People rarely order DVDs or Blu Ray discs cross-border. The wait is usually weeks, and shipping plus duties costs can double or triple the price. Three years ago, 30% of sales through our platform were to customers outside the USA. Of course, ordering a digital download that crosses the ocean in minutes makes far more sense than ordering a disc. Many of our clients have seen international sales increase by a factor of 10 or more when offering digital fulfillment.

Another advantage is that video downloads play perfectly even if someone’s internet connection is too slow or flaky to play a video stream, which is common.

Media sales in countries like Brazil, India, Russia, China and many other southeastern Asian countries are growing faster than the U.S. or Europe, and today, 57% of sales through our platform are to countries other than the USA– almost double the percentage in just three years!

As we’ve seen this trend accelerate, we have been working to localize the entire platform, both web and desktop, and plan to launch the localized version in the next few weeks.

To start out, there will only be two languages: English and Spanish, accessible by a menu. When you switch to Spanish, all the platform text will be in Spanish, from the shop to alert messages, thank you pages, the CloudPlayer, customer receipts and so on. So initially, all this means is that non-English-speaking people will have a more comfortable shopping and media viewing experience. We will be adding other languages gradually, and since all the hard work is done, if you’d like to help us localize in your language, contact us and we’ll work something out!

Of course, products will be unaffected, including product titles and descriptions, which will remain as they were written. But we offer full subtitle functionality, meaning that, for example, if you were to subtitle some or all of your products in Spanish, you could now offer them to a Spanish speaker that knows no English at all.

We’re working hard to expand your potential audience, and this is an important step.

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Unique to Pilates Sports Center, we merge both the classical and progressive styles of Pilates. We collaborate with many physical therapists and sports medicine professionals and spent have more than a decade studying this method of exercise and have integrated modern principles of exercise science to make it safer and more effective. We are dedicated to providing the most current information available and to maintaining the highest quality of instruction. PSC upholds the latest PMA standards and is involved in the process of helping to better our industry. Having a chiropractor and professional dancer at the helm, our philosophies incorporate neutral spine, that is, maintaining the natural curves of the spine in order to strengthen the back. Our clients and students have seen the enormous benefits and relief of low back pain by understanding and using proper biomechanics.

Founders

Pilates Sports Center was created and founded by Andromeda Stevens and Kelli Altounian. The goals of the PSC are to offer cutting edge classes and education in an upscale environment and provide high level instruction from our Studio in LA to all Master Trainers and PSC Grads Nationwide. The internationally recognized PSC Teacher Training Program teaches both Classical and Progressive principles and fuses them together in a way that has never been seen or done before. This kind of forward thinking has created PSC joint ventures with the Sports Club/LA, Reebok Sports Club/NY, Yoga Works, Equinox Fitness Clubs and other high integrity companies in the fitness world. PSC is the original creator of the “Common Problems Workshop” taught at fitness conventions and studios around the country. Yes Pilates.com, Pain Solutions Magazine, Daily Find, Encino Sun and Pilates-Pro.com have featured the work of PSC in articles available online. PSC has also created the very popular “Jump Board Workout: Series I, II, and III” DVDs as well as the “Pilates for Men: 10-20-30 Challenge” DVD series, as seen on YouTube. Newest titles are: the Cardio Springboard / Tower Workout, Advanced Pilates Cadillac Techniques, The Foam Roller Fitness Workout, Spilt Pedal Wunda Chair Workout, The Burn at the Barre Workouts series and the Pilates PMS Relief Workout.

PSC takes great pride in their innovative design of the “Comfort Carriage” which has been a breakthrough modification for the Reformer for the larger/taller population. In addition to being recognized as a Fostering Future Professionals entity with the PMA, PSC continues to create various workshops, DVD’s, and is dedicated to bringing education and innovation to the forefront of the Pilates field.

Click to launch their shop!

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Let’s say you publish DVDs for sale.

Disc replicator A says they can provide DVDs that work for 99.4% of customers.

Disc replicator B can provide DVDs that work for 65% of customers.

Imagine the hassle of customer complaints and refunds if you went with disc replicator B!

If the costs were close, the choice of which replicator to go with would be very clear. In fact, even if disc replicator A charged 50% more, you’d come out way ahead not having to deal with the extra customer service costs.

But while this logic is clear when it comes to DVDs, there’s a lot of confusion when it comes to internet-delivered video.

