Creating a Winning Social Media Video Marketing Plan
It is everywhere—social video, that is. These days, every time you check your Facebook newsfeed, a friend has just shared a video update or someone has been “Live”. It has also become quite common for somebody to post on YouTube while he or she puts together furniture, check out gifts, or the latest food craze in town. When somebody goes out to chill on weekends, he or she upload videos on Snapchat.
But truth be told, social media is not just assembling furniture, watching somebody else eat his or her food, or watching how a friend spends his or her weekends.
Every day, social media heavyweights Facebook and Snapchat are hosting billions of individual video views, while YouTube recently said people all over the world are now streaming a billion hours of their platform content.
In fact, a number of tech experts say that people will consume more videos posted on their social feeds this coming year. This is why marketers are paying more attention to video marketing ROI and worrying less about the risks of such an investment.
That is why every entrepreneur must have a good video marketing strategy, which nowadays almost means an effective social media presence as well. If you are one of the businessmen who have not started on crafting a video strategy, it is good to start one now. With customers quickly refreshing their social media feeds, it is better for marketers to constantly upload branded standout video content that can engage users. That means a good strategy on your part as an entrepreneur.
This year, automated video advertisements will become more popular. For instance, Google has introduced automated video ads that immediately get app store images, descriptions, as well as ratings and provide music to provide consumers a fast promotional video. This makes it quicker or app developers to create awareness for their products. New platforms allow small and medium businesses as well as marketers to create countless personalized videos in just a few minutes. Expect to see more automated video ads this year.
Given some of these trends in the coming year, how do you make sure business remains relevant in today’s landscape? Here are a few tips.
Select your channels
Right now, most major social media programs offer video features. For example, if you want to select a platform with live video features, you have the likes of YouTube, Facebook Live, Twitter-owned Periscope, and Instagram.
Given these several platforms, focusing on which channels should one focus on can become problematic. If this is the case with you, you have to ask yourself: What channel does your target market use the most? What will reach the biggest audience with the least amount of video content? For instance, if you have more Facebook followers than your Twitter handle, then probably the best choice for you to upload content would be Facebook live. If however you have a huge following on your Twitter account, you might want to try Periscope. As more platforms get launched every year, it might be hard to create original video content for each of the video platforms available.
Provide customers with compelling video content
It is probably more important for a marketer to focus on video content that works well. For instance, funny or heartwarming videos that can easily be shared by your brand’s followers are always a good idea. On YouTube, instructional, “how-to” videos get the most hits and easily tap customers as well as create more awareness about your brand.
In many cases, episodic content also works well among consumers. In addition, it is also a good idea to show to the public the personality of your company. It might be a good idea to start a series that elicits laughter among customers as shareable.
Whatever kind of video you would like to post, you should always make sure the brand personality is well integrated into all of the videos. It is also important you provide a consistent, believable story-telling in your video content.
Break down the barriers
Maybe it is time to break down the walls between your company and the customer. One great way to do it is by simply asking your target customers what kind of video content they want to see. More often than not, you will be surprised by the responses you can get from your customers. It is important you listen to the demands and desires of your customers. After all, the reason why you are doing online marketing and thinking of ways to better upload video content is because of them.
Consistency is important
Whether you are posting a recorded video or upstreaming a live one, it is always important to remember to consistently keep a youtube posting schedule. For example, if you are broadcasting a live feed on your Facebook or Instagram every Saturday at dinner, you should try and keep the schedule consistent so you customers know when to view your videos.
Think of posting videos like a television program or series. Episodes of a television series do not air on Mondays and Wednesdays, then air on Tuesdays and Saturdays next week. It does not simply work that way. As an entrepreneur or marketer, you have to build a consistent and reliable online video schedule so as to dramatically boost the awareness, reach, and impact of your videos.
Do not be afraid of live videos
Sometimes, entrepreneurs and marketers have this fear that everyone out there is out to get them, or that many of them are online trolls. It is not true at all. Do not let your fear of online bashers get in the way of you posting great videos to engage customers. Use that capacity.
Shooting videos does not have to be expensive. You can even shoot live streaming videos using your phone. Do not expect huge following overnight, but if you continue with these strategies, you would notice your website or social media accounts are getting more followers every day.
At the end of the day, you should not be afraid of adding video content on your social media marketing strategies. It is a great way of generating awareness about your brand and showing its unique personality.
