The job of an internet marketer in 2011 is daunting. He must allocate his time between researching changing trends, implementing new techniques, and counting the mountains of cash in his closet…right. One can easily become overwhelmed with all the avenues that catch one’s eye, and for most of us, we barely have enough time to keep up with the next best thing.

If this sounds like you, then it’s time to get off your computer and jump in front of the camera. Put on some makeup, drop some charisma bombs on the audience and watch your earnings soar. Well, something like that.

Making videos to advertise your business online can be extremely effective, especially for an audience used to 3-second frame changes and commercials loud enough to bust your eardrums. The simple truth is that your audience’s attention span fades every year, and if you want your message to be heard, you better make your advertising as entertaining and easy for them as possible.

I don’t know about you, but when I land on a website, I’d rather have someone introduce me to your business than read bad sales copy. Of course, I’m not suggesting that you should have a video on every page, but for us visual people, is one or two too much to ask for?

This is the mindset to bring into 2011. Videos that entertain while they sell are the most effective. The key is not only to inform, but also to engage your heart and mind as you tell your story.
A recent study reported that 75% of all Internet users actively use video while online. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s even taller than that. Especially with sites like Megavideo and Hulu nipping at Google’s heels for the most views per day.

Perhaps the best part of video marketing is that there are endless opportunities to advertise to your target audience. Similar to other forms of advertising, your videos can be geo-targeted and the content itself can be an advertisement disguised as entertainment. And for those lucky enough to have their videos go viral, their ROI could explode.

Lastly, it would be wise to pay due attention to the quality of your video content. Bad lighting, grainy image, and choppy transitions won’t do you any favors. Granted, hiring a production agency to make you a video that only generates 100 views on YouTube could be a waste of your advertising budget. If, on the other hand, you have a big personality, a video camera, and are handy with editing software (I suggest iMovie), you may have found your advertising niche.

Whether or not you have these skills, it’s worth spending your time trying your hand at video production. If you can project honesty, sincerity, and some enthusiasm for your product or service, you’ll go a long way. With a little effort it can become one of the most effective means of advertising for your online business.