April 30th, 2010
What is an aspect ratio and how can you tell which one you need to use for your next presentation? This article sheds some light on the matter.
Let’s talk aspect ratio
In a nutshell, aspect ratio is a simple matter of dimensions (as expressed in width to height). In terms of television, film, and projectors, aspect ratio refers to the size and shape of the viewable image.
Remember watching older movies on TV where the opening and closing credits were all stretched out? That’s because the film was produced in 16:9 (sometimes called “letterbox” or “widescreen” format) and then squished into 4:3 to fit on your TV screen.
In many cases, when you purchase a film on DVD, you can choose whether you wish to view it in widescreen or regular format (in widescreen format, you will see a black bar above and below the film image, and this will run throughout the movie; regular format will fill your television screen (unless you own a widescreen television). In either case, this is due to the aspect ratio.
Aspect ratio is a relevant factor when selecting a projector because most projectors have a fixed resolution (also called native aspect ratio) for display. However, rental projectors from Projector123.com can display a number of aspect ratios (and in most cases, the native aspect ratio is listed first).
If you’re planning a PowerPoint Presentation, your projected image will likely appear in an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 5:4. Home theater viewing of films on DVD and HDTV can be projected with 16:9 (letterbox or widescreen) format. The aspect ratio is purely a matter of personal preference.
Ready to rent a projector with a versatile aspect ratio for your next business or personal gathering? Click here to discover why Projector123.com is the number one choice for projector rentals throughout the U.S.
April 28th, 2010
Welcome to the second segment of our two-part series for landscapers: How to get more business from home shows. In this part, we will address the number one mistake most business owners make after the trade show ends.
Just to recap the two tips we covered last time:
1. Go visual and make it count (a rental projector from Projector123.com will definitely help showcase images of your work).
2. Incentivize with a juicy offer (give potential customers a compelling reason to buy from you — sooner rather than later).
Now let’s move on to tip #3:
3. Collect pertinent data.
What information will you need from the person in order to add them to your database or to contact them for a consultation? Name, telephone number and email address comprise the bare minimum. Perhaps you’d also like to know what city they live in (or what part of town) so you can refer them to a colleague if they live outside of your preferred work zone. Maybe you want to know what they’re thinking of having done (front yard, back yard, trees, water features, etc.) or what their timeline or budget entails. Collecting answers to questions such as these will assist you in prioritizing follow ups, and can save you loads of time after the show. Consider bringing or renting a laptop to collect data digitally on the spot, or use paper forms and clipboards if you prefer to work offline. Remember to provide plenty of pens!
4. Follow up with everyone.
It seems so obvious, right? But you might be surprised to learn how many business owners NEVER follow up with the leads they’ve gained during a show. Perhaps the most common reason for this is a lack of resources. Small businesses may lack the resources to follow up with each and every lead, but if you don’t do this, you are leaving money on the table. Additionally, some landscapers neglect new leads whenever business starts to pick up dramatically. You may book several new clients at (or shortly after) the home show, but it pays to be forward thinking and to book clients further in advance. Yes, you may need to hire additional staff. But expansion is all part of what is possible when you get increased exposure from an event like a home show.
You might consider hiring (or acquiring) temporary help to follow up with each lead. Phone personnel is not terribly expensive, or you can solicit help from someone close to you who may not be directly affiliated with the business (spouse, friend, relative, etc.). Just be sure to train the person, give them a list of questions to ask during the follow up, a way to take notes (online or on paper) and instruct them on how to handle these types of calls and how to get consultations booked.
And remember — it’s never too early to arrange for your rental projector from Projector123.com. Click here to get started.
April 26th, 2010
Home shows provide a fun and interactive way for residential contractors and service providers to acquire new business, accumulate leads, and gain exposure. Here are some tips for making the most of your home show booth rental.
