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Health & Fitness

Is Your Small Business Using Video?

Are you using video in your small business marketing? If not, it's time to jump in and get moving.

Video killed the radio star.

Remember that one-hit-wonder by the Buggles? As the first music video to premier on MTV in August of 1981, it created a sensation, changing the music industry forever…and also became the newest player in the marketing machine.

Fast forward to the present. Are you incorporating video in your marketing? If the answer’s no, time’s a wastin’!

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According to Dr. James McQuivey of Forrester Research, watching a minute of video is like reading 1.8 million words. That’s a lot of vowels. Did you know that more than 1 billion unique users visit YouTube each month?

It’s probably a safe bet to say that you’ve watched some sort of video today,with nearly every site having some sort of video embedded in it. Whether it was on a Facebook page, on a blog, on Pinterest, in an email newsletter, or on your phone, chances are you opened at least one of them. “We’ve seen the greatest level of interest in content (episodic or stand-alone) that provides information. How-to videos, cooking, exercise, travel guides, etc. These really seem to capture people’s attention, keep up their interest and keep them coming back,” said MyPod Studios CEO Jay Miletsky.

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But what about small businesses on a budget?

Forget about trying to make it perfect, instead jump in, have some fun. Use your iPhone or FlipCam, and remember, “practice makes perfect,” (or close enough). Why not shoot a glimpse into the life of a local restaurant, or a spa? With more brands moving away from direct advertising, video is a natural way, not to hard-sell, but to introduce, personalize, engage, and grow brand loyalty. If you’re not feeling the video-love, there are many talented videographers that are happy to help.

We’ll start with a few tips on including video marketing in your social media strategy:

1. Videos are a great way to connect and pass on information to your audience. It could be a how-to video, a real estate tour, or a sneak-peak at a new restaurant or retail space. Whatever your focus, video is a fresh way to both engage as well as relay information to your audience.

2. Forget perfect. It doesn’t really exist anyway and there’s a learning curve to just about everything, right? So start your learning, pick up your camera (or your iPhone) and get crackin’.

3. Know your story. You’re the storyteller and have to understand what you’re shooting (and how to be a fierce editor) so that we (your audience) continue to be engaged (and not just plain confused).

4. There are plenty of teaching videos out there on YouTubeUdemy and Vimeo as well as others. Take some time to educate yourself.

5. Embed your video on your Facebook page, tweet it out, get it on your blog, on LinkedIn, on Google+ your Pinterest and in your emails!

6. Keep tip 2 in mind!

Here’s one Julia did for Pompei’s Grotto, an Italian-Seafood restaurant in San Francisco. If you need some video help or referrals contact At Net Media! We’re there for you.

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