Lately people have been discussing the surge in website presenters video content and how that can be harnessed to drive more customers and sales to your website. However, many of us have spent sizable sums building our existing websites, first in the 'dot com' era and now again as we upgrade for broadband web. Unsurprisingly we're reluctant to change everything again to incorporate a load of video content.
You'll be relieved to hear that rebuilding your website is not necessary.
The modern systems for playing videos in different parts of your website integrate easily to most existing website management systems. In fact in the best case all you need to do is paste some HTML code provided by your video supplier wherever you want the video to appear and the video immediately starts playing!
That allows you to focus on where could your website be improved by a website presenter video and how should that video content include. I believe most small to mid sized business websites can use video content highly effectively in several ways. Add a human touch to your home page - the majority of traffic online bounces straight off your homepage - a video presenter there grabs and retains attention and immediately delivers compelling sales messages.
Support your customer services - people hate trawling through endless text FAQs struggling to understand the answers they're getting.
Many companies find its much more effective to offer a video FAQ for the top questions (80% of consumers ask the same 20% of the questions) which also greatly reduces call centre load and costs. Sales process videos - people bounce out of online transactions up to 60% of the time, so adding short videos along this process to reassure and support has to lead to higher sales and fewer dropped shopping carts - often its just a case of reassuring the buyer regarding things like returns policy which in fact rarely used afterwards.
The best systems today are based on what's called open source software that is free, so you don't need to pay license fees, which greatly reduces costs. What's more there are thousands of software developers throughout the world who work to improve this type of software so you get constant free upgrades and improvements
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Case Against Online Video Marketing
Is online video marketing all it's cracked up to be? Is it this great wonder that everyone MUST use in their sales letters and marketing materials? Do you REALLY need to start using it (starting yesterday) or you'll be behind the curve?
In my opinion, video is extremely groovy.
In fact, like Internet marketing pioneer Ken McCarthy said when I interviewed him for a book a couple years ago, sites like YouTube that offer instant video distribution have made video "the new paper."
And for some products/services it helps create MASSIVE sales.
But is it the marketing "messiah" some claim?
I don't think so.
It's more like special effects for movies. Yes, lots of people like it. Yes, it's sexy. And yes, it can make people "ooohh" and "aaahhh".
But brilliant video won't make a blockbuster sales pitch any more than special effects will make a blockbuster movie. Ironically, Peter Jackson (the director of the "Lord Of The Rings" movies) recently talked about this at the ComicCon.
And what he said can be applied to selling, too:
In my opinion, video is extremely groovy.
In fact, like Internet marketing pioneer Ken McCarthy said when I interviewed him for a book a couple years ago, sites like YouTube that offer instant video distribution have made video "the new paper."
And for some products/services it helps create MASSIVE sales.
But is it the marketing "messiah" some claim?
I don't think so.
It's more like special effects for movies. Yes, lots of people like it. Yes, it's sexy. And yes, it can make people "ooohh" and "aaahhh".
But brilliant video won't make a blockbuster sales pitch any more than special effects will make a blockbuster movie. Ironically, Peter Jackson (the director of the "Lord Of The Rings" movies) recently talked about this at the ComicCon.
And what he said can be applied to selling, too:
A Brief Guide to Online Video Distribution
If you're looking to get started in internet marketing, then you must know that everything revolves around how many people you get visiting your website. Yes, it is all about advertising. However, the thing that makes the Internet most attractive is the fact that many of the forms of advertising are extremely cheap or even free. Online video distribution is one of the free ones.
Sites like YouTube have been around for a considerable amount of time now and while they are very popular social networking tools for sharing entertaining and humorous videos, they are also extremely good for Internet marketing.
You need to put yourself in the shoes of the potential customer. Rather than reading a web page or review, they would rather see a real person behind the project, the real person that they could potentially buy the product or service off. Online video distribution is your chance to build up trust in the potential customer.
Because of this, it is very important that you don't pay attention only to advertising when you are making your online video. You should offer you some useful information and don't be afraid to give away some free information too. Your aim is to make the customer interested and interested enough to click the link to your website to find out more.
To do this, you should focus on providing useful information and not only advertising your product, but giving the customer good and honest information about what your product or service can do for them. Provided that they are interested, then you have a far higher chance of procuring a sale.
