Creating Value With Streaming Video Content

Having a corporate or promotional video for your company is often viewed as something of an expensive luxury ? useful, but rarely considered to be an essential marketing tool. Whilst many businesses can understand the benefits of having a corporate video, all too often they are put off by the perceived cost and subsequently find it hard to justify commercially. Furthermore, the process of making a video can at times, appear complex and intimidating, with an array of technical terms and processes.

Streaming video provides a number of useful opportunities for maximising the potential of an existing corporate video. And compared to other distribution media such as DVD or CD-ROMs it also offers a cost-effective solution for broadcasting a new corporate presentation to a wider audience.

Although streaming video is certainly not a new concept and has been around for some time, it's now easier than ever to add streaming video content to your website. The technology required to enable video streaming is widely available, it's relatively inexpensive and with the dramatic growth in high speed, broadband internet connections, a growing number of internet users can now view high quality, streaming video on their computers.

In this article, leading corporate video & business television producer, John Howarth, explains some of the ways in which streaming video content can be made to work effectively for your business and produce tangible results.

Provide Compelling Content

Try to provide content that creates a real interest for the viewer. Instead of simply informing them of your key corporate values ? the typical narrative being 'how successful we are, the great products & services we offer, our featured clients' - why not turn the message into something that is actually useful and engaging to watch.

Take for example a company that manufactures kitchen products. Whilst you could produce a video to establish company values by highlighting such areas as quality of craftsmanship and original design of the product, this information is almost certainly available more easily on the web pages. It could be far more interesting for the viewer to provide them with a series of recipes, which feature the products being used in context.

Another technique is to provide content that is not centrally focused to your company's core products & services. For example, your company sponsors a sports event or art exhibition. How about showing some clips from the event, with company branding around it? By using more recognisable and popular content, you are creating a wider 'reach' for the video, with the added possibility of gaining increased website traffic.

Re-Package Content

Lets say you already have a corporate video, it's around ten minutes long and you currently distribute it on a video tape format or DVD. The most obvious solution would be to have it transferred to a streaming format in it's entirety and loaded up onto your website. Whilst a ten minute corporate video sequence may be useful as a backdrop display in a trade exhibition or screened to a captive audience in a conference, it's often far too long to use as a streaming video clip on your website. Who really has the time to sit and watch a corporate video clip for this length of time? It's often far more useful to break the sequence down into a series of individual clips or re-edit into a shorter, condensed version that has greater impact.

Following on from this, you might also want to distribute streaming video clips around different areas on your website. This way, the clips featured can be targeted to match ? and complement - the page content. For example, on a page detailing company clients and case studies, the video clip could feature customer testimonials; situated on a contact details page, the video sequence could feature some generic shots of company locations and building exterior shots.

Brand The Video

Whatever streaming video clips you use, try to ensure they are branded with your corporate identity. This could be a small logo in the top corner of the screen or a 'picture frame' wrapped around the moving images. Taking it a step further, you may want to add an introduction sequence with animated corporate logos at the beginning and end of every sequence. Another option is to create an HTML or Flash 'player' customised with your corporate identity. The video clip would then play within this frame and could be complemented by some animated product or service information around it.

When reviewing website statistics, it is frequently pages featuring streaming video content that are the most 'sticky' and have the longest viewing times by site visitors. Use this factor to your advantage - it's an ideal opportunity to get your core brand values, products and services across to the site visitor.

About The Author

John Howarth is creative director of Blue Tuna Limited, a leading UK-based corporate communications & multi-media production agency. Past projects include live streaming for leading online bookmaker, Blue Square and the launch of the UK's of the first club soccer channel, Boro TV for NTL.

www.bluetuna.tv

Choose Life or Death

No one, not even God can make us choose the right things. He gave us the freedom of choice where our own lives are concerned. Life is full of choices. Many of them which we assume will give us life are really only secondary to what our whole purpose is.

The world tells us we need careers, we need education, we need marriage, children, we need to be able to afford the very best of what life has to offer. In other words, we need to make ourselves "feel" fulfilled, even at the expense of hurting others.

