So everyone knows about social media. We all use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to promote our businesses because let's face it most audiences are present on there anyway. Right? Wrong.

Social Media - It's Free and You Use It... Right?

According to a recent study and survey, less than 40 per cent of businesses use social networking sites to market themselves.  That means that over 60% of businesses taking part in the survey don't use one of the most modern, and free, tools to promote their company message or offers.

With so many 'experts' giving advice on how to make social media work for you and your business, I'm really surprised at these figures.

What's even more surprising is that of the almost 40% of businesses who are using social media sites to market their company, even less are using one of the leading social media outlets - YouTube. But why?

What are the benefits of using YouTube?

Personal touch of having YOU deliver YOUR company message

Help with search engine optimization

Make money from videos on your channel

Video content is incredibly powerful if done correctly, just look at TV advertising for proof!

The video has viral potential, and could cause a real interest shared through other social media sites

You can track what's happening with your video; where people are watching it, how many are watching it etc

Clicking that 'play' button is so much more tempting than reading an article

Global audience on one of the biggest, most talked about websites in the world

Drip feeding a message through lots of videos that can all be displayed on a playlist and channel

Manipulate the viewing of your prospective clients

Everyone loves a video!

And these are just some of the many, many benefits of using YouTube.  Do you need more?

Has your social media expert brought YouTube into your marketing mix?

But who talks about advertising on YouTube the way they do about Facebook and Twitter? Not many (not even many social media 'experts'!). And who does it well? Not many. Why? Fear. Fear of video production cost is number one on the reasons list!

I'm a firm believer that if you're targetting a specific sector, industry or company then your marketing needs to reflect the same high quality that theirs does. Having a home-made video on your YouTube channel isn't going to win your target audience over. Let's face it, if even the end consumer is used to the high quality that's displayed on TV they're not going to be bowled over by your online home-video!

So what are you waiting for? Embrace YouTube. Embrace Video. Take the leap of asking that question - HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO GET A VIDEO PRODUCED AND EFFECTIVELY MARKETED? After all, it'll free you up to do what you do best!

We at Light Films not only produce high quality promotional videos, but we provide you with a FULL marketing plan to make sure your video generates revenue for YOU. Drop us a line to see how we can help - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This blog was written by our Commercial Director, Chrissa Wadlow. To get in touch with Chrissa, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .