Internet Marketing Tools

Jive Systems  www.jivesystems.com is a paid, closed system for creating and distributing your small business marketing videos.  A close system is the opposite of Youtube which is an open public system.  As you know if you have a video on Youtube it will be grouped with other Youtube videos in the same category. Often, these other videos may be your competitors.

A close system features access only to your videos and those to whom you want to share these videos with, whether via email, your website or your blog.

Both types of system have their place in small business marketing.

Here are some video tips from a recent Jive System webinar.

1.  Be lively and up beat in your video.  Sales is the transmission of feelings. (Zig Zigler)  Enthusiasm about your product will show well in a video.

2.  Introduce yourself this way, “Hi I’m (blank) with XYZ company.”  This tip comes from a Hollywood acting coach who says “When you start this way, people see you taking responsibility”.  This instills more confidence in you.

3.  State your unique selling proposition—USP.   (I call this your personal brand).  Why are you special?  Use different variations of your brand on different videos.

4.  Avoid being too close to the camera.  This is very uncomfortable for the viewer.

5.  Keep your video short and to the point.  People don’t want to hear you babble.

6.  Always have a call to action.  Tell the viewer what you want them to do.  Make it as easy as possible. Show them a clear path for getting the action done.

Conclusion

You can see these tips from Jive Systems emphasize the many of the same suggestions I made in an earlier post (http://successfulmarketingtools.com/wordpressblog/727/organizing-your-video-marketing-shoot/).  Use these tips and your videos will be more professional and effective.

In the next post, I will share editing tips for the videos you shoot.

Your comments and questions are welcomed…

Al Hanzal

Many details go into an effective video.  Don’t let the details deter you.  You will not be perfect the first couple of times.  Gradually you will develop a system, your own style and a format that works for you.   Expect some trial and error.  It’s part of the learning curve.

Key Ingredients for Your Video Shoot

Let the camera frame you. You’ve taken photography shots of family members.  When you did this, you made sure the people fit into the frame so all could be included in the picture.  Let your video camera frame you. This should be your head and upper shoulders.

How close should you be to the camera?  Make it the same distance as if you were talking to a friend.  With a friend you would never be nose to nose.

Check out your background. Your clothes should be brighter than your background.  Make sure your background is not cluttered or distracting.  Some shoot videos against a plain white wall.  You want to avoid making the background more interesting than you.

Microphones. This is not an issue with video cameras with built-in microphones.  These do a fair job of picking up sound.  If you are using a free standing microphone, make sure isn’ seen by the camera framing. Do not place it too close so that any movement you make, such as moving papers on your desk, is picked up by microphone.

Stabilize the camera.  Nothing is more distracting than someone constanantly moving the camera. Using a tripod will eliminate this distraction.

Look the part.  You want your viewers to instantly recognize your credibility.  Wear clothes that support what you do.  If you are a doctor, wearing a white smock would give you instant credibility.

Be yourself. Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.’’  You will need to experiment with your video voice.  It should be a mixture of energy, vocal quality, authentic, authoritative a dash of humor and a dose of salesmanship.  In professional circles this is call your stage presence.

Lighting. As I indicated in an earlier post, (http://budurl.com/VideoLighting) this is something overlooked in most small business videos.  Sunlight is your best light.  If you need to add light, use indirect light.

Here’s a secret.  You want to catch the sparkle in your eyes.  Your eyes open wider when this is more light. Your eyes add interest.  The eyes have been called the window of the soul.  There is a reason professional photographers learn how to capture the sparkle and depth in people’s eyes.

Conclusion

Don’t let the details overcome you.  Have some fun with your videos.  Do you remember as a child, dressing up and playing house?  This is your opportunity to return to some childhood playfulness.  Have fun and it will show in your videos.

In the next video, I will add some additional tips and suggestions for your shooting your marketing videos. Your comments are always welcomed…

Al Hanzal

As I suggested in my earlier video,( http://budurl.com/videoareeasy) video marketing does not require a large investment in equipment.  You can start with equipment you already have.  As you progress with your videos, you can invest in more advanced equipment.                                

Your Computer

Videos files are larger than text files.  For this reason, they require a large amount of disk space and memory space for processing.  You need a memory of at least 512 KB.  1 GB is better.  Your computer should be newer than 2005.  A MAC is good.  A  PC with Window’s XP or Vista also works well.

Software

Computer video cams or a Flip Video have built in software to use on your computer.   If you have Microsoft operating software, you will also have a free program called Windows Movie Maker.  It’s a free down load at Microsoft if you do not already have it on your computer.

Your Camera

The better the camera, the more clarity you have with your videos.  Since you maybe just starting, the video cam on your computer can be used.  My Flip Video with build in microphone and USB connection costs about $100.00.  (I like this version since I can carry it with me to business sites).  In the short run you can use your mobile phone and its video options.

The next step up might be a Logic Tech Pro 9000 series video cam which cost between $50-$100 dollars.  It plugs into your computer with a USB connection.  From there you can get into many different brands of more expensive video recorders and cameras.

