Playing YouTube on your Waiting Room TV

Playing YouTube on your waiting room TV may seem like an easy, cost-effective solution for waiting room entertainment; but the ease of using YouTube comes with a price – one that too few business owners are aware of, and even fewer can afford. This article will highlight the top 3 risks of playing YouTube on your waiting room TV.

1. YouTube for your Waiting Room TV is Illegal

Perhaps the most important is understanding that playing YouTube in your waiting room is illegal. Showing YouTube videos in a public setting, or pulling videos from YouTube itself for your waiting room – without expressed consent or permission, violates YouTube’s Terms of Service. In the end, you can’t put YouTube on your waiting room TV for the same reasons you can’t play Netflix. It costs a lot more than most businesses are willing to spend in order to license content legally. In addition, some content owners don’t want to play their content inside of certain businesses and it’s their decision to make, they own it.

2. It Takes Money away from Content Producers

Content creators struggle to produce videos from the small amount of money YouTube ad revenue provides them. When those videos are played in a public setting, it’s effectively robbing them of monetization they need in order to keep producing.

Imagine a patient comes to visit you, individually, to learn more about a medical specialty you offer. You would charge each patient that comes in for a visit. If that patient took a recording of you giving advice without your permission, and shared it with others inside of another medical practice or business without giving you your rate, you would not approve. Displaying YouTube videos in your waiting room without proper licensing is along the same lines. Videos licensed for public display or distribution are priced differently than ones made for private one-off viewing.

3. The Risk of “Related Videos”

If you’ve ever spent any length of time on YouTube, then you probably know how the site will autoplay “related videos” once a video is finished. Many YouTube videos are short. In fact, that’s part of their appeal as a waiting room TV solution. But what happens when those short videos are over?

A new video can be played. Automatically.

Once a video is done playing, or you’ve reached the end of a selected playlist – if your screen doesn’t get stuck on a frozen menu, YouTube will automatically select the next video for you. In those cases, you’re not in control of what plays next. What comes after, however related, may be inappropriate or graphic for your visitors. Why risk it?

The Safer Solution:
IRTV for your Waiting Room TV

It’s Relevant TV is a television network designed with waiting rooms in mind. It combines the best aspects of TV and digital signage; transforming your TV into a tool that will improve visitor experience, and help increase monthly revenue. Some of the world’s top TV networks as well as interesting YouTubers make their content available to IRTV through licensing agreements. This means you will have a whole host of great videos without the risks.

Compared to other waiting room TV software, nothing comes close to the control and customization IRTV gives users. Pick the types of programming you want, and automatically filter out the things you don’t. You also have the added benefit of being able to mix in your own videos and messages throughout.

You can learn more about It’s Relevant at itsrelevant.com.

Top 3 Customer Retention Strategies: Things You Should Be Considering

Customer retention is a vital part of any thriving business, but getting people who visit your business to come back can be hard. The start to a good customer retention strategy is as simple as putting yourself in their shoes. What does a visitor experience when he or she enters your business? What strategies are at work to make a it more welcoming place? This article will delve into the top 3 things to consider when coming up with strategies to nail those return visits.

Customer Retention Strategy #1:
A Good First Impression

You can spend all the marketing dollars you want on strategies to try and get people in the door; none of it matters if the first thing they see when they get there is something that will send them running for the hills. Never underestimate the power of a first impression. The first things that a visitor experiences within the first few minutes of being in your business are critical. What they see, how they’re treated, and the general vibes of the place are all factors that help determine whether or not you can count on that person coming back. For a more in-depth look into the factors that make or break a first impression, check out this article: Top 5 Factors to Enhance Your Business Environment.

Customer Retention Strategy #2:
Social Media

In the age of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, any business that doesn’t have a presence on social media is at a disadvantage. Social media keeps you connected to your customers when they are outside of your walls.

Getting visitors to follow you on social media platforms is a task in and of itself, and depending on the kind of business you have, it can be that much more difficult to get people interested in following. So what’s the trick? First, people need to be reminded that you exist on social media. This can be accomplished by printing pleas for followership on cards, shirts, and various other promotional items; but does that really convince people to follow you? You need to do more than just remind visitors to follow you on social media. You have to give them a good reason to follow you.

