YouTube Star: How to make small business videos a marketing tool for you

I try to prevent myself from watching but there are hours and days worth of great videos that I see on my Facebook page, Vine, websites, and those hosted on YouTube. I can’t help but sit there and watch for what seems like forever and I know I am not the only one captivated.  

Small business videos can be useful, funny, educational, recreational, or draw attention to an issue. They can quickly turn viral reaching instant “stardom” which draws attention by local, and sometimes national news levels, and increases awareness of the issue, product, or idea the video is trying to convey but usually far beyond the creator’s dream.

Some examples of this that you may be familiar with are random acts of awareness and activism like the ACL bucket challenge and  comedic parodies like the Dads on the song Frozen,

Small business videos can also have limited viewership but have a very practical purpose like educational how-to videos, How to harvest cauliflower is one of my favorites or anything that teaches me about any topic I am interested at a certain moment, on a particular day.

But what about small business commercials? At all levels, people are looking for videos to engage and entertain them. Are you or your small business the next “big thing”?

If your answer to that question is yes, or at least a really strong maybe, let’s keep talking. What if I told you that a YouTube video connected to your website boosts your SEO higher than any blog, link or amazing picture would? One video could move your page from number 4 to number 2 or 1, not to mention the increase in views and site traffic. Now, that might make me do a little dance and film it….or at least figure out something to film 🙂

If you are thinking about creating a video for your small business but are unsure how to approach it, I have found a great website by the UK Company, Simple Business, that takes you through the steps on how to make a successful small business video.

This site takes you step by step on the things you need to think about or know like:

• Do you know all the legal stuff?
• Can you edit a video?
• Do you know how to add royalty-free music to your video (keeps you out of legal trouble, see bullet #1)
• Do you know how to measure success (this is the best one)

The great thing about videos is that if you do want to make one, there is so much inspiration out there to look at (for free) and help you get ideas to create your small business video. Here are a few examples of different ideas out there to help get you started:

Great example of a semi-professional commercial. Covers the basics of their business.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx3XC33IbGc

Talk clearly about your business, use other pictures or content to describe it and be relatable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7INVknD2Fw

I love this because he is telling his story in an easy to understand way. Don’t be afraid to let them see where you are at and what your vision is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtmyUO2UU6c

Remember to be your self! Don’t produce a video that doesn’t meet your brand or that is not showing the true you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl3r8FFWr-Y

Think it is easier now? Well it is and I challenge you to create your own video – at least try it out and, you never know if you will be the next Good morning America star.