6-Step Guide to Getting Started With Video Marketing

When you’re improving your site to get it to rank better on Google, videos can offer a bit of an extra push to get you to the top of the search pages. And with the right keywords, you can rank on the first page of Google for terms that you probably wouldn’t have been able to rank for without a video embedded on the page. Ever notice how Youtube videos seem to hold the highest positions on “how-to” search terms?

Regardless of what industry you’re in, you’re always going to be in competition with companies that are offering what you’re offering. And online, you often have a very short time frame to get the attention of your consumer base and show your worth; showcasing videos is an ideal method to do this.

Below is a quick guide laying out the steps you can take to begin creating videos for your target audiences:

1. Layout Your Promotional Methods

At the point when you’re creating recordings, remember that video is another piece in the advanced promoting puzzle. It must be consistent with the rest of your messaging. Video can be to be incorporated into various online channels, for example, your blog, through your social media, on your online store, and in your marketing campaigns. It’s helpful to use a popular video platform to host your videos, such as YouTube or Vimeo. YouTube is great for using paid ads as well, and even if your marketing budget is low. You’ll want to make sure that you’re able to accurately monitor your results, however, and to do this it’s best to host all of your videos on one platform.

Prior to beginning your video creation process, it’s important to know exactly how you’ll use your video to meet your business goals. Will your videos build brand awareness, or are you strictly looking to drum up new leads? Take time to flesh out what your performance metrics will be.

2. Create the Dialogue

You don’t necessarily need a script for your video, but you should create talking points that cover the main topics of your presentation. This could be a layout of your services and customers explaining what sets your business apart from competitors, or a list of helpful tips relating to your industry that you plan to cover.

Creating talking points offers you a rough guide on how your video should flow, and they can even work better than scripts by allowing you to appear more personable and relaxed. However, depending on the style and tone of your content, a script may fare better.

3. Find the Right Set

Try to pick a shooting area that will work for your specific needs. Consider every component of the video, such as lights and sound. Also, your video’s background should mirror the message you need to send. Will it be carefree and relaxed? Or should it have a more modern and upscale feel? Consider the message that you need to send to your audience, and consider how all aspects of your video can help shape that message.

4. Shoot & Edit

There are hundreds of inexpensive video recorders that you can use for your videos. If your budget is super tight, you may even want to consider using your own smartphone to record your video. Most of today’s smartphones are able to record surprisingly clear footage. Though you’ll want to do a few test runs for lighting and sound. If not, you can simply hire a videographer or local studio to shoot your video for you-and don’t be afraid to negotiate on the total cost. Be sure to make a list of any equipment that you’ll need before you set up your shoot. This may include any props, microphones, tripods, lights, or other items.

5. Editing

At this time you’ll want to determine what (if any) other media your video will require such as photos, animation, other videos, interviews, b-rolls, and voice-overs. You should be able to find free video editing pretty easily, such as Lightworks and Movie Maker. Note that these programs may have limited features in comparison to other more professional editing software. And of course, you can always outsource this task to a pro on places like Upwork and Fiverr.

6. Promote & Measure Performance

Having a plan for promoting your video is crucial to its success. When uploading it to your video platform, don’t forget to add the appropriate tags, relevant keywords, and descriptions to improve your Search Engine Optimization.

Next, include a link to the video on your site’s homepage, on all of your social media profiles, in your newsletters, and on any other online medium where your business is featured.

And lastly, as with any other promotional effort, it’s imperative to track how well your video performs. Take a look at your views, comments, and likes (for YouTube) to note what may need improvement in the future.

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