YouTube’s most-watched videos for 2011 Encore — Enjoy! (You know you will lol)
Click here for Encore: Top 10 YouTube Videos 2011
… most videos that go “viral’ (most-watched and spread like wildfire) were not made with that intention — that’s the inherent beauty of them, isn’t it?
However, after gaining such incredible visibility, careers, services and additional notoriety have been launched!
Amazing phenomena…
Sidenote: Thinking CNN “Embedding disabled by request” setting on above report missed a potential “viral” video opportunity!
5 Related articles and media tips you might find helpful are listed below this blog post (click on the title of this article, if you don’t see topics listed below)…
When I ran across this song recently, the lyrics reminded me a lot of Social Media marketing: “Some people live for the fortune… just for the fame… for the power… just to play the game.”
Listening further, the lyrics reminded me a lot of Relationship Marketing: “Some people want it all… a diamond ring… some people want everything… a fountain – promises forever young… 3 dozen roses — and that’s the only way to prove you love them.”
…and while the “outward appearances” (read: branding) may appear otherwise, the absolute truth remains: what good is it all, with no one to share it, or who cares?
It’s all about relationships. True ‘success’ in Social Media (however you’re measuring that ROI) hinges on the existence of these essential connections, supported by an authentic, solid foundation (read: Truth in Branding).
Otherwise, it doesn’t matter if you have the most beautiful, functional website, an agency managing your social media, or a team of people helping you run your busy life. Unless you are truly connected, effectively communicating, realizing relationships are critical to moving forward in a positive direction — both online and offline — you have only established the shell of a ‘presence‘ with no solid foundation.
Even with the maximum number of followers, if no one’s listening to you, you might as well be shouting your message into the wind, out in the wilderness – no one is going to hear you. No one cares.
If your messages are only self-promotional, filled with sales or marketing of your products and services, likely they will be largely ignored. It’s just another sales message out there, in the thrashing sea of other sales messages, tossed out for anyone who might turn a listening ear, but certainly not to anyone in particular (Think: commercial-pun = ad nauseum).
You may be able to string folks along for a while. Some might buy what you have to offer because they’re believing in your claims. One day they’ll realize your ‘relationship’ with them is strictly that of a purveyor of products, and you don’t even know who they are — or care to know, regardless of the lip service-only you give to “the importance of customer relationships.”
If your business success modus operandi is only to ‘build the numbers’ — ongoing, that is all you can ever do. This process is destined to be ongoing for as long as you plan to be in this type of business, employing this method of obtaining new customers, clients or contacts. Calculating in the cost of attracting a new account or contact in this way, is a very expensive way to do business. There is a cost to everything, even for those actions not taken. Not building relationships to serve as a solid foundation is an additional cost, plus the word out on the street — when folks realize they are not the center of your business universe.
The truth is, If “I Ain’t Got You,” ‘you ain’t got me, and we are not together.’ While that is reminiscent of yet another song (for another day), this remains the bottomline for durable branding, effective communication and connection — the hallmark of any individual or business, dedicated to an endeavor for the long-haul.
About the author: Becky Cortino provides Content-driven Marketing Strategies and Professional Business Services via Express-It Media Fusion as an Integrated Marketing Communications Adviser specializing in Branding, Communications Design and Media, especially for Business Owners and Independent Professionals ready to make an impact, and maximize the return on their marketing efforts.
Background Experience Includes: Work in the International and Domestic Markets, Major Market advertising agencies experience, including BBDO. Professional, Commercial Experience in All Media. Founder of Marketing Communications Services (1982), a marketing-PR consultancy, offering clients an extensive background in all areas of marketing and sales, with a diverse client base, services ranged from local, statewide, national and international in scope, and nominated for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award. Becky has received numerous other awards and recognitions, including Small Business Administration Small Business Institute Award (for consulting).
A recent conversation around the water cooler sparked a discussion about the impact of using video to communicate your messages.
My friend remarked that being able to virtually look someone in the eye as they’re talking about their product or service, gave a greater sense as to what they’re about.
It is true — video is a powerful medium. By nature of the content-rich presentation in a controlled environment, video is an effective means for providing the impression of a closer, more impactful connection. I’ve had folks tell me they feel that they know me, even though we have not met personally, after viewing my videos, and reading my various writings. As a nonfiction writer, and one known to present in a straightforward manner, I am glad to hear this!
