Have you been on YouTube lately? Why not? For quite a few reasons it is one of my favorite sites. One, I find that I am no longer required to read instruction manuals; someone has already made an instructional video for me. No matter how ghetto fabulous that video may be, it is usually way more helpful than the 50 page manual begging me to find the three sentences that will explain why the new gadget I bought won’t do what I want it to.  

Two, I enjoy listening to music and comedy bits on it. Where else can you go to hear Star Wars techno remixes, Marine Corp running cadence mixes, and a bevy of movie themes and instrumental music all in the same place? Strangely, I listen to YouTube more than I actually watch it. Go figure.

Three, I love having my own channel. Granted, there aren’t many videos there, and last I checked, I didn’t have any subscribers, but I do have a simple and free platform for a multimedia voice to the masses. It doesn’t get any better than that. Just ask Justin Bieber.

So, why don’t you have a YouTube channel? Better yet, why doesn’t your business have one? Whether personal or professional it just seems to make sense that you would like to reach the broadest market possible. Advertising who you are and what you do best, however, isn’t your only use for YouTube. You can provide your entire staff access to training videos, take advantage of the large amount of HVAC content, and continue to develop new ways to help make your technicians successful and your business profitable.

Not everything on YouTube is wonderful and, of course, there are those yahoos who recorded themselves installing or repairing HVAC equipment in a manner that even I would question; but instead of ignoring this information and broadcast gem, perhaps you can use these faux pas as a learning experience for your staff.

And don’t forget to have fun. My current favorite fun video is a Lego version of Eddie Izzard’s “Cake or Death?” comedy bit. What is your favorite?