When posting your videos on your own site or others, if you want people to find them in web searches, you must optimize them as you would optimize your text. In other words, the video needs key words and well-written summaries to maximize its chances of being found and cataloged by search engines.
To start, do a keyword search for your video. The word “video” is an important word to include in the filename, title, and summary of your video since many people will type that word into their searches, but think about other important or significant words to use as well. Then, include those words, along with “video,” in your video filename and title. Next, write a summary of your video. Again, include key words and important search phrases to enhance your search rankings. Be sure to pay attention to meta tags as well. (See Video Search Optimization.)
When posting on social sites such as YouTube or Facebook and others, you can maximize your efforts by incorporating your keywords, summaries, and meta tags on the pages supporting your video.
Once you have your video prepared for search engines, the next thing to consider is a “linking strategy.” As explained by marketing guru Michelle Bowles, “Video is judged by the same linking standards as all other forms of digital content. So building both internal and external links is crucial for video SEO. Ideas for a linking strategy include: cross-linking to other videos, linking to videos from relevant web pages, linking to videos in blog posts, Tweeting the video, linking to videos from social media pages, (and) bookmarking the video.” (See Tips for Video Optimization.)
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
Showing posts with label video marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video marketing. Show all posts
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Getting the Most Out of Your Videos
One way to increase the reach of videos used on your own website is to post them on video sharing sites. By doing so, you can immediately boost the viewers who are exposed to your product, services, or important message. Also, you create links back to your website, and those links in turn boost your search engine ratings.
Posting on other sites is an easy way to leverage your video assets to the maximum. In addition to popular places like YouTube and Facebook, you may also want to consider using a “video distribution service like TubeMogul to deploy your videos to the top sharing sites,” suggests Michelle Bowles. (See Tips for Video Optimization.)
Posting on your own site requires special care and consideration as well.
“The impact created by the video not only depends on the quality of the created video, but the final quality of output that reaches the viewing audience...A good video backed up by a poor video player is often a let down and fails to create the impact that it would have...” (See TalkGold.)
Many wonder about whether to use Flash, Quicktime, or some other plug-in, or to employ a code-heavy embedded player to display video. The decision hinges on several factors. Quicktime is known for easy integration with the iPod; Flash is known for ease of use, good quality display, and excellent functionality. Sometimes web visitors don't have the proper plug ins loaded on their computers to see the content, but that is fixed easily enough once they take time to load them. The important challenge is that adding keywords or video summaries is not extensively supported with such plug ins. The way to compensate is to make text on the page key-word rich and SEO optimized. So, for a site with just a few videos, it is probably better to use a Flash player since its quality of play is comparatively better than other players. On the other hand, an embedded player or a custom video database is advisable for websites that will manage a lot of videos, or where videos are intended to be uploaded by visitors.
An embedded player is more accessible to search engine spiders than are plug-in players. The Video Conversion and Management Database offered by HIT Web Design can take any format of video that is uploaded and convert it behind the scenes to a manageable file for display on your site. It also allows you the ability to add keywords, titles, captions, and summaries to the video information, a critical step to making the videos show up in search engines.
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
Posting on other sites is an easy way to leverage your video assets to the maximum. In addition to popular places like YouTube and Facebook, you may also want to consider using a “video distribution service like TubeMogul to deploy your videos to the top sharing sites,” suggests Michelle Bowles. (See Tips for Video Optimization.)
Posting on your own site requires special care and consideration as well.
“The impact created by the video not only depends on the quality of the created video, but the final quality of output that reaches the viewing audience...A good video backed up by a poor video player is often a let down and fails to create the impact that it would have...” (See TalkGold.)
Many wonder about whether to use Flash, Quicktime, or some other plug-in, or to employ a code-heavy embedded player to display video. The decision hinges on several factors. Quicktime is known for easy integration with the iPod; Flash is known for ease of use, good quality display, and excellent functionality. Sometimes web visitors don't have the proper plug ins loaded on their computers to see the content, but that is fixed easily enough once they take time to load them. The important challenge is that adding keywords or video summaries is not extensively supported with such plug ins. The way to compensate is to make text on the page key-word rich and SEO optimized. So, for a site with just a few videos, it is probably better to use a Flash player since its quality of play is comparatively better than other players. On the other hand, an embedded player or a custom video database is advisable for websites that will manage a lot of videos, or where videos are intended to be uploaded by visitors.
An embedded player is more accessible to search engine spiders than are plug-in players. The Video Conversion and Management Database offered by HIT Web Design can take any format of video that is uploaded and convert it behind the scenes to a manageable file for display on your site. It also allows you the ability to add keywords, titles, captions, and summaries to the video information, a critical step to making the videos show up in search engines.
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Interesting Content is a Must for Successful Videos
Interesting video content stems from the quality of your message, and the professionalism of your delivery. Find the spark in what you have to say, the thing that makes your business unique, or the element that makes your organization important. Then, develop a script that says it with conviction and sincerity. Clever comparisons, humor, interesting facts, or personal testimonials are all good techniques to keep viewers interested.
