You know how we love promoting your stuff here on BT Tradespace. We started off with our Featured Tradespacers, then our ‘How to guides’, cracked our shopping page and now this. This is your chance to show off the best of your efforts – whether that be your products, services, team or just you.
The news is we’ve launched a new video uploader on BT Tradespace TV. If you haven’t already spotted it, it’s a little button in the left hand column of our video page that says ‘Upload your videos’. Not much to look, at but in actual fact, it’s a powerful little tool that lets you upload your video direct to our partner video platform in a few simple steps.
The idea of us launching the uploader is to get you to begin using video to bring out your business personality. Not just because we’d love to see who our Tradespacers are, but because video is becoming the easiest way to make a sale on the web. And we want you to sell.
If you missed it, Mary (our Web Analyst/data junkie) recently played a top trump on how visitors on BT Tradespace spend more time on a Tradespace with video than one without. But, don’t take it from us. According to the IAB, ComScore found that 29.6 million people in the UK accessed online video in January 2009. That’s 10% more than the year before. Even Hitwise reported in April that UK Internet traffic to video websites has increased by 40.7% over the last 12 months.
The facts say it all: video works.
Use it to touch your customers’ hearts. Use it to create trust. Use it to speak one-on-one to a casual browser even if you’re not physically there! Use it to connect.
Now – if that isn’t reason enough for you to pick up a video/mobile/web cam and start filming, how about this -
If you upload your videos, not only will you be able to feature them on your Tradespace but we will feature the best videos on BT Tradespace TV! That’s double the promotion you get and double the chance of new customers finding you! (See Tradespacers below for a taster!)
Plus, you can also win a portable flip camcorder by entering your video in our competition! And all you have to do is a 30 second video!
We’re ready and waiting. Are you ready and filming?
For years, video has taken over our social lives – what comes through your TV screen is video. Those family memories captured on your handycam is video. YouTube? Video.
So it’s no surprise that I’ve handpicked a video statistic for our trump card series. And what Mary (remember our super sonic Web Analyst?) has found is that, ‘visitors spend longer on a Tradespace with video than one without.’
In fact, 59% spend five minutes or more on a Tradespace site with video versus 15% on a site without video.
Now, we know that TV is the most influential channel when it comes to advertising and we know that online, video has taken over the web – so it all makes sense. Or so it should.
The thing is – video isn’t that difficult to do. We’ve all used our mobile phones to take a video at some point, we love our handycams and even experimented with web cams – but somehow, we’re missing the boat when using these tools to create video for business. The real benefit, as Tradespacer and entrepreneur, Alison Rothwell, points out on her blog, is that it doesn’t have to be a feature film, but it’s to show a prospective customer what they’re getting for their money, and secondly, to put a face to the brand in a very effective manner.
From our stats, we know video engages your customers. It buys their trust. It gives your Tradespace personality. But most of all – it gives you what you need to keep people on your site. The more time they spend on your site, the better your chances to making a sale.
‘Visitors spend longer on a Tradespace site with video than one without.’
Makes perfect sense – doesn’t it?
There’s something to be said for face to face contact. But time is short and there’s hell of a lot of people/customers to get to in an ever decreasing 24-hour day. But for those of us, who thrive on knowing who we’re talking to, understanding what people are about or just connecting with others, the answer is here and it’s online video.
Online video viewing and usage is fast becoming one of the fastest growing Internet trends, with Hitwise reporting UK Internet traffic to Video websites has increased by 40.7% over the last 12 months. Websites like YouTube and BBC iPlayer are among the top most popular websites and You Tube alone has 15 hours of video uploaded to its site every minute.
This trend demonstrates that – one, video is now a key component on the online landscape and two; that consumers are using and behaving differently on the web. Where once inaccessible, video is now within their grasp as faster broadband connections have made it easier for audiences to engage with this channel. After all, it’s everyone’s opportunity to 15 minutes of fame.
Now, here’s where your business comes in. At the end of the day, customers want to engage in the way that they want – in their own time and space using the channels they are most comfortable with. And online video represents businesses with that channel. As it is with consumers, online video for business is accessible, personal and one of the most powerful marketing mediums at your disposal.
