In my last article, I told you why video is so effective and should be part of your business marketing strategy. Now, I’ll give you 7 different video styles that small businesses can create. It doesn’t have to be hi-def or a Hollywood-style production. Simply record a video blog by using your webcam while sitting in your office. You can even use your phone to record some thoughts while you’re walking down the street! Work with what you have and focus on delivering it in the most interesting way possible that will resonate with your audience.
Introduction
Make a short video that provides a brief welcome or introductory message and place it on the home page of your website. This is a great way to introduce your business, your brand, and yourself. When people can associate a business with names and faces, they are more likely to remember it.
Culture
It turns out consumers like to see the people behind the products they buy and this is a way to make your business and brand more human and personable. Examples of this type of video can be a day in the life of one of your employee’s, game days in the office, or birthday parties. These “behind-the-scenes” videos are a great way to give people a real picture of your company’s personality and where their purchase is coming from. This is a way to make your brand more human and more alive.
Testimonial
Get other people who love your product, service, or company on camera. It’s much more effective hearing customers speak about your business or providing a product review than text alone. The best testimonials don’t just praise your product with a bunch of adjectives – they showcase three things: benefits, company claims, and credibility.
Educate Your Audience
Instead of creating promotional videos about why someone should buy your product, focus on educating and entertaining your audience with videos that add value. One of the most effective ways to show your company as a leader is to share your knowledge and educate your audience. You might share how to arrange flowers, or the best way to trim a dog’s nails, etc. There are endless educational topics that audiences will find useful. This is also a great way to build trust and credibility and set you apart as an expert in your field.
The How-To
People like to see how things work – that’s why HGTV and the Food Network are so popular. Not every product or service is self-explanatory, and in those instances showing how something works with a how-to video is very effective. This is your chance to show how something works, demonstrate a process or show how your product or service solves problems. It’s also the perfect opportunity to show customers exactly why your product or service beats what your competitors have to offer.
Event
Are you attending an event or trade show? Why not share a video about it? Document an event with brief snippets instead of a full-length video. Event videos are easy to make; you don’t need a script, just a camera (or phone) and some editing to bring viewers to the event with you. This is perfect to post a 15-second Instagram or a 6-second Vine.
Live Streaming
Live-stream videos are becoming more and more popular. This is a simple way to show valuable content that’s easy to create, and without much preparation in advance. When you go live, everything happens in real time – there’s no post-production or editing required. This is the perfect way to broadcast a new product launch, do a live Q&A, or share a “behind the scenes” video. It’s now easier than ever to broadcast a live event to an engaged audience with social media platforms like Facebook Live and Periscope.
In the end, whether you’re trying to teach something, sell something, improve brand recognition, or trying to keep customers loyal, remember video is the way to go.
Debbie Cole is a professional Graphic Designer with over 20 years of experience in advertising and marketing. Call 704-763-4087 or email dscole@gobizwell.com for more information.
