5 Reasons Why YouTube Is an Incredibly Powerful Tool for Your Business

by Karen A.D. Burton

If you’re looking for ways to expand your business’s online presence, you can’t afford to overlook the power of video. And when it comes to video, there’s no better platform than YouTube. Here are five reasons why YouTube is an incredibly powerful tool for reaching potential customers and growing your business.

  1. YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, after Google. This means that when people are searching for information about products or services you offer, they’re likely to turn to YouTube for answers. By creating informative and engaging videos that address common questions and pain points, you can reach potential customers when they’re actively looking for solutions.
  2. With over 2.5 billion monthly active users1, YouTube is one of the largest social media platforms in the world. This presents a huge opportunity for you to reach a massive and engaged audience. Whether you’re a small business owner or a multinational corporation, YouTube can help you connect with potential customers on a global scale.
  3. More than 68% of YouTube users say they watch videos on the platform to learn about a product or service before making a purchase2. Creating informative and engaging videos can be an effective way to convert potential customers into buyers. By showcasing your products or services in action, you can demonstrate their value and benefits in a way that’s difficult to do through text or images alone.
  4. Video is an excellent medium for showcasing your expertise and building credibility with your audience. By creating videos that educate and inform your viewers, you can establish yourself as an authority in your industry. This can help you build trust with potential customers, making it more likely that they’ll choose to do business with you over your competitors.
  5. YouTube videos can be embedded on other websites and shared on social media platforms, making them an excellent way to drive traffic to your website and expand your online presence. By including calls to action in your videos and optimizing your video titles and descriptions for search, you can attract more viewers to your content and ultimately, to your business.

YouTube is an incredibly powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. By creating informative and engaging videos, you can reach potential customers at the moment they’re actively looking for solutions, showcase your expertise and build credibility, and expand your online presence. If you’re not already using YouTube as part of your marketing strategy, it’s time to start.

Don’t miss “Use YouTube to Grow Your Business,” the third event in our Grow with Google series. Google Digital Coach Katrina Turnbow will teach attendees how to use YouTube and the power of video to promote a business or a brand.

This event is in-person, and it will be live-streamed. Don’t miss out! Reserve your spot today.

1 Statista. Most popular social networks worldwide as of January 2023, ranked by number of monthly active users.

2 Zippia. 35+ YouTube statistics [2023]: How popular is YouTube in 2023?

Webinar Replay: Reach Customers Online with Google

We went live on Facebook with Google to show how your business can be found online. Click on the video to learn how Google Search works and how you can improve your website’s visibility with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Also, find out more about Google Business Profile, Google Trends, Search Console, Google Ads, and more.

If webinar replay does not appear, click here to watch on Facebook. (You do not need a Facebook account.)

This workshop explains best practices for:

  • Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results on all devices;
  • Creating a free Google Business Profile; and
  • Advertising your business on Google.

SpaceLab is a Grow With Google Partner.

Meet Mari Byrd

Mail Coordinator and Office Assistant at SpaceLab | Owner of Accessories by Gigi

In November, Mari Byrd joined the team at SpaceLab Detroit to assist with our growing virtual office and mail service. She has quickly become a valuable part of our entire community, helping to nurture our welcoming atmosphere.

Mari Byrd

Mari is an entrepreneur; she owns Accessories by Gigi and is designing and developing a line of high-end handbags. The company’s new website will be live soon. (Ask her about “Full Circle.”). See her discussion with NextOpp Social on Embracing Small Beginnings on the Way to Merchandising Success.

Previously, Mari was Business Liaison for Detroit’s District 2, working with Councilman Roy McCalister, Jr., connecting with and assisting business owners in problem solving, identifying opportunities for capital, talent resources, and business support from various City Departments. Her professional experience also includes managing art galleries at Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion and consulting as an event planner.

New! Content Creation Rooms

All new! Content Creation Spaces are available in downtown Detroit. Reserve rooms for: podcasting, video interviews, training and online course videos, photo shoots, social media content and more.

Special Introductory Rate for Non-Members of SpaceLab: $50/hour.

SpaceLab Members can include content studios as part of their monthly meeting room booking.

HD webcams, microphones, lighting, black and white backdrops, and green and blue screens are available for use with rental. Camera equipment not yet available for rent.

Contact us at info@spacelabdetroit.com or 313-379-7000 for more information, for a tour, or to book space.

Got PPP Questions? Here are a few answers

SpaceLab’s COO Bobby Burton answers a few FAQs on the SBA-backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The deadline to apply has been extended to May 21, 2021.

The questions are being answered based on our company’s experience. Consult with your accountant, banker or the SBA directly to get answers for your individual business.

Who is eligible for PPP?

Any business with 500 or less employees is eligible to file. The Biden administration just opened the program to independent contractors and sole proprietors.

How do I apply?

The primary means to apply is through your business bank. If you don’t have a business bank, the best place to apply is community banks like Level One or First Independence.

How much money can I receive?

