Video Marketing in Frederick Md

by Karen on 2012/01/27

Digital Bard is a video and web marketing group in downtown Frederick Md that serves businesses, helping them expand their brands through video marketing. Owned and operated by Whitney Hahn and Araminta Finn, Digital Bard has been helping companies bring video to their marketing since 2004.

Digital Bard Office

Whitney Hahn Co-owner

Whitney Hahn, the Business Director at Digital Bard was kind enough to give me an interview and the grand tour at their downtown Frederick location at 8 East Second Street the other day. Co-owner Araminta Finn is the Production Director. Their company offers among other things:

  • Full service, live action video production for TV, web and mobile devices;
  • Custom video marketing and coaching plans,
  • WordPress Website development,
  • Training sessions available through local associations, schools like FCC and business training groups,
  • DIY learning on their website and more.

Entrepreneurs Abound in Frederick

Whitney and Araminta met when they worked together producing a TV show, and like most entrepreneurs, after spending a few years getting experience and sharpening skills, they started looking around and asking themselves the questions that become inevitable: “If I did this myself, I would…tweak this, enhance that, change the other entirely”… and so on. You probably can guess the rest.

Also like most entrepreneurs, Whitney’s parents were in business for themselves. The entrepreneurial imprinting seems to start at a young age:) So in 2004, they launched themselves in a video business partnership and haven’t looked back.

Video is Essential to Business in the 21st Century:

When Whitney and Araminta started business in 2004, the industry was focused on video in the form of DVD’s, with an emphasis on training, or on TV commercials. When Google purchased YouTube in 2006, Whitney explained, that was a game-changer. Since then, many businesses have established YouTube channels and promote all aspects of their business with online video. From videotaping training and seminars, which help leverage business time and dollars, to their own commercials and informational videos hosted and highlighted on their own websites.

“The conversion rates for businesses that use video are on average 30% higher than those businesses that don’t. Zappos for instance,” explained Whitney, “has seen a marked increase in sales and product satisfaction, with a decrease in returns and customer service calls since they started posting video tutorials about their products on their website.”

The Digital Bard Mascot

The Digital Bard Mascot, "Eli"

In the previous decade, most businesses came to grips with the fact that they must have a web presence to stay in business. “We’re coming to the place where most businesses are realizing they must have video included in their conversion strategy to legitimately compete.” explains Whitney.

A Resource For Businesses

The Digital Bard Website has lots of DIY tips for those who are interested in doing their own video work. They would love to be a resource for help to all businesses attempting to add video to their marketing plan, whether they are customers or not. Digital Bard is yet another business that subscribes to the 21st century business philosophy of freely shared information, winning them lots of trust from consumers.

Whitney Hahn also subscribes to what she refers to as “Guerrilla Marketing”, “Guerrilla Marketing emphasizes creativity and imagination over expensive ad buys.” In April she’ll be teaching an adult enrichment class at FCC entitled:  Marketing on a Shoestring: Guerrilla Marketing.

Giving Back to the Frederick Community

Like I’ve said in so many posts about local businesses, the Frederick Business community is a charitable group of folks. No exception here. Digital Bard offers their services at cost to local charities and non-profits. Some of the non-profits that have benefited from their reduced costs:

Check out the Digital Bard Website, their YouTube Chanel, and “Like” them on Digital Bard. Video. Web. Marketing.Facebook.  Contact Whitney to Find out how you can fit video into your marketing plan.

Digital Bard
8 East Second St., Ste. 100
Frederick, Md  271701
240-566-5931
whitney@digitalbard.com

Comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

{ 0 comments }

Frederick Restaurant Week 2012

by Karen on 2012/01/24

Frederick Md is a Foodies Paradise ♥

Frederick Restaurant Week 2012 is coming up. Monday, March 5 through Sunday, March 11.

