What the heck is a Vlog and why do I need one in my biz?
Video Blogs, also known as vlogs, are entries that are primarily composted of embedded video or video links rather than text. Vlogs are taking on almost any topic imaginable from documenting research, to delivering news, to sharing a special moment. Video Blogs have been around for almost a decade, but it was just in the last couple of years that they have become an accepted form of marketing and communication. Vlogging started gaining momentum in 2005-2006 with the launch of YouTube and then the creation of the first annual video blogging awards – the Vloggies in November of 2006!
And the users of video blogging might surprise you. While all vlogs are experimental, some have a little further reach than others. Politicians are hosting their own vlogs to share information and answer questions. Radio and TV shows are using video blogs to interact with more listeners and viewers. Even iTunes allows you to upload video through their podcasts! Check out a sample here:
There are many sites to host your video blog. If you already have a blog check there first, as almost all allow video uploads. Some good sites for hosting a blog as well as a video blog are WordPress, Blogger, and Typepad. If you are launching with just a vlog then look into a video hosting site. Sites like WordPress have specific video themes (skins) that you can purchase to kick up your vlog. We went with a Woo Theme, “Groovy” to host our vlog, www.watchuslaunch.com. Install some google analytics and you’re good to go!
Tip: To shoot easy video for your vlog, check out a Flip Cam- available at Best Buy, etc for around $100! This cool, palm-sized camera has a built in USB port that snaps right into your computer. Just shoot, flip and upload it right to your YouTube account. And it even comes in cool colors like pink, orange and green, so you can fully personalize your vlogging experience!
Getting your message out there: Whether you want to share your birthday party video with your sister, show a new product about to be released to your end users, or just give some insight into starting a business (www.watchuslaunch.com) you have to promote and market your vlog. Social media tools are an excellent grass roots campaign starter. Depending on the scope of your reach you may just want to keep the videos public on YouTube and promote them within your industry circle. Either way, using RSS allows others to subscribe to your site or have your content feed into their reader. This is simple if you have an existing blog that you can add your video to. Record yourself, post it, and share it! We hope to hear about more of your joining the video blogging world!
Email Marketing Service Comparison
Entrepreneurs whether online or brick and mortar all look to email as a crucial piece of their marketing campaigns. There are several great providers out there with a proven track record of delivery success and customer satisfaction. When you’re looking to initiate your next email marketing blitz, you may struggle with the decision of which company to use. Here’s a breakdown of the top two programs that we recommend and the differences between them:
Pros: Super-simple contact management and email creation, customizable autoresponders. Great customer support team!
Pricing: Free 60 day trial, $15/mo for up to 500 contacts, pricing increases per number of contacts.
Offers: Over 300 fully customizable HTML email templates for newsletters, announcements, cards, promos, surveys.
List Mgmt: Sign up box which can be added to your website, ability to easily import/ upload your contacts into segmented lists, a useful unsubscribe comment box. Real-time open and click tracking, above-average inbox delivery rate.
Cons: Because you can easily upload your contact list into their system, your list may not be as clean as with other email programs that may require subscribers to re-opt-in to confirm interest.
Pros: Small, dedicated team of developers, mandatory verifying opt-in helps you build a stronger list, and they take spam seriously!
Pricing: Free trial, $19/mo for up to 500 contacts, pricing increases per number of contacts.
Offers: In addition to email marketing, analytics and autoresponders, AWeber also offers website sign-up forms with split-test forms that let you test which headlines get the best response, the ability to send subscribers to any page on your website, or create hover pop-up forms. Over 100 html templates to choose from, split test messages (to track which gets the best results), blog newsletters, and autoresponders with download delivery. Integrated shopping cart capability.
List Mgmt: Zero spam policy, automatically processes unsubscribes and undeliverable addresses, detailed web analytics, verified list opt-in.
Cons: A third of the amount of selection in templates and while the required opt-in will eventually give you a stronger list, initially it could be tough for some to see their mailing list numbers deplete!
