Social Networking just passed a milestone; it is now the #1 activity on the Web, surpassing pornography. In this blog post we will examine two of the most popular social networking sites, YouTube and Twitter.

Jim Farrell and Robin Campbell - Co-Host of the YouTube Business Show Business Chat In The Hat, presented at The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Group on the business use of YouTube and Twitter. Here are the links to the educational videos created live at the seminar on YouTube and Twitter, and the question and answer session.

Click Here to view YouTube episode on Twitter as Your Business Messenger.

Click Here to view YouTube episode on ways to use YouTube For Business.

Click Here to view YouTube episode on Questions and Answers Part 1 of the YouTube educational seminar.

Click Here to view YouTube episode on Questions and Answers Part 2 of the YouTube educational seminar.

Click Here to view photo album of YouTube and Twitter seminar.

YouTube and Twitter used together are a powerful combination of online business marketing. YouTube can be used to create and host a video message targeted to your customers. Twitter is the business messenger that spreads the word about your business message.

Twitter is a super popular social networking site that allows users to post and follow updates called tweets. Tweets are the way twitter users communicate with each other, and are limited to 140 characters. Twitter Users are called followers, and you can both follow other twitter users and build your Twitter Following. Twitter has become a very powerful business messenger.

YouTube is the most popular video sharing site and allows you to upload and share videos. YouTube lets you connect via video, now a powerful and an important part of social media marketing, to your audience.

To understand the enormous power of Social Networking Sites like Twitter and YouTube let’s take a look at two international events that occurred over the last year:

Iranian people protest voter fraud in its election

In June, 2009, the Iranian people began to protest allegations of wide spread voter fraud in the election of its President Mahmoud Ahmadinagad. The Iranian Government began a massive crackdown, restricted foreign journalist, brutal violence and killings ensued. During brutal crack down on the Iranian Protesters, traditional journalist got little news out; it was at this time that Twitter Show Its Value.

The NYMAG.com blog the Daily Intel reported on June 15, 2009 “Meanwhile on Twitter, dozens of ordinary Iranians provided firsthand, real-time updates — protest marches, shouting from rooftops, beatings at the hands of security forces, and anything else they could see from their window or close up on the streets. Twitterers were also effective at widely disseminating powerful, sometimes shocking photos and video from YouTube, Flickr, and other sites.”

January, 2010 Earthquake in Haiti 

The earthquake in Haiti has been extremely tragic, with casualties estimated at 200,000, possibly more. Social Networking Sites like Twitter, YouTube, and FaceBook have provided a new way of responding to tragedies. This new social networking response to tradegy includes twitter updates, first hand YouTube Videos, FaceBook groups, FaceBook Fan Pages, and FaceBook Causes promoting donations to the people of Haiti.

Twitter’s value as an international news messenger has been established. Twitter is also an extremely valuable business messenger.

Twitter Is Your Business Messenger

1. Twitter communication is fast, powerful, and viral.
2. Twitter interfaces with many of the popular social networking sites, allowing one update to be populated to other social networking sites.
3. Tweets are indexed by search engines, allowing your business message to spread.
4. Twitter has become main stream for business news.

YouTube Is Your Business Tool 

YouTube a subsidiary of Google, has dominated the video sharing market including:

1. 77% of users coming to YouTube come intending to watch 1 video but end up watching several
2. Online video viewing increased 35% year over year
3. 2nd largest search engine behind Google
4. #1 largest video site on the web
5. 300MM Worldwide Visitors a Month
6. 5 Billion Video Streams Every month – 40% of all videos online
7. 15 Hours of video uploaded every minute

The Business Use Of YouTube is a rapidly growing market, and yes your customers are viewing YouTube videos. Here are some ways business professionals are using YouTube.

1. Videos of interest to your clients and prospects showcasing your company’s talent.
2. Video Tutorials on how to use products and services.
3. Video Show with interviews of industry experts.
4. Medical Informational and Support Videos on Cancer, Diabetes, and many other medical conditions.
5. Video Contest.
6. Customer Service solutions.

 Meryl Evans of Web Worker Daily writes

YouTube’s not just for posting silly videos of sleepwalking dogs and other embarrassing moments — it can also be used as a highly effective business tool. You can use it to show off your expertise, share knowledge, market your products and connect with customers, colleagues and prospects.

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Resources

#Hashtags

Clean Cut Media

Hootsuite

Kikolani

Nearby Tweets

Twellow

Twitpic

Twitter Search

Twittonary

You Tube Biz Blog

YouTube Insight Tool

Jim Farrell Social Networking Contact Information

http://www.facebook.com/JimFarrell194
http://www.youtube.com/user/jimfarr194
http://linkedin.com/in/jimfarrellbusinessbits
http://twitter.com/jimfarrell
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