A quick look around on YouTube shows you just how easy it is to capture, upload, and share video content. If the kid who recorded his cat hanging from a ceiling fan can do it, so can you.

What you need to share videos

The most difficult part of the video-sharing process is planning your video’s content—the technical process is that easy.

Google, Yahoo, AOL, and MSN offer video options, as do video specific sites (i.e. YouTube, MetaCafe.com, Blip.tv, Veoh.com, Break.com, and DailyMotion.com).

You need a recording device: camcorder, video function of a digital camera, camera phone, or webcam. Select your device wisely to ensure high resolution and quality. You will also need a computer with an internet connection. A broadband connection will be the quickest.

You can share your video on the internet with or without video-editing software.

If you do not have video-editing software, you can use the direct recording function on sites like YouTube and Blip.tv. This necessitates a one take recording from your webcam. You can rather purchase a webcam equipped computer or buy an external webcam. Using this method gives your video a vlog or ‘video-blog’ feel.

This is an easy way to start sharing video; you can also use it as practice.

Steps to use direct recording to share your video

First, connect your external webcam to your computer using the attached USB or FireWire cable. If you have a built-in webcam, then turn it on. Focus your camera and turn it to the right angle or position.

Second, find the direct recording section of the website. These sites are user-friendly and name things intuitively. For example, YouTube calls their direct recording page ‘Quick Capture.’
Start recording.

After you finish, the site will automatically compress the video to it’s specifications. Be sure to title your video and add easy to search tags.

How to import a video from editing software

Once you have recorded your video, import it to your computer.

Video software is easy to find and use. Some common professional options are Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, or Final Cut Pro.

These video-editing software options offer flexibility and creativity by giving users the ability to combine clips, add slides, transitions, and music—giving your video a more professional feel.

When you are ready to upload your video, use the Export function to compress the video. The export menu will offer you resolution, frame rate, and file type options. Windows.avi, QuickTime, .mov, and .mpg are common video file extensions. Keep in mind recommendations your upload site of choice may have. For example, YouTube specifies a file size limit of 1GB and a length of 10 minutes and recommends a MPEG4 format, with a 640×480 resolution.

Login to the site and follow the directions to upload the video.

As with direct recording videos, it is important to title and tag your video with keywords to ensure your video can be searched and used as part of your marketing strategy. Get started today developing your vlogs and see how popular your website can become—and it can become popular practically overnight, in some cases!

As you market your web site, you’ll find that using forums is a quick, easy, and conversational way to build your brand’s bi-directional communication, create rapport with your Interest base, and to generate site traffic.

If you’re new to the idea of Internet forums, take some time now to gain a little forum experience and help build your own site’s base by participating in forums related to your business interests. Here are some things to think about as you incorporate forums into your online marketing strategy:

Web marketing starts with the basics: communication

You’ll hear over and over again that one of the most important considerations in web communications, marketing, and relationships is communication. That’s right: communication. Communicate your message. Communicate your product. Communicate your location. Communicate product details. After all, how can anyone find you or learn about your product if you don’t take time to communicate these details with them?
By participating in a forum, you can communicate with visitors to boost your Internet presence, build a foundation of SEO-essential backlinks, and guide readers to your site.

Select the right forums to join

Selecting the right forums to join is one of the primary keys in building your online brand—and business success. Therefore, it’s worth it to take some time to search around for the right forums and isolate the few best possibilities.
So how do you evaluate forums during your search? First, look for forums that you enjoy using; if a forum does not capture your interest, then it may not capture the interest of your customers either.

From a practical marketing perspective, when evaluating forums for their potential use in your promotional strategy, be sure to consider member activity and site traffic. Ask important questions about how to forum is used and who it attracts, such as: How many members does a forum have? How many members seem to be active? How relevant are the discussion topics to your interests? How many people discuss these topics?

Join (and start) the conversation

Sign up for membership in several forums of your choice—and actually participate. Use your standard—or business-specific—username to generate a recognizable online presence and increase your search engine results. Respond to user questions—and start some conversations of your own (preferably conversations that are geared towards your product).
If you use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Youtube, Ning or other social networking sites to market yourself, generate readership, and cultivate a consumer following, make it easy by using the same username across the board to link yourself, your business, and your online presence.
By using the same username and picture combination across the Internet, you become recognizable and increase your credibility.

