The next Internet marketing gold rush

Video on the Internet is shaping up to become the next Internet marketing gold rush. I predict that in 2006 Internet marketers will spend more on video than on all other Internet marketing tools combined. And they might be making a huge mistake. Don't get me wrong. Video on the Internet is powerful. I recommend that you explore using it to promote your business. I'm just not convinced that every Internet marketer can or should become their own videographer. Unfortunately, that's what a lot of people are trying to do right now and I'm afraid it will end in tears. As much as video equipment has come down in price, getting fully equipped is still not cheap. And as easy as it has become to use, it would be a mistake to think that making good video is easy. Before you sign up for any of the sure-to-appear multi-thousand dollar packages the Internet gurus will be selling, let me make a simple recommendation that may save you a ton of time, money, frustration and wasted effort. Get out your yellow pages... And look up two numbers. First, the number of your local community college. See if they have a course on video production. Find out who teaches it. Second, look up the numbers of local wedding videographers and find one or more you feel comfortable with. Meet with these guys on the phone or, better yet, in person. Buy them lunch. Tell them what you're trying to do. You may discover that you can easily hire someone who already has all the equipment you need and already knows how to use it on a very reasonable per-project basis. Imagine getting better, faster results and quite possibly for a lot less if you tried to 'save money' by doing it yourself. The do-it-yourself bug is very strong. I've got it myself, but a little time invested in educating yourself and networking with local pros before you commit to a big purchase of video equipment could be the smartest move you make in 2006. Remember, the purpose of a gold rush is to get the gold, not spend time learning a complex skill that plenty of other people are happy to sell to you at a reasonable price. - Ken McCarthy