Internet Usage

Streaming video over YouTube accounts for 22% of total mobile bandwidth used worldwide, according to Allot Communication’s Mobile Trend Report, which was published last Tuesday. The report also published data indicating that YouTube comprises 52% of mobile streaming video. Even more amazing, perhaps, is that streaming video uses 93% of mobile bandwidth worldwide. Allot’s study represents 250 million mobile users across the world, and includes data on the fastest growing mobile activity — voice-over-IP, led by Skype.

This study’s findings amaze me, mostly because it says that mobile users watch video. If you are not participating on YouTube by having a YouTube channel specific to your business, please do so as soon as possible. Set up an account and corresponding page (channel) that matches your website and branding. Gain access to mobile users and connect with them through YouTube. Obviously, video utilizes much more bandwidth than any other type of digital media, including email, most websites, and music, etc. However, the study’s bottom line indicates that people use their mobile devices (worldwide) to watch YouTube videos.

Once you have a YouTube channel, promote it effectively throughout other social media platforms. Have a link to your YouTube page on the homepage of your website. Update your YouTube account with videos of your staff, your products, and your services. Make them fun and value-added. Teach your constituents — clients and prospective clients — some of the tricks of your trade through effectively-produced videos. Talk about what innovations you are working on, and connect on a personal level. Great videos are not just talking heads — they add value to your clients’ experiences. Don’t try too hard to make people watching laugh, but if something funny happens, great!

Incorporate video in your marketing plan in order to gain access to mobile users. Post videos on your blog, on Facebook, on Google+, etc. Make them important, and make them short (not more than two or three minutes).