No.  Really.  For years you have seen advertisements on YouTube and even tried doing a few (or paying someone to).  Results usually where disappointing because:

• The Ad was targeted incorrectly (95% of them are)
• The Ad sucked and was generic like a powerpoint presentation or some sort of goofy slideshow with creepy stock photos
• YouTube wasn’t really viable for most businesses or institutions (as of the last two years that’s changed)

YouTube has gone from a novelty 5 years ago to a luxury the last few years and now is evolving into the difference between staying in business (or staying relevant for institutions) or not.  It’s time to get serious about YouTube advertising.

The vast majority of online searchers are now going to click on the “video” instead of the “text.”  Get used to it.  In fact if you’re a local business like a .. plumbing biz etc you probably don’t have any competitors doing it so … big deal…?  Right?  Wrong.  While I’m not going to pitch you FUD (Fear uncertainty & Doubt) that your competition is going to take the initiative and beat you out of your lunch with spectacular videos I am going to emphasize that if you want to dominate your current market and future proof your marketing then it’s … SHOWTIME.

I always recommend businesses or institutions new to video start out with what we call cred videos.  Credibility videos are videos that aren’t fast a furious ads but slower paced spokesperson type videos that help prospects:

• Understand what you are about
• See a real human representing and talking about your business
• Feel warm and fuzzy

The next phase would be advertisements which we can also help you with.  Video ads are meant to:

• Instantly communicate what you offer to the prospect
• Keep viewers attention for 15-30 seconds (on average)
• Trigger an action such as calling you now and/or clicking on your website which leads to filling out a form – or calling / chatting with you
• They are pure emotion and aren’t meant to drone on with details and are very different then “cred videos.”