A Short Video Speaks a Thousand Words

Only a few years ago video was seen as unnecessary or too expensive for a lot of small to medium-sized businesses (SME’s). Today though, attitudes have turned 360 degrees and video is the most engaging way to reach your target audience. Producing a professional standard video to showcase your business and its products is more achievable and affordable than ever before.

A short video will educate your audience and get your message across with the added bonus, that this is their preferred way of receiving information. Video helps you to sell your company and products without the target having to read a long and boring sales pitch! For the same reasons, you will notice that websites have turned away from the ‘war and peace’ text approach and less, is definitely considered more.

Video helps you gain attention and interest fast! It also helps you to improve conversion rates from your website, direct campaigns and online advertising.

Video is especially effective on mobile devices which is increasingly important when you consider that more than 50% of all internet access is done via a mobile phone or tablet device!

Here’s are some of the ways you can use video to boost your business:

• Tell your company story with video and differentiate yourself. A video should help you differentiate yourself quickly and efficiently so that your potential customers with common ground want to delve deeper.
• Showcase your products, you can describe and show a product or service within a few seconds of video rather than lots of off putting product data and descriptions.
• Introduce your people – they’re your biggest asset so put a face and voice to the name and job title.
• Provide References – in the form of case studies or testimonials.

Don’t Over-Do It

Your video shouldn't be so long that the audience requires a pop-corn intermission. Short, sharp and simple is the key. Remember the first 10 seconds is crucial for engagement and 1-3 minutes total play time is plenty. Don't have more than 3 or 4 key messages otherwise they will be diluted.

Production Quality and Cost

A poorly made video is not going to work, neither is something that is over produced and too polished.

Getting the right person to do the voiceover is important, you may want to use a third party if there is no-one suitable or prepared to do this. The tone of voice and body language is obviously key.

Make sure your video tells a story in a structured manner, for example in the case of a business introduction video:

• Introduction, who you are and background.
• What you do, why you are different and worth considering.
• A call to action and how to get in touch.

Here’s one we did for Fat Skeleton, a small Nottinghamshire based company which specialises in selling niche motorcycling accessories and clothing via the internet.

The objective was to add personality to the company, put faces to names and show that they are a company of substance. This would build credibility and trust which is vital for an e-commerce business. Another aim was to highlight the breadth of their product range.

Fat Skeleton were very pleased with the results and the business is thriving after investing in video, a new website and using social marketing to reach new audiences.

If you would like to discuss any of the services above, then contact me directly and we can discuss your requirements in more depth. I'll also give some free advice and a quotation if you're interested.

Thank you for reading.

Kind Regards

Megan Blatherwick