Video marketing is all the rage today but what do you need to know to use this medium effectively? Video is quite different than the written word. With articles, white papers and other written material you can use search engine optimization techniques to help bring people to the page you want them to see. With video this is not the case. If you want your video seen you must place it where people will find it.

So the first rule for effective video marketing is to ensure your video is prominently placed on your website, preferably on your home page. It should be one of the first things that people see when the visit your web page. Make sure that you create your video at a size that is easy to view. Most people don't want to have to look for it or get close to the screen to see everything your video contains. Make it as easy as possible to be viewed. When a visitor gets to your page and has the option of reading your material or viewing the video explaining the material the obvious choice for most people is to view the video.

The second rule is to let your visitors know that this is a SHORT video. You visitors do not want to watch a feature length film. Don't make them feel as if they are sitting through a timeshare presentation. Try to keep your video under two minutes and hit the highlights. The purpose of the video is to get your prospects to read more.

The third rule is to give your video some pop! If you want an effective video presentation then it is no different than when you paint a picture with words. Your video should be the visual equivalent to a finely written sales page. Engage your viewer with entertaining facts. Give them a reason to keep viewing. If you are only providing mundane, monotonous content then your visitor will not finish your video presentation and in all likelihood will leave your site altogether never to come back.

To make a video presentation effective requires some planning. You should have a visual theme in mind when you begin your presentation. If you are only presenting textual content then you need to use a recurring color scheme throughout the video. Allow motion graphics and fonts to flow freely throughout the entire video to present a consistency.

Present your material as a fast paced, dynamic delivery. Two minutes does not seem like a long time unless you are watching a boring video. You need to communicate your message in a short amount of time and make it visually stimulating as well as effectively relate your message I suggest taking some  lessons from television advertising. Look at the T.V. Ads that grab your attention and jot down notes. In 30 second to one minute a television ad gives you all the facts you need and moves you towards action. Study what professionals have already done and utilize the techniques for your niche.

If you want people to ignore your video then put in a less than perfect soundtrack. Even though video is considered a visual medium it should also contain sound. If not then your video is construed as amateurish.
So the first thing you need to produce a quality soundtrack for your video is of course a good voice. It doesn't matter whether the voice is male or female although depending upon your product one may be better suited. Create a sense of rhythm and be sure that you use your mic effectively. Speaking to close will cause you to hear the little breaths in between words and will be distracting to your message. Adding music is another way to carry a upbeat, and positive message throughout your video. Choose your music carefully by selecting  a “mood” and carry it through from shot to shot.

So there you have it, a plan to effectively market your product(s), your website, your services or whatever else you want or need to market. Follow this plan and you will begin to produce professional videos that will draw your customers into your site and produce sales for you.