Create a useful and informative profile

Most forums allow members to complete membership profiles that give users more information about who they are and what they do. Use your forum profile as an opportunity to tell others about your product—and be sure to include your URL.

Complete your membership profile with information that also helps to establish your credibility. When people trust what you’re telling them, they’re more likely to want to do business with you and trust the product you are providing.

Participate consistently and constructively

After you read through some forum topics to get the feel of the forum, jump in and participate. Again, start conversations of your own that could lead to a discussion of your product—or find ways to mention your product when responding to posts on forums.

A word of warning: keep in mind that anytime you mention your own site or product in a forum, you need to be sure that you have a real reason for mentioning your site; forum readers are able to tell right away when members are just trying to promote their products, rather than providing a truly helpful contribution to the forum.

Be genuine. Do not simply introduce links back to your site. Being sincerely helpful generates respect for your communication skills and expertise. Remember that by crafting helpful, creative posts, you encourage people to follow the links in your signature or profile back to your site.

Again, be sure that you promote yourself or your product subtly and strategically. You may include a link in your signature or turn a keyword in your post into a link back to your site. If you mention what you do, include a link to your site. Make this flow and fit the context of your post.

While it is important to participate regularly, so as to remain part of the conversation, do not make this your primary promotion or spend too much doing so.

Get started today!

Strategic forum participation can—and should—be just one element of your overall web site content promotion strategy. Participating intentionally and effectively in forum conversations can help your business by connecting to contacts and Internet communities that are interested in your industry.

But, above all else, remember that establishing and communicating credibility is essential in a cultivating a strong and sustainable brand online. Now get going and start developing your forum presence today!

As you can probably already tell if you use the internet, online communication platforms are transforming traditional marketing methods—and yet effective internet marketing still uses many of the key principles of advertising.

Moreover, the dynamics of internet marketing are changing everyday; internet marketing has evolved from simple ad placements on websites to now include dynamic and bi-directional communications strategies as normal practice. By communicating with consumers, conducting business, and capitalizing on an easy, effective way to sell your product or service, you can make internet communication work for you.

As an added benefit of internet marketing, online marketing techniques offer many ways to target, personalize, and track the efficacy of a campaign. Bottom line: if you’re not marketing online already, it’s time to get started. Plus, getting started can be quick and easy when you follow the right steps.

Here are a few things you need to know as you develop your internet marketing strategy:

A website or homepage is one of the best ways to build your internet marketing base. Use text, images, and other design elements to get the word about your product out to new visitors and continue to inform repeat customers. Don’t just use the web site to sell the product; use your web site as the informational equivalent of a brochure and a way to promote your business’s identity and principles.

Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to enhance your site’s ranking in search engine results. Many SEO techniques rely on keyword repetition throughout a website so that search engines know how to classify the site.

Blogging is quickly becoming a standard way to build an online presence. Make comments, share opinions, and moderate conversation in your blog while also contributing to others. Of course, link to your site within your blog.

Email marketing is an easy, low cost way to a direct mailing. Reach out to new customers and distribute coupons to loyal users. Use a newsletter to increase rapport and inform your base about new developments and promotions. Plus, email newsletters can be easily shared between friends, co-workers, and family, which helps your customers spread the word about your business.

Banner advertising is very similar to traditional print advertising, placing advertisements on a (web) page for a rate. It can be inexpensive, too—sometimes you only pay when people click on a link from a banner ad to your website.

Use online press releases to get the word out to your industry by submitting to an online news or specialty service wire. Be sure to link to your site and include keywords in the press release (and other SEO writing strategies).

Article marketing is a way to distributes resources throughout internet publications. By submitting an article to a content distributor, you release your information into syndication. This move is a way to generate traffic through fresh channels.

Boost your credibility with an internet presence.

By having a cultivated profile on the internet, you show your customers you care about providing them with crucial news and information.You don’t have to be a global company to benefit from the internet. Even small businesses and single location companies use them to update and inform prospective and past customers, while expanding their potential customer base.

