Author Archives: admin

10 Essential Tricks in Using Video Effectively to Market Your Business

Posted on by

Nearly all internet marketing professionals use video as one of the core methods for marketing their business. Video grabs people’s attention far more quickly and effectively than text, audio or photographs. Making a short video can capture a thousand words and pictures and helps to get across your personal brand and lifestyle.

Research your top keyword phrases and use these in your upload descriptions and titles. It’s important to stand out in the crowd on video channels and search engines. Aim your headlines at capturing the imagination regarding your topic. So don’t be dull – test out curiosity, shock or fun tactics for getting those download clicks.

These ten tips aim to help you create short, attractive, effective videos based on solid keywords that convert and that stand the test of time.

First of all, get set up.

When you’re starting out, it’s OK to just use your webcam. This is what I’ve used in this video for illustration. You can see it’s not great, but it does the job. It will give you the opportunity to practice while you’re honing your presentation skills before you fork out for a camcorder. When you’re ready, you can buy an inexpensive digital video recorder, like say the Flip and a tripod and you’ll be set up to rock and roll.

Make sure you take your videos in well-lit conditions. Inside your office you’ll need decent lighting, or you can whip out your camera when you’re out and about. It makes for a much more interesting back drop.

OK. So now let’s go through each of my TOP 10 TIPS for creating and using videos to market your business.

TIP 1: Keep your videos short

Whether you’re loading videos on YouTube or just putting them up on your website or blog, it’s really important to keep them short. Just 5 or 6 minutes is really all that’s needed. It’s just enough for introducing yourself to people that may not know you yet. In fact, YouTube.com will not accept videos over 10 minutes. I guess that’s a maximum for all kinds of reasons that make sense.

If needed, you can of course break longer topics up into a series of smaller videos, which you could market as a series – see tip 10.

TIP 2: Post videos on your sales pages

You can use video on your sales page to introduce the main benefits of your product or business opportunity. You might even put a very short video on your landing page or capture pages. It can help to orientate visitors and to highlight the main points of your regular, written sales letter. People often want to listen or watch an explanation rather than read a whole long story. And let’s face it, sales letter are becoming more and more alike these days, with everyone using what they think it ‘good sales copy’ to draw buyers in and provide proof and testimonials.

So you can use videos to introduce yourself and what you represent, to demonstrate your product or an explanation, and talk about how easy it is to get started and to get in touch with you personally. Often what we prefer is to hear it from the horse’s mouth.

TIP 3: Choose your keywords carefully

This is really important tip, because it will affect how your video gets picked up by the search engines and other internet ‘bots’ that seek out content. If you’re loading your videos onto YouTube then it’s really important that you allow people to find those videos. So if they are putting in words or phrases into a search box like Google, yahoo, MSN or on YouTube itself, you need to ensure your video shows up.

Pick keywords that will attract the right kind of traffic and leads – research like crazy to find out what your prospects are looking for – and then use a keyword tool to identify long tail keywords that you can really dominate. Make sure you headline and description includes your main keywords.

Getting this right is critical because it will help people again to find your video when they type in those keywords and over time will mean you get ranked higher. Doing this research and tracking click thrus (CTR) and conversions will help you secure your most cost-effective keywords and keyword phrases.

For example, if you pick a long tail keyword such as “find online marketing coach in uk” (use exact match or phrase match), there may not be many searches but when there are, you should find your video comes up high.

Once you find a set of keywords that are fit-for-purpose, make sure your video answers those questions, give visitors solutions to what they were searching for, make things crystal clear. (With the above example, you’d certainly want to introduce yourself as coming from the UK. Make a different video for any other countries you might want to target.)

TIP 4: Have a clear purpose & structure

Your keywords will help make sure you target your video on the right purpose before you start. Keep on topic and provide value – unique value if possible – and the videos will convert much better for you.

Write down a structure – a set of headings – for what you’re going to cover, so you don’t waffle on. Have a script if necessary (but be careful you don’t appear to be reading from it and not looking at the camera, see tip 5!) So be very clear what is the focus for each video and have a list in front you. It really does help you to stay on topic and to present things in a logical flow.

