why video marketing?

Hopefully, by now, you understand the importance of incorporating video strategy into your marketing efforts. Just in case, here are some video marketing stats we thought you should know before we dive into this post.

YouTube is now the second most visited website behind Google.
Social media posts with videos are shared 1200% more than text-only and image posts combined.
Businesses that use video as a marketing strategy grow 49% faster than those that don’t.
Fifty-four percent of consumers say they want to see more video content from a brand or business that they support, and a majority prefer video content to other media. (source)

Trust us, it’s important. And, the great news is that we’re talking about videos that can be taken with your iPhone, not the kind that cost thousands of dollars (although those are pretty sweet, too).

With more than 400 hours of videos being uploaded to YouTube every minute, you’ll need to do something to stand out. Here are some quick video marketing tips to utilize for your business:

learn seo practices

Check out our other recent post about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). SEO applies not only to any website pages your business might create, but also to videos. After all, the goal is to get your video seen! Using free programs like Google Ads and TubeBuddy can help you determine the best keywords for your descriptions, titles, and video tags. For videos, short 3- or 4-sentence descriptions work best. Don’t forget to feature your other social media and website links in the description for viewers who are looking for additional information.

customize your thumbnails

Customized thumbnails are an important step to getting more views on your videos. Bright on-brand colors and clear text will help create a “first look” into what the video will be about, as well as help generate clicks. The more captivating your thumbnail is, the higher the chance the user will watch it. Keep in mind, accuracy is also key. “Clickbait” thumbnails, thumbnails which are hyperbolic in nature or don’t accurately reflect the video’s content, can often result in a disappointed viewer.

(Brand examples: Red Bull, North Face, and T-Mobile)

timing is key

Similar to how you may consider time when posting on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, you should also consider what time of day and which day of the week is best for posting video content. This will vary greatly based on who your audience is. For example: if you are targeting an age group that works full-time (possibly 21 and older), the best upload time may be 6:00pm or later on a week day, or morning times on the weekend when your audience is more likely to be online and looking for something to watch.

consistency & branding

If your videos are going to be hosted on a platform like YouTube or Vimeo, you can customize your channel home page to fit your branding. Use spaces like the channel header or background to have extra opportunities to spread brand messages, logos, links, etc. Consistency is important for channel customization and thumbnails. Try not to create too much variation in colors, fonts, or imagery.

fun video ideas

Video marketing can be fun and creative! Use this opportunity to explore new concepts and ideas that your business hasn’t tried, or been successful with, on other platforms. Some ideas to consider are FAQ videos to supplement your website, interviews, or workplace tours. The possibilities with video are endless. Brainstorm something great, and then execute it.

Tips for Small Businesses: Creating a Buzz with Video Marketing