Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Flipboard 0 In the classic scene from Sunset Boulevard, Joe Gillis says to the relic of silent stardom, “You’re Norma Desmond. You used to be big.” And she dramatically responds, “I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.” Indeed they have, Norma. Some of the biggest actors can be viewed on the palm of our hand thanks to the advent of technology. But let’s face it, YouTube has become the supernova in this digital universe. We all know that technology is always evolving, whether it’s a flashy new skin, or some new update to like or dislike, Youtube is no different. In December 2006, Time magazine wrote: “YouTube is to video browsing what a Wal-Mart Supercenter is to shopping: everything is there, and all you have to do is walk in the door.” In 2013, I think it can be more analogous to browsing America’s biggest mall. But what function does it serve in social media? Dominate with its accessibility, and with the power of suspending your disbelief through the moving image, YouTube is ultimate digital marriage made in Flash and HTML heaven. But it is so overlooked, because people associate with something that “the kids are doing it these days.” This is a huge missed opportunity for companies. As a marketing tool, YouTube is used for driving traffic, gaining leads, and list building for your business. It is the perfect discovery funnel for people searching for information and looking for answers. Video is the next best thing to a live engagement, because you can interact with your audience. With the ability to establish credibility with your audience, it gains their trust as their “go to guy.” It gives you a platform to convey your company’s services and verbal branding. Additionally, YouTube and online video hosting opens a channel that may not have been available previously to potential customers. For instance, if the viewer’s original intention was to look for a review on a particular wedding photographer, YouTube’s affective display of similar videos makes it possible venture off into a completely different direction, which helps bring increased visibility to an avenue that may not have gotten the “foot traffic” it needed. One thing is for sure, if your company provides a solution and helps solve their problem perfectly translated on a well-produced video, it’s a place they’ll want to be. According to YouTube, here are some astonishing statistics: Over 6 billion hours of video are watched each month on YouTube—that’s almost an hour for every person on Earth, and 50% more than last year 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute 70% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US YouTube is localized in 56 countries and across 61 languages Lastly, one of the biggest advantages of using YouTube over any other type of marketing method to increase sales is that it’s a free service. This is one of the biggest reasons that many people do not take advantage of the service because they feel that it’s free, it must be ineffective. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and the sooner you learn more about how this powerful marketing tool can help your business, the better. YouTube has made the world its digital stage. Whether it’s for entertainment, rants and raves, or the next viral video, one thing is for sure; it has distinguished itself amongst the other virtual infrastructures on the social media landscape. It should be used in conjunction with other social media or marketing tools creating an efficacious social media package for your company. Do you want more information or need help producing and posting engaging videos online? Grass Roots Marketing can help you conceptualize, film and post your online videos to your website or social media sites. For more information or to speak with me, click here. Twitter Tweet Facebook Share Email This article originally appeared on Grass Roots Marketing Blog and has been republished with permission.Find out how to syndicate your content with B2C Author: Connor Brooke Connor is a Scottish financial expert, specialising in wealth management and equity investing. Based in Glasgow, Connor writes full-time for a wide selection of financial websites, whilst also providing startup consulting to small businesses. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and a Master’s degree in Investment Fund Management, Connor has … View full profile ›More by this author:ACH Crypto Price Prediction 2022 – Is it a Buy?Lucky Block Partners with Dillian Whyte ahead of Heavyweight Showdown with Tyson FuryNFT Pixel Art – The Best NFT Collections for 2022