New Tools To Increase Communications

The Internet continues to provide new and innovative ways for organizations and individuals to better communicate with anyone, anywhere on the planet.

In past issues of this newsletter, we have provided the latest news on the technologies I will highlight in this article; however, you may not have had the time to actually use them personally or professionally. Together, let’s take a strategic look at a few you should be taking action on either now, or in the very near future.

Blogs
A blog, or Web log, is a Web page that serves as a publicly accessible journal. E-mail is a private way to electronically communicate. Blogs create a two-way, open exchange and are public, available for all to see. Blogs are an incredible tool for sharing information and expertise. Blogs can offer organizations a platform where information, data, and opinion can be shared among employees, customers, partners, and prospects in a way that was previously impossible.

Boeing uses blogs to offer its point of view on competitor Airbus’ new super-size airliner.

Advertisers read blogs to track the effectiveness of their ad campaigns. Studios are using blogs to see which movies are generating buzz.

Ask yourself: Could we increase customer communication and marketing using blogs?

Vlogs
A vlog is a video version of a blog or Web log that serves as a publicly accessible on-line video journal. Like blogs, they create a two-way, open exchange and are public, available for all to view. Vlogs may be watched on the computer or downloaded to a portable device for later viewing.

Using vlogs, the Internet can be used as a medium through which people can communicate and network visually with personal video posts, and create programming and content not controlled by major broadcasting networks and cable outlets. Businesses can use vlogs to provide product demonstrations and targeted commercials.

Ask yourself: Could we increase customer communication and marketing using vlogs?

PODcasting
PODcasting is a method of publishing sound files to the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and automatically download new audio files to their device whenever they are connected. PODcasting allows individuals to easily transmit audio content worldwide without the need for expensive equipment, licenses, or a radio station.

Users connect a portable player like an iPod to their computer, go online, subscribe to feeds they want to receive and the content is then pushed to them and downloaded to their player whenever they are on-line.

Businesses could use PODcasting to provide news about their company or industry, or announce new products or services.

Ask yourself: Could we increase customer communication and marketing using PODcasting?

RSS (Real Simple Syndication)
RSS is a way to syndicate any Web-based content that can be broken into pieces and distributed via the Internet. RSS content is published as a feed that anyone can access by setting up a feed on their net-enabled device, such as a laptop or cell phone. Instead of searching Web sites for news and information, the news you select will automatically come to you.

Ask yourself: Could we use RSS to keep our customers, suppliers and employees informed of our latest news and information?

© 2005 Burrus Research Associates, Inc.