In a nutshell, if you don’t want to read further, I’ll just say that Leaping Brain Labs is replicator A. Streaming-only providers are replicator Bs.

Now, for the details:
Akamai just published their “State of the Internet” report yesterday with valuable information for those of us in the field of internet delivery of video. Herein I will address the current state of delivery of streaming video.

Theoretically, under ideal conditions you could view a 1.5 Mbps HD video stream with a solid 2 Mbps connection. But only if your connection is pristine, not shared, you are using Ethernet, your ISP is exceptional and you have a late model laptop or other device with fast networking.

In reality, however, you will rarely find ideal conditions like these.

The truth is, to deliver a quality fullscreen HD experience, you need a consistent connection of at least 3x to 4x the bitrate of the video you’re delivering.

Why 3x to 4x?

The additional bandwidth required is called “overhead”. Internet video is delivered in packets that are constantly hopping around on the tubes of the interwebs, meaning extra last mile bandwidth is needed to sustain playback when internet congestion delays delivery of data packets.

If someone else in the household is playing Halo with friends, watching YouTube, downloading MP3s or even surfing the internet on their iPad, the total bandwidth to that household is divided between all the connections requesting it, usually by a several-year-old $79 wireless router, not exactly enterprise-grade equipment. Wireless networking itself has its own overhead requirements and bottlenecks. And individual devices, from Google TVs to laptops to smartphones each have processing and bandwidth overhead.

Most HD video, depending on the content, can be encoded in fairly decent quality at anywhere from 1.2 – 4 Mbps – if you are expert and using world class tools like SampleLab in DV Kitchen.

So, as a benchmark, by the authority vested in me as a respected internet video pioneer and expert, I will say you need a solid, sustained connection of a bare minimum of 4 Mbps to have an acceptable experience viewing decent quality streaming HD video over the internet.

So how many people have a connection this fast?

The Akamai report shows that in the U.S. (and Great Britain), only 65% of connections surpass this mark.

In other fertile media markets, such as Ireland, France and Spain, about half pass the test. Only 1 in 3 of our friends down under qualify. And in important emerging markets like Thailand (25%), Brazil (13%), China (5%) and India (3%), it’s clear that streaming video is not an option.

Also remember that ISPs go down and whole areas lose internet connections. People’s wireless routers sometimes break. Servers go down on a regular basis, even Amazon’s. All this flakiness means one thing:

It is not a smart plan to rely on video streaming as the only way your customers can access your video content.

The Leaping Brain Fido™ downloading library ensures media delivery even to emerging markets with highly intermittent connections, and perfect fullscreen playback even if the user’s net connection goes out entirely.

Bottom line: If you want to 99.4% of your customers to have an excellent video consumption experience, the Leaping Brain platform is your only choice.

Check out the map here.

The post Would you sell DVDs that only worked for 2 out of 3 customers? The State of Video Streaming in 2013 appeared first on Leaping Brain Labs.

“Freebies”, as I’m referring to them here, are usually short pieces, maybe 5 – 15 minutes long, that allow people to experience the instant delivery and easy access of your digital platform. We’ve found that with some clients, over a third go on to make a paid purchase at some point. For anyone familiar with internet marketing, this is an amazing stat!!

We have noticed a very definite correlation between free content and overall success of a digital library, with our most successful clients having a smattering of freebies sprinkled through their catalog.

The sale might not happen for many months or even years after the download of the free content, but that 35% number will rise over time as more and more of the people who downloaded only free content in the past become buyers.

Freebies should not be “teasers”, they should contain content of real value and demonstrate not only the quality and style of your paid courses, but also demonstrate your generosity in sharing your knowledge for free!

Strategy 2: Free for a limited time

Ever noticed a “free this weekend” post about an iOS game or other app? App developers have started using this technique to generate huge buzz about their products, and after the weekend is over and tons have downloaded their app for free, the publicity ripples continue and sales of that app maintain a level far higher than they were before the free promo. And, they can use that app to advertise their other apps, leading to greater success overall.

(Of course, you are far better off with Leaping Brain than the Apple App Store, since with us you do capture your customers’ email addresses even for free customers so you can add them to your regular marketing list.)​

Making one of your video titles free for a short amount of time could be an excellent way for news of your digital catalog to go viral.

