I am always on the look out for new ideas on the web. It seems new web applications and social communities are constantly popping up, but few are unique or impressive enough to distract us from the biggies like Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. However, I recently found a new website that is actually worth checking out. Less than two weeks old, Howcast is a video website and syndicated content provider started by former Googlers. Howcast is similar to YouTube in many ways (it even has its own YouTube channel), but keeps the content exclusively to "how to" videos. I learned the proper way to bathe your dog, do a sun salutation and how to get paid for donating plasma (hey, the web business isn't always gravy).

The Howcast videos are more polished than most user-submitted content. An instructor voice-over informs the viewer what items they will need and provides step by step instructions. The viewer can jump to different steps and leave feedback, warnings or additional tips in the comments. If you want to create your own "how-to" audience members can suggest themes/ideas, upload or edit scripts or upload your own video. Howcast will take your ideas and scripts and send them to film students to produce. The result is clean, fun, high quality video.

Now here comes my marketing angle: Besides being a fun time killer, this site can be an important marketing tool. Are you a lawyer? Why not make a how-to about getting out of a parking ticket, copywriting your creative work or writing a will. There are dozens of opportunities for any profession. Share your expertise with the world and increase your reputation as a knowledgeable expert while providing useful information.