In truth, a good reason can’t be printed on a flier and handed out – it needs to be experienced. Visitors will follow you on social media when you show them what they get out of following you. Whether that thing is funny pictures, posts about hobbies they share, or even specials that give them a reason to come back – it’s all possible through social media.

Customer Retention Strategy #3:
Signage

Customers come back if they have a reason to. It’s your job as a business owner to educate them on why they should return.

Literature, brochures, and other types of signage are some of the classic business strategies for customer retention. Customers come back if they have a reason to. For good reason; it’s an effort to get the brand out there, and it can spruce up an otherwise blank waiting area. But relying on things like posters, or promotional items like pens and T-shirts to promote your brand doesn’t cut it. Posters go unnoticed. People throw out literature. And promotional items take up a lot of valuable space. The right approach to signage is investing in something people will notice, something that is informative, and something that doesn’t clutter up your storage space.

All-In-One Customer Retention Strategy: It’s Relevant TV

It’s Relevant TV is a custom TV network that makes for a great first impression, helps generate followers on social media, and gets your brand noticed.

First time, and even returning visitors are entertained by the engaging, and informative content. The videos get people to look at the TV; at which point they notice your brand, your messaging, and anything you want them to see. Strangely enough, the messaging that went unnoticed on posters gets noticed the TV. It’s Relevant TV also integrates with your social media accounts. Visitors are able to see recent posts from Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram directly on the TV in between content. This gives demonstrates the reasons for them to follow you, and then they do!

It’s Relevant TV is TV made for businesses and waiting areas. It’s affordable, customizable, easy-to-use, and improves visitor experience, and your bottom line. Visit: itsrelevant.com to explore a better alternative for your TV.

Top 5 Factors to Enhance Your Business Environment

Cultivating a welcoming business environment is instrumental to a successful business. There are a lot of elements that contribute to a setting that people will respond positively towards; even the smallest factors can make or break a visitor’s experience and influence a return visit. This article will explore the top 5 factors that will enhance your business environment.

Identifying the Elements of Your Everyday Business Environment

From the television on the wall, to the stereo speakers playing music – to the friendliness of the staff, and even the cleanliness of the rooms; no element is too small when it comes to its role in generating a welcoming atmosphere that visitors will enjoy. But why is each one important? How can you take control of the most important elements?

5. The Scent of the Setting

“In addition to being the sense most closely linked to memory, smell is also highly emotive.” – Fifth Sense: Psychology & Smell. Scents, as well as anything having to do with the 5 senses, are the foundation of a lasting impression. The right scent can invoke memories, familiarity, and associations that make for a positive experience. As beneficial as a good smell can be, a bad scent can leave just as strong an impression – perhaps stronger in some cases.

4. The Music & Ambience

There’s nothing like fitting music playing in the background to make you feel welcome. It helps you take in and appreciate your surroundings a little more. Whether it’s the radio, or some simple sound ambience, a little music can help visitors relax, unwind, and put them in a more positive mindset – which is good for you, your business, and your bottom line.

3. Tidiness / Cleanliness of the Rooms

Never underestimate the power of a pristine and organized business environment. The skills that may ring in your ears from when your parents to tidy your room are the very same skills that can be applied when improving your business. Something as simple as making sure magazines are nicely stacked, or making sure chairs aren’t dirty or in bad shape goes a long way. In order to improve visitor satisfaction scores, keep everything neat and tidy – especially the restrooms. People love to write reviews about bad experiences, typically more than they’re compelled to write good reviews on sites like Yelp, or Google. Keep on top of appearances. Set small goals or daily checklists to cover each day so the business is left in a welcoming state for the next.

2. Staff Friendliness

It goes without saying that the friendliness, attitude, and people-skills of your employees contribute to one of the biggest factors that make up a successful business environment. A bad experience caused by someone you employ is a fast track to a bad Google or Yelp review. And worse, the review will stick there for the whole world to see a lot longer than their visit lasted. Aim to make your staff happy. If they are happy they will hopefully pass their happiness onto your visitors. Finding ways to celebrate your staff, or highlight their achievements, is a good way to boost workplace morale.

