June 30, 2010

YouTube is an often overlooked tool for business, not only as an engagement and marketing platform, but as an educational resource. There are YouTube channels dedicated to sound business advice, but distilling them from oceans of video junk can be a daunting task.

We've pulled out five subscription-worthy channels that produce regular, valuable content, and whose viewership is already substantial. Adding these to your daily diet of social business resources is another great way to stay on top of trends and gather up new ideas for your business.

1. Harvard Business Publishing

At over 17,000 subscribers, Harvard Business School's YouTube channel produces regular "ideacasts" with a focus on "practical insights, tools and resources." The show offers interviews with prominent Harvard professors, authors, and business leaders who speak to issues in markets large and small.

2. Google Business

Make no mistake, the Google Business YouTube channel is a promotional tool for Google's products. But there's no sales pitch here -- just really valuable insights on how to use many of the free and low-cost platforms offered by the search giant. Looking to optimize your AdWords campaign or glean a better view of the marketplace through search analysis? Stacks of short, well-produced instructional videos are at your fingertips with a subscription here.

3. U.S. Small Business Administration

Of all the places to find valuable resources online, you may not immediately think of the U.S. Government. But the Small Business Administration has done a good job stocking their YouTube channel with important information about government initiatives, government loans, legislative changes, and general small business advice about technology and marketing.

4. Robert Scoble's Channel

Known as a Twitter influencer and blogger in the entrepreneurial tech scene, Robert "Scobleizer" Scoble's YouTube channel is loaded with candid interviews with some of today's hottest startup pros. The channel is less about hypothetical business advice, and all about what entrepreneurs are actually doing in the tech space. At the very least, it's interesting stuff. At most, it offers concrete insights from some of the industry's thought leaders that you can bring back to your own work.

5. Fast Forward

Google and The Wharton School of Business have partnered to develop a YouTube channel dedicated exclusively to Internet marketing -- a field that has been a boon for many small businesses looking to expand their reach on the social web. The channel offers up piles of short, easily digestible interviews with business leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs who discuss the goals and challenges of savvy web marketing.

Related Topics

• Technology

Related keywords

Matt Silverman, Article, YouTube, Harvard Business Publishing, Mashable, SBA, Robert Scoble

Join the conversation ( 4 )

• Ed Dearborn 1 year 10 months and 22 days ago

  

  Thank you so much for the resources. These will be passed to a couple of people that I know.Edhttp://www.mcintoshmarketing.com/blog

• CHRIS YATES 1 year 11 months and 4 days ago

  

  I always get funny looks from CEO's when I suggest they create a YouTube channel. The first thought is always the silly cats on skateboards but that is the "old way" of thinking. YouTube channels give your business the opportunity to have a 24 hour network. It's an incredible way for customers or clients to understand you better. If you want to check out one of the best in the business I would suggest Cisco. They are the thought leaders in Social Media. Here's the link http://www.youtube.com/user/ciscovid?blend=2&ob=4Hope it helps.

• Roger Ach 1 year 11 months and 4 days ago

  

  Also, Check out vADz transactional VideoAds at vADz.com. Don't worry about your ad being posted next to 4-letter words and bad content ! vADz cost only $10; they're Transactional, Searchable, Trackable, Mobile & PC and Portable for use in Direct Marketing with Texts, e-Mails. Tweets, Facebook. See www.vADz.com.

• Toni Bonitto-Burwell 1 year 11 months and 4 days ago

  

  We've gotten some great tips from BigCommerce -- http://www.youtube.com/user/bigcommercedotcom Their site: http://www.bigcommerce.com on FB: http://www.facebook.com/BigCommerce