But we miss the mark when we fail to make the choice between life and death where our eternity is concerned. The whole purpose of our being is not to serve ourselves but to serve and fellowship with God. But, unless you are aware of that choice, then most likely you chose death. Our careers, our destinies, the things we achieve while existing in this world are all secondary. They are the gifts we are given in order to help us achieve a ways and a means of earning a living while serving the Lord. But to make that our priority is the biggest misconception of man today. How do I know? It's God's word, not mine.

"I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants might live." Deu. 30:19 (Amplified)

It is this verse that God Himself lays down the law with His servant, Moses. He tells him that he and his people have the choice to either follow Him, fellowship with Him and to be blessed for it, or else they can turn from Him, do things their own way and receive the curses that will lead to eternal death.

How often have we tried to make things happen on our own and have run into trouble because we don't even consider God in the matter? It's a very simple formula really, and when taken in serious consideration, life will start working for you. That formuala is found in Mt. 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, in all it's righteousness, and all else shall be added unto you." Wow, what a promise that is!

In Deu. 30, God makes it very clear to Moses that by not choosing Him, He would (and did) send curses, not only to them, but to all future generations who continued in the disobedient journey. But, God is a loving God and also makes it very clear that upon serving Him, He promises to give all the people life and prosperity and would delight in it. God has more than enough to give and only wants to pour His gifts down on His children who choose to serve and obey Him. Why is this such a hard choice for us even today?

God made a covenant also with Abraham. He swore upon His very own name because there is no other name above His. His Word is totally inspired by Him (2 Tim. 3:16) This being truth, means that His Word and promises are not up for debate. God says what He means and He means what He says!!!

God is awesome because He gave us this information in order to make our lives here alot simpler. He doesn't want us staggering around in the dark, not knowing what our purpose is. We should never have to ask why we are here in the first place. No one is put here by mistake, even though our parents may have told us otherwise. But, even though He spells it all out in black and white, it's still our choice to believe it or not.

When we choose not to be in fellowship with a loving Father, we will always find ourselves in situtations that don't make sense, they are not what we expected and we question ourselves and our abilities, wondering what we did wrong.

Here lies the big problem. In knowing God's Word, we would then realize that it has nothing at all to do with us.

"I Am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Jn. 15:5 (KJV)

Once we understand this concept, that we were created by God before the foundation of the earth, and for God, then we should be able to understand the meaning of the relationship we were created to have. This fellowship is developed through Christ. This fellowship doesn't promise a life with no hardships, but it will make all situations possible to endure. When we understand that God is in control, there is not one storm in life that won't turn into a calm at the end. He gives us the strength and the confidence to get through anything.

"And He said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Lk. 18:27 (KJV)

There is absolutely nothing too big or too small that He can't handle. All we have to do is come to Christ and ask. The choice is totally up to you and me.

God doesn't strong arm anyone, He is gentle and patient. But, perhaps if you are facing trials and troubles that just don't seem to have a way out, maybe it's time you seriously make a choice between life and death. God cannot compromise His truth. If you are longing for eternal life, and want to see His blessing manifested in your life, a choice must be made.

Unless a choice of life is made, death is inevitable and curses will come. Not only will God send curses, but you will be serving Satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

While God gives you the promise of eternal life for free, Satan will promise you a certain death but it's going to cost you everything. Think about that choice because both are very real. Which do you choose, life or death?

Life with Christ is very real, He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. No matter what trials you may face, when you chose life, He will bring you out of every situation that would have otherwise been impossible.

Vivian Gordon, has been called into the teaching ministry. Her purpose is to be an ambassador for Christ, to show others who Christ is through her words, actions and deeds. She has submitted her life to serving Him in all she does. Blessings have begun to flow in her life. God is always on time, no matter how long it takes.

Consulting Versus Selling

Consulting Vs Selling, How we can make sales by not doing selling but consulting. As we know, everybody loves to buy but hates to be sold. We need to engage in non-manipulative selling, and ask deeper questions that will make the sale.

View Yourself As A Consultant

One particular self-image possessed by high-achieving salespeople is that they see themselves as consultants rather than as salespersons. They see themselves as problem solvers with their products or services rather than as vendors looking for someone who will trade them money for what they have to offer.

