
7.Video Real Estate tours (virtual home or business tours)
*Real Estate agents can take advantage of 360 degree video tours to showcase their properties

Call us today at 336-662-2990 to see how any of these VIDEO marketing tools can work for your business!
or email us at: jan@vbcardz.com

Text (SMS) Marketing

2009-08-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

Banking On The Future of SMS Text Marketing

Consider these statistics:
• 18-29 year old consumers use text messaging more often than voice to communicate
• On average 94% of text messages are read
• 80% of consumers keep their mobile with them all day
• When given a choice, 39% of US consumers—76 million people—prefer text messages to radio or TV advertising; however, only 3% of most marketing campaigns currently have a text component

Text marketing is the low cost, high tech way to market to customers. Businesses from mom and pop start ups to global brands such as Coca-Cola and Procter and Gamble use text messaging to reach their audiences.

A few examples of how text marketing may be used:

A restaurant messages the daily special along with a coupon to patrons.

A real estate agent messages “Just Listed” properties automatically to potential buyers.

A town government issues an “Emergency Alert” to residents for flooding, tornado’s, or other emergencies.

A clothing boutique advertises an upcoming sale, with a special discount to the first 100 customers.

According to the Mobile Marketing Association, “The mobile advertising market has matured considerably over the past year, and is no longer a novel addition to media planners, but rather a key component to an interactive campaign. In a relatively short period of time, mobile has evolved into a legitimate medium, with the world’s leading brands… investing big bucks into the potential for advertisers to have a one-to-one relationship with the consumer.”

With almost two billion cell phones globally and over 200 million of those phones in the U.S., text marketing is a quick, easy way to target prospect consumers, drive retail traffic, and increase customer loyalty.

Try it for yourself - you can sign up for a FREE TRIAL by going to www.reach2customer.com to see what Text Marketing can do for your business.

Add a "Virtual Sales Person" to Connect and Engage Your Visitors

2009-08-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

Add a “Virtual Salesperson” To Connect and Engage Your Visitors

Okay, we know what you’re thinking. Something along the lines of, “I am not putting one of those hokey dancing people or talking heads on my website to annoy and irritate my customers!”
We get it. (And the hokey dancing people ads annoy us, too.) But done correctly, adding a “Virtual Salesperson” to your site increases click through and traffic to select products and pages on your site, as well as persuading prospects to click on the all important "Order Now" button.

Here’s an example of a virtual salesperson done with what we feel is pitch-perfect humor. Check out this page at Projectorpeople.com. After a brief 5-sentence pitch on ordering printers, the “Don’t mind me, I’m just waiting” demeanor of the virtual salesperson encourages visitors to click through to put the poor man out of his misery. Also, notice that not every page of the site has a virtual salesperson. You can, and should, use a Virtual Salesperson for added punch for special promotions or to draw visitor attention to a certain product feature or service on your site.
Far from being a drain, a virtual sales person provides warmth and life to a website. You can also use virtual salespeople to promote feelings of trust and security among customers.

Thanks to those who stopped by our booth May 14th at the Piedmont Triad Showcase in Greensboro, NC, where we were demonstrating the Virtual Salesperson for websites. Give us a call if you’d like to get a feel for how you would look selling products “in person” on your site at 336-662-2990. Click on the “Other Services” tab on our website for more information.

Virtual Salesperson does not require any software or plug-ins to view and has no bandwidth requirements. If you want your website to stand apart from your competition, consider adding a “Virtual Salesperson” to connect and engage your visitors.

Send Video Emails With Just a Click of Your Mouse

2009-08-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Send Video Emails With Just A Click of Your Mouse

The year 2009 may well go down as “The Year of Video Email.” Websites are buzzing about it, techies are saying, “We knew it was coming,” and the rest of the nation is climbing onboard.

In the recent past, video e-mail meant little more then there was a link in an e-mail, redirecting you to an outside website when you clicked on it. Now, videos may be launched within an email, creating a whole new paradigm of connections.

Here are some ways we’ve employed the use of video email for our clients:

Real Estate Agents: Send out invitations for an open house, a new home listing, or a thank you to a home buyer
Travel Agents: Announce new getaways and special travel deals
Auto Dealers: Promote new inventory, introduce new products, use for service reminders
Restaurants/Bars: Showcase new menu selections
Fitness Spas: Broadcast motivational messages as well as advertise new classes and training schedules
Churches: Send out weekly greetings, announcements, reminders for times of worship or special gatherings
Foundations: Encourage charitable donations
Remind colleagues of upcoming meetings or seminars
Show appreciation to your employees for a job well done
The eBay Alternative: Email video is the perfect tool to sell a collector car or boat—or whatever you’re selling!

Video e-mails are ideal for any business, from insurance companies, banking, and legal services to hair and nail salons. It’s a great communication tool for sports teams & schools, and to announce concert events. It’s also perfect for product demonstrations, customer testimonials, or event footage.