Strategy 3: First title in a series free

The most effective use of free content we’ve seen, however, is to offer an “Intro” or “Volume 1″ course of a long series (having perhaps 5, 6 or 7 titles) for free for a limited time, and promoting the heck out of it. A huge percentage of the people who take the free course continue on and buy the whole series, as well as spread the word virally.
Overall, people tend to share news about free content more often on social media, bringing new customers to your flock.

How does this marketing strategy correlate with marketing free content on YouTube?

Great question. YouTube is an excellent place to put free previews of your products, with a “buy now” or “more info” link right below the video (always above the “fold”, meaning they don’t have to click to view the link). Here’s an example. And here’s more info about marketing on YouTube.

By placing content on YouTube you capture people who are searching YouTube for videos in their area of interest. (By the way, use YouTube as a “one-way street”  to your website. Never send people to YouTube from your website, that’s going the wrong way!)

But people value content more where they have to go through a process to view it, such as registering for your digital shop. So overall, I would use YouTube for some trailers, teasers, and freebies, but lead people directly to your digital platform (as shown above) to capture their email address and bring them into your world.

And I would never put a whole title on YouTube for free, so for Strategies #2 and #3 above I would always use the Leaping Brain platform to avoid devaluing your content.

The post What you give away comes back to you appeared first on Leaping Brain Labs.

The creator of Martial Fusion™ a training discipline that fuses Aikido, Kickboxing, Karate, Yoga, Qigong and Zen meditation into a unique fitness system for self-development. The director of Aikido Miami in Coconut Grove, Florida, currently a certified Shidoin 4th degree black belt in Aikido by Hombu Dojo Aikikai (Tokyo, Japan) and the International Aikido Federation, that has trained martial arts for over 25 years in numerous places around the globe, including China’s legendary Shaolin Temple and Hombu Dojo Japan.

Sensei Guillermo Gomez has worked with thousands of students, many private companies and corporate groups including SONY Latin, GAIAM, Comcast, Marriott, Club Med, The Sports Club/LA, Equinox, Crunch, Coral Gables Athletic Club and has taught at numerous international events and industry conventions worldwide like Italy’s Rimini Wellness, London’s Multitrax, Washington’s DCAC, New York City’s TSI Summit, Montreal’s CIELO Studios, Mexico’s Acapulco Fitness, Spain’s YPD Camp, AIC Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile.

A featured consultant and industry expert, Guillermo has appeared on several television shows including Univision, Telemundo, CNN, America TV, Jaime Bayly – Mega TV, Coral Gables TV and in international publications such as Fitness, Balance, Selecta and Black Belt Magazine. He is the star of 10 fitness and training DVDs available in main retail stores nationwide.

His Martial Fusion Kids program is currently being used by the Miami-Dade County school system (the 4th largest in the country), as part of their physical education program. Sensei’s trainings are seen in over 750 schools and after school programs nationwide and in 49 states.

When Guillermo first discovered martial arts at a very young age, he found that the techniques and principles he was learning inside the dojo applied to all aspects of his life. Today, his teachings range from martial arts, zen meditation, qigong, weight loss, self-discipline, health, wellness, relieving anxiety and stress, conquering fear, overcoming obstacles and challenges, developing focus, increasing awareness and finding inner-peace.

Providing ancient wisdom for the modern world, Sensei Guillermo Gomez combines physical movement with spiritual and mental exercises as a vehicle of self expression to help others improve their quality of live through inner-transformation.

“My work is to create an experience for self-development, inner-transformation and evolution.”

Click to launch their shop!

The post Welcome Martial Fusion! appeared first on Leaping Brain Labs.

A certified wellcoach and fitness lifestyle expert, Jessica coaches clients, health professionals and wellness related companies, helping them to “find the fitness within.”

With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Jessica has starred in numerous best-selling DVDs. She has been a featured trainer for Exercise TV and Seventeen Magazine, and is the creator of the 10 Pounds DOWN DVD Series and co-creator of the Yin Yang Fusion Workout method, which she developed along with her husband, 4th degree black belt Guillermo Gomez. She is also the co-author (with esteemed health and fitness writer Liz Neporent) of Thin in 10 (Sunrise River Press, 2012).

With a BA in Communications from Fordham University, Jessica holds certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America the International Sports and Conditioning Association, Powerhouse Pilates (in both mat & reformer method), Martial Fusion and Johnny G’s SPINNING™ Program.