Microphone

This will not be an issue with the tools you already have.   Video cams have built in microphones as does the Flip video.  Most cell phone videos also have audio pick ups.

A secret:  a good audio can make up for a mediocre video.  When people can hear your video without distortion or background noise, it’s a much better experience for them.  Microphones are like cameras.  With stand alone microphones, the more expensive the microphone, the better they capture the audio portion of your video.  Some give you the ability to knock out background noise.

Lighting

Lighting is the key to professional looking videos.  How many homemade videos have you watched where it is difficult to see?  Look at any professional shoot and you see the attention they pay to lighting.

You do not need to invest in expensive lighting.  I use a simple construction light you can purchase at any home improvement store.  It works well for my situation and cost less than $25.00.

Conclusion

To learn more about the details of the video equipment I suggest viewing the first of Gideon Shalwick’s free video series.  He provides details about the various types of equipment you can use.  http://getyourvideoonline.com/confirm-success.html

In the next post, I will focus on creating the script for your small business marketing videos.

To be continued, your comments are always welcomed…

Al Hanzal

Making a video to help market your products may seem like a climbing a huge mountain.  In the next series of posts, I will break this process into a step by step process to make the journey up the mountain easier.

Steps Involved

There are a number of different steps involved in the process of making a marketing video.

• The equipment
• The script
• The shoot
• The editing
• The conversion
• The uploading
• The distribution

There are tools to help you with each of these steps.  Once you have completed the entire process, each step becomes easier until it takes only a short time to make your next marketing video.

Processing Options

You have options.  You can do everything yourself.  You can use or hire others for parts of the process.  You could hire someone to do the entire process.

Who is available to help?  I will show you a free-online tutorial that walks you through the process.  You may have others around you to help with steps in the process.  My daughter, Laura is 14.  She has been making videos with her friends for the last couple of years.  At times, I swallow my father’s pride, ask her how to do something and she says, “Oh dad, that’s so easy!”

You can hire professionals.   Do a Google search for your local area–”video professionals” “internet videos services”  ”video services” to see who might be available.   These people will do all or part of the process.   Some have studios for this purpose.  Ask to see videos they have done for the internet.  Experts tell me, there is a difference between online and off line video technology.

The free resource I suggest is a series of six videos by Gideon Shalwick, one of the top bloggers in the world.  He has creates a series of free videos showing you from start to finish how to create your first video. You will feel like you have completed a college course by the time you are done with these 2.5 hours of videos.

I will be using his outline for these next series of posts.  Go to  www.getyourvideoonline.com register and you will be sent to his page of videos with log in information.  Make sure you keep the address of this log in landing pages so you can return to the videos often.

To be continued, your comments are welcomed…

Before we dive into the practical details about creating your own business videos, I invite you to read this short post by Lou Bortone.  I suggested one reason for using videos in your business is because they are easy.  Lou takes easy to a new level, include how mobile you can now do your video distribution.  Read and enjoy.

Five Ways to Win With Online Video

by Lou Bortone, Guest Blogger November 20, 2009  in VIDEO & VIRAL MARKETING

Recently we shared that viewers are now watching a staggering One Billion videos per day!  If you’d like to promote your business using video, but are still a bit intimidated by the technology, then I give you permission to cheat.  Well, it’s not really cheating, but there are a few remarkably easy shortcuts.  Here are five quickies to make posting videos a snap (or click!)

1. Animoto Mojo – With Animoto.com, you don’t even need a video camera to get a video on YouTube!  Just upload some photos or text, select some music that Animoto provides, and the website mixes a slick video, all ready for YouTube.

2. Quick Flip – If you’ve got a Flip Video camera (get one atwww.GetYourFlip.com), then uploading to YouTube is as simple as plugging the Flip into your computer.  Flip gives you a direct upload button for one click posting to YouTube.

3. YouTube “Quick Capture!” – Speaking of YouTube, just below the “upload” button on YouTube is the cleverly hidden “quick capture” function, which allows you to record your video “live” and on the fly with just your webcam.  Give it a try!

4. Phone it in – If you’re an iPhone 3G owner, you’re in luck. The new iPhone with video not only lets you record video, it gives you the option to send your mobile video directly to YouTube – again with one click convenience.

5. Go Mobile – Even if you don’t have an iPhone, you can still send video to YouTube right from your mobile phone.  Just look for the “Upload from Mobile” button, and YT will provide you with a custom address you can use to “call your video in!”

Online video has indeed become a “do-it-yourself” medium, and it’s easier than ever to get your video on YouTube.   Still, if you prefer to have someone do it all for you, then be sure to check out my new, soooo easy solution athttp://www.Good2GoVideo.com!   Hope to see you online soon!

About the Author

Lou Bortone is a long-time marketing and branding consultant who helps entrepreneurs build breakthrough brands on the Internet, with services such as online video production, video branding, coaching and creative support.  Lou is a former television executive who worked for E! Entertainment Television and later served as the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Advertising for Fox Family Worldwide, a division of Fox in Los Angeles.  Lou is an author and ghostwriter of six business books, a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and a Book Yourself Solid Certified Coach. Visit Lou’s website at http://www.OnlineVideoBranding.com and you can learn more about Lou’s Video Traffic Blast system at http://www.VideoTrafficBlast.com

To be continued, your comments are welcomed…

Al Hanzal

Here’s a final video on reasons why you want to incorporate videos into your small business marketing. They work!  Check our this video where I show a video that sells 24/7 for a business.

