*Demystify shopping experience - use it to navigate selling process.

*Teachers and coaches of dance, sports and gym activities can highlight their training methods with short demonstration clips.

Many businesses would like to use streaming media but are put off by high production costs. Keep in mind that existing materials might be perfectly suited for current needs. Your streaming provider should be able to assist you with preparing and, if needed, modifying your material.

Streaming media is a very effective and affordable marketing tool. In today's world, where consumers have more purchasing power and choices than ever before, it can be used to make your customers aware of benefits that can't be found elsewhere. And, benefits often turn into sales.

Streaming media should not be used arbitrarily, however. Unless your material is relevant to your visitors and adds perceived value to their purchase, don’t waste your time or theirs. When designing your streaming media presentation, ask yourself what it will accomplish that your current content doesn’t. Will it complement your existing material? Will it be utilized to enhance your offering? Will it provide additional incentive to make your visitor buy?

If you can answer yes to those questions, streaming media should be a strong candidate for your marketing dollars. Use streaming media technology wisely, and it will go a long way to making your business site stand out in a very crowded field.

*What IS streaming? Streaming promises quick access to crucial audio and video content without aggravating wait for files to download. Downloading requires that files be sent to user's PC in their entirety before they can be played; MP3 audio is a perfect example of this. The files then remain on user's machine until they are deleted. Streaming continuously sends these same files, which have already been digitized, to user's PC while user is listening or watching. When stream is ended, no data is left behind on user's machine.

Ronni Rhodes is the owner of WBC Imaging, a company that specializes in web site enhancement utilizing streaming media technology. With her husband, Don, a digital media engineer, they work with companies to incorporate streaming as part of successful and meaningful training and marketing programs.

·Keep camera steady! Put camera on a tripod or brace it against something solid like a table or a wall. If you must pan or zoom, do it very slowly. (Too much motion can cause a “blurry” stream.) ·Simplify your frame. Think about where everything is going to be. People coming in and out of frame can create movement that may cause confusion. ·Stay focused. A lot of auto-focus cameras can’t focus properly if you are too close to your subject. Five or six feet away is a good distance. Don’t try to shoot through a window; camera will focus on glass. ·Good lighting is essential. Try to light your scene from front. Don’t stand in front of a window; backlighting will cause you to be in silhouette. Try shooting outside if possible. ·Use fastest record speed. This will insure best video quality. ·Record in a quiet place. Hold mike close to your mouth to cut down on external noises. ·RELAX AND ENJOY YOURSELF! It really shows. Practice until you feel comfortable.

If you have additional questions or concerns, your streaming vendor should be ready and able to assist you.

Early adopters of Rich Media techniques, streaming being one of them, have already started to reap rewards of higher click-through rates and increased conversion rates. If your message is meaningful and relevant to your site visitors, your streaming presentation will add to their enjoyment of visiting your site and encourage them not only to buy but also to return and buy again!

Ronni Rhodes is the owner of WBC Imaging, an Internet company that specializes in web site enhancement utilizing streaming media technology. With her husband, Don, a digital media engineer, they work with companies to incorporate streaming as part of successful and meaningful sales and marketing programs.

Please direct all questions and comments to: Ronni@wbcimaging.com 520-742-5780 http://www.wbcimaging.com