For example, if your video is on the topic of using video to market your business… don’t go too far off on a tangent and start talking about blogging or SEO. If there’s a link (see tip 9), make the point and move on. Those links will provide you ideas for other topics and you can mention in your video that you have another video specifically on that related topic. So in my video about making videos, I would mention about putting your video or a link to it on your blog, and then tell them about my other video on using blogs to market your business.

TIP 5: Look at the camera

The aim here is to connect with your audience, both in the topic you choose and the content but also in your communication style. Remember you are talking to people – real live people. What are their needs and wants, hopes and fears.

With regards to presentation, stick your list of headings right next to the camera. This way, you’ll stay looking in the camera at all times, rather than looking away at a screen on down at your notes. This gives you a far better connection with your audience.

A video made from the heart can come across as far more authentic than a skillful, broadcast-like production. So don’t worry if you’re not up to TV presenter standards. Just be yourself and enjoy the opportunity to reach out to people in a different way than using text copy.

TIP 6: Create a clear call to action

You should create one very clear offer and call to action. It’s very important that people know exactly what to do as a result of watching your video. What is your most wanted response (MWR)? Don’t confuse visitors with lots of options and different offers. Focus on the single most wanted response.

So it might be you want them to visit your website. You can provide your domain link. For example, your can add your web address (URL) as a title on your video, so that’s it’s showing throughout or comes up at the start or at the end. Make sure it’s there for sufficient time for people to write it down or put it in their browser.

Alternatively, you can put your video up next to a sign up box – linked to your email marketing – and you clearly ask them to opt in, more than once. Provide an incentive, such as a free report or further video coaching resources. And clearly say “just put your information in the box on the right… and you’ll get instant access to…”.

TIP 7: Encourage comments on your video

One of the best things about video is that it’s very personal, social medium. So the more you can link into other social activities, the more exposure you’ll get. So if you’re posting your video on YouTube or your blog, make sure you enable comments. Allow visitors to enter comments about your video, add their own tips or advice. The more people that are talking about your video and passing it on, the more buzz you’ll create. Visitors may return to your page to see who has commented since their last comment. There may accumulate a whole list of tips that have been created by your niche community, prompted by your initial video post.

TIP 8: Write articles, forum posts and blog & emails about your video

Write a short article (500 words – like this one) on the same topic as your video. Then create a short blog post that links to your article and/or video. Have a link on your blog to your video, send people watching on your video back to your blog or capture page.

If you have a list of existing contacts and subscribers, send them an email with information about your new video you just posted up. Ask them to pass it on to their contacts and lists. This can help with the viral process and get your video out beyond your own marketing circle of influence. You may have joint venture (JV) partners and could send them a personal email asking for some feedback on your video and if they’d like to make any joint offers or provide a free report. They may even blog about your video or send out an email to their list or include it in their regular newsletter or digest.

This relates to tip 8 in many ways. It’s about linking different marketing on a single, focused topic and ultimately setting up many different entry routes into your marketing or sales funnel, using the linkages and relationships you have already built up.

TIP 9: Make linkages with other content, social sites

Use the social sites to jump start the viral effect. One of the mistakes newbie marketing make is they spend a lot of time creating videos, or writing articles and blog posts, even twittering and don’t make enough linkages between these. Yet they often don’t unleash the true power of social marketing and they totally lose out on getting more leads out of their efforts.

Creating links between other marketing you’re doing helps with the viral effect, and you’ll get more leads than just the sum from the individual components – they work in synergy. So you need to link to and embed your video into social media sites, like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc. Integrate icons for sharing tools, like Digg, StumbleUpon etc to allow visitors to pass your link onto to their contacts.

Make those integrations really work and the momentum will really build up on your marketing activities.

TIP 10: Use time twice by re-purposing and repackaging your videos

Finally, following on from tips 8 & 9… put your videos on a DVD or CD and give it away for free in exchange for their contact details or other call to action (see tip 6). If you create 10 videos on different marketing topics, you would have a neat series of using internet strategies to market your business. For example, one video would be on using videos to market your business. A second might focus on using twitter, another on article marketing, using blogs, pay-per-click, and so on.

