Embracing the Power of Video Marketing: A Guide for Small Business Owners

We all have heard the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” What about a video?

The point is that videos are valuable. Just think about these statistics: People spend 17 hours per week watching videos; 77% of people have purchased or downloaded an app after watching a video; and 82% of people have been persuaded to purchase a product after seeing a video.

So, how can a small business get into video marketing? What does it involve? And how do you use this powerful marketing tactic in your current strategy? Let’s find out.

Video marketing tips and tricks for small businesses

Creating high-quality videos doesn’t require expensive equipment or professional expertise. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Use good lighting: Good lighting is crucial for producing clear, professional-looking videos. Natural light is often the best option, but affordable lighting kits can also achieve the desired effect.

2. Ensure clear sound: Audio quality is just as important as video quality. Use a good microphone to ensure clear, crisp sound. If you’re recording on a smartphone, consider using an external microphone to enhance audio quality.

3. Use your smartphone: You don’t need a professional camera to create high-quality videos. Modern smartphones have excellent cameras that can produce impressive results. Ensure your phone is stable by using a tripod or stabilizer.

4. Try some simple editing: Editing is where you can add polish to your videos. Tools like Canva offer user-friendly video editing features that allow you to trim clips, add text, and incorporate music without requiring advanced editing skills.

Video marketing resources

Here are some video editing resources for small businesses that offer free subscription options and are relatively easy to use:

Canva

• Features: Video creation and editing tools, templates, music library

• Free Option: Yes

• Ease of Use: Very user-friendly, especially for beginners

Animoto

• Features: Drag-and-drop video maker, templates, stock photos, and music

• Free Option: Yes (watermarked videos)

• Ease of Use: Simple and intuitive interface

InVideo AI

• Features: Customizable templates, media library, text-to-video

• Free Option: Yes (watermarked videos)

• Ease of Use: Easy to use with a guided interface

Kapwing

• Features: Video editing, meme generator, subtitling, and collaboration tools

• Free Option: Yes (limited export options)

• Ease of Use: Straightforward and collaborative interface

These platforms should help you create and market videos effectively without requiring extensive technical skills.

Incorporating video into your marketing strategy

So, now you know how to shoot a video and why video marketing is so powerful. The next step? Incorporating this new marketing tactic into your current overall strategy. Let’s see how with these tips:

1. Identify goals: Are you aiming to increase brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, or generate leads? Having specific goals will guide your content creation and distribution strategies. Determine what you want to achieve with your video marketing efforts, whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or generating leads.
2. Know your audience: Understanding your target audience is crucial. Research their preferences, interests and pain points to create content that resonates with them. Tailored content is more likely to engage viewers and drive desired actions.
3. Create engaging content: Your videos should be short, engaging and informative. Use storytelling techniques and compelling visuals to capture your audience’s attention. Aim to provide value through educational content, entertaining stories or product demonstrations.
4. Optimize for SEO: To ensure your videos are easily discoverable, optimize them for search engines. Use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions and tags. Platforms like YouTube are search engines in their own right, so optimizing your content can significantly increase visibility.
5. Promote your videos: Share your videos across multiple platforms to reach a broader audience. Post them on social media, embed them on your website, and include them in email marketing campaigns. Consistent promotion helps to maximize the reach and impact of your videos.
6. Measure your success: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your videos. Monitor metrics such as views, engagement rates, and conversion rates to assess the effectiveness of your video marketing efforts. Use this data to refine your strategy and improve future videos.

Video marketing offers small business owners a powerful way to engage with their audience, build brand awareness, and drive conversions. By leveraging accessible tools and following best practices, you can create high-quality videos that resonate with your audience and achieve your marketing goals.

Partner with our digital marketing experts today to embrace the power of video marketing and watch your business grow. Dream Local Digital is your one-stop shop marketing agency, helping business owners leverage the right marketing tactics to ensure growth and results!