Proof That Marketing With Audio And Video WORKS!

A local radio station found me on Google and contacted me about working with them. This is proof yet again that using multimedia to increase your search engine rankings IS an effect and inexpensive way to get more clients.

It is similar to how Lifetime Television for Women hired me as Podcasting Consultant in 2006. The head of IT was listening to my Brain Storm! Business Podcast and suggested me when podcasting was put on the table in a meeting.

The only thing you are required to do is create and post good quality (not perfect) audio and video to the internet on a CONSISTENT basis. BE THERE when someone is searching for your area of expertise. As a matter of fact, be in many places - it is very impressive when you are found in more than one place.

I know you are busy with a million different things. I have spent the past 3 days taking care of a very sick dog. I am way behind where I should be. But I promised myself I would post at least 4 - 5 times a week to my blog. I only had 3 posts, and I was going to keep my commitment to myself, my business, and my hard earned Google rankings.

When you are too tired to record, then ask yourself, "How badly do I want new clients?" If you want it bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen, and discipline yourself to get at least one show a week completed. You don't have to be as ambitious as I am with 4 - 5 posts a week. Just get one a week out to start marketing with audio and video.

So I hope I have inspired you to keep on creating and posting on a regular schedule. There IS reason to do it - there are clients out there looking for you, but you MUST be on the first few pages of Google to be found by them.

Penny Haynes, http://www.Multimediapreneur.com/

P.S. 101 Things To Do With Audio And Video (To Promote Your Business) is being released next week. Please help yourself to the free excerpt and/or the complete book at http://www.101ThingsAudioVideo.com/.

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Creating A Script That Sounds Natural (Part 2), Marketing With Audio And Video

In this Marketing With Audio And Video excerpt, Kristy Nichols and I (Penny Haynes) conclude our discussion of how to make natural script writing easy and quick. Some tips include starting small at first with shorter, simpler projects, and using a free teleprompter you can find at http://www.FreePrompter.com.

As a late breaking news brief, I have more proof that marketing with audio and video works, and works well. Tonight, I was contacted by someone from a local radio station who found me by searching on Google. He followed the breadcrumbs, and went from site to site of mine, and called me immediately about possibly being interviewed on an early morning radio show talking about podcasting and online video, and also possibly helping their sales force use online audio and video to better produce and make their presentations with the Commercial Creation Center.

Now, all I am doing is posting audio and video, and making sure that I always put a link to my important (or relevant) sites. Doing it on a consistent basis helps me stay at the top of search engine rankings. You NEVER know who may run across you while they are researching a topic.

So, as I have said before, put a link back to your business in EVERY POST. It bolsters your search engine rankings. In my blog feed, I have an automatic "signature", which adds my name and Commercial Creation Center link to the bottom of every post, so I don't have to worry about forgetting it. So everywhere that my blog/podcast is syndicated, there is the link to my business.

Lastly, '101 Things To Do With Audio And Video (To Promote Your Business) comes out next week, come hell or high water (which means with or without graphics, in my case). I just want to get the show on the road, and get this book into the hands of people who are struggling to build their business, and show them that it can be quick, easy and inexpensive to do it.

Creating A Script That Sounds Natural (Part 1), Marketing With Audio And Video

In today's video excerpt from the Marketing With Audio And Video show, Kristy Nichols reveals her technique for creating scripts and outlines that sound natural. So often, people are fine when they are talking to themselves, but suddenly try to be someone else and lose their authenticity once the camera starts rolling. This is part one, and we will finish up our script writing topic in Part 2 later this week.

I recently rewarded myself for the completion of the text for my upcoming book, "101 Things To Do With Audio And Video (To Promote Your Business). My reward was allowing myself to go back to programming and start adding additional features to the Commercial Creation Center. I had to force myself NOT to program, because when I do, hours fly by and I get nothing else done. I think I programmed for over 12 hours, and loved every second of it.

So far, I have added the ability to select a PORTION of an audio file (as well as an entire audio file) as the matching audio for a slide in a Slide Show Video. I have added menu links to other upload and special feature sites, and a link to re-open the opening Tip (to read about the different features and functions). I have a list of 10 features I want to add, and then I'll release the latest version. It should all coincide with the release of my book this month, which makes it even more exciting for me.

Please leave me a comment if you like this video, or if you have another method for creating a script for your own audio/video projects. I'd love to share them with others in an upcoming show, or possibly feature you in an upcoming episode of Marketing With Audio And Video!

The Number 1 Reason Why Entrepreneurs Don't Create Audio And Video, from Marketing With Audio and Video

Find out the number one reason why people don't create audio and video and what to do about it in today's Marketing With Audio And Video excerpt, featuring Kristy Nichols. Brought to you by http://www.CommercialCreationCenter and Penny Haynes.

Join Penny Haynes for Marketing With Audio And Video every Monday night at 9pm EST at Talk Shoe. Call in at 724-444-7444, Call ID: 29763#, and press 1# (if you are not registered at TalkShoe). You can also join us in chat and listen to existing shows at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/29763.

If you would like to receive daily online video news and tips for audio video marketing, go to http://www.Multimediapreneur.com, and subscribe to Penny Haynes' daily blog and podcast.

Free Flip Video Camera Tips Ebook on Marketing With Audio And Video

In this last excerpt from our interview with Lou Bortone on the Marketing With Audio And Video show, we discuss how easy it is to use the Flip, plus tell you where you can get Lou's free ebook with Flip Video tips. Brought to you by Penny Haynes and http://www.commercialcreationcenter.com/

Statistics on Online Video & Web Site Traffic

These are great statistics about online video and web site traffic trends:

- 25% of 2200 people surveyed are creating their own entertainment, which includes 25% of Matures (our oldest present generation) and 56% of Millenials (Generation Y, age 14 - 25).

- more than 10% of Millenials upload videos,

- 51% of ALL surveyed watch and read content created by others (71% of Millenials).

- 1/3 of all online viewing is done on user generated content sites (25% of Matures and 50% of Millennials).

- 25+% would pay for online content so they don't have to put up with ads

- Search Engines and Word Of Mouth are why people visit sites, with 85% of Generation X depending on recommendations

- 87% of respondents visit the same web sites regularly

For more information, read the original Deloitte article (http://tinyurl.com/ccc-Yers).

What does this all mean? That high search engine ranking is still the best way to drive traffic to your site. After that, word of mouth campaigns are the best method.

In order to spread the word about you and what you have to offer, posting video on user generated content sites help increase your chance of being seen and discussed.

The article also shares that the upcoming generation will broadcast things that they like to 18 other people, and have an average of 37 people in their IM list. So find a way to get people talking about you and do everything you can to be found high in the search engine rankings.

What are you doing to to reach that 51% of people reading and watching content created by others? Is anyone talking about you anywhere? How can you encourage more word of mouth traffic? Please leave a comment and share your ideas.

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Web Cam vs. Flip Video & Tips For Creating Video

In this video excerpt from the Marketing With Audio And Video show, Lou Bortone and Penny Haynes discuss different scripting techniques, tips for branding and when to use the web cam versus when to use the Flip Video camera. The next video in this series will include details about the Flip Video camera, how easy it is to use, and how you can get a free ebook all about the Flip.

Please join us for the live show on Monday nights at 9pm EST at TalkShoe. The show Phone Number is (724) 444-7444, and the Call ID is 29763.

How Is Online Video Expected To Affect Business?

In a recent PermissionTV survey of over 400 "decision makers" in various industries, they found out what entrepreneurs expected video to do for them.

71% simply expect to reap increased brand awareness.
47% expect more lead generation.
44% think it will enhance loyalty/retention programs.
41% believe it will actually convert customers.
39% think it will improve service and support.

I am always asked one question when I teach on multimedia marketing: how much money can I make? I always tell them that the main reason for multimedia marketing is brand recognition, not sales.

Some people don't recognize the difference between sales and marketing. Marketing helps increase visibility and awareness in general, whereas sales means someone reaching into their pocket and giving you their money. Sales results are much easier to quantify than marketing results.

How do videos increase brand awareness? If they are good, viral videos, they invite discussion and sharing. The more people that see and talk about the video, the better it is for the company who is branded on that video.

So what are you expecting your online audio and video to do for you? Have you experienced any direct results on your business? Have you heard more people talking about you? Have you had more sales?

I'd love for you to share your answer with me, so I can include it in my upcoming book, "101 Things To Do With Audio And Video (To Promote Your Business)". So please feel free to comment on this article.

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Shoppers Research Products Via Online Video - Most Likely During Work Hours

RECORD numbers of shoppers have spent a RECORD amount of time researching products online & viewing product videos (http://tinyurl.com/ccc-shoppers). Can you guess when they're probably doing that research? It's most likely during work hours (http://tinyurl.com/ccc-viewers)!



Offline businesses just haven't "gotten" the fact that their potential clients are researching their prospective purchases on the internet before they come in to buy (if they don't buy it online). Once they do their research, they are likely to spend $150 more in the store than if they had not done any research. Baby Boomers may still purchase offline, but they are researching online FIRST.

According to SellPoint, a provider of online product tours for businesses, they have seen a 40% increase in the number of shoppers viewing their Product Tours. Now, that doesn't surprise me, since when I want to purchase a gadget, I first go to http://www.cnet.com to read the reviews and watch the video demonstrations.

