So your business has its own Facebook page and twitter account. Through these mediums you are learning more about your customers’ needs and expectations. You see that people now want and expect real guidance and answers from real people. How can you reach more people? Well, through YouTube, of course.
Businesses post their commercials on YouTube all the time. Face it. Most scripted commercials created to air on cable television are not always memorable. Many feature actors instead of real people. More often than not, businesses are also forced to include specific, time-consuming disclaimers and additional corporate mentions (i.e. logos, contact information and web address) that quickly take up most of the 30-second spot. Creativity is stifled.
We’re familiar with the cost of television advertising and we know that most ads must follow co-op guidelines in order to be compliant and receive monetary assistance. Play by the rules with your cable spots. Air the TV spot approved by the board, but step outside of the box and create additional videos to share elsewhere. Or, put up a tutorial using REAL customers and staff members. Video-sharing websites are free. There are no charges to post videos or to search for videos, and YouTube is visited by millions of people each day. The more memorable your video, the more people are going to talk about it and share it with others. Oh, and did I forget to mention, IT’S FREE!
On a TV shoot for our client Charles River Bank, President and CEO Jack Hamilton was asked to dawn different costumes for his business commercial. Luckily for us, Mr. Hamilton isn’t a trained actor, and he didn’t act like one. His honest acting debut provided Davis with outtakes that normally find their way to the cutting-room floor. Seeing the humor during this shoot, executive Barbie Bell spoke to videographer Jeff Carbonneau and together they created a hysterical outtake reel. He presented this video at corporate events and staff meetings, proving that this CEO has a great sense of humor (shedding the common misconception bankers are stuffy).
Remember, it doesn’t have to be an award-winning movie, just have fun and get your name out to more people without spending advertising dollars. YouTube is a great tool to add to your social media toolkit. Use it to help build your company’s footprint.
