If you’re like me, you’ve noticed and begun to appreciate the utility of online videos. The professional applications for this technology are nearly endless… tutorials, customer service & tech support content, online sales presentations, educational seminars…. And when the content is relevant to your visitors’ interests and professionally delivered, it can really enhance the online experience (and your conversion rates).

Contrary to popular belief, they don’t have to be expensive to create.

I learned today (and have since verified) that Camtasia Studio, an application that has been widely applauded (and that I plan to begin using) is offering a full version of its screen capture video software, Camtasia Studio Version 3 at no cost. Yes – FREE for a limited time.

If you’ve ever considered offering online video, recorded webinars and sales presentations, here’s your chance to dip your toe into the water at no risk with a pretty solid application.

Here’s what you have to do…

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You know when a web site isn’t working for you. The beauty of the web is that you don’t have to tolerate it for more than a second before you’re gone… on to another site that better meets your needs.

But what actually happened on that site you abandoned? Maybe it just didn’t offer what you were looking for… or maybe it did, but failed to let you know.

We can quickly sense when we are on track to finding the content we’re looking for by detecting what some experts call the “scent” of information. As it turns out, people behave on web sites in a manner very similar to dogs sniffing around for food – or whatever else they’re looking for. We get on a particular scent trail and follow it.
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If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know my position on the importance of cultivating referrals – particularly for smaller businesses.

This is a realm of marketing that is commonly overlooked… typically botched… and is often arguably the highest return marketing activity a company can invest in.  Literally… Infinite Return Marketing when executed properly and consistently.

Yesterday I had breakfast with the owner of a small service business.  As is typically the case, he is not only the owner and manager of the business, but the chief client relationship manager and evangelist for the firm.

The topic of referrals came up, and I was struck by a confession he made. So much so that I wanted to quickly offer up this brief post for anyone else who may also be hindered by his fear.
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