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HootSuite for BlackBerry is now even more loaded up with networks with 
Post as your Facebook Page: Post comments as your brand rather than from your personal profile – particularly handy to retain brand consistency for premium users with multiple team members posting on your profile
Have you been holding off including videos in your marketing mix?
If you want to generate more visitors to your web site don’t just rely on written content. Not all people like to read content online. Many are attracted by learning visually. This is why video marketing is so powerful. You now see Google video ads, video newsletters, video sales letters and so on.
Top 7 benefits of video marketing
1. Attract a large audience
Video enables you to capture people who like to watch rather than read. This extends the reach of your content because you can appeal to visual learners.
2. Engages the senses
If a picture is worth a 1000 words, then video does even more because you can create live movies with sound. This engages more senses than written text which only uses one medium.
3. Access at any time
You can view videos with all kinds of devices these days eg ipods, cell phones, laptops, etc. allowing you to access video content anywhere at any time.
4. Achieve top rankings in the search engines
Google recently introduced Universal Search. This means videos now appear in the search results pages. For example if you Google “Mustang” you’ll see video listings of mustang cars on the first page of Google.
5. Become known as an expert in your field
If you consistently create high quality video content that your visitors want and need you will soon become recognized as the expert in your niche.
6. Repurpose content
Convert your written content to video by talking about it in a video clip or creating a slide show then upload it to video sharing sites like YouTube. The beauty of this method is that you don’t have to create fresh content and there’s no need to worry about duplicate written content.
7. Easy to create and publish
All you need is a video camera (or just use a digital camera), windows movie maker software (already on all windows’ computers) and a YouTube account.
Now you have no excuse for not creating your first video then marketing it on YouTube and other video sharing sites. It will take some time to get it right the first time, but with practice you’ll soon be generating more traffic to your web site.
http://www.drostdesigns.com/video-marketing-top-7-benefits/
I can help you with creating videos also, if you do not have a good camera. I do 4 videos for $125, email me if you are interested yourmarketingvoice@yahoo.com
This is a great article I wanted to share with you . . .
I’ve recently made the switch to Google’s Chrome as my default web browser, almost out of necessity. Firefox had gotten to be a bit of a memory hog on my machine, and I began using Chrome to try and ease the pain. What I found was a browser experience I greatly enjoyed. Being a video junkie, I’ve recently discovered a few awesome Chrome extensions that most of you will find incredibly useful, whether you use YouTube for business or pleasure.
1) Chrome Extension to Force YouTube Videos in HD Automatically
I’m a huge fan of YouTube’s HD capabilities, and choose to view their videos that way whenever possible. In fact, I prefer YouTube in HD to YouTube in standard definition so much… I could use a browser extension that makes it happen automatically.
Enter Auto HD. Auto HD is a Chrome extension that plays every video you watch in HD automatically, whenever the video has that capability. I’ve been using it for several weeks now, and I simply couldn’t go back if I had to.
2) Download YouTube Videos With Chrome Extensions
There is a tremendous demand out there for the ability to download videos from YouTube. Traditionally, Google has been quick to squash downloading sites–their terms of service still states that videos are for streaming only. A year ago, I rounded up some of the best YouTube downloaders I could find (along with some legitimate reasons why one might wish to download a YouTube video), and some of those have since become unreliable.
But a new contender has arrived, in the form of a Chrome extension–one you can download right on the Chrome website. It’s called YouTube Downloader, which definitely has a nice “obvious” ring to it. It places a “download” button down below the video player next to the standard “Share” button.
It’s entirely possible that this extension will have a short life, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Google shuts it down. But it’s been out for several months without an issue, and there are several more like it currently available.
3) Smart Video Enlarger Chrome Extension for YouTube
Another new Chrome extension that should enhance your YouTube experience is the Smart Video Enlarger. The extension automatically enlarges YouTube videos to full-screen resolution. There’s also an “Intelligent Scrolling” feature that allows for the maximum video size while the user explores the comments. Smart Video Enlarger is also compatible with the AutoHD extension.
