Web 2.0 and Social Marketing for the Non-Techy

Percentages of video you watch

2008-10-21T20:57:00.003-04:00

Here are some numbers released by U.S. video organizations that stream video.

Movie/TV Trailers/Previews
48% past 30 days
77% Total

News/Commentary/Sports
51% past 30 days
75% Total

Amateur/Homemade Video
46% past 30 days
67% Total

Music Videos
33% past 30 days
63% Total

Commercials/Advertisements
27% past 30 days
48% Total

Full Length TV Shows
14% past 30 days
26% Total

Concerts
6% past 30 days
15% Total

Full-Length Movies
6% past 30 days
15% Total

Other Video Clips/Video Podcasts
40% past 30 days
62% Total

Source: Ipsos Insight, March 2007

Visual Media Concepts strength and vision is creating "Other Video Clips/Video Podcasts".

Those percentages are right up there with the "big boys". Creating visual stories for your organization's website is one of the strongest strategies for spreading your ideas.

SEO is only for experts and you\'re NOT!

2008-09-09T20:51:00.001-04:00

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is for experts and you\'re NOT right? Guess again. Almost anyone can apply simple techniques to help your organizations page results in search engines. It use to be enough just to have a website. Not anymore! Static webpages are a thing of the past.

Updated content is the current gold standard and all your clients expect it.

So where do you start? I would suggest checking out www.SEOmoz.org.

They have a fantastic beginner\'s guide!

What's your favorite video brand?

2008-08-05T21:39:00.005-04:00

Number 10: Google

Number 9: CNN Digital

Number 8: Turner Entertainment

Number 7: Disney Online

Number 6: ESPN

Number 5: MSN/Windows Live

Number 4: Nickelodeon

Number 3: Yahoo!

Number 2: FOX Interactive Media

Drum roll please...

Number 1: YouTube

I'm sure that wasn't a surprise.

Total streams (thousands): 3,646,076
Unique viewers (thousands): 69,604

Here are a few of my favorite sites that were not on the list:

Viddler (I love this site more than YouTube!)

Blip.tv

Breitbart.tv

Mevio

Metacafe

Where do you watch videos?

Source: Nielsen Online March 2008

Video Advertising $$$

2008-08-05T21:22:00.005-04:00

Video advertising is increasing at a rapid rate. Here are the numbers (in the millions).

2001- $40

2002- $55

2003- $85

2004- $135

2005- $225

2006- $410

2007- $775

2008- $1,350

2009- $2,100

2010- $3,100

How much has your organization budgeted on video advertising this year?

Source: eMarketer, June 2007

Commercial Real Estate Advertising

2008-06-30T20:11:00.002-04:00

Here's a quick rant...

Why do commercial real estate companies place HUGE OBNOXIOUS signs out in front of business properties? Do they get the majority of their business by drive-by customers? Do business people drive around aimlessly looking for properties to stumble upon??

The worse the economy gets...the more HUGE OBNOXIOUS signs pop out by the street. It's annoying and an eye sore.

Would somebody please let me know what the strategy is??

Do commercial property prospects not use a computers, agents, or other research means to figure out where the best location might be for their business?

I would prefer to have a video listing broken down for me online. Along with all the information and pictures listed on a pdf document.

When will the commercial real estate business join us in the 21st century?

Well, at least all the sign companies are doing well.

Social Media Rookie

2008-06-09T22:20:00.003-04:00

I'd like to give you an update on some of my social media experiments. I've tired quite a few applications over the last couple of years. I've enjoyed some, disliked others, became addicted to a few, and down right couldn't figure a bunch.

One main reason I joined these services was to simply promote my business, Visual Media Concepts, and enjoy the fruits of higher rankings on the search engines. Not only did I join social media services, but I joined a few trade sites, freelance, and job sites that also claim great exposure services and search results.

Test #1:

I "Googled" my name..."Mike Cornett".

The first page results were:
3rd- LinkedIn account
9th- My website!
10th- Facebook account

Page two results:
12th- Twitter
13th- LinkedIn account...again
17th- Meetup.com
18th- The Production Hub

Not bad at all! I was pleasantly surprised.

Test #2:

Next I "Googled" my business..."Visual Media Concepts".

The first page results were:
1st- My website!!!! Hurray!
6th- Blogger account

Page two results:
16th- The Production Hub

I thought typing in my business name would exploded with results. Besides being #1, which is great, I really expected to almost fill the page.

