YouTube is not just about the kids watching the latest sex-soaked music video. Businesses are recognising the opportunity to promote via the second largest search engine in the world – YouTube – and here’s how they’re doing it…

Create Worthwhile Viewing Content:

• Show how something is manufactured or produced – it can be interesting, educational and a great opportunity to explain your point-of-difference
• Demonstrate your products – and what could be more inspirational than the legendary Blendtec series of videos? These wacky videos “Will It Blend?” demonstrate the extreme power of the Blendtec blenders with the most unlikely items – like an iPhone, a Nike sneaker, 6 Bic cigarette lighters and so on… as of August 10, 2011, the video series had collected total of 168,946,651 views on YouTube. Award winning viral marketing.
• How To Videos – incredibly effective especially when combined with optimising the video title with the words “How to…” Keyword research shows this is a great way to be found.
• Creative Testimonials – have courage and try to capture candid, emotive business, product or service reviews.

Fascinating Data

(reference: Forbes Insights in association with Google, 2010)

Over 80% of senior executives identified video as a critical source of information (and they’re watching more online video today than a year ago).

75% watch work-related videos weekly; and 52% watch work-related videos on YouTube.

54% of senior executives share work related videos with colleagues at least once a week.

Top 5 Reasons People Watch Business-Related YouTube Videos:

Number 1: Testimonials (29%)

Number 2:  Product demonstrations (28%)

Number 3:  Product Reviews (29%)

Number 4: How To Videos (24%)

Number 5: Speeches, event presentations, panel discussions (23%)

If you have a business, product or service you think would suit a video presentation, or you’re looking for inspiration and ideas… I’d love to hear from you.