Howdy.. :)
Today, lets talk about New Media. New Media means any of the following: Streaming Audio/Video, Podcasts, Internet marketing campaigns, web sites, web ad strategies, etc.
New Media is an exiting realm to deal in. I think that New Media projects are my favorite to work with. I love hearing someone’s idea, and being able to rework the pieces of their idea, apply new media and internet tech and turning around to let them know just exactly how these exiting technologies can help them fulfill their ideas.
Being able to utilize these powerful tools is every producer’s dream. The only problem can be, for business owners and those that would like to get the message out about who they are and what they do, it can be costly. Well it used to be costly. There are numerous software suites, free programs, shareware, semi professional and fully professional applications that contain very powerful tools. The only problem enters when people who have no experience in using the software try to take on huge projects in an effort to save some resource.
If you’re handy, Great! I love to encourage people to learn and immerse in the Digital Media.. It’s my love and I would never discourage someone from reaching out and expanding their horizons while helping to grow their business and help bring stability to what they do.
However, there’s an old advertising unwritten edict: Business owners who have no experience in front of a camera, can really make a low budget commercial look LOW budget. They’re the stuff of lampoon on SNL, Mad TV, etc. Bad commercials can be very detrimental and actually hurt a businesses’ image, thus hurting sales. That’s not why they wanted to do the commercial, but trying to do the add themselves can be explained away as a wish to identify with the customer, making the spot feel more personable, and that CAN work, but that doesn’t mean that it does.
Now, lets apply that example to New Media:
As I’ve said, lots of software ranging from cheap to expensive, so you go and pick something up, bring it home.. and have NO Idea how to use it. :)
If you’ve got time, then learning curves are great, but we’re talking about you buying this software to save you money and time by doing it yourself. Are you finding it easier and cheaper taking less time so far?
Trying to build a website, doing a podcast, whatever the case is, you can make a stab at it, and the companies put together great software packages and templates.. but those can appear rubber stamped or maybe isn’t exactly what you’re looking for. Designing custom packages can look great and really set yourself apart from your competition. Now let’s take the sonic component, unless you have a recording studio, microphone and interfaces can be purchased that are affordable, I give all kinds of advice to folks wanting direction on good price to performance ratio, but again, tools do not a good project make. You can record audio, but without understanding engineering, audio can sound flat, and like you recorded it on a boom box from the 70’s.. (Did I just date myself?)
Now about the distribution, streaming media, mp3’s, podcasts, etc., all those technologies have their quirks.
So what’s my point? My point is that there is a wide array of production tools available to anyone. They’re not restricted only to people who can prove their status as a professional engineer by showing their membership card. There’s no waiting period for them. :) You can just go buy them. But that doesn’t mean that you want to get frustrated, face a learning curve, or take the time to develop a critical ear.
If you have an idea, taking it to someone who has experience in the medium can provide you with fast, efficient and professional results. I know times are tough, they’ve hit us all, but if you find the right person that truly has a love for what they do, they’ll be happy to go the extra mile. I always make a point of going the extra mile with clients, and let them know that I’m so happy to help them. I love what I do, and am so thankful to be doing it. I’m happy to help others make their projects come to life, and I work with them to help them make the most out of smaller budgets.
Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you, and please contact me with any questions you may have, or leave a comment below.
Till Next time, Bye for now.. :)
Adam
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