Popular Sites for Video Marketing

1. YouTube

While some may think YouTube is slowly fading, nothing could be further from the truth. The process of publishing videos on YouTube is very simple, even for a novice marketer.

YouTube also has a good number of daily users, so you’ll get more eyes on your video. If you can optimize the title of the video and its description well, it’ll surely come up on online search results as well.

2. Facebook

While the Facebook newsfeed algorithm is constantly changing, they are currently giving importance to videos, especially live feeds. If you have a good Facebook following, sharing a short, impromptu video on Facebook is sure to give your business good visibility.

3. Instagram

Instagram, that was predominantly used only for sharing images, is slowly becoming a hot spot for video sharing as well. The latest update allows users to post videos that are up to 60 seconds long.

4. Periscope

Periscope was late to enter the video marketing scene but has taken it over by storm. The ability to instantly share live videos has made it a hit among many Twitter users. It also has a map of people currently broadcasting live around the world, so it’s easy to get new people to follow you on Periscope.

Video Marketing Strategies

Now that we’ve established different places you can easily share your videos, let’s take a look at the various types of videos you can create to get more website traffic.

1. Interviews

Expert interviews are quite popular, especially if the person you’re interviewing has made a name for themselves. You can reach out to influencers in your niche and request them for an interview. It helps if you give the interviewee a shout out on your website, and recommend their products/services publicly.

With tools such as Skype and Google Hangouts, you don’t even have to be in the same location to film the interview. You just need to make sure the interview is being recorded, so you can broadcast it on select channels later. Be sure to plan the interview questions in advance, so the conversation flows smoothly and is effortless.

2. Tutorials

Short, helpful video tutorials are a big hit, especially on social media. You can create small videos for just about anything related to your business.

Here are some ideas for video tutorials that are popular and have the potential to go viral:

• Easy recipes
• Do It Yourself (DIY) projects
• Household hacks
• Bite sized tips on life/work
• Glimpses of what’s happening behind the scenes

3. Screencasts

A screencast is basically a video of a tutorial showcased using a person’s computer screen. It’s a great way to show the viewer how to perform a particular task on a website, or access a particular function on a software.

Screencasts can be very useful for different aspects of online businesses, such as:

• Showcasing different features of a theme/software
• Live demos of how a particular digital product works
• Tutorials on how to perform certain tasks using a particular tool

4. Slideshows

A slideshow video comes in handy for people who are not very eager to jump in front of a camera. You can use slides with relevant graphics and bullet points to get your message across.

5. Reviews

Video reviews of products have a bigger impact on viewers, as they are able to see it in real life. You can request customers to publish their video review of your products on their social media networks and tag your business for greater reach.

If you are a niche blogger, you can also do a vlog of products you’ve received from sponsors and give them your affiliate links. This would encourage more people to purchase the product through your link.

6. Testimonials

Getting positive testimonials about your services/products will do a lot to convey others to give your business a try. Encourage existing clients to record their testimonials on video and submit it on your website.

If you get to meet your clients in person, you could also do live videos where they describe their experience in interacting with your business.

7. Animated Videos

Animations have invaded every nook and cranny of the multimedia world. You can use animations for any of the following purposes:

• To broadcast a short story
• To convey a concept
• To depict what your business does

There are loads of online tools such as PowToon and GoAnimate that you can use to create a professional looking animated video.

8. Corporate Videos

Every business needs a professional corporate video that depicts its vision and the impact it hopes to make on people’s lives. A good video would give a glimpse into the principles that bind the organization, the people behind it and they ways in which it is serving the community.

For a brick and mortar business, you can hire professional videographers to shoot snippets of your office and the employees. For an online business, you can use video clippings of yourself at work, and put together a video using tools such as Animoto.

9. Product Demos

If you sell products through your business, you can publish product demos that walk through the various features of the product and explain how it can be used. This would give your product greater visibility, and more people are likely to try out something when they see it in action.

10. Webinars

A webinar is an online seminar that can be accessed live by people who’ve registered for it with their email addresses. Free webinars can also used as lead magnets for email marketing.

Once a participant registers for a webinar, they’ll receive the access details via email. They’ll then be able to log in and watch the webinar live or a replay of it (if available). You can use webinars to attract new followers and interact with your existing audience.

11. Video Series

If you have a big topic to cover, you can break it up into different modules and present them as a series of videos that can be rolled out over time. This strategy gives you time to produce each video, and also allows you to deal with each section in depth.

These video series may be presented in one of the following ways:

• Through video blogs on the website
• A sequence of emails sent to those who sign up
• A webpage that is updated with each new video as it is published.

You can also use a video series in your launch sequence when you’re rolling out a new product/service. It helps you get noticed, and provides you a platform to share more about your new venture to those who may be interested in it.

12. Live Videos

Impromptu live videos are quite the rage and everybody who’s anybody seems to be doing it – from celebrities to mom bloggers! If you’re comfortable in front of the camera, live videos are a great option to candidly connect with your audience, answer questions on the fly and actively engage with your followers.

Video Markeing Tips

To wind up, let’s look at a few tips you can incorporate in your video marketing strategy to ensure that you get tons of traffic back to your website.

• Include links back to your website/landing page in the video description and in the video itself.
• Use captions/sub-titles wherever applicable to assist viewers.
• Introduce yourself and your business at the beginning of every video
• Ensure that your channel/page on video sharing sites have your website link in the description.
• Include a call to action within your video, asking viewers to visit your website.
• Use keywords pertaining to your video in the title and description to ensure it’s picked up by search engines.

Video marketing may seem like a huge affair compared to other online marketing strategies. But once you jump in and get your feet wet, it won’t seem that complicated.

We hope you’ll be able to use the strategies outlined above to kickstart your own video marketing efforts and get more traffic back to your website.

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