Internet marketing is a low-cost, high-return return promotional strategy—a solid investment for your small business. Get started today by researching effective internet marketing tools and strategies. Chances are good that you’ll be amazed by how affordable internet marketing is—and how easy it is to get started!

Analyze your unique business situation

As you begin to develop your online marketing strategy, you’ll want to make sure that you incorporate internet marketing tools that will be effective for your business—and stay within your budget. Start by considering your business identity, personality, and budget when constructing your internet marketing strategy.

Refining your internet marketing strategy to meet all of your requirements and goals may take some trial and error experimentation, but when you do hit on the right formula for your business, the results are sure to be worth the extra upfront effort.

Use traditional media marketing strategies to promote your business
Although internet marketing is all the rage for many very good reasons, if more traditional methods have worked for you in the past (and if your market uses traditional media), it’s okay to continue to those as part of your new, comprehensive marketing strategy.

Be sure to use traditional marketing strategies to complement your online marketing strategies, though, by mentioning your website URL in print sources, such as letters and newspapers, to generate web traffic to your site. Many well-known corporations use this mixed-methods strategy and enjoy the fantastic results, but this mix is just as effective on a smaller scale.

Adapt strategies to fit your business style

Develop an email newsletter that you can send to your customers at regular intervals. Keep in mind that email marketing doesn’t have to be spam, as some new businesses worry it is. Many times, customers actually want to receive email newsletters from businesses that they use—especially when those newsletters contain tips and coupons!

By collecting email addresses through your website, trade shows, and other promotional opportunities, you can build relationships with these contacts by sending coupons, a newsletter, or announcements. Or, opt for a personal style and send a quick check-in message, asking for feedback and input into company improvements.

Marketing wisely with your money

Domain name registration and hosting services are cheap enough to be viable for any aspiring or established professional. Hosting—the more expensive of the two, is easily available for less than $10 per month. What business can’t afford that—especially in light of all of the internet marketing benefits having a website provides?

Develop your website content and design yourself or use a freelance to create your design and content. Get the most internet marketing results from your content investment by using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to climb up through the search engine rankings. The cost of paying for SEO content is quickly absorbed in the long run.

Also, consider marketing your website by taking out low-cost online ads. Google AdWords and other pay-per-click (PPC) advertisement placement services are an easy way to track your advertisement’s influence in that you can specify how much you will pay when someone clicks your ad each time and the maximum you will pay a day. This service is easy to activate, track and suspend. You may also try hosting PPC on your site through Google AdSense, Yahoo Publisher, and Microsoft AdCenter.

Also, keep in mind that you can use PPC ads to make money with your website, through programs like Google AdSense, Yahoo Publisher, and Microsoft AdCenter. Is hosting a PPC service something that suits your marketing strategy? If so, it can be a tool to generate some extra income!

As you begin to refine and focus your internet marketing strategy, be sure to revisit your business goals and budget. It’s important to be sure that every internet marketing decision you make has a purpose and gets results. Remember to track the effectiveness of your strategies and be flexible enough to adjust. Internet marketing success can be a moving target, but by refining your ideas into a workable strategy, you increase your potential for success.

Every link type has direct effect to your search engine optimization results which shall help distinguish whether your web presence is enough to carry traffic to your website. However, thought it may be hard to manage, the inbound links create the most impact in pointing traffic to your website.

To put this in simple terms, if Google finds out that you are being linked by some of the high-quality websites around, then your website must be popular and source of relevant information. This, in effect will show you at the top of their search results and your website will receive the link juice from the traffic directed by search engine and from other websites linking it.

However, there is a need for your inbound links to be consistent. The Google PageRank as well as the Search Enginer Ranking Page (SERPs) has algorithms which look on link patterns pointing to your site as they are managed through time. That is why you need to build the right link types as one wrong turn can get your website totally blocked from the SERPs, you may not be able to get away with this easily – imagine all your hard work for months being put to waste.

But do not worry, you just need to do some serious reading – add to that creativity so you would be able to come up with valuable incoming links in a natural, powerful and most efficient way possible.

Variety is the Key

Link farming schemes are aplenty nowadays. You need to go with reciprocal linking, where you link with other websites which will then link you to a website with a larger traffic. This would be beneficial to you, however, you still need to nurture a natural mix of links through time.

