Guest post written by Owen Andrew | @owenandrew7
In today’s world, companies are looking for new ways to promote their business. Technology has changed public relations, and with the Holiday season coming, companies need to up their game plan to maximize holiday sales. Today’s business professionals need to start using video to create social ads, connect with customers, advertise promotions, and catch the eye of influencers who know about your product.
You may think that spending the money to use video marketing is a dicey decision. However, the data shows that companies who use it wisely make an impressive return on investment (or ROI). The following information will show you other reasons to use video marketing to help improve your business. You’ll soon wonder how you lived without it.
How Should I Use It?
If you’re new to the video marketing game, fear not. Starting out is quite easy, according to Vidyard, if you follow some simple steps:
1. Introduce yourself by letting your audience know who you are, and what you do. Using a 90-second video to combine audio and video explanations works wonders.
2. Create another video detailing the products and services you offer.
3. Share testimonials from customers who love what you do. Showing other positive reactions will give future customers something to look forward to.
4. Share your knowledge of your products and services. It shows your customers that you are willing to educate them with a more-intimate method.
5. Share stories of how you got started. It’ll show your history and why you love what you do.
6. Thank your customers. Respect goes a long way.
Video Marketing For Growth
Now that you understand how to start, let’s discuss what you can do to utilize video marketing to help improve your business. First, put a video (as discussed in the last section) on your website’s landing page. As Forbes discusses, doing so will increase your conversion rate by as much as 80 percent. Engaging content creates interest. But, remember to adjust your settings so that the video doesn’t play automatically.
Second, understanding how to make a mobile-friendly video is vital. Since most people now use their phones and tablets to go online, “regular” videos no longer cut it. You need to have a video that can be accessed on a mobile device.
Next, show what your product or service can do for your customers. Still images give people a glimpse. But, a video will show the step-by-step process by which the product and service is used – effectively eliminating an onslaught of questions.
Interactivity is also a great idea. Creating videos that give choices, and allowing customers to follow a story will be more interesting than a “just the facts” video. However, another enticing idea is a Q&A session during a live-chat video. Showing your interest in giving information, and answering questions on-the-fly will engage your customers more.
Video And Social Media
You should also keep in mind that video marketing should not be isolated to your website. According to Business News Daily, there are are world of opportunities to expand your video marketing in social media. Any company who is well-versed in social media marketing can help you with videos for this purpose.
YouTube
YouTube is the biggest example for this purpose. After creating your channel, you can upload videos that will be seen worldwide by any YouTube viewer. Potential customers can also rate your videos, and leave comments that can help you improve your video-making process. They can also subscribe to your channel, and get notified any time you upload new videos.
Facebook And Twitter
Facebook and Twitter are other avenues for brief videos. Viewers can “like” your videos. However, keep in mind that most users want to be entertained with timely videos. So, keep it short, sweet, and current.
You can also use Instagram to show off everything visually, which will entice your younger audience. With the ability to tell stories, you can show short videos that explain what you, and your company are up to on any given day.
Conclusion
Marketing in 2017 is vastly different from what it used to be. Using today’s technology – and the ability to shoot video from anywhere – allows you the freedom to interact with your customers much more easily. While the costs may worry you at first, the return on investment makes it all worthwhile. You will increase your customer base, and your bottom line, much quicker.
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Owen Andrew is a tech writer and multimedia enthusiast who has spent several years writing for publications both in print and web format. He is based in Southern California, and is also versed social media, video production, viral marketing, computer networking and cloud technologies. When he’s not writing or editing the work of his close peers, he enjoys attending EDM concerts, hanging with his children and looks forward to the Comic Con and E3 conventions every year.
