Week 7

1. What is particular about home Depot's business made this how-to series of videos so successful? what other industries might be able to use a similar strategy?
*The way they planned it and presented it. They took well know disney songs targeting the 90's generation mainly. Disney is so well known by so many people if you here a tune that sounds like the "under the sea" you think oh thats the "Little Mermaid." They also made it really easy to understand what they are trying to tell you. They took the attention grabbing and then put the information in a way everyone can understand it.
*other industries like Target, Walmart, or shopko. they could have done this because then they can advertise what they are selling along with how to put them together. They all have furniture that isn't put together and sometimes its hard to figure out when not using the directions.
2. Are these instructional videos actually more effective than overt commercials?
*yes they put a face to it and make it more personal. Its like being told how to change your light bulb with just directions from the tv that don't wait for you to actually understand the first step. (me most of the time so I have to re-watch until i get it.) They make it more fun and friendly verses intimidating and dull. I watched a few of them and just wanted to dance and go build stuff. So they are more effective not only for directions, but drawing attention to the store.
3. Why did Home Depot choose to focus on producing youtube videos?
*Home Depot decided to focus on videos so they could advertise more and put a face to the company. they wanted to reach more people in a new way due the old not working as well. It as said in one person's reviews that the old way was pushy without a face. the new way is pushy with a face, but its really fun to watch.
 Would vidoes exclusively hosted on its company web site or an other video sharing platforms have been equally effective?
*I don't think so because Youtube is a world known name (except for those countries that ban it) which makes advertising on it much easier and more known. Vine is well known too, but it has a time limit which these videos don't work with. Youtube is one of the only places other than facebook that doesn't seem to have a time limit on it.
4. what advantages did home Depot gain from having in store representatives featured in the videos? Name at least two advantages, and explain why they are important.
* They put a face on it. When any company puts a face on something it creates a new image on it. It becomes more friendly and inviting. I know that a lot of people hate the automatic voices that come on and no face to it. The face creates a common ground because they are a person and you are a person.
*They got attention which is big rule of advertising after making money. They took a well known style of singing while teaching and used it to their advantage. They also took Disney songs to the next level by making parodies that everyone can enjoy because they are not mean.
These two advantages are important because without them you have a dull boring commercial that people mute or go make food during.