The best way to promote a web video commercial?

12 replies
I have an idea I'd like to throw out to you guys to get your thoughts.

1. I'd create a 30-60 second web video commercial showcasing a local business (let's say a restaraunt).

2. At the end of the video- or in the middle- or wherever- it would mention to visit a website to download a coupon for a free appetizer.

3. The customer watches the video then visits the website (which is actually a landing page) that collects their name and email address and then sends them the coupon.

4. The customer then visits the restaurant for the free appetizer, but also purchases lots of food and drinks.

5. Restaurant owner is happy because he/she gets an increase in sales and also now has a name and email address to send a weekly or monthly newsletter offering other food/drink specials or whatever. He's basically building a list.

My thoughts are that I would create this video and a landing page for free and host them for 30 days. After 30 days, if the business owner likes the results, then they would pay $XXX per month for me to keep them up and running. If they didn't, then I would just shut them down.

I would also not release the names and email address leads unless they stuck with the program after the first 30 days. Or, for an added fee, I would send out the weekly/monthly newsletters to the customers myself.

I'm thinking that there wouldn't be any business that would say no to that. They'd basically have increased sales and leads for free (for 30 days at least).

So that's the idea. Wadda ya think?

The only thing I'm having issues with is making sure the web video commercial gets seen by lots of people in those first 30 days and beyond. I could obviously do the YouTube thing but where else should I put it to get lots of hits? I need to keep total control of it so I can delete it if the business owner stops paying.

I think if I can get that worked out, then this could be the start of a great monthly residual income.

My brother-in-law is the manager of a local restaurant and I know the owner. I want to hit him with this idea but I want to make sure I have all my ducks lined up in a row first.

Mike
#commercial #promote #video #web
  • Profile picture of the author 1960Texan
    Mike, a couple of thoughts...
    1. Restaurants have been hit especially hard by the recession, so the free offer will be attractive to them, but...
    2. Once someone has a taste of getting something for free, they're reluctant to start paying. It's just human nature.
    To answer your question of promoting the video, try tubemogul, it will help you upload it to several places. Also use the client's Facebook, Twitter, and Google Places pages to promote the video.

    Personally, I'd charge an upfront minimum of $150 for the video. The restaurants don't allow their patrons to decide to pay for a meal only if they thought it was delicious.

    Will
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  • Profile picture of the author 1234nasir
    Good idea, start first for your brother-in-law and one for another good client and then wait the results for both. After that you w'll manage according to the concerns relating to the project.
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  • Profile picture of the author slatron25
    I've got to agree with Texan here. We're all looking how to get our foot in the door offering free or next to nothing services but the business we deal with don't do that.

    If you feel strongly about the idea, charge a minimal fee at least and $150 sounds like a steal for all of the effort you will putting in.
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  • Profile picture of the author jsherloc
    Sounds like you could make it work, but make sure you charge a few hundred for the video, otherwise I doubt you'll be satisfied with your ROI. I'd also target the "larger" or more "popular" restaurants in your area. Some of the small diners and stuff are probably not going to be interested in paying you much, regardless of the obvious value, just speaking from my own experiences.

    I'd come up with a "bundle" package to offer that includes social media and video distribution as well to justify your costs. You might want to look at incorporating/combining QR codes and video for some of your restaurant clients as well, especially when it comes to helping them generate more online reviews.

    Hope that helps a bit,

    - Jim
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    • Profile picture of the author iamnovice
      Hey, thank you for posting these very informative sharing. It really helps me a lot! The fact that I'm a newbie in the field, this might be my first step in improving. Thanks for sharing.
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  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    Very informative post for web video commercial. I also don't think restaurant free offer is that good anymore either. Maybe try dressing theme, special events, lady nights, some discount with receipt. Yeah charge at least $250 for this!
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Holmes
    I agree with not offering it for free.

    Say you NORMALLY charge x but because of the recession you are willing to only charge y and then it will increase after the first 30 days if they wish to continue.
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  • Profile picture of the author philboy uk
    Perhaps worth hosting video on your own website, and install a video site map, so that the video can show up in the search results. There are less distractions on a self hosted site, compared to youtube.

    If you use easy video, you can add a voucher that will appear at the end of the video. You can actually do this without using easy video, but requires more technical skills!.
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    • Profile picture of the author mrcouchpotato
      Thanks for the ideas and opinions everyone. I think you're right. I'll go in asking for a "Creation" fee or something to that effect and say it's a discounted price because this is a new launch.

      But the main goal is to get them to continue with the program monthly to keep the revenue coming in. Then if they want to change the video to offer a different coupon, I can charge another "Creation" fee.

      Or....

      Make some bundles such as.

      1. One video and landing page - $150 + $120/month with month to month committment

      2. Three different videos and landing pages (new video/LP every 4 months) - $360 + $100/month with 12 month committment

      3. Six different videos and landing pages (new video/LP every 2 months) - $675 + $85/month with 12 month committment

      4. Twelve different videos and landing pages (new video/LP every month) - $1260 + $70/month with 12 month committment

      I also like the idea of doing something with QR codes. I just gotta think about what to do. Any ideas?

      Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author drowning
    To promote a web video commercially you should make people know that the website that you promote is good or bad or really not just the way that you want, the first thing is that e should get involved into that matter.
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  • Profile picture of the author ZassarDotCom
    Hey, thanks for sharing these very informative post. gonna try it. might be my first step in making commercial video.
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  • Profile picture of the author julesw
    I's try to tap into other peoples audiences, much easier than building one when you start.

    Are there local youtube heros in your neighbourhood with a decent size subscriber base that fits the local businesses target buyers?

    Make a joint video with them, maybe they could visit the business or just namecheck it in one of their videos. Then have that video in their channel link to your landing page.

    Yes you have to give them a cut but you tap into their traffic. People don't really get excited about local biz ads or share them so getting a high view count will be hard unless you deliver the message in a different way.
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