In past posts, we’ve discussed monitoring what others are saying about your company, products, online videos, or brand. As people chatter about your business, they are creating buzz. While monitoring buzz let’s you know what others are saying, what if no one is saying a word? If no one is talking about your products, brand, or Internet videos, you may need a little help in generating buzz. In other words, give them something to talk about.

With the explosion of social media, buzz means more exposure. For example, if a single Twitter user tweets a link to your online marketing video to his followers and a few of those followers re-tweet it to their followers your video will be exposed to a huge audience that you wouldn’t have reached before. Not only will your message be seen by more people, many of these people will begin following you or exploring your Web site. And that’s just based on one tweet on one social network!

Enable Comments
One way to generate buzz is to enable comments, chats, and social streams. For example, if you have a blog, enable comments so that readers can post their thoughts and start a conversation. Enable sharing by placing a “share this” widget. These widgets make it easy for viewers to share a link to your page on popular social networks such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

Create a Weekly Twitter Chat
Twitter users often gather for informal chats. Consider creating a hashtag for your specialty and hosting weekly Twitter chats. For example, if you specialize in car repairs, create a hashtag called #CarRepairChat and invite your followers to participate. Each participant uses the hashtag during the chat, which is viewable to all of their own followers. As other Twitter users see the conversations in their own Twitter streams, it’s not unusual for interested people to join the chat.

Use Social Streams
Similar to comments on blogs, social streams are commonly used with online videos – and these streams take place in real time. For example, if you host a live video on UStream.tv, you can enable a social stream. This real-time stream allows viewers to interact and comment as they watch the video. In this case, users do not need a Ustream account; they can sign in with their own Twitter or Facebook account and begin interacting. As you host your live video program, viewers can ask questions, make comments, and interact. As the comments come in, you can answer them in real time on video or have an assistant answer questions via the social stream. Not only does this make for a dynamic online video event, all of the participants conversing in the real time social stream are also generating buzz because their tweets are being displayed to their followers.

Issue Press Releases and Social Media Releases
Take advantage of press release services and regularly issue press releases. This strategy serves two important purposes. First, it gets the word out to news aggregators about your latest online video, product, service, or other news. Second, it builds valuable backlinks which make your Web site, blog, or online video more discoverable.

In the days leading up to your next release, use social media to engage your followers. For example, you could hold a contest or create an interactive poll. Consider periodic giveaways and watch as your followers spread the news in order to qualify for a prize.

Post Articles on Article Directories
Share your expertise by writing articles and posting them on popular article directories like EzineArticles.com or GoArticles.com. These sites allow you to place a “resource box” at the end of the article complete with links to your site or online video. Article directories allow publishers to use the article on their blogs and Web sites. When this happens, you’ll gain exposure and links.

These are but a few of the many buzz generating activities that you can try. How are you generating buzz? Share your ideas with us.