There are so many good restaurants in Frederick, we set aside an entire week to celebrate! This is the 3rd Annual event, a 7 day promotion which includes a long list of Frederick Restaurants which will be offering 2-course and 3 course special menus at a special price. During the week, lunches will be offered at $15.12 for a 2-course meal and $20.12 for a 3-course meal. Dinners are $20.12 for a 2-course meal and $30.12 for a 3-course meal. (Not including drinks, taxes and tips).

You don’t have to do anything special except make a reservation at one of the participating restaurants, which are listed at the Frederick Restaurant Week website. It’s a great opportunity to try out that new restaurant that you’ve been hearing about, or come back to your favorite. Or both!

New this year is a special overnight package at Courtyard by Marriot for those from out of town.

Presented by  Downtown Frederick Partnership  and Tourism Council of Frederick County

Enjoy!

Comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

{ 0 comments }

SOPA/PIPA

by Karen on 2012/01/18

As several websites are participating in a black-out today to protest SOPA and PIPA, I thought it would be an opportunity to speak up about it. I don’t like to be political or even controversial on 365 Frederick, but I do love the free and open-sourced internet. (I’m trying to make a living, and find it pretty useful.) I don’t believe in censorship and I certainly don’t believe the government should be given the sweeping power of censoring the content of the internet. So, I don’t really consider this political.

The Issue

Internet Piracy. I think we all agree it is a problem. I’ve had my website content stolen twice. I was not happy. In one case I contacted the culprit and found a naive, misunderstanding of internet content ownership and we got to a solution. In the other case I couldn’t get to the culprit. But eventually Google did, and the evildoer was penalized in their search rankings.

The (Not) Solution

I don’t really know what the solution is, but I’ve done enough research to know that the vaguely written SOPA and PIPA bills are not it. [As I write this, my twitter feed is blowing up with news that Congressmen and Senators are dropping their support of SOPA/PIPA]

Here are some sources to help understand the issues surrounding SOPA and PIPA:

  • Simply do a Google Search on SOPA, you’ll get pages of info.
  • CNN Money has a good article explaining what SOPA is, without much opining.
  • Mashable, a technology blog, explains why SOPA is dangerous.
  • If you want to act, Stop American Censorship has a handy email form to send to your Congressional and Senatorial Representative.
  • Representative Darrell Issa is heading up the writing of an open source bill on the web, Keep The Web #OPEN. Anyone can be part of writing a bill that really addresses the problem, but protects our freedoms. This is a fantastic idea. I don’t know enough about the technology to contribute, but it is fascinating to see the input from experts.

IMHO

Whether you are a tech/geek or not, this issue affects you. 95% of us use the internet. If you’re in business, it’s increasingly a part of your livelihood. If you are buying something, you’ve probably searched the internet for information about a product or for the product itself. If you’re keeping up with friends and loved-ones on Social Media, you’re depending on the internet.

There are two basic flaws with SOPA, as I see it.

The only thing worse than 1. giving the government the power to censor the internet is 2. giving the courts the power to interpret vaguely written laws that give those censorship powers. It is a legitimate problem. Let’s give it a legitimate effort and amount of input to craft a good law (or deepen the laws we already have).

Thanks for reading, hopefully you’ll do your own research, please comment if you have anything to add, pro or con, I’d love to hear from you. Karen

 

Comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

{ 0 comments }

Read-A-Thon with The Frederick Literacy Council

by Karen on 2012/01/12

Can you imagine not being able to read?

Or even being limited to reading on a 3rd or 4th grade level? Imagine trying to follow driving directions and not being able to read the street signs. Doing an internet search would be impossible, or following a recipe. Not to mention filling out a job application.

The Literacy Council of Frederick County is an agency that is making a difference in a powerful way for people with this unfortunate, but changeable situation. Of the many groups in our area who are helping, the Frederick Literacy Council is providing one-on-one tutoring for maximum effect for those who cannot read or have minimal reading and writing skills.

