Adding video to your existing marketing plan may seem like a brave new world…but it doesn’t need to be. The key is to look for ways that video technology can intersect with what you’re already doing. Here are some tips to consider ….

(1) Don’t re-invent the wheel. Many firms have well established marketing plans that may have taken considerable time and effort to implement. Show the boss how you can take what you are currently doing…and do it better with video. The addition of video can be all about enhancement of existing strategies… and reaching goals more quickly and effectively.

(2) Take small steps. Perhaps your current marketing plan makes use of written testimonials. Consider expanding their impact by filming a few of them. After all, enthusiasm is contagious…and what better way to share emotion than with video? Another beginning strategy might be to consider producing a 60 second “About Us” video for your website to replace the written version. It’s a great way to add a human dimension to your company.

(3) Don’t break the bank. In a challenging economy…every penny counts. But it’s also a catch 22. While you may be able to save some money by doing some of it yourself…first impressions are critical. Doing something poorly may be worse than doing nothing at all…especially if your competition hires professionals. The compromise is simple…control costs by being conservative with both the length and quantity of videos produced. Start with just one or two…and negotiate for an introductory rate. Remember, having even one video is far better than having none at all.

(4) Leverage the advantages. Recent studies have shown that when done correctly, videos with proper tags are up to 53 times more likely to generate a first page Google ranking when compared with traditional SEO techniques. Studies also demonstrate that video is preferred over text by a 6 to 1 margin, and is growing online at a rate of 40% a year. And with over 80% of all US Internet users now watching online video, it’s no wonder!

And finally, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Print media, when used properly, is still a powerful and viable means of marketing. The key is to integrate video with print in a complementary fashion.

For example…promote your online video in brochures and printed material, while at the same time… encourage online viewers to print off informational Word documents and PDF’s for later reference.
Adding video to your marketing mix can be exciting…effective…and even economical. Please give us a call or email us if we can be of assistance. And thanks for watching!

In the early days of the Internet…your web address got all the attention. The challenge was to come up with something cute or easy to remember. Some firms used their actual names or initials, while others focused on the category they operated in…such as cars.com. As time passed and technology improved, Internet search engines became not only more important, but more sophisticated as well. In today’s marketplace, people primarily look for a product or service by entering a descriptive word or phrase, and then clicking on search to see what happens.

With all that competition…today’s challenge is to figure out a way to show up as prominently as possible when a potential customer is searching for something you do. While you can spend thousands of dollars hiring an SEO specialist…one of the most effective means is right under your nose…and that’s to use a video.
Why video? The numbers speak for themselves. Recent studies have shown that when done correctly, videos with proper tags are up to 53 times more likely to generate a first page Google ranking than traditional SEO techniques. 53 times!!! The reason is simple. When search engines look for content on the Internet, they’re designed to display a mix of content types. And it so happens that video is given is given a higher ranking than written content to ensure a mixed result.

The bottom line is that video, when executed properly, can give you a major advantage in standing out from the huge crowd that shows up every time someone clicks on search button. But it’s also important to remember that maximum impact comes from knowing how to properly submit, title, and tag your video to be included in search results. That’s where professional advice from companies like VScreen.com can help you not only create… but also post your videos in the most effective manner possible.

Nearly 40% of videos found online are discovered by viewers using search engines to locate a video on the topic of their need. For those technically inclined…the majority of search engines accept an XML feed for video content. And because search engines give the most value to the title of the video …and not the associated tags…it’s critical that your video titles are clear…concise…and properly reflect the nature of the content. In addition, permalinks should also be supplied along with the XML feed for the highest page rank, thus driving traffic back to your website.

Remember…it’s all about showing up at the head of the line. If you’re not among the handful of companies that pop up at the top…you’re basically invisible. A great way to become visible…in more ways than one…is to join the overwhelming trend for using online video. If you’d like to get started, give us a call…or contact us through the tab above. Thanks for watching!

Half the fun of watching the Super Bowl comes from what happens off the field. We’re talking about those multi-million dollar commercials have become an art form in themselves. We all have our opinions about the best and the worst…but one thing is certain. Watching the winners is a great way to learn some important lessons about using a video commercial to market your product or service. Here are a half dozen we think worth noting…

Number One…people like to be entertained…and one of the best ways is to tell them a story. But remember…you don’t have all day. An interesting story line keeps the viewer’s attention…while building interest and anticipation. Remember to keep it entertaining and easy to both follow and understand.

Number Two…the key to connecting with people is through their emotions. Touch them with humor, empathy…excitement…conviction…happiness. But above all…touch them…and you’ve unlocked the secret to motivation.

Number Three…every second counts. Those thirty second Super Bowl commercials can cost over two million dollars for just the air time. Your stakes are probably a lot lower…but the lesson is the same. Every second must be carefully crafted to accomplish your objective. That’s why hiring a professional to help write and film your commercial is usually money well spent.

Number Four…people love to share…so give them something worth sharing. Whether it’s done through humor, informative content, off the wall creativity…or whatever…if it caches on virally…you’ve got a winner. It’s ammunition for the Internet…with a worldwide audience.

Number Five…remember the brand. How often have you heard people talk about funny commercials, but then discover they couldn’t remember the sponsor. Remember to make your brand part of the message.

Number Six…capture their attention in the first few seconds…or you’ve lost the game. Commercials with an uncreative, predictable start are tuned out by the droves. Give people a reason to pay attention, and do it very quickly.

Number Seven…keep your content clear…concise…and tightly focused. After all, how many of us have seen a commercial and not had the slightest idea what it was about! And be sure to include an implied or stated call for action. Often, a corporate logo along with your website address will provide viewers with opportunity for follow-up.

Our list is by no means complete…but hopefully it gets you off to a good start. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions as well. Give us a call at 866.720.0204, or share your thoughts through the “Contact Us” tab above. Thanks for watching.