Test #3:
I decided to do the most important. What would a potential client type in to search for my services. I'm specializing in web-video, video on websites, and podcasting.

So, I "Googled"..."Web Video Dayton Ohio".

The results were not good...not good at all!
37th- LinkedIn account

I searched "Video Production" on Google maps and found myself on page 5! Yuck!

What does all this mean? It means that I'm developing positive social networking searches, but I need to work harder on developing my SEO (Search Engine Optimization) keywords.

I need potential clients to type in "web video, podcasting, and/or video for websites" along with "Dayton, OH" and have my company or name land all over the first page.

One other thing. I was really surprised how well my LinkedIn account and trade sites ranked. I expected Facebook and Twitter to rank more often and higher.

I'll keep experimenting with social media and SEO and sharing my results.

How are customers finding you?

2008-05-13T21:45:00.004-04:00

How do you track down information and find solutions to your problems?

Do you respond to direct mail? Turn on the radio? How about channel surfing for a couple of hours? Maybe you flip through a magazine?

If you’re like most people, you’ll be turning on your computer and heading to Google, Yahoo, or another search engine.

David Meerman Scott wrote a fantastic article in the latest edition of EContent titled, "Buyers Knocking at Your Virtual Door".

I'd like to reflect on this article and share his insights along with my thoughts.

Most companies are still engaging in "interruption" advertising. Although I still believe it works to certain extent, it's beginning to declining. Huge national corporations like McDonalds and Walmart have insanely large advertising budgets to invest in traditional "interruption" marketing practices, but if you're like me...your budgets are a bit smaller.

So how do you compete? It's simple.

Potential customer are choosing to seek your business out by using search engines. You're thinking to yourself, "Great, I have a website! I'm ready to go." But having a website is only the beginning.

Do you have engaging content? Are you providing a reason for potential customers to visit your business again and again? So what should you do if you do not have engaging content?

Here are a few things to consider looking into:
- Develop a Blog
- Email Newsletters
- eBooks
- Video (YouTube or custom created)
- Podcasts (audio or video)
- Web 2.0 app (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Flickr, etc.)
- Contests
- Promotions
- Forums

The great things about engaging content is that it will create a community. Developing a community is the goal for any business. Who doesn't want a following of loyal customers that are willing to promote you! Another great bonus-search engines will reward this new, engaging content that changes periodically with better search results. YEAAAH! Now we're talking!

Once you establish your content strategy, your next step will be looking into Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Having a place holder site with only contact information is a failing marketing technique for your business.

As a general rule, update your site as often as buying fresh fruit and vegetables. Not only will you be healthier, but so will your business.

Social Media Mistakes

2008-04-28T20:49:00.002-04:00

Blogging is NEW! Social Media is NEW! Podcasting is NEW!

It's just natural to make mistakes doing this social media thing. I'd like to list a couple of mistakes that I've made along the way.

#1 Mistake: I was "un-friended" on Facebook by one of my favorite podcaster...Mitch Joel. Why? I accidentally spammed him. How? I sent him an email promoting my latest podcast. It was a benign, short email that I sent to my friends. I added Mitch in there because I felt comfortable with him. The problem is...I have not developed any sort of rapport with Mr. Joel!

It's funny though, in my mind he's a dear friend. On the surface that sounds creepy, but I'm very fond of the people that I follow on these networks.

Social media is very social. Just because you're "friends" with someone, doesn't mean your really friends.

I don't blame Mitch Joel. It's completely my fault and I learned a valuable lesson. I wish they would add a "develop rapport" button on these darn social sites. It sure would make this a little easier. I still subscribe to his podcast and love it. Although, I stopped following him on Twitter as a payback! I had to retaliate:)

#2 Mistake: Comments are great, but be careful with them. You see, my personality is made up of the following ingredients: 1 part smart aleck, 2 parts sarcasm, and 4 parts positive fun and liveliness.

This obviously has gotten me in trouble. It's important to make sure that people don't take your comments out of context. This can be difficult, so be careful. It's four times as hard to make up with some one on a social network than in real life. You're one "un-friend" or "block" away from social media oblivion.

I'll be sure to let you know what my next mistake will be. I'd love to read your fumbles! Please share your mistakes with me. I would hate for Mitch Joel to ban me from his podcast!

Good Numbers...Bad Numbers...Blah, Blah, Blah

2008-04-01T20:50:00.006-04:00

OK, let's check the latest batch of new media numbers. Ready, set, go...

