This post corresponds to podcast Episode 14: YouTube and Online Video with Lou Bortone, the Online Video Guy which is included in our Core Program, accompanied by workbook and video tutorials that show you how to do this on your own.



In our last post about Twitter and Social Media automation tools, we promised to introduce you to Online Video. When I approach the subject with our friend Lou Bortone (The Online Video Guy) he tells me that YouTube isn’t just for kids, skateboarding cats and dancing babies.

“Really?” I ask. Lou goes on to explain that YouTube is now the second most popular search engine. People are looking for ‘stuff’ on YouTube at unprecedented levels and this ‘stuff’ includes “how-to” and educational videos that your company should be paying attention to.

Why? Because video is a more personal form of media. It helps your audience become more familiar with you and builds trust far beyond the capacity of simple text and photos from a static website.

Simply stated, video is great for customer acquisition and retention. And fortunately for you, getting started with video is really easy. How easy? Check out these options:

• Build a video without a camera by uploading pictures and/or slides to sites like Animoto or One True Media. These sites will even allow you to add music or voice, creating a very pleasant montage.

• Use screencasting applications like Screenr or Jing to record anything on your computer screen, including movement, applications and web browsing.

• Utilize your computer’s Webcam or buy a portable Flipcam for as little as $150 to record high quality live video. As Lou points out, you’ll want to keep the light source in front of you, make sure you have good audio quality and pay attention to composition if you record this way.

Once your video is done you can upload it to YouTube, watch it there and share very easily by emailing the url, embedding the video on your website and/or posting it to Facebook and Twitter with just one click. As with most online media, you can also choose to have someone do a bit of editing and ‘dress it up’ for you a bit with music, backgrounds and transition screens (we like to recommend Lou’s platform Good2Go Video).

Getting into video doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or time consuming. These are some simple things that you can do (even as a first-time producer) to make a high-quality product.

Have fun, be creative and let us know how you do! If you need to know more, remember that the Online Video section of our Free Marketing Made Easy kit shows you exactly how to record and upload to YouTube. Now that we’ve covered the “Big 3″ of social media, it’s time to move onto the content we affectionately refer to as Getting More Customers. This includes Public Relations and Press Releases, Email Marketing, Teleclasses, Podcasting and Web Conferencing. Grab a notebook and keep an open mind, because we’re about to talk about how your business can make money in ways you’ve probably never considered before.