Bad First Date

There are many companies out there that provide the ability to create drip campaigns in marketing automation platforms (see: Eloqua, Marketo, Pardot, Silverpop). Supporting this capability are many sources that will refer to statistics.  These statistics say that anywhere from 7 and 20 repeats are required for any communication to gain consideration access.   Interestingly enough a personal dating stat from VIDA (Virtual Dating Assistant)  gave an “estimate of between 5 and 15 emails” before a meeting in person was accomplished.

After all thats what we are trying to do right?..get that first meeting (date)?

More often than not drip campaigns are still created in an impersonal way and its difficult to “fake” an engagement attempt.  Marketers are considering it a time saving device as opposed to a conversation with people. Most marketers will try to change messages based on profiles, activities with varying offers creating more and more as the campaign progresses.  Drips need to be thoughtful and comprehensive based upon participants within the actual campaign in a well thought out manner.  If your just going to link a bunch of templates together, don’t – you won’t win a lot of fans – nor get a second date (unless your lucky).

I speak from personal experience (names are not used to protect the guilty).  I received an email after I requested a download from a site that I was interested in.  I have no problem filling in a form for a company that I would like to stay linked to.  The first email was the obligatory “Thanks” and was totally expected.  The second arriving a day later was way off topic to anything I was interested in.  The third (arriving the next day) was an offer I’m not ready for yet. The forth got annoying as I’m unclear if they really understand what I was looking for.  The fifth made me opt out as it had nothing of value.  As a consumer and a seller its on both of us to uncover whether we are a match. Sending a generic marketing mail is not going to help me make a decision unless you address MY concerns. One to one communication will work as long as it’s specific, relevant, and timed properly.

Please end the torture, treat me like a human being not a notch in you sales/marketing belt. I want a relationship not a date and if its a fit, great… otherwise move on.

We’ve found a very nice microphone that will work with the Kodak Zi8, Canon DSLR’s and a lot of cameras that allow a headphone (1/8″) microphone input jack.  It’s the Sony ECM-AW3 Wireless Micriphone (Click Here To See The Mic).  The mic works pretty great, take a look at the video below for my test review, technical specs and where you can buy this wireless microphone.

Pros:

• Fairly Inexpensive ($160 – Amazon)
• Easy To Use
• Great Sound
• Works on Many Cameras
• Package Comes With Needed Cables
• Uses 2 AAA Batteries (Not Included but No Digging at Radio Shack for Button Batteries)
• Portable & Easy To Move Around With
• Automatically Reconnects When Walking Back Into Range
• 3 Hour Battery Life

Cons:

• The Mic Is Large, Hard to Hide
• No Way To Listen To Audio While Recording (Unless Your Camera Supports It)
• Bright Blue LED Gives It Away (Does Come With A Cover)
• Very Open Mic (Will Pick Up A Lot Of Background Noise)

Please let me know if you have any test cases you would like to see or have any questions.  Just comment away!

For one reason or another, you don’t have the right video footage to tell the story. How do you overcome such a hurdle? Easy, use images.

I know what you’re probably thinking… “If I wanted to create a boring PowerPoint presentation, I would have done just that, I want to make a video.”

Well, the use of still images with a common technique called the Ken Burns effect is capable of creating a pretty engaging video. Named after documentary film producer and director Ken Burns, the Ken Burns effect is the technique of slowly zooming into or panning over an image to create a video like experience. This technique is best used to emphasize specific segments of an image and can really help communicate the story you’re trying to tell.

Watch this short example taken from a Ken Burns documentary, The National Parks. It’s a nice blend of both video and imagery.

So, the next time you’re stuck without any video footage, find some images and add a little Ken Burns. You may be surprised with the outcome.

P.S. – In the latest release of our product, we’ve included the ‘Ken Burns’ effect with all image elements. Very cool, check it out!

VisibleGains 2.0 Beta

Everyone is trying to get video on their site and I’m sure you are too.  You may be finding it difficult to find someone to sit in front of that camera, but don’t lose hope.  There are also great ways to create video without needing someone on screen.  Screen Casts are a great way to create video.  You can make a product demo, you can feature a slideshow, and you can make it look beautiful.  In this video I cover the basics from getting your idea down, your approach, recording, basic editing, and exporting your engaging, person free video.

View Programs You Can Use To Get Started

Hey, this is Chris from VisibleGains. When people think of video now they think of really expensive cameras and hiring really expensive people to create their videos.  That’s not the case anymore.  Cameras are getting smaller and easier to use all while capturing HD video. If you’re having trouble figuring out what you need and where you can shoot I’ve put this video together to show you what you need to do to get your shoots running quickly and easily.

If you need equiptment, you can purchase a Starter Bundle by clicking here.  This Starter Bundle includes, a camera, memory card, microphone, and tripod.  Here are two documents that cover everything in the video for you to use offline.  You can download:

Scouting For A Location – Download

Setting up Your Shoot – Download

Just Grab A Camera And Go!