These “virtual fitting rooms” have the potential to not only enhance customer engagement but also reduce return rates and increase sales.

AI-powered virtual product try-on experiences continue to revolutionize online and in-person retail experiences, offering convenience and personalization. These “virtual fitting rooms” have the potential to not only enhance customer engagement but also reduce return rates and increase sales. Some direct selling makeup companies are already using forms of this experience while others are considering incorporating it for branded swag.

Zelig

MadaLuxe Group has introduced Zelig, an AI-powered virtual try-on and styling platform. The technology allows users to visualize how clothes, shoes and accessories would look on their body type by uploading a photo. The system also uses machine learning and computer vision allowing users to create different outfit combinations, save and share them before buying.

Despite the concept of virtual try-on not being new, with companies like Walmart, Google and Amazon investing in similar technology, Zelig claims to offer a “hyper-personalized online shopping experience.” It aims to replicate the experience of trying on clothes at a retail store.

The co-founders have invested privately in Zelig for three years, but they recently secured $15 million in Series A funding led by Hilco Global, valuing the pre-revenue company at $100 million. The funds will be used to enhance its personalization capabilities and develop additional features. While no brands were announced at the launch of Zelig, the association with MadaLuxe suggests potential future partnerships with high-end brands.

Google AR Beauty

Google has launched AR Beauty Ads, a new ad format that enables virtual try-on experiences for cosmetic products. The tool will replace the standard product image in Google Shopping ads and allow users to preview what different products might look like on them or a model. The ads will appear on mobile-specific channels including Google’s Shopping tab, Search and Google Images.

The launch of AR Beauty Ads reflects the tech industry’s increasing faith in AR as a potent marketing tool. Companies like Meta and Snapchat have already integrated AR ads into their platforms, and Google’s move is a continuation of its AR experimentation started with YouTube display ads in 2019.

Data from Shopify indicates that AR ads often outperform display ads, with 3D AR ads generating 94 percent higher conversion rates than their static 2D counterparts. Findings from Snap and Deloitte suggest brands offering AR experiences are 41 percent more likely to be considered by customers, and nearly three in four shoppers are willing to pay more for a product they can explore with AR.

Google’s own experiment with VR ads in 2019 resulted in almost a third of viewers spending more than 80 seconds trying on lipstick. The company claims that users who interact with virtual try-on tools on Google Search are more likely to spend time on a brand’s site; research a product; or make a purchase. By 2025, global AR ad revenue is projected to grow to $6.68 billion, up from $1.36 billion in 2020.

From the January/February 2024 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post Magic Mirror first appeared on Direct Selling News.

D-ID, the Tel Aviv-based startup known for its AI video technology that animates still images, has released a new mobile app that could be a powerful tool for both direct selling corporate teams and the distributor field. Previously available only as a web platform, D-ID’s Creative Reality Studio allows users to turn a still image and script into an AI-generated video, creating digital avatars of themselves, historical figures or fictional characters.

The app, now available on the App Store and Google Play, allows users to either select a premade “digital person” provided by D-ID or upload an image from their phone’s photo library. Users can then input text for the digital avatar to say in one of 119 languages, with options for male or female voices and various speech tones.

The technology behind D-ID combines proprietary and open-source AI technologies. “At its core lies a foundational model capable of generating video frames based on audio input,” said D-ID CEO Gil Perry. The company’s products all use an API capable of rendering video at an industry-leading 100 FPS, four times faster than real-time rendering.

The app is designed for anyone interested in creating videos with digital avatars, offering the ability to produce videos anywhere. Videos can be up to 10 minutes long and are subject to moderation policies to prevent misuse for deepfakes or disinformation campaigns.

Before the mobile launch, the desktop version of Creative Reality Studio gained 60,000 new sign-ups daily, with over 150 million videos made using the platform. The mobile version aims to reach a broader market, including mobile-first or mobile-only users. It will be subscription-based, with existing desktop version subscribers able to keep their current plans.

