So, the other day I was browsing around the groups on LinkedIn, which is a great way to network and show your expertise and make some great business contacts, and I answered a question that a woman had wanting to learn more about networking online. I had a few answers in this area so I recommended a book I'd enjoyed on the topic, "The Zen of Social Media Marketing," by Shama Hyder Kahbani, and also said that my expertise in the area of online marketing had to do with videos and left my website if she wanted to know more.
I thought it was acceptable. The purpose of LinkedIn is strictly business and it's to make those business networks. Plus, I would never shamelessly promote myself without offering value. I suggested a helpful book first and then only as a side bar that if she was interested in learning about how video helps with social media networking, that that was a resource I knew something about.
So to my surprise I get an email from the group moderator telling me that I had overstepped my bounds and that self promotion was never allowed in his group and I was running the risk of being kicked out! Whoa! Now this isn't typical of LinkedIn groups. Most are fine with self promotion and are built as a place to offer your resources and expertise to other professionals who are looking for it. In this case, it's just that the moderator of the group had a different idea about the use of the group. Totally fine, I sent him an email apologizing and telling him that I meant no harm and thought I was providing a resource relevant to the discussion, but I would keep my business promotion to a minimum.
Sometimes these things happen, even on Facebook where we think that anything goes. All of our social media interaction still has a code of conduct that we need to follow as entrepreneurs who do a lot of marketing through social media. Especially as spiritual entrepreneurs, the quality of our connections with potential clients is important to us.
I found this really great little video from my good friend and rockstar business woman, Jenn August, the other day. It is the perfect example of the kind of marketing video that belongs on places like Facebook. The beauty of this video is that it is creative, fun, and it's really all about YOU! She's so artfully made a video that was interesting, cute and sent a clear marketing message. Take a look!
Great job Jenn! If you're interested in her 1 day, I highly recommend it! Other than the amazing work she does and how she transforms people's lives, she's really hilarious to watch in person! You will definitely leave her workshop feeling 100 times happier than you did when you went in and ready to rock your business and prosperity in a whole new way. You can get access to her full scholarship one day experience here https://beyondbusiness.infusionsoft.com/saleform/nathniue.
Because this video is entertaining, fun, and uplifting, it is great for social media. The concept is perfect. The only advice I might give Jenn about this video is from a technical perspective. It could be a little easier on the eyes if she backed the camera up a little bit and steadied it so we can see the whole drawing and get rid of the shaking. Also, the end credits go a bit long and there are ways you can keep the same information and just consolidate the time a little bit. That could be a point where people may click away because the fun is over and now it's just business, even though her use of music is really wonderful.
As I learn more about what goes into making good, effective marketing videos, I am very excited to share it with you! I will be hosting a free teleclass on Monday April 11th at 4pm Pacific Time called...
"The 5 Types of Online Marketing Videos and How to Use Each One So that Potential Clients FALL IN LOVE with Your Business!"
The topic of this free class came from watching lots of people on Facebook and other social media sites, making the mistakes that would get their videos very few views, and even turn some people off simply because they used the wrong kind of video in the wrong situation. Kind of like a social media Faux Pas.
Yes! Even social media has it's own set of rules of conduct. As spiritual entrepreneurs we want to respect these rules so that we can connect with our potential clients in a clean, authentic way.
I've actually made these painful mistakes myself in the past so I know how the negative effects they can have on your business. To learn more and register for this call, go to http://www.rebeccacowan.com/freecall.html.
3 of the 5 types of video do belong in social media and can work very well when used correctly to drive traffic to your website, get you loads of sign ups and improve your connection with potential clients. Though when the rules aren't followed, you might get your own smack down like I did on LinkedIn, or perhaps just ignored.
Happy Filming!
Rebecca Cowan, M.A.
Television Producer and
Marketing Video Master
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Top 3 Rules of Making Social Media Specific Marketing Videos
So a bit ago you heard me talk about the proper place for educational videos and how to use them properly. You can read all about it in the archives. This video that I made for two of my favorite entrepreneurs for their ability to be vulnerable, authentic, and the fact that they're both such smarty pants when it comes to business knowledge and really making it as spiritual entrepreneurs. This video follows all the rules for social media videos.
