Email newsletters are a staple of online marketers. They provide a more casual approach to sales by inserting articles and industry updates, in between event sign-ups, new product releases and special offers.  Add in a short overview by the editor, a couple of social network links and an image or two and you have the basis for a solid company newsletter. Solid, but in today’s competitive online marketplace…boring.

With the decreasing attention span of consumers, businesses have to make a big impression quickly to keep them focused. Adding video to your newsletter is just the trick. Wow people with a video message from the editor that briefly touches on all the main points of the newsletter, right at the top of the page. Convert articles into video messages that only require a short, catchy, text lead-in. Include video links demonstrating new products. Give a video review of current trends or extend a personal video invitation to an upcoming seminar, convention or sales event. In short, inserting videos into all aspects of your newsletter can pack the needed punch to engage recipients quickly, and hold their interest.

The most successful video newsletters maintain brand consistency, but keep things fresh by changing up the look and feel of their videos. Creativity pays off, so put as much thought and energy into your promotional videos as you would written articles. Most importantly, relax and have fun! Viewers connect more quickly to someone who enjoys what they’re doing.

Start small (the message from the editor is a good beginning point) and expand from there. You’ll see magical results in no time. A well-executed video newsletter can become a focal point of your marketing, sales and customer retention strategy.
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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

We’re in the process of redesigning our templates to create a more dynamic visual experience.  By using an infinite horizon-style background, templates encompass the entire space, regardless of screen size or resolution.  The resulting look is more dramatic and compelling.  Custom templates can now make full use of the background to reinforce company branding and create a more lasting impression.

The other feature of our redesigned video templates is auto-detect links.  That’s fancy wording for link buttons that only appear if you have created a link.  Until recently, many templates had 7 customizable link buttons that were always visible, even if the button was empty.  Now, if you have two links set up only those buttons will appear.  Our other template style had 7 customizable text links that only displayed in the link area when set up, but remained static, leaving an awkward blank space when fewer than 7 links were visible.  Now, if you have two links set up, they will appear next to each other.  Both button and text links are automatically centered in the designated link area, maintaining balance to the template design.

Generic, Holiday and Special Occasion redesigned templates available in customer accounts include: White Generic, Red Generic, Teal Generic, From the Desk Of (see below), Laugh and Digital Tablet (see below) with more coming over the next several months.   Customers who previously purchased custom templates can (for a limited time) have our design team incorporate the new infinite horizon background and auto-detect link option to their template for just $99.  Contact graphics@covideo.com with questions and to place orders.

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

The two most common types of digital camera batteries are rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion.  NiMH batteries can be recharged up to 500 hundred times making them fairly cost-effective and environmentally friendly.  They also work well in situations where a flash is being used. The main drawback to NiMH rechargeable batteries is they don’t hold their charge very long in storage – they lose approximately 1 percent of their stored energy every day.  For intermittent users, this could mean little or no battery life available after a month or more of storage.  Because of this, most higher-end cameras are designed to use specific lithium ion batteries that hold a charge longer while on the shelf.  Lithium ion batteries have a slightly longer cycle life than NiMH batteries but will start to degrade in performance after about 500 charge cycles.

Brand vs Generic

Contrary to most ads, third party or store brands offer nearly the same performance as expensive brand name batteries.  However, third party brands may have trouble communicating with your camera and therefore not able to display available battery power.  During important events (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc.) where digital camera video is shot, this could lead to disastrous results.

For long shoots, be prepared with a fully charged back-up battery, just in case.  Conserve the battery by turning off the camera in between shots, when possible, and try to avoid using the LCD screen to view every image you take-it will drain your battery in no time.  If your AC adapter will reach a wall outlet, you can forego using a battery at all!

New batteries arrive in a low charge condition and must be fully charged before use.  Refer to the user’s manual for charging instructions.  New batteries need to be fully charged and fully discharged or ‘cycled’ up to 5 times before they are conditioned to perform at full capacity.  Once a month cycling of a battery will help to maintain optimum performance and is particularly recommended for NiMH batteries.  Quick chargers that claim to charge your battery in 15 minutes often do not bring the battery up to full charge and can reduce the overall life of the battery.  A complete recharge often takes up to an hour.

Once your battery is completely drained be sure to recycle it using the proper disposal method.  Contact your local, state or federal environmental agencies if you have questions.
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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

Post links hold the code to embed video in email, on websites and more. We’ve streamlined the post link feature to break-out the embed code from the other options.

Check out this quick video to see how easy we’ve made the embed process.  WATCH VIDEO! 