Picsart Ignites Creativity

The photo-editing startup Picsart has launched Picsart Ignite, a set of AI-powered photo editing tools designed to simplify creating ads, social posts, logos and more. This suite includes 20 tools for generating videos, images, GIFs, logos, backgrounds, QR codes and stickers. New features include AI Expand that allows additional details to be added to any image using AI prompts as well as AI Object Remove in Video for removing unwanted objects from videos. The “AI Style Transfer” feature lets users apply artistic styles across visuals, and “AI Avatar” generates realistic avatars for business portraits. Picsart Ignite is available to all users across Picsart web, iOS and Android.

Hovhannes Avoyan, Founder and CEO of Picsart, said, “We believe that everyone is a creator. Our editing experience reflects this philosophy by providing users with powerful, yet fun and easy-to-use tools to express their unique visions. We developed these features to ignite creativity and enable users to turn their ideas into stunning visual content.”

This launch comes as platforms of all sizes are incorporating AI tools into their services. Picsart has also recently focused on social collaboration, launching in-app communities called “Spaces” where users can connect and create around topics they love.

4 Evolving AI Animation Trends

1 / Finishing Fast

AI is revolutionizing the animation industry by using algorithms and neural networks to create animations that mimic human-created content, eliminating the need for laborious and time-consuming manual drawing.

2 / Highly Personalized Storylines

AI is set to revolutionize the future of animation by creating personalized narratives that adjust in real-time to each viewer’s preferences, fostering a deeper emotional connection through tailored character interactions, plot twists and visual aesthetics.

3 / AI-Generated Story Concepts

AI’s capability to analyze viewer engagement data and large-scale narrative patterns will soon allow it to collaborate with human authors to create innovative, personalized animated series like Mighty Raju and Super Bheem that deeply resonate with viewers.

4 / Improved Creativity and Exploration

AI aids writers in generating innovative content by analyzing extensive data on user preferences, interests and activities.

Source: Green Gold Animation, LinkedIn

From the January/February 2024 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post Picture This first appeared on Direct Selling News.

PRODUCT SAMPLING is becoming a normal and effective way for larger manufacturers and retailers to attract and keep customers. While sampling is nothing new to the direct selling channel, it’s shifting the customer experience in mainstream commerce.

The Product Sampling Study by Arbitron and Edison Media Research reveals the impact of sampling on purchasing decisions. One third of customers make a purchase of a sampled product in the same shopping trip, and 47 percent are willing to buy a sampled product in the future. The Event Marketing Institute reveals that 81 percent of consumers approach a brand’s display for a free product, surpassing the 54 percent drawn in by a special discount. This highlights the significance of free product offerings in attracting consumer interest and increasing conversion likelihood.

As consumer behavior shifts, companies are adjusting their product sampling strategies. Leveraging digital and at-home channels, including click-and-collect QR codes, digital kiosks, mobile apps and direct-to-consumer sites, has become pivotal for driving brand awareness. Despite a rise in online shopping, the majority still make in-store purchases, necessitating new approaches to product sampling that encourage discovery and impulse purchases.

Coca-Cola’s transition from in-store experiential sampling to inserting energy drinks into online grocery pick-up orders exemplifies an innovative strategy. Major retailers like Walmart, Kroger and Giant Eagle offer curbside sampling programs, while third-party on-demand delivery services like Instacart integrate sampling into customer orders. Walmart has gone even further by hosting drive-through sampling events, such as a Mother’s Day event with goody bags and QR code interactions for deeper engagement.

QR codes have emerged as a flexible tool for product sampling, serving as an educational medium. Customers can scan codes for additional information, discounts and virtual assistance. Shelf-tag technology, tested by retailers like Native Sun and Raisin Rack, allows for touchless aisle browsing through QR codes, enriching the customer experience with content like educational videos and documents.

In the beauty industry, sampling is a major part of the decision-making process, with 50 percent of shoppers stating that complimentary samples inspire purchases. Arcade Beauty’s Abeo digital sampling platform targets qualified customers through social media ads, allowing them to select samples for direct delivery.

Direct-to-consumer channels enable companies to establish direct relationships; personalize experiences; and run their own sampling programs. Pipcorn offered the option for customers to send a free sample to a friend when purchasing directly from their website. KIND Healthy Snacks and Heinz utilize their websites to offer free samples as part of subscription sign-ups, showcasing innovative strategies to deepen customer relationships, engender goodwill and foster brand loyalty.

