As we’re coming up on 6 months into a marketing strategy of improving our online presence utilizing video, I thought I would share a few stats that we’ve collected to emphasize the importance of video to your business.
On October 21, 2010, we took a look at our YouTube Channel and decided it was time to get serious. To be honest, I really didn’t expect what was to follow in the next six months. What I did know was that I’m not a very good writer, my patience for weaving a good story is limited and frankly, I hate with a capital “H” grammar. (So please don’t point out all those mistakes in the first two paragraphs :O ).
But I also knew I had a lot of good information to share with whoever was interested and would listen. So I turned to video. Specifically, we turned to YouTube. At that time – I thought, probably not the best choice – since I could not fathom generating new leads from a source that seemed to focus on music, movie trailers, and humor (boy I was wrong).
So the Stats…
October 21 – 4 Friends, 6 Subscribers, 212 Views and no leads!
Before I share with you the results as we approach the 6-month timeline as of this post, let me explain what I’ve learned as to why Video is critical to your business.
TV vs. YouTube
Having spent many years in retail and several of those purchasing TV spots as part of our advertising mix, some of these advantages were really no-brainers…
YouTube gives the ability to communicate your message over a far greater period of time. Instead of crunching information into 30 seconds – take 5 minutes, and really hammer the message home.
- Related: 11 Ways to Increase YouTube Views
Instead of that thirty seconds costing thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, that YouTube video was free!
I really didn’t care if 10 million people was a stations viewership. What I did care was how many of those 10 million were my audience (looking for what I was offering) and what were the odds of them catching that one-time 30 seconds very expensive spot. Gosh, I hope they didn’t have to use the washroom! Of course, that video I put up on YouTube back in October still continues to do work today, as new people looking for the information I shared stumble upon it and spend the time focused on the information as it’s what they’re looking for.
Communicate Your Personality
I often find my writing doesn’t communicate my passion for the topics I cover. In a video, my passion is able to shine through. Shutting up is my new problem.
As I love to communicate through video, my audience really gets to know me. Many people I’ve had 1 to 1 conversations with exclaimed they felt like they knew me like an old friend. Pretty cool that video has that ability.
The Entry Cost
What stirred this post is we’re in the process of creating a studio for more advanced and more frequent video content. Today the ability to create a studio, purchase the necessary equipment to do video in the first place has become so low, that accessibility is available to everyone.
In fact, many videos we shoot are on the fly via our iPhone. I already own the phone, why not do the video. Pretty cool.
Take a look at the video below to get some action steps for your business. Incorporating video into your marketing strategy is not only easy, cost-effective, inexpensive, but just plain smart!
Oh yeah, the stats…
Not quite 6 months later our YouTube Channel…
9469 Friends, 557 Subscribers, Approaching 14,000 views, and several new leads – 3 new clients! The videos are still there 🙂
Does your company or the company you work for use video as a component of their marketing strategy?
