You've probably noticed that I'm a big fan of video content. I don't think text is going to disappear from the Web completely but I do think we're going to see more and more video content appearing on the Internet.
I also think that users now expect to find clips on the sites they visit.
I'm not the only one who thinks that way. Google obviously thinks so too, which was why it bought YouTube.
Oprah thinks so as well. She's just created her own online channel -- and who's going to argue with Oprah?
You might find that trend a bit scary. Writing good content is hard enough... but filming it?
Sure, it's a challenge but there's an opportunity here too.
That's because you don't have to film it.
Revver lets you take clips from its inventory and gives you a share of the ad revenue.
Google does the same thing with its much bigger film stash at YouTube.
Both of those options bring you two benefits in one.
You're getting quality content that you might struggle to produce yourself. And you're getting another opportunity to earn from advertising.
And you're getting it all for free.
You'll still want to blend your video unit into your website, but the most important factor when earning from video content is to choose the clips carefully. (So steer clear of Google's automated, keyword-generated feature.)
Only put up clips that match the content on your site and which are genuinely helpful to your readers.
There should be plenty of those available. In fact, with so many clips on offer at YouTube and Revver, you should be able to find enough to cross one blog post off your to-do list every week... and still earn more money.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
January 11, 2009 08:15 PM
A few weeks ago me and Jeff Alderson did a video squeeze page for a product that we were just testing. The goal was to see if people would even optin for more info.
That was one of the first times I really used video outside of my members area.
We got over 4,000+ optins in the first 24 hours. This was more then either one of us had seen or expected.
If you are not doing video then you are leaving lots of money on the table.
Thanks
Charles Kirkland
January 12, 2009 07:45 AM
While content (text) is still king, design is queen (per your previous post: http://www.joelcomm.com/do_the_design_thing.html#comments) then video must be the every-increasingly popular jack, or prince.
Funny that you are posting this today. I was just writing copy for our one site about this topic.
Neat how great minds think alike- ha, ha.
Swiping video is a neat idea. In fact, we use it on our first, original site. It's a blog-driven, charity-based site dedicated to the men & women of our Armed Forces.
We will be creating original & unique video content, too. Ours for this site will just be me explaining what each page is about. Having me on the video adds more transparency & full disclosure so that visitors can see me so that they can tie my name with a face.
So, if anyone is having difficulty creating their own videos, check this out. https://infomedia.infusionsoft.com/go/vvf/a943410 The readers might be familiar with this. Enjoy!
Best,
-K
January 13, 2009 09:19 AM
The future for the internet certainly is going to be video, but earning money from third party suppliers such as Revver is a little difficult.
I have lots of Revver videos installed on one of my sites about the automotive industry. The videos get plenty of views, but don't generate much income. I would like to earn more money from them, but accept that I am unlikely to (on that website).
What I do like about the videos is they offer added value to visitors to the site. That pay off is good enough for me to keep using them.
Whilst thrid party suppliers are okay in the short term, I don't think you can really beat creating and publishing your own videos.
January 14, 2009 07:04 AM
Hi Joel,
I am using this possibility of monetizing a website for about 8 month now, in fact my webpage http://www.deutschhappen.com is build around it.
The site offers free video lessons for learners of german as a foreign language and generates the income over adsense and ads in the videos.
I started with revver but they had, and still have, an issue with the payments. So I decided to migrate my videos to http://blip.tv
The uploads are faster, the conversion to flv files, too. Takes around 10 minutes. Plus they have a wider range of advertisers.
They don't have the option to share content though. So this option is for video makers only.
See you,
Kirsten
January 15, 2009 11:32 PM
It is great that for a small investment anyone can get STARTED using video...but what is better is that with a bigger investment in equipment, software, etc, your video/production quality will increase EXPONENTIALLY, and you can really differentiate yourself from others. CASE IN POINT: Joel's Next internet Millionaire show.
I recommend getting as CREATIVE as possible with video. Content is "king" but content can be entertaining, engaging, humorous & emotional as well as informative & valuable.
Look at your favorite films, TV shows AND their marketing for inspiration!
Cheers,
James Wedmore
(PASSIONATE about Video)
January 16, 2009 12:58 AM
Video is a great way of communicating your ides and thoughts. While I was creating videos for my website about training in Excel somebody wrote: A picture is worth a thousand numbers. A video is therefore worth a million numbers!
January 16, 2009 11:00 AM
I have videos embedded on my site Happy Feetz; found most on YouTube. They are informational (bunion surgery, ingrown toenail), or about non-profits like Soles4Souls, sports (barefoot running), celeb shoe lines, etc.
I was surprised at all the good stuff I could find.
One little tip: re-size the YouTube vids to 320 wide by 265 high and they look a lot better.
Another thing I did for a bed & breakfast was making a slideshow set to music; it looks like a video. I ran it through Traffic Geyser, it's on YouTube, on Trip Advisor, on their site, and would be in their Google Business listing if I could get them to activate their listing! (rolls eyes)
January 25, 2009 11:39 AM
I totally agree with you, Joel!
My videos on YouTube are seen on average by 150-200 views/month/video and with YouTube Insight I can keep track of my visitors (countries, sites, search engines, keywords, related videos).
And an important source of traffic for my sites is generated by my Youtube Channel.
Luca.