The evolving landscape of consumer behavior necessitates a combination of digital and in-person sampling strategies, emphasizing free product offerings to inspire purchases and build lasting connections with customers.

From the December 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post Sample This first appeared on Direct Selling News.

Attracting attention with online content can be challenging, but digital storytelling continues to be one of the most effective strategies for generating a loyal customer base and strengthening field retention. Here are eight key strategies to elevate your brand narrative.

1/ Create a Consistent Brand Narrative

Consistency is the cornerstone of successful brand building. Know your audience and understand their pain points. A cohesive brand narrative that permeates all your digital storytelling develops trust, which can be an uphill battle in direct selling. Whether it’s the tone of your content; the visual elements; or the underlying message, ensure that your brand identity remains unwavering across all platforms. Consistency leads to familiarity, and familiarity leads to trust.

2/ Be Emotionally Resonant

People are bombarded with messages, and they’re looking for emotional connection through all the noise. Infusing emotions into your stories creates a powerful bond with your audience. Whether it’s the joy of a customer or distributor success story; the empathy in understanding their challenges; or the inspiration drawn from your brand’s journey, emotional resonance is the secret sauce of effective storytelling. Craft narratives with relatable, real people and situations that conjure emotions, forging a deeper connection with your audience. It’s difficult for people to leave a company and brand they have formed a connection with.

3/ Create Interactive Content

The digital landscape is not a one-way street. Encourage engagement through interactive content. Leverage polls, quizzes, surveys and other participatory storytelling formats to involve your audience in the narrative. People want to feel like they are part of building a brand they love. Direct selling is still a relationship business, and interactive content transforms your storytelling into a conversation. Engage your audience in a dialogue; listen to their responses; and adapt your narrative based on their feedback.

4/ Utilize Multiple Platforms

You can’t just pick one platform these days because your customer base is using several. Be an omnichannel storyteller across various platforms, including social media, blogs, podcasts and video channels. Each platform offers unique strengths and caters to different audience preferences. A strategic mix ensures that your brand message reaches a broader audience, maximizing your impact and visibility. Repurpose a longer YouTube video for shorter Instagram Reels or TikTok videos. Take specific points from a blog post and turn them into an Instagram carousel.

5/ Leverage User-Generated Content

Authenticity is currency in today’s online commerce. Incorporate user-generated content into your digital storytelling by sharing customer testimonials, reviews and stories that highlight real experiences. This not only builds authenticity but also involves your audience in the narrative. Encourage customers to share their success stories or creative uses of your products, turning them into co-creators of your brand story. This still gives you control over what is published but leverages the creativity and genuineness of your loyal customer base.

6/ Showcase Behind-the-Scenes Content

Peel back the curtain and take your audience behind the scenes of your company. It’s all about humanizing your brand and being vulnerable. Introduce the people who help keep everything running; showcase your company culture; and provide a glimpse into your day-to-day operations. Record a day in the life of the founder; show what all goes into preparing for the national convention; or follow a product from manufacturing to packaging to shipping. Even show some of the mistakes along the way and how they were corrected. This transparency fosters a sense of connection and trust.

7/ Tell Stories across the Customer Journey

The customer journey is not a One-Size-Fits-All experience. Tailor your stories to different stages of the customer journey. Craft content that attracts new customers; nurtures leads; and retains existing ones. Personalize the storytelling experience based on where your audience is in their relationship with your brand. This targeted approach enhances the relevance of your narratives and deepens the engagement at each stage. Customers feel as if you are speaking to them individually and meeting their needs where they are.

8/ Measure and Adjust

Your storytelling data is your compass. Use analytics and feedback to measure the effectiveness of your efforts. Pay attention to metrics such as engagement, click-through rates and conversion rates. Analyzing this data provides valuable insights into what works and what needs refinement. It gives you a peek into the mind of your customers, showing you what is and isn’t important to them. And sometimes, this is a big surprise. Embrace a culture of continuous improvement by iterating your storytelling strategy based on feedback and performance metrics, ensuring that your narratives evolve with the changing dynamics of your audience and the market.

From the December 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post Storytime first appeared on Direct Selling News.

