by Lewis Robinson
YouTube, the world’s most popular video sharing website, states that they have over a billion users. YouTube is active in almost 90 countries in almost 80 languages and reaches more mobile users than any cable network channel in the U.S. Mobile and web-based video platforms and solutions are dominating the media world.
Video marketing is an excellent way for companies to generate revenue and increase brand awareness. Small businesses in particular are leveraging video marketing to their advantage.
Customer Service and Engagement.
Most websites offer text-based testimonials with stock pictures of alleged customers. While these are beneficial, sharing customer testimonials through video increases credibility. This is because real-life customers evoke genuine emotions, establish rapport and instill a sense of trust. Customer stories can be offered in eye-catching parts of websites and they can also be embedded in marketing emails. These customer videos should be at least one minute, but no longer than five minutes.
Videos can also be used to explain customer service processes. For example, a mechanic shop can use a video to feature a friendly mechanic who explains what happens when customers take their cars in for common repairs and maintenance. They car technician can demonstrate how they conduct an engine health check, which tools and equipment they use and why the repairs are necessary.
Promote a Specific Product or Service.
Because there are countless online stores and companies, online consumers are exposed to mountains of information. Most online consumers will select the top search engine results because they won’t remember how and where to buy a particular product. Modern online marketing is effective for general business promotion, but the Internet is flooded with competitors who offer cheaper prices. Many small businesses strive to be in the top of Google search results to receive the traffic from graphic advertising, but they don’t know how to properly use videos to increase their search rankings.
YouTube is full of helpful consumers who post insightful product and service reviews. Business owners should link to positive video reviews of products and services. Business owners can offer online visitors videos of offline events like industry seminars, how-to workshops and customer forums. Offering post-event videos of live broadcasts, especially if they are engaging and entertaining, is a great way to increase social media likes and shares.
Video Advertising.
Video marketing is free advertising for small businesses. Thousands of videos are shared every minute on popular platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Video ads are popular among smartphone users because they are usually around only 30 seconds long. Video marketing is an excellent format for informing online consumers of exciting sales and opportunities. Video ads can be educational and used to introduce the features and functions of new products. Most search engine algorithms prioritize video content, so this is an important way to increase brand awareness.
Video advertisements convey large amounts of information in a short time because they are more engaging to the senses. This means that video advertisements will convey information by showing and telling at the same time. The actors in video advertisements can be used to appeal to specific demographics. Because the emotional impact of video ads is stronger, it helps smaller companies to establish solid personal relationships.
Branding.
Videos are also a good way to introduce the small businesses individual history. Video-based brand storytelling is important for entrepreneurs, who may be recognized locals with a long history of community engagement. Videos can be used to share the brand’s values, origin and mission. Science supports video-based communication because most of the data that the brain processes is visual. Most people are visual learners whose brains processes images 60,000 faster than walls of text. When companies create brand history videos, they use closed captioning companies for accessibility.
Video marketing is an excellent way to educate customers while increasing business transparency and customer trust.
Lewis Robinson is a business consultant specializing in social media marketing, CRM, and sales. He’s begun multiple corporations and currently freelances as a writer and business consultant.
