According to Forrester, web pages with video are 53x more likely to show up on the first page of Google search results. MarketingSherpa says “Online video is second only to  word-of-mouth for its ability to influence decision makers in every stage of the purchase lifecycle.”

I meet a lot of small business owners every week, and most of them are talking about how to market their organization online with video and social media. Does this sound familiar to you? "I know that we could benefit from having video on our website, but we just don't have the budget right now for something like that" or "I'd really like to try make some video clips, but I just don't know what works best." I hear similar statements more and more frequently, so what I've done is compiled a few simple but proven tips to help you get started.

I recently spoke to the Lancaster, TX Chamber of Commerce at their monthly Better Business Breakfast about using online video as a component of their overall marketing plan. The first hurdle to overcome is to understand why online video is becoming such a critical part of marketing a business effectively. I can not stress enough, particularly for small businesses, how important it is to place video or multi-media content on your website and/or other platforms such as social media.

Want to know how to market your business/brand effectively? Start using video on your website and social platforms!

I make a living by creating professional video content for entrepreneurs and small businesses to market their brand, products and services. But professionally produced media is not always the best fit for every situation. The vast majority of content is, and probably always will be, user generated content (UGC) produce by individuals with consumer grade equipment and distibuted via YouTube or any number of other UGC-friendly platforms. So, the challenge then becomes how to improve the quality and effectiveness of your UGC to attract more viewers and build awareness for your "brand".

This is the subject of the current episode of "Only3Degrees" on BlogTalkRadio hosted by my friend Denai Vaughn, the Networking Queen, and featuring yours truly. Please enjoy the show, download for future reference, share with your network, and feel free to respond here with comments or questions.

Is your business using multi-media assets for internet marketing?

I am beginning a series on Social Media Basics for Business, intended for entrepreneurs, professionals and businesses who may have started exploring this vast new territory or may still be a little intimidated about where and how to get started. Those who are already active in marketing through social platforms may also find some helpful reminders and useful tips. Here's an outline of the series and the ideas I will be exploring in further detail.

I checked out the YouTube channel below, and it is a must visit for anyone interested in social media for business and economics.