If you’re in the landscaping business, you already know the importance of showcasing your work to the right kind of audience. But do you know how to make each home show count? Unfortunately, many business owners arrive at a home show with nothing more than a couple of banners and some pamphlets. Whether you plan to create a presence at just one home show this year (or at dozens), these tips can help you reign in a crowd, gather more leads, and grow your business.
1. Go visual and make it count.
Landscaping is a visual art that demands visual representation. The more predominantly you can present your past (and current!) successes at a home show, the more of an impact it will have on your potential customers.
Just think about it…from a potential customer’s perspective which of the following makes your work seem most impressive?
A photo album containing 4×6 photos
A 3-ring binder with 8×10 images
A hard-bound photo book with images of varied size and content, with printed text descriptions on each page
A projector and big screen with life-size slide show images, set amidst a smattering of healthy plants and flowers in your booth
Or possibly some combination of the above?
Projector rentals from Projector123.com cost as little as $99 per weekend — a minor cost considering what you probably paid to rent a booth at the home show. And the level of visual impact will draw folks from all across the showroom floor.
Additionally, you can use a service like apple.com or shutterfly.com to create a hard-bound coffee-table version of your portfolio (which positively exudes professionalism!) for around $30-40. Again, a small investment that can go a long way in presenting you as a credible vendor and a viable choice for potential customers.
2. Incentivize with a juicy offer.
OK, you’ve made a splash with some powerful eye candy….now how do you connect with these potential customers and turn them into sales? Consider creating a compelling offer that prompts them to retain your services now or book an appointment today — book during the show for future appointments. Remember — you may not be the only landscaper at this show. How will you stand out in your potential customer’s mind after the show ends and they’re left with a stack of business cards? If you can connect with people and get future consultation appointments booked at the show (or give people a compelling reason to contract with you right now), you’re leaps ahead of your competition.
In the next segment, we’ll look at the number one mistake most business owners make after the trade show ends. Until then, why not reserve your rental projector now? It only takes a minute, and you’ll see first-hand why Projector123.com is the top choice for rental projectors throughout the United States.
April 23rd, 2010
It’s nearly that time of year again…the time when businesses, clubs and professional organizations celebrate another successful year. Whether you’re planning an event to distribute well-earned awards, to celebrate past leadership and welcome new leadership, or to celebrate another successful year or season, here are some tips for making your annual banquet the best ever.
 1. Start planning early.
Haven’t we all been to an annual banquet that was so haphazard, it looked as though it had been thrown together at the last minute? The earlier you begin planning an event like this, the greater your chances of total success. Remember, it takes time to have awards engraved, to order items of recognition, to arrange for presenters and to send out invitations. It pays to start planning early.
2. Don’t get too hung up on “how we usually do it”
With established clubs and organizations, it’s easy to fall into a rut — especially where the annual banquet is concerned. While you’re certainly want to maintain any long-standing traditions or important points held by the club, don’t feel as though you need to create a carbon copy of last year, where only the names have changed. Be creative and think outside the norm. Your guests will appreciate the variety.
3. Add some visual drama
The easiest way to incorporate this is with a rental projector and a digital slide show. You can include photos, video, graphics — whatever images would be most appreciated in keeping with the theme and purpose of the event. Additional visual drama can be incorporated with flowers for centerpieces, or fun favors for guests. Use your imagination — the possibilities are endless.
No matter what kind of slide show you’re planning, remember to rent your projector from Projector123.com. Click here to discover why Projector123 is the fast, easy, hassle-free choice for rental projectors and slide show presentation equipment.
April 21st, 2010
Don’t let this happen to you! Put your audience on the edge of their seats with a compelling presentation and a powerful LCD projector rental from Projector123.com. Good news for low-tech presenters: a rental projector from Projector123.com is fast, easy, convenient, and super-simple to use. And if you do encounter any kind of challenge, you can count on our 24/7 technical support in plain English.
Click here to reserve your rental projector now.
