Audios and Videos and Books, Oh My!

Okay, so that’s a take off on Dorothy’s line from the Wizard of Oz. But this isn’t Oz, this is the 21st Century and audios and videos and books (especially e-books and audio books) are becoming a much bigger force then radio, television, cable and satellite radio and TV and the traditional bookstore trade book.

Sure, there are still millions of people who can’t/won’t give up the traditional ink on paper printed book. But, as the Baby Boomer generation is aging, the media the Baby Boomers grew up with are also aging. Technology has grown at an unprecedented rate since personal computers became a household word. The Internet has only been widely known and acknowledged for about 15 years. There are now over 1.5 billion brains around the world who are connected to and use the Internet in their daily work and personal lives. The Internet is the fastest growing and biggest networking opportunity that has ever been created. It grows exponentially by the day.

Broadcast radio, television and the cable and satellite services are finding competition with the Internet constantly eroding their market shares. The number of radio stations going off the air is growing each year. Smaller TV stations are following suit. The cable companies are in the Internet provider telecommunications businesses. The wired telephone companies are losing subscribers by the thousands to the wireless networks. And, of course, newspapers by the scores are turning off their presses and shutting the doors.

So, what does this mean for the home improvement industry? Very simple. While you still have some viable radio, TV, cable and newspaper advertising media, you should use them. However, as the population ages and the “new order” takes their place as the primary consumers of home improvements, you need to explore new approaches to reaching these upcoming generations. The use of podcasts and vidcasts, blogging and e-books and other forms of audio, video and reading materials for both wide broadcast and targeted narrowcasting on the Internet require your attention. People are learning, information gathering and being entertained in new ways. Having a Web site is not enough anymore.

At Dave Yoho Associates, we are using more and more of these new media and methodologies and seeing, not only growing acceptance by the public, but also measurable effectiveness.

To discuss how you can expand your outreach by applying these new methodologies and media for your business, contact Ed Helvey at DYA and explore how you might use these changes to grow your business.

Enthusiastically,
Ed Helvey
Audio, Video and Publishing Consultant/Producer

2009 Master of Influence Award . . .

On July 20, 2009 my professional speaker peers at the National Speakers Association Annual Convention in Phoenix honored me when they bestowed upon me the coveted “Master of Influence” award. There have only been a very limited number of people who have been graced with this award. Past recipients are Deepak Chopra, Art Linkletter, Jack Kemp and Dr. Ken Blanchard. This award is presented annually to only one individual who has significantly influenced people around the world through his or her exceptional speaking ability and whose distinguished speaking career has brought honor and recognition to the speaking profession.

It was, at the same time, both a humbling and an exhilarating experience as this award was presented. It is one thing to stand before an audience for a client and deliver a message that will impact their lives in a positive way. It is quite another to stand before your peers, each of whom knows what it takes to prepare and present a program that will move an audience. To be honored with such an award let’s you know that the years of preparation, rehearsing, days away from your family and friends, shaking countless hands and coping with the rigors of travel have not gone unnoticed.

The president of the National Speakers Association, Sam Silverstein, who presented the award, had this to say, “Beyond his many accomplishments, I ask you to observe his unusual level of energy, his choice of words and his speech pattern. I believe you will discern why he is the recipient of this award.”

You can experience a four-minute sample of the energy, word choices and speech pattern Mr. Silverstein spoke of by clicking on this link excerpted from another presentation I made before an audience of thousands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7jyOf-a7_4

I hope you enjoy this short clip and will share it with as many friends and colleagues as you can. Children and young people will especially benefit from these four minutes. Melvin Rosenblatt, Chairman of MidSouth Building Supply stated, “The 4 minute video should be played in every auditorium in the US.”

It is the desire of the National Speakers Association that this message gets transmitted in some fashion to those who are enduring challenges in their business or personal life. This is a message of hope and is an antidote for the abundant negativity and pessimism displayed by the news media.

Modern technology makes it possible for this message to be relayed without cost or obligation to those you know who will enjoy the uplifting video clip. There is even a message to the hearing impaired (watch my right hand as the conclusion of my remarks).

A long time clients/associates responded by saying, “I am astounded by his superb communication skills, academic achievements, sound judgment, analytical ability and endless energy.” Peter Bulger, former CEO, U.S. Home Systems, Inc.

Thanks for taking the time to view this video clip.

Best regards,
Dave Yoho