Many people also posts videos on their own websites and this is also a good idea since it also costs nothing. If you have a squeeze page which is advertising a certain product or service, then having a video on the front page is also a very good idea since it gives people a formal introduction to yourself and what you are selling.
However, there is no harm in building up traffic and to do this, you need to establish a presence on websites which are already highly trafficked such as YouTube. This way you will be able to get more back links to your website, build up traffic and advertise effectively at the same time. To be honest, there is no conceivable reason why you shouldn't get into online video distribution
Sites like YouTube have been around for a considerable amount of time now and while they are very popular social networking tools for sharing entertaining and humorous videos, they are also extremely good for Internet marketing.
You need to put yourself in the shoes of the potential customer. Rather than reading a web page or review, they would rather see a real person behind the project, the real person that they could potentially buy the product or service off. Online video distribution is your chance to build up trust in the potential customer.
Because of this, it is very important that you don't pay attention only to advertising when you are making your online video. You should offer you some useful information and don't be afraid to give away some free information too. Your aim is to make the customer interested and interested enough to click the link to your website to find out more.
To do this, you should focus on providing useful information and not only advertising your product, but giving the customer good and honest information about what your product or service can do for them. Provided that they are interested, then you have a far higher chance of procuring a sale.
Many people also posts videos on their own websites and this is also a good idea since it also costs nothing. If you have a squeeze page which is advertising a certain product or service, then having a video on the front page is also a very good idea since it gives people a formal introduction to yourself and what you are selling.
However, there is no harm in building up traffic and to do this, you need to establish a presence on websites which are already highly trafficked such as YouTube. This way you will be able to get more back links to your website, build up traffic and advertise effectively at the same time. To be honest, there is no conceivable reason why you shouldn't get into online video distribution
Online Video Distribution - Read This First
Online video distribution has been around for quite a while now. You are probably already familiar with websites such as YouTube, undoubtedly the most popular and highly visited video sharing websites out there. While for a long time these sites have been used primarily for entertainment purposes and for people to share their videos for humor and entertainment, they also extremely effective marketing tools.
Generally, YouTube is the only one worth considering since it has a vast number of visitors, it is free to use up to a certain level and you will get more exposure than you can get in any other way. Consider, by contrast advertising on the television itself. This is extremely expensive and something that is ultimately only restricted to major companies. The vast majority of businesses couldn't even consider this.
While of course you do get even more exposure in that way, online video distribution is a great alternative and the fact that it is free makes is an absolute no-brainer. YouTube has millions of visitors every week so you can be sure that providing you market your video correctly, it will give you a tremendous boost to your advertising campaigns.
However, it is important to make sure that you make the correct video. Bear in mind the potential customers prefer to see a human face rather than just read something on the Internet. It should also not be excessively promotional and should offer some useful information for free.
You need to leave your potential customers with a bit of a cliff-hanger. They need to have an idea of what they are in store for if they go to your website after having seen your video. They need to be impressed by your information and so to do this, you need to offer something useful instead of just plain advertising or telling people what they obviously know already.
The whole point of video distribution on the internet is to get people to watch your video and then to click the link to your website which is provided in your profile on the video sharing website in question. As far as traffic is concerned, getting people to see your YouTube video will take a little bit of time to build up a large number of viewers. As it gets more ratings, it will get more views. Since YouTube is one of the most popular web site and the world already, your potential viewers are already there and you just have to get them to look at your video by making it interesting.
There is absolutely no reason not to do this since not only is it free, but it is by far one of the most effective ways of advertising on the internet.
Generally, YouTube is the only one worth considering since it has a vast number of visitors, it is free to use up to a certain level and you will get more exposure than you can get in any other way. Consider, by contrast advertising on the television itself. This is extremely expensive and something that is ultimately only restricted to major companies. The vast majority of businesses couldn't even consider this.
While of course you do get even more exposure in that way, online video distribution is a great alternative and the fact that it is free makes is an absolute no-brainer. YouTube has millions of visitors every week so you can be sure that providing you market your video correctly, it will give you a tremendous boost to your advertising campaigns.
However, it is important to make sure that you make the correct video. Bear in mind the potential customers prefer to see a human face rather than just read something on the Internet. It should also not be excessively promotional and should offer some useful information for free.
