Have You Started Your 2012 SEO Video Strategy?

The importance of this high value, low cost, easily implemented and well ranking part of an overall digital marketing strategy has been repeatedly emphasized, yet so many dealers are still hesitant.

With the most recent Google Panda Update, video platforms have gotten a huge boost in SERPs as Google is looking to deliver a variety of results for a more diverse user experience.  Customers are looking for companies that they can connect with on a personal level. 

Videos can start to create that consumer and company level personal bond by delivering a message that is real and transparent.  People will come into the dealership and say, “You’re the person I saw from the video” creating a personal connection before they even stepped foot into the dealership.

Gary Vaynerchuk, author of “Crush It” and the “Thank You Economy”, took full advantage of this strategy by creating “Wine Library TV” on YouTube, which became a huge part of his overall digital strategy that pushed his business over the top. http://www.youtube.com/user/WineLibraryTV

Have fun with it, show your company's personality and reinforce your “WHY BUY” branding message. 

Check out some great search results:

Almost 12 thousand views:

Videos Are a Must for Your 2012 Internet Marketing Strategy 

Video topics can range from:

• Car walk around videos that give details of a certain model with focus on top reasons your brand and the model stand out from the competition - fuel efficiency, safety features etc.  Make certain to mention your “WHY BUY” branded message.  Offer any 3^rd party reviews.
• Customer Testimonials allow your customers to do the talking for you, let your customers tell the public about a great experience they had at your dealership.  Make sure to keep these natural and about 30 to 50 seconds in length
• Introduce the entire team, you can start with the GM but don’t stop there!  Let everyone have a chance to start to create their own personal branding and showcase the dealership as a real team that cares about its customers.
• Service videos that show that you are the local expert and want to share important car care information with your area.

And this is just the beginning!   Videos for model comparisons, events at the dealership; award-winning models are just a few ideas to get you started.  So, be creative!

Basic SEO suggestions include:

• Name the video file with keywords you are targeting before you load it up to YouTube
• Make the title logical to what video is about but make certain to have keywords in the title, the Company Name is not the priority 
• Add the full http://www.  website link in the body, describe the video and get your keywords in that description. 

While you are searching and checking out the many videos already uploaded and ranking, consider investing in a good quality camcorder with a wireless microphone and a video stand. You want to avoid poor sound and picture quality in order to keep people engaged. 

Still hesitant? Not completely sure where to start?

Then come out to DMSC where PCG will provide "hands on" video workshops, with live demonstrations from some of the leaders in the automotive video world, who will make sure you leave as a “Video Rock Star”. Best practices for proper search Title, description and tagging of your videos will also be covered.

http://www.digitalmarketingstrategies.org/

Ready to dive in now?

Then submit your best car walk around video to the DMSC Car Dealer Walk Around Video Contest: http://www.internetsalesmanager.org/profiles/blog/show?id=3271765%3...

Video submissions started November 2, 2011 and the last day for submission is January 15, 2012.  The videos must be recorded during the contest window, so old previously posted walk-around videos are not allowed.

Kristen Chiarello is a Business Strategist at PCG, and has been in the Marketing, SEO, SEM and Content Creation fields for many years.