Using Video to Market your Business

USING VIDEO TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS 101

I was recently asked by the Mahwah Chamber of Commerce to do a presentation at their Social Media Day on using video to grow your business. Below is some of the information I shared with the attendees. 

VIDEO FACTS/STATS

80% of all internet traffic will be video traffic in 2019 ● Using Video in your email subject line boosts open rates by 20% ● 64 – 84% of people are more likely to buy after seeing a video ● Conversation to sales increases by up to 80% when there is a video on the site ● Studies have shown that videos are over 50 times more likely to boost you to the first page over search engine results. ● Your intended audience is more likely to watch a video than to spend time reading content. ● Website visitors spend 6 times longer on pages with videos. ● Including a video on your website increases chances of being shared on social media resulting in inbound links to your website which can result in sales and increased SEO.

 HOW DO I START? 

Just like every other marketing initiative start by clearly identifying your goal and vision for the project. What are you doing a video or series of marketing videos? To sell? Teach? Increase brand awareness or just for fun? Depending upon your overall goal, your video will need to adjust. 

Next, who is your audience and what tools do they use? See below for more information on tools. Be sure to clearly identify the audience first however. Moms? Male Executives between the ages of 20 and 45? Teens? You get the idea. 

Next figure out what problem they have that you can help solve. Remember people want to know what's in it for them, not how they can help you make money. So identify a problem and then a solution. Can you make life easier? Save them time or money? 

Remember to Be yourself with energy!

Some of the Tools to consider are: 

  • Periscope – live broadcast, see others, save to your phone, share, many diverse users
  • Snapchat – create Snap stories, quick videos, age is younger
  • Facebook Live – tape live events, built in audience, can engage with them
  • YouTube Live – same as Facebook Live, video lives on your channel
  • Instagram – short video snippets you can do in advance
  • Old Fashioned Camera – FULL CONTROL! Editing capability. Can put that content anywhere!

Consider a series of How To’s, for example: 

  •        Plumbers – fix leaky toilets
  •        Chiropractors – stretches and stress relieving exercises
  •        Landscaper – planting a new tree
  •        Skincare/make up – how to use new product or new tool
  •        Law office – reading a contract, what to look for
  •        Financial person – how to read an investment statement, questions to ask
  •        Photographer – how to prepare for a headshot

And, other Ideas

  • Take people on a tour of your office
  • Training videos
  • People introductions
  • Behind the scenes look at what you do
  • Announcements
  • Series of videos that demonstrate something
  • Interviews with executives

THEN USE AND PROMOTE THEM! WEBSITE, TWITTER, LINKEDIN, FACEBOOK, EMAIL! 

And here are some great tips from Bob Hutchins on using Facebook Live (my personal favorite!)

 

5 Best Practices for Using Facebook Live

June 22, 2016 Bob Hutchins

It’s no secret that video is where the action is on Facebook. Brand publishers are discovering that they can push their ROI even further by taking advantage of Facebook Live, a real-time, in-the-moment product that allows users (and select brands) to stream live video content in front of their audience. Early adopters are discovering that Facebook Live offers even better engagement than regular video content - and certainly much better engagement than photos and text-based posts.

The Economist is one brand that’s seen great engagement with Facebook Live this month. According to Digiday:

“[The Economist’s] videos are averaging around 45,000 views, peaking at 2,000 at any one time and get around 500 comments, 10 times the interactions that links to articles get.”

Not all Pages have access to Facebook Live (yet). If your Page does, or if you want to learn how to make best use of Facebook Live on your personal profile, we’ve got some best practice suggestions for you. (Check out Facebook’s Tips page for more of these suggestions.)

1. Stay Live a Minimum of 10 Minutes

The longer you’re live, the more time there is for users to tune in, get hooked, and invite their friends to join. Facebook recommends broadcasting for at least 10 minutes so that your audience can grow.

2. Be Personal

Call out commenters by name and address their specific questions and comments. Facebook Live is an incredible tool for building personal, human relationships between your brand and audience.

3. Be Purposeful

As with any communications tool, the medium can only be as good as the message. Before going live, seriously consider what kind of value your broadcast will bring to your users and brand. Evaluate your reasoning for choosing Facebook Live over an off-the-cuff prerecorded video or some other non-video format.

4. Give a Heads Up

Spontaneity is great, but if you know you’re going to be going live, tell your audience in advance. Also, you can tell your Fans to tap the "Follow'' button during your stream so they’ll get notifications next time you’re live.

5. Make That Connection

Wi-Fi is the best option for streaming, but if Wi-Fi isn’t available, you’ll at least need a 4G connection to use Facebook Live. Nothing’s worse than losing a great session because of a weak connection.

marketing, public relations, Marketing, New Media, On-Line Marketing ToolsRisa Hoagmarketing, video, public relationsComment