I read all the latest information about what works to build a tribe of fans and followers. And then I jump in and see what magic I can manifest both for my tribe and for my own business. That’s why I thought you might find it of interest what I have observed with my own very recent YouTube experiment.
One year ago, my first Bye-Bye Boring Bio YouTube video went live and invited 1000 views in one year.
My NEW ABCs of Bio Blunders YouTube video went live two weeks ago and has already invited 773 viewers.
The first video is more of a sales message. The second version is very much a content message intended to help people help themselves with useful information to guide their bio writing success. Clearly, the second version is resonating far more than the first.
Are sales coming in? Absolutely!
What people are telling me is that they are enjoying the video, getting inspired by it, and making it a priority to call me to set up their Extreme Bio Makeover appointments and buy their own copy of Bye-Bye Boring Bio.
It’s wonderful when people well beyond your own backyard can come to know, like and trust you by watching less than 10 minutes of video. And it’s certainly interesting to compare and contrast the two approaches — sales versus content — and experience which approach works best.
My video guru is Brad Tollefson of VLST Media. Get in touch to see how he can help you. You can also view the video he created for me there.
Main Street Media Savvy Question of the Day:
What are YOUR experiences and results using video to share your message? What has worked especially well? Please share so we can all profit from the wisdom of your experience.
If you’ve been struggling with getting your bio in great shape to invite the right opportunities, you are invited to invest less than 10 minutes to enjoy a video vignette that covers ABC’s of bio blunders and offers you immediate access to the rest of the story, including a one-hour audio file, a written transcript, and a selection of great next steps to take to get YOUR bio in great shape.
My warm thanks to the talents of Brad Tollefson of VSLT Media for using his creativity to transform a digital audio file and a Power Point presentation into a teaching tool I am proud to post.
Thanks in advance for watching, listening, and taking the best next action step to get YOUR story ready for the media spotlight. If you have any comments, please share!
Back in 2006 and 2007, I had quite a few people I like, trust, and respect tell me that I should launch a blog to build community, showcase tips to guide DIY publicists to get seen, heard, and celebrated, and make this a regular part of my service to others. The first time it came up, I ignored it. The second time, I thought twice. By the third time, I felt a bit like a horse’s behind and that it might be time to buy myself a saddle! On September 1, 2007, this blog debuted. And I’ve been blogging ever since. Truth be told, it has been among the single most powerful things I’ve done to build my community, grow my influence in my own backyard and well beyond, and build my business.
Now, shifting the focus to video, the same thing has happened. Starting in 2007 — just at the time the blog debuted — people I like, trust, and respect and who were a whole lot more successful than me told me that I should start showcasing my perspectives on video. Again, the first time it came up, I ignored it. The second time, I thought twice. By the third time, I knew I didn’t want to buy another saddle for myself.
What did posting these videos do for my business? Business owners from my own backyard and beyond viewed them and came to the decision to attend my Publici-Tea™ and bio writing workshops. Radio hosts viewed them and invited me to contribute to their programs. Meeting planners viewed them and decided to invite me to speak for their large groups. Even though the number of total views of my videos has not been huge, the impact on my ability to get to that “trust, like, respect” place faster with people who have not yet met me in person has been meaningful.
Have I been seen, heard, celebrated and COMPENSATED? Without a doubt, the answer is decidedly “YES.”
So, let me make a little confession. I own a very fine HD digital camera, and I still don’t quite know how to use it. Nevertheless, I am finding ways to get my own video game on, and I’ll be debuting a new 10-minute video presentation one day later this week that is content rich and can guide you in the ABC’s of common bio blunders. My hope is that a whole lot of people tune in to benefit from the message and want to lean in to learn more.
Do you yet have your video game on? What are among the best resources you have in place to share your message in this powerful way? And what are the ways that you have been rewarded for that effort in your business? Please share so those who wish to follow in your video footsteps can get there faster!
