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.

You may have read about the 2000 Bloggers Project a few days ago on this blog. I was thrilled to be a part of something so inventive, and it was with great sadness that I learned of its demise yesterday.

It seems that Technorati hated the whole thing. They viewed the project as a massive “chain letter” and were contemplating banning any blogs that were involved in the collage. I still don’t know how I feel about their stance…I can see both sides of the coin.

On one hand, the project had become a massive “link dump” which was really generating backlinks to other 2000 Bloggers image maps. It was becoming a “cycle” with no real value behind the links, other than the exposure and backlinks.

However, on the other hand, I’m inclined to think - “WHO CARES?!?” The nature of the internet is such that things are constantly changing. I understand the value of backlinks…I really do. They should really be earned….not simply “given”. That is what creates QUALITY. But for most bloggers, it’s not about the pagerank…it’s more about the traffic. It’s more about “being part of something new, big, and different”.

The problem was that Tino (the guy who started the whole thing) never intended the code to be spread onto other sites…but it happened. People (myself included) wanted to contribute to the viral success of the photo collage, and reap the benefits of any backlinks and Technorati links.

I really do see both sides of the coin….and I’m really not sure where I fall on the opinion side of the issue.

But, out of respect for those who agree with Technorati’s position on the matter, I am removing the 2000 Bloggers page that I posted on Money2BMade a few days ago. I have chosen NOT to opt out of the project, but I do respect those who have. Therefore, I will not be another “branch” of this project, displaying the face collage on my website.

I’m extremely interested to see what implications this whole situation has on Technorati rankings, backlinks, and traffic in general to this website. I’ll keep everyone posted!