The Shortcut to Online Success

by Carl Weiss

When it comes to working the web, everyone is always looking for a shortcut to getting on page 1 of the major search engines, particularly Google.  The problem is, with 240 million websites already online and another 130,000 sites entering the fray daily, generating a page 1 result is getting harder and harder to accomplish with any rapidity, especially if you rely solely on the pig-in-a-rut methodology of traditional SEO.  That's not to say that traditional search engine optimization shouldn't be part of your armada of online marketing technology.  It just shouldn't be the only thing separating you from page 1 of the major search engines.

Besides, while SEO is an important part of developing your web presence, it isn't the only way to generate results.  Some would argue that it isn't even the best way to generate results.  Why?  Because virtually every search engine shakes out the carpet from time to time by updating their algorithms.  If you have ever seen your search engine listing go from page 1 to page 5 overnight, this was in all likelihood due to a search engine "update."

Updates have an adverse effect on your on-site SEO that can leave you scrambling to make up for lost ground immediately after an update hits.  But what if there was a way to get on page 1 of Google that didn't rely on your website at all.  And what if this technique could not only solidify your position online but actually be 5 times more conducive to getting a prospect to take action?  Do you think that would help you grow your business?

Lights, Camera, Online Video Action

If you really want to get both the attention of prospects and googlebots alike, what you need to do is create a series of optimized videos on YouTube.  That's right, video alone can get you onto page 1 of the world's most popular search engine.  If you have ever done a search on Google and seen a video pop up on page 1, you have just witnessed the phenomenon known as "Mixed Media."  Google searches through more than   websites looking for relevant results to display on page 1.  It also looks for photos and videos as well.  By creating and wrapping a YouTube video with titling and text that contains the keywords you wish to gravitate to on Google, you will increase your chances of rising to the top.  Posting the video to your social nets and embedding it in your blog isn't a bad idea either.

When you consider that Google only displays 1 or 2 videos on page 1, having one of your videos appear there gives you an advantage over the couple dozen websites that are pulled up on the same search.  That's because it is a fact that people are 5 times as likely to watch a video as visit a website.  

More importantly, video is also the perfect way to convert clicks to cash, since it can introduce your company, employees, products, services and best customers to the public. In a minute or so you can take prospects for a virtual tour that enhances your credibility, gives them a solid reason to do business with you and reduces buying resistance.

So, if you are looking for a competitive edge that can propel you to Google page 1 in 30 days or less, start shooting video.  It's the one shortcut to online success that pays off in a number of ways.

Carl Weiss is president of http://wsquaredmediagroup.com and owner of http://jacksonville-video-production.com  He co-hosts the weekly Working the Web to Win radio show every Thursday at 4pm Eastern on Blog Talk Radio.