Multimedia Email

Multimedia Email

Want to do "more" with your email than just "plain old text" or HTML?  Would a video or a photo tell your business' story better than words

could describe?  Do you believe in the old adage that "a picture is worth a thousand words"?  Then read on, multimedia email software could be for you!  But before we "dive in" - some things to consider!

• Compatibility - this should be your number one consideration in choosing software of this type.  Does it work with your existing email package?  Does it support the image formats that are best for you (JPEG, Kodak FPX or PCD, Photoshop, others)?  Does it include compression functionality to maximize bandwidth utilization and email storage (remember that there are limits on email size and storage for both you AND the recipient of your email!).
• Your Email Service, Your Recipient's Email Service - we touched on the subject above, however, make sure that your email provider/ISP's service ALLOWS you to send emails sized for multimedia.  In other words, if your provider's maximum email size is 1 meg and you are sending an email that is 1.1 meg, it will be "bounced" right back to you (unsent!).  Also, if your multimedia emails are too big for your recipients' services, they too will be "bounced" back to you.  And, if your multimedia email takes up the entire storage maximum of your recipients' email service, they will NOT receive email from others (until they download yours) and will NOT be happy about that prospect.  Be careful!
• Internet Connect Speed - if you're going to send multimedia email, both you and your recipient will need a broadband link (in our opinion).  Doing this over dial-up is a nightmare!  Especially for the recipient waiting and waiting to download your "rich" email.  Make sure your customers (especially!) have a high speed connection - or send them text instead!  They'll thank you for it!
• Don't Get Carried Away - remember that simplicity is often best.  Multimedia email might be "cool" and "flashy" but sometimes a simple HTML or text message is still best.  Use this technology carefully and prudently and it will much more effective.

  Web Home Office Reports

Looking to spice up your email?  Let's see what's out there.

Some vendors offer more than one package in this category.  We'll review them in table format within that vendor's detailed review.

Multimedia Email Software Review

Multimedia Email Software*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro

Adobe

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹1/2

For the capabilities that Adobe's software provides, they've done a pretty good job making the installation process and using the software as simple as possible.  You'll probably have more problem with the video camera set up (if you use a PC-based one) than the software installation.

Cost - $$$1/2

Adobe product pricing is outlined in the table below.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

This is slick software to create slick presentations, email and video web presentations for your business.  Big help in making your company look professional and "high tech".

Ease of Use - @@@1/2

Expect to spend some time making this software work for you.  Adobe does, however, have online tutorials and instructions to help you through the process.

Works With - YYY

Adobe's software is designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - pppp

The Adobe support site is comprehensive and well designed.  Adobe offers a multitude of training classes to help you get started and improve your utilization of their software.  Additionally, Adobe provides a forum for users and experts to discuss problems, solutions and even interesting new ways to use the software to solve business problems.  If you need more help, Adobe offers phone support plans - $39.00 per incident or $159.00 for unlimited support for one year.

Features - iiii

Very slick software.  Your presentations and email will do more than ever to communicate your message to your customers or business partners and you can stream video and edit it as well. 

Overall Rating - %%%%

If you're out "pitching" via email, presentations or your web site, the Adobe software can help you make your company look like much, much more than a home-based business.  You'll invest some time "getting up to speed" on the software, but the end result can be a real "knock out".

Broderbund       

$15 OFF Purchase of $49 or more! Save on all items at Broderbund.com, plus FREE shipping!

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Broderbund's SendPhotos software is easy to install and set up for use. 

Cost - $$$$

SendPhotos is priced at $29.99.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

If you want to send business photos in email (or for your family), simple software to do just that.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Very simple, straightforward way to make photo email.

Works With - YYY

Broderbund software is designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - pp1/2

When you purchase inexpensive software you shouldn't expect much in the way of technical support.  Broderbund's implementation is a great example of this methodology.  If you need help - the web is your only option.  And, when we went there and attempted to find help for a couple of the software packages, one of them wasn't even listed!  You'd better hope that the software works on your system, or you've just thrown your money away.

Features - iii1/2+

The "includes simple photo editing tools and some nice backgrounds.  Online photo sharing as well.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2+

Simple, easy to use tool to send photo email.

Crystal Graphics

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Crystal Graphics' Stationery, Emoticons and Stationary Designer for Outlook and Outlook express is simple to install and use with Outlook.  Their free Quotations and Photos add even more functionality - simply.

Cost - $$$1/2

Crystal Graphics product pricing is outlined in the table below.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

If you want to make your email look more "snazzy", the Crystal Graphics templates and Designer application will do it.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Very simple, just stationery that you design and then set as a default in Outlook or Outlook Express.

Works With - YYY

Crystal Graphics software is designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - ppp1/2

The Crystal Graphics support site is well organized and they have a number of FAQs and "tips and tricks" to help you use PowerPlugs Stationery effectively.  Customer support is also available via email and telephone (9 AM to 5:30 PM Pacific). 

Features - iii+

It is what it is, stationery for your email and a design program to customize stationery.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

If you want to change the "look" of your email, and you use Outlook or Outlook Express, these templates and design tools can be effective.  CAUTION:  many folks really DO NOT LIKE stationery on email they receive.  Be sensitive to the needs of the folks you communicate with as well!

 Email Stationery, Photos, Backgrounds, Emoticons, Spam Filter and more for Outlook and Outlook Express
World's best designer stationery, business photos, animated emoticons, spam-filtering software, witty famous quotations and more. For more information, please visit www.CrystalGraphics.com.

Ezonics

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

EZVideo Mail is straight forward to install and set up for use.

Cost - $$$$

EZVideo Mail is priced at $19.99.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

If you want to add video to your email - this software can deliver.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Just download and install.  It's easy to use.

Works With - YYY

EZVideo Mail is designed for the Windows environment only.

Support - ppp

The technical support area on the Ezonics web site includes a "walk through" for the software, FAQ and online manuals.  If you need more help, you'll have to rely on email.

Features - iii1/2

Built-in wizards and lots of tools to help you adjust audio and video quality (and bandwidth required/file size!).

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

A good, basic, inexpensive way to develop video email.