There’s no doubt about it. Video marketing is a powerful tool for businesses working hard to build their brand.
In the United States, 85% of all internet users watch video content on various devices – laptop, phone, or tablet – each month, and the demand for this content continues to grow. Most importantly, eight out of 10 people have made a purchase after watching a brand’s video. That’s quite an impact.
As an entrepreneur, this means that you should start making business videos now. The popularity of video content isn’t losing momentum and it’s a great way to reach new clients.
If you don’t know where to start with your marketing videos, don’t worry. Here are 10 tips to help you create promotional videos your customers will love.
1. Hook Them Early
Unfortunately, people have short attention spans. To get their attention when they view your video content, you need to hook them early. In fact, on YouTube, video content engagement tends to drop off after 10 seconds.
It’s important to find a way to keep viewers watching. Your video’s pace should move quickly and choosing a snappy (but descriptive) title will grab their attention right away. Also, casual, accessible, and relatable content goes a long way.
2. Tell a Story
One of the easiest ways to keep viewers engaged is by telling a story rather than focusing on the hard sell. Your promotional video is a powerful opportunity to share your brand’s story with the world.
You can convey this story in several ways. Present a problem – how it impacted you or someone close to you personally – and the solution your business offers for that issue. Or maybe you have an emotional tale that tugs at the heartstrings or a unique background that sets you apart from the competition. Everyone has a story. You just need to find yours.
3. Know Your Audience
The more you know about your audience, the better your video will be. By understanding who they are and what motivates them, you can create a promotional tool that speaks to them.
This means doing your research before you even think about making a video. Compile data from free tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Insights. Also, check out your competition. Who are they selling to? Then, create a profile for what your average customer might look like and create a video for that individual.
4. Use Some Humor
If your video is stuffy and boring, you’re going to lose viewers quickly. Adding a little bit of humor to your promotional videos can help keep them engaged and interested in your products or services.
5. Write a Script
Before touching a camera, you should write a script for your video or at least an outline. You need a script to keep your video on track. This will help you create a more effective, impactful video.
You don’t need to be an award-winning writer to craft a useful script. Write the way you speak and keep language accessible and interesting to the average viewer. As you write, also keep in mind areas where a visual clip might best accentuate what you’re saying. You don’t want the entire video to be of you speaking into a camera. And before you start recording, have someone you trust look it over.
6. Include a Call-to-Action
Like you would with any other type of marketing content – blogs, social media, emails – you need to end your promotional video with a call-to-action (CTA). This means your video should inspire them to act, which could be anything from following you on social media to checking out your website to sharing the video.
Your CTA is an opportunity to continue your engagement with the viewer. Use strong language that clearly directs them to what they should do next and offer easy ways for them to connect with your brand beyond your video.
7. Keep It Short
Again, people have short attention spans. If your video is too long, they’ll never make it to the end, which presumably contains your call-to-action. If you want a lasting relationship with the viewer, you want them to make it to the end.
Create a video that is interesting, but also gets to the point. Who are you? What’s your story? What can you offer? And how can you improve your viewer’s life?
8. Determine the Best Platform for Your Video
Where do you plan to post your video? Your website? Social media? Elsewhere?
More social media platforms are making room for videos than ever before, and TikTok’s sudden rise shows a desire for more video content. YouTube, with 1.9 billion monthly users, continues to be the most popular platform for videos. (It’s so popular that many people seek the best YouTube downloader so they can download their favorite videos to watch when offline.)
The platform you ultimately choose will also determine several factors about your video, including length, style, and file format.
9. Use High-Quality Equipment
Even if you can’t afford to hire a professional to make your business video, you should still use high-quality equipment. If your video has low audio or visual quality, viewers will be likely to abandon it.
You can rent professional equipment. There are also many affordable, but effective cameras on the market. And if you search online, you’ll find some excellent free editing software.
10. Optimize Your Business Videos for SEO
Once you’ve made and edited your video, you have one more step – search engine optimization. You want viewers to organically find your video once you post it.
You need to make sure your video thumbnail image and description are engaging at first glance. Your title should entice viewers as well. And include keywords to boost your video’s SEO.
Looking for More Tech Tips?
Now that you’re ready to make impressive business videos that engage your audience, check out the blog for more tech tips that will help you build your brand.
As an entrepreneur, you’ll want to take a look at the Business Tech section for more resources that will lead your company to growth and success. Check them out today.