Chrome users: did I miss any? What are your favorite Chrome extensions (or Firefox extensions) for enhancing the way you create, view, and market online videos?
More Web Video Industry Analysis –> YouTube Chrome Extensions: 3 Great Chrome Extensions for YouTube Video
(via ReelSEO Video Marketing)
Late last week Facebook announced changes to Facebook Pages. The latest overhaul will streamline the look of the site to match Places and personal profiles. Plus, added features expand the options for brands to engage on Facebook.
Here are the highlights:
New Look Mimics New Personal Profiles and Places
Last month Facebook revealed it updated looks for personal profiles. Just as users are growing accustomed to the new look, Facebook announced similar updates for Facebook Pages – plus an array of other useful features for page admins.
What’s Changing: The addition of a photostrip at the top of the Page that mimics the personal profiles. This displays the latest photos the Page has tagged itself in, according to Inside Facebook.
What It Means: Users have done creative things with this section (view examples at Mashable), but because these photos display randomly, there’s not ways to work strategically with these images. Regardless, this will immediately put an increased focus on images.
What’s Changing: Tab navigation is now on the left, instead of the top. Six tabs are displayed by default, and tab names support more characters.
What It Means: The question of whether this move from top to left will reduce the traffic to tabs remains to be seen. As visitors grow more accustomed to the layout, checking that space on Facebook Pages could become commonplace. Plus, the added character space for descriptions might aid in piquing interest. This could make strategic use of default landing tabs more important than ever.
What’s Changing: Info blurb moves from Wall to Info tab
What It Means: For brands that aren’t highly recognizable, this could hinder their ability to give their “elevator pitch” to new visitors. Welcome tabs as default landing tabs can help raise awareness and could come in handy for this issue.
The profile pictures shrink from 200 x 600 pixels to 180 x 540 pixels. Shortly after the announcement, a Facebook bug led many to believe that tab width was changing from 520 pixels to 492 pixels. The tab width will remain at 520 pixels.
Administrators Have More Freedom to Speak on Brand’s Behalf
What’s Changing: Page admins can now “be” the brand on Facebook. This includes:
- Browsing Facebook as the brand. Facebook will allow admins to jump between browsing the site as themselves or as the administrator. Along with this comes the ability for a brand to read a newsfeed of its own.
- Posting comments on other Pages.
- Liking other brands’ Pages.
What It Means: Brands have a bigger voice and greater reach. Not only will brand-to-brand relationships be seen (what if Coke and Pepsi Like each other? Packers and Steelers?), but this will also impact consumer discussions with brands on other Pages. There are co-branding opportunities in terms of cross-commenting on partner Pages. While there are opportunities for spam to increase or consumer fatigue to swell at seeing more brand posts in new places, if used wisely the increased freedom to engage in different parts of Facebook could be somewhat of a game-changer.
What’s Changing: Users will see friends who also like the Page, as well as Liked Pages that the user and the Page have in common.
What It Means: AllFacebook reports this is one of the most requested features. And rightly so – these connections mean more opportunity for organic discovery for brands. This is a good sign, especially with recent discussions around the need to break through the noise of users’ newsfeeds. The importance of having an internal process for commenting as a cohesive Page among team members will become more important to ensure there’s one voice among many admins.
Management Options Updated and How They Work with Shoutlet
What’s Changing: Admins can receive email notifications from Facebook when users post to the Facebook Page. These can be turned on or off by administrators.
What It Means: For small Pages, this will be a lifesaver. For large brands with a significant number of Likes, it will be overwhelming. For Shoutlet users, this feature currently exists. Unlike Facebook notifications that only notify of posts and comments, Page activity notifications from Shoutlet can be tailored and include more notification possibilities. For instance, users can turn off notifications for new comments and only receive email when new Likes are added.
What’s Changing: The order of Wall posts move from most recent to most relevant. If admins choose to display user posts (the other option is Page-only wall posts), Facebook determines the most relevant posts based on factors like friend comments, country, and more.