1. The TV on Your Wall

Possibly the most important, and certainly the most versatile tool available to business owners, is the TV. Whether it’s the news, some random channel, or just white noise, the familiar glow of a TV can go a long way. Familiarity is a fine foundation for a relaxing setting; when it comes to generating a positive business environment, nothing is more familiar than a television set. TVs are great, but what’s on those TVs matters more. Depending on which service you choose to run on your TV, you could be spending a lot without getting anything back.

It’s Relevant TV Helps Build a Better Business Environment

It’s Relevant TV creates custom TV networks that are designed for businesses. Instead of attention-demanding TV shows that run 30-60 minutes long, It’s Relevant plays short, 1-4 minute videos across a broad range of categories you choose from. People like a variety of different things, so there are a variety of different things on the TV for everyone to enjoy. The interesting, family-friendly content engages viewers and gets them looking at the TV.

With It’s Relevant TV, you’re able to reach the people who visit your business in ways that you simply can’t with cable. Unlike cable, It’s Relevant gives you control over what goes on the TV – which includes your own custom videos and messaging that you want people to see. The service allows you to upload as many personal videos, ads, and messages as you like; and played them in between and alongside our fun and engaing content.

Don’t settle for a TV subscription that gives nothing back. If you’re keen on building a better waiting environment, visit ItsRelevant.com.

Top 5 Reasons a Free TV Service for your Waiting Room is Bad for your Medical Practice

Everyone knows the phrase “You get what you pay for,” and nothing is more enticing than something free; especially when that “free thing” is a TV for your business. Trying to get the most while spending the least is a sound business tactic. It makes sense to think that spending $0 for a service that you want in your business is a win-win.

But what’s the catch?

This article tackles the top 5 issues that come with free TV services and the ways it impacts your practice. If you’re already aware of the risks and you’re looking for a better alternative for your TV, then check out a custom television service we recommend that’s made for medical practices.

1. Who’s Paying For Your Free TV?

Contrary to what Sam Cooke was singing about in the 1920’s, the best things in life aren’t free. If someone approaches your business offering you a free TV service, it isn’t out of the goodness of their heart. It’s about business. You might not be paying any money for the service, but it does come at a cost. If the service provided isn’t getting their money from you, they’re getting it from someone else. That someone else is the one who ends up having the most control over what’s on your TV.

Advertisers pay for the messaging, so most of the content is there to benefit them – you have a lack of control over what your patients are seeing. If you’re not paying for your TV in money, you’re paying for it in other ways. The prospect of a free TV can be enticing, but don’t fall for it. There are better alternatives out there.

2. Free TV = A Bad Patient Experience

In a hospital, clinic, or medical office, a medical TV service that costs very little, or nothing at all, might seem like a great idea because it’s health-related and compliments the medical setting. But how does it make patients feel? Visitors might be there for health-related reasons, but that doesn’t mean it’s the sort of thing they want to watch while they wait. Graphic cross-sections of the human body, gross videos about clogged hearts or debilitating diseases, or even pharmaceutical ads for pills patients can purchase – however informative or well-intended these pieces are, it can make patients anxious or lead to an overall bad experience. The visit starts in the waiting room and you owe it to your patients to put something on the TV they will enjoy.

3. Poor/Limited Content

The content that comes with free services are often outdated, uninteresting, unsettling, or of poor quality. The providers of your free service pay as little as they can to procure cheap content that they can play over and over again forever. In the end you’re left with the bottom of the barrel, or the least amount of effort your provider has to put forward in order to hold up their end of the bargain. Don’t settle for this kind of service.

4. Updating Content…

If you’ve ever used a free TV service in your business or clinic, you might have experienced the frustration of waiting for the system to update. If you haven’t, then based on the previous sentence you could probably guess that it can take a very long time. Sad but true; in most cases, providers of free medical TV services are busy serving the clients that pay them, a.k.a. pharmaceutical companies that are advertising through their platform. As a free user, you rank lower on their list of priorities, and therefore updating your individual TV is often something they’ll “get around to doing,”… eventually.

5. Stolen Potential

Free TV services rob the potential your TV has to improve your practice, patient experience, and your bottom line. When you settle for a free service you’re sacrificing the most effective tool for communicating with your visitors. A free TV and several hours of dry, looping content isn’t worth the expense of your patients’ comfort. It also isn’t worth the lost potential that your own controlled TV network can provide you with. Don’t short-change yourself.

