Video Marketing Strategy - The First Focus

"Start with the END in mind" - quoted by Stephen Covery

Be it a small, medium to large enterprise; many organizations are discovering one of the most accessible marketing tool - video marketing in social media.

However, many often made the mistake of thinking "more is better" and going into all the nitty-gritty details of how to produce a video such as what equipment to use, the format or how to export it.

In this article, we will not focus on the technical details but how to optimize what one of the most if not the most popular online channel - You Tube and also some useful tips to keep in mind.

First and foremost, we have to ask ourselves one simple question. What is our video marketing strategy? We have to figure out and have a video marketing strategy in place before worrying about the details of how to do it.

To help us, we need to remember two important components to making a good video:

1) We need to get traffic. Not just any, but increment in what we may already have in place. 2) We need to get conversions. By conversions, it does not simply mean people clicking on the video. We need to be target-focus. We want a specific market/ prospects drawn to our website. From there, we want to convert them to customers; opt-in, register for free trial, send in inquiries, make purchases. That is conversion. How do we do that? Most people would go on Google search and hey, they stumble on some interesting videos. And where are these videos usually found? You Tube. That is right. You Tube has now over 3 billion views daily and to not leverage on this channel, it would be a pity.

Successful bloggers, online reviewers as such have their slice of this amazingly useful tool. Why shouldn't we?

But wait. We mentioned earlier about avoiding "the more the better" notion also known as viral video. Why? Why not have the more the merrier? Chances are people may stumble on our video - someday.

That is not what we aim for. Simply because it is more work. Imagine churning out videos endlessly or should I say, mindlessly. If after a few months, you do not get any views, you are trapped, lost and have no idea where to go from there. And by doing viral videos, you are succumbing to the time-sensitivity issue. One day you are "in", the next week you are "out". People will always hunt for what is most trendy and most watched at the moment and then your video is no longer the "IT" thing.

So, what are we aiming for?

We want our videos to pop up everywhere in Google search, in You Tube; every time our prospects go hunting for what they need online.

In order to achieve that, we must first know our market and unearth our keywords. Take the time to do some research, speak to some of the current clients you already have, it will be easier to find out the ideal keywords that your potential customers are searching online daily.

At Google, there is the keyword research tool. It is a good place to start. Play with the words, key them in, spend some time investigating and come up with a list of ideal keywords and then you can create an optimized video around those keywords.

Then focus on creating the very first "masterpiece". The one you will put most of your efforts, your resources and planning into.

Once this hits the hot spot, we should keep up with the pace. Do not just stop here. Start looking at the entire campaign or it may be seasonal; depending on products and services. Go through all your materials, photos, videos that sit at the library and ensure that videos are uploaded consistently and regularly. Set a timeline for this and work towards achieving the goal.

As one professional mentioned, 80% of the traffic will come from perhaps, 20% of the videos uploaded online. If we have materials up on a regular basis, we will start coming up at the top under Google search, inside You Tube and related trending videos as well.

Last but not least, remember the quote from Stephen Covery. Look at the big picture and do not get overly anxious on the smallest details when planning your video marketing strategy. We do not want to churn out just any video; we want efficient messages that gives us effective results with minimal effort at the end of the day.

Online Video Marketing - What's The Secret To Get Traffic With Video?   Using YouTube For Promotion To Your Website   YouTube Video Marketing Tips That Work Like Crazy   

Video Marketing Tips for Internet Marketers

Using video in your internet marketing campaigns is essential to connecting with your target audience. Video allows your consumers to build trust and confidence in you that can't be earned to the same level via text, blogging, websites and any other social media platforms.

Your videos will work for you 24/7, while you eat, sleep and play. They will get ranked on searches and on Google. In order to make sure that your prospects can take the next step, you need a call to action. In your video you need to directly state for your viewers to subscribe to your channel and click the link below the video and view the description for more information. Tell your viewers what to do next. Offer valuable content and then lead them where you want them to go.

Make sure the very first thing that goes in your description box is is an active link/URL. A link is not active or clickable unless it starts with http://

This is a big mistake that new marketers often make. You need a link they can click on directly from your video and make it the first visible thing underneath. You also need contact information! You want to connect with people when they are excited! If they are excited watching your video and then they have to email you and wait for a response, a lot can happen in that time frame. They could find someone else's video with contact information, who they can speak with right away to get them started. Don't lose business by leaving out such simple pieces of information. Now, you don't want to put your personal cell phone number. You can get a Google voice number for free and direct the calls to your cell or home phone. If you decide you don't want to take work calls you can turn off your Google voice at any time.

