21st December, 2007
Transitions VI Performance Improvements Released
Transitions has released technical notes on Transitions VI revealing the performance enhancements Transitions VI will bring to the market. Probably the most significant enhancement comes in fade time; a 30% improvement or 4 minutes quicker than Transitions NG.
Transitions VI is clearer and darker.
Transitions VI activates faster.
Transitions VI darkens better in hotter temperatures.
Transitions VI will be phased-in by some manufacturers beginning January 15, 2008. All Transitions product *should* be changed over to Transitions VI by February 1, 2008. The change to Transitions VI affects all materials.
Popularity: 34% [?]
Posted at 11:18 pm | Comments (2)
10th December, 2007
Screwless Magnetic Eyewear
After years of working with frustratingly tiny screws, punctured fingertips, and countless unnecessary adjustments, the folks at ZWare have come up with a better way; eyewear with magnetic hinges and nose pieces. Interesting concept and some nice designs.
Popularity: 15% [?]
Posted at 10:36 pm | Comments (2)
7th December, 2007
Gobble Gobble
Essilor continues to gobble up labs. In addition to the previously reported acquisition of North Carolina labs; Premier Optics and Gold Optical, Essilor’s official announcement also reveals the acquisition of GK Optical laboratories of Ft. Wayne and Greenwood, Indiana, as well as UK independents; Sinclair Optical Services and United Optical.
Popularity: 16% [?]
Posted at 10:24 am | Comment (1)
4th December, 2007
10 Places to Get a Free Business Education
Since you are reading this blog, my powers of deductive reasoning tell me you are both interested in business and a self-learner, like me. If so, here is an amazing resource for you. Deborah at Bizinformer points out 10 Places to Get a Free Business Education Online. Resources include courses from MIT, the SBA and BusinessWeek. Check it out.
Popularity: 15% [?]
Posted at 3:30 pm | Comment (1)
1st December, 2007
Marketing Your Optical on YouTube
YouTube can be a fun and effective way to market your optical business, particularly if you are targeting a younger demographic (although the YouTube demographic is getting older every day). Even if your production does not become the next viral sensation, embeded video hosted on YouTube can add an extra dimension to your website or blog.
Producing Your Video
Here are a few tips to consider when you get ready to produce your next YouTube blockbuster:
1. Use a tripod (the folks who shot the above did not)!
2. Make it informative; provide value to folks you are targeting.
3. Make it simple.
4. Make it entertaining.
5. Use humor.
6. Include the unexpected.
7. Make sure you display your business name and URL at the end of the video.
8. Don’t expect to become the next Numa Numa Boy or Star Wars Kid.
9. Be creative, experiment, and have fun!
Marketing Your Video
Simply shooting a video and puting it YouTube, no matter how catchy, entertaining, or clever it may be, will not get attention. Your video will be lost among the millions of other videos hosted on YouTube, never to be seen or heard from again. So, here are some suggestions on getting the word out about your new video:
1. Embed the video on your website or blog.
2. Email the link for the video to all your friends, family, and customers (being careful not to spam, of course).
3. Get people like me to link to your video.
4. Post your video on forums.
5. Ask the blogs and websites your customers are likely to read to link to your video.
6. Cross you fingers and hope that everyone who sees your video will like it enough to tell all their friends.
7. Learn from the experience and do it better next time.
Popularity: 15% [?]
Posted at 2:38 pm | Comment (0)
