Let me tell you about a new product (new to me, at least) that offers many small-to-medium sized manufacturers a fantastic opportunity to market themselves more effectively.
Mitch Free, CEO/Founder of MFG.com, loves his gizmos. If there was a stronger word than love, I'd use it and not be exaggerating. When Mitch gets a hold on any new tech-toy, he's done. Imagine the excitement of kid on Christmas morning, mixed with the concentration of a neurosurgeon - that's Mitch in that zone. He just absorbs these things.
So, Mitch stops by yesterday with the latest object of his affection, the Flip. It's a point-and-shoot, stupid-simple-to-use video camera. About the size of a cell phone. Brilliant user experience. Looks really cool. Records up to 60 minutes of video/audio. Its name comes from the USB plug that "flips" out of its side. Plugs right into your computer, or any USB-enabled device.
Mitch made a 10-second clip of me. Plugged the Flip into his laptop, D&D'd the file, and played it. I was astonished at the quality of the video and audio.
Pure Digital, the company that makes the Flip, has been around for a few years. They introduced the Flip in May of '07. It sells for $149 - $179 on its Web site. I found a top-end Flip for $149 on Amazon.
The importance of this product to manufacturers is this:
Many manufacturers either don't have the time, resources or ability to create quality video of their processes, capabilities and products to complement their Web presence. Or enable their sales or support staffs in the field to share videos. The Flip heralds a moment in technology when you can record effectively and efficiently and share or post those videos easily - regardless of how comfortable you are with the medium.
Record processes or facilities or interviews with a Flip, post videos to a channel on YouTube, link to them from your site. Simple, quick, and all for less than the cost of a weekend at a Holiday Inn.