This video is a gift you can give yourself and everyone you know who needs to believe in unlimited possibilities in the face of daunting challenges. It shows the story of a golden retriever service dog named Richochet and his master, a quadriplegic surfer named Patrick. Keep the tissues close at hand. This is a good one!
If you are starting the New Year with a commitment to give to a cause worthy of celebration, this very well could be the one you’ve been looking for.
And if you are seeking support for another equally worthy cause, consider how powerful video can be to invite followers, fans, and donors to support your effort. And you can use social networking to build the buzz and build even more community. Imagine the unlimited possibilities that await when you get into action for the cause that is closest to your heart.
As for me, I am going to hug my dog and count my blessings. As you can see from this photo of my dog Shadow, I am a sucker for a good story about a golden retriever.
The Mom of the Year video I posted a couple days ago has since celebrated over 1 million moms worldwide. Clearly, plenty of bloggers like me are helping to spread this very good news. With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday, there is still time to celebrate your mom, step mom, sister, neighbor, or friend. Here is the link to make it easy for you to get into action. It’s a free, fun, and fabulous thing to do for the moms in your life on a Friday like today.
The folks at www.momsrising.com just got word that an anonymous donor has agreed to donate ten cents for every video that’s sent to a mom from now on, up to $25,000. This money will fund MomsRising.org’s work to support moms and good family policy in Washington, D.C. If you send to ten moms, that’s a dollar for this good work. That’s all the more reason to celebrate the moms in your life with this video. Enjoy!
Not everyone learns best by reading, so today I am offering a quickYouTube video to make it easy for you to learn essential do-it-yourself publicity tips and tools to help you earn a media placement a widely circulated magazine such as O The Oprah magazine. This video was taken by Get Booked on Oprah Expert Susan Harrow at the Grande-Sized Publici-Tea™ Workshop last October. If you haven’t yet read Susan’s books on how to earn Oprah’s attention, I promise that your DIY publicity effort will be very well served by doing so. I know mine has. Check out her high-value offerings at the link above. The media placement in O The Oprah Magazine happened with speed and impact because I purchased a subscription to Gift List Media and used it to find the perfect editorial opportunity to share the Seattle Chocolate Company story. The lessons I learned reading the Susan Harrow book definitely contributed to my success. If you have products that are ideally suited for spring or holiday gift guides, you owe it to yourself and your company’s success to take a look at Gift List Media.
Based on the placement success my client enjoyed as a result of our 2008 subscription, I can tell you that the modest investment required to benefit is well worth it.
With just a day between now and Valentine’s Day, you may be wondering which brand of chocolates to choose for your sweetie. If you want to know the CEO behind Seattle Chocolate Company as you make your choice, check out this engaging YouTube video featuring Jean Thompson. Here is the convenient link:
Video is a powerful way to share your message and make it easy for people near and far to get to know what you stand for, what you care about, and why your product, service, cause, or idea is worth standing behind. The internet is hungry for new content every day, and video content stands out above the rest because it is just so darn engaging.
If you have been wondering how to get started telling your story in this powerful way, Carol Carini of Billabong Studios in Auburn, WA can be your new best friend. Whether you pursue an interview of Biz Talk with Zita or find another video solution that is a perfect fit for your message, video is something to consider if telling your story beyond your own backyard is a priority. And you’ll be surprised at how affordable this can be.
I engaged Carol to produce videos for me so I could spread the do-it-yourself publicity message, and the videos have invited new invitations to speak to large groups, new radio station interviews, new clients, and new Publici-Tea™ Workshop registrations. What I know for sure is that “getting to yes” has been a lot easier since I made it easier for people to get to know me and my DIY publicity expertise from the convenience of their desktops. In these times especially, that is a beautiful thing.
Check out Jean’s interview and enjoy as she shares some of her savvy marketing insights and product development inspirations that have contributed to delicious growth at the chocolate company known for making it easy for women everywhere — and the people who love them — to treat themselves to “What Happiness Tastes Like™” everywhere they live, work, and shop. You can also buy delicious and exquisitely packaged chocolates conveniently online. Enjoy!
List