Reactions to In-Stream Advertising
* Stopped watching, but stayed on site
** Stopped watching, but leave site
*** Continue to watch video

Age: 18-24
* 23.6%
** 11.4%
*** 57.6%

Age: 25-34
* 37.3%
** 12.3%
*** 41.6%

Age: 35-44
* 36.3%
** 13.4%
*** 42.4%

Age: 45-54
* 36.2%
** 16.7%
*** 43.3%

Age: 55-plus
* 38.3%
** 21.2%
*** 37.2%

Impact of In-Stream Advertising
Compared to other ad units on a site

8.6% I pay somewhat less attention
9.5% Not sure
13.6% I pay somewhat more attention
24.4% I pay much less attention
36.1% I pay neither more nor less attention

Source: Burst Media Research, Dec. 2007

Twitter...what is it?

2008-03-22T19:07:00.000-04:00

I'm currently addicted to Twitter!

At first sight, it looks kinda' lame, but once you take it for a test drive it's hard to look back. I wish all my friends and colleges were using Twitter. It's a great way to learn about people and establish quick updates. Both businesses and organizations can benefit greatly by using this micro blogging technology.

Brandice, an Internet friend from the Podcamp Ohio group, recently shared a video link that explains Twitter quite well.

Check it out at Common Craft - Explanations in Plain English

Happy Tweeting!

Here's a reason to be NEGATIVE!

2008-03-13T11:04:00.004-04:00

10 reasons why movies SUCK!

5 ways to RUIN your marriage!

8 ways to tell a friend to SHOVE OFF!

How many of those headlines look familiar? The more important question is how many of those headlines would you read?

It's a tired and true technique to get attention. Whether it's a news release, blog posting, ad, or anything else you're trying to shine a light on...NEGATIVITY works in breaking through all the other noise.

The positive about negative headlines is that the meat and potatoes of the story is usually positive, up lifting or informative.

So, the next time you write an article to promote your company, organization, or yourself use a negative headline to draw in the readership.

Please shoot me an email if you have a question, comment, concern, or have an idea for a topic!

Better yet...stay away for this blog if you're interested in learning anything new!!

Social Media Applications

2008-02-07T15:04:00.000-05:00

What Web 2.0 applications are communication professional planning to use in the next year?

Online Video 63%
Podcasts 43%

Blogs 55%
RSS or Web Feeds 51%

Social Networks 41%

Have you thought about what you're planning on using to market and communicate with your clients?

Source: Melcrum, as sited in press release, April 26, 2007

What's your Biggest Moneymaker? Free Stuff!

2008-02-07T14:22:00.000-05:00

I just read an amazing article in EContent magazine. Writer Steve Smith wrote about the new business model of giving away FREE content in exchange for being inundated with advertising. I guess i's not a completely new idea. Broadcast television has this business model. Steve explained, though, how now newspaper, magazines, software, and even phone service. Some companies offer some free services and then try to "up sale" you into buying premium content.

I enjoy this business model...if it's done right. The music and movie businesses are obviously having a problem determining what their next business model should be. Although sales are up on DVD releases, sales are down for music CDs.

What is your business strategy? Is your biggest moneymaker the free stuff?

WEB-VIDEO...2008...Growing up

2008-01-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

I'm really fired up about the growing potential this year has for web-video and social media.

Let's check out some numbers:

Broadband households paying for online video content

(Millions of U.S. Households)

2005= 1.5
2006= 3.2
2007= 11.9

Source: Parks Associates' consumer research "Broadband Video: A Market Update"

As this number grows, so does the number of eyeballs watching your content. When web-video was in it's infancy, I wondered how it could ever really hold water. It looked awful and just didn't appeal to me. I was much more interested in quality.

"Who wants to watch a little blurry and ragged video image on their computer!?"

I thought it was ridicules. Well, the technology is catching up in leaps and bounds. The images are crisper, clearer, and much better than I thought would ever be possible. Of course, none of this would bhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gife possible without better broadband.

The democratization of video on line is in full swing. Everyone is doing it. The kid down the street, your church, high schools, colleges, non-profits, governments organizations, businesses, entrepreneurs, small business, and hopefully YOU!

If you want eyeballs on your video...how do you stand out? The first step is to talk with us at Visual Media Concepts.

Podcasting

2007-11-26T21:55:00.000-05:00

The What's the BIG Idea? podcast will be going bi-monthly! I've had an incredible amount of extremely talented business and entrepreneur experts sign up to share their specialties.

Also, visit the Visual Media Concepts website for a link these great podcasts.