Aren't they so loveable?! They just did this amazing call where they enlightened us all on the importance and the use of niche to have a really powerful business that impacts lots of lives. They just announced an encore of this life changing call and you can sign up for it HERE. You'll also see another video that I edited for them there!
So onto the 3 rules! Not all videos have to follow these rules. You can just follow 1 or 2 of them, though, all 3 will give your video a lot more power.
1. It must be something people want to watch. Social media is a place for connecting. PERIOD! Though many of us use it to do business, it was created as a place for people to network and connect and learn more about each other (if you haven't seen THE SOCIAL NETWORK, it was my favorite movie of 2010 and I highly recommend it). So having a quirky, funny, or interesting spin on your video is important. In this case, Johnny and Anastasia used bloopers to pull people in and were still able to get their marketing message across. I'm working on a video today for my own business that will demonstrate that in a bolder way than perhaps I should take on, however, it will be fun! And my business is all about making the video process fun for people.
2. It needs to speak to potential clients in a way that they can relate to. In this case, Johnny and Anastasia express some of the growing pains that people go through when starting a business. It's a story that lots of people have and when they watch it they can go, "Oh yeah! I know what that feels like! Amen sista!" It's part of the human experience to want to know that we're not alone in our struggles. You can also accomplish this by telling a story that makes people laugh! It doesn't all have to drag people down.
3. Leave them feeling better than when they turned on your video. This also makes it more likely for them to share your video with others if they found it entertaining or inspiring. No one will share a video that made them feel like poop. So if you drag them down to the place of struggle, then you have to lift them up! In this case, J&A do this in two ways: They made us laugh in the beginning, and then then they also shared what's possible once you've narrowed down your niche and gave us "the light at the end of the tunnel." In this case, making a video that just straight forward explains your business, might not make someone feel excited or compelled. Especially in social media. People will feel "sold-to" instead of enrolled when we just put up strictly business videos in social media places. Save those for your website or more strictly business sites like LinkedIn. Sometimes I make those kind and then they get very few views. *Sigh*
So try one of these when making your online videos. I've also compiled some more rules and outlined all the components of making your online marketing videos in a series of short tutorial videos, "The 3 Steps to Making Client Magnet Videos." You can sign up to see them at www.rebeccacowan.com/3steps.html.
Happy Filming!
Rebecca Cowan, M.A.
Television Producer and
Marketing Video Master
Videographer
Aren't they so loveable?! They just did this amazing call where they enlightened us all on the importance and the use of niche to have a really powerful business that impacts lots of lives. They just announced an encore of this life changing call and you can sign up for it HERE. You'll also see another video that I edited for them there!
So onto the 3 rules! Not all videos have to follow these rules. You can just follow 1 or 2 of them, though, all 3 will give your video a lot more power.
1. It must be something people want to watch. Social media is a place for connecting. PERIOD! Though many of us use it to do business, it was created as a place for people to network and connect and learn more about each other (if you haven't seen THE SOCIAL NETWORK, it was my favorite movie of 2010 and I highly recommend it). So having a quirky, funny, or interesting spin on your video is important. In this case, Johnny and Anastasia used bloopers to pull people in and were still able to get their marketing message across. I'm working on a video today for my own business that will demonstrate that in a bolder way than perhaps I should take on, however, it will be fun! And my business is all about making the video process fun for people.
2. It needs to speak to potential clients in a way that they can relate to. In this case, Johnny and Anastasia express some of the growing pains that people go through when starting a business. It's a story that lots of people have and when they watch it they can go, "Oh yeah! I know what that feels like! Amen sista!" It's part of the human experience to want to know that we're not alone in our struggles. You can also accomplish this by telling a story that makes people laugh! It doesn't all have to drag people down.
