I have an opportunity to be involved with a start-up company here in Tampa, FL. I know the onwer who is very successful at building companies of this type. Now it is a MLM and the idea isn`t new but highly improved over those that exist now. With the advent of companies like You Tube, I thought it prudent to take a look before becoming involved. As business people it is important to get an understanding as to why a product or service is used. It has a shelf life of 36 months so I need to move quickly.

Would you use this and why?

For a look go to: http://www.talkfusion.com

 Thanks

nhgnikole I believe you are missing the point here. SPAM is not what this is about. Every business has client/customers or else they would not be in business very long. You simply ask those customers if they would mind if you sent them a promotion or email them a thank you or to confirm an appointment. The concept is to give business owners a tool to market and obtain referrals with. The cost is fractions of traditional methods. Obviously, unsolicited email are a waste of time and illegal. But if Papa John sent you a coupon that said 2 Deluxe Pizza all toppings $4.99 if you order in the next 24 hours? Or your favorite radio station was giving away $1000 to the first caller to identify the last 3 artist?

If you think email is not for marketing then why did you put 2 links in your signature? I went to your site and spent 15 minutes reading it in order to get a idea of what NHG does. If you had a video that told me a well defined synopsis of what you do and WIIFM (what`s In It For Me) it would take all of 2 minutes an I can decide from there. I could get you 3 new client per week using this system and they would be happy to refer you to others as well. I don`t mind emails from people I know or do business with and I`m sure you don`t either. I bet if the company you bought your new computer from sent you a notification for $500 rebate in your email you wouldn`t refuse it................

This topic really interests me. Marketers seem to be hell bent on making their message as intrusive as possible. This is insane. I don`t want video emails. I don`t want newsletters via email. I already get enough email to spin my eyes back in my head. I`m sure someone will make money doing this - probably a lot. But personally I don`t think marketers should be in the business of figuring out every possible angle through which they can intrude into someone`s life. It`s amazing - advertisments in the bathroom while you`re urinating! Sometimes I wonder if marketing isn`t just a polite word for "stalking".

Well some people get it................ Some don`t. Again this is not SPAM or Bulk email to joe whosit. It is a MARKETING TOOL! If those, who are nay sayers, took a look at the link you`d have a better understanding before flying off the handle. I have have people that call me for dr. appointments and if they don`t speak to me directly I probably won`t get it. If they backed it up with a email reminder cool. Remember the attention spam of a surfer is 8 sec. so if you don`t catch their attention quickly they`re gone. Video is the future. Keep in  mind that this company focus is on business customers. They have PROFESSIONAL VIDEOS for routine things i.e. thank you notes, reminders, service due, etc.

Also the video is in your brouser so download is not a issue (even dial up for you dinasours)

From what I`ve read about the service, there is no large file attachment to the email.  Instead, script calls on the file from their servers and displays it within the email client.  I think its going to be a hit if it can call on the file and start playing in an acceptable time from when the email is opened.

Well NHG I see that the light is starting to come on for you. The use is entirely up to the user. They can have a professional (blondy as you call it) to represent them or use in house media created by them etc. I have seen many of the types of things you mentioned but non have anywhere near the quality. Besides, the real jewel for me as a marketer is that I can see, in real time who is using my links and what they are doing with them. Example, a person that looks at my Unsecured Commercial Line of Credit product several time (5-10) and forwards it to an associate (2 or more) is someone that I need to give a follow-up call to as they appear to be very interested in my product. A person who deletes or opts out is not a prospect.

Sales Reps need to know who opens their emails!

The video only leaves a lasting impression to the buyer and helps you emerge from you competitors in a more memorable and compelling way. Doing business is like a blind date many times. People want have an idea of what they are getting in to. I have a friend who`s name is Halle Berry (but she`s no Halle Berry) if you know what I mean. But she sounds GREAT on the phone!

