Web video marketing is one of the least used marketing tools by
businesses, especially small businesses.
Why?
My initial guess
would be the perception by the business owner that the cost outweights the
benefits.
Well, like any business decision, you should gather as much
information as possible before you make a decision. Since we specialize in small business seo services, we often get
creative with our marketing ideas. After all, small businesses don't have the
financial resources that their larger counterparts do. So, let me help you
decide if web video marketing is for you by revealing some information that you
may not have been aware of.
1) You can get professional videos made for
distribution on Google Video and YouTube but did you know that you can also go
to your local art institute or college and hire a student who is studying video
to create a "commercial" for you?
2) You can also create Power Point type
of presentations and use THAT as your video. You can hire graphic artists (or
students) to create a "cartoon" type of video. You can use still photos with
captions to create your video. In other words, you don't need actors or anyone
pretending to be an actor to create a video for your "commercial".
3)
Google's "universal search" adds videos to regular search results so your video
could end up on the first page of Google. In other words, people don't have to
go to Google Video or You Tube just to see your video.
4) Videos are just
as viral (if not more so) than content. How many times have you received a link
to a video from someone in the last 6 months?
5) Don't make the mistake
of just creating a commercial - Internet viewers won't sit still for a
commercial. Instead, give your viewers something they want. Information, tips,
techniques, etc. Create a series of videos and you'll create a following.
Following are some ideas...
For Attorneys - create a series of videos
filled with information about your specialty. Divorce, bankruptcy, wills, etc.
For Landscapers - create a series of videos showing "how to's" in
regards to plant care or landscaping a problem yard. If you're a local nursery,
you may want to create a series of videos about the plants in your area. Florida palm
trees, would be an example.
For B2B - create a series of videos
showcasing creative ways your clients have used your products. Or perhaps a how
to use or how to take care of the products that you sell. Whether you sell name tags or batteries, it doesn't matter, you have
information that others want. Give it to them.
For Craft stores - create
a series of videos showing how to use the items that you sell. How to use gathered lace,
or how to create your own Christmas ornaments.
For Entertainment services
- create a series of videos of testimonials from the clients you've entertained.
How excited will your customers be while they're dancing to your Polynesian entertainment or
any other theme entertainment you provide?
Well, you get the idea. The
best web videos share what you know instead of selling what you do.
6)
Put links (or the actual video) EVERYWHERE! Your website, your blog, Facebook,
LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, etc. Send it to your friends, your email list,
etc.
7) Don't leave your viewers hanging. Send them towards an action.
Whether the action be to call you, email you, go to your website, fill out a
form, whatever! Give the viewer something to do during or at the end of your
video.
8) Optimize your videos by using researched keyword phrases (your
SEO firm can do this for you) and
make sure to use those phrases to describe your video and in the title and tags
for your video. If you have a series of videos, make sure to use the same tags
for all the videos in that series.
9) Invite comments for your videos.
Ask colleagues, friends, clients, etc. to write their comments!
10) Don't
be afraid to change your title or tags. If the keyword phrases you chose are not
working, change them!
Web video marketing does NOT have
to be extremely expensive and it ABSOLUTELY can bring in additional business and
sales. You just need the right information to get started!