Ask Remabulous: How can I add video to my site and marketing?

This week's question is one that I think most small business owners need to hear the answer to. So here it is-- listen up everybody!

"Dear Ask Remabulous,

It seems like every other week there is a new technology that I need to learn to promote my business. First I needed a blog, and then facebook, and then twitter. Now people are talking about video. Help!

I didn't start my business in order to market it 100% of the time. I want to get clients and customers, don't get me wrong, but can you please explain if video is worth my time or if it is just another trend that is going to suck up my precious time?

Thank you,
So Over Media Right Now"

Wow. Thank you so much for asking this question, So Over it. I KNOW you are not alone in your confusion or frustration. But I have some news for you... video is the most essential media you can engage in right now for your business. Read on and I'll explain why.

If you think about what the most time-consuming activity you have to do for your business is, what would most of you say?

Selling?
Networking?
Answering the same questions over and over again about your product or service?

Since you are the one who started your business, and the one who is most passionate about is success, you are clearly the best one to do the selling. You may have hired people to do bookkeeping, design, administrative tasks, have VAs or in person assistants, but when it comes to talking about your business, you are the one that falls to. And I am sure you have to do it all day long, whether over e-mail or in person at event after event.

Now...there has been some shift on this with social media. People want to buy from "friends" during this difficult time- money is tighter for all of us, right? So we'd rather help out someone we know and trust more than some anonymous company.  So we've all hopped on twitter and facebook and blog our little hearts out about what we are up to and this has gotten us some meaningful connection with our customer base. Some of us podcast and share content and ourselves that way as well.

But when it comes down to it, meeting in person is the best way to get a real feel for someone and what their business is about.

So... enter video. What if you could have a virtual in-person meeting with someone, without being there at all? What if someone could hear and see you answer essential questions about your business through your website or sales page without your having to take time out from your busy day?

The beauty of video is that it is easy to make, easy to distribute, and easy for your viewer to consume.

There are currently 1.5 Billion internet users and every 3 seconds a new person joins the online community. By 2014, the number of pc users is slated to double. And 65% of people report that they research purchases they make, either online or off, through the internet.

Hmm. Don't you think you want the most memorable message in front of those people to be yours?

Video has never been easier to use. The fun little camera pictured at the top of this article is the flip mino, my own personal camera. It features a usb attachment, can record up to 30 minutes of video at a time- some models even go to 60 minutes- and plugs right into your computer for uploading.

I have been playing with this technology and have been astounded with the results. Both for my own business and for Book Soup, where I am Social Media Maven, video is by far the most efficient way to get a message that means something to you out in the world.

As I write this, the most recent stat I got at a recent seminar was that 100 million videos are watched each and every month. People will choose to watch a short video rather than read a whole article. Wouldn't you rather be the one they choose to learn about?

So... I hope I've ignited your excitement about this marketing option. I am so excited about it and have been loving creating a vlog for this site. Look for the beginning of my series "Creating effective video" this friday and sign up for my newsletter to learn about coaching packages I am currently developing to help you maximize your business potential while incorporating the power of video.

I'm really excited about this new technology and the creativity and fun it can bring to marketing, a subject that most used to regard as dry and clinical. No more...

Thanks so much for your question, Over Media! I hope this was helpful. I had a blast answering you...

xoxo,
Caroline