Merry Everything!  It's my favorite time of year! 

This year I am working harder, traveling more and... falling a bit behind in the personal Christmas card mailing, cookie baking and home decorating.

That's when I have to remember that's it's not about the gifts, tree or outdoor lights that ALWAYS have that portion that ceases to light for some unknown reason!

It's about faith, friends, family and giving. 

When it comes to your business and marketing your brand... you know I am always looking for new ways to suggest utilizing video.  Why not give to your followers, fans clients and customers a Holiday video "card"? 

Wish them Happy Holidays and a Festive New Year on camera, perhaps in your home, with your dog... something a bit more intimate than the ol' business-style paper greeting we used to get in the mail.  And hey! Extra bonus: It's the green alternative!

Remember that especially for smaller companies (but a good thing to remember for big corporations, too).. people do business with people, not businesses.  This time of year offers the opportunity to show a side that might be a little less "sales-y" (goodness knows we get enough of that this time of year) but more real.

Remember, people want three things from you when they click on your video as their potential expert:

1. You have the knowledge and experience to help them
2. They can trust you
3. You "get" them.. You are like them. 

A special holiday greeting video can solidify that number three.  Hint: try not to hit  hard  on selling, but keep it simple and positive; maybe offer a free gift, or mention things coming in the new year that excite you because of how it will help them.  Kiss the dog, wave, and sing Fa La La La La! 

I toast my hot chocolate to you and your brilliance... have fun with this video idea!

Would you like more ideas of how to promote your brand using visual media?  Coming in January 2012...We'll have a special portion of the website devoted exclusively to more extensive training videos, and one specific course I am developing right now will help you to think outside of the box, and not only get up to speed with your video usage, but show you how to outshine your competition in everything you do on camera!

Every so often I find an article that catches my eye; this short one is from INC Magazine:

From INC Magazine, Oct 2011 by Ted Roden, founder and CEO of NYC-based Fancy Hands

In a media-saturated world, it's bound to happen: You're invited to appear on television.

For Dan Zaccognino, that moment came in February 2009, when he got a call from  The Colbert Report.  Zaccognino is the co-founder of the New York City-based Indaba, an online collaboration platform for musicians. Some of the site's users, it turned out, had created music remixes that had sampled snippets from the show, and a mock-outraged Stephen Colbert wanted to discuss the possible intellectual-property infractions. The company's website got an enormous spike in traffic after the spot aired, and several thousand of those visitors became Indaba members.

.... "Don't stress.  It's a once in a lifetime experience ( for some) and it goes by in the blink of an eye.  I remember the first thing that Stephen said, he pronounced Indaba wrong, and the next thing I remember is him standing up and shaking my hand.  Afterward, our PR person said, " how does it feel to do the coolest thing you are ever going to do?"

My thoughts on Mr Roden's message:  It's true media opportunities can pop up fast... it need not be a once in a lifetime thing at all.  If it benefits your business to be a guest expert ... go for it.  We see what it did for Indaba with just one shot on Steven Colbert's show! It's always good to have your "tool box" ready and be prepared... you never know when that call will come!