What It Means: For Page admins managing their Pages within the Facebook interface, this can make moderation tricky. Although there are email notifications, some have complained that without chronological ordering of posts, moderation will suffer. Having a social media management system can help your team catch everything and respond quickly – without being buried in email notifications from Facebook or wading through the Wall to find what’s new.
For current Shoutlet users, all changes are supported and are ready to roll when admins make the switch manually or Facebook converts all Pages to the new layout on March 1.
We’re interested in what you think about the new Pages. How do you think it is going to change the impact of Pages?
As a Social Media Manager I get asked the question a lot, “What does Social Media mean to you and how do you think of it differently?”
Well to me Social Media means a connection source. If you think about it Social Media connects people all over the world. People have found long lost family and friends; people have done business with each other, even though have never met.
In my environment, the people I am around the most are what I like to call “Light Workers” and these are people that are very authentic, bring spirituality into their business and talk about rising up to a new level of vibration for 2012. I always tell them by using social media the right way we can accomplish that. They give me a funny face most of the time.
Social Media is a tool we can use in the right way to find people nationwide that have things in common with us. We then build those relationships. We have videos we create to teach people what we do and who we are, we put those up on our Social Media profiles and that builds relationships. Sometimes people think that everything is going on the internet and we are getting away from face to face connections and growing part from each other. That is one way to think about it, OR you can think about it like this: there are thousands more people on the Internet that you can connect to. Yes people are using Internet more than going to meeting and events to find people. At the same time there are tools like Skype and GoToMeeting where we can still see that other person face to face.
I just want you to remember that Social Media is about building relationships with people from all over, it is NOT about selling.
Social Media can be our connection source to the world!
This Denver Boulder Small Business Marketing Seminar is going to be a HIGHLY interactive, goal oriented session on how to get a laser focused vision for your small business!
The Three Squares are a way to look at what you are trying to achieve for your small business and what you should put your attention on to succeed. We will be going through YOUR business goals, strengths and helping define concrete tasks to do for the coming year!
Small Business Marketing Benefits:
- Laser focus your tasks so that you know what to do to grow your business
- Find out to how to (gracefully) tell people what you can and cannot commit to so that your time is your own
- KNOW, without a doubt, what your company goals are
- Figure out what your product offerings should be and learn how to sell them effectively
Small Business Marketing Features:
- Get a 10 page, laminated workbook that you can use to help define your business and stay on track
- Cost is just $47 (including the workbook!)
- Learn which marketing ideas will help you grow, and which you are throwing away your money on
please make sure to use your billing address when signing up
When:
February 18, 2011
Where:
Egg & I
8025 Sheridan Blvd
Arvada, CO 80003
Cost:
$47
because of the interactive nature of this class, seating is limited to the first 20 signups
Facebook can be a little tricky on how to get more fans. You will see a huge increase in fans if you do these following steps:
1) Creating a “List” on your personal side and name it business, anyone you add as a friend you will put them into this list of people
2) When you create your page use the widget code Facebook gives you to add on your website
3) Add your Facebook Page link on your email signature
4) Send an email out through your email system like Constant Contact, Aweber, iContact, ETC telling them you are on Social Media and giving them those links
5) Make a compelling video to put on your welcome page on Facebook
6) Have customers tag photos of you and your products
7) Using Facebook Ads to get more fans
8) Run a contest
9) You can use Mobile marketing to have people check out your Facebook page and “Like” it
10) Have your Facebook Page link on all marketing materials
11) Post your Facebook page link to Twitter
12) Use the Suggest to friends on page and suggest to that List you have been creating
By using these steps you are promoting you fan page. Also you want to encourage your customers/clients to leave comments, feedback and questions to your page. Facebook ads are a great way to get more fans quickly and easily, BUT you want to make sure you are doing the ads correctly like make the message compelling so people want to come to your page. Use a creative picture, good message, maybe free offer. There are steps you need to follow in order to get a return on the ads. Facebook is a great way to really make those connections with people all over the world and a great place to get closer to your customers/clients. I hope this post was helpful. If you need help on any of these steps please let me know and I can help assist you with them.
