28 Jun The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Video Content Marketing
You’re probably here because you’re looking for ways to spice up your brand with the best video content, right?
We get it. As the Original Social Media Agency in the US, we’ve been here long enough to know how brands often struggle with keeping up with the latest trends — in today’s case, video content.
Brands can no longer get by using written content and images alone. A well-made commercial, promotional, or social media video can help reach a wider audience and build brand awareness. Nowadays, brands everywhere are realizing the value of video and investing in its creation and distribution.
But with everybody turning to video marketing, it has become so hard for some to stand out from the crowd. So, how can you make sure your video content marketing strategy is on point?
Here’s your ultimate guide to video content marketing, including tips on how to get started, what to film, and where to post it for maximum reach.
The Relevance of Video Content to Modern Marketers
Making a video 15 years ago was a huge hassle, a complicated project that only those who were skilled were qualified to do. To make one, you needed to use high-quality equipment like video cameras and complicated editing tools.
A few things were different about making videos before compared with now. One obvious difference is how easily accessible content has become on social media platforms such as YouTube or Instagram Stories, and TikTok. But there’s also something more subtle happening beneath our feet when looking at this shift.
Little did we know that 15 years after we can now create video content as easy as one-click from our mobile phones and upload them to a number of social media channels. Now, marketers can live stream, post real-time videos, and show off products in various creative ways.
In the United States, digital video marketing is a $135 billion industry. That means there’s a lot of space for your brand to get in on the action and create video content that will resonate with your target audience.
Now, let’s discuss the relevance of video content to today’s modern marketers.
Encourages Social Share
One of the main reasons video content is so important for marketers is that it encourages social sharing. In fact, 9 out of 10 viewers said that they wanted to see more videos from brands and businesses. As of 2022, an average person is predicted to spend 100 minutes per day watching online videos.
As a result, people share video content more often than any other type of content. Video is much more likely to be shared on social media than text and images combined. This means that if you’re not already incorporating video into your content strategy, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to reach new audiences and grow your brand.
Mobile Friendly
It’s no secret that people love watching videos on their mobile devices. In fact, 49% of consumers are viewing videos on replay through their mobile phones. With the rise of video streaming platforms, it’s easier than ever to watch videos on the go.
Not to mention how this evolves from quickly creating videos to easily streaming everywhere.
What does this mean for marketers? It means that if you want your video content to be seen, it needs to be mobile-friendly. That means creating videos that can be easily viewed on a small screen without losing any quality.
It’s the Trend
As mentioned, video content today is kinda everywhere. It’s the trend.
And everyday video format and channel are rising. Marketers and brands still compete in creating compelling and cohesive video content. And we all can
A well-made and thought video can tell a story, evoke emotion, and capture attention in a way that no other medium can. In just a few minutes, a video can convey messages that would take pages of text to communicate. Likes and views don’t just matter, but the relevancy of the video and its impact on its viewers.
To make your video relevant to today’s trends, you can use trending memes, new formats like duets and reaction videos, real-time video stories, and a lot more. This way your brand content can fit into the platform’s norm.
Algorithm Favorable
Of course, video is every algorithm’s new favorite.
Video is one of the most popular types of content on social media, and as a result, it’s also one of the most algorithm-friendly. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram prioritize video content in their newsfeeds, which means that your video is more likely to be seen by your target audience than other types of content.
For some clients, we’re seeing reach and engagement on static imagery falling. Why? Because video is taking up the space in the feed that photos used to get.
When it comes to marketing, video is no longer an optional extra. It’s an essential piece of the puzzle and one that every marketer should be taking advantage of.
Tips for Creating Successful Video Content
Now let’s go to the exciting part, creating video. Whether you’re starting from scratch or working with existing video content, there are a few key tips to keep in mind that will help you create successful video content.
1. Plan ahead
Anyone who’s ever tried to shoot a video knows that it’s not as easy as it looks. Even a simple task like recording a talking head can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead when creating video content.
By taking the time to map out your shots and develop a clear concept, you can save yourself a lot of headaches down the road. And if you’re working with others, good planning will help ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Of course, even the best-laid plans can go awry, so it’s also important to be flexible and adaptable on set. But with a little preparation, you can increase your chances of capturing the perfect shot.
Keep your goals in mind throughout the entire video creation process.
2. Invest in high-quality videos storyline and editing styles
When it comes to video marketing it’s important to invest in high-quality video production — that’s what they used to say.
