“That’s us,” says Gardner, of his company’s laid back culture. The videos gave his eight-person staff a chance to showcase their creativity, while providing customers and prospects a unique “inside” view of the staffs’ interplay and sense of humor.
“Our existing customer base knows us and knows our personalities and got a big kick out of it.”
Gardner was surprised when prospects who saw the videos contacted him, complementing the out-of-box approach. “It’s rejuvenated past relationships. Many of our clients says they want to be featured in the next Yepisode.”
With three Yepisodes released, Gardner says more are coming once the busy staff find the time and the right creative spark for the next installment. No doubt, they will take their lead from their fans and customer base who want to get in on the fun.
For companies still unsure about whether social media is for them, Yepser’s success makes a compelling case for getting out there and taking a few risks. And using video — as the explosive popularity of YouTube attests — is one of the best ways to connect, engage and talk about your brand in a way that gets attention.
“Social media is a requirement almost in order to communicate with your potential customers and keep your existing customers loyal to your brand,” Gardner says.
I think you made a great point about taking risks with how we approach marketing. Stuffy advertising is a thing of the past, and fun, unique marketing is what will drive new customers through our doors and renew commitments and relationships with long-term clients.