Now, if you’re one of those people thinking – “Video? Who? Moi?” Then you’ve only got to look back into history to see the power video has had on us as a society. Remember ‘Video killed the radio star’ – well, The Buggles knew what they were singing about because video has revolutionised our society. For example, it’s been streamed through our television channels, influencing our buying behaviours and even our lifestyle choices for years. The fact is, it’s just becoming more powerful – online.
So just why is video such a successful medium? It’s simple really, ultimately, as people we need to connect with other people. Trust is a big consideration for users spending their money online, where piracy and online theft is rife and it’s hard to trust a faceless business. Put this need for people to buy from people, together with the trend of UK Internet traffic to video sites having increased 37-fold and what you get is the opportunity for every business to put a face to the name and a voice to the message.
The question is – are you taking advantage of the opportunity?
What’s so great about business video?
In a nutshell, here’s why you should be thinking business video:
It lets you speak your customers’ language but in a highly effective, targeted way.
It puts a face and adds personality to your business plus increases trust in consumers because you’re effectively saying to them – ‘you know who I am now, come buy from me’.
It allows your customer to engage with you as they would in face to face contact building a community. A community of customers – what more could you want.
Once you do video, it’s forever – you can reuse your video again and again.
By uploading your video to community sites like BT Tradespace, you are suddenly reaching a whole new market – every one of those users is a potential customer.
It’s not that difficult to do – you can use your webcam, mobile phone or handy cam to deliver different messages time and time again.
Your Tradespace is an essential part of the marketing mix, allowing you to combine all of your marketing messages into one channel. Plus, with your video streaming from our partner platform, you don’t have to worry about using your own bandwidth! So make sure you update your Tradespace with regular videos and blog posts and reap the benefits!
It’s fun – so why not mix a bit of pleasure with business?
How can I get it right?
Educate yourself. Derek’s (our video guru) done a guide to business video which is a good way to get started.
Have a plan. Don’t go at it blindly, know what you want to put before your audience. Videos can be sales led, educational, informative, or just plain entertainment. If you’re doing a product demo, then that would be informative. If you’re doing a video on how your business is ethical and green, then that’s an educational video. If you’re introducing your team, then that’s fun and entertaining while building trust.
Write down your script but don’t learn it. The best videos are natural and from the heart; so while it’s important to know what you’re going to say – don’t read it out as it will drive your viewers away.
Have fun. If you have a creative streak, try different ideas. You don’t have to just stand in front of the camera – make it interesting and keep your audience in mind.
Keep it short and sweet. We’ve recommended between 30 seconds to a minute for videos in our video competition but three or four minutes for your business videos should be fine.
Think relevancy. Think better search engine ranking. The main way for users to find your video is through search – so from naming your file, to writing the intro to your video – think relevant keywords.
Look and learn. Why not have a look at some of the ways we’ve used video for BT Tradespace on our BT Tradespace TV. Our ‘Five steps to Tradespace success’ below is an example; we’ve also done simpler videos like our ‘Meet the team’ videos or event coverage. Or even better take part in our video competition to win a flip camcorder!
How to upload video to BT Tradespace
It’s pretty simple really. Just follow these steps to upload your video
Make sure your video is suitable size to upload – (our recommended size: is50Mb or under).
Visit BT Tradespace TV and click on the ‘Upload your videos’ button on the left hand side.
Complete all the fields on the upload form including choosing file to upload from your computer (Top tip: Remember to give your video file a relevant name to help it be found on search).
Click ’submit video’ but remember not to close your browser window until you see the message ‘Thanks for your upload’.
Make a note of the unique link/URL which will appear on the next screen once you’ve uploaded your video or from the confirmation email you receive.
Log in to your Tradespace Manager.
Click on the ‘Design & content’ tab;
click on videos
click on add video
type or cut and paste the link/ URL you received for your video previously into the field
click on save video
browse for an image file on your computer to use as the thumbnail for your video
click on ’save video’
click on ‘view your Tradespace’ to watch your video and experience it as your customers will.
Watch our ‘Five Steps to Tradespace Success’ video
Hey Tradespacers! This competition is now closed and we’ve chosen the winners but if you want to read the initial post, read on….
If there’s one thing that’s definitely going up, it’s the use of video online. For example, did you know, YouTube users upload 15 hours of video every minute of the day?
Here at the BT Tradespace HQ, it’s no different. We love video and we want more of it. In fact, we’ve gone so video steer crazy that we’ve launched a new upload feature on BT Tradespace TV. Just so you can upload your videos quicker, easier and generally do more of it.
