Using YouTube to increase Sales

"Broadcast your product and services”

YouTube offers an online video sharing service, where videos can be uploaded and watched. This service started in 2005 as an independent ywebsite, and Google developed it in 2006.

If a business decided to use YouTube to advertise their products and or services, the revenue could increase drastically within one year. This is also one what of doing online marketing. The business needs to create an effective and watchable video, and promoting it can be intimidating.

Statistics shows that:

• More than 1 billion users visit YouTube each month

• More than 6 billion hours of videos are watched each month, that is almost an hour for every person on Earth. This number increased by more than 50% in one year.

• There are 100 hours of videos uploaded on YouTube every minute.

• Mobiles make up almost 40% of YouTube.

Videos can add a complete new dimension to your what of marketing. When a video is done properly, you can use the video to add depth to your products and or services, tell the story of your company and explain how the products and or services can be used. This can help your company to increase the sales. According to MultiVisionDigital, a video production company, 64% of the consumers are more likely to purchase your product or service, after watching the video of your products or services.

There are 7 Ways to follow to increase your sales using YouTube:

1. Shoot Short Videos

According to recent statistics, the videos on YouTube that are under 2 minutes in length get 50% more views. No one want a long history of how the company was founded, or every single detail about the products or service. Make it short but catching with the relevant detail.

1. Create a Branded Channel

Set up a dedicated store channel if your video is not truly a one-off. It will look more professional and you will have more web presence. By having your own YouTube channel people will find your products and services faster. You can upload a banner, your logo which, will make it more professional.

1. Be Consistent With Content Production

Commit long term if you choose to make use of YouTube marketing. Be consistent about posting content. The recommendation is to post one video every month or once every two weeks if you can manage it. When you find something that works for your company stick with it.

1. Use Analytics to Understand What Works

Take full advantage of the wealth of data on your video performance that YouTube provides.

1. Use Annotations to Keep And Engage Your Audience

Annotations are a YouTube feature that will you put a text and links over your videos. This can be anything humorous, links or how to subscribe. There are two kinds of general annotations. First type is a little speech bubble that appears on a video where you can adjust the fond, length and box size. The second type are active links. This can be broke down in different categories. You can link other videos, subscribers get notifications when there is a new video, you can link to external sites (only sites that you own). For this annotation, you need to associate your account through Google Webmaster to verify that.

1. Advertise with AdWords

You can use paid advertising to promote your video by using AdWords for video. You can use three ways to advertise. Firstly, as a pre-roll ad where the advert will play before people watch a video. Secondly, as a banner ad when you are browsing the web, and thirdly as a promoted video when people search for a similar video on YouTube.

1. Regular Tricks Still Apply

Spread your video through all your channels, tweet it, Facebook it and post it on a Blog. Share your video on social media and try to find the audience for your video.

In conclusion, YouTube is the largest video distributor and with these tips, your product can go viral and make huge positive impact on your sales.

References:

Harmon, J. 2013. YouTube Marketing. Tech Zulu. Available on: http://techzulu.com/youtube-marketing-increase-sales-with-video/ [6 October 2016].

McCue, TJ. 2014. 30+ Ways to use YouTube effectively. Small Business Trends. Available on: https://smallbiztrends.com/2014/03/use-youtube-effectively-tips.html [6 October 2016].

Wang, D. 2014. 7 Ways to leverage YouTube marketing to improve sales. Shopify Blog. Available on: https://www.shopify.com/blog/12280057-7-ways-to-leverage-youtube-marketing-to-improve-salesv [6 October 2016].

Liriska Botha 2011030299

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