Why does video email work? New studies show that customers are more likely to click a video in an email versus clicking on plain text that links through to a video or website. You can promote the click through by using an engaging still image to launch the video, as well as including persuasive calls to action in surrounding text.

Video email is also enjoying rapid growth for personal use. Examples include:

Staying in touch with friends & family. Brighten someone’s day by letting them know you’re thinking of them.
Celebrating milestones—birthdays, seasonal greetings, anniversaries, or special accomplishments.
Sending congratulations to a bride & groom, a graduate… or on the arrival of a new addition to the family!
Sending a personal message of sympathy.

You can send video emails with just a click of your mouse using our professional templates, or you can build your own. We are giving away FREE 30-day trials of our Video Email system – so give us a call at (336)662-2990 or email us at: digitalintroductions@gmail.com

The list of uses for video email is endless. Video emails are fast, simple to create, and easy to send. Please let us know if you have any questions about how video email can work for you.

GO GREEN AT TRADE SHOWS

2009-07-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Go Green at Trade Shows with Video Business Cards

& Video Resume Cards

While many of us are now doing a better job of recycling, using green cleaning products and thinking twice before we reach for a plastic water bottle, making sure our resumes, business cards, and brochures are earth-friendly doesn’t often rank near the top of our priority lists. But that doesn’t change the fact that Video Business Cards (VBC’s) and Video Resume Cards (VRC’s) are 21^st century green products.

Thanks to those who stopped by our booth at the Piedmont Triad Business Showcase at the Greensboro Coliseum on May 14^th. If you’ve ever participated in a trade show, you know visitors are inundated with printed material. It’s thrust at people as they walk past every booth, stuffed in goodie bags, and falling out of folders. Any thoughts on what happens to most of that expensive printed material? Look around. You’ll see it crumbled and abandoned on the floor, sticking out the tops of trash bins, or abandoned at food tables with coffee and chilidog stains decorating it.

Video business cards and video resumes offer several green alternatives to handing out bushels of paper products. With 50 megabytes of space, businesses can have their entire marketing campaign on one small card. Brochures, photos, product specs and descriptions, power point presentations, video tours, contact sheets, interactive links, and more, all organized on one card without a scrap of paper expended in the process.

The state of California has committed to using Video Business Cards in their bid to be front-runners in the “Go Green” movement. Check out this article on the subject in Small Business Opportunities Magazine.

Going Green is becoming important to people on an individual, corporate, and global scale. What is your company doing to stay green? We welcome any tips or advice you have to share.

What's the Best Way to Advertise At a Trade Show?

2009-07-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

What’s the Best Way to Advertise At A Trade Show? Video Business Cards Offer a Knock-Out Punch

We hear the same complaint time and again from our clients who work tradeshows. They’re tired of watching their carefully crafted and beautifully printed 4-color, 40-page brochure leave their booth only to be tossed minutes later—unread—in a trashcan mere feet from where they’re standing.

We’ve worked tradeshows and feel their pain. While we all hope prospective clients peruse every word of our flyers, brochures and coupons, the truth is people quickly become overwhelmed by the amount of paper thrust at them during a typical show. The bulk of that paper that doesn’t fall crumpled to the tradeshow floor ends up being thrown away when attendees return to their office or hotel room.

When this happens not only are your printing costs going down the drain but, even worse, your message is being lost.

Video Business Cards do away with the cost—and waste—associated with printing and handing out bulky material. The cards are compact, lightweight, and are an easy and effective way to deliver your message. Consider the benefits of VBC’s versus handing out traditional paper products:

· With 50 megabytes of space, businesses can have their entire marketing campaign on one small card.

· Prospective clients can peruse the cards at their leisure and print out or pass on information that’s important to them.

· People are much more hesitant to toss a CD-like card then they are a random scrap of paper.

· With one click, viewers can transfer company contact information onto their computers.

· A single card can contain, among other things, a video introduction, the company brochure, as well as a slide-show showcase of products or features.

· People treat the cards with respect. While we watch flyers tossed in plastic bags along with material from every other booth vendor, our video cards are carefully placed in jacket pockets, wallets, or briefcases for future viewing.

· Instead of having to hang onto one rumpled, wrinkled, spilled and scribbled on brochure, customers now have continual access to a pristine copy of any of your marketing material to refer to or pass on to others.

· The cards excite interest and enthusiasm – people want to see how they work and what’s on them.

We invite you to contact us to learn more about this creative and eye-catching tool.

What’s been your experience with printed material at trade shows? Do you think video business cards are a viable alternative to printed material? We’d like to hear your thoughts.

Welcome

2009-07-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! My name is Jan McDiarmid, owner of "Digital INTRODUCTIONS". We sell innovative marketing tools for business owners and professionals to help them achieve their marketing goals. I have started this blog so that I can share information about new products, and also I am hoping to get feedback from YOU to help us improve on what we are already doing.