Have you been looking for ways to increase your Social Media Engagement, but don’t know where to start? Well you’re in the right place.
Right now, we’re in the midst of a Digital Revolution. Audiences are spending an enormous amount of their time on Social Media Platforms in order to find and consume entertaining and engaging content. Compared to the very basic Marketing Strategies of old, audiences are now seeking out more experiential, fun and interactive media with which to engage.
So just how does a Small Business Owner create this kind of intriguing and exciting experience for their Social Media visitors?
While you may believe the answer to be quite complicated, we assure you, it’s really not. And the answer is, with video! That’s right, video is fast becoming one of the most consumed forms of Online content. As an easily digestible form of content, video is simple to use, easy to understand and can convey your Marketing Message quickly and effectively. Audiences are increasingly turning their attention towards the likes of GIF’s, animations and ‘Boomerangs’, which are just some of the popular video types gaining traction Online.
For this reason, video has the potential to strengthen any Small Business’s Social Media Marketing efforts. And, luckily for you, it’s a quick, easy and typically cost-effective way to build your audience and engage with customers who genuinely care about topics related to your products or services.
If you’re new to video content or Social Media Marketing all together, we’re about to walk you through it. We’ve put together all the key information your Small Business needs for successfully using video to give your Social Media Marketing the boost it needs!
Establish Your Video Goals
Before you begin your foray into the world of Video Marketing, outline the goals you’re trying to achieve by posting this type of content. Your video must present a clear focus or viewers are likely to tune out.
Think about your video concept and ask yourself; How does this video relate to my business? Does it market my products and services effectively? Should it be more it entertaining, or more informational? By answering these questions, you’ll establish the overarching goal for posting the video to your Social Media Platform. Once you’ve achieved this, you’re far more likely to create a video that will see you achieving your desired results.
How Long is Too Long?
Remember, it’s Social Media. Not the movies. No one is going to sit around and spend excessive amounts of valuable time watching your videos. In fact, they’re most likely on a packed train on the way home from work and are looking for a small ray of entertainment to brighten their commute!
For this reason, if you’re video goes for more than 180 seconds, you’ll likely have less people inclined to watch it. People don’t want to waste their time on long videos. It’s that simple.
In order to discover what length of video works for your Small Business’s audience, the best method is to test it out. By testing different video lengths, you’ll be able to gauge the attention span of your audience and determine how much time they’re willing to invest in connecting with your Business.
Auto Play
Have you ever scrolled through Facebook or Instagram and noticed that videos automatically begin to play? This is a relatively new feature called ‘Auto Play’, and it’s your chance to hook your audience in without them even having to click on your post</strong >!
To really maximise Auto Play’s potential for your Marketing efforts, you need to grab your audience’s attention within the first few short frames</strong >. This is the critical point that could determine whether they keep watching, or scroll right by you. By getting your point across as early as possible in a unique, attention-grabbing way, you’re more likely to keep the customers attention and generate that much needed engagement you’re looking for. After all, more engagement means the potential for more sales.
Subtitles
Even though Auto Play is a great feature, if you’re not providing clear subtitles, you might lose your audience. This is because users only hear the audio of Auto Played videos if they proactively click on it. If your potential audience are in a situation where they can’t play audio and they can’t grasp your video content simply through visuals, you’ve automatically lost them.
If you believe the visuals on your video won’t clearly convey your message, then including subtitles will allow viewers to watch them on their mobile devices in any situation, regardless of sound.
The Right Headline
Yes, it’s all about the video content. But without a catchy, interesting headline, your audience might not give it a second look. Accompanying your video with an informative and eye-catching headline is half of the initial attraction.
A successful headline will help your viewer understand what they are about to watch, giving them context and generating interest in your content. After that, it’s up to your video to wow them and draw them in even more.
Track Engagement and Insights
It’s important to understand that every Small Business is different, so video content that works for one Business won’t necessarily work for another. For example, what works for an online clothing store might not be effective for a landscaping business, as they are target two completely different audiences.
This is why tracking the performance of your video content is essential. Knowing the number of likes, the reach and the total number of views is crucial information when planning any future Social Media Marketing. After all, it’s a learning process. By knowing what works and what doesn’t, you can adjust and alter your video content to receive optimum engagement levels.
Don’t Get Left Behind in the Digital Revolution
With around 90% of users finding engaging videos most helpful when making purchasing decisions, video should be a key feature in your future Social Media Marketing strategies.
So, now that we’ve provide you with the basics, it’s time to give video a try! There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy when it comes to developing videos for Social Media, but finding out what works for your Small Business is all part of the process. By first establishing a killer video goal, tailoring your videos to suit your audience and testing out your strategies, you’ll begin to find that engagement you’ve been waiting for.
Still stuck? If you’re in need of some more advice on creating a video for your Social Media Marketing will benefit your Small Business, then give us a call. Our team of Digital Marketers know their stuff. They’re Social Media experts and happy to help you get the most out of your Social Media Marketing.