Tag Archives: online

Video simplifies complex subjects

A video training course is rising in popularity due to its simplistic approach to teaching stock options trading.

Video has always been a popular option online, with video snaking proving to be the way ahead. More and more we are seeing video moving into the corporate world and being used as an effective learning tool. OptionBoost is an option trading video training course for investors interested in learning how to actively trade stock options. The material is presented in an easy-to-follow format and allows the participant to pose questions to the instructor at any time during their training.

Derek Devore created the training course, he said: “The OptionBoost option trading video course was designed for the average investor, helping to bridge the gap between complex stock option strategies and the investor who is interested in learning options, yet is a bit apprehensive due to the overwhelming amount of fragmented information on option trading scattered across the internet.
“I am excited to finally offer this course to assist the beginning investor in transitioning into another facet of investing which is normally viewed as too complex to understand and to guide them in implementing these strategies in their day-to-day trading regimen.”
Video is an effective medium is presenting complex topics and presenting them in an interesting and manageable way.  Information retention is 6x greater when presented visually and orally.
 
Around 60% of people are visual learners – they prefer to watch demonstrations and will often get a lot out of video instruction. In a business training video, the main objective is to help the viewer in understanding and retaining as much information presented as possible. This viewer could be a prospective or current employee or customer.
Video is fast becoming a popular learning technique, teamed with e-learning, it is now being used in many businesses and schools around the world. Skylark Media Group, a video production company based in Bristol, specialising in making business training video and working alongside e-learning companies.
“In our work with AXA, the NHS and Suttons Seeds, we have focused on the audience – what they knew already and the new aspects that needed to be explained. Then we implemented video as the most engaging and interactive way of introducing new topics,” Jo Haywood, Skylark Media Group.
 
Stock option trading has traditionally been viewed as being accessible only to the sophisticated investor or hedge fund. OptionBoost starts by teaching the investor the fundamental building blocks of option trading, and then progressively moves forward on to using these concepts in real-world examples.
 

Video e-learning continues to grow

Those of you with an interest in the use of video online may be interested to see that digital marketers, Econsultancy, have published a report on ‘Best Practice for Online Video’.

The 60-page report contains practical tips and a number of case studies for companies who want to use the medium to better their business.

Independent digital specialist and author of the report, Steffan Aquarone, said: “This guide to online video is specifically aimed at brand or marketing managers, content owners and digital marketers who are using video as a strategic tool. It aims to lay out everything that’s happening in online video so you can choose the tools and techniques that will work for your project and achieve clear, measurable business objectives from online video.

“The report is full of examples from some of the top people in online video to help you anticipate what will be relevant to your organisation in the future.”

Video is fast becoming the most popular technique in online communication, overtaking the written word and still pictures. Aimed at enhancing our enjoyment and keeping us engaged, some of the benefits associated with video as part of e-learning include: immediate visual feedback, green and sustainable learning, support for different learning styles – such as audio and visual learners.

The report contains: an introduction to online video strategy, a report on why video works: strategic benefits and Online video essentials, including formats, platforms, channels, social sharing and digital rights management.

It also includes the following topics:
-) Getting an audience, including email distribution, seeding content and video search engine optimisation
-) Measurement
-) Producing content
-) Legislation
-) Future of online video
-) Glossary

Expert contributors to the report include Chris Gorell Barnes (Adjust Your Set), Will Grant (Buto), Mike Johnston (Boss Creative), Lee Kemp (Fullrange), Bismarck Lepe (Ooyala), Stuart Maister (BroadView Communications), Manley (LBi), Joe Pélissier (independent marketing consultant and producer) and Sarah Wood (Unruly Media).

Skylark Media Group, a video production company based in Bristol, not only creates online video, but also offers advice on video SEO and its strategic use online.

The Skylark Media Group blog discusses the changing world of video.

Email the online writer: Rebecca@skylarkmediagroup.co.uk

Video Snacking – the way ahead?

We do it when we have five minutes to spare, when the boss isn’t looking or when we’re on our lunch break. “Video Snacking” describes the online viewing habits spreading around the world. Since the birth of YouTube in 2005, the need for a quick glimpse of a music video or a short viral-ad has gone from strength to strength. But will it keep growing? And to what extent will video snacking become the way in which we use the net?


Online video is easily accessible to viewers throughout their day, particularly on the lunch break. With more of us eating at our desks and taking shorter breaks, a small comedy clip, a quick glimpse of a music video or a brief news update are what we are opting to watch.
The trend is not just bound to the office lunch hour. When considering adding video to a business training program, research has shown that the viewer retains more information from bite-size clips, because this is the way we consciously choose to consume online video.

US Statistics
Two years ago market research company comScore published highlights of its video reporting for November 2008. It said that 77% of the U.S. internet audience viewed online video. Those viewers watched 34% more online videos than they did the previous year and the average duration of an online video was 3.1 minutes.
More recently, research from technology blog gigaOM Pro reports that most online viewers are video snackers. Over 60% of respondents claimed to regularly watch short video whereas only 30% claimed to regularly watch full-length programs.

UK Statistics
Skylark Media Group recently conducted its own research survey to find if people in the UK regularly watch short video online and how long they spend getting their video snacking fix during working hours. We found that the majority (67%) of 25-34 year olds who took part in the survey spent the most time video snacking during working hours than any other age group, with an average time of 4-5 hours per week. 78% of 18-24 year olds said that they watched 3-4 hours of short video during working hours.
45-54 year olds had the least time spent in a week watching short video with 1-2 hours. A massive 89% said they regularly watch short/user-generated video more than full-length video at any time. That same amount said they would watch online video received from friends and colleagues and would in-turn then send the video on.
From these results we can see that the majority of online video viewers prefer to watch shorter video. Quick news clips with snappy information are trumping the full length programme.

Marketing opportunity
User-generated video and shared video content are by far the most popular forms of online video, this is leading to a potentially successful marketing opportunity for the online video community.
Due to the midday spike in web traffic, media companies now have started responding by uploading video at specific times of the day and inevitably selling online advertising for the midday slot at a higher premium.
The research and data collected shows that video snacking and the consumption of short online video is continuing to rise globally year after year. The way forward for online video in all settings, including news, music and training programs is to keep it short, sharp and in bite-size snacks.