Video production remains a prominent social media marketing tool. According to a 3PlayMedia survey, 23 percent of respondents in a recent survey report producing over 500 hours of video content annually. WordStream notes that video generates 12 times more shares than text and images combined. With this influx of videos and an incredibly tight battle for online attention, what’s the secret weapon that captures attention, boosts engagement and ensures accessibility? The answer might lie in captions.

The use of captions began to rise on YouTube in 2009, and with videos now a staple in social platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Instagram Reels and Facebook, captions are now an expected feature. According to Sendible, captions increase video viewing by 80 percent.

In the age of smartphones, people often put their devices on mute, making captions indispensable. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or watching a tutorial, captions provide the context that keeps viewers hooked. According to Dan Greenberg of Sharethrough, “75 percent of all consumers and 86 percent of Millennials mute their phones throughout the day. If content creators don’t caption their videos, the audience won’t hear them.”

In Sync

Effective captions can seamlessly sync with video or audio for greater engagement. This synchronization becomes invaluable when someone is speaking with a thick accent or at a fast pace. Captions bridge the gap between auditory and visual comprehension, ensuring that nothing is lost in translation. Syncing captions to a rhythm of the video can create a more impactful experience.

Auto-captioning has become the norm on many platforms and apps. Even if it occasionally results in inaccuracies, the convenience of auto captions cannot be overstated. Improved audience comprehension; flexibility for sound-sensitive environments; enhanced video search; and translations into multiple languages are a few top benefits. AI-powered captioning platforms are continually improving, and the importance of speed has outpaced the requirement of accuracy. Most creators are willing to put out videos with some mistakes.

Accessibility and Engagement

Captioning serves various purposes, but providing access is the primary motivator for many content creators. In 2023, a significant 67 percent of respondents to the 3PlayMedia survey stated that accessibility and equal access drove their captioning efforts. Legal compliance, audience requests, boosted engagement and improved learning also ranked high as motivators for captioning.

Caption a searchable text version of each of your videos so that search engines can index them. This can help your videos rank higher and appear in a wider selection of search terms. Facebook reports that videos with captions bring 135 percent higher organic traffic.

When it comes to social media videos, 68 percent of respondents reported captioning their content for accessibility. Captions have proven to drive increased views, engagement and compliance with legal requirements.

Live content is a significant part of the video landscape. More than 70 percent of respondents produce up to 1,000 hours of live-streamed content annually. To ensure accessibility, 69 percent of these content creators provide live captions, either occasionally or consistently. This ensures that a broader audience can access live video content, including webinars, live streams and virtual conferences.

Millennials and Gen Z show a strong preference for subtitles. According to a study by YouGov, 63 percent of these demographics prefer subtitles, citing reasons like improved concentration and better understanding of accents. This preference underscores the importance of captions in capturing the attention of younger audiences.

Pillars of Video Overlay Captions

Including effective captions today is more than just slapping text over your video. Follow these three key tips from SuperStock:

1/ Embrace Completeness

Resist the urge to abridge, streamline or modify dialogue in subtitles. For people who simultaneously listen and read, discrepancies can be distracting and disrupt their comprehension. For those solely relying on reading, altering the content can come off as patronizing.

2/ Communicate Emotion

It’s crucial to remember that words alone may not fully communicate nuanced emotions like sarcasm, humor or self-pity for those who are reading without listening. This is especially true for the neurodiverse community. Incorporating tone markers can provide helpful cues on how the language is intended to be understood.

3/ Maintain Brand Consistency

Subtitles don’t have to mimic the traditional TV closed-captioning style: white, capitalized text in an outdated computer font against a black backdrop. While readability is key, there’s room to make your captions consistent with your brand identity. Ensure they align with your video, campaign and brand visual guidelines.

1/ Know Your Audience

Start by understanding your target market’s demographics, language and interests through analytics. Create an audience persona to empathize with them, considering their content preferences; accounts they follow; and humor style (Millennial or Gen Z). When writing captions, ask if your audience will grasp references; if emojis fit; and if trend-related captions require additional context. Tailoring captions to your audience enhances engagement and connection.

2/ Develop A CONSISTENT TONE

A consistent tone can significantly enhance engagement and attract more followers. To establish this voice, you should consider your brand’s personality traits and values, as well as the type of humor that resonates with your target audience. Additionally, it’s essential to analyze how other brands in your niche communicate. TikTok generally leans toward informal and humorous tones, so finding the right balance between relatability, trend participation and staying true to your brand’s voice is key.

