YouTube

YouTube is the largest online video sharing website with more than 100 million views daily. YouTube was founded in 2005 and is based in San Bruno, California. It was purchased by Google in 2006 for $1.65 billion - no small change!

How Can YouTube Help Small Businesses?

• Business Presentations - Are there presentations that you would like for your employees and any other interested parties to see? You can upload the video to YouTube, send a link to your distribution list and it can be watched. Not only is this a great way to communicate but it is FREE. Imagine the cost savings compared to video conferencing or the time spent having to distribute a .pdf or PowerPoint presentation via email.

• Training - Does your company conduct training for its employees? Why not videotape the training and upload the footage to YouTube? Again, this can save time and money when you do not have to be concerned with physically gathering everyone together or mailing out a copy of the presentation. Just send a link and you're all set!

• Product Demonstrations - Do you have a new product or service that you are launching? Do you have a product that you would like to introduce and want to demonstrate how it is used? There are thousands of instructional videos on YouTube because this is a very efficient method of marketing a business and your website. I have often visited YouTube when I am having trouble with a software application or online download and cannot find a resolution on the company's website. Most of the time, I have found my answer there.

• Expanding Your Branding / Increasing Your Exposure - This brings us to the expanding of your branding. You can create channels on YouTube where you are able to upload all of your company content. Anyone will then be able to simply search for your channel and see all of the videos that you have uploaded. You can brand this with you logo to expand your brand and to even further expand your online presence.

YouTube is more than just a video sharing website where you can see the latest Justin Bieber video (discovered on YouTube by the way) or a squirrel water skiing (pretty cool...), but it has evolved into so much more. Take advantage of this popular network to expand your business, your branding and the services that you offer.