Approach Them As Clients

They do not approach their customers with hat in hand, hoping for a sale. They approach their "clients" with the attitude that they are consultants calling on the prospect to help him or her solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Ask Questions And Listen Carefully

Seeing themselves as consultants, they ask questions carefully and listen intently. They focus all of their energies on understanding the customer's situation so that they can make intelligent recommendations based on what the customer really wants and needs.

Become An Expert In Your Field

As consultants, they recognize that they must be experts, authorities in their field. They know their products and services from one end to the other. They invest many hours familiarizing themselves with every single detail of what they sell, and of what their competitors sell as well. They know the strengths and weaknesses, the advantages and shortcomings, the features and benefits of what they are offering. They have excellent product knowledge, which their customers can sense and which gives both themselves and their customers greater confidence throughout the sales conversation.

Differentiate Yourself from Your Competitors

Top salespeople, positioning themselves as consultants, see themselves as resources for their clients. They see themselves and carry themselves as advisors, mentors and friends. They become emotionally involved in their transactions and they are generally concerned that their product or service be the ideal solution to the real needs of the prospects they are dealing with. They differentiate themselves from their competitors by being more concerned with helping their prospects than with selling their products or services. Their customers often feel that they care more about them than they care about making a sale. And it's true.

Action Exercises

Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action.

First, see yourself as a problem-solver rather than as a salesperson. Take sufficient time to understand the prospect's real need before you start selling.

Second, think of ways to tailor your product or service to your customer's needs so that he sees what you sell as the ideal solution for him.

Gordon Goh is author of the free, informative website Simply Motivation offering quality useful tips for Motivation.

Generating Publicity: Will The Media Be Interested In My Product/Business?

When it comes to launching a new business or product, some marketing consultants might say that EVERY product is appropriate for a publicity or media exposure campaign. That is true to a degree, but as a PR/publicity professional and former media person, I would qualify that statement by saying that although new products would benefit from a solid publicity campaign, not all businesses or products and their pitches will grab the attention of the media.

A number of strategically generated features or product mentions in magazines, newspapers and TV/radio/cable shows nationwide can lend strong credibility to a new product. That "media bullhorn" can also do wonders toward educating consumers about your product. But does your product -- and it's media pitch -- have what it takes to attract the media into giving you coverage in their pages or on their airwaves? As I mentioned, many products or businesses can generate some type of publicity and media interest, but in my professional experience, the types of products and pitches that lend themselves to the best media exposure include:

• home/garden products

• kitchen/cooking/food products

• consumer electronics

• automotive accessories

• home repair/DIY tools

• personal health/medical/fitness products

• recreational/outdoor products

• experts (business, health, technology)

If you have a new or under-publicized product in one of these categories, the media could be a good friend to you. However, you first have be a friend to the media. Your product (and pitch) needs to have what the media calls a "news peg" -- that gives them a logical and newsworthy reason to feature YOUR product as opposed to the 200 other media pitches that are on their desks right now. Additionally, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to do your story or they WILL move onto a competitor's pitch and product that is easier to cover.

• Can you provide a media sample?

• Do you have quality photos of the product?

• How can the product be purchased: in stores, catalogs, online, by phone?

• Can you arrange a quick interview if needed?

Products/services that don't really lend themselves to media interest or publicity are things like:

• website developers

• cell phone/printer cartridge sales

• vitamin supplements

• insurance

• financial planning

• MLM/downline schemes

I'm not implying that these types of businesses aren't media worthy. I'm simply saying that from a media interest, editorial standpoint, there are thousands of competing product and businesses like these on the market and unless they are offering something truly unique, they lack that "news peg" that will attract the media's attention. If you are launching, let's say, a new garden tool that is very similar to many other garden tools on the market, don't expect much interest from the media in putting together a feature. You can create that news peg by answering a few questions:

• How does your product differ from competing products already on the market?

• Why should the media and subsequent consumers be interested in your product?

• Does it provide a solution to an existing problem for consumers?