Our Recommendation:
If you are just looking for a simple way to manage your mailing list, and deliver a clean newsletter or html email to your subscribers, Constant Contact will give you the results you need. If you are looking to get technical, possibly integrate lots of shopping cart/ ecommerce functions eventually, and work to build out a streamlined list, consider AWeber for its additional features and stricter opt-in rules. If you only have a small list and want to send a beautiful html (simple, no coding required!) emails, check out MailChimp which is free if you send to under 100 recipients a max of 6x per month.
The Basics of Social Marketing – Is it Meaningful?
Social Marketing through social media is a hot buzz word right now, but it actually has some weight to it, so it is time you put together your social marketing campaign. There are a plethora of social media outlets to tap into, but for this free marketing to pay off and grow your business you need to focus your efforts on what is meaningful. Here are just the basics to consider when planning your campaign.
Twittering can be fun as well as lead generating! Twitter is essentially mobile blogging and an easy way to share thoughts while keeping up with fellow enthusiasts, industry professionals and friends. Be leery of the proposals to grow your followers to 10,000 with one easy step. Do you really want that many followers? Is it meaningful? http://twitter.com/EntrepEntourage
Facebook is the next generation of Myspace. Facebook allows you to create a business page, let others comment on it, find old friends, make new friends, and send group emails. Facebook needs special attention to not become a sales tool. It will be more meaningful as a marketing tool. http://www.facebook.com/people/Cheryl-Lever-Amaya/1587900093
LinkedIn should also be a part of your social marketing campaign. This site is strictly professional and great for networking with specific target markets. Use LinkedIn for press release circulation, Q&A from industry specific groups, and as a place for meaningful professional associations. http://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylamaya
Blogging lets the world know your thoughts, your actions and your intentions. It is a great way to get your name circulated to establish your brand. Blogs can feed into almost any social media site. Video blogging is also starting to break ground; even Barnes & Noble are video blogging to give you the experience of chatting with a knowledgeable bookseller on the Internet!
Yelp is a user-generated review site for all businesses and services and is organized by geographic location. You, your family, your neighbors, your friends, and your customers need to Yelp about your business. Not only is this a great social marketing tool and a way for potential customers to find your products and services, but it also is a free tool to get feedback and constructive criticism without having to ask for it! Absolutely meaningful.
Keep Connected!
Entrepreneur’s Entourage: Customize * Strategize * Organize * Realize
Next Social Media update: Tools to use to make your social updates more productive.
Entrepreneurship- why you need an Entourage!
Very consistently, I am asked the same question- “How do I know if I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?” For me, it comes down to one simple mindset: “No guts, no glory!”
Entrepreneurship is all about taking risks… calculated risks that is. In my experience, that typically breaks out to about 25% innovation and 75% dedication and perspiration. Commitment is key in bringing any great idea to reality and eventual profitability. A great idea is useless if it is not developed and promoted properly.
This is where a team (or Entourage as we say at DS!) is critical. Even my commitment alone is not enough to launch an entrepreneurial venture. Along the way I learned (pretty quickly, actually!) that I’m only one person, and that no matter how much I work, there are still only 24 hours in any given day. By adding a reliable, skilled team, those hours dedicated to the launch process can multiply dramatically. In addition to manpower, my team gives me valuable feedback; each coming at any new idea with varying perspectives and a fresh set of eyes. Some may say, “adding a team just adds extra headaches.” I’ve learned that I’d much rather have faster, more rounded success to move my idea into a profit generator, than a drawn-out process in which I invest all of my time and have zero perspective.
Besides, like most entreps, by the time the venture is finally launched, we’re already onto the next great idea! Are you looking to launch an entreprenurial venture? If so, let us build out a customized team of support tailored to your specific needs to take your idea from concept to profitability.
Entreps Entourage: Customize. Strategize. Organize. Realize.
