If you have been paying attention to social media and online trends over the past few years, you will have noticed that video is taking over. Video is one of the most effective ways to reach your audience, and it is only going to become more popular in the coming years.
In fact, most Facebook Ads that are videos out perform their image-only counterparts at a scale of at least 10 to 1.
As a small business owner, you may be thinking that video marketing is out of your budget or too time-consuming. However, there are many ways to incorporate video into your marketing strategy without breaking the bank or taking up too much of your time.
In this article, we will discuss why video marketing is so effective for small businesses and how you can take small steps to begin incorporating video into your marketing strategy.
Why should you as a small business owner invest your time in video marketing?
Video is an incredibly powerful tool for reaching your target audience. Video content is more engaging and easier to consume than text-based content, making it more likely that your target audience will actually watch and remember your videos.
But how do you know your customers really care about video?
In an effort to better understand how, why, and where customers did their research before choosing to support small businesses, Digital Marketer recently conducted a survey.
When presented with the opportunity to watch videos introducing a business and/or showcasing its goods and services, 51 percent of customers stated they would be more likely to patronize that small business. Only 16 percent of those surveyed had the opposite opinion.
This insight proves just how important it is for small businesses to have a presence on platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, where videos are easy to find and consume.
Not only are potential customers more likely to watch videos about your business, but they’re also more likely than ever before to take action after watching them. In fact, four times as many consumers would rather watch a video about a product than read about it.
Whether you’re looking to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, or generate leads and sales, investing your time in video marketing is a smart move for small businesses.
Is video marketing really that effective?
Yes! Video marketing is an incredibly effective way to reach your target audience as a small business. Here are a few reasons why:
- Video is an engaging medium that can capture attention better than text or static images.
Did you know that humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text? Video is a more engaging medium that can capture attention and hold it for longer than text or static images.
Not only that, but our brains are able to simultaneously process images, whereas our minds process words sequentially.
Why is this important? Information is easier to retain if it is easier to process.
- Video allows you to tell a story and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Video is the perfect medium for telling a story. A well-crafted story can evoke emotion and connect with your audience on a deeper level, which is essential for building trust and credibility. Clients are more likely to buy if they know, like and trust you.
- Video is shareable, which means it has the potential to reach a wider audience than other marketing channels.
Get your best clients to do the work for you!
If you create compelling, informative, and entertaining videos, your audience will be more likely to share them with their friends and followers. This means your videos have the potential to reach a much wider audience than if you were relying on other marketing channels.
What Videos Can Your Small Business Make to Attract New Customers?
Now that you know why video marketing is so effective, you may be wondering what types of videos you should create to attract new customers.
Here are a few ideas:
- Introductory Video
An introductory video is the perfect way to give potential customers a taste of what your business is all about. This type of video can be used to introduce your business, explain what you do, and talk about your unique selling points.
- Product Video
A product video is a great way to showcase your products or services in action. This type of video can be used to demonstrate how your products or services work, highlight their features and benefits, and show off any customer testimonials you may have.
- How-To Video
A how-to video is a great way to provide value to your audience and show them that you are an expert in your field. This type of video can be used to teach your audience how to do something related to your business, like how to use your products or services.
- Customer Testimonial Video
A customer testimonial video is a great way to build trust with your target audience. This type of video features a satisfied customer talking about their experience with your business. Customer testimonial videos are an excellent way to show off your happy customers and highlight the positive impact your business has had on their lives.
- Video Blog
A video blog is a great way to keep your audience up-to-date on what’s going on with your business. This type of video can be used to talk about new products or services, share company news, or give insights into your industry. Most audiences really enjoy those behind the scene peeks because it’s like you are sharing a secret.
How can small businesses get started with video marketing?
Now that we’ve established why video marketing is so important for small businesses, let’s talk about how you can get started. If you are ready to start incorporating video into your marketing strategy, there are a few small steps you can take to get started on the right foot.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of creating videos, don’t worry. You don’t need to have a Hollywood budget or hire a professional production team to create effective videos. In fact, some of the most successful videos are shot on smartphones and edited with basic video editing software.
To get started, focus on creating short, informative videos that highlight your products or services. You can also create “how-to” videos, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes footage to give your audience a look at what goes into running your business.
Once you have a few videos under your belt, start promoting them on social media, on your website, and through email marketing campaigns. You can also create a YouTube channel to house all of your videos in one place.
What Are You Waiting For?
Video marketing is a powerful tool that every small business should be utilizing. By taking small steps to incorporating video into your marketing strategy, you can reach a wider audience and connect with your customers on a deeper level.
If you need help getting started, contact IFTS today at 412-715-6266. We can help you create high-quality videos that will reach your target audience and achieve your business goals.