Happy Birthday YouTube

People can be divided into three groups:

Those who make things happen,
Those who watch things happen,
And those who wonder what’s happening. ~ Anonymous

YouTube celebrated it’s 5th Birthday this week.

For me, it’s refreshing to see that yes – you can still find insightful, informative, and original video content on YouTube.

And when you find it, you can pass it along nearly effortlessly -- to any and all whom you think may enjoy it or find it useful.

YouTube is a special kind of magic to me.

So thanks, Google. And Happy Birthday YouTube.

Never say “never”.

Email subscribers, please click the Title link and visit the Blog directly.

I don’t want you to miss the embedded video!

Social Media Matters

Twitter. Facebook. YouTube. LinkedIn. MySpace. Digg.

Of course you’ve heard the names, but what exactly is Social Media?

Can you really use it to promote your services or products?

Today’s Featured Video gives you a brief overview of why Social Media matters.

Is it time to dive in and see what all the fuss is about?

Expose Yourself On YouTube

Back in the day -- Radio, Television, Newspapers, and Yellow Pages were the primary advertising vehicles used by Small Business Owners.

In those days, most of us nervously handed bucketfuls of money over to “media experts” and “account managers” who were always keenly interested in our advertising budget.

Then we sat and watched and waited, as we began to suspect that we had spent too much or too little – and in any case, wishing that there was a better way…

Today, (thankfully) we are witnessing a New Age of Business Marketing.

Regardless of what other media outlets would have you believe, the World Wide Web has become one of the most popular and cost-effective ways to “spread the word”.

Use it wisely, and it is relatively easy to promote your business, products and services – across the globe, in a variety of ways.

And one of the most popular & inexpensive ways is YouTube.

What Is YouTube?

YouTube is a website on which you can upload and share videos for free.

Nearly 100 million videos are watched each day on YouTube, making it the most popular video sharing website in the world.

With inexpensive video editing software and just the most basic knowledge of computer video editing, you too can easily create an effective video that can be seen by a massive audience.

All you have to do is allow yourself to be creative (or find a creative video producer) and let your imagination run wild.

Take a look at some of the most popular videos on YouTube, and you will see that there is no need to spend a fortune on a YouTube Video production.

In fact, the blatantly sparse Blendtec Videos have become “classics” in the world of YouTube Promotion. Take a quick look here and see why.

If this type of video works for your Business -- great!

But if it does not compliment your product or service, you can just use other basic video production methods.

One very inexpensive way is to use royalty-free music, video clips, and photos – and attach your product or service.

Then make sure your video is relevant, thought-provoking, funny, (or all).

Video Produced. Uploaded – Check. Now What?

Just because you have a video on YouTube, it is not assured that millions of people will ever find it – much less find it clever or interesting.

Everyone wants their promotional video to become “viral”, but ultimately you will have do something to create the “virus”.

What Is The Magic Something?

If a sloppy sneeze and unwashed hand was all it took, everyone would have viral videos on YouTube.

To ensure that as many people as possible will find your YouTube video, you will have to tell people it is there -- and lead them to it.

  • Create a link to it on your company Website or Blog.
  • Issue a Press Release about it.
  • Include links to it at social networking sites such as Facebook.
  • Position your video as a “response” to a popular (related) topic and video that already has a lot of viewers.
  • Include a link to your Video in your Monthly Email Newsletter.
  • If you print your Newsletter – give your Video a glowing review along with a Photo “ScreenShot”.

Whatever you can do to get people to start a discussion about your YouTube Video – do it.

In fact, just drop everything now (except the baby) and get a YouTube Video online as soon as possible.

Expose yourself on YouTube, and I’ll see you there!