3/ Use Hashtags Wisely

TikTok hashtags serve two crucial purposes: they enhance discoverability for non-followers and signal your video’s topic to the algorithm. Unlike Instagram, there’s no strict limit on hashtag use, but it’s advisable to stick to just three to five. Opt for a blend of popular and niche-specific hashtags. Popular ones like #travel and #beach yield wider reach, while smaller hashtags like #budgettraveldestinations may have less reach but attract more engaged viewers likely to follow accounts using those hashtags. Balancing hashtag selection is vital for effective TikTok content.

4/ Write with SEO in Mind

TikTok has expanded its video description character limit from 300 to 2,200 characters, offering new SEO opportunities. Optimizing for TikTok SEO involves enhancing video titles, thumbnails, captions and hashtags. Research and incorporate relevant keywords into your captions, maintaining a balance between fun and informative content. Starting with an engaging hook in the caption’s first part can encourage viewers to tap “see more.” This extended caption feature benefits various video types, including educational, informative, humorous and entertaining content, which allows for detailed instructions, full recipes or product information inclusion.

Source: Hootsuite

From the November 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post Caption This first appeared on Direct Selling News.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are transforming the way businesses engage with their customers. In the realm of video marketing, AR and VR videos have emerged as powerful tools to create immersive experiences and captivate viewers at a new level. They transport viewers into a virtual world and provide interactive and personalized experiences. These technologies are constantly in flux, so keeping up with how they are evolving business and customer interaction is key. Here are five AR/VR video marketing applications to consider leveraging.

1/ Immersive Experiences

AR/VR videos offer a unique opportunity for businesses to transport viewers into a virtual world, allowing them to experience products, services or virtual tours in a more realistic and memorable way. Businesses can go beyond traditional video content and create interactive experiences blending physical and virtual worlds.

Car manufacturers use AR/VR for virtual test drives, allowing potential buyers to explore features and putting them in the driver’s seat without ever leaving their homes. This experience fuels curiosity and offers a unique way for customers to visualize themselves interacting with the product.

2/ Enhanced Customer Engagement

Traditional video marketing often struggles to capture and retain viewers’ attention. However, AR/VR videos have the power to captivate audiences by offering a more interactive and engaging experience. Viewers are active participants rather than passive observers, resulting in increased engagement and longer interaction times. Companies can let customers try on clothing and makeup or visualize furniture in their own space. This interactivity helps customers make more informed decisions and helps reduce hesitation.

3/ Amplified Brand Awareness

AR/VR videos provide businesses with a cutting-edge approach to stand out from the competition and create a lasting impression on their target audience. By incorporating these technologies into their marketing strategies, brands can show they are innovative and forward-thinking. AR/VR videos attract attention and generate buzz, leading to increased brand visibility and awareness.

When customers have a memorable and immersive experience with a brand, they are more likely to share it with their networks, amplifying the brand’s reach and potentially attracting new customers. A Nike’s AR sneaker campaign involving dance artists allowed customers to preview shoes. It generated 32 percent more sales of the shoe model and 22 percent more visitors to the website during the AR experience.

4/ Personalized and Targeted Experiences

AR/VR technology allows businesses to deliver personalized experiences tailored to each viewer’s preferences and interests. By collecting data on viewer behavior and preferences, businesses can create customized AR/VR videos that cater to individual needs. For instance, a travel agency can use VR to offer personalized virtual tours based on a customer’s travel preferences or showcase specific destinations they are interested in. Events can be previewed by immersing yourself in the experience from a specific perspective.

5/ Measurable Results and Improved ROI

Texting may seem impersonal, but it’s being used for building customer relationships with its potential for two-way conversations. It’s often faster and more convenient than calls or online chats. There’s no hold time or waiting to receive a response. The overall experience matches today’s customer expectation.

From the October 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post New Realms of Reality first appeared on Direct Selling News.

The life of the QR (Quick Response) code has been a rollercoaster. Originally used to track vehicle parts for automotive manufacturing in the 1990s, they didn’t pop into the mainstream until the 2010s when camera-equipped mobile phones gained popularity.

