Welcome to this weeks' Ecommerce Beginnings article. Most people who use the internet are aware of the explosion of the popularity of online video and audio, i.e. YouTube, Facebook, itunes, etc.
Well, as I suspect most online business owners do, I am constantly looking for ways to improve the marketing of my website. I did this by investigating the different options that are available for video and audio. I quickly dismissed the idea of a video for now. I just didn’t think that I would be able to make something that would pass for a professional marketing vehicle for my site. Instead I decided to record an audio file that would review and explain all of the key features that are offered on my website.
Step I – Develop a Script
This initially took me a couple of hours. I let it sit for a day and went back to review it. I ended up making multiple edits and then left it for one more day.
Step II – How to record the Script?
I really had no idea how to accomplish the recording of this script. So, I did what a lot of people must do and I did a Google search for information. I would need a program to record the script and a microphone to hook up to my computer. I was able to locate and borrow a microphone from a friend. Based on my research this saved me between $16 and $29. They are available at places like Best Buy, Staples, etc. and it seems the most popular ones are by Logitech. My friend told me there was a recording program that was standard on MS Windows. I found it in programs – accessories – entertainment – sound recorder. The only problem was that it only recorded for 60 seconds. My script was way to long for that. This prompted me to do another Google search for: "free music recording software". There were what seemed like hundreds of results. I really don’t know how I decided on the one that I did, but I am glad I did. I located a freeware program named Neosound v1.2.4 at the following website: http://audacity.sourceforge.net There was one small problem with this software. It doesn’t allow you to save a file as an mp3. In order to do this the program actually displayed a message that told me that I needed to download a file named: Lame 3.97. Back to Google for another search. After doing this I was now able to save my recording as an mp3 file. I was making progress!
Step III – Placing the mp3 file on my Website
I found an inexpensive program named: "Skinnable Big Button Welcome Message" for this that is offered through a company named Allwebco. Allwebco offers hosting services, full featured web templates and many free and/or inexpensive website add-ons. Their website link is: http://www.allwebco.com. All you have to do is pay $12, download the file to your desktop and install it. Then follow the instructions to install the files into your website. That’s it and, in addition, they give you around 12 different sets of skins to use if you don’t like the stock set. (see the notes below from allwebco’s site)
Skinnable Big Button - Hook a microphone to your computer. Record any message. Convert this to an mp3 file (help included) and easily add this to any website or template.Add a Flash sound message or mp3 music file to any website or template. Compatible in all newer web browsers this download includes: One message button, 24 different skins, all PSD files and step by step instructions to add this to any website. Includes help with converting .wav files. Flash software is not required to change skins.
Step IV – FTP your new files onto your Server
All that is left now is to upload your new files and you’ll be all set. Even I, the non-technical person that I am, was able to accomplish these tasks. All it took was a little bit of research and a lot of patience when I was recording the script (my phone rang in the middle, the dogs barked, the doorbell rang, etc. – no kidding). I finally waited until real late one night when everything was quiet to do this.
As always, I wish you the best in your success!
We hope you found this weeks' article helpful. Make sure you stop back each week for our latest installment. Take care and have a great week!
Mark@original-new-england-enterprises.com
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