The formula that is used is 2.5 times your monthly payroll. If your payroll is $2000, then you will be eligible for $5000 through PPP.

Is PPP a loan program?

It is, but the loan can be forgiven and become a grant. There is a forgiveness process that you must complete. The rules change, so it will depend on the rules when you apply for forgiveness.

Featured photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Female Founders Promo Book

We’re thrilled to be a part of Rebel Nell’s Female Founders Promo Book – a promotional book in support of Detroit women owned businesses! Enjoy discounts at 35 of your favorite small businesses. With a value of over $500 and discount codes that are valid for one year, what’s not to love!

By purchasing this book and frequenting the establishments included in it, you’re investing in women’s economic empowerment, vibrant communities, and the growth of the overall community in Detroit.

Female Founders Promo Book

The Female Founders Promo Book, curated by Rebel Nell, is a promotional book in support of Detroit women owned small businesses. Included in this promotional book are discounts to over 35 women owned businesses in Detroit. Value: over $500. Discount codes are valid through 02/28/2022. Promo Book: $35 + $2 shipping

$37.00

Promo Books can also be purchased at SpaceLab Detroit (downtown).

Thank you to Amy and Diana, the fabulous female founders of Rebel Nell, for curating this book and inviting SpaceLab to participate. Rebel Nell provides employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment. Read more about their artful mission here.

PROMO BOOK PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

BAGS TO BUTTERFLIES

BEA’S DETROIT

BETTER LIFE BAGS

BLACK GIRL MATHGIC

BON BON BON

BUSTED BRA SHOP

CANINE TO FIVE

CITIZEN YOGA

DBD COLLECTION

DETROIT EXPERIENCE FACTORY

FERNE BOUTIQUE

GOOD NEIGHBOR

HUMANKIND BOX

ILERA APOTHECARY

KAIVI JEWELRY

KANOPI SOCIAL

LIVIN’ FOR MEDIA

LOVE TRAVELS IMPORTS

MARROW

MOTOR CITY WOMAN

NATURALICIOUS

NOT SORRY APPAREL

PIZZAPLEX

QUETARSHE TEXTILES

REBEL NELL

SPACELAB

SWEET POTATO SENSATIONS

TERRI’S CAKES

THE CONGREGATION

THE PEACOCK ROOM

THE ROYCE DETROIT

THE VEGAN MARY

UNFORGETTABLE YOU LLC

UPTON LAW

WELL DONE GOODS

WORK SPACE SPARK

YAMA

Newest Coworkers Design and Power City Buildings

Welcome Bryant Electrical Contractor and Dokes Design & Architecture to SpaceLab Detroit!

Roland Bryant is founder at Bryant Electrical Contractor and leads the company in a variety of project types. Successful projects include those with the City of Detroit – at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Belle Isle and Cadillac Square – Eastern Market Corp, Detroit Metro Airport, multifamily residential projects, and health facilities, including the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Dokes Design Architecture is a full-service design firm with a focus on urban building projects. Founder and principal Kimberly Dokes was recently named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Design. Damon Dickerson is the company’s Director of Architecture and an adjunct professor at University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture.

Caldwell teaches nonprofit series at Schoolcraft College

SpaceLab member Orletta Caldwell is founder and CEO of Beyond Existing Enterprises. With 20 years in the nonprofit industry, she’s sharing her expertise through a seven-week series at Schoolcraft College. Courses in the series are:

  • Ethics & the Nonprofit
  • Communications & Marketing for Nonprofits
  • Volunteer Recruitment, Management & Retention
  • Grant Research & Writing
  • Leadership & Governance in Nonprofit Organizations
  • Financial Management for Nonprofits
  • Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Classes begin January 19, 2021. Register on the Schoolcraft website.

Ask the Expert: Branding and Design for Your Business Build-Out

It’s important to have good team members around you. (Architects and designers) can save you money because of what we know. – Bryan Cook

In this online panel discussion and presentation, branding experts, architects and designers answer business owners’ pressing questions about designing, building out and refreshing their commercial spaces.

Business owners with existing space and those who are in the planning stages pose questions to our panel of experts:

Meaghan Barry, partner and creative director – Unsold Studio (and recently named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women of Design): “With our clients, we talk about a priority list and a wish list. We identify what is the priority – what will make the most impact.”

Naomi Beasley-Porter, architectural designer – NSPIRD Design Studio: “(Designers) can work together to create a style guide so there are minimum standards in place. It pertains to finishes and quality, so the design is consistent throughout.”

Bryan Cook, registered architect – Berardi Partners: “It’s important to have good team members around you. (Architects and designers) can save you money because of what we know.”

Kenneth Crutcher, registered architect – Crutcher Studio: “If you have a budget, we can work with it, but you have to be upfront and honest about what that budget is.”

These experts have designed some of the best known small commercial businesses in Detroit. Watch to get helpful advice and tips before you build.

This program was featured as a 2020 Detroit Month of Design event with Design Core Detroit.