QR codes found a new role in linking physical objects with online information. The mobile marketing possibilities exploded with codes added to flyers, business cards, signage, TV ads, magazines and many other forms of media. Mobile payments, event management, product information and security measures such as two-factor authentication also became practical uses.

Users could create their own custom QR codes with code generator applications. Codes linked to URLs, videos, contact details, geographic coordinates and more. Many different industries incorporated them into marketing and customer communication. The goal was to connect with customers by leveraging the on-the-go, always-available power of mobile devices.

Due to their odd square design with uniquely arranged dots and the fact that most camera-equipped devices required the use of a QR code reader app, widespread use faded. However, technology advancements and social changes in the last few years propelled QR codes back into the mainstream aligning with the rise of augmented and virtual reality. Phone cameras now have an innate ability to read QR codes and pull up URLs just by pointing the camera at the code. It eliminates the need to type in long URLs. Codes are permanent as long as the encoded link still works.

These innovations have opened doors to interactive experiences and enriched the role of QR codes in connecting the physical and digital realms. Codes today are often created with branding such as a logo in the center or incorporating on-brand color schemes. Now we see them in restaurants, digital travel tickets, on digital billboards, product packaging, pay systems, movie posters, event tickets, in-store offers and so much more. They marry the physical with the digital to create an on-going and interactive experience. Pizza Hut’s Newstalgia (New + Nostalgia) augmented reality campaign featured limited-edition pizza boxes with QR codes linked to an online AR Pac-Man game.

Today, QR cards can hold up to 7,000 characters, allowing for more detailed and complex storage. According to Bitly, QR codes have seen a 750 percent increase in downloads since spring 2020. A September 2020 Statista survey of US and UK customers found that 32 percent of those surveyed had scanned a QR code within the last week, and 31.8 percent said they have scanned one on a consumer product in the previous six months. Many onsite businesses such as restaurants began incorporating the codes linking to things such as digital menus. We see them everywhere, and customers are incorporating them into their everyday lives.

10 QR Code Uses for Direct Selling

1/ Social Media Profiles / Connect all your social media platforms in a single QR code.

2/ Targeted Landing Pages / Product-specific landing and lead-capture pages are becoming more popular in direct sales. Use specific codes for specific pages and messages.

3/ Print Ads and Signage / Create a scavenger hunt at an event; link to a coupon for a product sample or discount; or use them for promotional handouts.

4/ Product Packaging / Link to ingredients, recipes, health tips, how-to videos or even special product messaging. Create an experience!

5/ Digital Business Cards / Physical business cards are going digital, instantly creating a phone contact including all relevant contact info.

6/ Wi-Fi Access / Allow people to automatically connect to your network in an office or at an event without typing a long password.

7/ Onsite Payments / People love options when it comes to payments. Faster payments are ideal for events. A QR code can even link to more pay options.

8/ Branded Gear / Add QR codes to shirts, water bottles, bags and other branded swag that encourages people to learn more.

9/ Product Presentations / Benefits-focused presentations or demonstrations are core to direct selling. Product marketing materials can link to presentation videos.

10/ Augment Storytelling / Videos of testimonials can be linked to product packaging, marketing materials or event signage to enhance the messaging experience.

From the October 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post Scan It first appeared on Direct Selling News.

Using lifelike voices, businesses can effortlessly produce high-quality audio content without the need for professional voice actors. This can save time and offer flexibility in content creation for podcasts, video scripts, narration, translation and much more. Some tools can edit out the unnecessary “ums” or pauses, while others provide voice audio from complete scripts. “Make sure the script you are using is clear and concise, as this will make it easier for the voice-over generator to understand and produce accurate speech,” advised Speaktor.com. “Use the generated voice-over in a way that sounds natural and professional, this will make it hard for listeners to tell that the voice is generated.”

By converting text into spoken words using generated voices, businesses can offer an enhanced audio experience for their audience. Narrating text such as policies and procedures; distributor training; the option of having online text read to you; or having a voice guide you through details of a compensation plan can provide various audiences with choices to consume important content.

