Videos are one of the hot trends in online promotion.  But a video without a plan is a waste of time, money and effort.

Now many business owners eyes glaze over when you say video promotion.  People start thinking of Hollywood production or indy producers.  Reality is somewhere in between. 

Video is another way of personalizing your reach to your customers and prospects. In the anonymous online world a video can give a voice and even a face to your business.

So where do you start?  Think about what people-your customers- would like to know about your business or services.

Some ideas you might want to consider:

• A how to: this could be how to use your newest product or some updates to your product line. Don't think commercial, think how to best use as a consumer of your product.
• Short videos from your latest event
• Interviews with experts in your field
• Interview with staff members

Online promotion is all about connecting with your customer or prospect. If you're not sure what to include, ask some of your current customers. Better yet, film them giving testimonials about your products or services.

Post these videos on your blog, upload them to the video sharing sites. Include links to the videos in your news releases.

Video puts a face on your business. Let customers and prospects see yours soon.

It’s all about using Word of Mouse to promote your message,

Alysan

Promotion is one of those realities all artists need to do in order to promote their work.  Patricia Z is a Kentucky based artist who works with gourds to create works of art with incredible colors and depth of color.

According  to Wikipedia,  A '"gourd is a plant of the family Cucurbitaceae, or a name given to the hollow, dried shell of a fruit in the Cucurbitaceae family of plants." When the gourds dry they become hollow. Their exterior surface is hard and non-porous making it the perfect canvas for 'painted' artistic design.

Patricia is the creator of Gourd Batik(SM). Gourd Batik is a resist technique using dried gourds which allows the layering of colors resulting in incredible depth of colors. 

This special layering technique not only gives a lustrous deep color, but the color does not fade like so many other gourd painting techniques. This leads to a long lasting work of art.

As an artist Patricia loves creating beautiful one of a kind works of art. She also shares her gift by teaching others the techniques of gourd painting and decoration.

To promote herself Patricia Z has a Squidoo page which showcases her artwork as well as explains the technique.  Search engines love Squidoo. Squidoo is a website which lets people use preformed module frames to design a mini website without charge. There are thousands of different topics, people and ideas shared on Squidoo with new ones being added every day.

Before starting the Squidoo strategy Patricia Z was unable to be easily found in Google. (Patricia goes by Patricia Z as her last name is frequently misspelled). She was not even on the first couple of pages of a Google search.  Most people when looking in a browser such as Google (or AOL, MSN or others) only look on the first page of results.  Now Patricia has the #2 spot  Updated May 20, 2008 to #1 position on Google and she has an easy strategy to use to promote her business and her art.

In addition Patricia Z has had videos made of the different techniques she uses in Gourd Batik. The videos will be released mid-May. She plans to bring her DVD's to the various arts and crafts shows where she exhibits.  She will also sell the DVD's on her website (currently under development). But while her website is being built  Patricia Z can promote herself easily ( and did I mention free of charge?) by using Squidoo.

It’s all about using Word of Mouse to promote your message,

Alysan

PS   If you are interested in learning how to set up  a Squidoo page (called a lens go to Squidoo Secrets. )Taught by Bob Jenkins, a former high school teacher turned internet marketer, Squidoo Secrets  will take you step by step through the process of setting up your first lens.

Recently did a session on blogging during Podcamp San Antonio as one of the learning sessions. Since blogging and a blogging platform holds podcasts it was one of the kickoff sessions for the day. What I found most interesting is the backgrounds of the people in the session.

There were college professors some learning new ways to connect with students, coaches looking to promote their business, a realtor using content to position himself as an expert on San Antonio,  an interior designer, a car dealer, people getting reading for second careers, a journalist,

 But bottom line, blogging can establish you as an expert in your business speciality. It gets your name out and lets you market without pushing yourself. It's a soft connection which allow you to promote yourself easily.

If you are interested in learning more about blogging to promote you or your business, drop me an email. I'm planning a teleseminar in the next few weeks. Will let you know when it's scheduled.

It’s all about using Word of Mouse to promote your message,

Alysan