COMMENTS
I am a huge fan of video and it is easy. From a business perspective, prospects love to hear AND see what is on the mind of the executive team. You can also utilize customer testimonials- check out the HubSpot case studies- Larry and Charlie are very compelling sales resources :-) even answering your most critical objections can be handled nicely with video. It is inexpensive, and your kids will like it (even if you are the old guy!)
Video marketing is something I am being introduced to and can see it's value. The likelihood is your video will NOT go viral but it's still another channel to point back to your main website or blog. Plus you can add hyperlinks to the description which provide valuable backlinks for SEO.
David
Having been fortunate enough to have produced a viral video hit (on wacky adult Backstreet Boys groupies) and also plenty of non-viral ones, I agree with you, Mike!
Most business videos have niche audiences. It matters WHO is watching it, not HOW MANY people are watching.
If your video has enough viral power to be mentioned on The Tonight Show or Entertainment Tonight, then odds are that most people clicking on your video are looking more for laughs than to explore a new business opportunity.
That being said, there is no harm in entertaining prospective clients -- especially if you have a dry subject matter.
Great article! Here are just a couple more points about the value of non-viral video:
1. If your company sells a product or service that's somewhat complex or hard to understand -- a video is a great way to simplify that message. A good motion graphic can illustrate in a few seconds what otherwise might take paragraphs to explain.
2. Customer testimonials are extremely powerful. When you say you're good, your audience yawns and says "of course you'd say that." When a paying customer goes on camera to say your company is good -- your audience takes notice.
3. News-style video case studies are a great way to prove a point about the effectiveness of your product/service. They can include interviews with customers, employees and end users as well as visualizations and discussion about the before and after.
Thank you for this incredibly helpful posting! I am preparing a presentation on social media for our upcoming convention, and am focusing on a similar topic - this information is incredibly helpful for backing up my points that you can use video to directly market to customers without worrying about having 10 gazillion hits. Thank you for this great information!
It is a very good article talking about another marketing channel and the importance of social marketing
Congratulations to the author and please continue to write so interesting and helpful aticles
That really great idea using video as a marketing campaign..I personally prefer watching video than reading news..
Thanks again
Please check my web site for many examples of videos we have produced for clients that have greatly enhanced their presence in the marketplace, explained complicated processes and been successful. We believe in creative ideas, good production values, bold design and fun! Rebecca Miller, Optik Nerve
Great tips. I first started putting marketing videos on the web in 2001 using Broadcast.com and Yahoo! services for a lead generation programs. The response was better than expected. The technology back in 2001 was very limited and required expensive equipment, software and expertise to get a video on the web. It is a lot easier and less expensive now to put a video on a website.
It is almost a requirement to have a video on your website to keep up with your competition.
Todd Corbett, Xcelus Studios
Great post.
Too many people believe that viral videos are the only effective way to do online marketing using video. Non-viral content is also extremely effective to find your audience- it doesn't take 15 million views to consider your campaign a success. All it takes is good content and targeting your audience to use video to your advantage.
Todd Corbett, Xcelus Studios
What are folks using these days to do simple video editing? I do not plan on getting to involved in video production, so a simple website or software that would allow me to do text addition, cropping (cutting), etc., would suffice.
You really nailed some great points here Rick. Video doesn’t have to be something to stress out about. Many companies probably don’t realize that they have existing material that they can use – conferences, webinars, demonstrations, PowerPoint presentations that can be made into video, etc. It can be just as easy to film something on your own. Interview a passionate employee, film a tour of your facility, customer testimonials or interaction. The key is to share info of importance and be creative.
Your posts really makes sense! I have learned a lot about viral video marketing including the reasons why should business put time on creating videos. Keep it up!
Thank you for making the comment on "spreading the portfolio" - this is what we have been trying to explain to our customers, and now I have finally found a way to say it. And thanks for reinforcing the message of the importance of online video!
Ksenia