You can use your 10 video series in different ways. You can offer a ‘boot camp’ via email; subscribers receive an email explanation with a link to your video and/or full article each day or week. You could create a microcontinuity programme over 10 or more weeks; subscribers pay a monthly fee to get their package each week. You might simply create a webpage with links to the full set of videos on your opt-in thank you page.

How about creating a physical DVD product as a “free plus shipping” offer for subscribing members or as a ClickBank product for affiliates to market. You’d need to create or buy some attractive graphics. You could even include an upgrade for the set of associated articles you have written. People like to get a physical product in the post. You can follow up subscribers whose addresses you have with postcard marketing, sendoutcards.com/jayd for a free gift account, and start bringing in offline methods to complement your online marketing.

To summarise… your video marketing checklist: Short – Focused – Clear offer – Complemented – Linked – Viral – Repurposed

Social Shopping – A New Phenomenon Is Taking Over The World

Posted on by

With an ever increasing work load and busier lifestyles it is getting harder and harder to book a day out with the girls shopping, many of us are buying our fashion from the comfort of our own homes and literally shopping on our own. This can be lonely and hard work as how do you know what suits you? How do you know if it is a good buy or not without your best buying buddy with you? Here we would go through the definition of social shopping and why we should be using it:

What Is Social Shopping?
Wikipedia tell us ‘There are various ways for stores to use social shopping features. Some websites offer a combination of comparison shopping with social features. Others combine physical stores and social features, for example, allowing customers to share finds and deals from physical retailers through the phone and website and interact with users that have similar shopping interests’ Social shopping incorporates social networking and shopping, bringing them both together making shopping more social and concentrates on the sharing aspect of these networks.

Why Should I Be Using Social Shopping Sites?
Social shopping has many benefits, not only are you part of a designated female shopping community but you may also make lots of new friends and communicate with your existing ones through your finds. Social shopping sites can motivate you to participate in many different ways; some ask you to share on Facebook and twitter accounts but offer no reward for doing this other than the social reward of sharing and making new friends through recommending the best buys that you find. Some sites offer rewards for sharing products such as, if a specific product gets a lot of ‘likes’ discounts are offered and you can literally get big discounts by sharing with your new and existing friends. This encourages shoppers to share certain products for the benefit of both retailer and shopper. Other sites encourage the buyer or potential buyer to photo share the products, this enables the buyer to get comments on whether it will suit them or not and if it is a good price. This also enables other shoppers to find products without so much searching making it easier to literally share your finds.

Social Shopping Is The Best Way To Shop!
You can not only make new friends through social shopping but you can also speak to the sellers in real time, ask them questions about the products and sizing and get the best descriptions before you decide to buy. You are able to ask your friends about the products that you find and ask their opinions; it is just like shopping with your girlfriends! So, why are you shopping alone? Interactive shopping is the future of shopping for everyone!

Which Social Shopping Site Should I Be Using?
There are a few social shopping sites now up and running and no doubt as this phenomena really gains momentum then there will be many more. In my investigations I have found sites such as Pinterest where you are able to post pictures of your shopping finds very enjoyable but as you are unable to buy the fashion it seems to be lacking in this feature. ShopSimple on the other hand is similar to Pinterest where you can post your fashion finds but not only that, you can buy them too! You can create separate folders for your finds in your profile and even create them for others! You are able to comment, hashtag products, save (which is similar the Facebook ‘like’ button), add them to your collections and make whole outfits for you and your friends to share using this one site. This site is a highly addictive social shopping site which not only lets you post your fashion finds but let’s you share your products and post them to your Facebook and twitter accounts as well as your Pinterest walls! You can follow and be followed similar to Twitter and share your fashion with millions of others! This is the hottest social shopping site right now, so why are you still shopping alone?