Click to launch their shop!

The post Welcome Jessica Smith! appeared first on Leaping Brain Labs.

Boston Body is a Pilates and Barre studio containing 5 locations and the largest Teacher Training facilities in the east coast. From the moment you walk into one of Boston Body Pilates and Barre‘s five locations, you will feel welcomed and right at home. Our clients look forward to coming in and exercising together. Our workouts are enjoyable and the atmosphere so inviting that it is easy to be drawn into your new way of life! This is a place where you can leave behind the stresses of daily life and reconnect with who you really are. You will leave Boston Body Pilates and Barre revitalized with new energy. Once you start training with us, you won’t want to stop. And before you know it, you will not only have a Brand New Body but a brand new way of life!

Boston Body Pilates and Barre is for everybody! Our studio community is made up of all different fitness levels and ages. We meet you at your fitness level and will help you progress every step of the way. You will receive personal attention and corrections throughout your workouts so that your body will start toning and changing quickly. Your body and mind will feel tingly and alive after just a few sessions!

Our goal is to help you reach your goals! We understand that your workouts are equal parts Inspiration and Perspiration and our instructors are so passionate about helping you that it is contagious. The biggest compliment we receive is when our clients are shocked at the end of their lesson and can’t believe how the time has gone by so quickly!

Boston Body Pilates is also the largest Pilates Teacher Training Center in New England. We are honored to be awarded Balanced Body’s 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Top Domestic Training Center! You will benefit from our standing as the premier Teacher Training Center because our instructors are passionate and motivated to help each of our clients. All of our instructors take pride in continually learning new techniques to motivate each person who walks through our doors.

Click to launch their shop!

The post Welcome Boston Body Online! appeared first on Leaping Brain Labs.

Bring out the dancer in you!

Meet Ilyse Baker, a woman whose personality is as contagious and charismatic as her enthusiasm for fitness and dance.

CEO and creator of the new dance fitness program Dancinerate™, Ilyse is currently a Reebok Global Fitness Ambassador and a Presenter, Master Trainer and Choreographer for Qignition’s QiDance and QiForze programs. Based in Los Angeles, Ilyse is a Dance and Fitness Expert to celebrities including LeAnn Rimes, Rihanna, and Daniella Monet, Trina Vega from Nickelodeon’s “Victorious.” Named Top Trainer in the Country for Dance by Exercise TV, Ilyse has also appeared in numerous fitness DVDs including workouts with “Biggest Loser” instructor Kim Lyons and ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” champion Cheryl Burke.

Having danced professionally and toured throughout the United States and the Caribbean, Ilyse was chosen to represent dance fitness at the Asian Academy of Sports Fitness Professionals in Beijing, China. She has been featured on EXTRA, LA 18, Access Healthy Hollywood, FOX’s Everyday Denver, CBS’ Talk Phillyand on Exercise TV and Fit TV. Ilyse has been showcased in American Fitness Magazine, SHAPE, SELF Magazine, Bella, Redbook, Diets in Review and Girls Life as well as on SheKnow.com, examiner.com, sweetfit.ca, Skinnymom.com and many others. She was also nominated as Best Choreographer for her ZUMBA video game commercial and is a Master Instructor for SHAPE magazine’s annual Summer Beach Tour. Ilyse is an AFAA Certified Fitness Instructor, has a B.A. in Dance Performance and Dance Education from Point Park University.

Never one to stand still for too long, Ilyse is a Top Ten Trainer for FitOrbit, contributes online workouts to FitnessGlo and teaches dance to at-risk youth in the greater LA area. Praised as a dance teacher like no other, Ilyse is dedicated to sharing her passion with “anybody that comes to me.”

Click to see Dancinerate!

The post Welcome Ilyse Baker! appeared first on Leaping Brain Labs.

Like:

“Video-on-demand traffic will triple by 2016. The amount of VoD traffic in 2016 will be equivalent to 4 billion DVDs per month.”

via Cisco Visual Networking Index: Forecast and Methodology, 2011-2016  [Visual Networking Index (VNI)] – Cisco Systems.

The post Cisco Visual Networking Index: Forecast and Methodology, 2011-2016  [Visual Networking Index (VNI)] – Cisco Systems appeared first on Leaping Brain Labs.

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