You’ll probably chuckle (as I did, thinking about Seth Godin’s book All Marketers are Liars), when I share with you the video that prompted our discussion, but here it is…
Video marketing is essential to online success, and should be included as part of your marketing strategy. In December, 2010, Forbes released a white paper entitled “Video in the C-Suite” that reported more than 75% of C-Suite Executives surveyed said they watched work-related online video on business-related websites at least weekly. 65% of C-suite Executives report visiting a vendor’s website after watching their online video. I think you’d agree that’s pretty compelling evidence for online video.
You’ve probably heard about the star power of online video for marketing efforts …and by the evidence of video everywhere, we know the use of online video is growing! Are you using video in your marketing and integrating it into social media? OR – are you camera shy? Maybe you’ve tried making a few videos, but could use some pointers to make them more effective.
As you’re here reading this right now, I hardly need to remind you that effectively harnessing the power of the web to communicate your messages is essential. If you’re doing any kind of business on the web, you must embrace the future or risk being left behind. Video is an integral component to branding.
Sometimes video can be frustrating, can’t it?! Have you ever lost hours or even days trying to figure out some frustrating technical issue? Experienced insight, real help and support is often hard to find – I’ve been there, too!
For this reason, I highly recommendOnline Videopolis will give you a creative and competitive edge.One of the most comprehensive online video resources I’ve ever seen, will help you stay ahead of the curve and ahead of your competition, because you have easy access to the tools you need to stand out and be seen.
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I agree with the statement that “Content is not King,” but feel compelled to add to that by interjecting the thought that “but it still rules.”
The reasons why I say this, is because I believe that content is integral in establishing:
online presence
strong platform, from which to serve
basis of operation for your business
relationship with your audience
relevant, credible, reliable information about your business, products, services
expert status
There are many ways to create content:
on your own hosted site (recommended)
with video
audio
graphics
through social media
information products
e-courses
online programs
podcasts
vodcasts
blogs
vlogs
mini-sites
forums
and the list goes on…
Divergent schools of thought exist about creating content, leveraging it to best advantage, and how proactive a creator needs to result in the desired action.
The incredible array of platforms and methods of presentation for created content offers something for everyone. This is good, because some folks may tend to favor creating particular types of content, sometimes certain forms of presentation lend themselves better to communicating messages or ideas more appropriately, than others.
Frequency of sharing content is also a matter of consternation. Some folks believe by putting out a post or a webpage, the content creation is thusly completed. Others take it a bit further by sharing with their networks and forums, via email, newsletter or ezine. Some view this process as a one-step process, with a few supports hammered in place, by posting comments, sharing links, and a selling signature line of copy at closing.
With the multitude of choices and decisions to be made regarding content, the best way is to begin with being clear about your purpose, and determining how to best reach your audience. Likely, this content will require being offered in more than one form, and more than one time.
The fallacy in “just putting the content (piece) ‘out there’,” is that it is just one tiny “piece” in a sea of content, with swirling eddies and undercurrents. While you have probably heard the adage that once content is “out there” on the Internet – it’s ‘out there,’ it still has to be found. It may well be “out there,” but it will soon become lost, and not serve the intended purpose for as long as you might like. It almost goes without saying that your content also is in competition with other similar creations, vying for time, attention, eyeballs and sales.
To effectively communicate your message, you must also determine how much content you need to create to achieve your desired goals. Is it a campaign? Is it a program? Is it a special offer (one-shot deal)?
There are a slew of means to communicate your message, as well as methods of presentation. By carefully considering all facets of your communications plan, will increase the possibility of the outcome of being to your best advantage. A one-size or approach “because someone else does it this way or says so” does not fit all products, services, audiences, nor content creators.
Think. Consider. Choose wisely and well.
About the author: Becky Cortino offers Content-driven Marketing Strategies. Marketing Communications Adviser for Biz Owners and Independent Professionals, through developing and implementing Communications/Promotional Programs, ?New, Social and Traditional Media Strategies as a Communicator: Published Writer, Speaker, Trainer, Media Maker.
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