Based on research from Cisco Systems, 80% of online consumers say they’d rather watch a video about a product than read about it. With so many customers preferring video to written content, you might want to consider adding some videos to your sales/marketing strategy in order to increase your sales figures. However, the big question is what types of videos should you make? There are tons of different options, but in this article, we’ll cover the top 8 types of videos every business can use. Let’s dive right in!
1) Explainer videos
Explainer videos are short, fun and to-the-point. They can be used to introduce a new service or product, explain how something works or be used as a branding tool (i.e. explainer videos from big brands like Dropbox and Square.) An explainer video doesn’t have to be expensive; it just needs to catch people’s attention. So if you’re looking for an affordable option that doesn’t take forever to make, then you might want to start with an explainer video.
2) Live stream videos
If you have a Facebook page, consider live streaming some content and sharing it to other platforms as well. Facebook Live and Periscope are popular live streaming services that let you stream directly from your phone or tablet without downloading an app. If you don’t have a Facebook or Periscope account, start one! And if you’re really just looking to connect with friends and family, there are plenty of free services like Skype that will let you use live video too. Another great thing about live video is that viewers get a real-time view of what’s happening right then—in other words, instead of seeing a pre-recorded video that looks like it was made months ago, they see your reactions in real-time.
3) Animated explainer videos
Animated explainer videos do a great job of quickly laying out an idea and can often be viewed in under two minutes. They’re also engaging, fun, and tend to stick in viewers’ minds. This is a great format to use when pitching a new product or service (like Uber did), explaining complex concepts, or breaking down detailed processes. By adding text on screen, you can easily convey key points. They’re also easy to share and embed across multiple sites—including your own—so they have plenty of reach potential.
See Example Above
4) Product demos (animated or live-action)
When was the last time you downloaded an app or filled out a form on a website? Chances are, it was after watching a Tiktok, Youtube, or other informative video. Product demos can help boost conversions, which is why they’re one of our favorite types of videos to create. They tend to have high completion rates and encourage interaction with your product/service. Plus, as consumers become more tech-savvy, they’ll be expecting simple how-to videos—so make sure you give them what they want! (Remember: keep it simple!) Create a demo video to promote your product or service and use that extra conversion power!
5) Testimonial
One of our favorite types of videos is testimonial videos. These are great because they show real-life examples and can include words from your customers on how they’ve benefited from your products or services. They give potential clients a real reason to purchase from you instead of an unknown brand. Bonus points if these testimonials come from high-profile clients in high definition! Testimonial videos can range in length, but two minutes is about average. However, some businesses have extended testimonial videos that run much longer than 5 minutes; it depends on what type of product or service you provide and how long it usually takes people to see results.
6) Internal training videos
It’s critical that employees get up to speed quickly and efficiently, especially with new hires. Internal training videos are your best bet, since they have a more personal tone than other types of videos, which makes them more effective at conveying information. In most cases, internal training videos focus on company culture as well as methods and procedures. Company culture may seem like an afterthought, but it actually helps create engagement among your team members—and that can lead to increased productivity.
7) Promotional Video
It’s one thing to make a video, but it’s another to get your target audience to watch it. For most businesses, promotional videos will be a key piece of content that they use regularly across all platforms. When you have a new product or service you want to promote, don’t rely on just one type of video format—create some informational videos, product videos and fun/entertaining videos.
8) Social Media Video
Video is THE way to connect with your audience. If you're doing things like attending conferences or hosting webinars, recording a short video about them and posting it to Facebook is an easy way to extend engagement beyond your event, add value for your attendees and keep in touch even when you can't be there in person. Even if social media isn't how you'd normally use video, it's still good practice as many people are using these sites as an alternative to email—which also means they may not see any traditional mailings from you. It’s better to post regularly on these sites than miss out completely!
Quick How-To Us Video Tips
How to use videos on social media
Any entrepreneur knows that videos are one of—if not THE—most important parts of your online marketing strategy. But even if you’re a social media expert, there’s always more to learn. No matter what type of business you own, we can all use video on Facebook and Instagram to increase engagement, promote products and boost conversion rates. So which types of videos should you post?
How to use videos on your website
How-to videos are an effective way to explain a complicated process in an easy-to-understand way. In fact, one study from MarketingExperiments found that users who view product demo videos stay on a site three times longer than users who don’t.
How to use videos on social media
Any entrepreneur knows that videos are one of—if not THE—most important parts of your online marketing strategy. But even if you’re a social media expert, there’s always more to learn. No matter what type of business you own, we can all use video on Facebook and Instagram to increase engagement, promote products and boost conversion rates. So which types of videos should you post?
Video Returns On Investment - The Conclusion
When considering how to make a video as a business, you may be worried about wasting money. Will it pay off? What's a good ROI on video? Don't panic! The short answer is that businesses can expect video to deliver an average return on investment (ROI) of $3-$4 for every dollar spent. This makes video one of the best-performing marketing channels around and a great choice if you're looking to boost engagement and customer acquisition without breaking your budget. Video also boasts strong conversion rates, with 56% viewing a video all way through and 84% saying they’re more likely to buy from companies that use videos in their marketing strategy. Stop waiting and start seeing a boost in traffic and conversion/numbers. It's what we do here at Tally Entertainment, so let's get to chatting.