YouTube Turns Five
May 17th, 2010

Happy Birthday YouTube! It's hard to believe that it's already been five years since arguably the world's most popular video website came into existence. We have mentioned numerous times before that online marketing is one of the most effective (not to mention cost-effective) ways to promote your business. And YouTube has proven that.

The use of social networking sites is the norm these days. As a result, businesses of all kinds are flocking to the internet to create their own pages on the Facebooks and Twitters of the online world. YouTube has become no different. With the ability to set up your own account and post videos of practically anything you want (within certain guidelines), online users have utilized YouTube to gain worldwide notoriety.

As a 680News.com report reminded us today, musicians like Ontario's Justin Beiber and Britian's Lily Allen owe their respective claims to fame to the successes of their videos on YouTube. In case you are yet to discover the unyielding power of this now five-year-old website, 680News reveals that “the popular website reports approximately two billion visitors every single day.”

They go on to note that YouTube is not exclusive to music promotion, of course. Many web surfers visit the site to gain access to all different types of information. Whether you are looking to learn how to cook, dance, play an intsrument or get home repair tips, YouTube is a source for endless videos that provide such learning material.

YouTube has also helped create new sensations in the entertainment industry out of normal everyday people. Writes Shauna Hunt of 680News.com: “one couple, whose wedding party danced their way down the aisle, became an internet sensation and were quickly booked on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'. Their routine was also copied on the Jim and Pam wedding episode of 'The Office'.”

As we alluded to earlier, YouTube also allows online user to create their own “channels”. Essentially, this is similar to a social networking website page that houses videos specified by the creator of the page. Users, of course, may upload their own videos or choose their own “favourites” to have stored on their channels. As well, users may create playlists of videos that may share a common theme.

Today, YouTube.com celebrated their anniversary by showcasing a simple number five symbol that resembles a numbered candle on a birthday cake on their site. Perhaps, you should celebrate by creating your own YouTube channel for your business.

Posting videos that advertise products and services is a great step to take for entrepreneurs looking to grow the reach of their companies. Be sure, however, to produce a video that is of the standard that best represents your brand. First impressions, as we have discussed before, are everything.