Rich Media Options

Rich media, or multimedia is being used as an effective Online Marketing Tactic. Let's explore a few of the basic rich media options that can easily be incorporated into any website.

Website Rich Media - Audio

Most serious online marketers today have some form of audio on their sites. Adding audio to your website is the easiest way to give a product or website a human touch.

Being able to hear a human voice, gives an instant connection between you and your visitor. There are a number of different programs that can be used to create and save your audio files. The most common amongst internet marketers are web based services such as:

Audio Generator
Audio Acrobat

Simple, record your message and upload the audio files to their server.
Audio programs provide a choice of buttons to place on your website. When a visitor clicks the audio buttons, the audio streams from the server.

Online audio services may also support testimonials. The referee phones the testimonial number given, records their message, which is then uploaded to the site. Teleconferences can also be recorded with this type of service! The cost for this service is around $20 per month.

Website Rich Media - Animation

Animation brings your website alive, but can also be extremely irritating if not done correctly. My own opinion is that it is a matter of speed of motion, rather than the motion itself.

Slow rotations or merges from one visual to the next are fine, they catch the eye, but not irritate the senses. Avoid the fast flashing banners and tickers. They are a sure way to get click out rather than click through.

Testing is the only way to find out what speed or size of dynamic graphic suits your sites audience. Also, limit the number of loops. One or two are fine, any more than that starts working against you. The key to effective motion is subtlety.

Digital interactive media used today includes:

Director DIR
Flash FL
PDF PDF
QuickTime QT
Real Media RM
Scalable Vector Graphics SVG
SMIL SMIL
Windows Media WM
XHTML+SMIL XS

Website Rich Media - Video

From simple webcam captures to more sophisticated video presentations, nothing humanises a site more than video. And with video content repositories such as YouTube and mySpace, there is an abundance of free content available.

Web video services such as VideoGenerator stream the video for you, or you can stream it from your own server. To save bandwidth, many video presentations are being uploaded to YouTube and streamed from there. Remember though, that as a public place, your video is no longer unique on your site.

If you are planning on streaming the video directly from your own web server, watch your monthly bandwidth limits and plan accordingly.

Adding Video to Your Website

Website Rich Media - Screen Capture

Another type of video is a screen-capture movie. Screen capture allows you to visually clarify difficult concepts, create clearer documentation, and give presentations a professional, dynamic look.

SnagIT Screen Capture – is a static screen image capturing program
Camtasia Studio Screen Recorder – is used for motion based recording, necessary for training videos and presentations. It included editing functionality and format options to save for web, CD-ROM and portable media devices, including iPod.

Which ever version you use, screen capture is a powerful way to demonstrate how to use or buy your product.

Adding an embedded picture of yourself in the corner makes it seem as though you are personally presenting to the prospect and adds another interactive dimension to your presentation.

Screen Casting Tools

Getting Started

Start by adding one rich media element above near the top of your home page. A quick simple audio welcome message will alert visitors to your personal touch, without breaking your data streaming package. Test the responses for auto launch and visitor activated launch.

Next: Rich Media Strategies