Now that you’re playing around with videos for business, I didn’t want to leave you hanging! So, in this post, I’m going to share a few shiny bright ideas for producing short business videos on purpose.
I say on purpose because I know I’m not the only one who feels camera shy. But, that’s no reason not to take steps to create business content for your business goals with videos.
Your customers will thank you and so will your business. Like other content you create, plan your videos to make both parties happy. You, and your customers!
Videos to Make Customers Happy
How can your videos make people happy? Well, there’s more than one way, but here’s an example. People want to understand things or know how to use something, so try to be helpful. This quick video helps people to understand a little about using Twitter for Business; it isn’t boring, right?
- Introduce yourself with a simple introductory video. People like to know who they’re working with, so a personal hello from you is a lovely way to welcome them and show you are genuine. If you have a team to introduce, you can get a little creative and make it fun.
☑ Check out my NEW Intro Video and let me know what you think? Use it or not??
Other ways to be helpful can be as simple as these ideas:
- Introduce products or services, too, in an appropriate style to suit your audience and your business model. My friend and pro writer, Sharon Hurley Hall, created a video to explain what to expect when you hire a professional freelance writer, like her, or me:
Services Introduction Sample: Things Pro Writers Do…
- How-to videos are one of the most popular methods to introduce people to either products or services. Educating users on how to use their purchased software is a perfect example. Brainstorm Force takes it one step further, educating you on the basics of WordPress and using the Gutenberg editor. They offer 31 Videos on WordPress Basics, and even as a WordPress user, I picked up a ton of new useable tips for my site. I love the precise step-by-step lessons. Without the understanding of these basics, you won’t need or be ready to add the theme or plugin products they offer. In a sense, they are helping you by making sure you are prepped to use their products. Pretty smart! My favorite design tool, Canva, does something similar with their Design School, teaching you solid basic design concepts while you learn about Canva tools and techniques. I remember going through each one of them, and I may be smart to go back again and brush up on their hot design tips and tricks!
More Help, But Faster
- Quick tips videos are fast and useful. Besides focusing on dropping small knowledge bombs you can use right now, they are also a great way to keep you in front of your peeps — a lot. Donald Miller makes a lot of sense to me in his whole StoryBrand process, so his new daily video series seems worth checking out. I had to chuckle at one of the latest episodes since it echos something I often say, “Make people want to pay you.” It’s a lot easier to get paid then, right? These kind of videos are fantastic for exposure and public relations purposes but, stick with Donald and keep your communications audience-focused if you want people to tune in. Chris Brogan talks about serving your content in tapas, or small bites. Small bites work because people digest them quicker, just like tapas served from an eatery’s menu:) Small bite ideas are stickier and often more memorable for people. Test this.
- Promotional videos help you entice traffic to other content or offers. My favorite example is Andy from Orbit Media promoting a blog post via a short LinkedIn video, teasing you to visit his site to learn more. Promo video is also a short-form style that can pay off for business.
☑ In this video, Andy shows you an exact process for making social media videos for promotional purposes and ultimately to bring people back to the quality content on YOUR digital real estate.
Videos to Educate
Informational or educational videos play more than one part in the video marketing discussion. In some way, all the videos mentioned fit under this heading.
Russ Henneberry talks about how introductory videos, welcome videos, and even how-to videos can all be categorized as what he calls, indoctrination videos. Because their purpose, or at least part of it, is to make an appealing introduction to you, your products, and services. At the same time, their job is to get your customers and visitors to warm up to your business. (Preferably, so they want to hear more from you.)
- Onboarding or welcoming videos often consist of a series. They give valuable information to people new to your website. And, they’re both nicer terms than indoctrination when talking about creating content to connect with customers and subscribers. Right? Still, Russ has an important business point in emphasizing the essential task of educating people about you and your company.
I love how WPX Hosting, my brand new hosting provider, does all that! On sign-up, they start a series of helpful emails including a four-part video welcome series. The videos deliver a warm mix of friendly introduction from the CEO, Terry Kyle, along with giving you the major service points you need to know in working with WPX.
Plus, there’s a little something to let you know what WPX cares about, as part of their introduction:
How WPX Hosting Helps 350+ Homeless Dogs Every Day
I’m so excited about the phenomenal web hosting services at WPX that I am adopting them as my very first affiliate! This means that by clicking the link to their site from links in this post, I may get a small commission at NO extra cost to you.
Time Out BIG Announcement
But, the thing is, my dear readers, I feel soo good about recommending WPX to you because I know they are going to take care of you! Why? Because I couldn’t be happier after not too great experiences previously on other hosting platforms for my precious website!