Bottom line -- an expertly maintained publicity campaign can help forge wonderfully reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationships with the media. Reciprocal, in that the media constantly need interesting information to put together their product profiles and business features -- and YOU need constant media exposure to get the word out. If your product or business can meet the media standards mentioned above, you could benefit greatly from some solid nationwide media exposure. Getting your product mentioned in print articles and on TV/radio shows nationwide will help spread the word to customers -- and at a fraction of the cost of a nationwide advertising campaign.

About The Author

Todd Brabender is the President of Spread The News Public Relations, Inc. His business specializes in generating media exposure and publicity for innovative products, businesses, experts and inventions. Free Publicity Consultations offered online: http://www.spreadthenewspr.com; todd@spreadthenewspr.com; (785) 842-8909

Develop Your Childs Genius - Developing Leadership Qualities

Often I have heard that leaders are born, not made. Do you think this is true? How many times did you read a biography of a great leader, and discovered that as a child, he has been quiet, reserved and rather shy? Are those natural qualities of a leader? Of course not! These people have developed their leadership qualities later in life.

Would you like your child to be a leader?

What are the qualities of a leader?

Here are some of the qualities required to be a leader, and how you can encourage the development of these qualities in your child.

* Integrity - remember to be a good example, a role model for your child. Parents teach by example, and integrity is a quality kids learn from their parents. Talk with your child about integrity. One tool that is very helpful is story telling. Look for books that tell about the value of integrity. To find more resources for stories that promote values in kids, look at http://www.all-gifted-children.com, under "Resources". You can find it at Inspirational Kids Stories on the web. You can also make up your own stories, that tell about the value of integrity.

* Courage - always praise courage. When your child shows courage, notice it and praise it. Praise courage wherever you see an expression of it. Story telling is also very effective in this case.

* Creative, independent thinking. In order to develop this quality, it is very helpful to ask questions. When you talk with your child about any subject at all, always ask open questions, that encourage creative thinking. Use the "One Step Farther" principle. After you have gotten all the obvious answers, ask one more question, to come up with a deeper, more creative idea. Questions like "why", "what would happen if...", "how do you think did it feel...", encourage your child to think creatively. Talk to your child, encourage independent thinking.

* Confidence - this is one of the most important qualities required for success in general. To develop confidence in your child, avoid criticizing your child, praise your child sincerely and often, develop a habit to talk about your child's strengths and achievements with him every day. Remember to make it a point to bring up at least one good quality of your child every day. If you adopt it as a routine, over time it will do wonders for your child. It takes only a few minutes to mention an achievement or a strength (a good quality). Encourage your child, repeat the phrase "you can do it" often.

* A leader takes responsibility. When something goes wrong, sometimes it makes us feel better if we can blame something else or someone else. A leader takes responsibility. Make sure your child knows that he is the "boss" in his life. His success is his responsibility. We are not victims of our environment, we have control over our life. Teach your child to "come from a place of power". When your child blames someone else or something else for a mishap, or comes up with excuses, you have an opportunity to encourage your child to assume responsibility. Make sure that your child knows that it is Ok to make mistakes. Mistakes are an opportunity to learn.

You can help your child draw conclusions, without "making him wrong", by asking: "what did you learn from this?", "what do you think went wrong?", "why do you think this happened?", "how could you avoid this?" and again "what do you think would happen if...?". Your child should understand that he has no control over other people, and is not expected to have control over other people's actions, but he has full control over his own reaction. This will give your child the feeling of power, as opposed to "being a victim".

The conversations that you hold with your child have a profound effect on your child's future. Make sure you take the time to talk with your child every day, to be involved with what is happening in your child's life. To support, encourage and inspire. By doing that, you are being a leader, and you are developing your child's leadership skills.

For the last 26 years, Esther Andrews has studied, researched and practiced the ways to develop a child's intelligence. She also served as the principal of the School for Gifted Education. As a result of this experience, she developed her own method and philosophy, that proved to be extremely successful with her own 2 highly gifted children.

In her web site, http://www.all-gifted-children.com, she helps parents develop their child's genius, and provide for their kids the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.

Defeating Crime With Digital Camera Cell Phones

The newest techno gadget, which is reshaping the way teenagers interact is the Digital Picture Camera 3G Cell Phone. As more and more people have these and as higher bandwidth and video compression technologies are introduced we will see a whole new realm of communication. As people communicate on cell phones with video and pictures we will see a decrease in crime.