Keep your video topics relevant, stay focused and to the point. Make your messages short and simple. Most people have very short attention spans. Provide quality content without all the fluff.

Be Yourself! People are attracted to those that are real and down to earth. You don't need to be perfectly polished and well rehearsed, in fact that will most likely work against you. People want to feel like, if he/she can do it, I can do it! If you are funny, be funny! Humor sells and lightens the mood. A good positive personality is contagious.

Allow your uniqueness to shine! Each and every one of us has some quality that no one else has. You will attract people that no one else will because you are YOU!

Allow video to fuel your brand. Give yourself a slogan or nickname that people will connect to you and your brand. Then promote promote promote! Share your videos on your social media platforms and blogs. Get ready to see a new flood of interested customers.

Implement these simple strategies and take your marketing efforts to the next level!

Online Video Marketing - What's The Secret To Get Traffic With Video?   Using YouTube For Promotion To Your Website   YouTube Video Marketing Tips That Work Like Crazy   

Plan Your Goals For Making A Promotional Video

A promotional web video is beyond doubt an excellent tool to make a business tick in no time. But equally true is the fact that only a well-planned animated video can work to that effect. So whether you hire a professional for your business web video creation or decide to do it yourself, it is imperative to plan your goals well in advance before you set out to accomplish the chore. In line with that, here are a few aspects that you must always keep in mind while creating a promotional video for your business:

1. Keep The Fun Factor Alive The thumb rule in promo video creation is to make the video as interesting as possible. For this, the length, language and the presentation of the video must be paid special emphasis to. Using punches, to-the-point language, a light hearted tone and unique, attention grabbing storyline are some musts for reaching out to the best result. Remember that an interesting and engaging video would always entail better odds of success.

2. Never Underestimate the Audio and Sound Aspects Another crucial planning decision to be made in animated promotional video creation is regarding the audio aspect of the video. An appropriate soundtrack ensures that the tone and the momentum corresponding to the content are maintained throughout the video. It is important thus that the most suitable sound equipments and track choices are made.

Better still, sound bites coming from real people can be included to lend a more personal and realistic touch to the video. Decide beforehand what message real people would convey and which part would be put forth via the written medium.

3. Do Not Forget The Animations Adding animations and motion graphics can elevate any video creation to a completely new level. So ensure that the visual appeal of the video is maintained by adding some graphics, animations and pop-ups to it.

4. Campaign Well Another must in the creation of online promotional videos is to chalk out a marketing campaign well in advance and adhere to it. After all, if nobody gets to know about your video, all the time, effort and money that go into the video creation would stand wasted.

5. Be Price Wise! Finally, make sure that you do not blow up the allotted budget. However do not settle for substandard means in this pursuit since poor means shall under no circumstances be able to yield quality dividends.

So be sure to secure the best equipment and professionals for the job, but spend wisely by practicing a combination of bargaining and researched decision-making. As long as you follow this mantra, your promotional video cost would never exceed the planned budget.

Online Video Marketing - What's The Secret To Get Traffic With Video?   Using YouTube For Promotion To Your Website   YouTube Video Marketing Tips That Work Like Crazy   

Find The Best Video Animation Company For Lovely Commercial Video

If you are a business owner and have products to promote and sell then the world of online video marketing can prove to be a boon for you. Creating and posting animated videos online can prove to be an excellent avenue for all business owners who wish to make it big in the world of online promotions. These allow for a better connect with the audience. However, finding a video animation company is the most important and crucial part of the prospect. But if you manage to achieve that target and reach out to a good video company, the chances of your business gaining popularity increase in no time. Read on if you are really interested in reaching out to a good quality video created especially for your business needs. At the same time, you would also learn how to find the best video animation production company that can help you to achieve that effect:

Hot Tip 1: Thrive On Fresh Ideas

Hot Tip 2: Have The Best Effects Put Into The Video

Hot Tip 3: Find a Provider

As you must have realized by now, accomplishing all of the above requires professional help and finding a company that can create animated videos becomes imperative for the success of your business.

