audio postcards and streaming audio for webpages etc

[CRACKberry!<3]

Hi
I got an audio postcard (a link to one) in an email from Eric Brown (from BodyWorkBiz Online) last evening. For kicks & giggles, I did a web search for audio postcards & found a 21 day free trial for a service to use to create these & to add streaming sound to your web pages, etc.

It sounds great; very exciting & dynamic. I want to try it, but I want my applications of it to be meaningful, not bothersome or frightening, etc to clients.

I think music or a short dialogue attached to webpages could be very useful and interesting. I've seen some very interesting webpages that have sound or an introductory video, etc.

As I think it through, I can latch easily onto a couple of ideas where an audio postcard could be beneficial - a thank you for your gift certificate purchase, welcome to our practice & aftercare instructions, Happy Birthday messages, etc. The most meaningful I can think of are follow-up care cards, where they hear your voice, a nice warm hello, and reminders to drink a little extra water, what to expect, and what to do if they feel any soreness, etc.

In my permanent cosmetics practice it could be most fun as you need to give pre-procedure guidance as well as aftercare instructions.

So, what do any of you think? Would you even click on the link? I definitely think that streaming audio on the webpages is cool.

Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Fitzsy]

I got the same audio postcard from Eric Brown, and I thought is was a neat idea! I would definitely click on the link just out of curiousity. I think the follow-up audio cards would be great, because they're something different for your clients, and they would remember you for it.

 

[MummyToBe-5th.April.2010]

I got the audio postcard too, definitely "clicked the link" to find out what he had to say.
And I think a "welcome" or "what to expect" or "aftercare instructions" audio files would be a different and fun idea.
You might also try a "guided imagery" or "relaxation exercise" so that you could remind "stressed out" clients to take a 60 second break... during a busy day at work.
Perhaps you might find some inspiration over at the free music downloads section of Amazon.com -- in the miscellaneous "self-help" section?

 

[m&m]

audio postcards and streaming audio for webpages etc

I got the same email, didn't click on it, I hate audio or video downloads - they are extremely rude for people on dial up, they never tell you how big the files are, I've got broadband at work, but from the dial up days, I just avoid downloads like the plague

I've seen some very interesting webpages that have sound or an introductory video, etc.

do you mean a "click here for our introductory video" or you go to the website and it just starts up with some swish impressive looking video? Those fancy looking videos can be the worst thing for search engine results, search engines can't see video or hear audio, or see pictures, they like words. Put a swish video as your home page and the search engines won't know what you are about and ignore you. I know I've tried to find some site I came across as some link using a search engine and sometimes I can't find it, all I can find are pages that link to it, when I get to the page I was after, it almost always starts with a Flash entry page...

Maybe I should go read that email.....

 

[Pompal 09.]

I found this in my search as well...Instead of 29,95 a month (after the free 21 day trial) this one you just buy the software once (or so it seems) and you are good to go.

http://www.mp3soundstream.com/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=120&op=page&SubMenu=

I think it's a great idea... very personal!

 

[monument]

Yes, thanks, I am reading the 7 day tutorial that the MP3 site has as an introductory offer. I am interested in the other (monthly fee one) because you can fully try it for 21 days. I'm a try it on for size gal. Plus with the monthly service, you just call in your message.... don't have to have a mic or headset or create a safe sound space for recording.

Nancy, great ideas, thanks. I was thinking a meditation or guided breathwork link on my webpage that would change monthly, etc.

So, heard some good, some bad. I guess I'll try it, and make my first one a "this is a test" (ha ha) audio postcard. Probably only send it out to some of my true blues, to get some feedback. If you want to be included in my test, PM me your email addies and I'll add you to the list (since its free, why not? ha)

The streaming sound I was thinking would be when you navigate to a new page in my site, adding some music or a wav file sound or my voice talking about the Valentine's day Packages, whatnot. I know what you mean about those swish videos upon landing on a site. I don't want that big a deal. I like my splash page alot - don't want it to be screwy.

Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[rentacar182]

I have been to some sites where the same music begins with each new page...and other sites where the music just plays as you navigate through the site. The former is annoying to me because I don't want to hear the beginning over and over again if I am just skimming through pages. The latter...I usually end up turning the music part off or down anyway because I find it distracting.

I personally might opt to click on an audio message that starts and ends. But as far as music, I have my own background noises going on in my home, so the music part of the website is the first to go.

 

[ezra]

Jill - I know this is an old thread - but I was wondering if you implemented these ideas and if so, how did they turn out?