How to Make Videos and Blogging Work for Your Small Business

Now that more companies are jumping on board with blogging, your potential customers are constantly looking for new and unique content. Even corporate business sites now feature a blog or set of blogs from independent contributors; not only that, there's an increase in video-based content as well.

Video blogs (vlogs) are an effective way to share your blog and insights in a new way. Vlogging is quickly becoming a popular marketing tool, especially with the increasing demand for unique and original video content across the internet. Capturing your target market's attention is always a top priority on any marketing strategy, and your small business can benefit from this multimedia addition in many ways. Think about creating unique and engaging videos to complement your blog-or even replace it entirely!

Vlogs have a lot more potential than a standard written blog for a variety of reasons:

1. Vlogs feel more interactive. If you are demonstrating a product, encouraging a call to action, or simply making a statement on an issue, a vlog can help you get the message across quickly and conveniently.
2. Vlogs can be shared easily. More and more people are becoming comfortable with sharing media, social bookmarking, and signing up for feeds where they can watch your content immediately. As long as you have share capabilities and functions installed on your vlog, the chances of increasing publicity are much higher. Powering up your marketing campaign with even one or two submissions to the Digg front page can lead to instant visitor traffic!
3. Vlogs can be used for (some) direct product placement. Vlogging should never be a direct sales campaign; you can do a separate PowerPoint presentation or other video on your site when you are trying to sell something. Instead, vlogging should be entertaining and engaging-similar to a commercial. Humor works especially well here, and will increase the chances of your clips being shared.

If you're hesitant to start creating a full-fledged video series, or simply don't have the equipment or time to develop it, consider a photoblog instead. Photoblogs are set up like a slideshow, with the addition of a narration that you can record with any basic microphone. The goal of photoblogs is to share simple content with a series of pictures. It's another way to attract visitor and prospective customers in a new way.

Making videos and blogging work for your business will require some strategy, and it's important to stay away from a direct sales approach whenever possible. Think about it; how convinced would you be to keep reading a blog that was constantly promoting something? Blogs have gained recognition amongst consumers because of their casual, relaxed, even conversational style. They are usually entertaining and informative; if there is a product presentation involved, it is generally supplemented with candid commentary and real experiences.

Many companies have found value in video advertising, especially when they're trying to improve their brand

Think of ways that your vlog can be less formal, and more entertaining instead of focusing on sales. Setting a standard for a commercial-style presentation can help you earn the respect - and attention - of all your prospective customers.