You need to leave your potential customers with a bit of a cliff-hanger. They need to have an idea of what they are in store for if they go to your website after having seen your video. They need to be impressed by your information and so to do this, you need to offer something useful instead of just plain advertising or telling people what they obviously know already.
The whole point of video distribution on the internet is to get people to watch your video and then to click the link to your website which is provided in your profile on the video sharing website in question. As far as traffic is concerned, getting people to see your YouTube video will take a little bit of time to build up a large number of viewers. As it gets more ratings, it will get more views. Since YouTube is one of the most popular web site and the world already, your potential viewers are already there and you just have to get them to look at your video by making it interesting.
There is absolutely no reason not to do this since not only is it free, but it is by far one of the most effective ways of advertising on the internet.
Online Audio Advertising - Audio Marketing For Your Online Business - 4 Things You Need to Know
One of the greatest new Marketing tools I have been using for a few months now is Online Audio Advertising. It is THE Audio Marketing for your online business. I absolutely love it. The results are great. It is so powerful! It's a shame not many online marketers are utilizing this method. It is so simple folks. During my learning curve with all of this, I learned 4 things you need to know. Please allow me to share them with you.
1. Software Needed
You need a computer. You need a piece of software. Depending on the platform you are using, you could either use CamTasia, or Quicktime. I am a MAC user and love using the Quicktime Pro version. If you are low on budget, there are plenty of freeware products out there that will do the job as well. Just search for voice recording software. There is no need for an expensive, professional studio or whatsoever. Like I said, online audio advertising is a peace of cake.
2. Crisp & Clear
When having recorded your message, ensure that the sound is of great quality. It has to be very crisp and clear. The message you are broadcasting to your people has to be pleasant to the ears and easy to understand. Make sure there are no background noises, drop-outs, static or any other alien noises that make your eardrums bleed. If you fail to check on these things, you could really do some serious damage to your business and your reputation. A first impression is made within the first 3 seconds. Keep that in mind!
3. Connect Personal
Another very important aspect of Audio Marketing for your online business is, to make the message personal. Connect with them on a personal level. I always use my own voice. I very much recommend you use your own voice. It establishes a rapport, trust and honesty. Besides advertising your business and products, Online Audio advertising is also a great way to brand yourself, all at the same time. I can understand if, at first, you don't feel comfortable recording your own voice. Perhaps you could try and ask a friend or a family member to record the voice-over.
4. Let a Pro Do the Job
Just in case you are a little unsure about how to get the job done. You can always consider the idea of outsourcing. Check out some of the Freelance websites. There are so many professional audio experts offering their services. Be careful though but, upon finding a good one, you can be sure of a good quality online audio advertising message. A great piece of audio marketing for your online business
1. Software Needed
You need a computer. You need a piece of software. Depending on the platform you are using, you could either use CamTasia, or Quicktime. I am a MAC user and love using the Quicktime Pro version. If you are low on budget, there are plenty of freeware products out there that will do the job as well. Just search for voice recording software. There is no need for an expensive, professional studio or whatsoever. Like I said, online audio advertising is a peace of cake.
2. Crisp & Clear
When having recorded your message, ensure that the sound is of great quality. It has to be very crisp and clear. The message you are broadcasting to your people has to be pleasant to the ears and easy to understand. Make sure there are no background noises, drop-outs, static or any other alien noises that make your eardrums bleed. If you fail to check on these things, you could really do some serious damage to your business and your reputation. A first impression is made within the first 3 seconds. Keep that in mind!
3. Connect Personal
Another very important aspect of Audio Marketing for your online business is, to make the message personal. Connect with them on a personal level. I always use my own voice. I very much recommend you use your own voice. It establishes a rapport, trust and honesty. Besides advertising your business and products, Online Audio advertising is also a great way to brand yourself, all at the same time. I can understand if, at first, you don't feel comfortable recording your own voice. Perhaps you could try and ask a friend or a family member to record the voice-over.
4. Let a Pro Do the Job
Just in case you are a little unsure about how to get the job done. You can always consider the idea of outsourcing. Check out some of the Freelance websites. There are so many professional audio experts offering their services. Be careful though but, upon finding a good one, you can be sure of a good quality online audio advertising message. A great piece of audio marketing for your online business
HOME::Internet-and-Businesses-Online/Video-Marketing X
Why do you need to use videos in your advertising campaign? Well, compare to other marketing tools, video marketing is more effective as it can easily capture online users' attention. It quickly transport your messages to your target audience much faster compare to texts.
