Blendtec Has Viewers Waiting.

On May 26, 2011 Blendtec put out another video. And they have subscribers just waiting for them (I’m one of those people). As of 4:00 PM on May 27th the video had been viewed 51,612 times.

They’ve added entertainment to the promotion of their product. The work on a KISS basis (Keep It Simple Stupid). And the videos are short and sweet.

Here’s another video from one of YouTube’s greatest success stories.

Another social media success.

A basic rule in social media is to offer something for nothing up front. That is what entices visitors to visit and then revisit your websites and blogs. One of the best ways to do this is through a “How-To” video.

KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid

A key to making a “How-To” video is to keep is simple, very simple. It may require narration, it may not. But, you need to put in some kind of sound in the content, even if it is just background music.

Show Your Business on YouTube

Make sure you are promoting your business in the video content, when you’re making your video. Show your business name and contact information. That could be via a shirt worn by a video subject, a sign displayed in the video background, or a number of other methods.

Here is an example of a “How-To” video that shows you how to hang a door:

Another way to provide a how-to video is to go find one that has already been created on YouTube and post it on your site. The primary disadvantage to this is that the video does not contain your company information. However, it does give viewers a reason to make another trip to your website if they think they will learn something from the visit. And you should have your contact information posted on your website.

What are some good “How-To” videos you have seen on YouTube?

Creating a YouTube video keeps getting easier. Thanks to the incredible tools we have available such as the mobile phone video cameras and easy to use editing software. So it’s a wonderful time to create videos. But that doesn’t mean just throw one up there. Take some time to make sure it comes across with a touch of professionalism. Here are a couple of steps to follow.

Determine What Your Message Is

The whole point of creating your video, your blog site, your website or any other Internet marketing element is to communicate a message. While the quality of your video is important, lack of professional quality sound and lack of professional image taking is forgiven by most viewers on YouTube. A video with a poor message is not forgiven and can cost you views of future videos.

Plan Your YouTube Video

Not many people think their videos through very well before they create them. Take some time to draw a time line for the video content. For example, a company selling fire extinguishers:

1. It will start with a 15 second text introduction.
2. Then our CEO will introduce herself and the company in front of our 1st Street store location.
3. She will then walk over to the new fire extinguishers we are marketing.
4. She then reviews the features, advantages and benefits of her product.
5. Next, an employee will set a box on fire.
6. The CEO will put out the fire with the extinguisher.
7. The video will switch to text scrolling up for 5 seconds listing store locations.
8. The video will conclude with text and voice over of our contact information.

You may want your plan to be a little more detailed. But, you get the idea.

Consider The Time And Location

You may be considering a video that will be impacted by the time and location of you shoot. If it’s outside, what will the physical element be like at this location? The angle of the sun, public activity around the shooting area, even the time of year will have an impact. If it’s inside, what will those conditions be like? You may need extra lighting, additional microphones, or a big white sheet to serve as a backdrop.

Create A Long Term Marketing Plan

One common mistake businesses make when creating their own videos is repeating a message they have already used in the past. A new video can be boring to the viewer if they’ve heard the story before, even if it is presented from a different angle. One way to avoid this is to create a long term plan. The fire extinguisher company may want to set up a plan like this:

1. January – Create a video on how to use a fire extinguisher.
2. February – Create a video on where to place your fire extinguishers around your business.
3. March – Create a video on how to pressure test your fire extinguishers.
4. April – (etc.)

When the next year rolls around and you decide to create a new video on pressure testing because of an enhanced product, make sure you remove the previous years video.

Now Go Do It

Now go make some videos, make some mistakes, and learn some lessons. A little practice will go a long way.

Have any other tips to offer here? Tell us about them.

Toyota is promoting their Sienna SE on YouTube with a series of videos. As I am writing this article there are over 30 videos on the site. The primary one has been viewed over 8 million times. The video has generated 1787 comments. And the comments range from “Can I get a swagga wagon sign for my sienna?” to “Terrible”.

Cross Culture

The primary video is 2 minutes and 36 seconds. It features what looks like a conservative white family doing a rap video. And if you look at the comments and follow the links to the viewers making the comments you will develop an image of what a wide range of people these videos are reaching.

The video has a hint of risque flavor to it. An that makes it notable. As I noted above, one of the viewers responded to the video by sending a message that said “Terrible”. But I must admire companies that will work outside the conservative box. And YouTube allows them to do exactly that. People view YouTube videos because they want to, not because they are on a TV show they are currently watching.

Click here to see the video and tell us what you think about it. What are some of your favorite YouTube “outside the box” videos?

700 Billion Views

In 2010 more that 13 million hours of video content were uploaded and 700 billion video views took place on YouTube. That’s 1.9 billion videos viewed per day.

Growth exploded in 2010. As the year went by YouTube announced in March that more than 24 hours of content were being uploaded ever minute. And by May, YouTube had surpassed over 2 billion video views per day.

Changes To Gain More Traffic

Social media as a whole is continuing to expand in astronomical proportions. Facebook went over 500 million users in 2010. And Twitter signed on more that 1 million new users. And nobody shows any sign of slowing down.

In December YouTube has been experimenting with new home page layouts. Today, when I logged into YouTube, I was given the option to try a new page. It took me to a page that read:

Expermental YouTUbe Home Page

Want to use a different version of the YouTube homepage?

