Recording Your Video Clips at JCK 2012

These are the kind of video clips you can record to make an interesting collage for your business and customer's viewing pleasure. Jewelry retailers, designers and buyers went about their work at the Tucson Gem Show while I filmed them in action. It was improptu and I think each one had a good time doing it!

At JCK 2012, I'm offering to film you, designers at their booths and retailers as they work the showroom floor to create video clips for your websites, FaceBook pages and YouTube Channels. If you want to work with me to create your video clips, just contact me for more information:
deborah@v-by.com
APPOINTMENTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE THE SHOW.

** I have also been selected to speak about new technology (and in my case it's V-By) at the JCK for the second year. I will be on The New Technology Panel , Friday, June 1st at 11:30am. Please come by with any questions you have and introduce yourself!

Videos, Why Do We Need Them?

Are you an expert? Do you want more people to know it? Do you think that the more people who know you’re an expert could equate to business growth? If you said "yes" to these questions...Given what technology allows you today, you’re right! Statistics coming out about sharing information in the form of video is astounding! According to The Nielson Ratings, Americans watch 33 hours of video a week and that number is growing all the time. How do you take that information and convert it into an additional income your business? Take out your phone/camera and start filming. Then, open up a free YouTube account and drop the videos in! The customer of today (and even tomorrow) want to turn on their computers and meet an expert or learn “How-to” online. They're looking for information that will help them solve problems they face every day. I.e. What should I get her for her birthday? Where should I take my next vacation? Which cable service is best? How do you grow a garden above ground? Answers to these questions used to be easily found by walking into a shop and asking the expert behind the counter at your local jewelry store, hardware store etc.…Today that is not the case. The customer under 40 years old doesn’t look for answers the way their moms and dads did. Instead, they jump online, click a video channel and search for experts where ever they are. That is NOT a dismal piece of information for your business. In fact, it is just the opposite! People searching for answers online, can be converted into great customers for you in your brick and mortar store. You just have to be willing to add new ways for them to reach you. And according to experts, Video is the way for you to go! Here is a simple way for you to begin to grow that new customer base. Entice that young buyer by creating a plan of action that will incorporate educational video nuggets (Just like the one I’ve attached!)

They aren’t sales pitches but are instead, pieces of information that will answer the questions in that customer's mind. The more available you are to them with online answers, the more of an expert you become! The beautiful thing about this fact is that it doesn’t matter if your store is located in NYC or Butte, Montana. Today’s buyer is looking for answers where ever he/she can find them online. All you need to do is start your video library today!

Small Business Branding; Jim Joseph

I just attended a fabulous webinar given by Jim Joseph about Small Business Branding. It was clear, insightful and helpful. I recommend you look into Jim's blog as well as the other branding suggestions he makes!

Jim Joseph: Super Hero Advertising

Need to Make a Presentation? This Will Help!

I'm preparing to make a V-By presentation to the Vegas Tech community. To begin with, I decided to research the best tips for giving short effective presentations. Happily, I ran across some interesting facts about just that and thought you might appreciate knowing about them for when you make a presentation! Enjoy!

Quick, get off your hamster wheel!

I had an inspiring conversation with a long time retail client the other day. She was one of my smart retailers who was willing to step off that wheel to find a new way to assure her future!
She’s had a successful gift and jewelry shop in one of the Southern California beach cities for over 20 years. Her business has always been stronger than most because of her mix of quality merchandise and customer service. When anyone walks in her store it’s like visiting a Home and Garden’s living room; always beautiful, always welcoming.
Last Thanksgiving on her way home from a family gathering, she dreaded returning to her store that was needing a facelift and additional real estate for parking. It was during that drive that her husband and daughter all  stepped off the hamster’s wheel and uncovered new possibilities.
My client has asked me to keep her name and store anonymous until she makes its public. Until then, know that there are retailers who are movers and shakers and that they will open the doors for a new kind of retailer who learns how to better balance both work and family life!
What are you doing to get off that hamster wheel yet?

2 V-By Video Testimonials from The Tucson Gem Show

OK, here are 2 of those testimonials I was speaking about. Let me know if you think the impact of video works.

You think Blue Nile's big? Watch out...here comes Gemvara!

Last weekend I was invited to meet Matt Lauzon and Brian Kalma from Gemvara. The session was held during a tech meeting in the developing downtown Las Vegas area. Not surprising, I (V-By) was the only jewelry related business that attended. As a long time member of the jewelry community and a person who is very aware of the "online" competition that Gemvara presents, this was a great opportunity for me (and now you) to see where these guys are coming from.
In case you haven't heard of Gemvara or been to their site. Here it is, check it out!
Gemvara website

I've been following their movement over the past 2 years and notice that they have a very beautiful and comprehensive site. They are not targeting the bridal business and seem to be quite different than Blue Nile. (Website below)
Blue Nile site

Having heard that neither of them come from the jewelry industry, I was pleasantly surprised at both of their humble, laid-back, NOT type A personalities. (In fact, I was the most type A person in the room!) Matt was polite, enthusiastic and aware of my efforts to engage the jewelry industry in using more technology to grow business. I found that even though they weren't from our industry, their knowledge of technology and what it offers has given them a major leg up on what jewelry means to the masses. This understanding and Brians clear capabilities with the over all use of technology really makes them a force to be reckoned with! Both of these men are on a mission to grow business where they are: Online. They are clever enough to hire knowledgable industry experts to design what is needed to capture their fast growing customer base.

After speaking with Matt I learned that originally he wanted to work with the retail jewelers. He was genuinely interested in collaborating and aligning his youthful and technological visions with our industry. It did not work out that way, however, because he found that the retail industry wasn't up for using his technology. So, 2+ years ago Matt moved Gemvara onto it's own platform and began designing his site for the consumer alone.

Their growth has been strong and steady. You can just look at their "likes" and "followers" to see that! Both Matt and Brian have plans to grow and expand what they already have in place. And why shouldn't they?

This information does not have to paralyze us. Instead, we as an industry need to focus on what we are and what we do best. In my opinion...that is service and personalized expertise. I think that what Gemvara is up to should be complimented and challenged at the same time. You can bet I'll keep one eye on Matt's growth because it'll definitly be worth it!