April 19th, 2010
We are using the term “ethical bribe” to refer specifically to public speaking tactics that involve gifting something to your audience members in exchange for their attention and participation.
In the prior installment, we looked at the “pros” of using ethical bribes to engage audiences and gain their participation. In this segment, we’ll address some of the “cons” to such a practice.
If it doesn’t fit the audience…
Some audiences do not respond well to these types of minor incentives. Again, it always pays to know your audience and to consider what methods and techniques would be effective.
A note about appropriateness…
More serious or academic topics do not always lend themselves to a playful presentation style, so it would be wise to use caution for these types of presentations. Examples may include: sexual harrassment, death statistics, presentations regarding war, natural disasters, etc.
Don’t be cheesy…
If the giveaways are viewed as cheap, cheesy, or otherwise lame, there isn’t much of an incentive to nab any. If you can, test the idea with a smaller group or get some opinions before you invest in giveaways.
Need permission?
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to gain certain permissions before using ethical bribes. For example, government officials and employees are not allowed to accept gifts from vendors or potential vendors – no matter the dollar value. Some employers may not approve of certain giveaways at employee training events. If in doubt, check it out.
And while you’re doing your due diligence and deciding whether or not to offer ethical bribes at your next presentation, remember to reserve your projector rental from Projector123.com. You won’t find any bribes here…unless you count out competitive pricing, “frequent flyer” discounts, outstanding service, and hassle-free experience. Order your rental projector today.
April 16th, 2010
Are you familiar with the term “ethical bribe”? While the concept of a bribe may seem shady (perhaps images of unscrupulous politicians or leaders come to mind), an ethical bribe is more like a simple form of motivation.
Here are some examples:
- telling your kids they can watch TV after they clean up their room
- creating an employee incentive program that rewards outstanding performance
- offering small gifts or special favors to your audience in exchange for their participation
The ethical bribe can be very useful for professional speakers and business presentations because it provides a simple, effective way to keep your audience engaged.
Consider giving away a freebie, token or small prize in exchange for:
- each intelligent question asked
- audience response / interaction
- volunteers for demonstration or other exercise
- participants who bring a guest
- participant who brings the most guests
- human interest rewards (e.g., person who traveled the farthest to get here, person who supervises the most employees, person with the most children and grandchildren, etc.)
Looking for ideas for these giveaways and ethical bribes? Try these on for size, depending on your audience and the type of presentation:
- advertising specialties (preprinted sticky notes, pens, gadgets, coffee mugs, etc.)
- raffle drawing tickets. If you can only afford 1 or 2 giveaways, but you want to engage your audience throughout the presentation, you could give raffle tickets for a variety of reasons throughout the day, then “draw” for one winner at the end of the presentation.
- A copy of your new book (or one of your other products)
- T-shirts
- Discounts, coupons, offers, etc.
- $1 bills
- $1 lottery tickets or scratch-off tickets
How many ideas can you come up with? The possibilities are endless.
While you’re dreaming up ethical bribes for your next presentation, remember to reserve your rental projector from Projector123.com and we’ll see you in the next installment: Not to Bribe.
April 14th, 2010
We know you’ve got some questions about the technical aspects of selecting a projector. As always, feel free to email us or post your questions here in this blog.
What is 480p or progressive scan?
Progressive scanning refers to the way images are projected. Think of a time when you clicked on a web link, and the images loaded one line at a time, from top to bottom.
Alternatively, interlaced scanning is what occurs when you see a web image load in a low resolution manner, and then the image gradually becomes clearer. Essentially, what’s happening in this case is that alternative lines are being loaded (for example, the first, third, fifth, seventh lines, etc.) then a second pass is made to “fill in” the remaining lines, making the image become much clearer and crisper.
When it comes to projection technology, a fast progressive scan is desirable, so that images are loaded from top to bottom in the most efficient manner possible.
