In case you haven’t heard, video marketing is the biggest thing in content creation at the moment. If you want to jump on the bandwagon and get followers interacting, here’s a quick how to on everything you need to do.

According to Cisco’s Visual Networking Index, by 2019, global consumer Internet video traffic will account for 80 percent of all consumer Internet traffic.

And with 93% of marketers already using video in their campaigns, you certainly won’t want to get left behind.

So if you were in two minds about whether or not to take on video marketing as part of your small business’ content strategy, we hope that clears things up. Without it, you’ll be left in the dust come 2020.

Here’s how to create videos as part of your marketing technique, without looking like a wally.

The tech

The first important decision to make is whether you want to invest in a brand spanking new camera or use your smartphone.

The best way to decide is to consider the needs of your company in relation to video and how professional you want it to look. What platform is it going on? If it’s just to upload to Instagram, your mobile is best, but if it’s for a high definition video on the front page of your website you might be in need of some better tech.

Important things to consider when filming are lighting and acoustics. Natural lighting is usually best, but if it isn’t possible then you should use a bright, well-lit room for any videos to avoid looking too drab and to ensure the best quality for your video.

An editing software

If you’re using a mobile there are plenty of video editing apps that you can take full advantage of. If you’re using a camera which will connect to your computer, then your options are even more plentiful.

Enlisting the help of an editing software for your business videos is vital if you want then to have a clean and professional finish, rather than looking like they were shot by someone on their lunch break with a bit of time to spare.

Not sure? Script it

Writing a script enables you to refine the content beforehand, rather than letting yourself babble in front of a camera for an hour and a half before you’ve even discussed the subject at hand.

Scripted videos can come across forced, so it’s important to keep things ticking over smoothly – which means practice.

Aim for an emotional response when creating your script. You don’t have to get them blubbing away, but creating some form of emotion will encourage people to engage with your video, rather than dismissing it.

Optimise for mobile

In the UK 40% of us watch videos from our mobiles, with 48% of people worldwide watching videos mainly in mobile apps. That means your content needs to be optimised for mobile use if you want it to have a serious impact.

In order to do so you should optimise content specifically for the content you’re uploading it to. Whether you’re going live of Facebook or using the Boomerang app for your Instagram shorts, you should do your homework and make sure your filming is perfect for the platform you’re uploading it to.

Promoting once published

Once you’ve decided where to host the content, the next decision is deciding where you’re going to promote it.

Consider the nature of the content and where it would fit best. The platforms available to you will depend on what your brand is already on. If you’re a lifestyle or home décor business, Instagram would be the perfect place to showcase your personal images of products.

Statistics from HubSpot, Single Grain and Tubular Insights.

Are you thinking about creating a video marketing strategy for your small business? Or have you already got one? Send us your videos in the section below!