Your focus is more in a mass market quasi unsolicited manner i.e. newsletter, opt-in list, etc. That is not........... I repeat NOT what this product is for. If you where in the market for a $1M home in Florida do you want to see a video with all the selling points or a black & white MLS listing? Remember a picture is worth a thousand words. Video ..................... priceless.

Once again NHG you are flying off the handle about something that has nothing to do with Talk Fusion as a product or marketing tool. Here is a sample of the so called aggresive marketing as it resides in your email:

Hi Joe Blow.

Here`s the info you requested about our product.

enjoy,

Leonard

Click here to view my video email.

[as you can see it is plain text- oooooh so aggressive]

The receipient has the option to veiw or move on. As a sender I can send the message I wanted and more info is provided as an option.

NHG I don`t know who your clients are but I hope you are less aggressive with them than you are with me regarding something that you never ever looked at before you started this negative campaign. I don`t know you and to my knowledge we have never met so I`m really puzzled as to why you are on this HATERFEST. Is it fear of competition? So once again, this is a marketing tool. Is it for everyone? No.

Is it for SPAMMING? Absolutely not.

Is it user friendly? Only if you can read and use a mouse.

"As a consumer, aggressive marketing doesn`t work for me. You can`t convince someone they need your product - they have to feel the need in the first place. So if they don`t feel the need, aggressive marketing is sure to leave a negative image of your company.

My real point is that there are better ways to do this. I don`t like the tactics of your aggressive marketing. I don`t like the marketing ploy of "video emails" because it`s an attempt to pull in those who don`t know much about technology. And I don`t like the implied message of "anyone can do it" and  "instant success" through this technology."

IMO- If someone comes up to you in a store and ask "may I help you?" you`d say - that was aggresive marketing. As far as a better way if you have something better the world is waiting. As far as your quote on "marketing ploy" you must really deal with a bunch of bone heads. I don`t know why a person has to be a techy in order to use a technology. I don`t really know how my car works but yet I drive everyday. I don`t really know how my TV works yet low and behold I push that red button on the remote and voila! I have no idea how my cell phone works and yet I use it constantly!

IMO- Unplug, take a deep breath and smell the roses, remove the stick, and be happy-don`t worry.

There is no doubt about it, the internet and television are starting to merge together. There are many platforms for video and some are just that video on the net. The video email is basicly the same, a link to the video. How I see this is as an opportunity. It has been an opportunity for young and old folks alike on YouTube, professional internet broadcasts like I see on informational sites. Online video is an opportunity for Everyone to share to make a point, to teach, to learn, to reach out, to explain, to express, to be heard. Video email is really just a video link...you can watch it is you want or delete it if you don`t. It is that simple. The company that we have partnered with is helloworld.com. They offer a platform for video, free and pay per view..."video email", podcasts, live broadcasts and more. This is all under one platform. We intend to utilize this tool as an opportunity for our clients, to express themselves professionally. This will allow our folks to have an opportunity that a few years back only the studios were able to do. Our clients will be able to create a online tv show, infomercial on their products, a workshop to teach etc... We plan to use it for coaching workshops, our own online telecasts etc.. The choice is always up to the viewer if they want to participate. Any email  by video links, will be opted into.

IMO Everyone has a right to be heard, in voice, in writing, in art, in a product they create, And on video. Everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves, to grow, to share...no matter blonde, pokadot etc..

This is what we were told years back when the regular Joe did not have access to video and we were told..."you have no business to be in a spotlight, on tv, on a commercial, in an ad, etc.. This is now changed... No one has to feel "less than" we are becoming an equal playing field with more opportunities to shine as human beings...more opportunities to express to others, teach to help others grow and to feel valued...b/c someone might be interested in what we have to say.

Technology is helping the small business be big business...and even to compete with the company giants. What is great, these small business types, like myself have opportunities that give us somewhat of a fair advantage. What I have studies is that small business or indiviuals are more likely to adapt to the new technoligies and it helps to advance there growth at a much quicker rate. Alot of the giants are slow to move, and in many areas are far behind.