Because the criminals will realize they will be caught on phone, by a number of possible passers by if they try any criminal activities. The eyes and ears of the society will evolve in scope and with that we will see random acts of theft, violence decrease. Of course there will always be the smart criminal who tries to figure out in advance a specific plan to evade detection, although the common criminality we generally see will surely render more favorable crime statistics.

Those areas where people have more cash flow such as the Suburbs of large cities or in the Downtown techno sector crowds we will see lessened crime. Although the will then be a "Criminal Divide" in areas where less techno savvy people reside.

This of course will also decrease as the price of the technology and cell phones comes down due to economies of scale, numbers of units sold and number of participants on the 3G or 3G plus systems. Many times disruptive technologies have severe effects in our economy or society at large. In this case the technologies unintended consequences brings with it a more virtuous society and decreased crime. That is a good thing. If you plan on buying a new phone, perhaps one with a camera in it is smart. SmartPhones can decrease crime. For more ideas on decreasing crime why not contact your local police department's community based policing officer or volunteer to start a Neighborhood "Mobile" Watch Program?

http://www.lancewinslow.org/nmwp.shtml

Who knows, a teenager on a skateboard may actually get a picture of an International Terrorist taking pictures of important infrastructures, or a license plate of a car, which seems to be out of place and prevent the next attack? Technology has it's advantages, all too often we discuss the problems and complain about the issues of privacy. Millions of teenagers cruising around with cell phones will prevent abductions from pedophiles, rapists or child molesters. Camera Cell phones, may prevent shopping mall car thieves as more of them will be caught. Camera Cell phones are here to stay and they are getting better all the time, soon we will have full video feed phones, wireless PDAs all with GPS instant coordinate tracking. One call brings it all to the authorities, video, location, time and your basic: "Who, What, When, Where and How"

http://www.eurotechnology.com/wirelessjapan2003/docomo.foma.html

It's growing and it is growing fast, goodness will win over evil and crime not only doesn't pay, it cannot last.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Information About Debt Consolidation Loans with Bad Credit

Finding debt consolidation loans with bad credit can be quite a task? after all, a lot of lenders don't want to take a risk on someone who is such an obvious credit risk. Luckily, however, a lot of lenders will take that risk; it's simply a matter of knowing what they're looking for, and how best to approach them for a loan. Asking around to see which banks and lending companies offer debt consolidation loans with bad credit is a good start, and from there it's simply a matter of presenting yourself in the best possible light in order to improve your chances of getting the money that you need.

Debt consolidation at a glance

Before applying for debt consolidation loans with bad credit, it helps to know exactly what debt consolidation is. Basically, consolidating your debt means that you're getting a loan that will be applied toward your outstanding debts? either paying them off completely, or paying off a portion of the debt to make the rest more manageable. This leaves you with the loan payment as either your only payment to make or at least one of a few payments to make, and making it easier for you to repay fewer debts than when you had the larger amount. Debt consolidation loans with bad credit are almost always secured loans, meaning that you've got collateral (such as a car or real estate) on the line to ensure that you repay what you've borrowed.

Getting the most from your loan

To get the best value and lowest interest rate when trying to get debt consolidation loans with bad credit, it's best to use your most valuable property as your collateral and ask for considerably less than its total value. This insures that the lender will get their money back one way or another, and usually makes them much more willing to issue debt consolidation loans with bad credit. Paying off as much of your debt as you can before applying is a good idea, too? it shows that you're serious about getting out of debt, and are making a legitimate effort. If it looks like you really want to fix your debt and credit problems, then you're more likely to be eligible for lower interest rates and better terms for debt consolidation loans with bad credit.

Shopping around for the best value

Even though you're applying for debt consolidation loans with bad credit, it doesn't mean that you have to accept the first offer that comes your way. Shop around with several lenders and compare their rates, seeing what terms one lender offers and whether other banks or finance companies can offer you something comparable. This will help you to get the most out of your money, and ensure that you have less to repay.

You may freely reprint this article provided the following author's biography (including the live URL link) remains intact:

About The Author

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.