Before we start, a few stats from Hubspot. 96% of business-to-business companies plan to do video in the coming year. 54% of business execs share at least one video weekly. Video in emails lead to a 200%-300% increase in open rates. 90% of viewers say videos are helpful in the decision-making process. And you probably already know that search engines LOVE video, which increases web traffic. In fact, online video accounts for 74% of all web traffic.
Powerful stuff? Absolutely.
So why don't more businesses use video to their marketing advantage? There are 3 common "barriers" for small-to-medium sized businesses when it comes to diving into the video realm:
Having worked at Advertising Agencies for more than 20 years, I can completely understand this. With most agencies or production houses, you are paying for Project Managers, Account Managers, Traffic (routing) Managers and back-office staff. Much of this layering introduces overhead costs that make video needlessly expensive for the average business owner. What most businesses need most are: 1) someone to help shoot and edit a professional looking video, and 2) someone to help them tell a compelling (even entertaining) story in under 2 minutes. This requires a proven process, but it doesn't require a large team. One smart, well-qualified videographer/editor can perform all of these functions and keep the video production process agile, lean, efficient and fast.
No matter what the subject matter might be, when it comes to selling a product or service you need to have a differentiating benefit. This is your "Value Proposition" and helps to set your offering apart from the competition. This is one of the places where video companies or agencies can get lazy. They expect the business owner to write the script, or they fall back on easy cliché copy like: "..For all your xxx needs" or "You've shopped the rest, now try the best." If you ever hear these lines in one of my videos, just shoot me. I'm toast.
Seriously, most video companies don't offer such strategic message advice. In my 20+ year career leading marketing campaigns for global consumer and B-2-B companies, I've learned how to craft a compelling message. You must start by understanding what the customer needs. What is the pain that your product or service is addressing. Tell them what they want, show they how you provide this, and then differentiate your product or service as being competitively superior in some way. This builds value and protects you from being perceived as a commodity. Your video must set you apart in a credible way. And if you are addressing a pain point for a customer, you are hitting a nerve. Emotion is the intangible that often leads to a sale. With video, we strive to appeal to the brain and the heart & soul.
If you are working with a typical agency or video production house, you'll probably have to work with multiple layers of people to explain what you want. Often, what you tell the Account Manager is not communicated to the videographer or director. (Again...too many layers). Or the editor doesn't select the right comment that would be critical to the success of the video and ring true with your target audience. You want to work with someone who "gets it" quickly. Someone who pays attention to the details, asks the right questions, does their homework and comes ready to work quickly. Time is saved in the preparation, and a good video partner will walk you through this so that your time is spent efficiently. This is where bigger doesn't mean better. Often, big video production houses lead to the "silo" effect where people are not all on the same page, and the level of commitment is not equal. People are just playing roles. Our process is focused and disciplined. Our experience will get you to the finish line with clear direction and no departmental "hand-offs" to slow things down. You just deal with team...we are your experts.
Some businesses have benefitted by using the ever-improving quality of cell-phones to jump into video. This is the democratization of technology, and it's wonderful. However, as a business owner who is building credibility and a reputation, you must also think about your BRAND. Is the quality of your product or service reflected in the quality of your communications? Whether its your building sign, your business card, your website or your video communications, it should all tie together in a unified fashion. All marketing communications must say the same thing about you. This type of continuity builds brand equity and helps reinforce your "position" within your marketplace. Cell phone videos can be fast and easy, but ask yourself if it's the right way to communicate your Brand. Using the right video service, you can keep things fast and cost-effective without sacrificing the quality of your business's brand equity. Watch one of my demo videos.
Company
All Rights Reserved | Video Pro San Diego | A division of GoBeRewarded Marketing Agency