Why Video Marketing Is An Important Digital Marketing Strategy

I want to discuss some of the reasons why video marketing is an important digital marketing strategy for any business.  I implemented my video marketing strategy about 3 years ago.  When I first started making videos, it would take me hours just to make a 10-15 minute video.  I wanted it to be perfect.  I started watching what other people were doing with their videos and quickly realized the need for perfection was not necessary. 

YouTube has been an awesome resource for learning how to make videos, identifying keywords, tags, titles and how to get your videos ranked in the search engines.  There are numerous video tutorials you should watch if you are considering adding video marketing to your digital marketing strategy.  Udemy is an online eLearning platform that offers both free and paid courses, including video marketing.

When people ask me about effective marketing strategies or how to get more traffic to their website, I ask them if they do video marketing.  Most people responding with a quick, “No!”  They are scared to make a video because they are afraid of the negative comments they might get.  First, I encourage anyone who is considering video marketing to get over your fear as quickly as possible. 

>>>Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link, you will be taken to the merchant’s website. If you decide to purchase that product or join the website, I stand to make a commission on the sale/lead.

 

Click here to get YouTube Marketing Excellence for FREE!

 

My YouTube channel has evolved since I first started posting videos.  Since my website is about legitimate ways to make money, I wanted my channel to be compatible with that concept.  I post a variety of videos about legitimate ways to make money, scams to avoid, tutorials, WordPress tips and product reviews.

If you haven’t visited my YouTube channel, How To Make Money Online Ethically please take some time to checkout some of my videos.  They might spark some ideas of your own.

Do not be intimidated by the ‘what ifs’.  Yes, there are thousands of trolls and really mean people just waiting to leave a nasty comment.  Late last year, I decided to moderate all video comments.  What this enables me to do, is either approve or not approve a comment.  All comments are held until I decide what to do with them. 

The trolls are blocked immediately and reported for SPAM or abuse.  The spammers who try to use my channel to promote their links are also blocked and reported for SPAM. One thing a lot of the SPAMMERS have in common, is that most of them have no videos posted.  They want to be lazy and use videos produced by other people to spread their links which are quite often low quality opportunities or scams.

As my channel grows, I will get more comments which will require more time for moderation.  I’m okay with that because I am in control of the integrity of my channel and that is more important.

Just remember, we all have to start at the beginning.  Just start playing around with it.  Over time, you will improve and feel more comfortable with your videos.  I chose to implement video marketing because I knew it would help drive traffic to my sites and my social media pages.  The positives out way the negatives.  Without video marketing I would have far less website visitors and sales.  Video marketing is a cost effective way to generate leads, traffic and sales.  Once you learn the strategies of video marketing, you will be glad you decided to implement video marketing.

As an added benefit to video marketing, you can create a Google Adsense account, connect it to your YouTube channel and monetize your videos.  I recommend watching some YouTube video tutorials that will show you step by step how sign up for Google Adsense and how to monetize your videos.  YouTube recently changed their monetization requirements.  Now you need to have at least 10,000 channel views to be legible.  That might seem like a lot, but you will there before you know it.

Why Video?

Why video?  That’s easy to answer.  Video allows your viewers to see who you are.  Videos enable you to demonstrate how to use your products.  If you are going to have a business and expect to attract people, visual aids are great tools.  It also shows that you are serious about your business.  Unlike TV commercials, videos are cost effective and can generate thousands of leads and potential customers.  Since YouTube started, other video sharing sites have popped up.  Although they might not be as popular as YouTube, they are still good sources to generate traffic.  I will discuss those later.

Why are Videos So Popular?

While some people prefer to read an article, others prefer to visual aspects of videos.  That’s one of the reasons why ‘how to’ or DYI videos are so popular.  For example, the element in my dryer went out and I really didn’t want to have to pay someone to replace it….again.  I went out on YouTube and found a video tutorial that walked me through the procedure of changing the element in my dryer.  Although I still had the expense of buying a new element, I saved the cost of labor to have someone change it for me.