A Service That Works For You & Your Practice

Instead of settling for one of these “free” services, utilize It’s Relevant TV – and for a small monthly fee you’ll have access to interesting content visitors will enjoy. You’ll have control over what’s on your TV, and you’ll see a real return on your investment. With It’s Relevant you control what messages patients see; getting them to come back for other reasons, ultimately raising your per-patient-revenue. Outside companies shouldn’t be the ones getting the most out of your business. Schedule a call or demo with It’s Relevant TV to learn more: http://www.itsrelevant.com/medical.

Inexpensive Marketing For Your Businesses: Top 3 Things to Consider

Inexpensive marketing is possible, even on a shoestring budget – it’s all about knowing how to identify the ways to take advantage of what you already have available to you. The right strategy can make all the difference. This article will explore some of the top 3 things to consider when shopping for low budget marketing options. If you’re in the market for a business tool that’s inexpensive, improves visitor experience, and your bottom line – then check out this marketing program for your business TVs.

1.) Inexpensive Marketing: Internal vs External

Internal and external marketing are two sides of the same coin. Depending on your goals; what you’re trying to improve, who you’re trying to reach, or what you’re trying to promote, one can take priority over the other.

Marketing externally via billboards, TV commercials, or magazine ads, etc., can be effective, but can also be costly. If you’re working with a shoestring budget, every marketing dollar counts. Instead of investing only in new ways to promote what you do outside your business, use some of those precious dollars to improve what you do inside your business.

2.) Customer Retention vs Customer Acquisition

Identifying which of these two you’re trying to go after is a key part in determining how to execute your marketing budget. If you’re working with a low budget, then customer retention is probably the wiser option. It’s considerably easier, and more cost-effective, to get someone who’s already walked through your door to come back than it is to cast your line into the great unknown and hope somebody new bites. The people who visit your business have already experienced your service firsthand. When your marketing dollars are put towards improving the quality of their experience, you have a much higher chance at generating repeat business.

3.) Positive Experience = Repeat Business

If you believe in doing the most with the least, or if you’re forced to do the most with the least because of a low budget, then an inexpensive marketing strategy for your business that’s focused on improving visitor experience is a good idea.

A great place to start is trying to see through the eyes of your visitors. What do they see when they first enter? Is someone there to greet them, answer questions, or wait on them? Is there a lobby, or waiting area? Are there TVs? If so – is what’s on something people will enjoy? The first things people experience in your business determines their first impression. When you build a comfortable, welcoming environment, visitors remember that. The smallest things can make all the difference. Do more for your business by doing more for your visitors.

It’s Relevant TV is Inexpensive Marketing

It’s Relevant TV is an inexpensive marketing tool that improves customer experience and helps generate more monthly revenue by getting visitors to come back more and spend more. Learn more about the service at itsrelevant.com or schedule a free consultation to get an online tour and learn more.

A Better Alternative to ContextMedia and Outcome Health for Waiting Rooms

Settling on the right solution for your TV can be a difficult task in and of itself. This article will outline a better alternative for your waiting room that isn’t cable, a looping display, or a paid subscription that patients might find boring. As it stands, many medical offices are looking to revisit their medical TV systems. With the recent rise in news about ethics issues from ContextMedia / Outcome Health, office managers and practice owners across the country are looking for safer solutions.

The TV In Your Waiting Room

Before delving into better alternatives for the TV in your waiting room, it’s helpful to examine why it’s there in the first place. Why do medical offices invest in a TV at all? The answer is simple: TVs distract from the wait.

TVs are a familiar element and provide a unique distraction that helps visitors take their minds off their appointments and helps make time pass for anyone else who might be waiting. Having a TV is a no-brainer. What goes on it, is what counts.

Why, then, do some medical offices put content on the TV that is upsetting, uninteresting, or ethically questionable. A good clinic puts its patients first. And when TVs aren’t a top priority, it’s easy to forget the role they play in patient experience. For a closer look at some of the common mistakes business owners make with their TVs, take a look at this article about the Top 3 mistakes offices make with their TVs. It’s all to make your waiting room a better experience.