One of my best friends, Luci, has made it to the home page. She's really cute!

Tech Trends and Numbers

2007-11-26T21:43:00.000-05:00

College Students Lead the Way

Receive video links: General Population (GP) 75% College Students (CS) 91%
Send video links to others: GP 57% CS 83%
Watch video with others: GP 57% CS 41%
Rate video: GP 13% CS 40%
Post comments about videos: GP 13% CS 34%
Upload videos: GP 13% CS 37%
Pay for online video: GP 7% CS 14%
-Sources: General internet population: Pew internet/American life Project College Students: Survey.com

In may of 2007, 35% of U.S. internet users streamed video from YouTube.
-comScore Video Metrix

Special Thanks to Streaming Media Magazine

5 Tips To Maximize Your Viral Video Potential

2007-10-28T12:45:00.000-04:00

I recently read a great article on Marketing Experiments. So how do viral videos become...well, viral? Here's a quick breakdown on some sure fire tips.

1- Keep your video short. People tend to browse quickly.

2- Your video must have entertaining, provocative, and interesting content. It has to "wow" them!

3- Be careful or how you including promotional and commercial content. The most powerful viral video have none. Use links in the description to direct potential clients to your sales message.

4- You will need more than one video to crack the code.

5- Submit your content to as many distribution and social networks. This gives all people a better way to find it, share it, and save it.

Go 2 Web 2.0

2007-10-11T08:35:00.000-04:00

How many web 2.0 sites and applications are there???

Well...here's a directory. Have fun exploring!

Quick tip-Click on the "select tag" drop down and search for something that interests you.

http://www.go2web20.net/

Accu-Key Video Online

2007-09-25T10:07:00.000-04:00

So how can video on your website help your company?

Do you have a product or service that is best seen in action rather than viewed with a picture and brief description? Well, Accu-Key Lock and Safe decided that it needed to show rather than tell its latest product add-on.

Accu-Key Lock and Safe Owner, Mehdi Zahedi, approached me about needing an instructional video for a patent pending product he was developing. His audience is other locksmiths that own a particular key cutting machine. It basically turns a manual operation into an automated operation with a slight modification.

So what are the benefits of presenting this on the website? First, it will give potential customers the ability to see how it works. Secondly, it will show them how easy the installation process is. And thirdly, it will be a more accurate representation of what this product can do. I believe Accu-Key Lock and Safe will benefit greatly by displaying this video on-line and on their site.

What do think? What other benefits do you think video can show?

Is E-Mail on it's last leg?

2007-08-23T13:32:00.000-04:00

I'm an e-mail addict. I love to send, receive, read, collect, and become updated as needed via e-mail. Although, it seems that there is a generational divide when it comes to e-mail verse Web 2.0 apps like Instant Messenger, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. So why should I start using these other apps instead of e-mail?

Well, I guess I'm an old curmudgeon when it comes to switching my communication tools. Here are a few reasons why I'm staying put with e-mail.

1- I can save and catalog e-mails. This really helped me out during tax time when I needed to prove a couple of things.

2- I don't need to know, instantly, about the e-mails I send or receive. If I have a pressing situation or issue...I'll use the phone.

3- My clients and friends hardly ever use these other ways of communicating. There's that generation divide again.

I have used these Web 2.0 apps. What advantages do they really have over e-mail?

Let me know.

What's the Big Idea?

2007-08-08T23:33:00.000-04:00

Check out the latest business video podcast, What’s the Big Idea?, from Visual Media Concepts.

So what IS the big idea? Well, Visual Media Concepts has developed a monthly podcast strictly devoted to entrepreneurs and business professionals.

Topics will include leadership, communications, sales, marketing, advertising, and much more. We hope that this program will entertain, inform, and most importantly inspire you to achieve more.

Please stop by and check it out.

If you have an interesting idea for a future podcast and/or are interested in becoming a business expert on this program, please contact Mike Cornett.

Web Video by the Numbers

2007-07-26T16:16:00.000-04:00

Are you convinced that this “web video” phenomenon is just a flash in the pan? Well, let’s break down the numbers. The June/July Streaming Media magazine issue offered a look into “Technology and Business Trends by the Numbers” in its bit rates column.

