How to Get Free Traffic from YouTube

Google is the largest search engine in the world followed by the internal search engine of the video sharing site YouTube, which Google also owns. Perhaps because of this relationship, many users are noticing more YouTube videos in Google’s own search results. Because of this, many marketers are realizing that YouTube can be used to drive traffic back to a website.
Many want to begin making videos to drive traffic to their main websites, but few know how to do this properly. Learning how to get free traffic from YouTube is easy with the right strategies.
Target Long Tail and Ultra Long-Tail Keywords
Long tail keywords are specific and descriptive phrases, with ultra long tail keywords being even more specific, but also lower in search volume. They often have less competition, but convert visitors into leads and sales at a much greater rate.
YouTube’s domain authority is so high, that videos targeting well chosen keywords may rank highly with little to no promotion. Larger phrases can be targeted as well, but targeting the long tail phrases produces the largest return in the shortest amount of time.
Add Clickable Video Links
YouTube videos are embeddable on other websites. Adding in a link to the video itself lets viewers click to visit your site. People viewing a video on a third party site may also click the links within the video to visit your site.
Put the link in early when the video begins playing. It is also possible to use YouTube’s annotation tool to link to related videos to increase video views and the chance of getting a click through to a website.
Videos Need a Call to Action Too
Many video creators miss this point. It is important to put links in the video and the description, and to ask or tell viewers to click on them for more information. Some calls to action need to be stronger than others, but this can be tested to determine the best way to get viewers to click through.
Create a Great Channel Page
If viewers like a video and choose to subscribe to the channel, they will often visit that channel. YouTube channels can be edited to include custom background colors and images, descriptions, tags, and the option of which videos to show first to new subscribers.
Write an Article Length Description
Many make the mistake of only adding a link to a website and several tags in their video descriptions. This can be okay for established channels, but those trying to drive more users to a website, it is a bad practice to place a bare link with no other content.
Taking the time to include an article to accompany the video serves several important functions. One is that it gives users the incentive to stay on the video for its entirety and that enough interest to earn a click on one of the links in the description itself.
The other and more important point is that more content creates more opportunity for videos to rank highly for a larger quantity of long tail keywords. Content does not need to be any longer than a short blog post, and can be optimized in a similar fashion as blog content when targeting specific and secondary long tail keywords and phrases.
Link to More Than One Property
Getting traffic from YouTube can happen in a roundabout way. Some users are more interested in engaging socially than they are clicking through to a website to read more. Putting links in to social media profiles offers another chance to build trust and develop an audience. When the audience begins trusting the quality and information of videos, they may be more likely to visit a website.
Follow the Trends
YouTube is showing no signs of slowing down. Online video consumption is estimated by some to increase over 30% per year, per person. YouTube’s unique standing as a Google owned property, as well as trends concerning consumer preference make clear the need to establish a presence on YouTube. The trends speak for themselves.