However, if you are clueless on how to find a company that can create a lovely commercial video for you, don't lose heart because here is that task simplified for you- and that too, in 4 easy steps!

4 Simple Steps To Finding The Best Company For Your Video Animation Needs

Step 1: Prepare a list of companies that seem promising in the video animation niche. Make sure that you consider a large range since that would allow for the best comparison, and would eventually help you get the best deal.

Step 2: Ask for portfolios from the shortlisted providers to get an idea about the kind of work that they do and the type of special services that can be expected of them.

Step 3: Reference the portfolios received with your project-specific needs. This means that you must have clarity over what you want from the video to be created. Also, have the minimum expected requirements laid out for the provider in precise terms beforehand. Once that is ready, cross-check with portfolios and find out if your needs are being met. For instance, if you need a promo video, then ascertain that the providers that you have in mind for the final call have proven expertise in service areas such as motion graphics, animation and digital grading etc. Similarly, if you want an animation video that gives the company overview and the selected provider specializes in promotional video creation, you may not end up satisfied with the final results. So decide wisely.

Step 4: Finalize the best proposal and ask for the respective provider's best quote. Do not confuse yourself with first, second or third best options. Simply zero in on a provider who meets your set criteria in the best capacity and you can hire him.

Follow the above advice and you shall gain access to the best animated video production and get the best possible results in the minimal budget.

Online Video Marketing - What's The Secret To Get Traffic With Video?   Using YouTube For Promotion To Your Website   YouTube Video Marketing Tips That Work Like Crazy   

How to Create a Viral Video

Creating a viral video campaign is one of the best things that can happen to a company, especially if it's a small company. So you storyboard your campaign, make your video in a day and a half, load it onto YouTube and your video gets... 7 views.

Does this mean that viral videos are only for big corporations or for the super talented? No. But it does mean that you have to go into your campaign with the right approach.

When you are trying to make a viral video, keep in mind that any person is limited in how much time they can physically sit at their computer and watch videos. Your video must compete with ALL the other videos on YouTube. The truth is that your video must compete with everything else on the Internet including news, sports, fashion, humor, etc. That's a lot of competition so for your video to stand out and go viral, it must be something really special!

So with all that what CAN you do to make a viral video? You must use create a video that connects to people in a strong and real way. A video that merely makes people smile probably won't go viral, but something that will literally make them laugh out load might. Something that is sentimental is nice but you need something that really pulls at the heartstrings. A video that makes someone burst out laughing, burst into tears or gasp and cover their mouths from shock are the types of videos people who don't know you will share.

Obviously, a video can't go viral if people don't watch it in the 1st place! That is why the 1st 15 seconds of your video are critical. That doesn't mean that someone has to be run over by a car or shot in the face to get the viewers attention. But if your video starts out boring, people won't have the patience to see it through to the end. The opening shot could be something exciting but it can also be the beginning of a story. People like videos that "tell a story" as long as they see the story going somewhere.

Another tip is not to make your video too corporate. People like to share things other people do, and despite the famous quote "Corporations are People Too", they aren't when it comes to getting people to share video. Keep your logo discreet or add who your company is and what they are about only at the end of the video.

Follow these directions, cross your fingers and maybe you will have the latest web video hit!

Online Video Marketing - What's The Secret To Get Traffic With Video?   Using YouTube For Promotion To Your Website   YouTube Video Marketing Tips That Work Like Crazy   

Video Marketing Secrets - 3 Essential Elements of a Successful Explainer Video

If you are thinking of having an explainer video produced, you want to make sure your investment does more than just play, it needs to do serious business.

So what separates the winners from the losers? After a long time of working on these projects I've seen that all truly successful explainer videos have a:

1. Clear and Concise Script

2. Professional Voice Over

3. Prominent Position in Webpage Layout

Notice there is no mention of "quality animation" anywhere in that list. It's not that the animation quality isn't important, because quite frankly, it is. Trouble is, animation is very much an artistic element and like all art, different styles appeal to different people.

An animation style that you love may seem mediocre to your clients.

"As long as the animation looks professional, helps add meaning to spoken elements and fits in with your branding, it is really only eye-candy."

Therefore, as long as the animation looks professional, helps add meaning to spoken elements and fits in with your branding, it is really only eye-candy.