Niche Marketing in Real Estate Marketing Online

Posted on by

What is a niche?A niche is a target audience or target market or an area of specialization where you can provide your services in the best manner because you are more knowledgeable in that market.A niche can be geographical. You may choose to provide your real estate expertise in one city or if you are a real estate agent in a large city, your niche may be a certain geographical boundary in that city. Some agents specialize in farm properties. Some agents specialize in second homes and investment properties. Some agents focus on 1031 tax deferred exchanges. Real estate agents who speak other languages may find themselves providing services to buyers and sellers who speak those languages. Whatever type of niche you have, it is extremely important to focus your attention on your target audience when in comes to real estate marketing online.Niche marketing does not mean you have to limit your marketing efforts in just one local area. It is also important to combine national with regional and local exposure. For instance, if you are specializing in the second home market, it is important to combine local and regional marketing with national marketing when it comes to real estate marketing online. If your niche is in the second home market, the buyer or seller for a second home may come from any city in the country.Many buyers and sellers of second homes consider different cities in different states before they decide where next to purchase a second home or investment property. They like to search online to conduct their research to find out about the different cities they are considering. They also look for real estate agents online who can provide them with additional information on the cities of their interest.If you market your real estate business online outside of your local area of service, you are already several notches ahead of your competition because you will reach your target audiences right in their spots before they even start looking for a real estate agent else where. Their perception of your professional practice will also improve because you are giving them a glimpse of the kind of approach you have when it comes to conducting your business.The biggest drawback in utilizing real estate marketing online nationally is the issue of budget. If you are an independent contractor (and most real estate agents are), chances are that you will pay for the marketing of your own profession, and most online publications will charge a handsome fee to include your real estate business online nationally. However, if you do your research, you will find some online publications that will charge decent rates to include your real estate business online nationally.Understanding that it is not necessarily the amount of any online traffic that is important but getting the online traffic from your target audience is what really counts. You will get less general online traffic when you direct your focus to a targeted audience, but you are reaching the audience that will listen to your message. This is the audience that is more likely to respond to your message. Of course, just like any other type of marketing, real estate marketing online is still a numbers’ game, and you are more likely to experience a higher success rate when you reach your target audience online.How do you reach your target audience with real estate marketing online?Advertise your real estate business in specialized online publications. If you would like to reach the audience for the second home market, advertise online on a second home Internet directory or second home Internet magazine. If you would like to reach the market online for 1031 tax deferred exchanges, advertise in an online or Internet magazine that specializes in real estate investing and 1031 tax deferred exchanges.Know the function of the search engines in real estate marketing online. A huge majority of online searches are done through search engines. Using search engines is really a wonderful way to reach your target audience because your target market is the one coming to you instead of you going to them. For instance if they put “buying a second home directory” as their search parameter, they are very specific about finding a directory that specializes in the second home market.Advertise in an online publication that ranks in the top 10 of Google, MSN, and Yahoo when using the key words of the search parameters that your target audience is most likely going to use because these major search engines are the tools that your target audience will most likely utilize to conduct searches online in order to reach you. The real estate online or Internet publications that display in the top 10 of the search results in major search engines in a defined niche are the ones which are most likely to be visited by the people who are looking for that specific business or service and that is the online publication where you would like your business to be seen.

Self Employment Jobs: Is It For You?

Posted on by

Are you searching for real self employment jobs? If you go through advertisements and forums, self employment opportunities may not seem to be as inadequate as some people argue. The routine is simple. You get work, earn money and take pleasure in what you do. This is self employment.Finding the Right Jobs – It may not be difficult after all
What can make self employment rewarding? You stay at home, you are in charge and you proceed at your time. What are the downsides? You have to prove to your clients that you are the best and you can give the best output or else, you lose the job.The key factor is that you have to enjoy what you because it gives you the greatest satisfaction. If you try to ask different people what the perfect self employment job is, you will probably get varying responses. Everyone has different abilities, preferences and moods. One person will be good in medical transcription while another who knows several languages can work as translator. The Virtual assistant business is a fast growing industry so this is another good prospect while online writing is also a lucrative freelance activity. The bottom line is there are various opportunities and all you need to do is to focus on a particular field, become an expert and you have a regular source of revenue.Online sources abound. You have to be persevering in searching for the job that fits your qualifications. Do research via the internet and check out free websites that provide a listing of self employment opportunities without any fees or membership requirements. All you need to do is conduct keyword searches that will ultimately give way these sites. Ignore those who ask for money as this can possibly be dubious. There are also online and printed classified ads for local and global prospects.The pay-for-posts sites are not also advisable as first-hand sources especially for those who lack the finances. Certain sites do not provide complete information and ask interested applicants to bid on projects.Some Pointers in Job Hunting
Always be ready with an updated self employment profile with the appropriate covering letter to make it easy for you to respond to self employment work. Learn how to follow up properly with your prospective clients or employers and clients who respond favorably.However, remember that self employment is not for everybody. You have no boss but you have clients to whom you are responsible. You alone are responsible for everything to include your success or failure. Thus, you need to cope, balance and outsource as well.If you are looking at the possibility of selling merchandise, it may be better to try the product out or even concept before investing or selling. It is very difficult to let of hard-earned money and just let it go to waste without the promise of any returns on investment. Start small! It is not wise to let go of a big capital outlay when you have not tested the market yet. Be a prudent entrepreneur.

