optimizing video for Search Engines

by Richard Marcus

According to the latest research, not only is online video the fastest growing media online, but is has now surpassed search as the most popular activity online. Online video views surpassed searches performed on the top 5 search engines, according to stats released by comScore and covered by ReelSEO in October 2008.

Because online video is so popular right now, it presents a unique opportunity for online marketers to leverage video content as an effective means for marketing brands, products, and services. Because online video marketing is in the nascent stages, there is much that is not well understood. For content producers as well as internet marketers, it is important to learn how to produce and publish video content in a way that users can easily discover your video content on the search engines. For this, one must learn and understand video search engine optimization, or SEO for video content.

In order to leverage the power of online video with search, one must first answer the question, “what is video SEO, or video search engine optimization?” Simply stated, it is the art and process of creating online video content in such a way that it is easily discovered and indexed by search engines. Doing this will help to drive maximum exposure to your video content. When we talk about video SEO, there are really 2 separate and distinct strategies for optimizing video online.

One strategy for video SEO is that which we call “Posted” video SEO. Essentially, this is when you optimize video content that is uploaded to video websites like Youtube and Yahoo. With “Posted” video SEO, the strategy is to generate as many views as possible for your videos. Uploading your video to these sites allows you to draw upon the massive audience of viewers that these sites already have. In addition, because these websites have a pre-existing authority and page rank with the search engines, this is an effective strategy to leverage these sites to obtain rankings within organic and universal search.

Although there are many detailed tips and techniques for “hosted” video SEO, most can be summed up with the following tips:

1) When including video on a web page, make certain that you populate the page with relevant on-page text.

2) Consider publishing a transcript or captions for your video.

3) Publish all your videos within the same directory or subdomain and keep each video on its own unique URL.

4) Publish a video sitemap or MRSS feed to help guide the search engines to your video content.

5) Create inbound links to your video pages and encourage linking and sharing of your video content.

www.inlineproductions.com

Decking the Halls with Employee Engagement at Christmas

by: Kelly Kass
Of course everyone throws their usual Christmas party in December. While they can be lovely affairs (if not a bit rowdy) , it’s all too possible for people to get lost in the crowd at such a large event - if they even remember it at all! (hangover permitting)

1. Think Small - Instead of relying on a big do to bring people together, try organizing more intimate, departmental gatherings during office hours. Employees will appreciate the break and best of all it doesn’t have to break your budget. A simple takeaway and a conference room is all you need. My former Production Manager started the fun tradition of Hanukkah lunches. Every December, she treated the entire department - as well as freelancers - to a New York Kosher deli feast of turkey, corned beef, potato latkas and apple sauce. For an hour and a half, we spun dreidels and happily stuffed our faces while others enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Jewish cuisine and culture.
2. Spread the Wealth – Around the holidays, gift baskets are inevitable. As soon as December hits, you’re surrounded by mounds of chocolate truffles and gingerbread cookies. Rather than re-gifting them for your in-laws, try placing them in the kitchen or reception area. It will get people out of their offices and engaging with one another.
3. Organize Gift Exchanges - A popular Christmas tradition in the States is the Secret Santa gift exchange (aka the more politically correct “holiday gift exchange”). Colleagues randomly choose names out of a hat and must anonymously buy a present for whomever they wind up picking. To ease financial pressures, a spending limit of about $20 is usually set. On the day of the event, people gather in front of the tree where they exchange presents, sip egg nog and nibble on holiday sweets.
4. Promote Charity Work - The gift-giving doesn’t have to be limited to co-workers. The holidays are a particularly popular time when it comes to charity. At my previous company, one of the managers organized donations for Toys for Tots, a national charity which collects new toys to distribute to needy children. There’s nothing like giving back to the community to raise employee morale.