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

Keeping employees motivated in a sluggish economy can be challenging.  News reports of layoffs and production losses add to employee jitters and contribute to a lack of enthusiasm for their jobs.  Conventional wisdom tells us that communication, communication, communication is key in maintaining a positive, motivated workforce; but simply sending out multitudes of messages with dry facts and figures may not garner the results you’re after.

Other than physically meeting with the entire staff for weekly updates (not often realistic!) a video email can deliver the same personal, face-to-face message to each employee, right at their desk.  Whether it’s from the CEO, HR Director or Department Manager, a video transmits real emotion and clearly conveys important news.  Employees can share the excitement over a big order, better understand the scope of a project and realize the value of their individual contribution as described by company leaders.

Put rumors to rest by clearly stating:
• The company’s short and long-term strategy for success.
• Any restructuring plans
• Programs designed to sustain (or grow) revenue in a difficult climate
• The importance of each and every employee to the company’s overall success

No other communication tool provides direct contact and personal interaction on such a grand scale as video email.  It’s effectiveness lies in the ability to reach even a global workforce quickly and earnestly, infusing them on an individual level with a renewed commitment to the company cause.  Try that with a text email!

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

When I was asked to research video cameras for an upcoming office purchase, I was surprised to discover how far DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) cameras have come since the first fully digital SLR camera was introduced by Kodak in 1991.  Their 1.3 mega-pixel DCS-100, was only available to professionals at a cost of $30,000.  Over the next nine years a number of companies began developing their own DSLR cameras.  In January of 2000, Fujifilm introduced the FinePix S1 Pro, the first DSLR camera marketed to the non-professional.  It was the beginning of the end for the 35 mm market.

Shortly thereafter, Canon, Nikon, Kodak, Olympus, Panasonic and others began releasing DSLR cameras with higher resolution and lower prices.  In 2003 Canon’s 6.3 mega-pixel EOS 300D SLR, commonly known as the Digital Rebel was introduced to the consumer market at $999.  Other manufacturer’s encouraged by it’s popularity, stepped up production of affordable digital SLR cameras allowing greater numbers of amateur photographers to make DSLR purchases.

More innovation quickly followed.  In 2004, as Kodak ceased production of film cameras, Konica Minolta released the Maxxum 7D, the first DSLR camera to include in-body image stabilization.  The following year Canon and Nikon unveiled competing full-frame digital SLR cameras priced for consumers.

By 2008, the stage was set for the next big advancement-HD video.  Nikon delivered the first HDSLR with the D90, capturing video at 720p24 (1280 x 720 resolution at 24 frames/sec.).  Not to be outdone, Canon quickly released the competing EOS 5D Mark II, capturing video at 1080p30(1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 frames/sec.).  By 2009, consumer versions of both cameras hit the market.  Virtually every DSLR camera produced after that would have HD video capability.

For the professional (and amateur) movie maker there are now a number of HDSLR cameras that can shoot in standard/broadcast compliant resolution and frame rates.  This includes the Canon 1D Mark IV, Canon EOS 60D, Canon Rebel T3i and Nikon D5100 among others.  For the beginner, Sony, Pentax and Olympus offer entry level HDSLR cameras.

For those wanting something slightly different, Panasonic has developed a Micro 4/3 camera, the Lumix GH2.  It looks and operates the same as a DSLR camera with one difference.  DSLR cameras use a moveable mirror as part of the image sensor whereas the Lumix GH2 uses a solid state chip.  What does that mean?  Well, DSLR cameras seem to have the advantage when it comes to still photos, but Micro 4/3 cameras may have better video quality.  Also, the GH2 has an important feature DSLR cameras do not- it never overheats.  DSLR cameras can only shoot video for about 10-12 minutes before they overheat and must be shut off to cool.  The GH2 will stay cool and can shoot video until the battery goes dead or it runs out of memory.  Here’s a great review by Web Video University. Panasonic Lumix GH2 Review

If you are in the market to purchase an HDSLR  or Micro 4/3 camera, determine your price range (prices vary widely) and carefully compare features and functionality.  Read or watch reviews and join forum discussions to gain insights from the experience of other movie makers.  Then buy your camera and go make videos!

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

This week’s video email updates include:

1.  Capture Pages – Requirements set for information entered into the capture fields.  Reduces invalid or incorrect entries and improves quality of leads captured.