Bottom line is, if the underlying message is clear, concise and properly presented, even those who aren't wow-ed by the animation will find value in your video.

The first step in achieving this is to have a:

Clear and Concise Script

The script of an explainer video is hands-down, without doubt, socks off the most important element of the project. It is the beating heart of the project and the single most important factor to your video marketing success.

With that in mind: Use a professional script writer to produce your script!

This doesn't mean you shouldn't be involved in the process, but it is much more likely that an outside perspective of your product / service / message will produce a script that strikes a chord with first time viewers of your video.

If a company offers a professional script writing service, use it. This way they can use their expertise to produce an effective product from the ground up.

Remember, the message is key, everything else is eye-candy!

Of course, once you have a clear message and motivating call to action, the next piece of the puzzle is to make sure you use a:

Professional Voice-Over

Not all voices are created equal, and the truth is, most of us don't have the skills required to narrate a video effectively.

"Professional voice talent is not expensive, and a small investment here can make a huge difference to the final outcome of your video."

A professional voice artist can bring your message to life, inspire confidence in listeners and ensure the key details of your video are easily remembered.

Even better, there is an enormous variety of voice-talent to choose from which allows you to easily find a voice that matches your brand.

You wouldn't accept un-professional animation in your video, therefore, isn't the voice which conveys your message of ever greater importance?

Professional voice talent is not a expensive, and a small investment here can make a huge difference to the final outcome of your video.

Prominent Position in Webpage Layout

Once the script, voice-over and animation are complete, your video is bursting with marketing potential. But in order for it to have the effect you hope for, it is vital that visitors to your website, blog or social media channel are able to find it in the first place.

Therefore, don't make people work to find your video. Make sure a visitor can see it when they land on your site without having to scroll down or navigate to another page. Make the video big, make it prominent, give it a big idiot-proof play button!

"Don't make people work to find your video. Make the video big, make it prominent, give it a big idiot-proof play button!"

For even greater effect, place some sort of call to action button near the video. That way, once someone has watched it, you make it easy for them to take the next step.

Videos work so well because they are engaging and convenient. Don't fall at the final hurdle by making visitors work to find your video or making it difficult to obey the call to action.

Of course, these three elements are not the only things which dictate the success or failure of an explainer video, but I guarantee that if they are missing, things just won't go how you want!

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The Six Steps to Start Making Online Video

Online Video is one of the most important tools today for engaging users. People who see video are more likely to spend time on your site, remember what you sell and eventually purchase your product. Video is also very important for optimizing your site in terms of search ranking. In short, if you have video, you are far more likely to end up on the 1st page of Google than if you don't have video.

It used to be that creating video was an expensive commitment and that purchasing video equipment was something that required a serious cost benefit analysis. However, today quality video equipment can be purchased for a couple hundred dollars and it is therefore imperative that people who want their business to succeed, want to find new customers and want to drive sales start making video and putting it on their website.

Here are some tips for how to create and promote your video:

1. Keep your video short and to the point. People lose focus if your video drags on excessively, even if your content is relevant. If your video goes over two minutes consider splitting it into two videos.

2. Make sure your auto and sound quality is good. People will not strain themselves to try and watch a video if it is difficult to watch or hear.

3. Choose your title wisely. The title is what shows up in Google, YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc. It is the most vital piece of information for people who are considering watching your video. It also is the most important piece of information for search engines when they are looking for videos that match a search. Try and define exactly the type of person you want to see your video and what they would be looking for in order to choose your title.

4. Fill in the description and tags wisely. People often halfheartedly fill in this info and don't realize its importance in regards to searches. One of the ways your video is found in searches is the search engine scans your tags and description to see if the words in the search match the description or your tags. One way to choose tags is to use the tools on Google AdWords which shows you the frequency of every search term in the past month.

5. Choose a good thumbnail for your video. The image you choose isn't as important as other things but a blurry or strange image will discourage people from clickinjg on your video.

6. Share the video in as many video sites and social networks as possible in order to move up in the Google ranks (the more videos mean more tags) and also to have as wide an audience as possible.

Follow these guidelines and you will start gaining exposure and customers in no time at all!

Online Video Marketing - What's The Secret To Get Traffic With Video?   Using YouTube For Promotion To Your Website   YouTube Video Marketing Tips That Work Like Crazy