Video marketing is not only a great way to gain exposure for your business, but it’s also a vital strategy in today’s digital marketplace. Nearly 1.3 billion people watch an average of 162 online videos each per month. YouTube now boasts an impressive 1 billion active users, and with Vine and Instagram’s new feature, video continues to grow. Simple to create, easy to understand and highly accessible to users, video has proven to be a powerful marketing tool.
Define Your Content
Before you grab your iPhone or digital camcorder, think about what you want to convey to your audience. Set goals for your video marketing and select your tactics based on what can best accomplish those goals. Video should be integrated into your existing digital and social media efforts, helping you to engage with your potential and current customers. Ideas for video content include: product demonstrations, customer testimonials, employee spotlights and commercials for specials and promotions. Whatever content you chose, make sure it is consistent with your brand identity and voice.
Search engines have made it clear that video is a key factor in their search formulas. When it comes to search, videos rank higher in results. Google especially draws from its own YouTube site, so consider posting your videos to your YouTube channel as well as on your own website. Optimize your video with relevant key phrases and keywords. Think in terms of what your target audience might be searching for when looking to find your product or service. Add a description to your video as well. It can be a simple keyword rich paragraph with information on the content of the video, and don’t forget to include the name of your business and a link to your website, too!
Share, Share, Share
Host your video on YouTube, embed it on your website, and share it on all of your social media networks, including Twitter and Facebook. Give your audience access to the coding that will allow them to embed your video on their website or blog. This can help gain valuable back links and shares that will also boost your rankings in search engines. The more often your video is seen and shared, the more online visibility and name recognition you create for your brand.
Video is a great way to get attention in the increasingly busy digital space and helps drive traffic to your website. It can expose your business to new audiences, and encourage engagement and interaction among your current prospects and fans. Are you already using video in your marketing strategy? What types of content are you sharing and what results have you seen?