The allure of video is nothing new. 100 hours of video are uploaded every minute to YouTube, 80 percent of its traffic comes from outside the U.S., and 
according to Nielsen, it reaches more adults 18-34 than any cable network.
A business’ website is 50 times (yes, you read that right) more likely to appear on page one of a search engine’s results if it has video on it.
The message here is that small businesses owners who fail to include video in their internet marketing strategies are making a grave mistake.
Here are 5 tips to incorporate video that wows your ideal clients and prospects:
- Content is king — Your written content needs to reach out to your ideal prospects/clients and say “Hey, I get you.” Your video content needs to do the same. Every day 100 million internet users watch an online video, so make sure yours are packed with valuable content that your viewers will want to share.
- Business isn’t everything — People want to do business with people they know, like, and trust. Video is a great way to let them see the real you. It’s okay to post a video that’s humorous or shows your vulnerability once in awhile. Each month, more video content is uploaded than the three major U.S. TV networks combined have created in 30 years.
- Professional quality doesn’t have to break the bank — If you have a smartphone and a teenager at home, you can create videos that are of perfectly acceptable quality. So, if you want to shoot a video from your home office, just make sure you’re in front of an uncluttered and distraction-free background. If you go to a conference, use your phone or videocamera to shoot video from the exhibit floor or impromptu interviews with other attendees. However, if you’re speaking at a conference and the venue isn’t videotaping it, it’s best to hire a professional videographer to capture you and your talk in the best possible light.
- Know when to say when — 45 percent of all viewers will stop watching a video after one minute; 60 percent after two minutes. You have 10 seconds to captivate them at the beginning, so make sure you include your best stuff at the top.
- Serve don’t sell — You are providing value to your audience, so don’t make it an obvious commercial. Remember: you want them to know, like, and trust you and ultimately decide to do business with YOU. The good news is that 80 percent remember a video after they’ve watched it and 64 percent end up buying the product or service, so you don’t have to sell very hard.
How are you using video in your business? Or, if you’re not, what’s holding you back?
Source for statistics: Digital Sherpa