From ads that dance and sing to MTV-like commercials, online advertisers are using more and more “rich media” to attract consumers.

In 2015 advertisers spent $5,44 billion on rich media, up from $3.78 billion in 2014 and according to eMarketer that number will climb to $12.19 billion by 2019.

So what exactly is rich media? To paraphrase Wikipedia, RICH Media is a broad range of interactive digital media that exhibit dynamic motion, taking advantage of enhanced sensory features such as video, audio and animation.

 

And today it is used as one of the most profitable ways for online advertisers to get and keep consumers’ attention.

One reason that companies are embracing rich media is that it typically entertains and is compelling enough to capture the interest of consumers. It also allows a user a modicum of control by either stopping the media entirely, or participating in it and ultimately clicking through to an advertiser’s Web site to get more information.

Blab is a perfect example. It is a hybrid of live webinars and YouTube Videos – it is interactive and informative. Shows can entertain or educate viewers. And anyone can have a blab channel, host a blab and become a celebrity in this new space online.

It is a way to spread a message, increase credibility in the marketplace and position oneself as a thought leader.

Periscope is another livestreaming app. Used differently than blab, you access and host shows from your smart phone. With the vast majority of consumers using their mobile devices to get online, this is an almost perfect medium to do that. I say almost because unlike blab, Periscope is a one-person show. It is designed to be a one to many medium where blab is more of a conversation where 2, 3 or 4 can interact live and on air at the same time.

Less intrusive than traditional popup, banner and text based ads (push advertising), rich media such as livestreaming is the latest example of pull advertising, where people are searching for specific information and expertise, they want to know more, will click on those links and follow the people who are delivering the message they want to hear.

Both are great for promoting just about anything, the question is… which one is right for you?

You can check out my blab channel online. Be sure to also find and follow me on Periscope via @HeidiRichards.

To attend an upcoming live webinar on the topic of livestreaming and how to use it, leave your name and email below: