Online Video Predictions For 2006
By Jim Edwards, Mon Jan 2nd
Copyright 2005 Jim Edwards
About this time every year I make a few predictions about whatwill rate "HOT" for the coming year in the online world. Lastyear, among other things, online audio topped my list for 2005.
This year, 2006, I see full-motion online video as the "killerapp" to revolutionize website communications and ecommerce.
Bottom line: with a digital camcorder and some basic software,you can transform your website into the Home Shopping Network,and with distribution tools like Video.Google.com and videoPodcasting on Apple's iTunes, you can broadcast to the massesjust like CNN.
Several major changes in 2005 set the stage for full-motionvideo online.
These include faster, cheaper computers, improved video creationand conversion software, and widespread adoption of the free"Flash" Web browser plug-in (works on PC and MAC).
Combine these changes with the fact that over 50% of allInternet users in the United States got high-speed access as of2005, and you set the stage for an online video revolution.
In 2006, you will see the equivalent of little online TVstations cropping up all over the Internet.
Along with the free-form, "anything goes" content of videoblogging (vlogging), commercial use of full-motion video willfall into 4 basic categories.
Website "Infomercials" - Any savvy business knows the Internetactually represents the largest direct-response advertisingmedium ever seen.
As such, infomercial techniques of late-night fitness,self-improvement, and real estate gurus will spill over intoother niche markets online.
Though initially not 30-minutes long like their TV counterparts,online infomercials will last 2-5 minutes -long enough to getall the main sales points across.
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