Video quality on social media is a funny thing. At Ignite, we have seen highly produced content don’t do well on social media as the more ‘natural’ feeling videos. Sometimes, commercial-feel videos on social media can be early skipped.
So instead of stressing out on producing high-quality videos, invest in quality storylines and contemporary editing styles instead. Invest in social-first concepts that fit the styles of the social networks you’re working with.
Lastly, invest in upskilling your video editing skills better over time. No pressure, video It’s not a trend likely to go away soon.
3. Play on a variety of videos to keep viewers engaged
In today’s video-heavy landscape, it’s more important than ever to keep your viewers engaged. That’s why it’s critical to vary the types of videos you produce.
If all of your videos are the same, your audience will quickly become bored. Instead, mix things up by creating a variety of content types. For example, you could produce educational videos, product demonstrations, customer testimonials, and behind-the-scenes footage. By providing a variety of video content, you can keep your viewers engaged and ensure that they keep coming back for more.
Also, it’s important to take note that a video that’s too long will lose viewers, but a video that’s too short won’t give them enough information. Find a happy medium by playing with a variety of video lengths to see what works best for your audience.
Once you’ve tried different types, be sure to analyze your data to see what performs the best for your brand.
4. Use keywords in your video titles and descriptions
Just like with written content, using relevant keywords in your video titles and descriptions will help your video show up in search results. This is a great way to get more views and drive traffic to your website, particularly on YouTube. For Instagram and TikTok, be sure to include some relevant hashtags.
Not only that, it’s important to remember that not all viewers will have the sound turned on. This is especially true if they are watching your video on a social media platform like Twitter or Instagram.
That’s why it’s important to use keywords and/or hashtags in your video titles and descriptions to help those viewers who are watching with the sound off. By including key phrases that describe what’s happening in the video, you can ensure that even viewers who can’t hear the audio will still be able to understand what your video is about.
4. Go for the vertical format
“Go vertical or go home!” It’s now becoming a new term.
With so many people viewing video on their smartphones, it’s important to make sure your video is formatted for a small screen. This means filming in the vertical, or portrait, format.
Plus, vertical videos are less likely to be interrupted by accidental clicks or scroll-overs. So if you want your audience to stick around for the whole video, go vertical — or go home.
5. Know the channels
It’s imperative that you know the channels on which you want to distribute your video. This ensures that your video content is properly optimized for each specific channel.
For instance, YouTube is the world’s largest video platform, with over 1 billion active users. As such, it’s important to ensure that your videos are properly formatted for YouTube’s algorithm.
Similarly, Facebook is another popular video platform with over 2 billion active users. However, Facebook videos are typically shorter in length than YouTube videos, and they perform best when they’re shot in a vertical format.
So if you’re creating video content for both YouTube and Facebook, you’ll need to make sure that your videos are properly formatted for each respective platform. By understanding the specificities of each video platform, you can ensure that your video content is engaging and effective.
There are a number of video-sharing platforms out there from YouTube to Instagram to Facebook to TikTok. Before you start creating your video, think about which channels make the most sense for your business.
Some other channels include:
- TikTok
- Instagram Reels
- Snapchat
- Recently, Facebook Reels
The Future Content Marketing Is Video
It’s obvious.
At Ignite, we have seen this trend coming. Social networks have been very publicly pushing videos for a couple of years now.
It’s no wonder, then, that video content marketing is on the rise. More and more businesses are using video to promote their products and services, and there are several reasons for this. Additionally, video is also very versatile. It can be used for everything from product demonstrations to customer testimonials, and it can be shared across multiple platforms.
Brands of all sizes can get involved in video content marketing without needing to invest a lot of time or money. All in all, it’s clear that video content marketing is here to stay. As video becomes more prevalent in the world of content marketing, it’s important for businesses to start incorporating it into their marketing strategies. Those who don’t could find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.
Final Thoughts
Videos are becoming an increasingly important part of content marketing, and with good reason.
We hope the tips in this guide will help you create videos that resonate with your audience on each social platform and ultimately help you achieve your business goals.
At Ignite Social Media, we help you create lasting-impression through video content that will resonate with your audience on each social media platform. Our team of experienced creators understands the art and science of video marketing and knows how to craft videos that achieve your desired results.
Contact us today to learn more about our video creation services or to get started on your next project.
