News by SB Informer

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Small Business Relies on YouTube to Deliver Message

SB Informer
Tuesday, August 29, 2006; 03:41 AM

Recent internet trends such as the explosion of YouTube attract Small Business marketing messages. Using viral video is inexpensive option to deliver highly targeted messages directly to the inbox of prospects.

"I was on pins and needles!" says David Rachford, a CPA and Online Marketer. Rachford eagerly anticipated the morning of August 15, as he was about to launch his first video advertisement via the website www.YouTube.com. "But then YouTube disappeared for six hours. I was anxious to send out my video," said Rachford.

Ironically, just as Mr. Rachford was going to launch his video, the online video sharing service YouTube suffered its first ever technical disaster, and was shut down for 6 hours. The breakdown came as Internet audience measurement firm comScore Networks Tuesday released data showing how YouTube surged into the No. 40 ranking in July among U.S. Web sites, with 16 million visitors, up 20 percent just since June.

The YouTube site specializes in short -- typically 2-minute -- homemade, comic videos created by users. YouTube serves as a quick entertainment break for viewers with broadband computer connections at work or home.

After reading several articles about the explosion of video sharing sites like YouTube, Mr. Rachford began to think of ways that small business could harness the technology and social aspects of the website and exploit them for use in small busines. "I think we are seeing the dawn of a new era in mass media communications," said Mr. Rachford. "Never before have consumers and business people had more methods to send and recieve messages."

Increasingly, marketers are looking towards non-traditional media to deliver thier messages. From cell phones, to text messages, to blogs, to videos shared on websites like YouTube or Google Video.

Mr. Rachford's YouTube advertisment depicts a humorous scene where a CPA loses his wits and attacks his client - the message: Fire the bad clients and get better clients with Mr. Rachford's marketing services.

"I wanted to have fun with the advertisement," begins Rachford, "I thought that a humorous message that speaks directly to my target would create a memorable impression, and generate increased website traffic."

Mr. Rachford noticed a 42% jump in website traffic the week following the launch of the video. "It might have been even higher had YouTube been working that morning," notes Rachford.

Mr. Rachford wrote and produced the video, with assistance from a videographer and actor he found on the online website www.craigslist.org. Rachford claims the whole production was put together for less than $400.

"The response has been tremendous," states Rachford, "the video has struck a chord within the Accounting and CPA industry." After one week, YouTube reports over 400 views of the video titled: Crazy CPA Attacks Client.

Mr. Rachford predicts that video sharing presents a tremendous opportunity for small business. "In the near future, small buiness owners will create mini-ads for their clients, or use video services such as YouTube to display client testimonials, or product showcases." says Mr. Rachford. "The best part, is the price - other than paying for the video and the acting, distriubtion is free; and if the video gets passed along by friends, the video has potential to be seen thousands of times."

The CPA Marketing Center (www.cpamarketingcenter.com) was founded by David Rachford, a practicing CPA, to provide marketing systems and tools for CPA’s and Accountants across the United States. Most CPAs don’t have time to create their own programs, and realize using tested tools increases efficiency.