Network Solutions Small Business Resources » Videos

Is Your Small Business Using Video to Its Fullest?

Rieva Lesonsky — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:00:55 +0000

By Rieva Lesonsky

Is your small business capitalizing on the power of video for both internal and external communications? A new study shows that while many companies do use video in some form or another, many are failing to take advantage of everything video can do.

The study, conducted by BurstPoint Networks, found that companies are using video to connect with audiences including employees, customers, partners and more. More than 56 percent of respondents said they currently use videoconferencing technology; more than 50 percent said they currently use live video streaming or prerecorded video broadcasts.

The three primary reasons survey respondents cited for using video technology in their businesses were to replace in-person meetings (58 percent); to help with training, education and HR functions (62 percent); and to issue company broadcasts (44 percent).

Overall, companies are pleased with the results they’re getting from video. Almost three-quarters of those surveyed (73 percent) said there are better exchanges between executives and employees when using videoconferencing, and 69 percent said video technology improves their communications with external audiences as well.

But although the majority of companies are using video, there’s still lots of room for improvement. More than three-fourths (76 percent) of survey respondents said they would like to better leverage videoconferencing within their organizations, and 65 percent said they would like to stream video on-demand.

“The survey also found that cost is perceived as a prohibiting factor in video implementation, when in reality, due to technology developments, this is no longer the case,” said Tom Racca, president and CEO of BurstPoint Networks, in announcing the survey results. “As we are in a new era of video, implementing this technology no longer has to be a scary prospect.”

How can you use video in your business? Here are some ideas:

Record videos demonstrating your product or service.
Interview a key customer or industry leader about trends in your industry.
Record testimonials from satisfied customers and post them on your website.
Record events your company holds.

Post your videos on your website, your social media accounts and on YouTube.

Image by Flickr user Jeffrey Beall (Creative Commons)

Small Biz Resource Tips: mybrainshark

Maria Valdez Haubrich — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:01:14 +0000

mybrainshark

Your Web marketing guy tells you to do it. Your competitors are doing it. Your employees are requesting it. If you’re not doing online video presentations, you’re missing out on a great learning and sales tool. With mybrainshark, small businesses can create, narrate, share and track on-demand multimedia presentations for a variety of uses such as promoting a business, sharing expertise, raising awareness or teaching a seminar. You can even insert survey questions, collect feedback and analyze data. Oh, did we mention, it’s free? Just enter your email address and you’re registered.

Network Solutions’ Go Granny Campaign Wins Big With Social Media by Increasing Sales 500 Percent

Karen Axelton — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:30:09 +0000

Network Solutions® Go Granny parody video featuring Cloris Leachman (http://networksolutions.com/video), which was launched to coincide with Super Bowl weekend, has won the public vote in the social mediasphere. Online sentiment about the Go Granny video campaign has been a whopping 97.5 percent HIGH POSITIVE, attracting attention from social media bigwigs like Guy Kawasaki, Scott Monty, Liz Strauss and Jason Falls.

“Customers, bloggers and the social media community have given Go Granny the thumbs up,” says Sanjay Gupta, Head of Marketing for Network Solutions. “We are thrilled to see a 500 percent increase in .CO domain sales and attribute much of that success to the huge splash Go Granny made in the social media channels, which was complemented by promotional pricing.”

On the Friday of Super Bowl weekend, Network Solutions launched the Go Granny video on its website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, blog properties, Twitter streams, online banner ads – all this was followed by a three day social media blitz. On game day Go Granny/Cloris Leachman was celebrated as a social media sweetheart.

During this three-day span, the Go Granny video campaign received more than 18 million impressions on Twitter and a whopping 14 million impressions on leading blogs that praised Go Granny versus Go Daddy. AdAge said, “Network Solutions’ Go Daddy Parody Surprisingly Close to Real Thing.”

On Twitter, Network Solutions engaged their audiences by using the @Go_Granny Twitter handle to launch a three-day dialog about Go Granny’s preparations for her big game party. ”Go Granny” became a trending topic as a result of engaging with social media heavy weights and with Lisa Stone, Co-founder and CEO of BlogHer, and her massive online community of women bloggers. The BlogHer community caused a “twitter-flurry” of goodwill for @Go_Granny throughout the weekend.

Network Solutions’ Facebook page featured a custom “Go Granny” tab where fans and friends engaged in lively commentary about Granny and her escapades, in addition to timely posts on Network Solutions blog properties that supported the effort.

The huge success of the Go Granny video once again proved that Network Solutions understands the power of the Internet and leveraged it like it does for small business customers every day.

Online reactions to Go Granny included:

@darrenrovell (CNBC) Network Solutions fires back at GoDaddy ads w/amazing “Go Granny” viral http://is.gd/AzlkmA (via @NetSolSocial

@JasonFalls: By the way, I would take @Go_Granny over Joan-Rivers-O-Plastic every time!