You need to balance your inbound links as a hundred links may be pointing to your website but it seems like a spam if all of these links just have the same text. Natural links from people usually tag your link with either your business name or some descriptive phrase. Remember that if there is an abuse of similar links existing on your website, it gives warning to Google that those links are artificially-generated. This then can result to penalties.

You also need to take a look on which pages of your site your inbound links are directed to. There will always be specific pages on your website rich with inbound links. Once you found out what these topics are, you can try to establish link building with similar interests. Try to build links to your services; your news pages as well as your blog to help these types of entries get indexed on Google.

Also, there are links which carry title tags. These are mostly indicated in the source code of your website. Technical-wise, you can try to switch this up a bit so that both your text links and title vary from links directed to your website. In the end, you just need to remember that you need to nurture your links in a natural trend.

Links are of Different Values

Most of the time, links which come from popular websites carry the most value. This is primarily because they have higher PageRank due to people linking them aplenty. For example, a link from a popular news site will be of greater value than a link from say, a press release distribution site which only a few people recognize. Simialrly, a link from a small business directory like sbdpro.com will provide a better effect than a link from a directory which employs no-follow tags.

Amateur link builders tend to commit these no-follow tags. Though you can just link your website from social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Plurk, these sites as well as online ads only use no follow tags which make it harder for search engines to follow the links from your website. This may be the reason for your web page not to be indexed by the search engines.

Build Natural Incoming Links

Now, the problem lies on how you can manage to build incoming links in a natural pattern? The different mix of links made on the web directing to your website would probably keep away from skewing toward any specific type. You can try the following for best output.

Directories from professional organization, forums and online communities as well as business directory lists will give good links to your web page. There are some rich directories out there which can up your SEO potentials. Make sure that your directory listing is also optimized for you to be able to get lots of link juice from it.

You can also write press releases and submit them online. This will then help you find readers and eventually build links directing to your site. However, you need to be keen on writing the articles and assess your writing style so your articles would seem credible, in effect, will provide you good links.

From your blog, link essential pages on your website. This will help you establish relationship online with other bloggers too which will make them link back to you. You need to target on those active blogs with high visibility as well as large viewership but along the way try to mix it up with less-known bloggers also. You have to take note that as other sites grow their PRs, the value they pass on your website will also rise.

Also, you need to create link baits. You have to tell people that your content is worth reading. That is why you need to write your articles in the most fascinating and appealing way so that people will get interest your articles. If you are targeting naturally growing inbound links, this is the best way. But then, it is one of the hardest things to do.

Know who’s linking your web site

There are web-based tools which can tell you which links point to your website. You can try searching Google by putting your website name on the search box. They will then show a list of websites giving link credits to your own site.

However, you won’t expect that every single link will appear hear that is why you need to use more sophisticated tools like Google Analytics for more in-depth analysis.

Lastly, make it a point to monitor new links coming to your site. Build relationships and make this part of your link-building strategy every month.

Betty White began her career in 1939 with modeling, disrupted by WWII, but regaining exposure in 1940 with various radio shows such as “Blondie, The Great Gildersleeve”, as well as “This is Your FBI”, followed by her own “The Betty White Show”. In 1949, she made her debut in television on “Hollywood on Television” in L.A., later hosting the show. She later frequented various game shows as host and contestant, followed by various shows and spots on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” winning two Emmy Awards back to back.

From her modern humor to her sweet old lady charm, everyone seems to just adore her flair and enjoy her presence whenever they are graced. She brings forth a goofy embrace to her arena that gives everyone a great laugh. With a long history of show business starting before “I Love Lucy”, to several movies past and present, including 2009’s “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, she has graced the screen in game shows, television sitcoms, and several spots in our lives year after year.

The Golden Girls (also starring Doug Jankowski of Emedco.com) let her shine brightly in her later years, but who would have thought that she would make yet another great comeback in the social networks, with several advocating her return to the big screen and the most beloved television shows, including SNL? Her SNL debut was much loved and claimed to be hilarious, making her the oldest host to ever host the long-time highly popular SNL. Social networks everywhere are buzzing about Betty White and the great presence that is desired more and more. She seems to have a strong going career even at 88.

