Only recently, have people started to realize how powerful video content has become. The more advances there are in technology, the more we feel the need to express ourselves and communicate through images. Don’t believe me?
What if I told you that this year has been in full-on video revolution mode for marketers? Or that according to Wyzowl statistics, 63% of businesses have started using video content marketing? And out of those, 82% have come to the conclusion that video marketing is an essential part of their strategy.
As it rapidly progresses, video content will reach new heights sooner than we thought. Unquestionably, video marketing is one of the newest improvements to your promotion toolbox. While it’s normal to hold on to your doubts, you should ask yourself if you have the needed resources to create and use video content in your marketing strategy.
If the answer is no, let me help you out with some facts: YES, it’s worth it. And not only because everyone right now is doing it, but because a video is one of the most versatile digital marketing tools. And also, extremely profitable. In fact, let me tell you 8 reasons why you should consider using video content in your marketing right now:
1. Video Boosts Sales and Conversions
Videos can guarantee you some serious cash. Let’s just say that adding a product video on your landing page can increase conversions by 80%. Even more, a video can lead directly to sales.
Are you still receiving letters on new promotions? No, you’re finding out from a promo video that appears on YouTube. Studies show that 74% of users who decided to watch an instruction video about a product or service ended up buying it.
If you think about it, it’s the least surprising thing in the business. First of all, vision is our most dominant sense. Most of the information that is being transmitted to our brain is visual. If pictures can boost engagement THAT much, calculate the numbers on what moving pictures can do to your business.
2. Video Shows The Best ROI
83% of businesses declared that videos provide a good return on investment. And this is definitely important to remember from the get-go because although video production is not the easiest nor the cheapest task, it pays off completely. If you don’t want to hire a specialized and professional crew, you can always try to create your video content in-house. Online video editing tools are constantly improving and becoming more and more affordable. I mean, even your smartphone can make decent videos these days.
Plus, as with any other process of creating content, it will take time to make it perfect. And after all, it’s the content that matters. There is research to back this up, as it shows users are mostly put off by videos that don’t explain the product or service clearly enough. So, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to conclude that a video is like pizza- when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good!
3. Video Helps To Build Trust
Trust is essential in building the foundation for conversions and sales. In fact, building trust should be set as a separate goal in any marketing strategy, as the whole concept of content marketing is based on trust, creating and maintaining long-term relationships. There’s no better way to prove it than what Mark Schaefer said, the Executive Director of Schaefer Marketing Solutions:
” The new era demands a focus on ignition, not just content, on trust, not just traffic, and on the elite people in your audience who are spreading and advocating your content.”
Well, video does all these things. Video content will engage your audience and ignite emotions. When we talk about elite people in your audience, as I said before, YouTube has become the number one most powerful social media figure to promote your brand. EVERYONE uses it, and EVERYONE will have access to your videos.
Promotional videos can lead to trust faster. There are still some consumers who are highly skeptical about buying products and services online because they fear fraud. But seeing other people interact with the product, use it, and tell their stories is a game-changer.
Everything is being presented in a conversational form. That makes the viewer feel that they’re being approached on a more personal level, which is why 57% of consumers say that video gave them more confidence to purchase online.
4. Google Loves Videos
Videos will likely increase the amount of time your visitors are spending on your site. So, a longer exposure will only build more trust and signal search engines that what’s happening on your site is good. Do you want to hear some numbers? You’re 53 times more likely to show up first on Google if you have a video. And ever since Google bought YouTube, there has been a significant difference in how much videos affect your search engine rank.
5. Video Appeals to Mobile Users
Video and mobile are made for each other, and the stats are showing it: 90% of consumers watch videos on their smartphones. All you need is people who like watching videos on the go (while commuting with the subway, on the bus, at market queues, before a doctor’s appointment), and your audience will keep getting bigger and bigger!
6. Video Marketing Can Make Everything Look Better And Explain Everything
If you’re launching a new product or service, it’s best if you create a video to show how it works. 98% of users will watch it. Trying to explain a difficult concept? Create animated videos, animation can bring any concept to life, in a way that no text or live video could ever do. Animated videos are the perfect combination between entertainment, nostalgia, and simplicity.
If you want to try animated videos, make sure you use a process that will get you the needed results. Start searching online for the best tips and examples on how to make an animated video.
7. Video Engages Even The Laziest Buyers
Video content is also a great tool for learning (it’s no coincidence that it was used as the primary source of learning during the pandemic), and it’s super easy to digest. We might be too busy to have time to read endless product descriptions or dig deep into services. The busy and modern customer will only check out those products that can be seen in action.
That’s why video marketing is the only one that can capture a wide target audience, and it works on numerous levels. It will capture even the laziest customers, as all they have to do is click and watch.
8. Video Encourages Social Shares
And guess what? Social media channels encourage video content in their upgraded versions. Basically, everybody made room for the video to join the grownup table. But I don’t know how many expected the video content to get up and make a toast in front of everyone else, because that’s exactly what it did.
Facebook has launched 3600 Videos, Live Videos, AND Lifestage. Instagram integrated 60-Second Videos & Instagram Stories, and Twitter has Periscope. Oh, yes, and YouTube is the second most popular social network in the world, and very soon will be the biggest learning tool.
Even so, in a social media context, video marketers should always keep in mind that people share emotions, not facts. To be more specific, 76% of users said that they’d share a branded video with their friends if it was entertaining.
Think about those funny commercials on TV that you always talk about with your friends. It’s the same mechanism. If you want to get more social shares, make fun and entertaining videos. While emotions aren’t the same thing as ROI, by receiving enough social shares, you’ll get an increase in traffic to your site, which will then lead you to ROI.