A Better Alternative With Patients & Your Business In Mind

A TV subscription that costs less than cable, is entertaining, informative, and consists of non-looping content – which not only gets people exicted about your brand, but educates them on additional services you provide in a way that gets them to come back. It might sound impossible for one service to promise all of that. But it’s not impossible- It’s It’s Relevant TV.

It’s Relevant TV is television made with businesses in mind. It replaces TV systems that are boring, or better suited for the home setting, with a service that better fits waiting rooms, medical offices, or anyplace where there’s a TV that people are watching. Compared to other waiting room TV software, IRTV is a better alternative. Below are some of It’s Relevant’s features, and why it’s a better alternative to what’s out there.

What Makes It’s Relevant TV Shine?

The Content: It’s Relevant’s library of content consists of over half a million videos split into 40+ categories. All content is safe, family-friendly, and free from graphic imagery or unsettling videos. The videos on It’s Relevant are short, which compliments the short attention span of visitors and better fits the brief time people spend waiting. The content is interesting, fun, and guaranteed to improve patient experience when compared to cable, or displays that only show medical content.

The Messaging: It’s Relevant provides free ad space on the side for you to get your messaging across. This space is reserved for any ads, promotions, or reminders of services you offer for visitors to take advantage of. Educating them, and giving them reasons to come back more, and spend more.

The Control: It’s Relevant gives you control over what’s on your TV. Content. Categories. Custom videos and messaging. It’s all part of the package. Users spend less than 20 minutes a month managing It’s Relevant. It’s quick to learn, and easy to use.

The Cost: The service costs less than what most others pay for cable, is more interesting than dry looping displays, and is completely void of Pharmaceutical Ads that plague medical systems.

The ROI: It’s Relevant TV provides a strong ROI. It gets visitors coming back more, and spending more. Owners shouldn’t settle for something that gives nothing back. See how It’s Relevant can improve your business with our ROI Calculator. Get more back from your TV.

How Do I Cancel Outcome Health?

You’re not alone. After the recent rise in ethical issues surrounding Outcome Health, many of its clients are jumping ship. If you’re looking for better alternatives to replace Outcome Health with, the best course of action is to review your cancellation policy and see what you’re allowed to do. In the case of Outcome Health, they supply the TV – so in all likelihood that prohibits you from putting another service on a TV they provided. But there’s nothing stopping you from buying an inexpensive TV, and running a better service on that instead.

It’s Relevant TV‘s custom network is the only waiting room TV programming you’ll ever need. Schedule a free consultation with IRTV to find out how our service could help improve your medical office TVs.

What is “Infotainment”? How can it help my business?

Plain and simple, “infotainment” is a term in television that combines the words information, and entertainment. Information + Entertainment = Infotainment. Infotainment is designed to both entertain and inform viewers as they watch.

TV solutions that include infotainment are popular choices for waiting rooms. They’re popular choices for lounges. And they’re just as popular in lobbies as well. The programming is typically chosen to give visitors something to occupy them while they wait. It’s more interesting than digital signage, and safer to display than cable TV. As time goes on, more and more businesses are looking to add infotainment on their screens.

Where Can I Find Infotainment for My Business or Waiting Room?

A lot of people start by searching on the internet for interesting content to display in their businesses. Unfortunately the vast majority of video content found on the net, on YouTube, or inside of Hulu or Netflix is not licensed for commercial use. That is, you can’t simply just grab some fun videos off of the internet and throw them on TV in your business. You physically can, but could find yourself in some serious legal trouble. It’s not worth it.

It’s Relevant TV has one of the largest collections of infotainment videos licensed for public and commercial display. IRTV takes care of all of the contracts and licensing fees on behalf of the businesses that use them. In addition to the content that they provide, they also provide a full-customizable display system that does the job of combining the programs with your business’s own videos and messages. You can find out more about this solution by visiting: http://www.itsrelevant.com

Reasons to Switch Off Cable

Cable TV business subscriptions are licensed for commercial displays. And while cable TV has it’s place in the home, it’s not a great fit for businesses. The television shows you see featured on cable networks aren’t made for businesses in mind, they’re made for home settings where people sit down to watch the shows they select for a period of time. In public businesses and medical offcies, the visitors neither have the time or control to watch what they want.

