14 Ways to Prepare Your Brand for Video Marketing in 2023 + How to do Video for a SaaS biz + Live Action VS Animation, which is better?

Are you prepared for the future of video marketing in 2023?

If not, no worries, I'm going to make it easy to understand how to dominate your market with video and how to properly market them in this Newsletter.

DM me for a free creative session to discuss your video goals for 2023.

According to Forbes article recently published, here are the 14 ways to boost your video marketing efforts in 2023:

1. Double Down On Video Content

Social media platforms are doubling down on video content, which in turn means creators and brands must do the same. Consumers are also heavily consuming video content, so it is pivotal to your brand’s growth to get used to creating quality, engaging video content for social media.

2. Develop A Creator Strategy

“Video marketing” is actually just another way to say “working with creators.” Video is just a medium; the rise of video is a story about the rise of creators. It’s creators who produce video content on YouTube, TikTok and now on Instagram Reels.

3. See What Competitors Are Doing

Take notes on what competitors are doing with their ads on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram Reels. Get ready to generate a lot of short-form and long-form video content in various formats while keeping production snappy, professional and on-brand.

4. Nail Down Your Branding And Key Messaging

Video content is king right now, and I would expect it to continue to be a priority, given the changes social media platforms are making that are tailored to video content. Video content provides a unique way to show rather than tell the value of your product.

5. Measure Progress Toward Your Goals With Video

The video marketing space has seen a lot of progress of late, and the numbers for video-first channels such as TikTok continue to grow. We are also seeing the rise of direct video buying through partners such as?Mountain, where a digital video buy can start as low as $20,000 for testing.

6. Encourage Your Whole Team To Create Video Content

Video content is paramount, and this market will only continue to grow. Encourage your entire team to learn how to do video content well. Do test videos and make sure everyone knows how to capture truly amazing video content. Make sure they know simple basics as well, such as how to edit an iPhone video.

7. Start Curating Video Content Fit For Each Major Platform

Video consumption will continue to increase in 2022 and beyond, and video marketing will remain an integral part of any successful business marketing strategy.

8. Invest In Recyclable Video Content For Your Business

People (and thus social platforms) are rapidly becoming more video-centric, so tapping into video creation will still be a valuable investment. One video can provide a bank of recyclable content for your business—TikToks, Instagram Reels, sound bites, blog content—the list goes on.?

9. Optimize Video Descriptions And Enable Captions

All SEO trends point toward increased accessibility playing an integral role in Google’s search ranking. Keep in mind that Google owns YouTube, so it will be vital to promote machine readability and consumer accessibility moving forward. Optimize video descriptions and enable captions or provide transcripts.

10. Lean Into Creator-Generated Content

Brands will lean into creator-generated content to create short-form, one-to-one marketing that can be repurposed across all video platforms. Creator-generated content (unscripted but professionally storyboarded content) combines elements of trust, entertainment and information to create full-funnel ad spots.?

11. Build A Video Strategy Across Your Content Ecosystem

SEO will play a larger role in video marketing. Search engines are getting smarter about interpreting video content and the questions it is answering. Build a video strategy across your content ecosystem.

12. Give Customers A ‘Raw,’ Snappy, Low-Budget Sneak Peek

Generally, video marketing will continue to adopt a more “raw” style rather than a perfectly polished and “commercial-ready” style. (Think phone versus studio camera.)

13. Turn Existing Content Into Videos And Vice Versa

As video content continues to gain traction, marketers will need to increase their budgets. An audit of your existing content can help you determine what can be turned into videos and which existing videos can be turned into derivative assets.

14. Focus On Stopping The Scroll

With the huge amount of content going out each day, audiences become slightly desensitized to ads. I predict there will be a huge focus on a “stop the scroll” approach in video marketing to capture attention in the first few seconds.

Check out our Youtube channel where I share my knowledge and experience from 16 years in the Video Marketing Industry.

What’s The Difference Between A Live-Action Vs. Animated Video?

● Animation: a technique where a series of drawing sketches or objects is played in a rapid order of succession, giving the illusion the still images are moving.

● Live-action videos: recording real people, animals, or objects, whether moving or still.

Pros Of Animated Videos

● Cost: the average cost for a 60 second explainer video is $7,972, whereas a live-action explainer video will cost between $15,000 to over $100,00, depending on the complexity of your project.

● Simplify complex messages: animated videos allow companies to simplify their message and present information in a digestible and less intimidating way.

Cons Of Animated Videos

● Impersonal: as human beings, we tend to relate to human emotions and body language. So, it can be harder to emulate emotions and create a bond with your viewers.

● Don’t always work well with serious messages: animated videos’ impersonal and lighthearted nature can dilute a serious message.

Pros Of Live-Action Videos

● More relatable: as discussed, we respond better to human emotions, and it’s easier for viewers to connect with humans than with animated characters.

● Time: live-action videos are generally quicker to create than animated videos.

Cons Of Live-Action Videos

● Cost: live-action videos involve hiring actors, wardrobe, equipment, and finding a location.

● Difficult to amend: once you’ve shot your video, it can be difficult to get your crew back together to add an extra scene or words.

The Verdict

Contact us so we can discuss your project in detail and decide what’s best for you!

How SAAS Companies Use Video To Generate Leads

● SaaS companies that incorporated a video into their proposal have a 41% higher closing rate than those that don’t.

● 97% of marketers report that videos are an effective tool to increase user understanding of a product or service, which for a SaaS company selling complex solutions can be a powerful marketing asset.

● 84% of consumers have been convinced to buy a product or service after watching a brand’s video.

● Over 83% of internet users in the US watched digital video content in 2021.

● Companies that use video marketing grow 49% faster than those that don’t.

3 Ways To Use Video To Generate Qualified Leads

? Embed a video on your landing page. Adding a video to your landing page can boost your conversion rate by 80% (signing up for a trial, booking a consultation with you, or subscribing to your service).

Best practices for a high-converting landing page video:

● Make your video between 30 and 60 seconds, and start with the most important part of your message.

● Pique your web visitors’ curiosity by using an irresistible thumbnail.

● Combine video and supporting copy. That’s because longer landing page videos attract 220% more leads than the ones with a simple CTA.

● Optimize both your video and landing page for SEO.

? Add a customer testimonial video to your website

● Customer testimonials are an effective lead-generation tool

93% of people read online reviews before buying a product or service, and 70% trust online recommendations as much as personal ones!

● Let your customers sell your solution for you

Interview your best customers and record them as they explain the value your solution brings to their lives and highlight the key features they use regularly. This will help prospective customers understand how you can help solve their problems.

? Incorporate videos into your email marketing campaigns. Adding a video to your emails can increase your click-through