1) Make your videos viral
2) Use other social media outlets to post your videos like Twitter, Digg, Facebook, ETC
3) Have a plan or theme for your videos
4) Make sure the sound is clear so people can hear you clearly
5) Keep your content engaging to your audience, make it funny and informative
6) Keep your videos clean without too much conversation
7) Have your logo and information (Video bumper) on each video
8) Write down your goals for YouTube, what do you want to give and receive from it
9) Use a good camera and editing tool. ( Windows movie maker, Camtasia are good editing tools, cameras any cannon or Kodak are great)
10) Make sure you are recording with an HD camera and publishing in HD so it is very clear for your viewers
11) Have a color scheme to your videos and stay congruent
12) MOST IMPORTANT BE YOURSELF, show your authenticity
13) Remember nothing is perfect online, it is better to get videos up rather than trying to look like Oprah, as small business owners we do not have a backroom stage crew
14) Practice before doing your video that you will post out into the Internet world
15) Think of doing an ongoing series of videos then think of making a product of those videos
16) Do more than just talk if you are doing a video longer than 3 minutes, be interactive and have handouts and pictures
17) Work hard on getting you videos between 2-5 minutes, after that it is hard for people to stay engaged. If you are creating a product or training that is different
18) Make a schedule for your videos, once people start to like you and follow you they will be used to a schedule, this also keeps you on track.
19) Have a creative sign off that people will remember and brands you
20) Ask for feedback from your viewers and have them leave comments
21) Work on bringing other people into your videos, clients, coworkers, friends, family so it is not always you
22) Do not use music unless you have permission
23) Remember the title of the video is just as important as the content
24) Use your keywords in your title and tagging in YouTube and other Internet outlets
25) Use tags in addition to the keywords, as this also get people attention
26) Do not stress over negative comments leave them, pay attention to them and see if it is something you need to change or someone just having a bad day
27) Use as many social networks as you can to get your videos out there, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Digg, Delicious, ETC
28) Let your customers and email list know when a new video went out and ask them to share it
29) Add your videos to various communities and subject areas of YouTube for more exposure
30) Remember to thank people who post positive comments and see if you can do the same for them
31) It is ok if all your videos are not all huge hits, be patient and practice
32) Have a script or bullet points you want to make in your video
33) Use analytics tools like YouTube insight to track your sources and hits
34) Use the word “video” in your title
35) DO NOT MAKE YOUR VIDEO A SALES AD
36) Choose your thumbnail picture wisely. YouTube actually allows you to choose your thumbnail picture
37) You can delete comments on YouTube, so do not hesitate to get rid of those negative or rude comments on your YouTube channel
38) You can put up more than one video at a time
39) Be real, don’t try and fake something you’re not
40) Have FUN and focus on fun, and then it will be fun for others
41) Aside from your logo and website include a phone number and email people can reach you at
42) Watch others in your industry and learn from them both good and bad
43) Stick with your target market. You want loyal viewers
44) Do videos in different locations, office, outside, client project ETC. If using a webcam please make sure when you publish it that your lips are sync with your words
45) Make a YouTube Channel profile, it gives your viewers a personal touch
46) Do NOT cuss or use inappropriate language. Stay away from religion and politics in videos
47) Use props, costumes, pictures and other “organic” items in your video.
48) Create a video bumper with your logo and theme music before you start
49) Utilize other videos sites to get your videos posted
50) Specify your channel type, and have a clear sense of what you are offering on the YouTube channel’s main page.
I found this article on http://mashable.com/2010/12/28/back-up-social-media/ and thought it would be great to share!
Remember how we were all freaking out on New Year’s Eve, 1999, convinced that the world as we know it would end — at the hands of machines, of course? Well, we weathered that storm and then some. Still, as we shamble forward into the next decade, it might be prudent to take pause and take stock of the years behind us. Translation: Back up your stuff.