3. Leave them feeling better than when they turned on your video. This also makes it more likely for them to share your video with others if they found it entertaining or inspiring. No one will share a video that made them feel like poop. So if you drag them down to the place of struggle, then you have to lift them up! In this case, J&A do this in two ways: They made us laugh in the beginning, and then then they also shared what's possible once you've narrowed down your niche and gave us "the light at the end of the tunnel." In this case, making a video that just straight forward explains your business, might not make someone feel excited or compelled. Especially in social media. People will feel "sold-to" instead of enrolled when we just put up strictly business videos in social media places. Save those for your website or more strictly business sites like LinkedIn. Sometimes I make those kind and then they get very few views. *Sigh*
So try one of these when making your online videos. I've also compiled some more rules and outlined all the components of making your online marketing videos in a series of short tutorial videos, "The 3 Steps to Making Client Magnet Videos." You can sign up to see them at www.rebeccacowan.com/3steps.html.
Happy Filming!
Rebecca Cowan, M.A.
Television Producer and
Marketing Video Master
Videographer
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Education Sneak Attack in Marketing Videos: How to show your expertise AND entertain.
This video is a good example of the kinds of things that people will watch in social media and how you can weave your marketing message in.
I love corny jokes! The cornier the better and I've got a whole bunch of them! Being able to laugh at silly things is a big part of my personality. So, I want to show potential clients what it's like to spend time with me. You should give away a bit of your own shine when you make your videos.
This video might have been a little bolder than I should have attempted. Some people could have seen it and said, "what does this have to do with online marketing videos?" Though the trick is tying back whatever personal story you use or funny anecdote to your business. Give it context within your business.
In my last post I spoke of the place to use educational videos. This is one way to use educational videos and get people to watch them. Start with something funny, interesting, or a personal story that people would want to hear, then give it an educational connection.
So in this video I do speak about how telling jokes is making the point to let your personality through in your videos. I have snuck the education in and made it entertaining so people watch your videos.
A video with good information is no use if no one watches it.
Happy Filming!
Rebecca Cowan, M.A.
Television Producer and
Marketing Video Master
I love corny jokes! The cornier the better and I've got a whole bunch of them! Being able to laugh at silly things is a big part of my personality. So, I want to show potential clients what it's like to spend time with me. You should give away a bit of your own shine when you make your videos.
This video might have been a little bolder than I should have attempted. Some people could have seen it and said, "what does this have to do with online marketing videos?" Though the trick is tying back whatever personal story you use or funny anecdote to your business. Give it context within your business.
In my last post I spoke of the place to use educational videos. This is one way to use educational videos and get people to watch them. Start with something funny, interesting, or a personal story that people would want to hear, then give it an educational connection.
So in this video I do speak about how telling jokes is making the point to let your personality through in your videos. I have snuck the education in and made it entertaining so people watch your videos.
A video with good information is no use if no one watches it.
Happy Filming!
Rebecca Cowan, M.A.
Television Producer and
Marketing Video Master
Monday, March 14, 2011
The 3 Secrets to an Educational Online Marketing Video Campaign
So awhile ago, I started a video series "The 5 Most Common Mistakes that Spiritual Entrepreneurs Make in their Online Marketing Videos that Repel Potential Clients." Below is the 4th mistake. You can see mistake 5 in the post before.
Starting a video campaign like this has taught me 3 important things about what people want to see:
1. Educational videos are valuable, however, they are not that interesting in social media. An educational video campaign is important. You definitely want to create one to establish a relationship with clients and show off your expertise, however, for social media, stick with the fun videos. No one goes on Facebook to be sold something. They want to connect with their friends and see vacation photos. I'm sure you've experienced how social media sites can suck you in even if you got on it to do some business. So because of this lesson, I am led to the other 2 important conclusions for this blog post.
2. Give obvious educational information either in very small bites, like a one line post or a 30 second video, or only when asked for. One way to handle this is to make educational videos one of the free offerings on your website for email capture. You can also use them in your email marketing. People on your email list expect to get tips and information from you. They've asked for it, so using educational video in email marketing is perfect! In general though, keep it off the social media. You can however make videos for social media that will drive people to the educational videos.
3. If you are going to use educational video in social media, disguise it! Give them fun, racy titles on sexy or intriguing topics. Put comments with them that are personal like, "I can't believe I'm telling you this!" Or, "This is what happens when you don't do what Mamma told you!" Though be prepared to deliver on the fun so that they don't feel gipped with they click on the video. So create educational videos that will also fit in the social experience of places like Facebook.
