Using Multimedia Tools

Multimedia enhances messaging because it allows people to experience the story in a different way. It gives the story teller an ability to add dimension to their story. Instead of picturing something in one's mind, a photograph or a video clip can give the viewer additional incite. To some extent, the viewer can actually experience what happened. Using multimedia tools creates a richer story.

Multimedia tools are particularly helpful when it comes to absorbing maximum information. Studies suggest that the more senses one uses the more likely they are to remember the content. Also, people learn in different ways. Visual learners may respond more to images and video while others may respond more to audio.

Some multimedia techniques are more effective than others, but that depends on what the writer is trying to achieve. For example, an audio file may make more sense on a music blog and a chart or graph may make more sense on a financial website. It is up to the creator to determine which types of multimedia files make the most sense for their particular outlet.

Here is an example of a blog that uses multimedia to enhance the text, http://www.thegirlygalguide.com. This is one of my blogs. I'm known as a "beauty guru" meaning that I blog about beauty. I use a combination of text, pictures and videos to enrich my content and to give my audience as much information as possible without being overwhelming. 

John Branch created is an excellent example of this type of multimedia use as well. He was able to incorporate video, audio, and imagery into his story about an avalanche. Viewers were able to hear the words of the victims, see a map of the site and marvel at the pictures and video clips. His post can be viewed here. His ability to combine all of these elements created not only a story but an experience.

 Reference:

Branch, J. (2012). Snow fall: The avalanche at tunnel creek. The New York Times. Retrieved from www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/#/?part=tunnel-creek.

Dudenhoefer, A. (2011). The girly gal guide. Retrieved May 30, 2014, from http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegirlygalguide.com.

Sniderman, Z. (2010, July 28). How to: add multimedia to your blog. Retrieved May 29, 2014, from http%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2F2010%2F07%2F28%2Fadd-multimedia-to-blog%2F