subject: 5 Techniques That Business Benefits From Youtube Advertising [print this page] One of the biggest issues for businesses is how to market their products and services. This is true whether you run a sole proprietorship or are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. The web has made it possible for there to be a large number of products and services that become available all the time. Rather than competing with the store in the next town, businesses are competing with stores all over the world. With so many options out there it has become difficult to be the business that catches the clients eye.
The Relationship between Big Business and Social Networks
Despite the fact that new organizations join up with social networking sites every day, theres still an overall lack of relationship amongst the two. Citibank conducted a survey in 2009 that showed that when it comes to using social media, most small corporations hadnt yet jumped on the new marketing bandwagon. Some of the reasons given were a low return on investment and they felt it was impersonal.
Since that time many corporate, but not all, have realized that social media is a necessity to keep their corporation going and growing. Although, Genesys, a customer service company, released research that states when it comes to using online services like social networks to reach out to consumers, most Fortune 500 companies still dont take advantage of them. They instead rely on old school, offline methods and leave their online advertising and marketing approach to a single website.
Benefits of Social Networking for Your Business
Social marketing and advertising is a great way to keep a corporation going and to grow it. Sites like Facebook and Twitter can guarantee you a large amount of exposure for a small cost. Another great option is YouTube which can open up even more exposure to potential clients. Most consumers dont take the time to look at direct mailings, television advertisements, and the like but they do check their Facebook and Twitter accounts throughout the day.
For example, video posted on YouTube can go viral in minutes and be seen by tens of thousands of people in no time at all. In the book YouTube for Company, Online Video Advertising and marketing for any Corporate by Michael Miller, he lists a number of ways that YouTube can benefit small businesses. Here is a sampling that applies to enterprises regardless of their industry:
1. Brand building. Products have a life span, but a brand can outlive that life span. Building your brand is less about the product and more about your company providing a service. Your brand becomes your word and your product is then the service you provide. YouTube is a dynamic way to help brand your corporation because it helps your consumer base get to know you on a more personal level.
2. Advertising products and services. While your brand can offer different products at any given time, you can choose to deal with one product to advertise. For example, if you have a certain shirt that you want to push then you can emphasis your advertising on that product.
3. Links to your websites sales page. Placing links on social media can generate buzz and visits to your sales page. The more visits to your page the higher the chance of making a sale. Even if you dont make a sale, asking the website visitor for their name and contact information can help create your database for emails and direct mailers.
4. Customer service. Having an efficient and friendly customer service system in place is important. YouTube is a quick way to notify clients about things like product recalls, changes to products or services, and of course you can always use it as a way to direct their questions to another popular form of online communication your companys Facebook page.
5. Employee training and communication. The communication between employees and customers can make or break a company, but the cost to get all employees trained can be astronomical. Having company videos on YouTube with privacy settings for employees only is a great solution to handbooks or emails that never leave the inbox.
Getting Personal with Customer Service
Unfortunately, most company websites have no link to social networks on their contact page. Another 27 percent lack that information anywhere on their website at all. The research by Genesys also found that only 10% of companies provide an email address on their Contact Us or equivalent page. More than 80% instead use some kind of form for users to fill out in order to receive details because they feel it cuts down on the number of spam emails.
But clients are not likely to fill out these kinds of forms because they see it as a kind of bottomless, black hole. Its impersonal, and doesnt guarantee a response. If a consumer has a question or concern and does not feel they are being handled in an powerful manner, they can very easily move on to another company offering what they want. However, social networking permits them to ask their question any time they like as well as allows any number of your staff to jump in with an answer.
Social Marketing for the Long Haul
Because the internet is always changing, the issue of using online marketing strategies to promote your business isnt going away anytime soon. Even if you are established online, the competition is fierce! Although, using social networks is a way to stand out among the crowd, especially ones that arent traditionally used for marketing and advertising purposes. The best part about using social networks is that if someone in your enterprise is already familiar with using them, then you are relieved of having to hire someone outside the company to do the work.