Here’s the reference if you want to see the two minute video that sold me on my notepad computer. http://www.jr.com/toshiba/pe/TOS_NB205N210/.

You can see all four short videos about reasons for incorporating video into your small business by going to my Youtube channel www.youtube.com/alhanzal.

In the next series of posts, we will start the process of learning how easy it is to make your own video for your small business.

To be continued, your comments are always welcomed…

Al Hanzal

Having a dynamic interchange with your customer is a second reason why you want to include videos as part of your marketing plan.

I want you to do a little experiment to personally experience this reason for using videos in your business.  Immediate below is a two minute video I created about this second reason. Right below the video is a text version of  the this reason.  You be the judge.  Which presentation had more power for you.  The personal interaction or the written word.  Write a comment at the end of this post and let me know what you experienced.  Thanks.

If you are like most small business owners, I am sure you feel that if you can get in front of a prospect, you have a good chance of making a sale.  Your instincts are correct.  People don’t buy businesses.  They buy you.  The more they get to know you, like you and trust you, the more likely you are to make a sale.

Did you know that 93% of communications are non-verbal?  That means that if you are only relying on words with your website or sales page, you are using only 7% of your communication power.

Videos allow your prospects to tap into the other 93% of your communication power.

• They get to see you
• They get to hear your voice
• Watch your facial expressions
• Listen to the tone of your voice.

They get a feel for you as a business person.   All of these elements allow the prospect to get to know you and like you.

If you want to make more sales, make them faster, use video to let your prospects get to know you and like you and trust you.

In the next post, I will share with you a third reason why videos can make your marketing more successful.

To be continued, your comments are welcomed…

Al Hanzal

In the last post, I commented on the SEO power in using videos for your small business marketing.  Before I leave this point, let me share with you a post from Lou Bortone, a guest blogger on how he see videos increasing the visibility of your business on the internet.  As we move through our journey on video marketing, we will dig into more depth on some of the additional areas he mentions in his post.  Enjoy and prosper.

Boost Your Visibility Bigtime with Video!

by LOU BORTONE, guest blogger on OCTOBER 23, 2009

How to make your video work for you again and again…

One of the great things about creating an online video to market your business is that it can significantly increase your visibility.  After all, posting videos online gives you worldwide exposure on the Internet, 24/7!

Now is the perfect time to enhance your online exposure with video. Video viewership is at an all time high, with 97 million Americans watching videos online.  In fact, there are now more 18-34 year old adults watching online video than are watching traditional television!

In addition to boosting your visibility, having a video web presence will also improve your SEO rankings. The personal nature of video will increase your “know, like and trust” factor, and make you more familiar and approachable with potential clients.  All of that accelerates the sales process and gets you more business!

However, creating your video is only half the story.  Distribution is the key to greater visibility.  Here are a few simple ways you can get more mileage out of your video:

• Start with YouTube, the 800-pound gorilla of video hosting sites.
• From there, YouTube makes it incredibly easy to share your video to Facebook and MySpace with one simple click in their “share” section.
• Once you’ve shared your video to Facebook, make sure you encourage comments and feedback.  If your friends comment on your video, it will appear on their Facebook page, as well!
• Remember to post the link to your video on Twitter.  You can just use the URL from YouTube to direct people to your video.  If you really want to promote your video on Twitter, post your video to a few of the Twitter-friendly video hosting sites such as Tweetube.com or Twiddeo.com.
• Obviously, you want to put your video on your own website or blog.  This can be easily achieved by taking the “embed” code that YouTube provides and adding it to your site.
• Finally, hit a large variety of video hosting sites by posting your video to TubeMogul.com.  TubeMogul is a free web service that blasts your video to dozens of popular video websites.  Just upload once, and send to many places with one click!

One video + Many sites + Many uses = Viral Video Potential!  Leverage your time and your visibility by maximizing your video distribution.  Soon you’ll be hearing the sweet sound of colleagues and clients saying “I see you everywhere!”  Post from VIDEO & VIRAL MARKETING.

About the Author:

Lou Bortone is a long-time marketing and branding consultant who helps entrepreneurs build breakthrough brands on the Internet, with services such as online video production, video branding, coaching and creative support. Lou is a former television executive who worked for E! Entertainment Television and later served as the Senior Vice President of Marketing & Advertising for Fox Family Worldwide, a division of Fox in Los Angeles. Lou is an author and ghostwriter of six business books, a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and a Book Yourself Solid Certified Coach. Visit Lou’s website at http://www.OnlineVideoBranding.com and you can learn more about Lou’s Video Traffic Blast system athttp://www.VideoTrafficBlast.com

To be continued, your comments are always welcomed…

Al Hanzal