Video has become the most popular method of communicating on the web, particularly for marketing and learning.
Believe it or not, from time to time I still hear “Video is great but we’re not sure how we’d use it!”
The fact is, clients and prospects alike expect video.
Consider this old but impressive projection by Cisco for the year 2022:
“By 2022, the gigabyte equivalent of all movies ever made will cross Global IP networks every minute.”
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Video Statistics According to Hubspot:
• Video is the 2nd most popular content type on social media for increasing engagement
• Platforms like YouTube have always been about video.
• latforms like Instagram and Facebook are focusing on video.
• Tweets on Twitter (Now “X”) get 10x more engagement.
• 68% of video marketers plan to use LinkIn video this year.
• People watch almost a billion videos a day on Pinterest.
Here’s why
All Video Can:
• Increase brand recognition
• Expand company reach
• Improve search engine results
• Differentiate you from your competitors
• Provide concise, consistent information - any topic
• Act as your 24/365 sales person
• Be captioned - many watch with the sound off!
So - Here's how to use video...
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TYPES OF VIDEO
Here are some great uses for video that will improve your bottom line or overall efficiency.
First - the five most essential videos ...
Intro, Overview, Corporate or Brand Video
These videos tell everyone about your company, your culture and often the essence about your product or service – and how it can help them. Presents the basic nuts and bolts about your business. Limited use. Most people visiting your website are more interested in solutions to their problems, so read on….
Explainer Video
The most popular video. Simple. Engaging. Establishes trust and credibility. This video must connect with your viewer on an emotional level; you understand your viewer's problem and can help with a solution today. Your video must explain what you do but only in enough detail for the viewer to "get it." It's a very specialized type of introduction to your business or organization. It must end with a call to action that tells the viewer what to do next. Usually it's to "click or call" or watch a product or service video with more technical information.
Explainer videos often start with a problem that viewers recognize as their own, immediately followed by your solution. Emotion (I have a problem!) and empathy (understanding) is critical to a successful explainer video.
Product and Service Videos
"Tell me more!" These videos go into greater detail about your solution. Simplicity and brevity are key, but this is where you are allowed to explain the "how" of a product or service, as well as features. Many viewers aren't quite ready for personal interaction, even after a successful explainer video, but they do want to know more. Your product and service videos should satisfy that need.
Testimonial Video
Your customers are your best promoters. You can only tell someone how great you are for so long. Then you need to step aside and let someone else do it. That's where customer testimonials are a must. Testimonials provide third party credibility you can't get anywhere else. Nothing draws new customers like seeing established customers talk about their satisfaction.
Trade Show Video
Video can be a powerful traffic stopper at a trade show, when done the right way. Our high-performance motion graphic videos mesmerize while putting critical, memorable bullet points in front of prospects. They rely on visuals alone since in most instances, you only have a few moments to capture attention, and you should not try to compete with the noise of most trade shows.
Hint: Design your tradeshow video to have enough on-screen text or continuity to be useful with or without a narrated soundtrack. Douse the sound at the tradeshow but make it available for online viewing!
MORE VIDEOS
Differentiator
Special purpose – especially needed when there are only two or three companies that provide what you provide. The prospect has is almost certainly aware of your competition and needs to make an informed decision.
• What makes your company stand out from competitors?
• What advantage does it offer?
• Does your buying process have a edge?
• Better customer service?
• Better, faster fulfillment?
• American Made?
• Custom made?
• Checks all the boxes for Federal contracts?
(e.g., Small, minority-owned, etc.?)
Hint: Focus on one topic or combine a few to make a compelling statement!
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Problem Solver with a Twist
This video solves a problem for YOU! Is there a sticking point somewhere along your sales funnel? If you’re hearing the same question from prospects and clients, over and over, that’s a problem video can resolve. It will save you time in the long run.
Process Videos
External videos can focus on the processes that will make your client’s lives easier. Brag about them! Show them how! Short and simple. We’re not building a clock here, just telling the customer how to tell time.
Internal processes videos are also valuable. For employees – how to sign up for company benefits, access the company intranet, or any of a gazillion things you could save time with by letting workers watch a video. Provides a clear, concise, and easy-to-follow explanation.
Hint: Process videos are often sales videos, designed to achieve buy-in. This is especially true if they are showing a process that may be unfamiliar or new. Follow the same problem-solution format we recommend for Explainer videos and your process video will be successful.
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Super Hero
Wear a cape or put one on your product, service or your customer and watch what happens! Every story has a villain, a victim, and a hero. Go with the HERO!
Tutorial - Training, Safety, How-To, DIY
These critical videos should never be boring, long or conventional. They work only when relevant, easy-to-understand, convincing and memorable.
Hint: Don't be afraid to be entertaining!
Timeline Video
Put your company’s history or major accomplishments in chronological sequence. Or, any sequence that makes sense!
Video Blog (AKA “Vlog”)
Set yourself apart as a recognized expert. Set up a camera, start recording and do a video blog. Talk about new topics in your industry, review your own products, anything of interest to viewers! You can send us the raw video for editing.
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About What We Do
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Story Vision Videos provides clear, consistent messaging with our proven, story-driven focus.
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Story Vision Videos engage, inform and persuade, turning skeptics into believers, prospects into customers.
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Call my cell to learn more - 414-405-8197 - and to view examples of any of these videos!
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Dennis Dean
Chief Creative Officer
Story Vision Video
Our Easy Process
We take the load off your shoulders while keeping you in the loop at each stage:
WE LISTEN
You talk. We listen, gathering information as we go. About your objectives. Your target market. What keeps your customers up at night. Our brief questionnaire helps get to the heart of your story and the type of information we know we need to produce a great, effective video for you. We also provide creative ideas - the “hook” that catches viewer attention.
WE WRITE
The script is the heart and soul of your video. It's where creativity comes to life. We write the script and send it back to you for approval. Next, we do a storyboard for whiteboard videos, and an art gallery for other video styles. You review and request revisions if needed. We work on it until you’re satisfied. We’re good. Most of our customers don’t need many revisions.
WE CREATE
Your video! Here’s where it all comes together. Our narrator narrates and our editor edits, adding animation, music, sound effects and other nifty stuff until: Voilà! A masterpiece! Your masterpiece.
WE DELIVER
Once your video is edited we put it online for you to review. We make revisions if needed, and done! Yes, we offer unlimited revisions. NO, you won’t need them. Unlimited revisions are typically offered by off-shore production houses to overcome communication issues We’re 100% made in America and don’t have this problem.
