Dear Friends,

You've heard it before "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression." The Internet is going video. And most people take it pretty casually. They slap together a video and pop it up on their site figuring that having video is better than not.

They couldn't be more wrong.

It's more true now than ever when your potential customers can evaluate/judge you instantly online. In the book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell asserted that people sum you up in 3 seconds.

3 seconds.

In those 3 seconds they decide whether they like, trust, respect you and whether they will buy from you or not.

Your body language, facial language and verbal language must be in complete alignment for people to truly buy into whatever you're promoting or selling. So it's actually pretty important how you convey on video. Plotinus said, "Let the body think of the spirit as streaming, pouring, rushing and shining into it from all sides." You want your spirit to be accurately conveyed by your body unhindered by nervousness, anxiety, or worry. And that takes some practice. So I encourage you to start videotaping yourself everyday so you can get comfortable on camera before you put up a video on the Internet.

There are a number of ways people are using video on the net for PR purposes.

• To sell products. (This is what all the Internet Marketers are teaching you, especially for social networking).
  
• To casually promote a product, service or cause through an infomercial.
  
• To communicate their personal opinions, thoughts and ideas about subjects they care about.
  
• To introduce yourself to your website visitors so they can get to know you personally.
  
• To show potential TV producers that they are camera-ready and mediagenic.

Whatever you're using video for I suggest that you heed the words of Zig Ziglar: "The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity." If you can convey your integrity on video you're on your way to a happy result.

Warmly,

Susan

P.S. To get an evaluation of your video to make sure your facial language, verbal language and body language are congruent with the message you want to give click here.

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Online Video Tips

I watched a woman on video at her website who was a time management expert, and while she was well dressed, groomed, and coiffed her voice quality and tone was highly annoying. As a consequence, I didn't want to listen to her. She may have been perfectly qualified, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to bear hearing her voice for more than a minute at a time. She did teach me something about time management inadvertently. I wouldn't waste any of my time with her.

While we're all born with a certain voice range, rhythm and speed all of that can be trained to be more pleasing and and, if need be, commanding. Likewise body language and facial expressions can be adjusted so you always give the kind of impression you want, first time, every time.

As I watched Forer Press Secretary Scott MCelland being interviewed first on the Today Show and then on Keith Olbermann about his book "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception" discussing why he left the Whitehouse, I marveled at his grace and composure under pressure. Not only were his facial expressions and body gestures congruent, but so was his language.

He showed compassion for President Bush while still pointing out many of the president's egregious errors and deception. No small feat. The other thing he did brilliantly was to talk about what the American people wanted. In essence, he convincingly showed that he wrote this expose because all Americans deserve to know the truth about the Bush Administration and so the system can be changed to truly serve us. He spoke about his hopes for America to all of us Americans.

When you create your video you'll want to keep in mind who you are talking to and direct your message to what they want or hope for. Remember you have just 3 seconds to make a good first impression. Here's how.

1. Talk about what you know.

Create a one-minute to five-minute online video that introduces you to your prospective clients, customers, or buyers. Or develop a video about one specific product or product bundle. People buy from people they like. The ones who like you and find your ideas, services and products valuable will keep coming back to your site to see what's new. As they continue to get to know you they'll become loyal enthusiasts.

2. Study Your Competitors.

What are they doing right, wrong, or differently than you? Use the search engine of your choice to research your area of expertise. Visit your competitions' websites directly. Watching what others have done can prove to be great inspiration for ideas, format, style and content.

I must admit I've been a bit shocked at some of my competitor's videos. A few of them have some serious body language and facial language problems and are much more credible during teleseminars where you're only hearing a voice. When you see them on camera where you get a different read both on their personality and on the information they are delivering. I'll be curious to see if this effects their business negatively in the future.

3. Make a Video About Something You Love.

In your video you can discuss favorite subjects, topics, books, ideas, people, music, art, sports, and fun as well as what spins your top in business. Videos can help create rapport on a deep level. When you share what is most meaningful to you it resonates with others--kind of like how the sense of smell bypasses the blood brain barrier and is the quickest way to conjure up a memory. Some don't even have people voiceovers for the audio. This one that I love just has simple music and visuals, click here to view. Sometimes the simplest stories are best. This emotional story has a powerful conclusion.

4. Do a Demonstration.

Online videos can be a step-by-step guide to use your product or service as a tease for more information. If you have your actual customers demonstrating your product while describing the benefits they received you'll get a double dose of credibility which speeds the sales process.

An alternate idea is to have your customer employ your product while YOU detail the steps. Then have them tell all the reasons why they love your product and cannot live without it and why others will feel the same. Take a look at this demo which begins about 30 seconds into the video. One reason it's interesting is that you only see the person's hands, not his face. Once you get to the page click on: A Closer Look At The iPhone from CBS news.

5. Use Testimonials.

Using your real, radiantly happy clients or customers is one of the best ways to convert the potential clients or customers watching your short video clip. See some excellent examples here: Centerpoint. These videos have a pleasing background, the customers talk directly to you about their experiences, and give concrete examples of how the product helped them.

