Websites for Accountants- Properly Utilize Streaming Video to Promote Your Firm

11/09/2011 23:20

A respectable video can be a powerful asset on a website and can really help to promote your practice before you ever meet with or speak with a prospect. A decade ago, video cameras were large and bulky. Weighing in at over 10 pounds, they required specialized videographers to run to make produce good videos. It goes without saying, making videos was exceedingly pricey. This made them unattainable for many businesses. Today's video cameras are much smaller and less expensive, producing great quality without the need for a professional videographer, and the large number of video sharing sites make creating and distributing online videos accessible to everyone.

However, it is important to be cautious about how videos are presented on your site. With the rise in popularity of video sites like YouTube, it is very easy to make a video and post it online. It is important to keep in mind that even though the process is simple, it should not be underestimated. While homemade, funny videos have a home on the internet, they really don't belong on most websites for accountants. It is important to make sure that visual media adds value and doesn't detract from your website.

In addition to providing value for your prospects and current clients, an online video is a great opportunity for search engine visibility. Be sure to post your video to distribution sites such as MetaCafe and YouTube to create an association with your keywords. This gives you the opportunity to take advantage of their domain authority in the eyes of the search engines. Use the code to embed your uploaded video onto your website pages. This will increase the search engine rank for your video's keywords.

Do you need a video?

A quality video can add a lot of value to your websites. However, not necessarily all CPA websites need them. For example, a video can take the focus away from the important points you're trying to make on your website, so it is important to create a video strategy that effectively promotes your business and/or adds value to your current clients. A video can also provide a powerful edge on your competition by establishing your online marketing presence.

Advertising Your Firm

A website video is an excellent way to visually introduce your firm, which can be quite effective when combined with the static text on your website. Adding a video to introduce a CPA firm can be transformational. It can turn an otherwise plain-looking CPA site into a dynamic web presence. It is an opportunity to introduce your firm and educate the viewer about the services you offer, and establish your firm as a subject matter expert in accounting. A website video also gives you a chance to appeal to a broader audience beyond your immediate community. The personal touch of seeing the people involved with your firm is not lost in the process.

Offer Value to Your Clients

In addition to promoting your business, videos also provide an opportunity to offer something of value to your current clients, who then act as your brand champion to help you attract new business. One common method is tutorials that show customers (and potential customers) how your services work. This could concievably be anything between a demo video on filing tax documents to effectively work with accountants to how to concoct a mileage log for a company vehicle. Website videos offer around-the clock support to your customers, which makes them a huge benefit to your firm. Without a doubt, they are also a continuous source of publicity as well.In addition to promoting your business, videos also provide an opportunity to offer something of value to your current clients, who then act as your brand champion to help you attract new business. One common method is tutorials that show customers (and potential customers) how your services work. This can be anything from a how-to video on preparing tax documents to expeditiously work with accountants to how to prepare a mileage log for his company vehicle. These videos on your website can be a tangible plus to your company as they impart both around-the clock support to your clients, and promotion for your company.