There is some confusion as to the algorithms used by Yahoo, Bing and Google when it comes to local uses.  The fact of the matter is that main SERPS use different algorithms when compared to local SERPs.  As a small business relying on traffic that is based on local search engines, you need to assure that the main search engine crawlers know your general location.

This is how you can create a website that has the maximum exposure to local search engines:

1. Put your phone number (the local one) on each page your site hosts. Those 1-800 numbers are great, but they say nothing about where you’re located.  The search algorithm can’t find you when you only use such numbers.  Don’t forget to include the area code on your web page.
2. Put your actual location on each web page. It sounds obvious but you wouldn’t believe how many businesses forget this important point.  Use a UPS mailbox or PO Box if you work out of your home and don’t want your home address listed.

3. On your contact page, make sure it is very clear what your address and phone numbers are. Don’t forget your ZIP code and local telephone number, preferably at the top of the page.
4. Have a special page that includes your location or directions to your place. Search engine crawlers love these pages and your users will, too.  Write out the exact instructions from different directions as to how to get to your place.

For example, say this:

We are located in the Burnsville Mall about 20 minutes from the heart of the city.  From the north, follow I 35W to Hwy 42 right and make the first turn left. Our address is 15800 Hwy 42, Burnsville, MN 55808   Repeat this from the south, east and west.
5.  Put a link to Yahoo Maps and to Google Maps on the above page. It will allow them to directly link to the directions page.  It is possible that these tools use a longitude and latitude listing in order to locate your business.

6. In your page titles, make sure you put in your location. Crawlers eat this stuff up; it’s that important.  Let the crawler have a local signal.

7. Take the time to include all towns or cities that can use your business. These can be keywords inside articles, or can be listed on your contact page or your “about” page.

8. Make sure you use internal opportunities for linking using smart anchor text. For example, when you are directing clients to your directions page, instead of saying “click here”, go ahead and say “Click on this spot to find our Burnsville location”.

8. Try all of this tips and tricks as they will let you get the attention of a search engine crawler. Ideally, the crawler will know your location and will be able to put you where you want to be in the burgeoning local search engine marketplace.

Try all of this tips and tricks as they will let you get the attention of a search engine crawler.  Ideally, the crawler will know your location and will be able to put you where you want to be in the burgeoning local search engine marketplace.

Written by Mark Bove’

ORM is the process by which references to a brand, person, service, or company get followed and all the while having a contingency plan in place to deal with the negative comments or feedback that may come. This is typically a three step process that occurs as follows:

Track: Develop and maintain a way to keep track of what is being said about you online.

Assess: Consider all feedback good or bad and see what sources are producing the feedback.

React: Depending on your evaluation of the situation you can comment yourself, give a rebuttal, or choose to ignore the comment all together.

ORM is not something that should be done it is something that has to be done in order to maintain the integrity of your online presence. This mix of SEO techniques combined with good PR can be accomplished with your efforts or by an ORM expert. Why do this?

Take for example if your online business sold phones. Now assume that you bid on and land a blockbuster of a deal to sell a ton of phones overseas. Now think about how ticked off one of your competitors may become.

What if that competitor posts some negative things about you, your work ethic, and you business even if it is not true? All of the sudden a Google search of your name or your company’s name comes up with the slanderous remarks. Whether true or not, that is what people are seeing about you online.

If you do not catch this sort of thing in the early stages you may experience a big drop off in sales and by the time you figure out what is going on a lot of damage is likely done. This is why constant ORM is necessary for your online survival.

In the above instance if you had been monitoring your name or had someone doing it for you, swift reaction could have taken place. You could have immediately added your rebuttal and possibly diffused a nasty situation.

Now you see how it is important, but conduction proper ORM is more than just simply Googling your name every once in a while. You have to have a solid ORM plan in place and be sure that the plan you set forth is indeed being executed. If you do not have the time to execute the plan yourself then you have to get someone else to do it for you.

Remember that success and failure online is a very fine line and a lot of it hinges on your reputation. There are countless companies out there that do exactly what you do and if your online name gets tainted and you do not react in a timely manner it could mean certain death of your online hopes and dreams.