After seeing the dismal amount of views on my first two educational videos, I had an epiphany for a new way to distribute educational videos and make direct sales from it! I'm not ready to reveal it yet, you'll see what I've done in another day or so. It's very exciting stuff and I can't wait to share it with you!
For now, just remember that social media is meant to be just that. The old sales methods won't work there. Your online marketing videos need to blend in with the social platform and focus on serving your clients value they'd want to watch instead of a commercial that is all about your business. Switch the focus of your videos to make it more about sharing and connecting than getting them to take action. Don't worry. They will follow you to the ends of the earth once you've established that relationship. And the beauty of video is how it lets you do that so much faster!
Happy Filming!
Rebecca Cowan
Marketing Video Master
Starting a video campaign like this has taught me 3 important things about what people want to see:
1. Educational videos are valuable, however, they are not that interesting in social media. An educational video campaign is important. You definitely want to create one to establish a relationship with clients and show off your expertise, however, for social media, stick with the fun videos. No one goes on Facebook to be sold something. They want to connect with their friends and see vacation photos. I'm sure you've experienced how social media sites can suck you in even if you got on it to do some business. So because of this lesson, I am led to the other 2 important conclusions for this blog post.
2. Give obvious educational information either in very small bites, like a one line post or a 30 second video, or only when asked for. One way to handle this is to make educational videos one of the free offerings on your website for email capture. You can also use them in your email marketing. People on your email list expect to get tips and information from you. They've asked for it, so using educational video in email marketing is perfect! In general though, keep it off the social media. You can however make videos for social media that will drive people to the educational videos.
3. If you are going to use educational video in social media, disguise it! Give them fun, racy titles on sexy or intriguing topics. Put comments with them that are personal like, "I can't believe I'm telling you this!" Or, "This is what happens when you don't do what Mamma told you!" Though be prepared to deliver on the fun so that they don't feel gipped with they click on the video. So create educational videos that will also fit in the social experience of places like Facebook.
After seeing the dismal amount of views on my first two educational videos, I had an epiphany for a new way to distribute educational videos and make direct sales from it! I'm not ready to reveal it yet, you'll see what I've done in another day or so. It's very exciting stuff and I can't wait to share it with you!
For now, just remember that social media is meant to be just that. The old sales methods won't work there. Your online marketing videos need to blend in with the social platform and focus on serving your clients value they'd want to watch instead of a commercial that is all about your business. Switch the focus of your videos to make it more about sharing and connecting than getting them to take action. Don't worry. They will follow you to the ends of the earth once you've established that relationship. And the beauty of video is how it lets you do that so much faster!
Happy Filming!
Rebecca Cowan
Marketing Video Master
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The power of educational marketing videos: Mistake #5
In order to really attract clients the way you want, offering them pieces of your knowledge is one of the best ways to show know what you're talking about. Here is the first in a series of 5 videos where I educate spiritual entrepreneurs about the most common mistakes people make in their online marketing videos.
This video is followed by 4 videos that count down to the #1 most common mistake that spiritual entrepreneurs make in their online marketing videos that repel potential clients.
Creating videos that follow each other or refer to other videos is a smart video marketing method. It gives clients something to look for if they are enjoying your videos and also encourages them to watch more of your videos. When potential clients watch more of your videos it gives them the familiarity they need with your work to decide they want to buy.
When I finish these videos, there will be a free call where you can learn all the solutions to these mistakes so your online marketing videos have more power and reach more people.
Happy Filming!
This video is followed by 4 videos that count down to the #1 most common mistake that spiritual entrepreneurs make in their online marketing videos that repel potential clients.
Creating videos that follow each other or refer to other videos is a smart video marketing method. It gives clients something to look for if they are enjoying your videos and also encourages them to watch more of your videos. When potential clients watch more of your videos it gives them the familiarity they need with your work to decide they want to buy.
When I finish these videos, there will be a free call where you can learn all the solutions to these mistakes so your online marketing videos have more power and reach more people.
Happy Filming!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Why Do Some Online Videos Get More Views than Others?
I've noticed a trend with the videos that I post: More people watch videos with personal content.
