At Tilzy.tv, our operating principle is that the flexibility of Internet-video is its most powerful asset. We seek to promote the development of a form of expression that–until recently–has been nonexistant.
We try not to confine this medium to what we already know. We explore it.
The Internet-entertainment industry is young, and so is the art form. Content development and experimentation– especially with entertainment industry resources– has only just begun.
Josh and I have spent a lot of time interacting with this new medium, and we started talking about what sites should do to keep viewers engaged. I have two primary suggestions:
1. Streaming video is important
Your media should be easily and immediately accessible. If I have to wait, I grow impatient and move on. Ensure that content delivery is quick and reliable.
Quicktime and Windows Media often face compatibility issues. Flash has become the standard streaming-video codec for a reason. Use it.
You don’t have to spend any money for a quality video publishing service; by using a service like Blip, Brightcove, AdBright, Veoh or countless others (most of which are listed within our resources section), you generally aren’t limiting your rights as a content owner. If, down the line, a better service with a better revenue deal comes along, you’re fine. Using a video publishing service will enhance the reliability of your streaming media and likely increase viewesership.
2. The website is the medium
This is most exciting from a creative standpoint. The expression enabled by the new medium has the potential to be very powerful. Producers should devote attention to user-interface. It’ll be interesting to see how creative minds engage us.
From an economic standpoint, your brand should take advantage of every opportunity to engage viewsers. It may contain a passive, TV-like experience, but an entertainment brand should also engage users with interactive elements. People inherently share, exchange and explore.
Here are some simple ways to engage viewers with interactive elements:
- Ask viewers to submit story ideas like Justin Kownacki, from Something To Be Desired
- Use a Wiki like Rocketboom
- Create a user-interface that allows a self-guided experience like DavidLynch.com
- Incorporate offline elements like ZeFrank.
- Sell related merchandise. A service like CafePress costs nothing and requires only moments to set up.
We will be continually impressed by fresh and innovative interactive elements brought by talented producers.
Bottom line: Consumers are impatient, and they want different types of experiences at different times. Producers have new and under-utilized tools for creative expression.
Jamison
Posted by jtilsner 
Posted by jtilsner 