This technology can change the world !
Facts :
· Google loves Video !
· Cisco predict there will be a 10 fold increase in the use of Video Conferencing/Webinars over the next 5 years
· Internet Video traffic is now 40% of consumer internet
· People retain 10% of what they hear, but 50% of what they see
· Video is the single, most effective form of communication
· Companies continue to look for additional creative marketing platforms
· ‘Old school’ marketing is no longer effective
What is a Video Conference / Webinar ?
Called by many names a Video Conference, a Video Meeting or a Webinar – all meaning the same thing. It is an highly effective, browser based, simple to use virtual Video Meeting Room, where, at the click of a button with a link, you are able to host large or small online meetings with people locally or globally, to connect, communicate and collaborate.
Access to online meetings is now available on most ‘smart phones’.
Some are saying it is the ‘new’ business card.
Many have not yet fully embraced or grasped the power of this technology, perhaps for fear of losing ‘the personal’ touch or the ‘face to face’ meeting scenario. However, we cannot stop progress and this is where things are headed if you want to see it.
‘Going green’ is what the world is advocating and what better way to save on time, energy, airfares, hotel accommodation, increase productivity and ultimately save money, than by hosting meetings, trainings, launches etc online.
This could be perceived as an adjunct marketing platform, or an additional marketing tool to what you already have in place.
The marketplace has become global and this technology enables you to go global with ease.
General features –
· Attract and drive more people to your business
· Share Powerpoint presentations
· Share ideas
· Share Videos
· Show websites
· Share photos
· Review contracts or documents in a safe and secure environment
· Share your desktop
· Use the white boarding feature, with interactive tools, like drawing and highlighting, to make it simpler for your attendees to collaborate with you.
Creative Uses :
· WEBINAR SERIES
Develop a series of Webinars over a number of weeks, with content relevant to your clients or prospects. In this space, you can educate and demonstrate the value of your products or services. Guest specialist speakers always add value.
· ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEW PRODUCTS or CAMPAIGNS
Invite your media contacts, industry analysts, clients and prospects. Elevate the level of conversation by inviting specialists in your audience to answer questions and provide input.
· GUEST SPEAKERS
People perceive you differently when they know where you are coming from – eg, reducing your carbon footprint. Attract people ‘through the back door’ by hosting a Video Conference, selecting a relevant and current ’green’ subject matter, with the added attraction of a guest speaker, who should be a well-known expert or specialist in that particular field. Your guest speaker will, in their own right, easily attract a large audience – Everyone benefits.
· BOOK LAUNCHES
A book tour can be very costly. Authors can save a fortune by hosting a virtual book tour. This can be co-marketed with e-commerce book companies, online communities and off-line bookstores, that want to drive traffic to their stores and sites.
· The ARTS
For Movie/TV/Radio/Theatre/Music/Dance Promotions, use Webinars to reach large groups of people to interview actors, singers, dancers, poets, playwrights, producers, choreographers, directors etc. These web events can be conducted with the media, through relevant websites, e-commerce sites, TV, newspaper or magazine, radio web sites.
· ART EXHIBITIONS
Artists across all art form mediums, can use Video Conferencing to go global, communicate and show their art to the world. They could even stream a pre-recorded video on a virtual tour of their art from their own studio or gallery. Inviting a well known art expert as a guest speaker, who in their own rights, will attract numbers to the web event, would be an added bonus.
· MEDIA INTERVIEWS
To better assist journalists with their stories, invite reporters or editors to an online web interview to discuss issues, show products, present information and data.
· MARKET RESEARCH
Focus groups can view and research products through audio, chat or text-based questions. Polls and online surveys are also a popular feature in these focus groups and are available features with this technology.
· SPECIAL EVENTS/TRADE SHOWS/EXHIBITIONS
Create a virtual show in a Video Meeting Room, where different companies can participate in interactive sessions, with people interested in learning more about your company’s products and services. Due to budget and time constraints, people cannot always travel far distances to attend an event. CUSTOMER SERVICE
Give E-Commerce customers live assistance when choosing products. Invite them to a product knowledge session. The Video Meeting Room can feature a live individual or be a pre-recorded session.
• CUSTOMER SERVICE
Give E-Commerce customers live assistance when choosing products. Invite them to a product knowledge session. The Video Meeting Room can feature a live individual or be a pre-recorded session.
· DEMONSTRATING PRODUCTS
Web conferencing is a great way to demonstrate the uses of products.
· EDITING on the fly
Edit on the fly in a safe and secure environment, with people from different geographic regions. Everyone can view the same document simultaneously, so edits can be made quickly and efficiently, without costly delays.
· Editing WEB SITES
This is a highly efficient way to review web pages with a group of people.
· SKILLING, TRAINING
Webinars are becoming increasingly popular and convenient as a training tool.
· RECRUITMENT
Companies can easily go global and hire the best from anywhere in the world, using Video Conferencing as an interviewing tool, inviting prospective employees to interact and collaborate. Here they can upload their resumes and review same with them, together with others, who are part of the hiring process, but are located in other regions.
· CONTACT US
Video Meeting Rooms can be used as a ‘Contact Us’ feature. People can request an instant meeting to talk with you and learn more about what you do.
· INVESTOR RELATIONS
Invite analysts, media and shareholders to a Web Conference for quarterly reviews, announcements and appointments.
· COMMUNITY
A great tool for Community forums and groups to connect, collaborate and communicate on :
o Community issues, problems
o Neighbourhood watches can have a better handle on crime and policing
· COMPANY STAFF, COMMITTEE, SALES or BOARD MEETINGS
More and more businesses are seeing the value of using this technology to communicate and collaborate with employees and management nationally or globally on a more regular basis, saving time, energy, travel, communication bills, accommodation bills, etc, increasing productivity and ultimately saving money.
· DISTANCE EDUCATION
More and more institutions are embracing this technology for :
o Distance learning
o Extra mural classes moderated by Teachers
o Students can ‘study together’ without ‘being together’
o School board meetings
o Teacher training
o Academic contests e.g. debates, with other institutions
· CHURCHES, NGO’s (Charities), CLUBS
Institutions using Webinars can :
o Interact with members and constituents
o Conduct remote study with exchange groups
o Conduct Church meetings
o Conduct Board or Committee meetings
o Host Fundraising campaigns
o Host Planning sessions
o Host Remote counselling
Infographic: Video Conferencing
Heather de Wit considers herself to be an ‘out of the box’ thinker and is happy to share her knowledge on the merits of utilising Video Email and Conferencing/Webinars. Her experience as a sole Entrepreneur for over 20 years spans marketing, advertising and PR. She enjoys creative writing, singing at functions and is a self-taught artist.
Get in touch with heather :
- SKYPE : heather.de.wit
- Mobile +27824907143
+27824907143 - EMail: heather@boundless-activities.net