So what I am saying is that I envision video online as huge opportunity, not as a negative. The viewer has a choice. The creator has an opportunity. The viewer may have opportunity, to learn, grow and enhance themselves...but they would not know, if they never view.

:)Erin

So your problem is not really about receiving video emails in your Inbox, but about TalkFusion`s marketing tactics?

Im still confused as to your point. It appears to me that you are confusing the product with the business opportnity component which are 2 entirely different things!

THIS IS A MARKETING TOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a solution!

If you want to be a consumer of the product? Great.

Of you want to market the product? That`s OK too.

What is there to evaluate..... It`s EMAIL. Hello? Just because your system is out of date is your issue. Look this is a $250 product. It`s real value is giving a person the ability to see who & what is going on with their corespondence.

• People remember 10% of what they read.
• 20% of what they hear.
• 30% of  what they see.
• 50% of what they see and hear together.
  and 80% of what they see, hear, and do. 

It is about being heard.  And if someone puts on a video that may be less than stellar, they will know it...the marketing will not succeed the way they intended. This is where they will have to learn and do better. Video casts will be competitive, just like tv commercials, and if you are not producing a solid marketing piece than you may lose out to a competitor.. So this is an opportunity for folks than to get better at making a video. Or they can use a friend, associate or hire someone. If you speak quickly, like you do as well as I than you practice to slow down. There is an opportunity there for folks who want to take advantage and use it. Anyone can in whatever way they need to or wish to. The results will either be proof for a great campaigne or will let folks know that they may need to improve  something or take a new strategy.

I am not educated on the talkfusion platform. I know that we are offering a platform for a nominal monthly fee, under 10 bucks. This gives, live broadcasts and podcasts, video, video email, and more all in one managed solution. the reason why we did this is one....it will be hosting off another server, and two it will be easily managed by anyone...so anyone can have the opportunity. If someone wants to add a differenet video platform they can do that as well, just as long as it is hosted elsewhere.

All in all , I am trying to state that it is a given opportunity to all due to the technology in the past years, and that is a great thing! A great way to be heard, no matter if you are selling products from the business you are passionate about, offering a seminar, giving workshops, infomercials...whatever...it is a way to reach out, to say..hey i am here!! That is important!

Erin

NGH Not to get in a pissing match with you as my business is Commercial Lending & Finance.  I spend a considerable amount of time answering the same questions to people that inquire about different products we offer. Understand, I don`t make a dime answering these questions but they take up 30-40% of my day. If I send out an info package it typically gets skimmed over and I end up answering the same questions because, let`s face it, people are lazy and want a quick fix solution. Having a product such as this to automate some of my processes so that I can stick to the money calls and get rid of tire kickers is priceless to me and my business.

It won`t do me any good to send you this link but for those who are following this thread, it may be beneficial.

TALK FUSION 6

This will give you a clearer picture on this marketing tool especially #5 and #6.

BTW- I decided to be a distributor, because thanks to you, so many people have seen and asked about this product that it only made since to do so.

Best of luck to you NGH. Do what you do best whatever that is!

I think the argument about not promoting the product in the way they do because not everybody is good at presenting or wants to be in front of a camera is weak. You can pretty much say that almost any product. Anybody can build a website with FrontPage if they read the instructions, ask enough questions, etc. but not everybody can build a good website that meets everybody`s approval. Does this mean that Microsoft should change the way they market that product? The same could be said about desktop publishing, everybody can use it but can they create a good marketing piece? Microsoft Word, can everybody produce great correspondence?

I have to agree with Virtecom in that is a marketing tool that people can choose to use and those who use it and do it well will save a lot of money and time, and probably reach more people than they otherwise might have. For those people who don`t want to be in front of the camera but still want the benefit there are other options. I have been to the TalkFusion site and pretty much gone through every page and for the life of me I can`t see where their marketing message can be interpreted as being offensive. Hell, I am even thinking of becoming a distributor myself.