2.  Email Icons - Video Snapshot now viewable as an option on the Email Icon page.

3.  Video Library – Users can now delete multiple videos at one time.

4.  Manage Groups - When deleting a group, contacts within the group can be deleted as well or kept in the Contacts list.  Users may delete individual contacts or select all contacts within a group to delete.

5.  Join Broadcast Page – Instruction text has been condensed so the Join Now button can be viewed without scrolling on Internet Explorer.

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

A cool feature of our video email product is the viewer notification option.  CoVideo users can be notified by email every time someone views a video email they sent from our system.  This option is highly effective for timely follow ups and time-sensitive offers.

For example: a real estate agent sends a video email of a property to a client. When the client views the video email, the real estate agent immediately receives an email notification informing them who is viewing the video and which video it is.  The agent can pick up a phone and call the client while the video (and the property) are still fresh in their mind.  

Users can request viewer notifications when sending a video email from the desktop recorder and web-based recorder, or from the video library.

For users who forget to check the notification box when sending a video, or those who are overwhelmed with notifications from multiple recipients, we now have a solution!  In the Video Library next to each video title, one of the options is Views.  This has traditionally been where users can see number of views and viewer information for a video.  The new Notify check boxes allow users to request notifications from some or all recipients of the video, after it has been sent.  Conversely, notifications may be discontinued for a few or all recipients by unchecking the boxes.

Request viewer notifications when sending a video email from the desktop recorder or the website:

When sending a video email from the desktop recorder, click on the More Options button and check the box “Notify me when recipient views this video” at the bottom of the window.  When sending a video email from the website, the notification message and check box mentioned above appear in the top right corner of the send email window.

Request/Discontinue viewer notifications from the video library (website only):

From a specific video in the video library, click on Views.  Check the box next to the word Notify to receive viewer notifications for every contact receiving that video, or check the box next to an individual contact you wish to receive viewing notifications for. 

To stop receiving all notifications, uncheck the box next to the word Notify.  To stop receiving notifications for specific contacts simply uncheck the box next to that contact’s name.

Notification settings may be changed at any time.

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

This week’s upgrades include:

1. Request viewing notification(s) after video email is sent. Click on the Views option from the Video Library or Dashboard and check the notification box. Users may select individuals or all contacts when requesting notification(s).

2. Search option added to Viewers table.

3. Page help (?) added to the Viewers table, Create New Broadcast page and View Broadcast page. Hover over the question mark and HELP text appears. Additional page help will be added with future updates.

4. Status and search messages added to the following pages: View Broadcasts, View Slides, View Contacts, Video Library and Featured Broadcasts. Messages appear if no information is available or a search returns no results.

5. Two new broadcast training videos have been added to the Help area. They are, ‘Custom URLs’ and ‘Locked Broadcast Option’.

6. Bug Fix: The Quick Access option for broadcasts now correctly pulls the broadcast name or user firstname/lastname.

7. Bug Fix: Changes made on the Manage User page will now save.

Insurance professionals, like many others in direct sales, rely on strong relationships to not only maintain, but build their client base.  The best way to keep relationships strong is with regular communication, but relying on expensive mailings or lengthy phone conversations is neither cost nor time effective.  Video in email on the other hand, offers a time-saving and economical way to personally reach clients and prospects.  Below are applications insurance professionals can employ in prospecting and customer retention strategies.  The focus is not on ‘hard’ selling, but on educating, demonstrating and personally connecting with consumers through a variety of messages that build trust and familiarity.

Create video emails for the following applications:

1.    Highlight policy types offered (life, home, car, health, motorcycle, RV, etc.)

2.    Respond to internet inquiries with a video introduction

3.    Give price quotes, (attach document if required) compare prices with competitors

4.    Explain how to file a claim- demystify the process for wary consumers

5.    Give safety tips- For the home:  smoke detectors, security systems, fire extinguishers, stair safety (gates and railings), preventing falls, CPR and First Aid training, etc.  For vehicles:  seat belts, drinking and driving, cell phones and driving, system checks (brakes, tire pressure, lights, fluid levels), following speed limits, watch for pedestrians (especially children), etc.

6.    Remind clients of annual coverage review

7.    Life changes and how they can effect coverage needs- marriage, births, new job, college, major purchases, retirement and death in family all present reasons to update insurance coverage

8.    FAQs on subjects such as: Rates & Payments, Choosing an Agent, Understanding Coverages and Changing a Policy

9.    Explain coverage terms- Take the confusion out of insurance terms with clear explanations that help consumers make better coverage choices

10. Special rate offers- Spread the word on discounts and rate reductions

11.  Tax savings- An added benefit of saving for retirement

12.  Testimonials- Nothing better than customers raving about service and price

13.  Event notification and/or invitation

14.  Career achievements, community efforts- Mention degrees, certifications and licenses related to the insurance business that underscore experience.  Highlight community involvement, affiliations and charitable projects.

