Social Media Marketing

YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos. The company is based in San Bruno, California, and uses Adobe Flash Video and HTML5 technology to display a wide variety of user-generated video content, including movie clips, TV clips, and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos.

Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media corporations including CBS, the BBC, VEVO, Hulu, and other organizations offer some of their material via the site, as part of the YouTube partnership program. Unregistered users can watch videos, while registered users can upload an unlimited number of videos. Videos considered to contain potentially offensive content are available only to registered users at least 18 years old. In November 2006, YouTube, LLC was bought by Google for US$1.65 billion, and now operates as a subsidiary of Google.

Using YouTube For Business

Upload recordings of presentations you’ve given, to demonstrate authority and public speaking skills.
Share slides from presentations that weren’t recorded.
Create short videos of valuable tips of interest to your clients and prospects to show off your expertise.
Engage with the YouTube community by leaving comments and uploading video responses to videos on topics related to your business or industry.
Set up a channel to reflect your brand and engage with others.
Add your channel URL to marketing collateral and social network profiles.
Post customer video testimonials to add to your credibility.
Put together a creative video explaining your product or service.
Show the results of someone using your services.
Post solutions to common product or service problems.
Answer customer-specific questions using videos. Imagine how surprised a customer will be when you point them to a video with the answer!
Embed videos on your web site on appropriate pages, including customer support and product tours.
Post a blog entry discussing a problem and include a video for visual support.

How the Home Depot is Using YouTube to Connect With Their Customers