Video marketing is taking center stage. For years, the most effective way for individuals or organizations to succeed has been through words, typically called content marketing.
While it certainly is still effective, even a requirement for organizations, having an effective video marketing strategy in place is becoming just as important.
Here is why. According to HubSpot, the content managment and SEO firm:
- Including a video on your company landing pages can increase conversion rates (when a visitor becomes a customer) by 80 percent.
- Just adding the term “video” in a subject line increases open rates by 19 percent.
- Ninety percent of customers say watching a video clip helps them make a buying decision.
- Finally, 57 percent of online customers are more likely to purchase your product after watching a demo video.
Here are a few more benefits of video marketing:
Increase Brand Awareness
Videos are a terrific way to introduce your brand to new customers. They can help you tell your story, highlight your products or services, and connect with your audience more personally.
Generate Leads
Videos can generate leads by educating potential customers about your products or services and encouraging them to act, such as signing up for your email list or requesting a free consultation.
Boost Sales
Videos can boost sales by convincing potential customers to buy your products or services. Studies have shown that people are more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it.
It is clear there’s value in video marketing. But to uncover that value, here are Ten Things you need to know:
Place your videos on YouTube.
Google owns this site. Placing videos on YouTube can improve your search engine optimization for both your website and your YouTube channel.
Make “explainer” videos.
Explainer videos explain how to use a product, its features, and its benefits and have proven much more effective than other formats. They can lead to a sale and help purchasers better understand the product after selecting it.
Boost your videos.
LinkedIn makes it quite easy to boost a video. A link in the upper right-hand corner will say “Boost.” But before boosting, watch an explainer video to make sure you are doing it correctly.
Make your videos personal.
A personal video allows you to speak one-to-one with a potential prospect or customer. Personalized videos are more effective than glossy, professionally made videos.
Keep them short.
Many people look at a video’s length before watching it. More than five minutes, and they are out the door. One- to five-minute videos are the perfect length.
Be consistent.
Plan to make one or two videos per month, more if you can. Add them to your site, LinkedIn profile, YouTube, company page, and all social media platforms. Once a video marketing program is in place, stick with it.
Keep them short.
People have short attention spans, so it is essential to keep your videos brief. Aim for videos that are 2-3 minutes at maximum.
High quality.
Use high-quality video and audio. Ensure your videos are well-lit, focused, and have clear audio. People are more likely to watch your videos if they’re high quality.
Use engaging content.
Your videos should be interesting and engaging to watch. Use humor, storytelling, or other techniques to keep your audience’s attention.
Make it fun.
Some of my clients want formal introductions before they begin their video along with a formal conclusion. The videos were just not fun to make – and they came across that way.
If you are not already using video marketing, please try it. It’s a powerful tool that can help you reach more customers and grow your business.
By following these tips, you can create compelling video marketing campaigns that will help you reach more customers and grow your business.
Robert Kravitz is president of AlturaSolutions, Which Provides Content Marketing Strategies for the Professional Cleaning Industry. He can be reached at: solutions@alturasolutions.com