Guide to a Successful YouTube Channel

Day to day, an astounding amount of traffic flows through the vast network that we call the Internet. It may come as no surprise that a large chunk of that traffic is directly attributed to users watching videos on YouTube. The social video powerhouse has led to the success of thousands of users over the years. Ideas are easy to come by; it’s only those who put the proper work in that reach their goals. People near and far are creating content, uploading it to YouTube, growing their subscribers and making money while doing something they thoroughly enjoy!
You may be contemplating creating a YouTube channel of your very own. It’s far too common to see a new channel start only to end abandoned a month later. Having a game plan, figuring out your challenges and setting goals will serve you well. This guide will provide clear and straight-forward advice that will surely lead your new channel to continued success.
What’s the big idea?
You probably have a good idea about what you’d like your channel to be about. The issue is (unless your idea is very unique) there’s likely others who have already thought of it and are far ahead of you in the game. It’s a good idea to stick to the subject you love but introduce a unique element to your videos. Anything that will set your channel apart from the rest will have a large impact later on down the road.
From a practical point-of-view, check out what options you may have for filming and editing. Test any cameras you own and use the one that provides the best picture. If the quality isn’t where you’d like it to be, a new camera might be necessary. Start to think about how many videos you’ll be uploading at any given time. Don’t take on more work than you have time or energy for.
A Catchy Name
Perhaps the most fun (initially) and most agonizing part of creating a YouTube channel, or anything for that matter, is choosing a name. Writing a list of names and then asking friends to pick which ones they like and give their own opinion can help you decide as well as spark additional ideas. Take a look at the front page of YouTube, it’s evident that many successful YouTubers possess short, smart and sometimes humorous account names. Ultimately a name that will stick with people is what you’re aiming for.
It’s impossible to predict the future but it’s naive to not to plan for it. A not so unrealistic scenario may present itself later and you don’t want to be left wondering what to do. If the direction of your videos changes, choosing a name too specific may confuse your subscribers. It could potentially make marketing your channel more difficult as well.
Curb Appeal
Books are judged by their covers, people judge others by how they dress and visitors will judge your channel by the first thing they see. If someone happens upon one of your videos, that video had better be 100%. If someone happens upon your channel, that channel background had better be professional and captivating. Think about the visual style you’d like your videos to embrace. Intro and outro clips are something to consider. A custom and unique YouTube channel background is a good idea and will help your channel stand out.
Time to Sell!
The videos you provide are the most important part of your channel but a close second is marketing it. Having amazing content is great but you’ll quickly realize that a “set and forget” approach will not work. You’ll need to get out there and get your channel known. Some common marketing techniques on YouTube are to befriend and comment on channels that are similar to yours. Not only will you be seen in the comments of videos but you may eventually earn some shout-outs. Doing collaborative videos with other more established YouTubers can be a quick way to expose your channel to a wide audience that will be interested in your content.
Marketing your YouTube channel doesn’t only involve action within the YouTube.com site. As you well know, social networking is a hot topic and more people than ever use sites like Facebook and Twitter. Setup a Facebook page as well as a Twitter page. You’ll want to inform followers of new videos but more importantly, provide them with something a bit more. Users need a reason to follow or like you, only posting that you’ve uploaded a new video isn’t reason enough. Holding giveaways on YouTube and utilizing your Facebook and Twitter pages can help gather interest very quickly. Pick a prize that closely relates to what your videos are about. This will ensure a higher probability that the extra eyes you harvest will actually stick around.
Expectations and Goals
If you love something and have great enthusiasm for it than the work is easy and fun but if that work becomes too much for you to handle than you may grow to hate what you once thought was a blast to do. Be honest with yourself; only devote time that you know you’ll have available. This doesn’t mean squeeze in 30 minutes here or there. All your videos have to be your best work. Remember, first impressions are everything.
Staying consistent is very important. If three videos a week is too much, do two videos a week. If two videos a week is too much than do one video a week. Whatever you decide, stay consistent. Continue to upload videos regularly, keep commenting on videos and interacting within the community. Set goals that challenge you but not so much so that you set yourself up for failure. As your following grows and your channel gets more activity, you’ll find yourself raising the bar and setting higher and more challenging goals to obtain. As you reach those goals, set your sights on the next. Follow this guide and it will lead to a successful YouTube channel.
About the author: Josiah S. has been helping YouTube users reach success for 5 years. He runs BackgroundTube.com – a site that offers professional (free and custom) YouTube channel backgrounds, avatars and more.