Several companies are dabbling in the virtual reality and augmented reality world, creating online avatars for employees and distributors used for meetings and presentations. Voice cloning can be used to further customize these avatars. For example, someone could select a specific avatar and voice when watching a business presentation. Some voice platforms can seamlessly translate into other languages while maintaining the same voice. This allows for localized content with authentic pronunciation with diverse audiences, breaking down language barriers especially when expanding internationally.

Virtual customer service is another area in which voice cloning can be used. According to Hubspot, 66 percent of customers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations. This means a personalized experience. Virtual customer service representatives with natural-sounding voices can handle customer inquiries; provide product information; and even assist in troubleshooting common issues. This can also be implemented in the form of an online chat where the agent guides the customer to the solution in a step-by-step, personalized way.

There are some potential downsides to this technology. Some voice generation can create awkward pauses or slight cadence misalignments, creating an overall robotic sound. Others don’t pronounce some words correctly, especially unique product names or words that can be pronounced different ways. There is a potential for misuse or abuse of cloned voices, leading to fraudulent activities such as deep-fake voice impersonations. Regulating the use of voice cloning among the distributor field will be a new frontier, and the corporate side will need to determine the most effective applications in line with company policies.

9 Voice Cloning Tools to Check Out

• ElevenLabs: Realistic voice cloning
• Descript: Voice cloning and video/podcast editing
• Resemble AI: Real-time voice cloning, text-to-speech converter
• WaveNet: Synthesized text-to-speech
• Rephrase AI: Build custom avatars
• Amazon Polly: Customized voice plus banks of lifelike voices
• Respeecher: Voice cloning for filmmakers and game developers
• Hour One: Build virtual twins with cloned voices
• Colossyan: Customize avatars that look and sound like you

From the September 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post You Don’t Say: AI voice applications for direct selling first appeared on Direct Selling News.

The online shopping experience continues to evolve rapidly, and staying on top of effective trends is crucial to understanding what consumers expect and need. Aggregated products, review summaries and the ability to quickly compare details are all being streamlined.

Microsoft has introduced a range of AI-powered shopping tools to enhance the shopping experience for consumers using the new Bing search engine and Bing AI chatbot in the Edge sidebar. One of the key features is the automatic aggregation of products within each category. Users can effortlessly compare similar items and review product specifications, facilitating customized buying guides.

The tools provide direct information on where to buy, with Microsoft earning an affiliate fee for each transaction. While this evolution could streamline the search and shop experience, it could negatively impact independent editorial content and affiliate marketing and avenues such as blogs and review sites.

“What do those mean for shoppers? Saving time, saving money and easily finding products you might not have known you needed,” noted an article on ZDNet. “Previously, searching a general term like ‘work from home supplies’ would bring up links to already published online guides. But with this new feature, Microsoft’s AI will compile a list of things a remote worker might use; compare similar products and models; and give details and pricing on those products.”

The AI-generated review summaries condense online product reviews, so users don’t have to wade through lists of irrelevant reviews. With a simple query to Bing Chat in Edge, users can obtain valuable insights from consumer sentiments. Price Match is another powerful new tool allowing users to request price matches, even after prices drop. The list of collaborating retailers is set to expand over time.

The Shop app by Shopify has an AI-powered chat-based feature (Shop.app/ai) that helps users find products, answers questions and even presents frequently asked questions to help users determine the specific products and solutions they’re looking for.

For example, when searching for a “greens supplement,” the app presents three options with brief descriptions and purchasing links with product images. It also asks follow-up questions users can click on such as “Which greens supplement has the most nutrients?” then recommends a product with a brief description. The experience feels like a personalized assistant helping users focus on their unique needs and questions without pushing irrelevant products. The feeling of having a conversation is key.

“AI-powered conversational commerce aims to further personalize the shopping experience,” shared an article by VentureBeat. “With access to a wealth of data, AI assistants can learn about a customer’s preferences, making it easier to find products that they will love. Such personalization is limited with traditional ecommerce platforms, which rely on generic product recommendations.”

This chat-based shopping is referred to as Natural Language Understanding (NLU) and even mimics a customer’s tone or speaking pattern. Combing augmented reality and virtual reality in the near future could humanize the experience even more.

“Together, these technologies can trick your eyes, ears and brains into believing that you’re standing right next to that shopping assistant, or even your favorite celebrity, talking about things to buy or not,” said Gupshup CEO Beerud Sheth in the VentureBeat article. “Going shopping with friends will have a whole new meaning when those ‘friends’ are virtual shopping agents.”

