With stats showing that video holds customers attention more than all other types of content, video has formed a key part of many businesses content marketing strategies for the last few years. Things are hotting up too: By 2020, video will account for enormous bandwidth demands, and video continues to be great for SEO.
However, the thing with video marketing is that it’s always evolving. To stay ahead of the curve, you need to catch the latest trends and give your audience more of what they want. In this article, we take a look at all you need to know about video marketing in 2019.
1. Personalize Your Video Messages
A personalized text-based email is one thing… a personalized video message is quite another. Personalized video messages are nothing new. In fact, Nike sent personalized video messages out to their customers in 2014 to celebrate their achievements.
However, now that smaller businesses have access to more personalized user data than ever before, they can start pumping out personalized video messages on a regular basis. To build and strengthen bonds with your customers in 2019, consider showing your appreciation for your customers via personalized video content.
You could even use a personalized video to replace a messenger bot too, offering support or following up on an inquiry.
2. Explore Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality has been talked about for some time, but 2019 is destined to be its breakthrough year. Forecasts have suggested that 52 million VR headsets will be in circulation by 2020, gearing your customers up for the Virtual Reality revolution.
And you need to be ready for it.
VR videos are already out there. Limbic Life, for example, used the technology to help their customers heal mentally and physically. And their example is key: Like Limbic Life, you need to think about how you can play to VR’s strengths. VR creates an immersive, interactive experience, which helps to engage the viewer more than ever. Consider its strengths before conceiving a way of using it in your videos. Perhaps you could allow your customers to ‘try out’ your products for free.
3. Live Stream Your Content
Live streaming can be really daunting, but all the research suggests that 2019 is the year you have to ‘go live’ more often. In 2018, 80% of internet users said that prefer live video to pre-recorded videos, while live video is expected to grow 15-fold, from 3% of internet video traffic to 13% by 2021. Moreover, it’s often spoken about as one of the digital marketing trends to watch out for.
Live streams create authenticity around your brand, which is something else customers want more of in 2019. They also save you a heck of a lot of time on video creation.
There are different kinds of live videos you can create. For example, you could host a Q&A session with your audience, in which you answer their questions on the fly. This kind of thing helps to strengthen your position as an expert in your niche.
Or you could go ‘behind the scenes’ in your business and stream it live. Or you could simply spend a few minutes educating your audience on a particular pain point/problem they have.
Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget to promote your video via social media beforehand. Instagram Stories is a great place to share your impending live stream. Once you’re live, make sure it’s easy for your audience to share your video.
4. Create Compelling Thumbnails
You know what it’s like on YouTube: You open it up and you’re swamped with content. There are just SO many videos to choose from. What probably helps you pick one is a compelling headline and an eye-catching thumbnail.
To stand out from the crowd in 2019 and put your best foot forward, you need to create better thumbnails. Simply using a random still from your video won’t cut it anymore. Instead, you need to get a bit creative.
There are tools that have helped me and may help you. Pik Wizard is a great place to source some awesome images, while Design Wizard will help you craft an epic thumbnail that’s visually appealing.
5. Tell Stories
The best brands tell us stories. McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and more all know that storytelling is the best way of pushing the emotional buttons of their audience. Stories have always moved us, and if you can hook your audience with a branded story, you’re halfway there to forging a deep, lasting connection with them.
Storytelling is the way forward, with 92% of consumers saying they want their favorite brands to use ads to tell them stories. Stories work because, as well as tapping into the core emotions of your audience, they create empathy, and they also humanize your brand.
Of course, not everyone is well-versed in the art of storytelling. To make sure that your video stories hit the spot, it’s a good idea to work with professional writers who have experience with this kind of thing.
6. Try Short Form Videos
Videos are getting shorter and shorter. The optimal length for an Instagram video is just 26 seconds, while 6-second video ads on YouTube are boosting brand awareness by 61%.
Of course, creating short form videos won’t be easy at first, but you have to find a way of focusing and refining your message for maximum impact. The more focused and refined it is, the easier it will be to sustain a viewer’s interest right up until your call to action.
If you’re looking to kickstart your video marketing but lack the Hollywood budget, Design Wizard’s video templates are a great place to start. Their online video editor is simple to use and with SD and HD download options, it’s a game-changer when it comes to budget-friendly video marketing.
Conclusion
These are the top video marketing trends that all businesses need to exploit in 2019. Customers want more interactive, personalized experiences, and they want to see brands condense their stories into shorter content. Once you start creating and syndicating the content, you’ll soon get into a rhythm that works for your individual brand or business.
Comment below with your video marketing tips for 2019 or any questions that you may want answered.
The post 6 Video Marketing Tips For Your Brand In 2019 appeared first on Profoundry Digital Consultancy.