Tune In to Video Marketing

Is your product or service visually appealing? Do you offer workshops? If so, consider making videos to highlight your business on your website. It's not as hard (or expensive) as it once was.

Video marketing can range from a clip of a seminar, a tutorial, a demonstration of your services, to a commercial.

Tips:

* Your video should fit with your business image and target market.

* Know your niche.

* Provide something of value (even humor has value). Just like in all marketing, you want people to pass your information around to others in their network.

* Ensure that your website's name is prominently displayed throughout the video. You want people to be able to find your business easily (if they aren't watching the video on your website).

* Offer your video in both low-fidelity and high fidelity options. Lower fidelity takes up less space on the screen (smaller), grainier, and monaural (and is quicker to download).

* If you'll be offering the video for viewing on your website, offer both QuickTime and Windows Media formats.

* Allow your videos to be downloaded to your client's computer (not just viewed in the browser).

* Consider uploading the video to free video sites such as YouTube and Google Video.

I have recently been involved in two (online) video projects:

The first project was shot using a (unattended) digital camcorder on a tripod. I transferred the raw footage to a Macintosh computer using MediaFork and edited it with iMovie HD. During the editing process, I titled, compressed and reduced the high-definition video in size. Total out-of-pocket expense: $69.99 (iLife '06). With no marketing budget, on the first day, there were over 500 viewings of videos on YouTube alone. It has generated significant web traffic, inquiries, and sales.

The second project was shot on a makeshift set with green screen backdrop (to insert a digital background). It was shot using a professional video camera, a stereo MP3 recorder, and 3 floor lights. Total out-of-pocket expense: over $2000 (set + rentals + camera man + director + editing). This project is still in production.

Jay Hamilton-Roth is a creative business marketing consultant who specializes in helping startups get established, growing established companies and helping teams work together to solve their problems. He publishes a free monthly newsletter (Creative Business Ideas) with quick and useful marketing tips. Contact him at www.ManyGoodIideas.com

Home Entertainment Theater Decorating

Now that technology has made having an in-home entertainment system a reality, how do you go about incorporating one into your own home? Creating a home theater involves more than just choosing a system, you've got to design a space that will provide the best viewing experience.

First decision: location. To create a true "theater" experience, you'll want to have as little interruption from outside light as possible. For that reason, many people use a basement or an attic room for their home theater. If you don't have an attic or basement, choose a room with the fewest or smallest windows. Covering the windows with both pull-down shades and heavy, dark-colored curtains will best darken the room for optimal viewing during the daytime. Check with home-improvement stores and window showrooms for special "black-out" curtains and shades.

You might think that wall color isn't a big issue in your home theater-since the lights will usually be off. However, you should give wall and floor treatments some consideration so that they don't distract during show time. For example, you'll want to use dark, deep colors such as brown, deep red or charcoal gray to keep the walls in the background while a movie is playing. Textured wall covering or matte finish paint will keep walls from "shining" with screen light reflection.

Although the lights will usually be off in your home entertainment room, you'll need a good lighting source for entering and leaving the room. It's best to avoid overhead lights as they can be too glaring. Sconces that produce soft light on walls and recessed lighting are the best choices for this room. Use dimmers to control the lighting so that you can adjust the brightness to keep viewers' eyes comfortable.

The kind of seating you choose for your home entertainment theater depends on the kind of crowd you expect to entertain. Will your young children and their friends be the heaviest users? If so, a couple of large sofas will work well. Kids tend to fight over individual seats, but they can all pile on a sturdy sofa. An added benefit to a comfy couch is the opportunity for one or two people to simply sprawl over it for more private viewing. Recliners and loveseats offer a comfortable seat for teens and adults. In fact, why not put a number of recliners in the room, so everyone can have the most comfortable seat in the house? If multiple recliners are not in your budget, easy chair/ottoman sets work just as well, if not better. In a pinch, the ottoman serves as extra seating.

The finishing touches in decorating your home entertainment theater are the most practical ones. A solid level surface, such as a wooden table or T.V. tray, within reach of each seating area makes it easy for viewers to set down snacks or drinks. To avoid having to leave the room to replenish snacks, keep a mini refrigerator in the room, and use cupboards or existing closet shelves for dry snacks. A small microwave oven will let you make popcorn and heat up nachos without ever leaving your home entertainment haven.

2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Want more decorating tips, ideas and advice? Please Visit http://www.DIYHomeDecorating.com where you'll find articles about a variety of home decorating styles, indoor and outdoor decorating ideas, decorating photos and much more!