Now, combine this information with the Nielsen Online October 2008 Video Census that states that most people are watching online video from 9 - 5, during work hours. (Doesn't this ring true? How many times have you been at your desk watching something you shouldn't be watching, and have to Alt-Tab quickly to avoid being caught?)

So what does that mean for businesses? One huge indication would be that people prefer to spend their time watching video, not reading text. Therefore, if you want to reach more people with your message, video is a very good bet. For the best of both worlds, offer both text and video, so the search engines can pick up your content as well.

The other lesson to be learned is that if you are going to sell a product or a service, people want to learn more about it from the comfort of their home (or, more appropriately, their office). This means that it would benefit you to CREATE online video demonstrations to accompany your product descriptions and images. It doesn't have to be professionally produced - just practical and informative, as if you were standing next to them giving them a personal tour of their prospective purchase.

What do you think about adding video to your product and service descriptions? Do you think it would make a difference to your clientele? Why or why not? Leave me your comments and we'll discuss it.

Professionalism vs Perfectionism In Your Videos

In today's Marketing With Audio And Video excerpt, we will talk about the difference between being professional and being perfect when creating videos. We'll also find out the secret to how Lou Bortone created his fantastic Bob The Builder video (http://www.howcast.com/videos/51201-Bob-the-Builder-on-Brand-Building-LouTube-14).

Want Free Advertising? Answer my Best Video survey.

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! I will include a link to your business in my upcoming promotional materials for "101 Things To Do With Audio And Video (To Promote Your Business)" IF you answer this survey: http://tinyurl.com/bestvideosurvey1.

IF you forward this request to others, I will also include you on my web site promotional page as a Survey Partner. Just copy me in on your request for others to complete the survey.

As a part of my promotional materials, I will be sending out this list of the best, most memorable videos, along with links to the people who submitted them. I will also be using the statistics from the survey about WHY that video was so memorable in the book. I'll also include the list as an Appendix in the book itself.

One of the things I have figured is that the more people I am willing to promote and help become successful, the better things will be. I may be somewhat naive, but I believe in sowing before you reap. Hopefully, I'll be able to do something nice for the people who are generous enough to participate and help me succeed.

Non-Profit Markets with Online Viral Video To Raise Money

In an article from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (http://ping.fm/LMOxo), Chris Newmarker shares how United Way is using online video to spread a viral campaign to raise money.

Go to http://www.Give5Now.org to see the extremely simple, effective and touching video. There is no narration, so it is suitable for hearing impaired viewers. It was a low cost project that did not break their budget.

The idea is for viewers to give only $5 to help their local neighbors who are struggling with disaster due to the economy, and then to share the video with 5 friends. A quote from the article states:

“Giving trends show that young people, in particular, are more likely to give small donations online that respond to immediate causes,” said Randi Yoder, senior vice president of donor relations for the Greater Twin Cities United Way.

Think of ways that you can emulate this particular strategy of marketing with audio and video. What short message (this is only 1 minute 20 seconds long) can you share that packs a punch and quickly gets the point across? Are you including a "call to action" clearly throughout and especially at the end of the video? Are you asking for word of mouth referrals?

Please share examples of other videos (created by you or by others) that follow this formula, and how they were received by viewers.

Getting Over Self Consciousness When Marketing With Audio And Video

Lou Bortone of TheOnlineVideoGuy.com and I discussed Flip Camera & video tips on the Marketing With Audio And Video show tonight (12/15/08) at 9pm EST. You can listen to the entire audio at http://tinyurl.com/mwavshow, but for now, I'll share a short video excerpt about how LouTube came to be, and how you can get over your self consciousness and perfectionism in video.

For those of you paying attention, I am trying to listen to my own advice and make my videos better than they were a week ago. Note my use of additional screen shots and clip art to make the point clearer, and also to break up the monotony of slides only.

The next videos will talk about Lou's fabulous Bob The Builder video, ideas on scripting, and of course information about the Flip and comparing it to a web cam. Stay tuned for more LouTube on Marketing With Audio And Video! Join us every 9pm EST at TalkShoe. Call in at 724-444-7444, Call ID: 29763#, and press 1# (if you are not registered at TalkShoe).

See the full-sized video at Blip.tv (always the best video quality of all of the social media sites): http://www.blip.tv/file/1581160.

Applying Hollywood Film Tactics to Business Videos

I saw a great article on Viral Video tactics from an author on YouTube Videos: http://ping.fm/BjM2A. As I read it, I realized that this was a great blueprint for business related videos as well. Let's apply what they are teaching to promoting your business.

First of all, the emphasis is on storytelling. The book "Made To Stick" by Dan and Chip Heath shares many examples of the power of a story. A plot with details that can evoke emotions and also connect to our senses is a powerful combination - one that will make people remember it.