I spoke with Diana Halleman the Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for the Literacy Council. Diana is an avid reader, passionate about the purposes of the Literacy Council. Diana came to the Council in February 2010, from the position of Community Liaison at Volunteer Frederick, where her job was to promote volunteerism. Her life-long passion for volunteer work and her love of reading came together in the management of the Literacy Council and she enthusiastically leads a team of volunteers on a mission that makes a huge difference in people’s lives.

What Does The Literacy Council of Frederick County Do?

The Literary Council provides training and all materials for volunteer tutors and then matches them with adults who desire to learn to read and write. They have training sessions for tutors in the Spring and Fall, both in Frederick and in Hagerstown. The sessions last for two 7-hour Saturdays.

Clients who either walk in to the offices, at 110 E. Patrick Street, or call or email the council, are given a reading assessment, then they are matched with a volunteer. The tutoring sessions are usually once a week and are very flexible as to time and place. There are study carrells there at the offices, they have arrangements with Churches, or people can meet anywhere that is convenient. The commitment to tutor is for a year.

Changing Lives in Frederick

Diana has spent her adult career promoting the cause that volunteering makes a difference in the lives of people around us. She believes that teaching people to read is something that not only helps individuals, but adds to the community as a whole. The ease of getting along in this world and of using one’s gifts and talents to the fullest in the work field are major benefits of learning to read. The larger community is better for it. The added personal enrichment that she enjoys as an avid reader [4 to 5 books a month] is something she would like everyone to have.

“There are many adults who come in and only read on a 3rd or 4th grade level; most are high school graduates who have been passed on”, says Diana. The largest group of people who ask for tutoring are immigrants. “In the 2 years I’ve been here, I’ve met people from every continent who want to learn to speak, read and write the English language so they can get better jobs.”

What Can I Do to Help?

I knew you’d ask, so Diana gave me a list:)

  • Volunteer to Tutor. The only “requirements” are patience and enthusiasm about helping people learn. The next training session is on March 24th and 31st. See How to Volunteer on their website. As of today, they have a list of about 30 students waiting for tutors.
  • Volunteer to Train Tutors. If they can enlist more trainers, they can have more than two training sessions per year. Call Diana Halleman for more information. 301-600-2066.
  • Donate. This helps the Council provide materials for the tutoring.
  • Participate in the Read-A-Thon.

The 2012 Read-A-Thon

You can register for the 2012 “In Love With Reading” Read-A-Thon until January 25th. The Read-A-Thon lasts between Jan. 1 and Feb. 11, and children and adults get pledges based on how many bokds they read during that time.

The Read-A-Thon will end with a Party in the Community Room at C. Burr Artz Library on February 11, from 10:30 to 4. The Celebration will include:

  • Food and Drinks
  • An appearance from KEYOTE
  • Prizes for various winners:
    • A Kindle for the largest funds raised
    • Keys Tickets
    • Tickets to Adventure Park USA
    • Books from Barns & Noble
    • more…

The Literacy Council of Frederick County also holds a Conversation Class on Thursdays for those who want to learn the idioms and nuances of the English language. To learn more about the events and needs of the Literacy Council:

“Like” the Frederick County Literacy Council on Facebook

Follow Diana on Twitter

Shop and Help The Literacy Council!

LCFC and Amazon -  Whenever you connect to Amazon.com through the Search Box at the lower left on any of LCFC’s website pages, they will receive a percentage of the sale.  Any item placed in your shopping cart through this link and purchased during a 24-hour window will earn us money!

GoodSearch –  LCFC is registered with GoodSearch, and whenever you search or whenever you shop at any of over 2500 participating stores or get any of over 100,000 coupons, LCFC will earn money.  Just go to GoodSearch.com and register, designating Literacy Council of Frederick County as your cause, and LCFC will receive the benefits!

