Edition #48 – 5/29/2006
Yesterday, I opened up a new page for Eric’s Tips members to give testimonials about this newsletter.
The response was phenomenal, and I feel incredibly blessed that so many people are reading and actually enjoying my newsletter.
Today, I’d like to tell you about a neat program I’ve been using to collect testimonials and add audio to my websites. It’s called AudioGenerator.
AudioGenerator has made it possible for me to quickly collect testimonials and other audio clips, and easily integrate them into my websites. It’s a powerful tool, and valuable time saver, which is why I’m mentioning it today.
First, I’ll tell you what I LIKE about AudioGenerator. It has a user-friendly web-based interface. It gives you a variety of recording methods including telephone, microphone, or you can upload an audio clip. The audio-postcard feature is also pretty cool, but admittedly I haven’t used it.
I also like the fact that it streams the audio from their servers, so it doesn’t place extra strain on your own website. If I have an important launch, or website that’s going to be getting a ton of traffic, I typically put its streaming media on a different server to make sure the website itself stays accessible even if the media load gets really heavy. AudioGenerator is a good solution for this.
My favorite feature (and in my opinion the feature that really makes it worth it) is the “Super Testimonial” wizard. If you’ve got a product or service, testimonials will help you make more sales. AudioGenerator allows you to easily collect those testimonials with an optional photo and audio clip from the customer.
You basically just provide a link to your customers, and AudioGenerator collects the testimonials for you. They also include a toll-free hotline, so there is no charge for your customers to call in and leave their testimonial.
Ok, so what do I NOT LIKE about AudioGenerator? I don’t like the fact that there is not a built-in function to record two-way phone conversations. I believe it could be done by using 3-way calling, but they don’t have any instructions or anything in that regard. It would be a very helpful feature, as I occasionally wish to record telephone interviews.
I also don’t like the way the super testimonials are grouped together in the admin panel. You can collect testimonials for an unlimited number of products, but it does not differentiate between those products or allow you to sort the testimonials. It’s not a deal-breaker though, because most people like me put the testimonials on the appropriate websites as they come in.
Bottom line, who is AudioGenerator for?
1) Anyone who wants to add testimonials to their website.
2) Webmasters who do not have a microphone, or would rather use their phone to record audio.
3) Marketers who want to use audio-postcards.
If you’re NOT going to do testimonials, and you ARE comfortable recording and hosting your own audio, then you probably don’t need AudioGenerator. But if you want a great tool to help collect and publish testimonials, or if you fit into one of the other categories I mentioned, then this is a good choice for your business.
Please go to:
AudioGenerator Information And Signup
As always you can leave comments here in the blog entry.
Have a great day!
Compliments of Graphics By Charlie
Peace,
Charlie~
Thanks Charlie, that one is cleaner than the one I made 😉 I have replaced it
Hi Great tip Eric as usual
Quick question. What do you do if you want record phone conversation and what software do you recommend?
Regards
Cris
I expect the toll free number is located in the States? Do you know if this software is any good for overseas? eg – Australia.
Cheers,
Bend0r.
Hi Eric,
Yes good comments on Audio Generator. They have a good service. I didn’t know exactly who you were until I got Joel Comms Adsense Templates. Then I realized you were the one behind these. I must say I am very impressed!
Steve Renner
Marketing Director
The Affiliate Community
http://www.affiliatecommunity.net
Hey Eric, I have been using Audio Generator for several years. I also use another similar service, plus I can do my own web audio without these services. It might be hard to believe, but the main reason I continue to use Audio Generator is that I get better conversions with it vs. the other service and vs. my own web audio clips. I split tested it during the first half of 2006. It may have something to do with the graphic buttons. Especially if you are marketing to other internet marketers who might be more comfortable (or familiar) with the Audio Generator button. Do what you want with this info, but it is what I have seen.
I record a lot of calls for training purposes and I agree that simply adding 3-way record functionality and instructions would be a huge benefit to the Audio Generator service. Currently I use BYO Audio for this and it works great. Even though I can immediately post the streaming audio button straight from within BYO Audio, I instead will download the mp3 of the call, upload it to Audio Generator, and then stream it from there. It is a slight pain and takes longer, but again I have seen better response with the Audio Generator buttons on my sites than the BYO audio buttons.
Incidentally, BYO has podcast, postcards, testimonial lines and video capabilities for less money than Audio Generator and they have no limits on storage for now. Hope this information might add to yours and help someone looking to add this kind of service to their sites.
Eric, thanks for the info, but what about Video capabilities. I want to put videos into my ebay auctions (I’m sure I’m not alone in this)
Do you have any recomendations for adding Video?
regards
Chris
Hello Eric,
John Price here. About your “what I don’t like” section. Wouldn’t the three way calling work something like this: You call the person you want to interview, then call the Audio Generator 800 number, which would be like having a single call coming into it? Then have your confersation with the other person.
Hey Eric:
I’ve been studying audio and I’ve seen AG in action.
I think you just pushed me over the edge.
-Kim Flores, testedtough.com
Have you researched Audio Acrobat? It does the things you said Audio Acrobat doesn’t and is what everyone I know is using. The jury’s still out on the two of these for me. They both make sense, are easy to use and offer what I need. I just haven’t found either one to do what I want completely. What does anyone else think?
Hi, Im living in Cuauhtémoc, Chih., México, I am interested to understand everithing, but my English is not so good, I would like have tanslate of the page of Erics tips.
Best Regards.
Blanca
Hi Eric
This audio site is a bit old hat and expensive there are a number of much better ones out there guys just put an search in google and you be amazed what you will find
Good luck
Thanks
dave
http://www.concealyourassets.com