How long is your blog post? Your you-tube video? Your Newsletter?
How much time do you need to get your message across? Hopefully it's less than the commercial break on TV. Or your message and the way you've presented it, is so powerful and engaging that I'm willing to ignore the TV to absorb your communication.
It occured to me tonight as I watched a NFP you-tube video that I have completely integrated my evening TV time and my evening internet time. My laptop is on the coffee table (or on my lap if I'm reclined) and the TV is on.
There aren't many shows that I'm engrossed in, but there are a few that grab my attention. I'm embarrassed to say which ones they are - so I won't! My point here is that, while I think I'm pretty special and unique, there are probably millions of other people doing exactly what I'm doing.
If you post a you-tube video on social media or send an email, Eblast or some other digital communication it better be good enough to distract me from a favourite TV show - OR - it should be brief enough that I can watch/read/listen to it, in its entirety during the commercial break. If I pause your video or go back to the TV, I may or may not return and/or I may or may not get the full impact of your message.
Ideally, it's both great and fits within the commercial time.
And on that note... I'm going to return to my regularly scheduled programming. Have a great night!
I can totally relate. I multi-task just like you nightly with my laptop and television. Apparently we're not alone: http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=2490
Posted by: Marnie Grona | June 03, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Ohhh I love stats! How fascinating. And apparently, I was right. I'm just not that unique.
Thanks for sharing, Marnie!
Posted by: Laurie | June 03, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Too true.
On the flip side, since I've been using Twitter, the back channel of tweets about programmes on TV (by people with one eye on the TV screen and one on their laptop, PC or mobile device) have brought a whole new dimension to TV for me.
Now watching TV can be social and I'll far often be entertained by the Twitter conversation about the programme, than the programme itself.
It's really interesting to think about where this might end up.
Have you tried finding the Twitter back channel for your favourite TV programmes, or any TV programmes?
By the way, I wouldn't have been reading this blog if I hadn't found you on Twitter! :)
Posted by: Rachel Beer | June 09, 2009 at 02:53 AM
Thanks for the comment and for reading my blog!
I'm one of those backchannel TV talkers :)
I've spent many nights tweeting about what's going on - on my fav. program. I agree it's an integration and an exciting one.
The integration of technology and social, business, philanthropic behaviours and attitudes is going to make life interesting for some time to come.
Thanks again for finding me via Twitter!
Posted by: Laurie | June 09, 2009 at 02:59 AM