U.S. Online Video Viewers, the year 2003-2010 (millions)

2003- 52.3

2004- 69.6

2005- 89.4

2006- 107.7

2007- 123.4

2008- 137.2

2009- 149.0

2010- 157.0

Source: eMarketer, November 2006

U.S. Online Video Viewers as a Percent of Internet Users, by gender, 2006-2011 (%)

2006- Male: 71.2% / Female: 55%

2007- Male: 78.4% / Female: 66.1%

2008- Male: 85.5% / Female: 75%

2009- Male: 88.6% / Female: 80.1%

2010- Male: 88.7% / Female: 82.2%

2011- Male: 88.8% / Female: 84.6%

Source: eMarketer March 2007

I believe this is just the beginning of a content empowerment revolution by the public. People are now able to watch-what they want to watch and can then decide when to watch it. Digital Video Recorders (DVR and TiVo), Streaming video, iTunes (you download music, TV shows, Movies, and Podcasts), YouTube, DVD TV show box sets, and computers have all broken the chains of the television providers. No longer are we bound to our couches waiting for our favorite content. We can even skip the commercials.

So how does this relate to web video and Visual Media Concepts? Well, web video’s foot print and realm of possibilities are almost endless. Business owners can now create just about anything with relative easy and convenience. Ok, now you’re asking yourself, “Yeah, but what about the price tag?”

The real question is…can you afford not to look into creating your own content?

Visual Media Concepts is determined to make video on your website work and work well. Give us a call and change your direction.

How do you use the Internet?

2007-07-11T19:26:00.000-04:00

How do you find information at work? Do you use the Internet, a Newspaper, or the Phone Book? More than likely it’s a little of each, but which one is the most convenient?

It seems that more and more people are using the web as their favorite “go to” source for information. What’s Paris Hilton wearing (Yuck!)? Did you see that funny video on YouTube? How do you get to that restaurant? Where and what time is does that movie start?

Also, I can’t think of any local publication that doesn’t have an online presence. Can you? Newspapers, radio stations, and organizations of all types have a website that is used to promote themselves.

I’m always amazed at how many unique businesses resort to only pictures and tons of text to tell their story. What would work best to describe a pet acupuncturist business? Pictures and text or video? Another business that needs to re-invent itself is that local car dealership. How many more screaming and yelling commercials need to be made?

Every business has a unique selling point, service or product feature that sets them apart. I hope your business and organization is making the best of your advertising budget.

Visual Media Concepts is always on the look out for promoting the unique and interesting. So the next time you land on a website with a few pictures and a ton of text…ask yourself how you would use video to tell a more interesting story.

Video=Money?

2007-07-04T22:05:00.000-04:00

Can you make money with video? How about online video? Check out “Will it Blend?” and see for yourself. They have increased there direct-to-consumer sales by five fold. They gain so much exposure from their viral video that they were featured on VH1, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, The Today Show and many others.

They got their start by uploading the videos to YouTube in November of 2006. Their history will not be mixed with any confusion as to the gained exposure of their success. Online video worked in this case.

Are there other “Will it Blend?” stories to be told? Absolutely.

Visual Media Concepts is continually plotting and planning new concepts for online videos that businesses can use to gain exposure.

Got any catchy ideas?

Web 2.0

2007-07-01T19:13:00.000-04:00

Is Web 2.0 the real deal? Is it all it's cracked up to be? I believe it has lived up to the hype. Jose Castillo has written an exciting article in Streaming Media Magazine titled Attack of the Giant Web 2.0 Lies! I would like to add my take to his article and what it means for your business and how I can help.

I'm bummed that I can't find the direct link to this article. I hope that will change later.

If you're not sure what Web 2.0 is...join the crowd. It's been hard to pin down and define. Although as mentioned by Jose Castillo, Tim O'Reilly has summed up all the specifics in his very popular article, What is Web 2.0.

Basically, Content is KING! So, if you want to survive this wonderful world of new media...good ideas are the trick. That's general huh. Ideas are tricky. One person's great idea is another person's nightmare. I've listen to my share.

For instance, a president of a machining company had a great idea to incorporate a half-naked women and a general tool worker to promote an open house. The basic premise was he was "cool" and "got the chic" because he attend the show. He sent me a link to a quirky micro brew company that had done something similar. They were able to pull this off because they're a beer company!? Beer companies have the license to present just about anything and it's acceptable.

In the end, his idea didn't fly. I'm sure he was disappointed and applaud his effort to break the mold of conservative promotion. So think outside the box enough to break the mold but not enough to make the evening news.

Although that might work too!

The next post...Can traditional businesses make money using online video? Fact or Fiction?

Also, Visual Media Concepts will be changing it's web layout soon.

All sorts of new changes coming soon.