If you’re not adding the use of online video to you event marketing arsenal, then you’re missing out big time. Worse if your competition has already starting using video, then you’re really missing the boat.

What do I mean by this?

Right now online video is all the rage and if you don’t believe me, then think about this for a while? According to a November report by Compete.com Youtube had “close to 63 million US-based visitors in October 2008″ and “served nearly 770 million search queries” meaning people searching for different videos. And this is just Youtube.com alone.

When you think that there are so many other video sharing sites with Google, Yahoo, Vimeo, Revver, Viddler and even Facebook video out there with an audience looking for something to do, the possibilities of building more interest for your events and nightclub promotions are only limited by your imagination.

Can you imagine getting just 1% of the millions of viewers looking at video related to nightclubs and events? What could your next party or event look like?

But what about your list and audience that you already have?

If you already have a list of people, friends on Facebook and MySpace then you already have a platform to build from. Even better these people are looking for something to do and someone to watch. When you think about how many reality series there are and how online video viewings have skyrocketed, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realise people are interested in watching others do stuff, even better when it’s entertaining.

Plus other than just giving them something to watch you’re building a relationship with them. Now you’re not just some dude blasting them about your event, now you’re their friend. Now they can see the personality behind the events, your likes and dislikes, what you struggle with and your triumphs, what makes you tick.

Now when they get another email from you for your event, their going out to support a friend and not just some random promoter guy. Besides who wouldn’t want to make sure their friend’s event is successful. On top of that, I’m going to invite my other friends to support my friend’s event.

But What If I Don’t Feel Comfortable on Camera?

I definitely know how you feel, when I first fired up my digital camera to do a video, I felt awkward, down right scared and pretty much like an ass. What am I doing? was a thought that instantly came to mind. I stuttered, I said a whole bunch of Buts and Ahms, but after very few videos I felt better. I wasn’t as nervous anymore because I thought of it like I was talking to my best friends about what I’m up to.

Listen, most of us are just regular people and not Brad Pitt or Will Smith. Let’s not kid ourselves, we’re not even trying to win any Oscars or SAG Awards, but we’re trying to win the “People’s Choice Award”. We want people to choose our events, our clubs and our experiences, because they have a rapport with us.

And if you’re downright scared and feel like you’re an ogre then there are other alternative like shooting video of your actual event to show people the quality of your event, the quality of your crowd and that you really provide a good event experience. What better than actual footage of your event in action for potential members / patrons to say, “This is A Place I’d Like to Be” , “This Is An Event I’d Like to Go To”.

And if you’re fishing for another excuse to not do video, “Oh I don’t have a video camera”…

1. You can use any cheap digital camera that you use to take pictures to shoot short videos. You don’t need a hollywood camer, you’re not trying to be Steven Spieldberg or anything.

2. You don’t even need a camera, you can actually utilize services like Animoto.com to upload still images and pictures from your events to create online movies. You can even get fancy and add soundtracks and all, for next to nothing.

3. Go by a camera, they’re pretty cheap and I recommend the Flip Camera. You can get a regular or an HD quality version. I have one and love it.

OK, So How Do I Get Started?

Here are some quick steps to getting started today with online video.

1. Sign up for an account on Youtube.com today, I also love Vimeo.com because of the quality of the videos and both are free.
2. More Free, get an account with Animoto.com to upload your images and add music to them. They have a free and paid version.
3. Grab your camera and talk, talk like you’re speaking to a friend.
4. Upload your videos.
5. Spread them word.
6. Do it over and over again.

It’s that simple and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t do it before.

You’ll be building interest in you and your events, building a fan base and building your relationships. Which eventually builds your bottom line and profits.

So what are you waiting for?

Get out there right now and start capturing video to share with your members and audience. Remember it’s cheap to do, but the returns are through the roof. With a cheap digital camera like the Flip we mentioned, your youtube and facebook account, you can build a relationship and credibility that will set you head and shoulders above your competition.

By the time they catch on, it would have already been too late because you have a captive audience.

But don’t procrastinate and wait, because your competition may be reading this as well and may have already started capturing your audience.

- TRENDS

Image Via Flickr

Written by TRENDS for - EventMarketingTips.com. EMT is an outlet for all my latest lessons, adventures, interviews, resources, rants and more about Nightlife, nightclubs and more.

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