Tag Archive for 'advice'

6 Tips to Promote Your Business Using YouTube

Published
by
Christian Bowman
on July 23, 2009
in General
. 0 Comments

Up until recently video was seen more as a distraction than a valuable marketing tool for businesses. That has all changed. People now spend more time on You Tube than on Google.

Now a lot of those are people just playing around. But, I believe that if businesses aren’t using video in their online marketing then they will be missing out on sales. The trend is very clear.

Today’s technology has made video creation accessible to everyone. Digital cameras are more affordable, and the process of creating and uploading a video to a sharing site is easier than ever.

All you need is a camera, some editing software, and an account with a video sharing site. These accounts are usually free, and the uploading of videos is encouraged because it supplies the site with constant material.

Video sharing sites like YouTube.com are popular places for people to share information. Most people, at one time or another, have visited You Tube.

Here are some sites to investigate…

www.youtube.com
www.vimeo.com
video.msn.com

So…
How do you use videos to promote and increase traffic to your website?

1. Create a ‘Preview’
Movie previews are used to promote a new film that has just been released. They hook the viewer, making them want to see the coming production. Create a ‘preview’ for your website or online business that will draw new viewers there by making them curious to see exactly what you are doing. If you’re selling something, use the trailer to give just enough information to make viewers click the link to your site.

2. Create your own Story
Think about making a creative series to bring regular viewers to your website. The key here is to link the video (on You Tube for example) to your website because that’s where you want people to go. For example, create a video series where you make offers of free content that’s available on your website.

3. Tell Your ‘War Story’
People love to look inside the development of a product or market. Even if you think it is of little value you may be surprised at the following you will get once you begin your short video story about entering a new market or the development of a new product.

Again, the key is to bring people to your website. Make something in your story to draw the viewer to your site. Depending on the content of your site, this could be simple or very involved. The choice is yours.

Tips to produce a good video…

1. Clarity
Be sure your video is clear and can be heard. By the way, voice clarity is more important than picture clarity. If the sound is clear then you’ll be forgiven for low picture quality.

The worst mistake is allowing poor video quality to distract or frustrate the viewer. But you can do these videos yourself. You don’t need a professional in a studio. Keep it raw and it is more realistic.

2. Humour
Some of the most popular videos on these video sharing sites are those that make people laugh. Depending on the content of your site, choose a form of humour to get your message across. Create a blooper type video or use some quirky events that happened during your marketing or product development.

3. Keywords
Choose descriptive keywords to help people find your video. Don’t limit yourself to single words. Create phrases that someone might consider searching the internet.

Just as keywords are important for your text content online, they play an important role in helping people find your videos once you publish them online. Though the viewer may not be searching for your exact video, once they get there you want them to stay and watch. Once they watch, you want them interested enough to visit your site.

CALL TO ACTION
Here are some considerations to make when getting started with online video.

1. Think carefully about your goals for using online video. Are you looking to increase visitors to your website? Establish a brand? Make sales? The reason for creating the videos will give you the starting point for what to create.

2. Play around with Windows Movie Maker (available free on most PC’s) to create short video clips.  It’s very intuitive and once you get the hang of it, you can create some really professional looking video content.

3. Create a script or general idea for the video(s) you plan to make and get to work recording!

4.  Edit your recordings and add special effects, web URL’s, and other information to encourage people to take action after watching your videos.

Have your say about this topic, write your comments below

4 Ways to Increase Sales Through Teleseminars

Published
by
Gail Geronimos
on July 15, 2009
in General
. 4 Comments

Teleseminars are a cost effective way to stimulate sales and improve business communications. Teleseminars connect multiple participants to one phone call, allowing you to contact dozens if not hundreds of prospects.

Here’s what you can achieve…

I interviewed a client of mine during a teleseminar in March. We were flooded with callers but we didn’t get the technology quite right. The technology actually shut people out. AAAAGH! My client came up with a low priced product ($97) and within 24 hours he made $7,470 in sales and got great leads.

What’s a teleseminar?

It’s a call moderated by your company, maybe by the marketing director, where an ‘expert’ is interviewed or makes comment on topical issues that concern your prospects.
You can run a teleseminar where the participants do not actively participate or you can have your audience participate. If there are hundreds on the call then it is not practical to have audience participation.

These phone based seminars are cost effective because they don’t require extra equipment and can be managed from just about anywhere, anytime. There is no need for travel to a specific location.

