ConnectingDirectors.com Launches Video Advertising Platform
Zanesville, Ohio, Ryan Thogmartin, founder of Connecting Directors (www.connectingdirectors.com), was very candid recently when he admitted that he should have sent out a press release six months ago. ?After all, it was September, of 2009 when we launched our new Website platform ? one which significantly enhanced the site experience for our members. But, you know how it is; I got so caught up in the transitional activities ? and then, of course, it was time for the NFDA Convention that next month. So, here it is April, of 2010. For those of you who aren?t aware of the changes to the look, feel, and features of www.connectingdirectors.com, it?s time you took a look!?
In fact, the site bears little resemblance to its predecessor. The ?new? Connecting Directors still offers site visitors the option to join for free; that?s true. But what you get with your free membership has grown exponentially. Incorporated into the new site, which is a funeral industry first, are social networking features that allow members to create profiles within the site and also “friend” other members like other popular mainstream social networking sites.
?With our membership of over 4,500 funeral professionals, you can just imagine how engaging and interactive the site is becoming,? shared Ryan. ?Our membership base has almost doubled since the launch of the new platform. I think people are really ready to connect with each other online; after all, not everyone can attend state or national conventions ? especially in this economy; and our growth proves the point. We?re filling a critical need in the industry.?
The new and improved Connecting Directors makes it possible for members to post job openings, and peruse the current listing of industry-related positions. ?Not only that, job seekers can post their resume online for prospective employers to review. That was my idea to help reduce the stresses on both ends: looking for work and hiring qualified employees.?
Ryan is continually thinking of ways to serve his community, and one of those ways is to give members the latest information on new products and services ? in a new, cutting-edge way. ?The funeral industry is changing ? every day there are things a funeral director needs to become acquainted with. And that need spurred me to develop a new video advertising platform. This makes it possible for advertisers to showcase their offering, through a 30 second video presentation.
?The idea grew out of our CDTV, what I like to think is the world’s most fun funeral industry webshow,? said Ryan. ?I strive for a very relaxed and personal feel as I share my thoughts on the progression of the funeral industry. I bring a lot of myself ? my own experiences, and perspectives to the table.?
Aside from funeral industry news and articles, Ryan also does hands-on reviews of some of today’s most popular funeral industry products. ?Our CDTV ?Company Spotlight? feature gives viewers the opportunity to really get to know a funeral industry company from the inside-out; to better learn what they need to know to make an educated decision about funeral home-related purchases.
When a member clicks on a ?Company Spotlight? ad, a pop-up window will display the related video. ?Funeral industry companies have never before been able to take their customers deep inside their organization without them (the customer) actually being physically present,? shared Ryan. ?But, we?re changing that; now companies can engage their prospects ?our members ? through the video medium, and we all know how well that works. Video really initiates the ?sales relationship;? it jumpstarts it in a way that no print media can. And we all know the critical importance of building these relationships ?without them, the sales conversation stops.?
Advertisers can supply their own videos, or Ryan and his team will take part in the production process. ?It?s up to them, and the great thing is that this feature will help them to quickly launch a new, or updated, product. The videos can be changed at any time during the advertising cycle, allowing advertisers to build on-going relationships.?
To learn how you can get your company featured in an upcoming “Company Spotlight” please contact Ryan Thogmartin at 740-617-0599 or by email: ryan@connectingdirectors.com
About Connecting Directors
ConnectingDirectors.com is a progressive online publication/networking site for funeral professionals. Launched in October 2007, ConnectingDirectors.com is now a thriving global membership base of the industry’s most elite and progressive funeral professionals. Founder and CEO Ryan Thogmartin has a vision for where the funeral industry is headed, and has used that vision to position the site as the leader in online funeral industry news and information.
About the Founder, Ryan Thogmartin
?Ryan is one of those young, energetic members of the funeral service profession ? one of those leaders for change,? commented Kim Stacey, Executive Director of the Association of Women Funeral Directors. ?With Connecting Directors, he?s showing his strong commitment to creating a global community through an online platform where funeral service professionals can network, and get the cutting-edge information they need to stay ?on top of their game.??
In addition, to running ConnectingDirectors.com, Mr. Thogmartin works in sales for his family’s burial vault company, Hupp Stiverson Wilbert Vault Inc., Ryan has a background in sales and marketing, which gives him the ability to give funeral professionals the ideas and strategies to help increase their bottom line through the offering of quality Wilbert burial vaults.
?But, he?s a lot more than an expert in sales and marketing,? declared Kim. ?He?s what I like to call a change agent; thanks to his energy and technological focus, life for funeral service professionals will never be the same.?
