In case you haven’t heard, video marketing is kind of a big deal.
It’s the way the majority of people (72%) prefer to learn about a new product or service. And that’s not likely to change, with some reports predicting that video posts will account for as much as 80% of internet traffic as soon as 2021.
For small businesses, video marketing is a great way to create new touchpoints, increase ROI and influence purchasing decisions. But not just any old video post will do. If you’re searching for an effective video marketing strategy for your small business, keep these tips in mind.
10 Quick Tips for Video Posts
- Hook Them Immediately: It’s no secret that humans don’t have the longest attention span. If you don’t hook us right away, we’re off to look at something else that sparkles. This is why it’s crucial to capture your audience’s attention ASAP — preferably in eight seconds or less.
- Use Relevant Keywords and Tags: The whole point of making a video is for people to see it. But if they can’t find it, they’ll never know it’s there. Make sure your keywords and tags are relevant and specific to the video to increase the chance of it reaching the right audience.
- Make Your Customers the Star of the Show: Any small business owner can stand in front of the camera for two and a half minutes and tout the benefits of their product or service. Getting a real customer to do the same thing, however, lends credibility to your company and can make the message feel more “authentic” to your viewers.
- Be Entertaining: If the tone of your video reminds people of the list of side effects in a pharmaceutical ad or the part in a car commercial where the terms and conditions are explained at supersonic speed, you’re doing something wrong. While not all businesses are inherently exciting (and some are even downright boring), you should always strive to provide some sort of entertainment or even humor in your videos.
- Keep It Short: People scrolling through their social media feeds or searching for more information on your small business aren’t committed to investing a ton of time in your video, no matter how awesome it might be. Make it easy for your audience to get what they came for, but be sure to provide plenty of ways for them to keep exploring should they want to learn more.
- Create a Series: Having trouble keeping your videos to a manageable length? You might need to branch out a bit. Consider creating a series around your topic and releasing a bite-sized video once a week. You won’t overwhelm your audience with lengthy videos, but you will have them coming back for more each week!
- Go Beyond YouTube: YouTube started as the be-all, end-all of video content, but times certainly have changed. Video now performs phenomenally on all social media sites. You can also share your videos directly through your website, link video posts to specific landing pages, or even include clips in your marketing emails!
- Always Have the Camera On: Writer’s block — or videographer’s block, in this case — is no joke. We’ve all been there, stuck for content with an audience depending on us and nothing to give them. To proactively combat this, make it a habit of filming candid videos on the regular. Creating a stockpile of footage to be used as needed will make it easier to put something together on the fly when necessary.
- Don’t Forget the Call to Action: At the end of the day, you’re not making these video posts for your health. You want your audience to take the next step, whether that’s clicking through to your website, subscribing to your channel, following you on social media, etc. Don’t leave them guessing what to do next — provide a clear call to action at the end of each video.
- Consider Hiring a Professional: Your small business marketing video doesn’t need to be Oscar-worthy, but the more “professional” it looks and sounds, the better. While it is certainly possible to DIY, if you have the means to spend a bit of time with a professional videographer or shell out some cash for a scriptwriter, it likely will boost the effectiveness of your video.
Lights, Camera, Action!
If video marketing isn’t a part of your repertoire already, it should be. If you’ve dabbled in it unsuccessfully, it’s time to change things up. And if you’re already a video pro … well, there’s always room for improvement! By keeping on the cutting edge of current trends and following best practices, you have makings of a small business masterpiece!
Looking for more ways to engage your audience and increase your bottom line? Let Mischa Communications help you explore your options. We can’t wait to hear from you!