Tell, Show and Sell—How to Effectively Use Videos in Your Internet Marketing
Read More: You don't need me to tell you that text alone is boring. If you've spent even 5 minutes on the Internet lately, you know that websites use all sorts of visuals. Web designers don't just include photos and videos to make their sites pretty, either.
Photos and videos are an aid to people who learn visually instead of by reading, for one thing. For another, they break up the text and add color and interest. For our purposes as Internet marketers, videos in particular give us a vital way to reach out and connect with our prospects.
One of the first things that people who have been in traditional sales for awhile ask me about Internet marketing is how we make up for the lack of a personal connection. Trained salespeople know how important it is for the prospect to get to know, like, and trust them—that's how both first sales and repeat sales are made.
When I'm asked, I tell them a few things. One is about the importance of good, solid copywriting. But then I tell them how I use videos to sell my message. In this article, I'm going to talk about a specific video you should be using—your introductory video.
The first thing you should do with your videos is to make a personal connection with your prospects. Do a video where you introduce yourself and your product, service, or opportunity right on your landing page with another like it on the home page of your website.
Your introduction videos should tell viewers something about you that they can relate to. If you're into the outdoors, shoot the video somewhere scenic. If you enjoy golf, do it at your local course. And so on. The idea is to show you in an environment that your target market will identify with.
In this video, you talk about yourself first. Basically, you give the kind of details that you've chosen to make a part of your brand. Your life experience, whether you have a family, how excited you are to be able to offer whatever it is you're selling. Now, some of this isn't going to take the form of talking—your spouse can be in the video, too, if she or he is willing.
You shouldn't get into too many specifics in this video. This is just you, introducing yourself and your opportunity to your prospects. The whole point of this video is to interest people in signing up for more information or to try a trial sample of your product.
And don't just put your introductory video on your website! You can use versions of this video on YouTube and provide links to them on social networking sites to help create more buzz about you and your business.
Finally—and I can't stress this enough—make sure you have your videos done professionally. This means hiring a copywriter to write the script and making sure you're using a videographer who has done videos for websites. You don't want to go to the time and expense of shooting videos and then not be able to use them. And a poorly-lit, unscripted, and rambling video is worse than no video at all.
Views: 1,322 | 
Comments: 10 
About the Author: Michael Force
Member Since: 12/19/2009
Company: CarbonCopyPRO
Industry: Internet
Primary Web Site: http://www.MichaelForce.com
Show your personality
You need to be a professional you need to act and dress professional. On my landing pages I always and in a suit or a nice shirt and tie.
Once they get into the membership area my dress changes. I do this because the relationship is already being build I want them to see who I am.
On the landing page or in my membership area I let my personality come through I have fun they see my humor.
Respectfully,
Chris Brown
818-942-5816
http://prostarprofits.com/html/mlmtip
Mixing it up...
Right on Michael,
Seems like the most effective blogs really mix and match the multi-media...
I've recently heard that the age old sales letters are going the way of the dodo bird if favor of simple audio/video blurbs...
What's your thought on this Michael?
Stop by and see us over at http://dillmansolutions.com We're helping home business owners like yourself save money going green.
We'll see ya soon,
Mitchell Dillman
http://mitchelldillman.com/partner-with-mitchell/
Professional vs Personal
I hate to be controversial, but I don't believe you need to spend a lot of money on a professional videographer to have an effective online marketing video.
I strongly believe that video is about being YOU. No need to spend time professional scripting, which sometimes comes off as being insincere. Just fire up the camera, be yourself (as if you were talking to someone in the room with you) and record a few videos...pick the best of those. If you make a mistake, don't worry...it's human to make mistakes...no need to edit them out.
(disclaimer: it is definitely a good idea to make some notes in point form before recording your videos so you stay on topic and not end up rambling on and on)
I do agree with Michael that you do need to have decent lighting and audio so people can see and hear you well, but that doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. I have a few tips on audio and lighting for your videos on my blog that are very simple and cost effective (i.e Do-it-yourself lighting kit for $15, which I use all the time):
http://www.easyonlinevideotips.com/3-steps-to-building-video-light-kit/
Online video is the ultimate social media tool, and is all about YOU and your message, not about fancy video production or editing.
Also, if you are using online video marketing, make sure you are not making these common mistakes (these videos can show you how to avoid them)
http://www.easyonlinevideotips.com/7-most-common-mistakes-people-make-wi...
Cheers,
Hani
http://www.easyonlinevideotips.com/
Professional vs Personal
I couldn't agree more...
Being yourself and letting the real you show is essential in order to be able to effectively connect with people. You could put on the best show ever but if you don't come across as a real person your hard work is all for nothing. People love little flaws because we all have them!
Emma :)
Latest from me:- http://www.emmathomas.ws/Blog
Videos
I have to agree on making regular type videos, I've watched plenty that were made in someone's home office and the focus was on the content that they provided. If it's worthwhile, you'll keep watching, but if it's not, it doesn't matter if they brought in MGM themselves to film it, I'd still hit the delete button.
Professional vs Personal
Thanks Emma,
Great video by the way!
Hani
good article!
Thank you!!
Videos are the way to go
There is alot to Video marketing from my research, but I like this article. I do believe videos are the way to go. Thanks for value.
pro vs per
Hi Hani
I am totally agree with you about the importance to be YOU on a video, to express yourself without requiring professional video maker.
Personal camera can make a great job and are perfect. And your own words will be probably more sincere.
Nevertheless it is also true that having a good sound (a small microphone is perfect and does nto cost a lot), and good light.
That help to enhance your message.
So that should be a compromize to give the best, sincere, real opinion and image from you. This is the most powerful tool to attract prospects on your team.
Lelia
http://newmarketing4dummies.com
http://LeliaRaynal4Yoursuccess.com
Thanks
I really appreciate your tips as I am about to make my first videos for my website. Been pushing off starting because I didn't know how to go about it.
Carol