Top Ten Reasons Why You Must Add Video to Your Marketing Mix This Fall

Yesterday I spent several hours creating video on my Flip Mino HD for a variety of purposes: a coaching lesson for some VIP clients, a testimonial for a colleague; an endorsement for a product; a thank you to a former client who sent an unexpected gift to me; a message of congratulations to a group of students who just completed a course.

You can see there are myriad ways to engage with people using video and it's becoming more and more important to do so. When I get a video message from my own mentor, I always feel intimately connected, like she's speaking just to me, even if it's for a group.

That's why I asked my colleague Lou Bortone to put together a list of why you need to be adding video to your marketing mix. Lou and I are teaching a class on August 27 about all the latest sites and gadgets that have come on to the scene since we taught Online Video Made Easy earlier in the year.

Top Ten Reasons Why You Must Add Video to Your Marketing Mix This Fall

Back to school.  Back to work.  Back to business as usual.  Well, maybe not business as usual.  What worked last year in your business isn't going to cut it today.  If you really want your business to improve this fall, then you should add the power of video to your marketing mix. 

Here are the top ten compelling reasons why you need video - right here, right now!

1.    Google Loves Video!  And not just because they own YouTube.  Video puts your SEO on steroids.  With video, you can dramatically improve your search engine rankings.

2.    Video is Personal.  You can enhance your know, like and trust factor very quickly by appearing on video.  Let your customers get to know you by seeing and hearing you!

3.    Video is Immediate.  Got an idea or a message?  Got a webcam?  Then you can make a video instantly and be online in minutes.  (Try the "quick capture" function on YouTube).

4.    YouTube Rocks!  With an audience of 85 million viewers, YouTube is the place to be seen online.  Not only is YouTube now the 4th most popular website on the Internet, it's also the 2nd biggest search engine! Want a piece of the action?  Create an upload your video to YouTube!

5.    Video Connects.  Nothing establishes a better connection with your clients and customers than video. Video creates that immediate bond.

6.    Video is (mostly) Free!  With a free account on YouTube and a $40 webcam, you're good to go with online video.  In fact, you can get a free account at Animoto.com and create a free video montage using just your photos!
 
7.    Video gives you worldwide exposure, 24/7.  Having videos online increases your visibility across the globe.  Let your video work for you while you sleep!

8.    It's Easier Than You Think!  New gadgets like the Flip Video camera and the new iPhone 3G with Video make it easier than ever to capture and upload video.  Both the Flip and the iPhone let you upload directly to YouTube.

9.    Video is Here to Stay.  Video is way past the trend stage and is quickly becoming a mainstream marketing tool.   The sooner you get up to speed with this valuable resource, the better!

10.    Video Accelerates the Sales Process!  The best news of all about adding video to your marketing mix is that it greatly accelerates the sales process.  People buy from someone they know, like and trust - and video can rapidly speed that process. That means more customers, more quickly, and more coin in your pocket!

As you can see, it's high time for you to swim with the tide or be swept away by the video tidal wave!  Not sure where to begin?  Join us for "Online Video: Right Here, Right Now!" next Thursday, August 27th at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.  Details and registration at:  http://www.OnlineVideoRightNow.com.  See you online!

Comments

[Alex6411]

Thanks For the great info and tips! I will be keeping up with your blog. Keep the info coming please.

[Patrice]

Those are valid reasons why I must add Video to my Marketing Mix. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[John Lee]

I was thinking of doing this but nearly I have not seen a good reason why I should do this at all.

I like your ten point agenda.

[Judy]

I think video is important as it is a new medium for youur message and more interactive with your audience. Thanks for the article!

[Beth Hrusch]

We just made our first video not long ago and it quickly went to number one on YouTube for "content marketing". We're getting tons of exposure through this video, which cost almost nothing to make. Like you mentioned, equipment is cheap now. Videos give you a lot of bang for your buck! Thanks for the helpful information.

[Rhonda Porter]

Is YouTube better than Viddler for hosting videos? I've found Viddler to be a little more "professional" but if I'm missing Google and YouTube members... I'll create a 2nd account. I'd love to hear your thoughts.