Visibility via Video: How to Extend Your Reach Online

If you've been following me for awhile, you know I return to the topic of online video from time to time. Why? Because it is an amazingly powerful online marketing tool.

When I was at BlogWorld & New Media Expo 2009, at least 90% of the attendees had video cameras and videos were being shot in every hallway, at dinners, at parties and everywhere in between. 

YouTube is the 4th most visited site on the Web and it's the second largest search engine. 20 hours of video are being uploaded to YouTube every minute (saw that stat somewhere today).

The reason video is so popular is because it takes social to a whole new level. It's intimate and connects with the viewer more easily than text. And it's really easy to shoot and distribute video.

While prepping for a program I'm developing with a colleague, I put together an outline for the process I use to distribute my videos. Not only do I have a blog solely for my videos, I post them all over the Web for great reach and visibility. Here's my process:

Denise's Video Distribution process

1. Upload video to TubeMogul (free) for mass distribution (Day 1)

YouTube* >>> Twitter ("just uploaded a video" tweet)
Daily Motion
Yahoo
MySpace
MetaCafe
Blip.tv (can be set up to auto post on blog which I no longer do since I don't like how it's formatted; I post manually on vid tips blog)
Veoh
Vimeo

2. Grab embed code from YouTube and post video on appropriate blog (Biztipsblog or buildabetterblog) (Day 1 or 2)

Blog Post is automatically sent to Twitter via twitterfeed
Blog Post is automatically sent to Facebook via Notes app

Biz tips blog posts go automatically to FB profile
Build a better blog post go to Blog Squad fan page

         Post is automatically sent to LinkedIn via BlogLink app

3. Post on video on Blog Squad Fan Page (Day 3)
            Tag myself so it shows up in Profile videos

4. Post on Video blog for archiving video tips (Day 4)

5. If the video file is smaller than 25mb then I will post on my Posterous site

*I've set up my YouTube account to "share" certain actions I take. Among them are to announce new uploads to my twitter stream. I do not have YouTube alert Facebook since the link to YouTube is posted by default on the profile page. I want my business blogging videos to post on the Blog Squad page so they must be uploaded manually at this time. And I want to be able to tag them so I don't use the YouTube/Facebook application either.

Much of this is automated, some of it is done by my VAs and some of it I do. Adding video to my blogs, twitter and Facebook provide a multi media experience for my community, give them a chance to see and hear me and have a more personal connection. My videos are not high production quality, but judging by the comments I get, they provide good, valuable information and that's what counts in the end.

Have you incorporated video into your marketing mix? Do you post videos on your blog? Let me know how you're using video in your business and what process you use to get them distributed.

Not using video yet? Well let me be shameless here and tell you to get my course Online Video Made Easy. It's a home study course for video newbies and I partnered with the Online Video Guy, Lou Bortone to create the content. Check out the testimonials then get it and get started!

Related Posts:

Lou Bortone predicts there will be a "land grab" for .tv domains

How to Reach 97 Million Americans

Use Video on Your Blog to Entertain Your Audience

Comments

[Steven Park]

Denise,

Thanks for some great advice. I'm getting my VA do do it right away.

Is there any reason why your steps are spread out over 3-4 days? Can you do it all in one setting?

Steve

[Mike Consol]

To your point, Denise, new statistics from Nielsen show major increases the amount of time people spend viewing videos.

The report ... http://tinyurl.com/ykg3tmd

[vikram]

Thanks For The Valuable Infromation Denise I am A Blogger And A Web Hosting Owner Really Want To Increase Traffic On My Site And Blog. This Post Will Help Me To Increase Traffic On Both By videos I am Gonna Try This Soon

[Denise Wakeman]

Mike, thanks for the link to the Neilsen stats. Always good to have them on hand to prove a point!

Vlog on!

[TheCluelessCrafter]

I really want to videoblog but fear it. I recently got an Assus netbook with built-in camera. Is this a good enough quality device to get started? Can I edit the video somewhere (where?) if it is too dark?

Finally, I blog primarily about craft and how the concepts behind crafting (relying on oneself, sharing, problem solving, going green, etc.) can build self esteem. Off the top of your head, how would I video blog about that?

I am thinking this through as well and would like your experience and expertise to assist the process.

[moreclick]

Thanks for sharing, I love reading you should post more often...

[Denise Wakeman]

Clueless (would really prefer to call you by your real name!), there's nothing to fear from video blogging. It's simple, really. Any webcam will do and editing is simple as well. There are many editing programs, some free.

Any subject you care to talk about and share your expertise and wisdom will make good videos for your audience.

I suggest you take a look at Online Video Made Easy because many of your questions will be answered.
http://OnlineVideoMadeEasy.com

[TheCluelessCrafter]

You can call me Lydia, Denise. I thought my typepad profile would clarify that?

I'm glad any webcam will do. My husband, a computer engineer, is so particular about the perfection of the video and this means he has some concerns about webcams.
I just figure that I'm not Hollywood nor do I have access to the best of film production and editing.

I'm going to head over to Online Video Made Easy now. . .

[Joyce Leybag]

Hey there!

You were able to provide a lot of information about videos. I totally agree with you when you said that videos extend your online reach.

Online videos are growing in popularity, as more and more people watch videos on the internet. People watch video for various reasons. It is truly an effective way of marketing.

Thank you for this post!