If you spend any time on social media then you’ve probably noticed the increased amount of videos that are being shared, viewed, talked about, etc. It seems like all of the sudden video is taking over social media and we’re hearing some pretty serious statistics about its future, especially for businesses. By 2017, video will account for 69% of all consumer internet traffic, according to Cisco. The play button is being called “the most compelling call-to-action on the web,” according to Andrew Angus.
For some compelling statistics on the state of video marketing, check out this infographic by HighQ.
While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what might seem like another thing to add to our to-do list, making videos can be fun! You can easily shoot a video from any smart phone and upload it to social media within seconds. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Make it about the story, not the sale
While a majority of the videos you create may be intended to boost sales, that doesn’t need to be obvious to your consumers. There are several ways to build a story around your product without focusing on the sale. Some examples include:
- Customer testimonials
*These can range from quick 15 second videos to longer, more in-depth, 3-5 minute videos - Product demonstrations
- DIY/How-to videos
- Q&A with sales reps in-store
2. Short & Sweet
The best advice we can give to you about filming a video is that in most cases, the shorter the better. Try to keep videos shorter to truly capture a consumers attention and keep it throughout the span of the video. There has been an entire social media site, Vine, built around 6 second videos; not every video needs to be in-depth to prove it’s worth. Shooting a quick 5-7 second video that announces your new arrival of Christmas trees by showing the trees will be more engaging than a text post letting customers know about your new inventory. So why not give this a try?
3. Add a personal touch
This might be the easiest videos you can record and it’s one that might mean the most. Take a video of your team saying “thank you” to all of your customers, especially after a busy season. A “thank you” video would be great to post right after the holidays, thanking your customers for another successful holiday season; once again, setting yourself apart from the big box stores.
You can also film quick videos at events to post during or after the event. This can help to encourage additional attendees for future events and can also serve as as an opportunity to thank everyone for coming.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by videos, but the truth is, there is no right or wrong way to talk to your customers. You don’t need to invest in a lot of equipment and try to shoot a professional video every time you post, you really just need a smart phone to get started. A word of advice, don’t take yourself to seriously! Have fun with this new venture – and, as always, if you’re looking for ideas just ask your Marketing Specialist!