Using video to get your small business noticed is a no-brainer, resulting in more clicks for your site and calls for your phones. But how do you go about marketing videos you’ve placed online?

According to ReelSeo.com, the key to successful video marketing starts with making sure that your video effort is both authentic and leads to some form of action on the part of the viewer:

Don’t worry about stock photography, templates, or videographers who will make you look like all their other clients. Be authentic. Be personal. After all, this is your big chance to highlight your strengths and show what really makes you different. Keep the video short and the less scripted, the better — since customers are jaded by typical sales pitches and marketing buzzwords. Creating authentic video that captures the human element behind any business allows customers to connect on a personal level.

And don’t forget to incorporate a call to action. While your authentic video builds trust and drives action, viewers must be given a reason and a way to call you, visit your website, or stop by your store. Be sure to include some action path — for example, a trackable URL, a coupon, discount code, or unique phone number to call. This not only encourages viewers to engage with you, but also provides a tangible way to measure the results of your video.

Other tips in the article include optimizing for Google and how to best use video on a variety of sites, including Facebook and YouTube. If you’ve been struggling to get your online video noticed, this marketing article is a must read.