I just logged into my YouTube account today and noticed my videos have handy little “Add to MySpace and Facebook” buttons below them.
Now anyone who likes your mini flick can post it on two of the most popular social networking sites with greater ease.
I’ve toyed with using another video hosting service because I’d like to have more control over the playback options.
However, it’s hard to give up on YouTube considering the benefits…
More Traffic
Since I started making YouTube videos in August 2007, I’ve received an explosion of traffic to my sites. Almost every day I get an email from at least one person who has recently viewed my videos.
Not to mention you can now add hyperlinks to your description so people can click over to your site from YouTube in a snap.
The viral benefits are the best. Look how simple it is for anyone to embed your video into their site or blog. YouTube makes it ridiculously easy to spread your message around the Web for free.
If you’re struggling with traffic, you might want to tap into the video market and see if you can generate some interest to your site.
Videos don’t have to be elaborate or professionally done. Just presentable. It’s like writing content in a sense. Provide useful, relevant information to your target audience, only with video.
Google Owns YouTube
As I wrote in a recent post, why wouldn’t you want to make use of as many Google tools while they are dominating the Web in search and other Webmaster arenas?
Don’t you think Google is keeping tabs on the YouTube channels with lots subscribers and number of video views? Especially since you can list your website address in your channel.
Yup… I believe it all links up.
Video Sells
One of the biggest challenges of marketing online is trust. People want to know they can trust you before they buy. Video is an excellent way to help your audience get to know, trust and like you.
Get Ahead of The Game
While video is getting more popular, most Webmasters still don’t use it. So those who are, have an extreme advantage right now.
I definitely believe video will become the standard in years to come, so if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon, it’s time to start considering it.
It’s Easy
If you’re worried about the technicalities of video, don’t. Uploading videos to YouTube couldn’t be easier. The only tools I use are my camera (Sony HD) and Windows Movie Maker (free with XP and Vista).
Don’t put off using video any longer. Get yourself a piece of the viral traffic storm YouTube can bring.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Lisa,
“One of the biggest challenges of marketing online is trust. People want to know they can trust you before they buy. Video is an excellent way to help your audience get to know, trust and like you.”
Yes,
I put video on my site, and participate on SBI Forum.
Get more traffic and people likely begin to trust and like my site.Now it time to get more video.
Thank You Lisa.
Hi Lisa, can you teach me more about get traffic?
Hey Lisa,
Have you ever considered making screencast tutorials? Where you have a video image of your screen showing how to do something. You could make a series with each video only lasting 2-5 minutes on how to make a website for the total beginners. That alone would take about 10 videos to complete. I have actually been searching around for video screencast like that.
Another series could be how to load a vbullentin forum, or any forum for that matter. I have been searching for a screencast tutorial of that as well. I have no clue when it come to FTP file folders!! That information alone on video tutorial would be worth its weight in gold!!
Gen
Ervl,
That is DEFINITELY in the works! I am just trying to find out the best software to use so if you have any suggestions I’m all ears! (or eyes… LOL)
One software that is easy to use and free is JING from techsmith. http://www.techsmith.com.
It is very easy to use and can capture a still picture of your screen or a video capture but video is limited to 5 minutes maximum for recording time. It has basic funtion and can surely start you up in the screencast business.
It also has link embedding to facilitate integration with your website.
If you want more option and flexibility, then you can start considering buying the pro version of JING which is about 14.95 USD per year. Then, there is the more advanced full fledge Camtasia studio also from techsmith which is available for Mac and PC, you can download a free 30 days trial so you can experiment with it before considering a purchase, but is is priced at $299.00 USD. Since I work in the 3D business and need to refer to some tutorials that are only online, I use it to capture video tutorials that are free or the ones that I bought which are only online and edit video screen captures and to convert them in the differents formats I need to reduce size. You can easily add zoom-ins of the places you click in your screen, choose presets, add voice over, resize video, etc. I believe many screen casters use it for it’s power, flexibility and ease of use.
I know that there are others softwares that are free out there, but I’m not very familiar with them.
Just do a search for “screen capture freeware or screen capture software”. Something got to come up.
Hope that helps!
I know snapz is popular. I am not sure if it is just mac app or window as well. That is one one I am playing with. If you do a google search for screencast software you can get idea of what the pros are using.
I made a video about shipping a guitar and it went straight to the top of the SERPS with Google. It has remained there for close to six months.
One of my website customers made a video showing step by step info about how to make a stained glass race car. She took the number one position for “stained glass race car” in Googles SERPS. If you have never seen the process of making stained glass it’s worth watching.
Jordy
Hi Lisa!
I thank you for this post and I’ve seen all of your website building related videos on YouTube.
My dilemma is this – I am Deaf and use sign language only. This seems to mean for me that my audience would always be a small one on Youtube, albeit a great niche.
Do you think that if you saw a Youtube video with GREAT instructions, but had to watch the video with English (Spanish, German, etc) SUBTITLES, that you’d go ahead and keep watching, even without the sound of voice?
IF anyone else also wants to lend a comment or suggestion/feedback on this, it would be MUCH appreciated!
Thank you for reading, Lisa! I’ve wanted to ask you this question for a while now.
Peace,
MJ
I do believe there is a good opportunity for you.
If your content is good, I don’t see why not ?
Especially if you cover something that people need an answer to a specific problem.
I’d say, GO FOR IT. Just take your time to cover it well.
If you see later on that hearing people are e-mailing you to get sound on a video in particular, you could always find someone who could do the voice over later on if you get enough demand for it.
Heck, you could translate in sign language for other people as well. I would say just start small and then buildup over time if you see results.
Another thing is you could start a video dictionary for hearing people who want to LEARN sign language.
Just try not to shell out big bucks like I tend to do! lol.
Peace!
I worried about get Traffics to my site.your writing is very usefull to me geting more free traffics olso through UTUBE video.thank you.
Follow on Twitter: @dablufox
I am in love with You Tube and that says a lot for someone who not so long ago was extremely camera shy. Although I might be a Literary Casanova. Put me in front of a webcam a month ago and I was like a Kangaroo frozen in front of a truckers high beam at night. It has taken a lot practice to build the confidence to be ‘natural’ in front of a camera, though I am now proud to say the practice is starting to pay off!
John Salamon´s last blog … How to Promote YouTube Videos