It's overlooked and underutilized and it's capable of helping achieve the Big C.

Psssst. Listen up. I'm going to say this quietly so only a few of you can hear. We can't let this secret out to everyone yet; just you, dear reader, the top performers in your industry who read this magazine. Ready? This is a HUGE secret. Okay, here it is.

Video converts well.

A big part of online marketing involves creating content. Article marketing, writing website copy, producing email newsletters, and all call on your ability to get a message through to your readers. To get that message through, your audience has to be receptive. To do that, you have to connect with them on some level.

You can accomplish that using several tried-and-true methods. To bring that theory into reality takes creativity and real finger sweat. But it is within every online marketer's reach.

Any marketer who has achieved business success in the long term - either online or off - strongly agrees with the old saying, "The money is in the list." Indeed most marketers view their lists as the foundation for their success and their most valuable business asset.

Recently, I posed my question to a diverse audience: "At your company, who is in charge of social media marketing? Raise your hand if it's the marketing group." A few hands went up. "The public relations team?" A few hands again. "Market research?" Once again, only a smattering of hands was raised. "So I guess most of you aren't using social media at all?" I suggested. "Must be your lawyers are in charge." That struck a chord. Laughter all round.

Our politicians, along with Wall Street, a few bankers and some mortgage firms may be able to take our money, but they can't take away our friends. In fact, our friends may be all we have left someday. There's no doubt that the crisis we face today financially and otherwise will test our mettle as small business owners and brands.

Raise your hand if you've heard of Blendtec. I bet you are familiar with Blendtec and I bet I know how you first heard of their blenders - from their viral video series called "Will it blend?" That series, showing iPods and other unusual items being reduced to powder by a powerful blender, serves a strong branding message: If it can annihilate an iPod, it will make quick work of your smoothie.

I am not a golfer- but I rented some clubs and hit at a driving range for the first time a few months ago. I had no clue what I was doing, but I happened to be standing next to someone who was in the middle of a lesson. I watched closely and tried to apply what the trainer was telling his student to make my swing better. After a few tries, I was consistently driving that sucker over 100 yards - with some sense of control to boot. I realize this is no great feat, but I was thrilled! This was much better than my initial attempts - some of which went backwards (don't ask...).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau,there are nearly six million businesses in the United States. Think about the enormity of that number.That's billions and billions of dollars in revenue generation every year. That's also six million businesses that all require the same basic nourishment to survive - marketing and sales.

Economists, politicians and media types are no longer arguing whether or not the economy is in a recession. Instead most are debating how long it will last.

With the U.S. dollar sinking to new lows, oil and gold attaining new heights, and both food and gasoline prices rising quickly: corporate CEO's, the media and government officials finally acknowledged what millions have seen coming for years - the U.S. economy is in BIG trouble - and the future looks bleak.