Sharing Videos to Promote Communication
It seems that almost everyone with an Internet connection has seen at least one video on YouTube. Well not quite, but according to a recently released report (January 9th) from the Pew & American Life Project, roughly 48% of Internet users have been to video sharing sites like YouTube. Last year the figure was 33%.
According to Pew's phone survey, 15% of respondents had used such sites 'yesterday' or the day before they were contacted. Twenty-two percent shoot their own videos and 14% post some of that video online. These figures show that video sharing is becoming more commonplace.
So does this mean that every green project should upload a grainy, camera-phone video to YouTube? No, but you should at least include the option of video in your next project. [UPDATE: to stream live video from your phone, check out Qik]. Your customers, prospects, and job applicants are becoming more familiar with this form of communication.
According to the Pew study, the percentage of Internet users aged 30-49 visiting such sites increased from 35 to 51% (+46%); ages 50-64 increased from 19 to 30% (+58%); and users 65+ increased 11 to 16% (+45%).
How are organizations using video? GreenPeace International has posted 82 separate videos to their YouTube channel including a rather cheeky one called Sunshine making the rounds on the Internet promoting energy efficient lightbulbs. They're also using video to document their hard work intercepting whaling ships.
Grocer retailer H.E.B. created a TV Commercial Contest asking customers to submit videos about their H.E.B. experiences. They established www.myheb.com with a YouTube-like look to post all of the commercials and identified a grand prize winner.
ProTEC Structural Insulated Panel system uploaded a promotional video to YouTube that has 4,181 views. Assuming 5% of viewers contact the company to request more information. That's 20 sales leads for little effort.
One of the best examples of a company using video to communicate with potential customers is Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. Check out these two videos: Onslaught and Evolution. For a subtle approach, check out Sony Bravia ads.
Clients with uploaded videos: Chartwell School, Playa Viva, Green Key Real Estate, and Hospitals for a Healthy Environment.
And if you're looking for secret strategies to promote your viral videos, check out Dan Greenberg's article on TechCrunch.
One Response to “Sharing Videos to Promote Communication”
1 planetrelations 17 January 2008 @ 9:51 pm
Juntoventure, a non-profit organization dedicated to “sustainability education through digital media,” has issued its “Think Green Live Green Challenge” video contest. Check out http://www.juntoventure.org/contest/ for more details.
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