4 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Use Video to Promote Your Small Business

Video is not the future of marketing, it’s the present. In fact, according to Outbrain, nearly 90% of online marketers are using video. But, much like any marketing device, video is just a tool to be used—but it’s how you use it that counts. Simply “using video” isn’t enough, you must use it effectively for it to have any positive impact on your company.

We’re going to look at four different types of videos and how to use them effectively.

The YouTube Director for business app (available for iPhones; unfortunately, not available for Android at this point) was created by Google to give small business owners simple, step-by-step instructions on how to create great business videos.

The app has over 130 templates for making just about any type of video to promote your business. It tells you how to frame your shot, what to say in the shot ,and when to say it in the video. It also comes with voice-over, custom text animations, and access to YouTube’s extensive soundtrack library, which will help make your business videos more polished and professional.

Who should use it?  Pretty much any business can benefit from the YouTube Director for business app, but it’s especially valuable for businesses that are just starting out. Also, since the app is free and a YouTube account is free, it’s a great little video tool for startups that are on shoestring budgets and can’t afford a professional to create a storyboard and write a video script.

For those who aren’t familiar with 360 video, it allows the viewer to be in control of where they are “looking” in the video. You’ve almost certainly seen one by now even if you didn’t know exactly what it was.

When viewing 360 videos on a computer, you can click and drag with your mouse to look in any direction (think Google Street View), and when you view them on a phone, you can change your view simply by moving your phone. Move your phone to the left, and the video pans left so it really seems like you are at the spot where the video was shot and are simply looking around at the view.

Who should use it?  Because 360 videos require special equipment and are more time consuming to produce than regular video clips, only companies that will really benefit from them should use them. Also, not everything you record is going to be worthy of the 360 treatment.

If you have a physical space that you want to show off, that’s where 360 video shines. Some suggestions are:

Companies have been using video on Facebook successfully for a while now, often in the form of sped up how-to videos (like showing a simple recipe in 30 seconds).

But companies are now getting more and more into live videos streamed via Facebook to showcase their expertise in a field. What makes these videos great is their authenticity. Because they’re live, they capture everything, which also serves as a warning for using them.

When using Facebook Live, you should be prepared and go into it with at least some semblance of a script and a timeline to follow to avoid major mess ups while “on air.”

Who should use it?  Companies that are selling their expertise would be a good fit for Facebook Live Streaming. A bankruptcy trustee, for example, could host a live Q&A about the basics of bankruptcy, or an energy company could host a live chat about how a new tax will impact energy bills. Also, any company that hosts regular classes/workshops could Live Stream events for people who cannot attend.

Because of their cost, only established companies can really afford a professionally done animated video that explains a complex process or system. The costs can range from $250 per minute for a simple kinetic typography video, all the way up to $900+ per minute for a fully animated video.

Who should use it?  Any company that has a complex process or system of doing things, and can budget for an animated video should consider one. A talking head explaining something can be quite boring if that person has no screen presence—simply appearing on screen does not count as screen presence. A jaunty little video that has good visuals that can make a process or system clear, and is also fun to watch, will open it up to a whole new audience.

These are just a few of the many different kinds of videos and video tools that are popping up across websites, social media, and the internet in general. Deciding what’s best for you will depend largely on what your company does and how much it can budget for video production.

Start experimenting now and see how you can best use video to promote your business.

Post by: Rafael Romis

Rafael Romis founded web design agency Weberous in 2011 to help businesses stand out and boost their online presence. Originally from Greece, Rafael lives in Los Angeles, and when he’s not working at Weberous, he offers business and marketing consulting to small businesses. In his spare time, Rafael enjoys the California sunshine with his wife Jennifer and his puppy Goldie.

Company: Weberous
Website: www.weberous.com
Connect with me on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn.

The post 4 Simple Yet Effective Ways to Use Video to Promote Your Small Business appeared first on AllBusiness.com