How Can the Little Guy Stand out on the HUGE World Wide Web?
You guessed it! Video of course! Why video? I have stated this before but it bears repeating:
“Online video is the future, the latest trend, and continues to rise in popularity. Key indicators point to corporations embracing online video as an essential marketing tool. In a 2008 Interactive Marketing study, Forrester Research predicted a compound annual growth rate of 72% through the year 2012 – the most robust of all interactive investments. Online video is expected to grow significantly more than search engine marketing, display ads, and email marketing.”
Watch the video below to see someone else’s perspective on the value of video:
But How Can the Small Business Owner Get on Board the Video Bandwagon?
Videos come in all different shapes, sizes, and price ranges. One does not have to be a professional actor/actress or a professional Videographer to be able to use video efficiently and cost-effectively to promote their brand. The easiest way to create a video is to turn on your webcam and speak. Most people today have a webcam built into their computers. There are some simple things you should take into consideration before you turn on your webcam, like lighting, and knowing ahead of time what you are going to say, but in general, it is basically as easy as turning on a switch. Using video in this manner creates a connection with your target market by putting a name, face, and personality behind your brand. People like to do business with people they know – video helps these people “know” you. It you as a small business owner, do nothing else but this type of video marketing, you are way ahead of the game. Think about all the different messages you can send simply by speaking these messages? You can create a welcome message for your website, talk about a new product or service, thank your customers…. the list goes on and on.
There are also other free or low-cost alternatives to creating video for you business. Animotooffers both free and low-cost video production options. There are some limitations with regards to having control over the effects and timings but for most people, this option is more than adequate. I am a little spoiled in being used to having complete control over these functions but I have also used this service when I need a quick video.
You can also create awesome and powerful videos using Microsoft PowerPoint which is what I use to create mine. PowerPoint 2010 has changed my life – literally – with the new “save as wmv” file option. Prior to upgrading to 2010, I was messing around with different low-cost software converters and was never completely satisfied with the results because the timings were always a little off. Upgrading to 2010 for the suggestion) was the best investment I have ever made making it a true pleasure to simply select the “save as wmv” option and know that my timings (that I do spend a considerable amount of time on) will convert exactly as they should.
Remember, it is all about branding and promoting your brand and using video is a means to that end.
Did you know that there are options available to help you make YOUR brand stand out for less than $50/month? These options are available starting at $14.95/month. You can see samples of the products HERE. Learn MORE about the video marketing tools from MyVideoTalk HERE.
Did you know that Video Killed the Radio Star? Do you want it to kill your small business?
Julie, aloha. You are so right–video makes a huge difference. In fact, depending on how a person/business uses it, it is either an equalizer or an advantage.
Speaking for myself, I know I have not used it as much as I should because I am not used to it. Even though I know it is something I need to make the time for, I simply have not done it.
To be honest, I think part of it is vanity. Unless my hair looks good, I don't want to do it. Then when my hair looks good and I look at the replay, I have trouble reconciling the person I see on screen with the person I have in my mind's eye. I know, I know; I need to "get over it" and move forward.
What I love about what you do, Julie, is the animation or the brief graphics with terrific music. You have figured out the winning formula because I want to watch your clips until the end.
Thx for the inspiring me to make some videos. Aloha. Janet
Janet you are preaching to the choir here – LOL I love the "I have trouble reconciling the person I see on screen with the person I have in my mind's eye" comment – how on earth did I get this old? There is a difference though – I rarely have a good hair day! Thanks so much for your kind words about my videos. I had to do something to stay away from a video camera and still benefit from video right?
Glad you enjoy them – this one is actually my favorite!
Great comments about good and bad hair days! Who can't relate to that?
Oh Julie! Did you write this blog just for procrastinators like me? You're right that there is no reason not to jump on this superb marketing tool. You've included great resources and price points. THanks!
Hi Keyuri,
I am still waiting for that "good hair day"…..
No, I actually wrote it for Janet because she said she was looking forward to my next blog about video LOL – that was the kick in the you-know-what I needed! But if it applies to you too….then…. – call me 
PS Still trying to figure out why my Comment Luv plugin isn't working…….
Hi Julie,
Excellent post! It truly amazes me how many local business owners STILL don't use Social media OR video for their business! They seem to think it does not apply to them and that somehow this TIDAL WAVE will be going away in the foreseeable future… WRONG!
