YouTube is a Search Engine

I may be stating the obvious here, but I don't think so. YouTube is not just a video sharing website as described in Wikipedia. YouTube is a video search engine built with Web 2.0 social functions.

YouTube has a search function and YouTube is being searched by people to find entertainment as well as information. How you title, tag and list your video helps you place for different search terms. YouTube's Web 2.0 functions make it natural and easy to share your video with your social sites and the star rating encourages quick feedback from viewers.

As a searcher I have actually started to go directly to YouTube to find information. I have found this very helpful in the "how to" department. A query for just "how to" on YouTube returns millions of results. The number and variety of "how to's" will amaze you. I especially like the list of related videos offered up with each result allowing me to browse related topics I may not have thought to search on.

Just looking at the search numbers at YouTube will convince you of the wide variety of viewers turning to YouTube as people once turned solely to web search. If you haven't tried YouTube as a search engine I would highly recommend bookmarking this one or entering it as the home page for one of your internet browsers so it is ready to go when you are ready to search.

YouTube is definitely where the conversation is taking place. If you weren't around for the CNN-YouTube Presidential Debates take a look at this Wikipedia article on how YouTube was used to collect questions for the candidates in the CNN televised debates.

Take a look at YouTube for "how to's" related to your niche or specialty. Are there places to become part of the conversation. Do you have a "how to" to add or comment on?

How to use RSS feeds to Save Time and Keep Up.

One of the best ways to keep on top of any topic is to start using RSS* feeds with Google Reader,

*Really Simple Syndication is a tool you can use to have information sent to you from the websites that you visit that have updated content, rather than having to go track that content down. Many Web sites, including Webconsuls, offer RSS as a way to have that information delivered directly to you.

Watch the above vid for a Really Simple Explanation of Using Really Simple Syndication.

Click here for the Webconsuls Blog RSS feed

View Youtube Vids in Higher-Quality Video When Available

Login with your http://www.youtube.com account, and go to

Account > More > Account, Video Playback Quality,

Set to "I have a fast connection. Always play higher-quality video when it's available."

And click save.

Above is a short video we put together for Saco River Canoe & Kayak Adventures trips in New Hampshire & Maine's White Mountains, notice how much better the higher quality version looks?

Interview with Dallas Taylor

Dallas Taylor the drummer for Crosby Stills Nash & Young was kind enough to have Webconsuls come visit and take some video with our new "Flip" video camera. 6 min, 1 take, Dallas is a true professional.

Need help getting started with your video podcasting?

Sliced bread and other marketing delights

In a world of too many options and too little time, our obvious choice is to ignore the ordinary stuff. Marketing guru Seth Godin spells out why, when it comes getting our attention, bad or bizarre ideas are more successful than boring ones. And early adopters, not the mainstream's bell curve, are the new sweet spot of the market.