Enjoy a good book today! Karen

Comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

{ 0 comments }

Computer Help In Frederick Md

by Karen on 2012/01/06

Computers are a mystery to most of us. Everything except the pointing and clicking,  anyway. But most of us depend on computers for work everyday, and for social networking most days. When my computer gets sick, I not only lose productivity, I find myself over my head trying to fix it and end up frustrated enough to want to throw it through the window. [I don't think I'm alone in that sentiment, either:]Frederick Computer Services

Computer Services in Frederick Md

I had the pleasure of interviewing an industrious man who has been working hard for 9 years, providing excellent customer service for computer users in Frederick. Van Jacobs is the owner of Techknowbutler, a computer services company that specializes in home and small business support.

Van Jacobs describes himself as “a hands-on guy”, someone who has always tinkered with things, trying to figure them out. A native of Frederick, he held several jobs in the area while growing up, attended FCC and played soccer there. In his early 20′s he attended a tech school and got a job with a small tech start-up, first at the reception desk. When the boss discovered his technical abilities, he moved into the tech department, training salespeople. When they needed a new Tech Liaison to their College clientele, Van was promoted. At the age of 22 he oversaw the computer systems of several colleges.

Owner of Techknowbutler in Frederick Md

Van Jacobs

Techknowbutler Owner Van Jacobs

Techknowbutler

Van Jacobs Owner of Techknowbutler

Frederick Md

When the company got an infusion of investment cash and continued on a rapid-paced growth path, Van saw the quality decline and saw the proverbial handwriting on the wall. Believing that the quality of his own work was important, Van quit and began free-lancing. After gaining experience with the technical aspects, the training, customer service and vender relations, Van had all the skills he needed to start his own business and it wasn’t long before he and a few friends started a computer services business. A few name changes and 9 years later, Van’s reputation for service and quality has been his much deserved reward.

As Van discussed his business experience and philosophy with me, I was impressed with the fact that he has that rare mix of technical abilities and people skills, two personality traits that don’t often come together. He realizes that this combination is the strength of his business and is what engenders trust from his loyal clients, one so loyal that she still relies on Techknowbutler’s remote help for her computer needs even though she moved to London!

“The Computer Business IS The People Business”

Van’s keen business sense was very evident to me. For nine years he has listened to his business clients as they describe their businesses and their unique computer needs. He has stored away that knowledge and has become a trusted adviser to many of his business clients, trusted not only to wire together a network, but to design one that uniquely fits their business model. For Techknowbutler, trust is everything, and the fact that 95% of their business is from referrals is strong evidence that they have earned a lot of it from their Frederick clients.

Forward Thinking For The Future of Computer Technology

As computers and handhelds are becoming less expensive and more disposable, Techknowbutler is meeting the change by offering services that will be increasingly in demand. Van sees a gradual change in the near future from what he calls a “broke-fix” service to a “setup-transfer” service. Viruses will be in decline with handhelds (yay!) and optimization and information transfer will be necessary as people switch and experiment with all the new products we will be able to choose from.Techknowbutler in Frederick Md

Trust is Everything

In past experiences with computer repair companies, I’ve often felt insecure and somewhat vulnerable because I know so little about computers. While you’re in over your head, you never know whether you are surrounded by sharks or dolphins. Truth be told, I don’t want to learn more about the inner workings of computers, I just want to know there is someone to trust with my computer issues. So glad to meet you Techknowbutler!

Techknowbutler
(Located inside the indoor sports center)
1845 Brookfield Ct.
Frederick, MD  21701
Tech Direct: 240-415-4357
Office: 240-215-3622 (call for appointment)
email: gethelp@techknowbutler.com

Home & Business, Upgrades & Repair, Virus Removal, Networking, Data Recovery, General Tech Consulting. Discount for Service Members ♥  Free Diagnostics

“Like” Techknowbutler on Facebook for 10% off. Connect with Van Jacobs on Google+

Best Computing Wishes to you! Karen

Comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

{ 0 comments }

← Previous Entries