Here's how you can explode your video marketing:
1. Know your audience. It's crucial that you know the people that you are targeting to make your videos focused. Make some time to build an ongoing communication with them to determine their needs, demands, preferences, problems, and goals in life. You also need to know the elements that can target their emotions and the techniques that you can use to get them to act right away.
2. Plan ahead. What will be the content of your videos? How long will they run? What tools and equipments you are going to use? You need to know what you need to do when so you can save time and energy in the process.
3. Offer high quality content. Make sure that your videos are highly informative and useful to your audience. Talk about the problems being faced by these people and tell them exactly how they can resolve it (preferably by using your products and services). Your videos must be clear and your audio must be crisp to promote better comprehension.
4. Optimize your descriptions. Make your videos easier to find online by sprinkling generous amount of keywords on your video titles and descriptions. It would also help if you can tell your audience ahead of time what they can expect to get from your creations so they will be enticed to view your videos.
Here's how you can explode your video marketing:
1. Know your audience. It's crucial that you know the people that you are targeting to make your videos focused. Make some time to build an ongoing communication with them to determine their needs, demands, preferences, problems, and goals in life. You also need to know the elements that can target their emotions and the techniques that you can use to get them to act right away.
2. Plan ahead. What will be the content of your videos? How long will they run? What tools and equipments you are going to use? You need to know what you need to do when so you can save time and energy in the process.
3. Offer high quality content. Make sure that your videos are highly informative and useful to your audience. Talk about the problems being faced by these people and tell them exactly how they can resolve it (preferably by using your products and services). Your videos must be clear and your audio must be crisp to promote better comprehension.
4. Optimize your descriptions. Make your videos easier to find online by sprinkling generous amount of keywords on your video titles and descriptions. It would also help if you can tell your audience ahead of time what they can expect to get from your creations so they will be enticed to view your videos.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Top 5 Tips on Getting More Followers on Twitter
Whether you're using twitter for business for leisure you are always going to be looking for more followers. I have outlined below some key ways to get more follows. Having more followers should enable you to drive more traffic to your blog or your website. So my top five tips for getting more followers are:
1. Talk about things that are relevant to your industry: this enables you to qualify the traffic to your blog or website which ensures a better conversion rate from prospect to customer
2. Give value: People don't need to know what you had for breakfast or if you just walked your dog, nobody cares. If you want a legitimate following on twitter of people you hope will follow your blog or buy your product from your website you need to give them value. This can come in the form of free advice, directing them to blogs where they can find good information on problems they may have. There are millions of ways that you can give value just make sure you are adding to your customer and not just trying to sell your own products
3. Re-tweet people in your industry: It is important to build a strong relationship with other bloggers or even competitors in your industry. There is nothing wrong with driving traffic to a competitor's blog because they will be sure to do the same to you in the future.
4. Follow Friday: This is a very important part of twitter, like re-tweeting your competitors this also shows goodwill in your industry and thus the love will be shared. Be sure only to follow Fridays those tweeters who you would actually listen to and not everyone on your list.
5. Follow everyone who follows you: This may seem time consuming at the beginning but the more followers you have the more reach you have. I will show you in coming posts how to automate this process very easily.
1. Talk about things that are relevant to your industry: this enables you to qualify the traffic to your blog or website which ensures a better conversion rate from prospect to customer
2. Give value: People don't need to know what you had for breakfast or if you just walked your dog, nobody cares. If you want a legitimate following on twitter of people you hope will follow your blog or buy your product from your website you need to give them value. This can come in the form of free advice, directing them to blogs where they can find good information on problems they may have. There are millions of ways that you can give value just make sure you are adding to your customer and not just trying to sell your own products
3. Re-tweet people in your industry: It is important to build a strong relationship with other bloggers or even competitors in your industry. There is nothing wrong with driving traffic to a competitor's blog because they will be sure to do the same to you in the future.
4. Follow Friday: This is a very important part of twitter, like re-tweeting your competitors this also shows goodwill in your industry and thus the love will be shared. Be sure only to follow Fridays those tweeters who you would actually listen to and not everyone on your list.
5. Follow everyone who follows you: This may seem time consuming at the beginning but the more followers you have the more reach you have. I will show you in coming posts how to automate this process very easily.
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