What we’re trying out:
•Combined list – Merges your subscriptions, friend activity, and recommendations into one easier-to-scan list
•Don’t miss a video – If a channel uploads 4 videos in a day, you’ll see all 4 – instead of just the latest video
•Delete anything – Hover over any video you don’t want to watch and click ‘x’
•Or just grey it out – Videos you’ve already watched will be greyed out – so even without deleting, you’ll know where you left off
•Help me re-find stuff I just watched – Your homepage will include your recent likes and favorites so you can easily get back to them
•Easy inbox – Links to your inbox (personal messages & comments) are front and center
•Load much more – Watch older videos – all without leaving the homepage

Quick tip: If you only care about your subscriptions, just click on “Subscription uploads” at the top – we’ll remember your setting

YouTube, like other social media businesses, is focused on continued rapid growth for their services. Businesses need to keep this in mind when planning their 2011 marketing. It is becoming a communication tool that can clearly communicate a message.

How are you going to use YouTube in your business in 2011?

I’m Not A Video Expert

I have a little knowledge of how to create a video. In fact I only have one that I created posted on this site (Click here for Starnes ring cleaning video). Everything else is from YouTube postings created by other people. And what did it cost me? Nothing!

Sources Of Videos

A way I find many of my videos is simply to search for them on YouTube. You can do the same thing. If you’re selling golf equipment then you need something on your website that will interest golfers. What would they like? How about some tips on how to improve their golf swing?

I just did a search on YouTube for “golf swing tips” and I checked out a couple of videos. I found one that interested me, so I’ve posted it here.

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It’s easy to do. Just look for the <embed> button below the video. Click it. A box of code will display on the left. Copy the code and paste it in the code section of your blog or website.

Monitor The Videos You’ve Posted

When you link a video to your blog, or other Social Media, you put yourself at the mercy of the person who controls that video on YouTube. If they remove it, then your link will go to a blank presentation. So you need to monitor the videos you have posted on a regular basis. Go to your blog and check each video. Once you see that it starts, you know it hasn’t been removed. And it may pay to watch the video in it’s entirety, just to make sure the content is still desirable.

There are two basic tools you need to create a video. First, you need a camera. Second, you need software to make your video presentable.

Get An Inexpensive Camera First

I have purchased a Flip Ultra. Today it is listed on their website for $149.99. This is a very simple camera, but it can do a good job creating a video for your Internet business. If you haven’t created any videos, then it may be a good idea to invest in this and create a couple. From that point you can determine the level of camera you will need to create the videos required to promote your products. The Ultra comes with a built in microphone that limits your sound capabilities. But, for some this is all they need.

Get Some Editing Software

The next thing you need to be able to do is edit your video. Windows Live Movie Maker is software that may already be on your computer. It came with the last one I bought. If not you can download it for free. This software allows you to move pieces of your video around so you can create a flow that keeps the viewers attention. You can also add text portions to the video.

I created a video for a customer with just these tools. You can see it at their blog site starnes-rocks.com

Learn Too Make A Video

The next step is to get your hands dirty! Go make a video. Shoot some action, insert it into your software, edit it, and post it on YouTube. Once you have done it a couple of times you will realize that it is easy.

Learn To Create A Work Of Art

Once you’ve learned the mechanics, learn how to create a message that stands out from your competition. View their videos. Then, make yours better. And better doesn’t necessarily mean a better quality video, it means a better message. Even if your videos are of lesser quality you can come up with a message that is unique enough to communicate a message that people will talk about. That makes it viral. And viral videos get traffic.

WOW!

Make sure you are keeping your eye on this one.

The Hallelujah video has been viewed over 16 million times and it is only 23 days old.

Click here to read my initial post about this video.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

YouTube videos are easy to create and easy to post. They are perfect for small businesses. The first question many of my customers come up with is what to post on YouTube.

Provide Advice To Your Customers

One of the best things to put on YouTube is a video that shows your customers a service you provide. When a viewer sees the detail that goes into the service you provide, they often see details that they were not aware of. This increases the level of your expertise in the eyes of the customer.

Look at this example we did for Starnes Jewelers:

This video was created with a Flip video camera and was taken in less than an hours time. Then edited with some basic video software.

What’s keeping you from creating a video?

Contact us at businessandsocialmedia.com if we can help you with your social media marketing.

‘Tis the Season

Look what can happen! The element of surprise, an abundance of smiles and a positive message. I have just watched a wonderful video. And as I am writing this post about it I am watching comments come in on YouTube at a rate of roughly one every three or four minutes.

Alphabet Photography On YouTube

Alphabet Photography has posted 21 videos on YouTube. Most have been viewed less than a thousand times. One that was posted on November 6, 2010 has 5,018 views. Is it a clip of several different videos and promotions that the company has done for itself. And, frankly, it is a little boring and I am suspicious as to how it has received that many views in less than a month.

A Different Path With An Element Of Risk

Someone came up with the idea to create a video for the season that was not a direct promotion of the business. It does not promote their products or company any more than in credits at the end of the video. It promotes the holiday season. It promotes Christianity. And that adds a risky element in this day and age. I say “more power to them!”

This will be a good video to keep your eye on through the holiday season. It was created on November 13th and posted on November 17th. As of November 28th it has over 2.7 million views.

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What do you think will happen to their business as a result of this viral video?

Merry Christmas to everyone, and may Alphabet Photography be greatly rewarded for the wonderful benefit they have provided the world this great holiday season!