You may be wondering just how important social media video is right now in the world of social media. Some would say it’s absolutely everything, and there are those who have built successful marketing campaigns completely around video.
Three Reasons Why Video Has Become Increasingly Important in Social Media
- It’s highly popular. Video gets more sharing and other interaction on social media than any other type of content. People love consuming video and get so much from the experience of combined audio and visual assets.
- Videos have broad age appeal today to just about every group of people on the internet – those in their teens, twenties, thirties and up. With the promotion of more live streaming, it’s become the norm.
- Major social media sites have built-in, native features that allow you to share video easily and affordably, plus there is a wealth of tools that make video production quite simple.
Another compelling reason it’s important: Your competitors are probably already using video. Cisco reported that online videos will account for more than 80% of all consumer internet traffic by 2020 (CISCO, 2016). Video is likely to become even more important in the future, so if you’re not using it now, it’s time to get started.
A good way to begin is first by observing your own social media feeds to get ideas of what you like and don’t like. Have you watched any videos on social media in the last few weeks? What were they, and why did you watch them? Thinking through the context of how these captured your attention will help you leverage the ideas for your own video marketing.
For many businesses just getting started with video, it’s hard to imagine what you might create. Here are a few ideas for videos that you can produce simply and in little time:
Answer a Question or Solve a Problem using Video
Consider a common question or problem your audience faces that your expertise can solve. Use video to respond and provide your solution in front of the camera. This is especially handy for businesses that perform services like home design, cooking or repair work. You can actually show your audience how to do things the right way in real time.
The Video Blog – Get the Camera and Start Talking
“Vlogs” or “video blogs” are simple but extremely popular on the internet. This is when you simply sit in front of the camera and talk. Take a topic that’s of interest to your audience and discuss it in a quick video for a few minutes. Express your opinion and ask for your audience’s response.
This is even easier now that Facebook Live is available. Use Live to record your vlog, then publish it afterward on WordPress. In lieu of Facebook, you could use YouTube or Periscope to create your posts.
Video Lets You Share a Look Behind the Scenes
Take your audience behind the scenes in your business or industry and show them a side they would typically not get to see. Show how your products are developed. Introduce your team members. Walk through a tour of your office. People love to see behind the curtain. Remember the Wizard of Oz?
These are just a few simple ideas to get you started experimenting with video on social media. Remember that video creation doesn’t have to be complex or super-expensive. Keeping your video short and simple will complement your social media strategy and get you more views online.
Does your business use video in your social media? Share your experience with us!