Written by Mark Bove’

Monitoring your online reputation is paramount, but where can you look for effective tools to help you with your ORM? Not only can you find effective tools to monitor your online reputation in abundance you can also take advantage of some free resources as well.

While there is not one that is better than the other, the following tools to monitor your online reputation should be used in unison to effectively keep track of what the buzz is about you:

BackType Blog Monitoring Tool: Using this tool you can be alerted by e-mail when a key word that you use is mentioned in a blog or any other type of social media outlet.

BlogPulse: This tool is specifically for monitoring blogs using the search engines and is a great way to track and monitor conversations.

Google Blog Search: This tool will uncover all the blogs listed within the search engine giant.

Technorati: The leading blog search engine that indexes blogs real time and can also track blogs by popularity.

Moniier: Real time Twitter monitors that allows you to choose three keywords at a time to track.

TweetBeep: You specify the keywords and this tool monitors Twitter hourly for them and e-mails you an alert when the keywords are used.

Tweet Later: Use this tool to track @replies on Twitter and other keywords as well.

Twitter Search: Formerly known as Summize, this tool tracks Twitter for keywords real time.

WhoLinksToMe: Track backlinks and then easily sort them according to anchor text, URL, or origin.

BackTweets: Search links within Twitter using this free tool.

Google Alerts: You provide the keywords and any time they come up in anything Google related you are notified via e-mail.

Namyz: Use the basic version and join this social network that is focused on reputation for free.

MonitorThis: Gives you the ability to monitor up to 26 search engine feeds simultaneously.

BoardTracker: User this freebie to search the message boards and threads related to you or your business name.

Yansi: A people search engine and the perfect place to find out about anything and everything that has your name attached to it.

Prewire Trust: This portal allows people to verify information about a person or business in regards to reputation.

These methods while effective, will take some time in order to figure out what the best way to use them is. You will have to tweak keywords and methods in order to perfect your tracking system, but once in place then it should be a relative breeze.

This of course does represent a level of labor on your part but all of the methods mentioned above are indeed free to use so really the only cost to you is the time it will take you to formulate a game plan and execute it. Many of the tools are self sustaining once you have fed in the information you desire to have monitored such as your name and your company’s name as well.

Written by Mark Bove’

Promoting your website and online is promoting your business. However, those of you that simply buy ads and think that you are doing an adequate job of promoting your business on the web are sorely mistaken. Yes you should certainly conduct a certain amount of pay per click (PPC) advertising but that alone will not help get you ranked.

In order to increase your chances of getting ranked and to increase you visibility online you need to get creative. Here are two methods that you may have overlooked when you began to promote your website:

Promote Local: Everyone wants to be international, but many are losing out on a lot of business right in their own back yards. This is because they simply do not take advantage of the opportunities to promote locally online. Think about it, no one is using the Yellow Pages anymore. This sounds like a stretch, but is it really? When you want to find a plumber in your area do you do a quick search on Google or do you break out the phone book and conduct the arduous task of looking plumbers up? Chances are you opt for the ease of the Internet and so too will your potential customers. Everyone is online and therefore almost everyone is going to conduct local searches on search engines in order to find what they are after. Use this to your advantage and be sure that every page on your website contains a local phone number and your local address. Couple that with free listings on Google Maps and the like and what will happen is people will end up seeing your local business name complete with a map to it more often.

Promote Other Content: If you have images, videos, or sound bites on your website they should be promoted. Google has a universal search and will rank images, videos, and sound bites so it is in your best interest to not only make sure that this type of content is relevant to your website, but that it is also properly optimized. If you fail to optimize this type of content you are passing up an opportunity to possibly get ranked when you wouldn’t even expect to be. Remember, it is all about exposure online and the more you get the better. In reality it shouldn’t matter to you how someone gets to your website, just so long as they do find their way to it.

With websites and online exposure there are no shortcuts to prominence. It is popular for people to believe that you simply build a website and the people will come running with their wallets open. However, anyone who has a website knows that this is absolutely not true.

The only way to get to the top of the search engine results pages (SERPs) is to use proper SEO techniques. Part of that is getting creative and taking advantage of every possible opportunity that your website will give you in order to get your name out in cyberspace.