It is literally becoming impossible to ignore the impact - and importance - that videos are having on the internet, and the world of internet marketing is no different!

Many of the “top dogs” of internet marketing have warned that 2007 will mark the year that online videos begin their real importance in making money online and driving traffic to your website. It’s the world of Web 2.0…and we need to realize that more now than ever.

I’ll give you a quick example of the real power of online video…but I’m going to move into another business entirely for this demonstration. It’s my OTHER love…the business of music.

You may not have heard of a band by the name of OK GO. Then again, maybe you have…even if you weren’t trying. That’s because the band became a study in the digital age - whether it was intentional or not.

A number of months ago, the band released a video that became so popular on the web that the band watched their latest album sales (which had been released about a year earlier) begin to climb, and climb, and CLIMB. According to the sales tracking website HitsDailyDouble:

Featuring the band performing a synchronized treadmill routine in a gym, “Here It Goes Again,� a track from the band’s Oh No album, released almost a year ago, the video has been viewed a staggering 2 million times on YouTube, earning monthly honors as Most Viewed, Top Favorites and Most Discussed Music Video, as well as #10 Most Linked All Time and #25 Most Viewed Music Video of all time on the popular site. Technorati has rated the video as one of the most popular linked by blogs.

Capitol Records President Andy Slater got off the treadmill long enough to state: “OK Go’s current success is a grass-roots phenomenon of the digital age. It is the product of long-term artist development for a credible, smart band that is connecting with fans the old-fashioned way through non-stop touring, and the new-fashioned way—through clever, trailblazing use of new media. Now, if only I could master the moves, I’d submit my own video to YouTube.”

Have you seen the video? If not, check it out right here…it’s for the song “Here It Goes Again”:

After the success of this video online, the band recognized that viral videos cannot be underestimated. So they stayed with what works, and just released another video - for another song - on the same album. Notice any similarities?

And to add one more “piece to the puzzle”…the video above, for the song “Do What You Want”, was actually the SECOND video for the song. The first video can be seen below. You’ll notice, while it’s a well-done video, it was missing a certain “formula” that brought them the success of “Here It Goes Again”.

So why am I bringing music into this discussion? What does OK GO have to do with your internet marketing business? Think about it…If a video can drive ALBUM SALES, just imagine what they can do for driving traffic to your website.

If you want to compete in any business, you have to be willing to adjust and adapt to current trends and technology. Online video IS where the success is at in 2007. Do what you can to make sure you take advantage of it.

If you’re active in the blogosphere, I’m sure you’ve heard about this little project from a guy named Tino Buntic. He recently started something called “2000 Bloggers“, which is a simple - albeit ingenious - idea which displays the faces of 2000 bloggers of all “types” on one page.

UPDATE: I’ve included the full 2000 Bloggers project on my site on a special page. Check it out right here!

Imagine my shock - and I do mean SHOCK - to find that my ugly mug was actually used as part of this project, with a link to Money2BMade! I never requested to be on the list…I just ended up on there somehow! Trust me, I’m flattered…it just is amazing how I ended up on the list in the first place! I’m a little confused, and really excited!

I guess it’s just a testament to getting your name “out there”. I’m an extremely small blogger in a sea of MILLIONS, so I can’t believe that I actually was chosen. I’m noticing some traffic from other blogs which have the 2000 bloggers featured on there…and even some from Technorati. If you came here to read more about the 2000 Bloggers story, please feel free to leave a comment with a link to your site!

I recently came to learn about a website called Squidoo.com. This site offers something brand new to the internet scene…and they call it a “Lens”.

Now, a lens can be a bit confusing. It took me a little while to understand the point of a lens, and how it could be useful to ANYONE. But soon I learned the real power behind these “mini web pages”, and how they can help almost any website to gain more traffic.

You see, a lens is simply a “compact how-to guide”. It puts everything you know about a topic onto one web page, and helps to guide the reader to more information on the topic.

For example, I just created a lens of my very own. It’s about a topic I like to continuously learn more and more about - How to Make Money Online! I will constantly be updating this lens with new ideas, techniques, and resources…and will include a link back to this blog in the midst of the advice. Maybe I’ll get a few new visitors to my blog, but regardless, it’s a great way to get your name out there! Hey - maybe you’ve found this little blog through Squidoo. If so, my point has been proven!

Even if there’s no “surge” in traffic, there’s always the extra link pointing back to my website out on the internet. That’s always a plus.

If you’d like to learn more about Squidoo, check them out here: Squidoo.com!