Think of it as stockpiling food and building a fallout shelter for the 21st century. We have a ton of information, photos and memories scattered around the web that we would be loathe to lose, and while it’s unlikely that the entire Internet is going to come crashing down in the next week or so, it still might be wise to put some of that stuff in an iron box for safe keeping.
Read on, and Christina Warren and I will show you how to…
… Back Up Your Facebook
We’re coming pretty close to living our lives on Facebook — it’s our photo album, diary and mailbox, all in one — so why leave all that info up to the whims of the all-mighty servers? This October, the social network got hip to data portability after it started allowing users to download their profiles — photos, statues, updates, videos and all.
The process is really too simple to forgo. Here’s how you can stow away your social life for safekeeping: 1). Go to Account Settings, 2). Click on “Download Your Information” and allow Facebook to download your info, 3). Wait for an e-mail that will let you know your info is ready (it takes a while, what with all the stuff you probably have on Facebook), 4). Go through the security test that allows you to download your info (kudos on that one, Facebook), and, voila, your profile is ported to your desktop in a nifty folder. Do this before you go through with that New Year’s resolution to make your profile less scandalous — you know, for when you’re old and gray and full of sleep and nodding by the fire.
… Back Up Your Tweets
Yes, the Library of Congress is now hoarding tweets, but that doesn’t do much for the casual user looking to keep a log of his own mundane musings, now does it?
Thankfully, you’re got some options. There’s TweetStream, which lets you back up your data as well as mine it for information and statistics. (Be warned, this service takes a looooong time to gather your info).
And if TweetStream doesn’t strike your fancy, TweetScan, a site we covered back in 2009, will track your data back to 2007, and, using OAuth, will even grab your timeline, tweets from friends and direct messages.
Pinboard, a paid, Delicious-like (RIP) tool, also lets you store your tweets — you can also back up or archive tweets from other usernames or from hashtags, as well as add favorites from a username and turn links embedded in tweets into bookmarks.
… Back Up Your Blog
After Tumblr’s epic outage the other week, we showed you all how to back up your blogs. Well, we’re just going to reiterate that right now, along with some solutions for WordPress as well. Remember how you felt when your mom threw away all your old journals, crammed to the margins with angsty poetry? Well, that’s not a feeling one would like to replicate later in life (unless it was relief — in which case, disregard).
Tumblr
Last year, Tumblr launched a backup app that allows users to save their blogs so that they can be viewed on any computer, burned to a CD or hosted as an archive of static HTML files. The app is super easy to use: Simply download, enter your Tumblr sign-in info and save your blog to your desktop (it looks like the below screenshot). You can launch the app and backup more info every time you post as well.
Note, this app is only for Mac OS X (10.5 or higher), but there are other options for those who use different operating systems.
WordPress
If your blog or website uses WordPress, grabbing a backup file of all your posts, pages and comments is easy. In the WordPress dashboard, just go to Tools, Export and choose what types of posts you want to export.
If you want a backup of your entire WordPress database, the excellent WP-DB-Backup plugin can make scheduled database backups for your WordPress site at intervals you choose and even e-mail you the backup file.
… Back Up Your Photos
If you’re like millions of Internet users, you probably upload most of your photos to a photo-sharing site like Flickr or Facebook. While you’re backing up your blog entries, tweets and Facebook messages, it might be a good idea to go ahead and archive all of your photos, too. If nothing else, this is a great way to destroy the evidence from that sorority beer bong tournament in college.
Flickr is a great service and in terms of reliability, it’s consistently solid. What’s less consistent is the whims of its parent company, Yahoo. If the Delicious debacle has taught us anything, it’s that Yahoo isn’t afraid to sell off or shut down a service with millions of daily users.
Lots of apps and tools let you back up your Flickr photo stream, but a quick, fuss-free way to unload years of photo uploads is the Adobe Air app Flump. The app works on Mac, Windows and Linux and downloads a copy of each photo in your stream to a folder of your choice.
Be aware that while this will grab each and every photo, tags, titles and photo sets are not preserved. There a few other alternatives if you’re willing to invest more time in the process, but Flump gets the job done.