But Michael W. Dean, the author of the article, goes into detail about the structure of the story being told, and explains how it is the basis for every movie we see in the theatres. His first main point is that a story must have CONFLICT, as it is "the essence of drama." The conflict must be set up, delved deeply into, and then resolved.

In business terms, this equates to "creating a need", explaining the problem which needs solving, and then providing a resolution. We need to show the conflict that is affecting prospects' lives, dwell on it a while, so they understand the depth of the issue and the impact of not dealing with it, and then show how the conflict can be resolved into a happy ending. I know this sounds simplistic, but it IS the basis for most marketing and films.

Heck, look at the great viral video that J.C. Penney has put out called "Doghouse". (http://bewareofthedoghouse.com/videoPage.aspx) Every husband (and some wives) have been in the doghouse (or put someone there) at one time or another. They know that, if they do the wrong thing, there could be penalties to pay, and those penalties could last for quite a while. This tells the story of the conflict for many, and the possible resolution for at least one offender.

So we have conflict - good and evil facing off. However, faceless conflict isn't enough. There must be a hero who goes on a journey which is the bulk of the story. The hero has sidekicks and a wise mentor to help them on their way.

I think the hero here is your potential client, NOT you. HE or SHE has the opportunity to become the hero of their life by applying the solution you provide. YOU are the mentor, walking them through their dilemma and providing wise counsel.

You are secondary in this movie, which is accurate, because everyone's life is a movie where THEY are the lead. Everyone else is an extra, including you and me. So don't make your business videos about you - make it about THEM.

They also mention that the main character must be likable. If your client is the main character, how can you make them like themselves? A lot of marketers make their clients feel stupid, or scare them into feeling like they will miss something.

How about trying to empower your client by building them up and validating them? (reference to another great viral short video - http://podcastingstuff.blogspot.com/2008/12/best-video-i-have-ever-seen-makes-you.html) How about helping them feel good about themselves, telling them that they ARE capable of being a success, and that you want to help them? Remember, you are a wise mentor, not the enemy, making fun of their flaws and foibles, poking them whenever you can.

So the next time you create a video, keep in mind the things I am going to keep in mind from now on:

1. What is the conflict here? Define it. What are the implications of the conflict?
2. What steps can the hero take to resolve the conflict? Be the wise mentor and advise them every step of the way.
3. Clarify that your reader is the HERO in this journey, and that good things await them for taking this journey. Encourage them that they will overcome the conflict and be victorious in their mission.

I'd love your feedback on the application of this technique for marketing with audio and video? Do you think it is accurate and would work? Have you applied it? Can you share a video where you used this format? Please add a comment to share.

101 Things To Do With Audio And Video: Time to make the donuts

Writing 101 Things To Do With Audio And Video book. Finished Intro, Chapter 1 - responses to why people don't use it. Now 1 of 101 things.

You know, I really love writing the book. There are so many things I would like to say, and finally I have a place to say everything I know up until now. Unfortunately, I have to write in the middle of the night to avoid distraction, and THAT'S not good.

I need to settle in and get this done, because I have promised myself the reward of being able to go back to programming and add the list of features I have set aside for the Commercial Creation Center. It is KILLING me not to be able to go over there and make the changes, but I KNOW programming will totally distract me from my mission! :)

Video That Actually Plays INSIDE Your Email

FINALLY, real video INSIDE your email (not linked to online video)! http://tinyurl.com/video-in-email (Thanks Sheronde Glover of Car-Buy-Her.com for the link).

Which Multimedia Sites Provide the Best Search Engine Rankings?

CCC Mastermind class starts at 2pm EST. Anyone can come to 1 class free by registering at http://CommercialCreationCenter.com before class.

I'll be sharing some new information I have figured out about which of the multimedia sites helps you achieve the highest search engine rankings. You'll be surprised at what I found!

Why iTunes DOESN'T help your Google ranking: Marketing With Audio And Video excerpt

How to use your business podcast to increase your search engine rankings. HINT: iTunes DOESN'T help you: http://ping.fm/SLzqh

In this excerpt from the Marketing With Audio And Video show, we review lessons learned and see which sites help you with Google rankings.

Still Need Help with 2 Surveys - Please complete and pass along!

Need Help! 2 surveys: People who DON'T use audio/video- http://ping.fm/iXh8j & Best video seen- http://ping.fm/fldXC

Increasing Search Engine Rankings with RSS Feeds: Marketing With Audio And Video

In this 2nd installment of a Marketing With Audio And Video show, we will look at more ways to increase your search engine rankings using Podcasting. The focus will be what Google wants, so we can always provide it: content that changes and is relevant to our key words. I also explain how syndication works.