Basic Marketing Tips for Local Businesses

Local businesses have the best chances of success if they engage with their customers and communities both online and offline. A web presence is now essential for all types of businesses, but a new business owner will also build long-term customer loyalty with traditional ways of networking and marketing. After using available local resources for starting a business, an entrepreneur can leverage community involvement, local directory listings and social media campaigns as effective marketing strategies.
Research Local Business Resources
Many new entrepreneurs are unaware of how many resources are available to help them plan, organize and implement a new business venture. The US Small Business Administration is one of the most recognizable organizations that can assist local businesses, and the SBA has chapters in a large number of communities. Representatives can offer consultations about writing a good business plan, preparing financial budgets for a new venture, understanding legal requirements and recruiting the best employees.
The SBA and similar organizations also offer financial assistance for new business start-ups. Entrepreneurs who meet certain application criteria can secure grants or low-interest loans to help them offset expenses, such as office rental deposits, computers and beginning product inventory. First-time business owners often feel overwhelmed at the large volume of information to organize for a new start-up, so SBA counselors are available to help them with each step of the process. These types of entrepreneurial training sessions often carry little or no cost as well.
Invest in the Local Community
Once a new business is up and running, the next important step is to become an invested part of the community. Some business owners feel this investment needs to be financial in the form of donations, and they are unable to do so before they begin turning bigger profits. Other methods of investing in the local community do not need to be financial at all. They can include mentoring local students who are interested in a business’s niche, offering unpaid internships or speaking at local high schools and colleges about what is involved in being a business owner.
Use Local Listing Directories
Promoting, advertising and marketing a local business are key areas of focus, and they are critical to bringing in steady customer numbers. Establishing an online presence is now an essential component of these efforts, and the first recommended step is to sign up for several local business directories. Some of the most recognizable ones are Yelp, Manta, Yahoo Local, Google Places and Yellow Pages. Business owners can submit their company names, street addresses, phone numbers and website links to a local directory for potential customers to find when searching for specific products or services.
Submitting a business’s basic information to these directories is one of the simplest first steps to building the necessary web presence. Many first-time business owners are unsure if they need to have a complete company website before submitting to local directories. While a complete website is ideal, a new business owner can decide to have just the basic website created before submitting to local directories. The sooner a company’s contact information is online, the better the potential for attracting higher customer numbers. A new business’s website can always be expanded and updated after local directory submission.
Learn about Social Media Campaigns
After signing up with local directories and launching a company website, a local business has higher chances of profitability if the owner interacts with customers through social media. This marketing strategy helps a business owner learn details about his or her customer base, such as preferences and needs that the company can meet with products or services. Essential parts of a successful social media presence include a Facebook business page, a Twitter account and a LinkedIn profile. Some savvy entrepreneurs also spend time talking to their core customers about which other social sites they use on a regular basis. This tactic will help with strategies for expanding a local business’s social media influence.
Local directories and social media profiles are two means of attracting online attention from potential customers. The number of social sites and associated information may seem large to business owners who are new to social networking, so many start-up consultants recommend beginning with smaller and simpler strategies in this case. Combining online marketing with community participation will make a difference in a local business’s long-term profitability.

Promoting your Business for Free

Having a website is no longer considered a luxury; it is a necessity and especially if you own a business. With costs amounting in a downed economy, “inexpensive” is good, but “free” is even better. Having a free business website is not only a great way to cut huge costs, but is the best way to promote yourself. People aren’t turning to the phone book or the papers anymore; your audience is online and they are searching for your services every day. But be cautioned; just because a website is free doesn’t mean it will cost you. In fact, it could even hurt your business. Many companies that offer free websites make their money by plastering their client’s sites with advertisements. This is a sure way to detour your potential clients. Also, they will use generic cookie-cutter templates and out-dated technology to cut costs.
When utilizing a free website it is imperative that they offer their clients the following:

• Professional, unique design
• Current, state-of-the-art technology
• No advertisements
• 24 hour customer support
• Affordable, upgradable websites
• Advanced features and tools
• Marketing support

When finding a company that offers these must-haves, give them a shot and test the water. Remember that they need to earn your business, just as you work hard to earn business from your clients. Determine if they are meeting your expectations and representing your brand as you specified. If everything looks in order, then keep active with your website, and start reaching out to a broader sphere of influence.
Some “Dos and Don’ts” in Running your Business Website
Networking and link building is all part of the work involved in running a successful business website, but don’t make this overly complicated. In an article published through The Huffington Post, the author warns business owners not to overwhelm their website with links that will send their potential customers into “surf shock”. Keeping your website clean and free from annoyances will offer better results in keeping people in your website. After all, if you went into a shop and it had signs posted everywhere and clutter in the aisles, would you want to stay?
Using other online resources to promote your website is not only a smart move, but in today’s competitive online market it is essential to your growth. Many website companies offer marketing support with social media platforms such as Facebook. If your company provides this option, USE IT. Recently, Facebook has gained tremendous popularity as an online tool for business marketing. Its mission was, and still is, to make the world a more open place by providing a platform in which people can share thoughts and ideas. Approximately 175 million Americans log into Facebook every day. It has grown to become a huge cultural obsession, and businesses are tapping into this. Be sure to contact your website company’s marketing department, and ask them how you can utilize Facebook to broaden your sphere of influence in the business world.
Your Brand, Your Reputation
Having a business website not only serves the purpose to offer a platform where clients can make transactions with you, but a good website will allow you to control your brand and reputation. Your free website must showcase you as an expert and leader in your industry. You will also want to use it to build credibility, and to ensure you have your client’s trust. Also, running a blog on your website is a great way to give your website good organic ranking in the search engines, attract new customers, engage current clients, and promote yourself as an expert in your field.
Remember, your free business website is not “an online business card” for people to refer to; it is your identity as a professional. Be selective in which company you partner with to build your website. You are, after all, putting your identity, brand, and reputation in their hands.