Here is the very first video I made in 2011. In the beginning I am very honest about my feelings and fears before I add in the plug for my business. It has gotten the second most views of any of my videos so far. Check it out.
Online videos are different from TV or film commercials. TV and film are a passive form of media. The videos in the online world are part of a social experience. The internet allows us to connect with people in an interactive way that has never been possible before.
Use your videos as a way to connect with your potential clients through honesty, story telling and sharing your pains and feelings that could be relevant to their experience. Make your videos social so that potential clients will be more likely to watch them and say, "Hey! I can relate!"
Videos give your potential clients a chance to get to know you better, faster and connect deeper than any of your other marketing materials. However, to reap the real benefits of video, you need to make them more about connection than about selling your business. The sales will fall in place the more personal you can make your videos.
In general, people won't buy from strangers. Video gives you the opportunity to let potential clients familiar get with you. So, connection first! Business Second!
Here is the very first video I made in 2011. In the beginning I am very honest about my feelings and fears before I add in the plug for my business. It has gotten the second most views of any of my videos so far. Check it out.
Online videos are different from TV or film commercials. TV and film are a passive form of media. The videos in the online world are part of a social experience. The internet allows us to connect with people in an interactive way that has never been possible before.
Use your videos as a way to connect with your potential clients through honesty, story telling and sharing your pains and feelings that could be relevant to their experience. Make your videos social so that potential clients will be more likely to watch them and say, "Hey! I can relate!"
Videos give your potential clients a chance to get to know you better, faster and connect deeper than any of your other marketing materials. However, to reap the real benefits of video, you need to make them more about connection than about selling your business. The sales will fall in place the more personal you can make your videos.
In general, people won't buy from strangers. Video gives you the opportunity to let potential clients familiar get with you. So, connection first! Business Second!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Why DO people watch online videos?
Welcome! This blog was created as a place to disperse some free advice on how to create your own online marketing videos so that people actually watch them and then are moved to become your client. It will mostly center around the videos I post here, however, it is also a place to give a little more background than the videos can offer for those of you who want to know more about behind the scenes.
To get us started, I am posting my sample, "what do you do?" video. The interesting thing about this video is that even though I think I've posted in the most times, it has received the least amount of views. 2 thirds less than my other videos to be exact. It was actually the second of the videos I made this year when I finally "came out of the closet" as a marketing video producer (I've been doing it for years but not telling anyone, the first rule to getting clients; tell people what you do!).
Why do I think it received so few views? Well that's actually one of the fundamentals reasons why videos work so well for your sales, next to the #1 reason why they work, because people would rather watch than read about your business, the #2 reason is because they get to see who you are as a person. My video that answers the question, "what do you do?" does not give enough personal information about me or a sense of who I am. It's completely focused on my business. It's just not as interesting as some of my other videos where I tell my personal secrets and details or at least divulge some information that could be helpful for your business.
It's still important to have a video that gives some business details, yet, you should save that for your main web page. Videos used in social media to attract people to your website require a different caliber.
Here is my "What I Do" video. Tomorrow I'll show you an example of the kind of video that gets 2 thirds more views.
To get us started, I am posting my sample, "what do you do?" video. The interesting thing about this video is that even though I think I've posted in the most times, it has received the least amount of views. 2 thirds less than my other videos to be exact. It was actually the second of the videos I made this year when I finally "came out of the closet" as a marketing video producer (I've been doing it for years but not telling anyone, the first rule to getting clients; tell people what you do!).
Why do I think it received so few views? Well that's actually one of the fundamentals reasons why videos work so well for your sales, next to the #1 reason why they work, because people would rather watch than read about your business, the #2 reason is because they get to see who you are as a person. My video that answers the question, "what do you do?" does not give enough personal information about me or a sense of who I am. It's completely focused on my business. It's just not as interesting as some of my other videos where I tell my personal secrets and details or at least divulge some information that could be helpful for your business.
It's still important to have a video that gives some business details, yet, you should save that for your main web page. Videos used in social media to attract people to your website require a different caliber.
Here is my "What I Do" video. Tomorrow I'll show you an example of the kind of video that gets 2 thirds more views.
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