In the term “480p” the “p” stands for progressive scan (non-interlaced) and the number 480 refers to the vertical resolution. In other words, this technology can provide 480 vertically scanned lines. Typically, 480p uses a horizontal resolution of 640 and a 4:3 aspect ratio. Sometimes, another number may appear after the “p” (such as 30 or 60) and this number would indicate the rate of progressive frames per second (how quickly each individual image can load).
Technically speaking, 480p does not qualify as “high definition television” (HDTV); this is considered EDTV (enhanced definition television).
Here at Projector123.com, all of our rental projectors support 480p (and higher) progressive scan technology. From family gatherings to professional events and presentations, Projector123.com is your one-stop shop for quality rental projectors. Click here to find out how easy it is to rent from Projector123.com.
April 12th, 2010
A “segue” can be defined as a smooth transition from one topic of section to the next. As a public speaker (or even the occasional presenter), it’s important to master the segue, to ensure a smooth and seamless presentation.
Without proper segues, your presentation can appear disjointed, your audience can become confused, and valuable questions can remain unasked. Here are some tips for artfully transitioning from one part of your speech to the next.
Tip #1: Use a joke.
OK, it might be the oldest trick in the book, but it still works. A carefully selected bit of humor can easily transition your audience from one topic to the next – even if those topics seem completely unrelated. Here’s a couple of examples:
Complete the final statement in the segment, followed by… “Which reminds me of a joke.” (insert joke related to next topic.) And speaking of (next topic),…” then proceed with the next segment.
Alternatively, you might find an image, drawing or cartoon that could potentially link these two topic together, and you can insert it into your slide show as the segue.
Tip #2: Change your tone.
This segue style is effective if the tone or mood of the two topics are dramatically different. For example, if you were presenting a problem (or bad news), and now you’ll present the solution (or the good news). It might sound something like this: “OK, we’ve covered the dismal reality of last year’s final numbers but enough doom and gloom – let’s now look at the bright future that we are in the process of creating.”
Tip #3: Stop and start.
Perhaps the simplest way to transition is to simply let the audience know that this section is complete, and ask if there are any questions before we move into the next topic. “That concludes the technical part of today’s demonstration. Are there any questions before we begin talking about sales strategies?”
Images are a useful and easy way to master your transitions and segues – click here to rent a projector from Projector123.com.
April 9th, 2010
Have you been charged with planning your company picnic? Here are a few thoughtful tips to help you ensure it’s a fun one. Don’t forget your rental projector from Projector123.com.
1. Plan an alternate location.
This may sound like an obvious point, but you’d be surprised how many corporate picnics result in dismal turnouts when unexpected weather shows up. Be sure your outdoor location has a shelter that will accommodate ALL participants, or else choose an “in case of rain” venue and make sure all participants know where to go at the appropriate time – no matter the weather.
2. Balance the structured with the unstructured.
While you don’t want to plan every minute of an event that’s designed to allow employees to mingle and socialize outside of working hours, you also don’t want the energy of the event to fall flat with a completely unstructured outing. Consider putting out various items or sporting equipment that would encourage some spontaneous fun (for example, frisbees, a volleyball net, soccer goals, bubbles and wands, etc.) Depending on how long your event is scheduled to last, you might want to limit the structured activity to just one event. For example, for a three- to four-hour picnic, the only structured event might be the “company volleyball game” about one to two hours into the event. Scheduling a group photo is also a great idea, and the ideal time to do this is about an hour into the event. Consider an “in case of rain” planned activity to keep everyone from getting stir-crazy under the shelter.
3. Bring a projector.
With a rental projector from Projector123.com and a makeshift screen, you can showcase memorable moments from the office, candid shots taken during the picnic (with a simple slide show creation application available through iPhoto, PowerPoint, etc.), or DVDs or funny short films for the kids. This also serves as an excellent “in case of rain” activity.
With Projector123.com, the possibilities are endless. Click here to discover why Projector123.com is the hassle-free solution for LCD rental projectors.
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