Video is an amazing way to connect with more people and share information.
If you’re already using video in your business then why not use it even more.
I’ve got 14 ideas for you below to choose from.
If you haven’t taken the plunge, now is the time. Check out my post video: Why You’re Not Comfortable Making Video.
There is a way to make videos that works for you, review the ideas and pick one or more that feel right for you.
If you’re still not convinced that video is a massively smart marketing strategy, then take a look at these numbers.
Why You Need to Start Making Videos
Ed Primeau owner of Primeau Productions shared the twelve facts below on why video is so important in a recent SNN ezine.
“Video consumption is rising rapidly, right now:
o Online video consumption increased by 38% between May 2011 and May 2012. (Comscore)
o Nearly 80% of people watch online videos at least once a week. (Online-publishers.org)
o Estimates show that video will account for over half of Internet traffic by 2015 — nearly four times as much as regular browsing and email. (source)
Video boosts engagement dramatically:
o Visitors spend twice as much time on pages that have video. (source)
o Visitors are 85% more likely to purchase a product after watching a video. (source)
o Videos in emails can double the rate of response (“click-through” to website via link) (source)
Video drives sharing:
o Videos are shared 12x more than links and text combined.
o Video is the most-shared brand content on Facebook. (source)
o Posts with videos draw 3x more links than plain-text posts. (source)
Search engines love video:
o Video content can make a page 53x more likely to appear on the first page of search engine results.
o Videos in search results have 41% higher click-through rates.
o YouTube accounts for almost 1/3 of Google searches.
Are you a believer now? Let’s get to it, here are 14 ways you can use video to grow your business.
1. Share Practical Tips
You as a ‘talking head’ sharing valuable information that the people in your community can use is a great way to connect with people because they can see you and experience you. It’s the next best thing to speaking ‘live’ in person. Below is an example of one of mine.
If you’re not ready to be in front of the camera you can opt to only use your voice to explain content in a power point presentation. You can also talk people through how to do something by using screen shots or video of your computer screen.
The videos you create can be shared for free and can also be sold as information products.
2. Answer Questions from Your Community
You can read the question yourself, have people ask it via the telephone, or have someone else read the question as business expert Carol Roth does in the video below from three years ago.
Since then, Carol has become a celebrity guest on many national television outlets including Fox Business, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC and her YouTube channel has over 69,000 views.
Marie Forleo started MarieTV (which redirects to her YouTube Channel) where she publishes a new video every Tuesday on what she calls, ‘Q & A Tuesday’ where she answers questions from her tribe.
My friend Erno Hannink hosts a free monthly Q & A webinar that he records and shares with his network.
3. Video Book Reviews
People love to get recommendations about fascinating books. You can review a book with you as a ‘talking head’ or you can use only your voice and show key points from the book in a powerpoint presentation.
4. Video Interviews
Video Interview With Experts
You can interview experts that provide information relevant to your audience. Take a look at the page on my website where I’ve posted links to the video interviews of the people I’ve interviewed.
Here is one of my interviews with David Allen of Getting Things Done.
Side by Side Video Interview
You can set up a Skype call and record the interviewer and the interviewee using Pamela on a PC and Ecamm on a MAC. You can also use Google Hangouts instead of Skype. You can also use Zoom.
Below is an example of this, my interview with Chris Guillebeau.
5. Video Email Messages
Email is much more engaging if you add video to it. Check out the ways to do that here.
6. Product or Service Description Videos
Create videos for the products and services you sell on your website. You can record a video of two or three minutes using the recorder on your camera or use Instagram to record stories or make longer videos for IGTV.
This is a video I made on Instagram about my friend Jo Parfitt & Collen Reichrath-Smith’s book, A Career in Your Suitcase.
7. Welcome Video for Website Home Page
Websites can be overwhelming and sometimes you don’t know where to start. A short video that provides an overview or tour of the website will help visitors know what’s available and where to go next. This video is on my Home page.
8. Video Book Trailer for Authors
You can create amazing videos using YouTube that include photographs, video, and sound. This is a video book trailer for the book, Monday Morning Emails by Jo Parfitt and Terry Anne Wilson.
9. Video Client Testimonials
Ask your clients if they would be willing to record a short video about their experience with your business. It’s great exposure for your clients as well.
You can also ask attendees of your talks or workshops to give their video feedback after the program.
For more on how to do this check out my post, Shortcuts to Getting Video Testimonials. Here is an example of a video client testimonial from one of my clients.
10. Holiday Video
I’m a huge fan of sending cards and notes in the mail and prefer to do it throughout the year, not when everyone else does it during the holidays. If you’d like to do something different think about making a video instead.
Again, it can be you sharing a message or it can be text and images where you give a shout out to your clients. Check out the example below that entrepreneur Nancy Poleon sent out this year.
11. Client Acknowledgement Video
Use photos, video, or a combination of both to give shout-outs to your clients. You can make a video that compiles many of your clients and you can also make a video featuring individual clients (with permission of course).
12. Thank You Page Video
After someone purchases a product from your business or signs up for your valuable free giveaway and ezine you can include a video thanking them.
13. Photos to Video
You can select photos from events, photos of one of your products, or photos of your clients and use free services that will turn them into video and add music.
Animoto is one way to do this. Here’s a video I made a long, long, long time ago of my networking adventures using Animoto.
14. Record Yourself Giving Talks or Workshops
The next time you are going to give a talk or workshop be sure to ask someone to record some parts of it for you.
You can always do it yourself with a tripod but make sure you’re close enough to the camera so you get good sound. Otherwise, you can wear a lapel microphone.
Here’s an example of a video excerpt of a workshop Erno Hannink and I gave about how to use video for your business.
How to Make Videos
You can use your smartphone, tablet, webcam/computer camera, or digital camera to record videos. There are also apps Instagram and Snapchat (disappearing videos) that will allow you to capture video on the go.
For more ‘how to’ details on creating video read my post, Let Me Show You How Easy it Is to Make Video for Your Business and Insider Tips for Getting Started with YouTube: Your Channel, Videos, and Views.
Bonus Tip About Sharing Your Video
The whole point of creating video is to increase your reach and to do that your videos must be seen. So don’t be shy, be sure to share your videos on all of the other social media platforms where you are active (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, etc.).
My challenge to you is to pick one of the ideas for your first video and make it within the next two weeks. I invite you to share a link to your creation in the comments section below.
Make the decision today to start using video for your business so you can reach more people and grow your business.
© Stephanie Ward WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER, BLOG OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this information with it: Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to create meaningful and prosperous businesses. Grab your FREE copy of the special report ’7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at: https://www.fireflycoaching.com. How are you using video? Share your thoughts and questions below in the comments section. I respond to each and every comment.