So to kick off the video frenzy and inspire you – we’ve come up with the ‘30 second sell’ video competition. It’s simply your chance to either win a Flip Mino HD camcorder’ (1st prize) or be one of two runners up to win a ‘Flip Video Ultra SD camcorder’. All this, while selling your business and enhancing your Tradespace all at the same time! That’s a three in one advantage as we see it!
The 30 second sell:
Here’s the deal – this is not meant to be a super, duper, ‘filmed in a studio’ type video. It’s simply you, at home or at the office, using your handy cam, web cam or even mobile cam to do a video selling your business or even yourself in 30 seconds (we say 30 seconds but we’re not fussy about the length really). The more experimental, the better. That’s it. Easy peasy.
Our top tips for your video:
Use any device you have at hand – web cam, handy cam or mobile cam
Think creative, think customers. Remember ‘talk to the hand’? Well, forget it – talk to your customers; keep it personal and relevant.
Ideas for videos could be – your reason for getting into business, a product demo, or a short intro from your team (if you have one) – whatever you fancy really!
Don’t be overwhelmed, just try it, we’re not experts either – remember our Christmas video…? Yeah, we’re still laughing at that one!
Once you have your video down to 30 seconds or slightly more (we recommend 30 seconds) – simply visit BT Tradespace TV.
Click on the ‘Upload your videos‘ promo in the left hand side and follow the instructions on screen. It will take no more than a few minutes.
After you’ve uploaded your video you will see a link which you can use to update your Tradespace.
When your Tradespace has been updated with your video, email us with your name, number, your Tradespace and the link to your video before the 14th of August, 2009.
Fun over, we will choose the best ‘30 second sell’ ** and three lucky winners will win a Flip Mino HD camcorder’ or the runner up prize which is a ‘Flip Video Ultra SD camcorder’!
Just a couple of notes:
*We’ve recommended you keep the video down to 30 seconds but don’t worry if it’s longer, we’ll still enter you into the competition.
**We may ask visitors to BT Tradespace to vote on their favourite videos although The BT Tradespace judges will have the final decision.
1. This Competition is open to all UK businesses (hereinafter referred to as the “Participant”).
2. The three best promotional videos (in the opinion of the judges) will be selected as the winners of this Competition. Videos must be in accordance with the BT Tradespace ‘Conditions of Use’ which can be found at: http://whatis.bttradespace.com/conditionsofuse/
3. Participants must submit their video entries by 1700hrs on the 14th August 2009. Any video entries received after this time will not be eligible for participation in this Competition. Only one entry per Participant is permitted.
4. All Participants acknowledge and accept that by entering into this competition (a) that the Promoter may publish the details of the three competition winners; (b) the Promoter may use/publish the winning videos for marketing purposes; and (c) the three competition winners may be required to participate in various marketing and publicity events connected with this competition.
5. There will be three prizes available under this Competition which shall be supplied courtesy of BT Business Direct Limited. The first prize shall be a ‘Flip Mino HD camcorder’; the second and third prizes shall be a ‘Flip Video Ultra SD camcorder’.
6. All prizes are subject to availability and the Promoter and/or BT Business Direct Limited reserves the right to offer alternative prizes of equal or greater value. No cash alternative is available.
7. The details of the three winners will be published on the BT Tradespace blog by September 2009. All prizes will be posted to your nominated business address no later than the 30th October 2009.
8. By entering this Competition, Participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. The decision of the Promoter is final and binding in all matters relating to this Competition.
9. The Promoter reserves the right to alter, amend or foreclose this Competition without prior notice in the event that unforeseen circumstances make this unavoidable.
10. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury or disappointment suffered by any Participant resulting from entering this Competition or by the Participant’s acceptance of the prize , or any damage to any entrant’s or other person’s computer or mobile phone equipment as a consequence of downloading any material relating to this promotion. Nothing shall exclude the Promoter of liability for death or personal injury resulting from its negligence.
11. This Competition is governed by the laws of England and Wales.
12. No person employed by the Promoter, their families, its agencies or any businesses involved in this Competition is permitted to enter this Competition.
13. The Promoter of this Competition is British Telecommunications plc, 81 Newgate Street London EC1A 7AJ. Registered in England No. 1800000.
Hey Tradespacers! This competition is now closed and