When you’re in a waiting room you’re doing one thing – waiting; and while familiar TV shows and programming can work as a fair distraction if they are picked carefully, cable TV really doesn’t cut it. Just think, hundreds of channels with 20-50 programs per day per channel. It’s impossible to make everyone happy staying on just one station. It’s also impossible to filter out the programming that is coming from a cable or satellite provider. With solutions like It’s Relevant TV you can utilize the infotainment they provide, while keeping strong filters and control over what appears on your screens.

Do I Have Enough Videos to Display on a TV in my Business?

Good question. If you’re a business owner looking to do more with your TV, then chances are you’ve seen the value of using custom videos to showcase your brand. Swapping out cable for something with a little more personal touch can be a great investment if done correctly. If you’re looking for an alternative to cable, check out It’s Relevant TV.

Getting the Most Out of Your Custom Videos

The first step towards making a successful business TV is content. Whether it’s content that you paid someone to make for you or content that you put together yourself, the videos that play are the bread and butter of your business TV.

But how many videos is too little, or too much?

Having too few custom videos gets repetitive – looping the same thing again and again is boring. Showcasing only a few of your own videos on their own may turn your messages into something that ends up annoying people instead of attracting them. If you’re looking to keep things interesting, you don’t want to show the same thing over and over again.

When it comes to the other side of the coin, there isn’t necessarily such a thing as too many custom videos. The longer your list of content, the more you’re exposing people to your brand. If there is a downside to building an effective library of content, it’s the time and money that goes into producing it, and sometimes maintaining it. Unless you have a lot of both to invest in your TV, it can be difficult putting together something worthwhile.

You Don’t Need That Many Videos if You Have a Partner:
Consider It’s Relevant TV

If you’re interested in utilizing custom videos on your business TV, and what you have doesn’t fit your vision – It’s Relevant can help. We recommend creating a custom TV network that combines the videos you have – even if it’s only 1 or 2, with loads of other content to keep your visitors interested.

Our library of content features over half a million videos. So we’ve got you covered when it comes to bringing in the rest. If you have your own videos that feature your own brand, explore what It’s Relevant TV can do for your message:

It’s Relevant provides businesses with a living, breathing, TV network that is fully customizable and easy to control. Our platform delivers interesting, short-form content that draws people’s attention so they can see your messages playing alongside the videos. If there’s something you want visitors to walk away with after they leave your business, we can help you get that message across.

For more information please visit: http://www.itsrelevant.com

Marketing Inside Your Business: Broaden Your Marketing Horizon

Most marketing dollars are spent on “external marketing.” That is, marketing which is done physically outside your business. Having to market is necessary for any business – it allows you to advertise your brand, giving you the chance to bring in new customers, and remind old ones that you still exist. There are plenty of ways to get your message out and raise brand awareness, though they are often quite expensive…

Some of the Most Common External Marketing Techniques:
– Billboards ($3,000 – $30,000+)
– TV Commercials (Local: $200 – $1,500+ / National: $342,000+)
– Facebook Advertising ($7.19 @ 1000 CPM)
– Google AdWords (Avg: $1 – $2 per click / High: $50 per click)
– Newspaper Ads ($7.25 – $43.50)
– Bus Ads (Small: $150 – $600 / Large: $3,000 – $6,500)

A Less Expensive Alternative

If there is one downside to an external market solution, it is the high cost that comes with it – though advertising on platforms outside your business isn’t the only answer. Too few business owners recognize the potential to market inside their businesses when such a solution can be both cost effective, and beneficial for drawing in more business – not from attracting new customers, but rather by getting older ones to return instead. In the end, the most important step is choosing which platform will carry your brand and message.

It’s Relevant TV is an Inexpensive Internal Marketing Solution

When it comes to market strategies there are two simple truths to consider. One; it’s more expensive to market outside of your business than it is to market inside it. And two; it’s easier to get an existing customer to come back than it is to get a new customer to visit for the first time. That’s where It’s Relevant TV shines.

It’s Relevant is a service that transforms business TVs into tools that not only allows you to market your brand, but improves visitor experience as well. The service gives your business access to ever-changing interesting short-form content that’s designed to draw the eye better than traditional signage. And while people are engaged, they are exposed to your brand and messages. It’s Relevant TV saves on the traditional marketing costs while using a more effective medium – your TV. It targets existing customers, getting them to come back more, and spend more.

