RentalMetrics

Article by RentalMetrics Fouder Doug Mitchell in ARA's Rental Management Magazine

I wrote an article for Rental Management Magazine that has gone live online.  The article is called, "See You On the Web:  Uploading Video Can Build Your Rental Business"

The power and effectiveness of web video is undeniable.  Whether shopping for toasters or pick up trucks online, buyers are 50% more likely to buy and buy from you if you have video explaining a product and demonstrating value. 

It doesn't take a marketing budget increase of $50k to shoot one commercial either.  We've been using "guerrilla video" tactics for over a year now to increase visibility and Internet findability.   If you don't think this is important now, you will.

Give us a call if you need guidance.  Or, visit our sister company www.createWOWmedia.com to see how they're helping small and medium sized companies WOW new customers and leave the competition scratching their collective head.

RentalMetrics ILE membership is closed

Our team has decided to limit membership in the RentalMetrics ILE to current members as we've become increasingly engulfed in projects.  If you're still interested in joining us, feel free to sign up for our free trial membership and we'll let you know when we open the ILE back up.  We want to keep flow of information up and provide new content weekly and we just can't do it with the projects we're involved with.  We plan to reopen membership and up the flow of new content in the Spring of 2009 after we've had a chance to hire additional research engineers and rental technologists.  This is the only fair thing we can do at this stage and we appreciate your continued support.

The back story
As more and more people experienced the multimedia content we produced in the ILE and the robust software platform we built to house it, inquiries came flying in from:

1. Business coaches wanting to use our software and multimedia talents to propel their business to the next level, increase their exposure globally, and create an online business that allowed them to share their brains and strategies with the world...from the comfort of their own home.
2. Consultants who were tired of traveling 150 days per year and being maxed out on income...wanting to have their seminars and sessions video taped and edited into online seminars delivered to anyone with a credit card.
3. Small businesses who wanted to offer higher value to their clients through educational programs and additional paid programs that create a recurring revenue stream, a community of loyal followers, and a platform to expand their business with no additional physical space.
4. Local companies that understand the power of video online who wanted us to create multimedia marketing materials, company intro videos, video blog posts, and custom audio for them.

The net result of those inquiries was the formation of createWOWmedia.

createWOWmedia is doing just that, creating wow for clients through the innovative deployment of video, audio, imagery, and voice over to amplify small and medium business brands.

So RentalMetrics and createWOWmedia are partnered at the hip and share many resources to deliver multimedia services to your rental business today.

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RentalMetrics 60 Second Grill - Episode 004

In this grill, we lighten up a bit.  Hey even we RedMeat craving carnivores need a little digestion help now and again.  Digest this video and take some tips on not "overcooking" your staff.

RentalMetrics 60 Second Grill - Episode 002

We're cooking up a serious side dish today with some French flair that would make the perfect accompaniment to a huge hunk of bovine goodness (ie STEAK!).  So bring it on, click play, and prepare for a treat.

Cresco Equipment Rentals Leverages Online Video Commercials and Gains National Exposure

I'm impressed at the use of video for an online commercial for Cresco Equipment Rental.  This nice article appeared in the WSJ online on the 11th of August.  The piece talks about how businesses are leveraging video to get their messages out without the glitz and glamor of a "TV type production" that blows the marketing budget for the year in one little video shoot.

These programs offer "small businesses a way to capture their target audience...on a larger scale and at a cheaper price," says Josh Martin, a vice president and director of emerging media for New York-based ID Media, a member of Interpublic Group of Cos. "Video commercials offer a compelling way to engage consumers."

Take a look for yourself.  We agree that using what we call "good enough" production values are key to rising above the chaff...without breaking the bank.  We live by mantra as witnessed by our "Get to know us" in the upper right sidebar and through our 60 Second Grill series. 

RentalMetrics Offers No Risk - Monthly Access to Interactive Learning Environment for Construction and Equipment Rental Industries

RentalMetrics has operated on a quarterly pricing model that includes:

• Access to our Interactive Learning Environment containing education and information to increase business health and efficiency.
• Access to our client video conference calls, open QA, and special reports.
• Access to our team for special client projects and project management.

We have had numerous inquiries however from smaller construction companies wanting to streamline operations without having to hire consultants or go with the RentalMetrics full access subscription.  Some of these companies are saying, "Just give me access to information for a small monthly investment and if I need more help, I'll upgrade."

We're not ones to argue with that great business logic. 

So, we're offering our e-learning environment at $97/mo.  No strings attached. 

We believe you'll stay around to see the new and exciting business health  courses and education offerings we provide.  Also, we think you'll love participating in our forums where other industry colleagues will share opinions and tactics to help you move the needle to the positive.

Times are tough.  But now is the time to invest in your business's health. 

For LESS THAN PRICE OF ONE TANK OF GAS in your company truck...you may just save enough money to buy another truck. 

Doug Mitchell's Podcast with Sam Simon at the Construction Equipment Owners Blog

I was recently interviewed by Sam Simon over at the Construction Equipment Owner's Blog for a podcast. 

If you can spare few moments...take a listen.  We chat about extracting maximum ROI from equipment tracking solutions...across the entire enterprise. 

Many times, GPS buying decisions are made by one silo within an organization.  Often the decision is reactionary.  In this podcast, I give some strategies on how to step back and make a sound decision on deploying GPS and getting the MOST out of it. 

Sam also references our Introduction to GPS video which is one part of our Free Trial course in our Interactive Learning Environment (ILE).  To see all of our course offerings in the ILE, click here for your free trial.

RentalMetrics Online GPS Product Showcase - Blue Sky Network

If you can spare 5 minutes and 44 seconds...take a look at the next installment in our Online GPS Product Showcase where we chat with Blue Sky Networks, an Iridium Satellite Tracking Partner/Provider.

CAT testing Rental Stores WITHIN Home Depot

It's reported that CAT is testing its Rental Store model within a Home Depot in Texas.  With all the talk of major expansion, CAT was probably destined to find a partner with the infrastructure to accelerate its plans. 

I think it's a great fit.  CAT can offer landscapers and other contractors the "smaller stuff" that typically goes to the total rental solution providers now...while having the ability to call upon the larger big yellow iron brothers if required.

The Home Depot provides CAT ample real estate and a built in base of loyal customers too.  This will prove to be a fantastic strategic move for both Home Depot and CAT.

So which rental firm will partner with Lowe's now?  How about Menards?

RentalMetrics Online GPS Product Showcase - On-Board Communications

Today inside the RentalMetrics Online GPS Product Showcase, we're chatting with Larry Simmons of On-Board Communications.  If you can spare 5 minutes...you may be able to save yourself months of research as we do the heavy lifting for you.  Take a look...and a listen.