Video marketing refers to incorporating videos into your marketing campaigns so you can promote your company, product or service.

A business using this type of internet advertisement creates short videos about specific topics they want to promote, using content from its own articles and other text sources. Then, these videos are uploaded to various video sharing websites.

How it Works?

You can’t just create a video and send it to YouTube and hope for the best. You must have an action plan, and an action plan has steps to follow, very important steps that you can’t miss. There are 4 basics steps you should follow to make video marketing work for you: Research, Create, Publish, and Advertise.

Research – What is your message?

Your video must have a well-defined message. Think about the needs of your audience, things they spend time on, etc. One idea is to pick a topic that has done well in a different content format and turn it into a video.

Create the script and video

After you have chosen the appropriate content, turn its main ideas into a script, and practice reading it out loud. As you read, look for places that do not sound right coming out of your mouth and change them to sound more conversational.

Use a webcam, iPhone, or whatever tools you have at hand for recording yourself reading the script. The most important thing here is having quality content.

Publish to the Internet and Social Media

Upload your video to as many video sharing sites as possible, and embed it to your website or blog. You should also share the link on as many social networks as possible.

Advertise for a traffic boost – yes it does cost a little money!

There are different ways to advertise your video. It is strongly recommended to use Social Media to reach the target audience you want. You can make use of PPC (Pay Per Click) with YouTube and Facebook. Also, it is an excellent idea to use SEO, with Google and YouTube.

Doing it yourself? What elements do you need?

Most companies outsource to a company such as ‘The Video Mix’ (The Video Mix), however, you can do it yourself if you have the time and the creativity. There are many tools available to you when doing your research. You can use the Google Keyword Tool for finding search words that are in use and for new keyword suggestions.

Also, there is Google Trends, which can help you learn the most popular words or expressions recently searched. It shows how often a particular expression is being searched across different parts of the world, and in various languages.

There are online tools providing video creation services, such as Flixpress, PowToon, GoAnimate, or you can use offline tools, such as Camtasia, Explaindio, and VideoMakerFX.

For publishing your video, you can make use of some important Video Sharing Sites, such as YouTube, Vimeo, Yahoo, or social sites. These currently allow Video Publishing, or use Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, etc.

For advertising your video, you can go for PPC networks, such as Facebook Video Advertising or YouTube Video Advertising. You can even learn how to place YouTube Videos in the top of Google Search, or even look for services that can do it for you.

Types of Videos for Marketing Purpose

There are various video styles based on your specific business objectives, choose the one you like best.

Talking Head Videos

This is what most people think of when they think video. Basic “head and shoulders,” direct to the camera, standard shot. The talking head video is popular because it works.

Interview Videos

Besides you talking, you can add another person to the mix and make it an interview video. Interview videos can be two or more people on camera. Interview videos can be easily created using Skype, Google Hangouts or Oovoo.com.

Live Webcast Videos

This provides the ability to interact with your viewers live. If you have a webcam and an idea, you can produce a live webcast, anytime, anywhere.

PowerPoint Videos

Because of its simplicity, the narrated PowerPoint video is a very popular format. You can use PowerPoint or Keynote for Mac.

Tips Series Videos

If you want to establish a presence on YouTube, a tips series is ideal for you. Also, video tips help to establish you as an expert in your niche and build your credibility.

Live Demo Videos (on-camera)

On camera demonstrations are among the most effective videos you can produce. It can be as simple as teaching live to the camera. You can use resources to help you teach your point, like a whiteboard for example.

Sales Videos

This kind of video can either include video you shoot in your premises or some stock video integrated with still images – or on a simpler level, it can consist of a PowerPoint with a voice over or simply text and narration.

Launch Series Videos

These videos usually come before a sales video in a launch sequence of three or four videos. The idea is to provide value and establish credibility before releasing the final “pitch” video at the end of the series.

Customer Testimonial Videos

Testimonial videos are powerful. You can promote a specific product or service by embedding these on your website or on a sales page.

Teaching/Webinar Videos

You can use a recorded webinar, using Camtasia or any other software of your preference, as a video for sales or distribution. You can post the video webinar on YouTube, or on your own website.

Animated Videos

Video creation sites like XtraNormal.com and GoAnimate.com have opened up new possibilities for creating your own cartoons.

Video E-mails

Incorporating video in you emails dramatically increases open rates and click through rates. It is a great way to connect and engage with your customers, colleagues or prospects. It can be made by simply using your webcam. It is incredibly easy to record and send a video email. There are free websites providing this service, such as MailVu.com or Eyejot.com. Video email provides a powerful, personal touch that makes you stand out.

Here are 7 Main Reasons Why You Should Have a Video Marketing Strategy

• To increase click-through rates (CTR) of your online ads.
• To drive brand awareness for my business or product.
• To increase foot traffic to my retail location.
• To increase brand trust by using professional looking video on my website.
• To increase social media engagement with your followers.
• To increase organic search results for your local business.
• To build brand trust by being an industry authority.

Figuring out the why of your video marketing game:

Determining the “Why” is going to shape what kind of videos you’re going to do and which channels you’ll be using. Take inspiration from some of these statements and check the suggested kind of video you should make, or add your own.

Why? I want to increase Click through rates (CTR) of my online ads.
– How: Make online video ads and add to your paid campaigns.

Why? I want to drive brand awareness for my business/product.
– How: Use Facebook/YouTube video ads and target your optimal demographic.

Why? I want to increase foot traffic to my retail location.
– How: Add digital signage videos outside/inside your retail store.

Why? I want to increase brand trust by using professional looking video on my website.
– How: Use explainer videos to introduce your business and decrease bounce rates. Make a personal video where you introduce yourself and your team, and add a customer testimonial.

Why? I want to increase engagement with my followers on social media.
– How: Add “Buzzfeed”-like native advertising videos to your Facebook page, or cool square Instagram videos that will increase engagement of your Instagram followers. Invite to, and look back at events you’ve organized with your followers.

If you need help with implementing Video in your marketing strategy or any aspect of Digital or Social Media Marketing, then feel free to get in touch.

Jim Webster

Digital Marketing Consultant
www.the-video-mix.co.uk
www.heartnewmedia.com