Cheap Health And Fitness Equipment

Posted on by

Most health and fitness conscious people are constantly on the lookout for cheap health and fitness equipment because most health and fitness equipments are quite expensive. However, there are ways and means of finding cheap health and fitness equipment irrespective of your budget.Here are some useful tips to find cheap health and fitness equipments:1. You can browse through the internet for the best deal, save time, as well as save on money since no middle men are involved in the transaction. You can even approach individuals and non-commercial sellers directly through the Internet and get really good deals.2. There are numerous companies that provide refurbished or reconditioned fitness equipment at a relatively low price. You can browse for such companies on the Internet. Many of these companies also offer free shipping.3. You can find reasonably good health and fitness equipment at garage sales. So, it is advisable to find out which garage sales are happening in your neighborhood. This can be done through the local newspaper or pamphlet advertisements. You should visit the garage sale because you never know when you can find some superior quality fitness equipment worth buying at a very cheap rate.4. You can visit Walmart and have a look at the various health and fitness equipment on display, which are available at really low prices at Walmart.5. You can even visit a secondhand store such as Play It Again Sports store which specialize in buying and selling used as well as new exercise equipments.6. Regularly check the classified ads in your local newspaper and look for advertisements regarding sale of used health and fitness equipments and you may end up striking a very great deal.

Children Entertainers – Booking Kids Party Entertainment

Posted on by

Whenbooking your children entertainers, pay careful attention to what services the entertainer offer, and make sure you know what you are paying for, here we look at a few simple ideas and questions to ask before you hand over your money.Will the entertainer provide the entertainment throughout the party?
This may seem like a simple question to ask, but if you’re planning a 3 hour party, that is a long time for entertainers to keep the children occupied. If you are planning to feed the children during the party, perhaps the entertainer may take a break during this time.Can they provide a show for your child’s age?
Some children entertainers specialise in younger ages, things like puppet shows and fancy dress may not be the perfect idea for older children. Different entertainers will provide different acts for children of varying ages. A good act will be able to adjust their show depending on the age of the children at your party, but ask first to ensure what they intend to cover will be suitable for your children.Will the entertainer have prizes?
Prize giving is all part of the fun for children, so ask what sort of prize is given, and what the child would have to do to earn the prize. There is nothing worse then some children getting upset because others won a prize when they didn’t, so ask what the plan is before hand. A simple token of a gift from the entertainer can make all the difference, a balloon model is always popular for kids at any party.How long is the performance?
Children entertainers will have set performances that they run through at each party, varying slightly depending on the children’s reaction. Some will have a set of an hour or two, so ask first to ensure you know what you are getting for your money. You’ll want to know there is a set start and finish to the party.Will they need help, or do they have a helper with them?
If the entertainer is expecting you to help out, then make sure you know this before the event. There is nothing worse then planning to get on with something else while the children are entertained, only to find out that the Mums and Dads are expected to help out with the show.Most importantly for peace of mind, ask the children entertainers for proof of a CRB check, and whether they have full public liability insurance. Without either of these, the children entertainers cannot be taken seriously.