Let me ask you a simple question.  Do you think it’s possible to reach nearly half a million viewers, while doing close to nothing? Well I do, and I can prove it.  Do me a favor: Use your favorite search engine, type Bank of America sings U2, click the first YouTube link and check out the number of viewers.  Told ya I’d prove it.

So our social media journey continues with the ever-so-popular YouTube!  In today’s world, you will often hear people say “everyone is a reporter.”  Thanks to YouTube, that statement has never been so true.  Founded in 2005, YouTube is the leader in online video.  With a couple of keystrokes you can upload and share video clips across the internet through websites, mobile devices, blogs and email.

I know, you’re thinking, whenever you receive a YouTube video it’s always something silly.  This is probably true, but while you will find the weird and quirky, you will also find current events and common interests.

How do we use this form of social media in the real world?  Easy.  Most stories can be told visually.  Think about that press conference that the media passed over, the playscape you helped build that did not garner the attention you felt it deserved or the footage from your company’s anniversary party (careful with this one … for obvious reasons).  With something as simple as a camera phone or digital camera, you can cover your own stories.  Or you can always visit your friends at McConnell Communications, Inc and we will do it for you.

Just because the major dailies and TV stations don’t find it newsworthy doesn’t mean someone else won’t.  Often times, your target audience is far beyond the newspaper, radio or television.

Side bar:  Video is also a cool way to market your company.  For example, Darci was preparing for a conference and thought about introducing potential clients to the firm by way of video.  I thought this was an excellent idea.  While the masses are passing out business cards, you’re passing out dvds with your contact information on them.  Move over kicker cards, hello creativity.   (I thought you’d like that little tid bit). And yes, we can do this too.

Back to our regularly scheduled program:

Still don’t believe that YouTube is a legit form of media?  Let’s re-examine my earlier request.  If you recall, about two years ago Bank of America acquired LaSalle Bank.  Newsworthy? Sure.  Interesting to the average twenty-something? Not a chance.  But tell me my usually uptight banker is singing my favorite U2 song and – How do I view it??? Hence, the 477, 000-plus viewers who are still interested in a banks merger two years later.

YouTube says it best with its slogan Broadcast Yourself!