From the September 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post At Your Service first appeared on Direct Selling News.

The workplace experience has rapidly evolved over the last few years. Employee expectations, disruptive technology and organizations’ willingness to be more flexible have shaken up the traditional approach to building a corporate environment. Here are four hot trends relevant to direct selling companies.

1/ Wellness and Mental Health

In the “personal development program with a comp plan” industry, corporate employees can get overlooked, with so much energy and resources pouring into developing the distributor field. But focusing on the wellbeing and mental health of employees is a bigger priority than ever. Human resources departments have evolved far beyond just people management. A Surgeon General report on Mental Health and Wellbeing shows that 81 percent of workers want workplaces that support mental health. According to SelectHub, “there’s a 22 percent gap between employer and employee perceptions of wellbeing at work, as well as a strong correlation between toxic work cultures and burnout.”

Revitalizing employee wellbeing can come in many forms. Some companies offer in-house counseling or reimburse the cost for a certain number of outside counseling sessions per year. Offering healthy snack options in break areas, a dedicated gym or workout room, and individual quiet rooms also are becoming norms in the corporate space. Some companies are even offering in-office massages or hosting fitness challenges with prizes awarded for different accomplishment levels.

2/ Skills Over Degrees

More companies are focusing their hiring criteria based on skills rather than degrees. Data from research firm Remote shows that skill-based hiring is up 63 percent compared to a year ago. “Making hiring decisions based on experience, attitude and value-match rather than focusing on specific academic achievements advances equality and opens up the playing field for talented individuals from a range of different backgrounds,” states a blog post on the firm’s website.

A study by the Burning Glass Institute shows that online job listings requiring a college degree dropped from 51 percent in 2017 to 44 percent in 2021. Focusing on relevant skills broadens the talent pool and allows for more diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Prospective employees also can illustrate their skills with online portfolios or performing sample tasks before hiring. Many can stay up to date with evolving skills and technologies just as well or even more so than degreed candidates. A skills-based strategy is also more meritocratic than focusing on degrees, which in many cases could be outdated based on when they were acquired.

3/ The Future is Flexible

According to a Zippia report, 74 percent of U.S. companies are using or planning to implement a permanent hybrid work model. But flexibility doesn’t just mean working remotely or with a hybrid schedule. It also includes restructuring the traditional work week. Some companies opt for four days a week, even if it means longer days. Some employees are willing to work some weekends if it means they get to choose which weekdays they are off.

“Work flexibility is clearly something desired by all segments of workers,” says a Forbes article. “This is not just a benefit in a tight labor market. We need to ask ourselves what new work rhythms can we create that will allow flexibility for all workers?”

Technology is a huge driving force for a more flexible work experience. Digital communication options from emails to chat groups to video streaming, task-based project platforms such as Asana, file-sharing platforms, and even virtual avatars are becoming a normal experience no matter what percentage of a workforce is in-office or remote.

Flexibility can also influence the design of the physical workplace. This could include a more open office setting, stand-up desks, various options for workstations, mobile devices and digital signage for collaboration. Some companies are even utilizing coworking office spaces for employees who don’t live near headquarters. The traditional cubical rows and closed-door offices for management are fading fast.

4/ Lighting a Career Pathway

Direct selling companies do a terrific job of laying out goals, specific action steps and detailed compensation for the field. But are you laying out a similar path for your corporate employees? Business News Daily says that just 25 percent of employees feel confident about the career opportunities at their companies. A Gartner report showed that 44 percent of HR professionals think their companies don’t offer compelling career paths.

Highlighting internal career options can be just as important as compensation when it comes to employee retention. This doesn’t always mean climbing the corporate ladder, but also providing opportunities to evolve skills and encouraging employees to provide value in ways outside of their core job duties. It can also include pathways to professional and personal development through training programs, books, online courses or workshops. These opportunities might be less visible for hybrid or remote workers. Some companies have created “employee experience” managers to help facilitate this. They also help employees find innovative ways to connect to the company and coworkers.

From the July/August 2023 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.

The post Renewed HQ first appeared on Direct Selling News.