Developing marketing ideas that will attract prospects and cultivate clients is one part of my business that I love! Over the last couple of years I’ve been talking to everyone about creating videos. There hasn’t been a business yet that couldn’t benefit from creating videos. Hardly a week (or a day) goes by that I am not tempted to click on a video in Facebook and watch. If you haven’t started using videos for marketing your business, you are missing out on a popular tool.

Now, you may be thinking one of these things:

• I don’t know what kind of video to create. (of course that is why you need to continue reading…)
• I don’t have access to good video equipment.
• I hate to be in front of the camera.

Here’s the good news! You don’t need expensive equipment, I’m going to give you a lot of good ideas, and most of them don’t require you being in front of the camera! Most businesses can create a short video – 30 seconds to no more than 2 minutes – using a low-cost video camera. There are lots in the $175 range. I have a Kodak Zi8 that does a great job. Someone you know may have a Flip camera. Easy to do: Power on, shoot video, upload to YouTube, and post.  And honestly, I’m sure a lot of the videos that people create are taken using their smart phone.

Now, you’ve got the camera. Where are the ideas? Here are some of my favorites.

1. Give a tour of your office or location. Let us see what’s going on inside. You might show us the shop where your products are made, or introduce us to your customer support person. If you are a restaurant, how about a peek inside the kitchen. If you are a retail store, show us some of your wares.
2. Interview someone in your office. It’s nice to see and get to know the people you are working with.
3. Interview some of your clients – we’re talking video testimonials. Many would be very happy to oblige. Just ask!
4. Do some before and after videos. This could apply to building a house, style makeovers, personal organizers, or updating a website. Another variation that might fit some clients is explaining how your product works, or applications for your product.
5. FAQ’s are great to create videos for. What do people always ask you? Create a series of videos answering one question in each video.
6. Do regularly scheduled tips. Search for “legal minute” or “marketing tips” or something similar inside YouTube. You will find a lot of people give out tidbits of information in this fashion. If you are a fitness expert, create a video showing the proper way to do each exercise.
7. Do a video blog. This would be just you sitting in front of the camera telling the story or teaching the information in the way that you would have written it down.

Most of those ideas can even keep you off the video if you are not interested in being in them. Find someone else to be in the video if that is an issue. However, there is great power in building relationships if prospects can actually see you. Don’t miss out on that! Another tip is to vary the setting of your videos. One time you might be in your business outfit at your desk. Another time you might be outside on your patio in more casual wear. The viewer is more interested in what they are going to learn from you than what you are wearing or how your hair looks. (Depending on your business, you will have to use good judgement as to how casual you can go. I’m a firm believer in looking presentable at all times…)

Are you using videos yet? Please share some other video ideas in the comments!

Last week I had the opportunity to speak to a group of Realtors in California. Mostly the subject was how to use Facebook to market their businesses, but it seems like my conversations always stray to using videos. Any business could create videos that would be helpful in building a relationship with their clients. People love to watch videos, and they help build that Know-Like-Trust factor that I always talk about. When I can SEE you it makes you more real, more authentic. I can relate to you better. And then I might be more inclined to listen to you and ultimately buy something from you. Remember, people buy from people they like.

Here are a few examples of things you could do.

• Video tour of your business. Lots of times people are uncomfortable about just walking in the door. Help them feel more comfortable by showing them what they will see. This works great for a restaurant, church, attorney, or mortgage lender.
• The realtors could walk through the houses that they have listed and point out really neat features
• Video testimonials from happy clients
• Demonstrate your products if applicable. Sometimes a technical explanation is easier if you can show somebody how something works.
• Introduce them to people in your office who they talk to, or who make their products, or who provide the services.
• Create a video of works in process – great for builders, designers, artists
• Instead of writing your blog or tips, create a video occasionally and let your followers watch you tell them the information
• and lots more! During my sessions with clients we really come up with some interesting ideas during brainstorming.

Remember that smiling, happy faces will likely sell more. It’s not important to be fresh from the salon or have on your best duds, although a little comb through the hair wouldn’t hurt! Now put on that thinking cap and come up with some other great ideas. The videos needn’t be more than a minute and a half or two minutes long. Any longer and you will start to lose people.

Share some other good ideas with me in the comments. I need the love!

Deborah Hanchey over at My WP Works recently completed the Virtual Event Specialist program through the VA Classroom and offered to try out her new skills for me. I, of course, chose to talk about my favorite subject: social media.

We cover a lot of ground in 17 minutes, from statistics, to why you need social media, to how to plan your social media activity.

It’s all valuable information, so please take a look. I’d love your feedback!

A couple weeks ago I conducted a social media presentation to a large group of business owners from my area. Shortly thereafter one of the attendees became my client. She wanted some help boosting her internet presence. We started with a great strategy session and brainstormed a lot of ideas. Well, earlier this week I received an email from her bragging about the videos she had made showing multiple applications for her product.  After viewing them, one of my friends said, “She could be the new Billy Mays.” I think she’s right!

Here is the link for one of the videos.  NokOut There are several additional videos already listed on You Tube, and she is adding more in the next week. I was so proud of her and the videos that I wanted to share them with you. They are only 1 minute long, but definitely get the message across. Each video shows a different application for using this product.

If you have a product to sell, why don’t you make some videos. Create a free You Tube account, upload the videos, and then start spreading the word on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and put it on your website.  Ask your clients and customers to send in videos they have made using your product, too. Be creative – have a video contest perhaps. Videos can be used for teaching, giving a look at your restaurant or store, or explaining something new.  All you need is an inexpensive video camera ($150-$175). If you want to do some simple editing, there are a variety of software tools that you can use. My favorite is Camtasia Studio. You can use it for editing both video and audio, and at $299, it’s been a nice tool to add to my business.

Good luck with your own video marketing. Just be careful what you create: You Tube is forever.