How Video And Social Media Can Help Your Business Today

I was recently flattered — and a little surprised — when I found out that one of our readers had referenced a previous article of mine in one of his informative videos on YouTube (search for “How to be a Better Boss — FrugalTech” on YouTube). The guys at FrugalBrothers Software, a network security, messaging, and storage solutions provider (see article on page 26), have embraced using video to educate their customers. Informative videos on everything from telecommuting technology tips to 10 ways data loss can be prevented are embedded throughout the company’s website.

Of course, adding this kind of media to your website can increase the likelihood that visitors will stay longer on your site and thereby be more exposed to your services and products. And if done right (as FrugalBrothers has demonstrated), it can improve your reputation and the chances that your customers will pay attention to your other methods of communication (e.g. email, phone calls, direct mail). Oh, and don’t worry, you don’t have to be an expert in video production or have an expensive camera to get this done. You could invest a paltry $130 in a Flip (theflip.com) video camera (one of my favorites) and be up and running in no time.

Beyond adding video to your marketing efforts, there’s another simple suggestion I have that can improve your company’s exposure to potential clients — embrace social media. I know to many of you just the words “social media” may evoke scorn or even laughter (especially when talking about “tweeting”), but bear with me. Recently, I’ve been investigating social media such as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. What I’ve discovered is that the direct business value of social media is difficult to quantify. However, indirectly, participating in these types of mediums can increase your visibility and potentially improve your brand. For instance, if you set up a Twitter account and send out informative “tweets” (140 character messages) on a regular basis, you can increase your number of “followers” who will see your company name/logo every time you send a message. If you join LinkedIn and start participating in industry-related discussions, other members may see you as a resource or an expert. As for Facebook, I haven’t figured out what the business value of that site is yet.

Don’t sit and wonder whether social media or Web video are just fads. Look at the here and now, and realize that participating has little to no cost and, at the least, could boost your company’s reputation.