Lou Bortone s Video Marketing Rules 25 Key Tips for Video Marketing Success
Rule #1 Don t just sit there, shoot something! The key to getting started with video is to simply start. Where you are. With the resources and equipment you already have. Just begin. Keep it simple. Keep it streamlined and keep it short. Now hit record and go from there.
Rule #2 Videophobia is normal. Suck it up. Unless you re a news anchor or a Kardashian, being on camera is not a normal, everyday thing. But there are times when you re just going to have to be on camera to get your message out there. Face up to it. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Get on with it!
Rule #3 Think outside the screen. Online video is way more than just talking head videos. You can do screencasts, sketch videos, photo montages, PowerPoint, animation. The list of off-camera options is endless, so change the way you think about video and go create something!
Rule #4 Find your video sweet spot. Everyone has a video sweet spot. Whether it s on-camera videos, video webinars, screen capture videos or animation. The trick is to find the platform that plays to your strengths, and use that video format whenever you can.
Rule #5 Video is the Viagra of marketing If you want to grab the attention of your customers in a crowded, competitive marketplace, video is your go-to marketing tool. Online video will make you stand out, get noticed and be remembered. It s the closest thing we ve got to a magic pill for powerful marketing.
Rule #6 Video is must have marketing. Online video is no longer a luxury, it is an absolute necessity. The only way to compete in a world gone video is with video! The sooner you add video to your marketing mix, the better your results will be. If you re not doing video, you re not marketing!
Rule #7 To get more video views, make better videos! How do I get more people to watch my videos? Simple. Make better videos! It s trite, but true. If you want more video views, you have to create videos that are relevant and engaging to your target market. If you ve got great content and a compelling message, the viewers will watch.
Rule #8 Bold is beautiful. Express Yourself. The only way to break through with your videos is to be boldly self-expressed. Video is not the place to water down your message or downplay your brand. If anything, you must amplify your personal brand and be fully selfexpressed. Don t hold back!
Rule #9 You are what you post. Every video you post is a building block for your brand. Everything you post adds to your personal brand story. Be conscious and strategic with your video releases, so that every video strengthens your overall brand.
Rule #10 Create video to create connections. Video is the perfect medium to build relationships and create strong connections. Video is personal, engaging and intimate. Take advantage of video s powerful connection factor, and make videos that make friends.
Rule #11 Own your niche with video tips. A video tips series sharing your expertise is an excellent way to build your visibility and your credibility. Post your expert tips series on YouTube and be sure to share the video from there to Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn. It s a fast, effective way to become known in your niche.
Rule #12 Tame your tech! Technology waits for no one! If you re tied up with technology, and it s slowing down your video marketing efforts, figure it out or find someone to help you. There are plenty of techie VA s and freelancers who can help you tame your technology. Don t be afraid to ask for help!
Rule #13 Create a VDO strategy. VDO is Video Direct Outreach, and it can help you make powerful connections, get new referrals and make an impact on your prospects and clients. VDO means using video to reach out via video email, video chat and video conferencing. Use video to reach out and connect.
Rule #14 Socialize your videos. Video is sharable and social by nature, so be sure to take advantage of all the inherent share-ability of your videos. Leverage video and social media by spreading your video via Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and as many social platforms as possible.
Rule #15 Vmail is the new Email. Video email is a great way to break through the noise and clutter of the average in-box. Use v-mail services like vsnap.com, mailvu.com or eyejot.com to send memorable video messages that will get opened and get a response.
Rule #16 Online Video = Online Visibility You can greatly enhance and expand your online footprint with video, since video can be shared across so many social platforms. Be sure to upload your video to YouTube, then increase your visibility by posting your video to Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and the other social networks.
Rule #17 Learn to love LIVE! Live video is engaging and interactive - and it s easier to pull off than you think! Use Google s Hangouts On-Air to host a live video chat or webcast for your followers. Other live video platforms include spreecast.com, Ustream.tv and Livestream.com.
Rule #18 Use video to build trust. Online video is a huge credibility builder, and helps develop your allimportant know, like and trust factor. Creating trust is crucial for doing business online, and there s no quicker way to establish rapport than with video.
Rule #19 Use the A.I.M. Formula To create compelling video, use the A.I.M. Formula to captivate your audience: A stands for Audience (your target market); I is for Intent or your purpose; and M stands for motivation - as in what will motivate your viewer to take action.
Rule #20 Get Creative! There are limitless ways to get creative with video! You can create a character, tell a story, use props, go to a cool location - use your imagination! Even off camera videos can get creative with animation, photo montages or sketch videos created with VideoScribe at sparkol.com.
Rule #21 Quality + Quantity + Keywords = SEO If you want your videos to rank high in Google and be found by the search engines, you must have good content, lots of videos, and the appropriate keywords in the description of those videos. The Q + Q + K Formula will greatly improve your SEO.
Rule #22 It s all about relationships. At the end of the day, it s still all about relationships. And videos build relationships. Use video to create connections and start conversations. It s the ideal tool for strengthening old bonds and forging new ones.
Rule #23 Find your money touch! All videos can be monetized - either directly or indirectly. Video should be building your bottom line, whether you re using it as a marketing and promotion tool, or whether you re using it to create and sell products. Find your video money touch!
Rule #24 Use the 4 Pillars of Video. To create great video, you need the 4 Pillars as your building blocks. They are: Purpose (your goal), Premise (your message), Platform (your style) and Promotion (your marketing and distribution). Make sure your videos contain all four!
Rule #25 Hit Record! Nothing happens until you start making and sharing videos. And that can t happen until you hit record. So get started. Prepare your message, comb your hair, fire up the webcam and hit record! The world is waiting
About the Author: For more goodies, visit http://www.loubortone.com Lou Bortone is an Online Branding Specialist and video marketing consultant who helps entrepreneurs and coaches build breakthrough brands on the Internet, so they can have more visibility, credibility and profitability. Lou is a former television executive who worked for E! Entertainment Television and Fox in Los Angeles. He is also an author and ghostwriter of six business books, a Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach and a Book Yourself Solid Certified Coach. His website is at www.loubortone.com. Connect with Lou: Email: vip@loubortone.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlinevideobranding Twitter: @loubortone YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lbpromo Lou Bortone 26