6. Expand Your Online Video to Social Networking Sites & Video Sites.

Social networking sites encourage video. MySpace and Facebook still top the charts, but Hubpages and Squidoo are the leaders in sites whose members share expertise. For professionals, LinkedIn is the site of choice. Plaxo, Naymz, Selfgrowth and Networking for Professionals are also connecting places for potential future clients.

If you've got a how-to video you can submit them to:

• LinkedIn,
• ExpertVillage,
• NetworkingforProfessionals,
• Howcast, and
• VideoJug.

7. Submit Your Video Using Automation.

But if you really want to make an impression in your search engine ranking and website sales it doesn't pay to spend your time submitting your videos manually. Traffic Geyser is the way to go.

Len Foley says, "I got 30,000 visits and $12,000 in new business-just in the first 13 days." This is a much faster and less expensive process that doing a Google adword campaign. You get 100 Submissions Per Month to 35+ Top Video Sites, 12 Social Bookmarking Communities and Numerous Blogs, Blog Directories and Podcast Directories And of course you'll see a sales video to help you make your decision. Click here to get started.

Online Video Media Coaching

I'm trialing a new service for you: 10 Minutes of media coaching for the online video of your choice. The first 5 people to sign up get their second session FREE. It can be a past TV appearance, your website welcome message, a product sales or infomercial video. Whatever you like.

You may think that 10 minutes is short, but I don't mince words and have evaluated hundreds of videos in the past 17 years. These sessions are laser sharp and tell you exactly what you need to know to be most effective for the outcome you desire.

Click here for your appointment.

While we watch your video together I'll evaluate:

• Does your video do what you intend it to. Will it produce the results you want.
  

• Does how you look, dress, and act convey warmth, confidence, integrity & authenticity.
  

• Are your sound bites crisp and credible.
  

• Do you tell a compelling story.
  

• Are you using the best angles and shots to create a buying mood. Are they appropriate to what you are promoting.
  

• Ways you can improve or change your body, facial & verbal language to increase credibility, buy-in, and sales.
  

• Tips to get the kind of clients, customers, and buyers you want and avoid lookey-loos.

Once you sign up all you need to do is send me the URL to your online video (No DVDs), take a short survey so I know what's most important to you, and we're all set. I record our session and send you the MP3 so you can review it again as many times as you like.

I also recommend that you have me review your video-redo once I give you my advice. Those sessions are 5 minutes as there won't be quite as much to comment on as you'll have implemented my suggestions.

BONUS: The first 5 people to sign up get the second video media coaching session FREE. We will contact the winners within a day. I look forward to working with you.

P.S. This is an opportunity for those of you who have been wanting to work with me, but didn't have a big enough budget. You can get a wealth of information in just a few short minutes.

Services I Highly Recommend

Many people ask me about the services I use and trust. The businesses below are a few of my partners or companies that provide services and products that I rely on that truly work.

I recommend them without pause. Please explore them to find out if they are right for you.

PRESSKIT 247: Both an online database where journalists and producers find you when they're searching for experts and your online presskit where all of your press materials including audio and video are instantly available to the media. Get listed here and to increase your media appearances and expand your business: PRESSKIT 247

OUR SHOPPING CART: I use a shopping cart system called 1shoppingcart for online transactions, autoresponders my affiliate program and tracking links. This shopping cart is the most widely used one by successful entrepreneurs and online marketers. You can trial it here: 1shoppingcart

THE WEB SITE TOOLKIT: "This is a complete tutorial and guide (written and audio) on creating an effective professional service business web site," says Robert Middleton, the creator. This is a best, most organized and comprehensive system that I've found to guide you through writing the copy and organizing the content for your website. Included are resources and directions for writing, design and technical requirements. Hundreds of people have used Middleton's methods to develop sites that attract the clients they want: Web Site Toolkit

EZINE MARKETING: Using an E-zine like mine is one of the fastest and easiest things you can do to promote your business. To learn how to create yours so it works for you and gets you ongoing results, I suggest taking a look at Alexandria Brown's complete manual on marketing with your E-zine.

THE INFOMERCIAL TOOLKIT: Online videos are the wave of the future. Your clients or customers may be all over the world, but they can meet you quickly right on your site. Sell your products and services, demo new ideas or just give people a small taste of what it's like to do business with you. Infomercial Toolkit

PRLEADS: This is the best deal on the planet. The only complaint my clients have lodged about it is, "I wish I would have done it sooner." You respond to reporters and producers queries for comments and insights on stories they're working in your area of expertise and then get quoted in the media instantly: PRLeads

THE SEDONA METHOD: Order your free two-hour introductory Sedona Method DVD and introductory CD or tape and learn to instantly release uncomfortable or unwanted feelings on the spot. Whether it's fear of speaking, becoming a more public person, losing weight, or letting go of stress, or past issues or trauma, this will help you achieve your goals effortlessly and with great joy. The Sedona Method

TELECONFERENCE SERVICE: For all my Teleclasses I use a service that's reliable and free. I also use this service to record all my consulting calls. Teleconference Service

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Quote

• Watch your thoughts: they become your words.

• Watch your words: they become your actions.

• Watch your actions: they become your habits.

• Watch your habits: they become your character.

• Watch your character: it becomes your destiny.

~ Buddha Shakyamuni