Use YouTube as an Effective Marketing Tool

Here are just a few ways to use YouTube as an effective marketing tool.

Making a YouTube video is a simple and straightforward process:  Grab a digital video camera, prepare a script, push that little button labeled “record,” upload and you’re good to go. 

Once your video has been uploaded, then what?

Post it on a blog – video blogs, aka vlogs, are a great way to mix up the message.  Video blogs assist with branding and takes advantage of the buying behavior trigger “likeability.”  It gives viewers, prospects, and current customers the opportunity to get to know you. 

We’re all much more inclined to buy from people we feel we know and like.

Use a “how to” video as a twist on your regular newsletter or autoresponder.  Rather than adding another long article, spice up the newsletter with a link to a video.  Test it to see if click through ratings increase – chances are they will.

Social networking.  Link to a YouTube video in your online forum, chat room, and message board communications.  Again, this is not only a great way to share a message, it gives viewers the opportunity to see and hear who you are.  When people have a voice, face, and personality to match with a company – they’ll remember you. 

This creates recognition and awareness in the minds of your prospects and when they have a need, they won’t go to the search engines or yellow pages – they’ll come right to you.

Pay Per Click ads linking directly to a YouTube video embedded on a web page also work effectively to share a message and market products and services.  Everyone enjoys free content, particularly when it’s both informative and entertaining – share the benefits in your message.

What types of YouTube Videos work best?

There really isn’t a hard and fast rule.  Very effective “commercial’s” have been produced on low budgets.  The key with commercials is to remember the medium – You Tube is widely successful as a marketing medium because it is viral. 

People share videos, they email links to each other, they talk about them on blogs, and one viewing multiplies until thousands of people have viewed your commercial.  In fact from my observation, the highest traffic videos on YouTube are often NOT the slick, ad-agency type videos.

The key is to make sure that yoiur YouTube video is informative.

Like articles, YouTube videos can offer tremendous value and benefit to viewers.  How to videos, tips videos and tutorials all work as an effective form.  Again, the key to ensuring success – make them fun and interesting!