15.  Non-policy products and services offered: Investments such as Mutual Funds, Brokerage Accounts, IRA Accounts

16.  News releases- Discuss breaking news, trends, company press releases, industry challenges, green efforts, etc.

17.  Retirement preparedness- Give top 10 ways to save for retirement, include links to calculators and attach a brochure with additional information

19.  Updates on insurance legislation- What local, state and national insurance reforms are on lawmakers dockets?

20.  Holiday and special occasion touches- Reach out to clients throughout the year to show them they’re appreciated!

Each video email application leads to ideas for more uses!  By taking the initiative, insurance professionals can transform the way they communicate!

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

Email icons are an often overlooked but extremely vital feature of video emails.  The first opportunity a business has to make an impression is at the inbox, and the email icon creates the visual impact to do just that.

Recent upgrades to our system gives users more options than ever before when choosing, uploading or editing an email icon so we thought a quick video explaining the process would be helpful.  The most notable change is with image uploads.  Previously, our system automatically resized all uploaded images to 400 X 200 pixels.  Smaller images appeared stretched once uploaded and larger images had a squeezed look.  Additionally, the static size of the email icon was bemoaned by numerous users wanting more flexibility.

With the upgrade, users can now upload any size image and it will remain the same size once in our system.  This eliminates the stretching and squeezing issues and gives the email icon size adaptability.  Keep in mind, if a very small 50 X 50 pixel image is uploaded it will be just as small when displayed in the email, making text or design difficult to decipher.  Conversely, extra large images may overflow the inbox and lose their appeal.  If unsure how an image will look, send  a sample video email to see how it appears in your inbox before sending it to your contact list.

For more information on managing email icons WATCH THIS VIDEO.

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

CoVideo templates have always included customizable links directing viewers to web pages after watching your video.  While those links can be aimed at social network sites, many users prefer to dedicate links to pages more directly related to marketing their products and services.  The result: a gap in their marketing efforts.

Social media marketing has exploded in the past two years and connecting contacts to your social network is now standard practice wherever possible.  With that in mind, we created Social Links.  Each Social Link appears as an icon just to the right of the video email template on the viewer’s screen.  Users can add up to 12 Social Links to every video email they send (in addition to the 7 links on the template itself), attaining higher levels of interaction and longer periods of viewer engagement.  A single video email can become a marketing and brand building adventure that sweeps the viewer along for the ride!

It only takes a couple of minutes to set up Social Links.

Watch This Video  to see how it’s done and fill in that marketing gap on your next video email!

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Jamie Bidwell is a team member at www.covideo.com. Covideo provides video email software that helps companies build relationships quickly and reinforce their brands more effectively with easy-to-make video emails that truly communicate. jamie@covideo.com.

There are two items in today’s system update.

1)  Link Set Page – The link set editing page has been streamlined for a more intuitive process, beginning with the page tabs.  The old page had 4 tabs and required the user to bounce around a bit to make editing changes.    We’ve removed the ‘Set Default Link Set’ tab and integrated the default function into the main Add/Edit tab. The ‘Select a Link Set’ drop down menu has been eliminated.  Link sets are now displayed in list form with pagination options available.  Once a link set has been selected for editing, a pop-up overlay appears allowing the user to make changes without leaving the page.  This allows the user to edit multiple link sets quickly and easily.  Click on the link to watch a short demonstration of the new link set editing process.  LINK SET EDITING VIDEO.

2)  Manage Groups – The search function has been changed so that it displays contacts based on the tab you have selected.  If you are on the Add Contacts tab, your search will encompass all your imported contacts.  If you are on the Group Contacts tab, your search will pull from the selected group only.  This should eliminate confusion when searching for contacts to add to specific groups.

Do you regularly send video emails to the same group of contacts?  Would you like an easy way to select those contacts when sending a video email?  We can help!  It only takes a few moments to import a list of contacts and place them into a group.   You’ll see how easy it is when you watch our demonstration video!

WATCH VIDEO

The videos in your CoVideo account can easily be integrated into a CRM, Auto-Responder or Email Marketing system using our Post Link #5 function.  Add the impact of video to regular text communications with the bonus of a branded funnel to your website for increased marketing exposure.

Watch the video demonstration to see just how easy it is!

WATCH VIDEO