Another example of why videos are so popular is the ability to learn a new skill.  When I decided to start blogging, I knew nothing about WordPress.  I found several very good WordPress video tutorials on YouTube that taught me how to setup a WordPress website step by step.  If you want to learn how to do something, there is probably a video available that will teach you.

Types of videos

There are several types of videos you can produce and post to several video sharing sites, social media sites and your own website.  I have listed a few below to give you some ideas for your own business.

• On Camera Video- This can involve you and/orsomeone else being in front of the camera talking about your business, spotlighting or  demonstrating how to use a product.
  
• Unboxing Video- People love unboxing videos.  This type of video enables people to see the actual product packaging and what to expect when they open their package.  They can also see the accessories included in the package.
  
• Product video- You can produce a video showing how to use your product and why people should purchase it.
  
• Promo Video- Post a video promoting your product or service.  You can also make a video of another product that you use and like.
  
• Tutorial Video- ‘How to’ or tutorials are very popular.  If you are good at teaching or providing instructions on how to perform a particular task, how to use a piece of software, how to setup a website, this type of video is perfect for your audience.
  
• Interview Video- This involves interviewing someone your audience might find interesting or helpful.
  
• Screen Recording- Screen recordings are just videos showing your computer screen.  They are perfect for showing people how to setup a website, spreadsheet, a PowerPoint presentation, or how to sign up for a website.  The majority of my videos involve screen recordings.
  
• Drone Video Recording- Drones are becoming extremely popular.  The are used by news stations, law enforcement, real estate agents, land surveyors and people like you and me.

If you are going to record other people, it is important to understand the legalities and privacy rights.  You must have their permission.  Do a google search to find more information about this topic.

>>>Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link, you will be taken to the merchant’s website. If you decide to purchase that product or join the website, I stand to make a commission on the sale/lead.

Video Production / Marketing Software

There numerous types of video software that can make producing videos very easy and entertaining.  I’ve listed a few of the popular ones used by thousands of businesses.  Some enable you to make whiteboard sketch videos and animated videos which are also very popular.  Most of these do require an investment, but if you want to stay with basic options, I recommend just using your web camera or the free versions of screencast-o-matic for screen recording and Powtoons for animated videos.  Both have upgrade options if you want more options and flexibility.  I’ve also included a few links related to WordPress and marketing your videos.

I am not going to review these video production software packages in this article.  To get an idea of what each one offers, click on the link to see a demonstration of how the software works and how it can benefit your business.  All of the links are safe.

Video Maker FX – This is a hugely popular product among both online and offline businesses. 

Explaindio Commercial – This is another video creation software.  It is excellent for whiteboard sketch and animated videos, but there are several upsells.

Covert Video Press – This is a WordPress theme for those who want to primarily focus on a video website.

Hydravid XRAY Program – This is a free complimentary program  for identifying the keywords that other people are using for their videos. 

NOTE: This program runs with Adobe Air.  Adobe Air is a free download and installation.  If you get an error message when attempting to install the Hydravid XRAY program, this is because the Adobe Air certificate is expired, not damaged as the error states.  To fix this, simply change the date on your device to a date prior to 5/7/17 (I set my date to 5/1/17 and was able to successfully install Hydravid XRAY program).  After changing your device date, you will be able to safely install the Hydravid XRAY program.  Once installed, reset your device date back to the current date.  I did this and have experienced no issues with Adobe Air or the Hydravid XRAY program.

Hydravid Video Marketing Software

Video Sharing Sites

Here is a list of some popular and free video sharing sites appropriate for business promotions:

YouTube – Most popular video sharing site online today.

Daily Motion – Users can upload videos that are up to 100 minutes long or a maximum 2 GB file 

Vimeo – For free-account users, your video file size must be under 500 MB(megabytes)

MetaCafe – Users with free accounts, can upload videos up to 10 minutes long.

As with any site, I recommend reading and understanding their Terms & Conditions so you stay within their guidelines.

Videos and Social Media

Sharing your videos on social media sites is another way to spark interest, build your audience and generate leads that might turn into sales.  Always have a call to action in your video; please like, subscribe and share, please visit the link in the description or something that you want the viewer to do.  Some will and some won’t.