Business-to-business expert Glen Bently suggests using a professional to shoot your videos because there are many things to consider that require a professional camera team and director. “Don't do-it-yourself. You get one chance to make a first impression, and a poor online video viewing experience can turn off viewers. You can't imagine the mistakes that are possible just from capturing sound and lighting issues alone...” He agrees the use of a good script is essential, too. Glen continues, “Talking heads can get really boring, really fast. Include a variety of graphic elements to keep the viewer interested. Think 3D, animation, special visual effects, scene changes, interesting backgrounds and above all an interesting script. Shoot some "B" roll footage that you can use between scenes. Keep dense text off the screen.” (See Getting the Most Out of Your Online Videos.)
If you have photogenic employees, use them for “real” shoots; if not, hire an actor. Good actors can convey the right emotion in a convincing way—that's what makes them actors. Finding good actors does not have to be expensive, either. Many young and talented actors would welcome the opportunity to work for free (or a minimal fee) in exchange for footage they can add to their personal video portfolios. An ad on www.craigslist.com (an actor's default agent) calling for actors to audition with head shots will weed out non-professionals and provide you with a wealth of talent to choose from. Remember, as a professional courtesy, you should supply a script for them in advance to prepare for the audition.
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
Business-to-business expert Glen Bently suggests using a professional to shoot your videos because there are many things to consider that require a professional camera team and director. “Don't do-it-yourself. You get one chance to make a first impression, and a poor online video viewing experience can turn off viewers. You can't imagine the mistakes that are possible just from capturing sound and lighting issues alone...” He agrees the use of a good script is essential, too. Glen continues, “Talking heads can get really boring, really fast. Include a variety of graphic elements to keep the viewer interested. Think 3D, animation, special visual effects, scene changes, interesting backgrounds and above all an interesting script. Shoot some "B" roll footage that you can use between scenes. Keep dense text off the screen.” (See Getting the Most Out of Your Online Videos.)
If you have photogenic employees, use them for “real” shoots; if not, hire an actor. Good actors can convey the right emotion in a convincing way—that's what makes them actors. Finding good actors does not have to be expensive, either. Many young and talented actors would welcome the opportunity to work for free (or a minimal fee) in exchange for footage they can add to their personal video portfolios. An ad on www.craigslist.com (an actor's default agent) calling for actors to audition with head shots will weed out non-professionals and provide you with a wealth of talent to choose from. Remember, as a professional courtesy, you should supply a script for them in advance to prepare for the audition.
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Why You Should Add Videos to Your Website
Experience shows that a message conveyed visually will be retained or remembered significantly longer than a written word. (See Use Pictures to Improve Memory.) On a website, where your message must be conveyed quickly and convincingly to make a lasting impression, adding a video allows your viewers to receive your message via two ways—by written words, and by pictures—so you, in a sense, more than double your chances of being remembered.
Additionally, internet experts suggest using videos creatively as a prime tactic to encourage viewing, and ultimately, sharing. For instance, you can introduce a video to a blog post, or add it to an e-newsletter that links back to your site. The hope is that viewers will share it, thus increasing traffic to your site. But, the first thing to be concerned with is making your videos interesting. As Michelle Bowles puts it, “if you want users to share your videos, you must create content worth sharing. If your video isn’t interesting, relevant, entertaining, or informative, users aren’t likely to share it, let alone view it.” (See Encourage Viewers to Share.)
Giving consideration to the type of video you provide is important, as well. Are you providing information, encouraging sales, or displaying testimonials? Each has its place and purpose, and should be carefully weighed with respect to the overall design and purpose of your site. Online marketing guru Catie Foertsch shares some pointers about creating different video types. For instance, avoid “talking about your company—that would be a commercial, and viewers hate commercials. Talk instead about how visitors can solve their problems.” (See Three Kinds of Video.) If your purpose is to sell product, videos can help convert visits to sales. Business-to-business expert Glen Bently explains, “Use interactivity. The power of online video is twofold: 1) it is a highly engaging medium and 2) viewers can take immediate action on what they see. Give the viewer choice points during the programming. If you integrate calls to action like "send me more information" into the program, you will build relationships with viewers and increase vital viral opportunities.” (See Getting the Most Out of your Online Videos.)
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
Additionally, internet experts suggest using videos creatively as a prime tactic to encourage viewing, and ultimately, sharing. For instance, you can introduce a video to a blog post, or add it to an e-newsletter that links back to your site. The hope is that viewers will share it, thus increasing traffic to your site. But, the first thing to be concerned with is making your videos interesting. As Michelle Bowles puts it, “if you want users to share your videos, you must create content worth sharing. If your video isn’t interesting, relevant, entertaining, or informative, users aren’t likely to share it, let alone view it.” (See Encourage Viewers to Share.)
Giving consideration to the type of video you provide is important, as well. Are you providing information, encouraging sales, or displaying testimonials? Each has its place and purpose, and should be carefully weighed with respect to the overall design and purpose of your site. Online marketing guru Catie Foertsch shares some pointers about creating different video types. For instance, avoid “talking about your company—that would be a commercial, and viewers hate commercials. Talk instead about how visitors can solve their problems.” (See Three Kinds of Video.) If your purpose is to sell product, videos can help convert visits to sales. Business-to-business expert Glen Bently explains, “Use interactivity. The power of online video is twofold: 1) it is a highly engaging medium and 2) viewers can take immediate action on what they see. Give the viewer choice points during the programming. If you integrate calls to action like "send me more information" into the program, you will build relationships with viewers and increase vital viral opportunities.” (See Getting the Most Out of your Online Videos.)
For more information, please visit http://www.hitwebdesign.com or call 1-866-211-0743.
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