The host simply plans the seminar, sets up the number and password, and waits for others to dial in and begin the conference. Most people prefer to keep the teleseminar to an hour in length, but this can vary according to the needs of your business.

There are a number of companies that you can use that offer teleseminar services. Look at www.GoToMeeting.com and www.teleconference.com.au.

A Couple of Tips…
•    Promote the teleseminar by email
•    Include the benefits from participating
•    Ask prospects to register so that you know how your numbers are going
•    If it is free make sure you say it is free. That alone will increase your sign ups but your drop out rates will also increase. You need to test pay vs free and monitor registrations vs actual participants
•    Test the system a day before you go live
•    Keep the content moving otherwise it will get boring.

Here are 4 ways to use teleseminars in order to boost your sales and get a jump on the competition.

1.    Relationship Building
Use the time to build relationships with the callers. In a teleseminar you are given the opportunity to offer relevant and topical content that your prospects want to hear about. You have 2 choices:
•    You can have someone from your company deliver the content with a moderator asking questions
•    You can invite in an ‘expert’ to be interviewed by someone from your company.

Because you are providing current information that is useful to your prospects you become ‘real’ to them and not just an impersonal force trying to sell something.

2.    Interview a Client
Use the teleseminar to highlight details about your product or service that goes beyond an ad or written presentation. People react differently to information presented in teleseminar format.

You could interview a client and ask how their company used your products/services and what they achieved as a result. This is a form of testimonial but make sure it is not just a disguised ‘sell’.

3.    Present a Panel Discussion
I have participated on a panel during a teleseminar and I was surprised how effective it really was. I’d stay with no more than 3 panelists and make sure that your moderator can control the discussion. With 4 people on the call it will easily get out of control if you are not careful.

4.    Reward Participants
Use the teleseminar ending to your full advantage. Since you have direct contact with prospects, reward their participation with a bonus or special offer. Your chance of making sales from the conference has just increased. Sweeten the deal by making it worth their while to make a purchase within a certain time frame. Additionally, you may want to consider offering a perk for each caller who connects a friend to the conference.

CALL TO ACTION
Here are some considerations to make when getting started with teleseminars.

  1. Be yourself and allow listeners a chance to get to know you on the call. Keep it casual and informal.
  2. Put a mirror by the phone and a note that says “SMILE” - your listeners will hear that smile in your voice!  Also, be enthusiastic.
  3. Practice your closing before each teleseminar.  It is at the end of your call that you offer a reward to the callers or incentive for making a purchase – so you definitely want to have your closing polished and ready to go.
  4. NOW RUN A TELESEMINAR!

With some planning and a bit of creativity, teleseminars can give your sales the boost you’re seeking.

Scary Economy in Europe

Published
by
Gail Geronimos
on September 9, 2008
in General
. 0 Comments

Hi everyone

I was in Europe for 7 weeks, longest holiday since I started my business. It was great. It went from the sublimely relaxing to extreme mountain stuff. The Austrians call it walking but it went far beyond that in my book.  We were in the Alps between Austria and Italy. I’ve climbed mountains in this region a few years ago but this was harder!

When we climbed we were roped up so if I fell I’d be OK. On this so called ‘walk’ over the mountains there was no rope and it got veeeery dangerous. I can tell you from first hand experience that fear does overcome exhaustion! It was 12 hours a day, up and down the mountains (max altitude was 2,450 metres) mostly above the tree line, sleeping in the huts (they are great) and then on our way early next morning.

But the scenary was just magnificant - from the high peaks, to alpine meadows, to dense forests and the wildflowers were endless in colour and variety. So the rewards were there.

Now to the economy…

The ‘relaxing part’ was spent in Sperl Cafe (Vienna) reading the papers and eating too much of that freshly baked Austrian cake.

The papers are full of doom and gloom, much more so than in Australia. The Georgia situation has re-ignited very negative feelings about Russia. That hasn’t helped. Perhaps the mood is best summed up by a comment from an equity investor that I met, ‘I’m advising my clients and colleagues to buy gold. Not the shares but actual gold. Even though prices may go down I still think that they’d be better off in the longer term.’

With a US election in November and the uncertainty in Europe we all need to monitor the implications for the Australian economy. This will impact on both business and personal financial positions. My advice, read the Financial Review and the more reputable commentators in the next 6 months. You might just save some money.

Cheers