Keyword Research: Your Visitors are Not Robots

Most small business owners are not proficient with keyword research. If you spend a little bit of time looking at the comments of any number of marketing blogs and forums, you’ll see story after story of websites that never rank for their keywords. And if they do, they never convert their visitors into subscribers or customers. The truth is – with the right approach and follow-through, keyword research can lead to an effective marketing campaign.
Most start with a specific niche, like “playing the guitar”. Then they open up the Google Keyword Tool, paste in their main keyword and look for terms that get traffic without massive competition.
They may even do a couple of “allintitle:” searches while they’re at it…
After that, they write or order a few articles, build some links, wait to start ranking and making money, and then get frustrated when this doesn’t happen. They picked the wrong keywords and now have wasted huge amounts of time on their website.
Keyword research is a big part of a reaching success. In a lot of cases, choosing the wrong keywords can be harmful to a website’s content development and strategy. Keyword research drives content strategy, which drives conversion rates.
Most marketers are doing incomplete keyword research. Proper research takes time and effort, but the following strategy is both effective, and fairly simple once you get into a rhythm. It also helps to use a good keyword research tool.
We Still Need Search Volume
Knowing the estimated monthly search volume of particular keywords does two things. The first is that it gives you an idea of the volume of traffic you can get if rank highly.
Second, is that knowing that a keyword gets a certain amount of interest can help to guide your content development efforts. From determining whether an article is even worth writing, to the headlines you use, search volumes provide valuable insights.
Choose your niche, figure out what sort of competition you are willing to deal with, determine the lowest amount of traffic worth your time, and then pick the right keywords.
Transitioning to Market Research
Niches can be broken down into relevant keywords. Relevant keywords can be broken down into relevant, topic based stories. Telling those stories requires that you know your audience.
There are two great places to get a feel for your market first. Number one is Quantcast, a provider of demographic data on websites and niches. The other is the trusty discussion forum.
Quantcast has long been a secret weapon of the most thorough marketers online. Knowing the demographic makeup of an audience is very powerful. Both content and product development depend heavily on this type of information.
Doing forum research is a pain, but it is still relevant and valuable in 2012, and will probably continue to provide value in 2022. Choose one or two and track the most popular threads, then move along.
We only want and need to track a handful of forum threads because we now have social media and a few easy tools to track the information most relevant to our needs.
Using Social Media Resources
Since so many online marketers seem to be a little squeamish when it comes to SEO, we still need to find a way to drive cheap, targeted traffic to our sites. Just creating useful content isn’t enough. It has to be the right kind.
Everyone knows about social media, but few have any idea how to make it fit their general marketing strategy. When it comes to research, there are three important tools to use.
One is Twilert, which sets up alerts on whatever keywords you provide to show what has been shared on Twitter.
The other is Sulia. Sulia lets you monitor what is going on in a Pinterest type of layout, with a storyboard feel to it.
Both of these are great to see what is happening on Twitter, and with Sulia, Facebook as well.
The last one is Topsy. Topsy is a social search engine that will let you enter either a URL, or a keyword, to see what is getting shared the most.
Keeping Up with the Action
This part is a bit boring, but simple to do:

• Set up a spreadsheet with keywords, traffic volume, and competition.
• Add in values for social media shares. While you’re at it, add the top ten most influential people in your market and track their sharing and interactions as well.
• Look for similarities in headlines and the types of stories that spur activity in your market.
• Start your own profiles, and begin sharing other people’s work, interact with them and get an even clearer overall feel for the “flow” of your market.

Take a couple of weeks to compile this information, then sit down and sort through it. Look for similarities in stories with a lot of social sharing and comments. Which types of discussion topics are active on forums? Pick out the items commonly repeated and figure out what they mean to your strategy.
Pro tip: For the big keywords, plan “clusters” of content around them. Use synonymous terms in your headlines, and make sure your headlines are both interesting, and appropriate for your market.
Conclusion
Keyword research goes beyond simple AdWords values and PageRank analysis. It goes much deeper into a market. Take the time to analyze and plan your strategy now, so you can launch to a flow of traffic, and begin making money much earlier with your next website.