"GAITHERSBURG, MD -- 05/13/09 -- Video has the power to engage customers far more than simple text or images, and when the content is educational or entertaining, it can become a viral marketing tool driving subscribers and ultimately sales. A new white paper from Gold Lasso reveals tips and technologies to help successfully reach the billions of US Internet users that watch online videos. The white paper describes the history of video in email, why embedding has been next to impossible, how marketers simulate video through links and images, and what's on the horizon for true video embedding in email.
"The numbers are staggering. Over 139 million US Internet users watched an average of 83 videos per viewer in March 2008 according to comSource, Inc. The ability to successfully incorporate video into email marketing will be a great influence in viral marketing and expanding reach," says Elie Ashery, President and CEO of Gold Lasso. For more facts and statistics on video and emailing marketers can download the "Incorporating Video into Email Marketing Campaigns: Links, Animated Images and New Solutions for Embedding" whitepaper at http://www.goldlasso.com/index.php/channel-gold
MAXIMIZING CURRENT METHODS
The most popular way to incorporate video into email marketing is through simulation. Simulating video, putting the actual video on a web page and using the email to drive traffic, comes with many downsides including display, accessibility and the video's ability to grab attention. Marketers have tried several different approaches, each with various levels of success, including text links, and links with images or animated GIF.
"Marketers can encourage video with text and visual cues by referencing the video in the email subject line, using strong visual cues to indicate a link to video, and matching video content to a message," says Ashery.
NEW TECHNOLOGY LEADS TO BETTER SOLUTIONS
The ultimate goal for inserting video into email is to reach prospects instantly without waiting for a video to load, or without the added step of linking to another site. The white paper shares some of research and insight it has found on how some companies are making true video embedding a reality.
Gmail recently announced a new "Labs" feature allowing users to preview YouTube videos in email. The only downside is that is it limited only to Gmail users. Goodmail Systems, a partner of Gold Lasso's, has CertifiedVideo(TM) platforms which enable qualified senders to incorporate rich video and audio content directly in email messaging, without additional mouse-clicks and pop-ups. CertifiedVideo(TM) supports streaming and progressive download of .swf, and .flv files, playable in Adobe® Flash® Player.
"This is an exciting time for email markers, especially for those who want to include video in their campaigns to build awareness, improve sales and more. We developed this white paper to simply and easily help marketers take the next steps needed to improve their campaigns and the ultimate success in growing their businesses," says Ashery."...
Video and Transcripts 
