If you haven’t included video marketing into your integrated marketing plan, maybe now is the time to take that action.
Ensure A Maximum Return With Limited Time
Recently, I entered the world of video marketing. Yes, I am late to the dance because I truly do not like to see myself in pictures, on camera, etc. You get the idea.
Because YouTube is the second most used search engine in the world, engaging in video marketing is truly a no-brainer. However, as in any endeavor, proper preparation is required to ensure the maximum return on one’s limited resources of time, energy, money, and emotions.
This is why is it is critical to hire or connect with someone who knows more than you and can help you avoid many of those costly, time-consuming obstacles you may encounter if you decide to go it alone.
Market Research
I hired Dave Woodson, who guided me through the process in less than 15 minutes after uploading the video. Woodson has been supporting other small business owners to market their businesses, their solutions via this popular marketing vehicle.
Before I actually spoke with Woodson, I did my research on:
- Keywords
- Video titles and descriptions
- Tags and categories within the YouTube domain
- How others in my industry of small business coaching and executive consulting constructed their videos including content, time, etc.
- The theme or flow of my future videos
Yes, this research did require a time investment. However, it was well worth this investment because after uploading the video, my actual time with Woodson was under 15 minutes.
Having engaged in education-based marketing for the last six years through various channels including article marketing distribution, writing a business column, speaking, and through my blog, all of these efforts allowed me to quickly put together the text around this video.
After completing this endeavor, I asked Woodson the following question:
What is the number one mistake small business people make in using this marketing channel?
Woodson offered two answers:
1. Not thinking locally
2. Thinking it must be perfect.
Mistake number one, Woodson said, means your business is “lost in the mix” while mistake number two really means you will never do video marketing.
The 21st-century marketplace has changed by its expansion into the global market. Savvy small business owners who leverage these changes, including video marketing, and execute those changes well will push their companies ahead of the flow creating significant competitive advantages.
If you haven’t included video marketing into your integrated marketing plan, maybe now is the time to take that action. As Woodson said, “the more you do it, the more comfortable you will be and this will translate into how much more believable you are.”
Believe it or not!
![6 High-Probability Moments to Send LinkedIn Connection Requests Prior to an Event Events create natural relevance. Conferences, trade shows, user groups, and local meetups give you a reason to connect that does not feel forced. The mistake sellers make is waiting until the event starts or turning the request into a pitch. A better move is connecting days or weeks ahead with a simple acknowledgment of the shared event. Example: Hi Sarah, saw you’re attending the Midwest Manufacturing Summit next month. I’ll also be there and am super excited! I’d love to catch up in person at the event. In the meantime, let’s connect here on LinkedIn. You are aligning with something already on their calendar. When you see them at the event or reach out afterward, your name is no longer unfamiliar. Following an Event After an event, connection requests work best when they reference a real interaction, even a small one. A short conversation, a question during a session, or a brief introduction creates enough context. The request should reflect that moment, not attempt to convert it into a follow-up. Example: Tim, I enjoyed meeting you at the conference last week. Your take on [subject/trend/idea] was intriguing. I look forward to staying connected and to our next conversation. This reinforces continuity and professionalism without pushing the relationship forward prematurely. After a Sales Call Sending a connection request after a sales call is one of the most underused opportunities in prospecting. If the call was answered and productive, the request reinforces credibility and continuity. Example: Thanks again for the conversation today. I appreciated your perspective on how your team is thinking about next quarter. I look forward to our next meeting and sharing some ideas I have with you and your team. If the prospect did not answer, a connection request can still make sense as a light reinforcement, especially early in the relationship. It keeps your name present without escalating pressure. Either way, the request works because the call establishes legitimacy first. After a Meaningful Interaction Not all interactions happen in formal selling environments. Thoughtful exchanges in comment threads, group discussions, or brief conversations in passing all create natural moments to connect. That might mean running into each other at a non-work event, crossing paths at an airport, or chatting briefly in a line somewhere unexpected. Example: Haley, it was a pleasure meeting you on our flight to Atlanta. Thank you for your restaurant recommendations! I look forward to staying connected, What makes this work is that the interaction was real. The request simply continues it. Mutual Connections Shared connections reduce perceived risk when handled with restraint. They signal that you operate in similar professional circles, not that you have permission to pitch. The mistake is overexplaining or implying endorsement. Example: Hi Mark, I noticed that you are connected to my good friend, James, and since you are also [interested in, working in, located in] I thought it might make sense for us to be connected also. A simple acknowledgment is enough. Familiarity does the work. Profile Views Profile views signal awareness, not intent. When someone views your profile after a call, email, or content interaction, a connection request can make sense as a low-pressure acknowledgment. Example: Wendy, thank you for visiting my profile. I had a chance to look at yours, and based on your interests, I thought it might make sense for us to connect. The discipline is resisting the urge to read more into it than is there. Want the exact framework for integrating LinkedIn into a disciplined outreach sequence without pitching, spamming, or wasting time? Buy The LinkedIn Edge by Jeb Blount and Brynne Tillman today. Sales Gravy is the number one sales training organization](https://salesgravy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/6-Moments-LinkedIn-Connection-Requests-Actually-Work-in-Prospecting-Sales-Gravy-Blog-Featured-Image-768x401.jpg)
