1. Because now you can
   
   For the first time, more Americans have high-speed Internet connections than dial-up. High-speed connections make it possible to watch web video, and people are watching.
   More than half of U.S. Internet users say they have watched or downloaded online videos, according to a July study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
   
   “A year ago, if you did a search for a professional video, you would be able to watch a clip or a bad pirated version," Suranga Chandratillake, CEO of video search site Blinkx, recently told Business Week magazine.  "Now you are able to watch a real show."
   
   
2. Because everyone is doing it
   
   General medical sites from WebMD to MayoClinic.com are expanding their video libraries, USA Today reported in an article titled Video libraries are growing fast.
   
    “At the Mayo site, you can see how to do a biceps curl, inject insulin and check your blood pressure. At WebMD, a mix of expert interviews, patient stories and news pieces grows by the day. The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) features videos … Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.com) offers a set of videos that show the early signs of autism.”
   
   
3. Because most people would rather watch than read
   
   There are a lot of visual people out there. Until recently, they had to take their online medicine in text form.  Medical marketers need to reach their community in every medium: Print, web, and television. Video on the web is a natural next step.
   
   Video gives you user-friendly tools to keep your site fresh. Video is more likely to inspire prompt action or promote a treatment.
   
   
   

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