I have tried to tell some of them that it's not only here to stay, online video is growing faster by the day and in fact, grows more every 6 months than television did in it's first ten years! How do you ignore that king of growth? Easy, if you're like them you just tell yourself it's only for the big corporatations. That's what most business owners said about radio, t.v., and the yellow pages.
So what's different about web video? Well, for starters, how about this: Web video has the ability to get MORE exposure for your business than ALL of those dinosaurs combined, AND if you can make a simple video yourself (and it's NEVER been easier to do!) it can be absolutely FREE to advertise with web video! Ever heard of a t.v. ad going viral?
What would that mean? Everyone in the world just tuned their t.v. to the same channel? Seriously! One of my favorite, and most inspiring stories of a viral video is the one about the homeless man named Ted Williams. He was holding a cardboard sign saying he had "the God-given gift of a Golden voice" and a guy pulled up and asked him to say something in his "Golden Voice" for a dollar.
That video got over 8 million views in the first 72 hours! That's what I call viral! Imagine having a clickable link to your website embedded in that video? Or a banner ad on the lower third? You just never know what video will go viral next, could be one of yours Julie!
Hi Bertram. I hear you and agree with you but I also know of many small business owners who DO understand how important video is but either don't know how easy it can be or are really trying to get it to the top of their to-do list. We know how difficult it is on a daily basis to get all our work done. It is actually for those people that I wrote this post – to hopefully help them understand that using video to promote their business doesn't have to be something too expensive or too difficult.
Here's an interesting story about a conversation I had yesterday with a local small business owner. We were talking about using video and some of the MyVideoTalk Products. He felt that hospitals would/should be a really good market for using the web show. He talked about how many tens of thousands of dollars they are spending on television advertising and granted, the local cable stations can promise EXPOSURE to tens of thousands of people, but can they promise that these tens of thousands of people are going to actually SEE the commercial? How does one drive traffic to a TV commercial? Funny as he also added that he was invited to a local hospital charity event for TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS – so that he can help pay for their television advertising budget! In case you were wondering, he didn't attend the event
Yes, that is a great example of going viral – big time! Hey – can you put in a good word for me and any of my videos? I certainly wouldn't object to "going viral"!
[...] Online marketing tips for today’s entrepreneurs. One of the key recommendation heard often is the increased importance of video in your marketing and branding efforts online. But this goes beyond just making a video for your Website into the realm of video conferencing and other important emerging trends. Online marketing is a key aspect of entrepreneurship and online video is now an important part of that equation. Small Business Internet Marketing [...]
[...] Online marketing tips for your business. One of the key recommendation heard often is the increased importance of video in your marketing and branding efforts online. But this goes beyond just making a video for your Website into the realm of video conferencing and other important emerging trends. Online marketing is a key aspect of entrepreneurship and online video is now an important part of that equation. Small Business Internet Marketing [...]
[...] Online marketing tips for your business. One of the key recommendation heard often is the increased importance of video in your marketing and branding efforts online. But this goes beyond just making a video for your Website into the realm of video conferencing and other important emerging trends. Online marketing is a key aspect of entrepreneurship and online video is now an important part of that equation. Small Business Internet Marketing [...]
[...] Online marketing tips for your business. One of the key recommendation heard often is the increased importance of video in your marketing and branding efforts online. But this goes beyond just making a video for your Website into the realm of video conferencing and other important emerging trends. Online marketing is a key aspect of entrepreneurship and online video is now an important part of that equation. Small Business Internet Marketing [...]
You're right on Julie – video should be part of every business owner's marketing plan. Great job on your video above – very informative.
Hi Catherine. Thanks for appreciating the content. You are a WordPress guru – do you know why my CommentLuv isn't working?
Excellent reminder Julie! Eventually, I will get on the video bandwagon and I'll make sure to personally thank you.
Hey Sherryl. You know where to find help now when you are ready! Many places right?
Hi Julie,
just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your video. Great music and effects…plus it helps that I pass by Yonge and Dundas Square, on a quasi-regular basis.
You even managed to get a shot of the BMV that I love.
Can’t wait to start using video for my website soon. Great post!
Hi Matt, glad you liked the video. Thanks for stopping by and have fun making videos.
one reason why media marketing is highly successful today is because not many people are doing it. It works with all types of business, be work from home or any other.
There are so many things happen to your business when video works, vidneo is very popular now when it comes to internet marketing, I believe on this. You made a great video Julie, it is very well presented and I really appreciate it.
HI Lolita – yes video is very powerful