For more information please visit: http://www.itsrelevant.com

Replace the DVD Player In Your Business

If you’re a business owner with a TV in your business, it goes without saying that at some point in time you sat down to consider what to have playing on it. Whether it’s basic cable, a DVD player or Netflix, an Amazon Firestick, or even a regular old USB drive with pictures and a slideshow, sometimes it’s time to revisit old tech and consider newer alternatives.

People say “Don’t fix what isn’t broken.” And this is true – no one should fritter away money on a whim. But at the same time, there’s a risk in the comfort of long standing familiarity. People who are happy with what they have seldom consider alternatives – less out of alternatives being better and more out of avoiding the hassle of change.

Out With The Old

It’s not unusual to want to get the most mileage out something, but it’s also important to recognize when something is worth revisiting. Even if it isn’t necessarily old. DVD players, services like Netflix, and external devices such as Amazon Firestick and USB Drives have broadened the options for ways you can put things on your TV.

DVD Players Are Outdated For Businesses

DVD players are great – at home. When it comes to DVD players in businesses, two common uses rise to the surface: DVDs, and looping slideshows. Regarding the former, playing a commercially available DVD, like a movie or TV show can result in a heavy fine. The reason is that even though you own the copy of the DVD, you don’t own the license to play it in public. The following article delves deeper into the risks involved when choosing to display content in your business without the rights: “Using Netflix in your Business, Don’t Put your Business at Risk!”

Legality aside, throwing a movie or the latest Disney Pixar flick up on the TV still isn’t that great of a solution. Feature-length movies can be as long as 90-120 minutes – built around characters and storytelling. Unless you’re waiting for a car to be serviced, there are few instances where putting something like a movie on for the enjoyment of visitors is going to be relevant. People don’t have the same focus to devote to a movie in a waiting room, restaurant or retailer as they do at home – and there’s no guarantee that people won’t arrive in the middle of story, or walk in on spoilers of a movie they were waiting to see. It just isn’t a good fit for businesses, and it carries the risk of disappointing visitors.

Movies aren’t the only thing that a DVD player is good for. Business owners who know that it’s illegal to show unlicensed videos, or don’t believe in playing videos in general, lean towards another option when it comes to what’s on their TVs – and that’s custom DVDs.

Custom DVDs & Slideshows Get Old Quick

It’s not uncommon for business owners to put together personal videos or collections of pictures for their TVs. While this alternative is certainly cheaper than basic cable, it isn’t without its flaws.

Custom videos loop constantly. Unless the business owner has a dedicated staff member with a lot of free time on their hands to put together a large library of content, people visiting are likely going to see the same things again and again. This can get boring, and depending on the setting in which people are waiting, the comfort of your visitors can have a large impact on their satisfaction and overall opinion of your business.

DVDs and USBs packed with videos and pictures plugged into your Smart TV lack a crutial level of customization. In order to update or make changes to either of those platforms, the devices need to be manually removed – and in the case of DVDs, new ones need to be made or switched out by hand. This is inconvenient, and in an age of innovative technology, shouldn’t be an option you have to settle for.

Another heavy loss at the cost of using custom DVDs or slideshows is the lack of live intergrations onto your TV. Features such as the local news, weather updates, and even recent posts from social media, aren’t able to be streamed and put where people are going to see it. So what else is there?

It’s Relevant TV is the Next Generation, Here Today

It’s Relevant TV is a custom TV service made for businesses. It gives you access to a vast library of short-form content to be played alongside your own videos to get people interested, and engaged. All of the content is licensed for public display, so you can avoid legal issues of playing commercial DVDs. Everything is divided into set categories for you to pick and choose from to keep the programming “relevant”.

The platform is easy to use and fully customizable – you can easily upload videos and images from your phone or computer straight to your TV. And best of all, it’s always fresh. Without you doing a thing, IRTV constantly changes the programming to keep it all interesting for your visitors.

Do away with the old, and embrace the new. It’s Relevant TV will provide your business with so much more than a DVD player can. IRTV is constantly evolving and provides business owners with the control they desire.