As I write this in my home office, a TV, a desktop computer, a laptop, and my phone all surround me. All of these devices can play videos with the touch of a button. We no longer have to turn on a television to be captivated by moving images. Simply pull out any smartphone, and one can be streaming an array of videos within seconds.
Why, then, do many businesses not utilize this powerful storytelling vessel more effectively? Granted, a business owner has a lot on their plate. Thinking of ways to creatively tell the company’s story through online videos may not be high on their to-do list. Managing the day to day logistics is enough to keep one busy. Although true, the hidden power of video is too good to ignore.
YouTube alone has two billion monthly users, and more than half of those users are viewing the platform’s content through mobile devices. Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are also highly video-centric now. If a brand wants to spread its message and be heard, then it is imperative to create regular video content.
In this fast-paced and ever-changing market, a business needs every edge it can get while also providing the best possible products and services for their customers. Below is a list of five compelling reasons a brand should start taking video marketing seriously if they want to stand out in the new decade.
1. Video helps with transparency
Today’s culture puts a premium value on transparency. No longer can a business get away with shady practices to increase revenue or personal profits. Like it or not, the customer will find out if a brand has any skeletons in their closet. If a company wants to succeed, they must be open to the public. Video is a great way to maintain a clear view of the inner workings of a business. When the customer can actively see how a business functions, their trust immediately increases.
2. Video is much more captivating than words or images
Let’s face it - video is way more engaging than even the most well-crafted sentences or still pictures. Even as you are reading this, you probably would rather watch a two and a half minute video describing the same thing. Don’t get me wrong; the use of blogs, books, and photographs are still extremely beneficial. The difference is that video captures our attention in a much different way. By physically seeing things and hearing sounds, we are much more capable of relating to them.
3. Videos are highly shareable
Humans are naturally drawn to stories. Not only are they entertaining, but they help us make sense of the world. When someone is captivated by an exciting story, their initial reaction is to share it with friends, family, and other like-minded people. 92% of people who watch video on a mobile device share it with others. As more and more people consume content on their phones, the number of shares will only continue to rise.
Video posts are shared more often than text on social networks because they incorporate sound and vision into the medium. As I mentioned in reason number 2, our eyesight is the predominant sense out of our five other senses. People are much more drawn into a narrative when they can see first hand what is happening.
4. Google / SEO like videos
The algorithms that make up googles listings love video content. A video on the home-page of a website is 50% more likely to be listed on the first page of Google than a site without one. In today’s world, with no more phone books, the ‘search-engine driven’ system can make or break a company. A business needs every advantage it can get to cater to the metrics and ranking of google.
5. The numbers don’t lie
If I haven’t made you a fan of video marketing yet, here are a few more statistics on why the power of visual content is so dominant.
- 6 out of 10 people prefer online video to traditional TV
- 54% of people want to see more video content from marketers
Facebook videos have a 148% increase in reach over photos
- 70% of millennials are likely to watch a company video when shopping online
As you can see, the increase in video consumption and the digital age in which we live in can help your business thrive tremendously in the new decade. The only question now is - are you going to take advantage of it? Because if you don’t, then your competitors most likely will.
Lastly, since this post is about videos and how powerful they are, I wanted to end this post with one of Shaffer’s most recent posts on our YouTube page. As 2019 comes to an end, we all reflect on the past, present, and future. This creative sequence is his look back on the year and encouragement for what is to come.
Happy New Year, everyone!
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