@WriterChanelle: Hmm still prefer Network Solutions ad with Cloris Leachman @Go_Granny over Go Daddy ad.

@AltosGroup: @Go_Granny stealing @GoDaddy’s thunder? #sbads #altos

GrowSmartBiz 2010 Conference is on Nov 5 so Save the Date!

Steven Fisher — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:00:50 +0000

Coming this fall is the second annual GrowSmartBiz Conference being held on November 5, 2010 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC. Last year Network Solutions launched this conference and it was MC’d by Alex Orfinger of the Washington Business Journal. This year the Washington Business Journal is partnering with Network Solutions to make this a bigger and even better event than last year.

We listened to your feedback and this year we also plan to have multiple content tracks to really take this event up a notch. If you are interested in reserving your booth space before August 27, call 703-258-0800.

Register Now!

Our GrowSmartBiz registration site is up and running! Tickets are $79 per person and if you want to bring a group of 10 the cost $69 per person or $690 for the group. You can register at

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/events/2010/growsmartbiz/

If you are curious as to the quality of content, here are some videos from the 2009 GrowSmartBiz Conference.

This is an event not to be missed. We will be announcing more in the weeks ahead so fill out the form below and we will let you know the details as they are announced.

If you are curious as to the quality of content, here are some videos from the 2009 GrowSmartBiz Conference.

BlogCritics and Technorati's Dawn Olsen Gets #SmallBizCool

Michael Dougherty — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:00:04 +0000

I’m really excited to bring you another #SmallBizCool, thought up by the great Jill Foster of WomenGrowBusiness, from the floor of BlogWorldExpo 2009. I met so many great people there, but I really got a great interview Entertainment Editor of BlogCritics and Technorai, Dawn Olsen. Dawn and I shared a lot of laughs, but she gave a great insight into what BlogCritics is all about and a little into what’s new with Technorati.

You can learn more about BlogCritics and Technorati at their websites and learn more about Dawn.

You can also reach me on Twitter by sending a message to @wickedjava, or on Facebook at facebook.com/mcdougherty.

As all ways if you have been reading, and this time watching, thank you and stay wicked.

Ted Murphy Gets #SmallBizCool

Michael Dougherty — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:27 +0000

Here comes another #SmallBizCool from the floor of BlogWorldExpo 2009. This time around I get to talk to twitter and social media legend Ted Murphy about social media and security. Ted Murphy is well known for his his Twitter and Blog Marketing Company, IZEA.

At BlogWorldExpo 2009, Ted took a few minutes to explain social media is cool and give us the update on his latest product Sponzai.

You can learn more about Ted at his website IZEA.com and you can follow Tee on Twitter @tedmurphy

You can also reach me on Twitter by sending a message to @wickedjava, or on Facebook at facebook.com/mcdougherty.

As all ways if you have been reading, and this time watching, thank you and stay wicked.

GrowSmartBiz Conference Interview Series – Thieme Creative Media

Steven Fisher — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:00:20 +0000

During the GrowSmartBiz conference we had the opportunity to meet some really great and innovative small businesses. One of those businesses is Thieme Creative Media. They are a small business that does web design, print and creative media. Here is an interview with the co-owners:

this will be replaced by the SWF.

You learn more about Thieme Creative Media at their web site.

Recap of the #GrowSmartBiz Conference Here and Around the Web

Steven Fisher — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:22 +0000

Last week those of you who are regular subscribers to the blog know that the first GrowSmartBiz conference was held on Sept 29 in Washington, DC. By all accounts it was a successful event full of great content and valuable lessons for small business owners. One of my favorite things was that they gave you a branded thumb drive with all the conference content as well as more that wasn’t on the agenda. That alone is a great resource plus it saved a ton on printing costs and environmental impact.

Here is a comprehensive recap for the GrowSmartBiz Conference here at Network Solutions and from all over the Internet:

Watch the Entire Conference On-Demand from Livestream (who did an amazing job):

http://www.livestream.com/networksolutions/

Twitter Coverage:

Go to SEARCH.TWITTER.COM and use THIS search string:

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=gsbiz OR growsmartbiz OR #growsmartbiz

Coverage here on the Grow Smart Business Blog (Blog Series):

GrowSmartBiz Conference

Coverage from other Network Solutions sites:

GrowSmartBiz Conference Recap: Integrating Traditional Marketing with Social Media by Ken Yeung
GrowSmartBiz Conference Recap: Raising Capital with Effective Finance Strategies by Ken Yeung
GrowSmartBiz Conference Recap: Driving Small Business Performance with Marketing & Innovation by Ken Yeung

Coverage from around the Web:

Online News Coverage:

SMBs, startups find growth support in first GrowSmartBiz Conference

Marketing Expert Bob London to Participate in Network Solutions ® GrowSmartBiz Conference, Focusing on Small Business Marketing & Innovation

Examiner.com – The DC event of the year for Small Business Owners – GrowSmartBiz Conference

GrowSmartBiz Conference

GrowSmartBiz conference provides insights into small business best practices

Tech Bisnow: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Blog Coverage:

The Cascade Effect – GrowSmartBiz Wants Your Story

Small Business Trends – GrowSmartBiz Conference and Contest – Goodies

Chris Abraham Links for 2009-08-11

Inside Out Branding: Bob London to speak at first GrowSmartBiz conference on 9/29/; keynote is Wired’s Chris Anderson

Just for Small Business: Put the GrowSmartBiz Conference on Your Radar Screen (and Enter the Contest)

A Must –Attend: Grow Smart Biz Conference

SMC:DC: Upcoming Events – Fall 2009

Free Agent Writer: Wired Editor-in-Chief to Keynote DC GrowSmartBiz Conference

Social Fish: GrowSmartBiz Conference

Small Biz Labs: GrowSmartBiz Conference DC

The Nash Chronicles: Shannon Nash will be speaking on the Raising Capital with Effective Finance Strategies panel

Blogwrite for CEOs: Q & A With Chris Anderson, Best Selling Author of FREE

InkThinker: EVENT: GrowSmartBiz Conference, September 29 in Washington, DC – Keynote Speaker Chris Anderson of Wired

The AIW Blog: Network Solutions Presents the GrowSmartBiz Conference – September 29 in Washington, DC

East Coast Blogging: GrowSmartBiz Conference

Posts about Small Business Info as of Saturday, September 5, 2009

Chris Anderson Live in DC at the GrowSmartBiz Conference

9 Reasons to Sign up for the GrowSmartBiz Conference

GrowSmartBiz Conference – Helping Small Business Owners Grow Their Business

Reston Limo Blog: GrowSmartBiz Conference

Waxing UnLyrical: DC Conference Mania

Chef Vinod: Grow Smart Business Seminar

Business in General Blog: Grow Smart Business Conference – Washington DC Area
View from 17th and Riggs: Grow Smart Business Conference in DC – with Coupon Update!

SCORE Women’s Success Blog: Small Business: Grow Your Biz Event in DC on 9/29

SCORE Ask an Expert Blog: Small Business: DC Event September 29^th

Powder Room Diaries: GrowSmartBiz Conference

Chris Abraham: GrowSmartBiz in DC with Chris Anderson

Waxing UnLyrical: DC, #GrowSmartBiz Is Here

Photographic Department: Live Photoblogging GrowSmartBiz – Morning Session

Web Wahala: Rebroadcast Of The #GrowSmartBiz Conference From Network Solutions

Katie Rogers Writes: Chris Anderson of “Wired” mag speaks at GrowSmartBiz D

Hot Mommas Project: #24a Techniques for Learning to Improve Your Business – Building a Million Dollar Business Part Time

NextGenWeb: Grow Smart Business Conference Connects Experts With Entrepreneurs

Jen Consalvo: growsmartbiz & a brand for small businesses

Waxing UnLyrical: Why GrowSmartBiz Rocks

Capital Communicators Group: GrowSmartBiz Conference: Takeaway #1

Mayra Ruiz blog: 2 state lines *and* 3 metro lines to bring you my #growsmartbiz recap(s)

New Media Consults: #GrowSmartBiz Conference: Top 20 Tweet Takeaways

Small Business Blog: A Wealth of Information for Small Business Owners

#GrowSmartBiz Video: Effective Use of the WashBizJournal – Alex Orfinger

Shashi Bellamkonda — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:23 +0000

Alex Orfinger, Publisher of the Washington Business Journal was our MC for the event and was very entertaining. He kept the audience going throughout the day and on top of that gave a great 10 minute overview of using the WBJ. Check out the video below:

#GrowSmartBiz Video : Panel 3: Staying Ahead in the Current Economy

Shashi Bellamkonda — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:00:50 +0000

Christine Banning from SCORE gave a great presentation on the current economy in the afternoon of the #GrowsmartBiz conference. Check it out below:

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Christine Banning is VP of Marketing and Communications at SCORE Association and is a marketing expert. She leads strategic brand management, marketing, marketing alliances and PR & communications for SCORE nationally. She has successfully led SCORE’s digital marketing strategy, reaching nearly 3 million people each year. Christine reaches an audience of 500 million annually through SCORE’s PR efforts. Christine speaks nationally on branding, entrepreneurship, small business identity and marketing. Christine serves on the Board of Directors of Dress for Success, Washington, DC. She received her graduate degree from The American University in Washington, DC. She was recently named an Honorary Member of SCORE New York City.