What I like best is they never make me feel stupid or like a pain in the butt because of my less than techie WordPress work. Whew, what a relief.
If you’re looking for new worry-free reliable WordPress hosting, with completely FREE migrations, check out WPX Hosting, and sure, use my link while you’re at it so I can see how affiliate marketing works. 🙂 Thank you so much!
Videos for Business
You’re probably catching on by now; there’re several opportunities to use video marketing to get business results without getting too complicated.
Putting videos for business to work for you gives you new content assets and another avenue to reach out to connect with people. When you get creative with video marketing, you draw traffic to your website and find new audiences.
Review these useful tips and tricks for making videos for business and get started right away!
It’s often not a question of whether you are awesome at your business, but whether anyone knows about you. Using videos for business allows you to roll out the red carpet to welcome, delight and draw people toward you.
A mixed media approach gives you extra chances for people to find you. But do it strategically, for best results.
Are you ready to add videos to your business content mix?
Hey Sue-Ann
Absolutely, in the present scenario, video content is better in all ways.
However, not started yet, but for sure will focus on this soon.
BTW, This post is very well thought out! I really enjoyed reading your article.
Thank you
Mohit Bhargav
Video taking the essential part for business. Youtube also promoting shorts now a days. You give much informative content. Happy to read this.
Santanu:
And I am so happy to have you read my stuff…so thrilled you are enjoying and getting something from it!
Appreciate your time and comment, too. Take care, Sue-Ann
Hey,
Amazing post, and thanks for sharing such valuable information.
Keep sharing such awesome posts.
Cheers,
Ashish
Thank you so much, Ashish!
Hey Sue-Ann
Undoubtedly, video content makes better engagement with the users and that is why demand for videos is increasing day by day.
You have shared some effective ways to use videos for your business.
I am also planning to start with videos.
Thanks
Hi Amit:
Thank you for reading, sharing, and commenting! The best thing to do is to just start if you want to do videos and get a YouTube channel going. I’m the last person I expected to do videos, even when I wrote this a short time ago. But, now I am entrenched in finding and leveraging the value of video for connecting with people…I’m going to do my very first LIVE video, in fact! I know, I can’t even believe it:) I am starting to have fun with the creations and one thing I am focusing on is delivering value and not just shooting. Hope that helps inspire you…
Thank you again and best wishes,
Sue-Ann
Hi
Videos are a great way to market your online or offline business. I was also a camera-shy but once you start doing then there is no stopping. Believe me, you can grow your business through it very easily.
Thanks for the all hard work!
Hello back to you…
Sorry, I was on mandatory offline for a minute there, but I certainly appreciate your visit to my site, the sincere comment, and the kind share!
I’m still thinking about how I want to approach videos for business but at least the practice is a starting point for me.
It’s definitely good to hear it gets easier with time and practice and, in truth, it may be an easier way to communicate, at least more quickly.
Thanks again and take care, Shaheer:) Sincerely, Sue-Ann
Hello Sue,
Video users are growing tremendously. Today in this competitive digital world, Videos plays a great role in web advertising. It is a great way to convey your offers and messages directly to your users. It also builds trust and good engagement. That is the reason that marketers are using video promotions. Excellent points and tips you have shared here.
Regards,
Vishwajeet
Hi Vishwajeet:
I’m having fun researching and testing and playing with video because all your notes are exactly valid in today’s digital space.
One thing, though, I’m not sure if being a video personality is for everyone so, I think it’s a good idea to keep playing to your strengths because there’s a lot of room for creatives, seen on video, or otherwise:) Also, talented writers are behind so many kinds of media productions so, that’s good to remember for the camera-shy, like me! lol
Thanks for taking time to comment, Vishwajeet…always good to hear from you and I appreciate it very much, Sue-Ann
Hi Sue,
I photo can say thousand words and a video can say millions. Videos are the most effective way to market and spread the word about your business, brand and service.
When creating videos for business one need to focus on products, benefits, why users want it and why they should remember the name of brand.
Thanks for sharing!
Gaurav,
Thank you for visiting, checking out the post, and commenting. You make really great points!
There’s nothing worse than video (or any content, really) that forgets the keys you mention like focus, benefits, and user-centric priorities in the production. Wasting the precious time of a reader, viewer, or listener is something I try to avoid and remain aware of as I create. I admit, I’m still warming up to video but it sure does offer benefits.
Well, thank you again and take care, Sue-Ann
Hi Sue-Ann,
I agree that video can be a mighty tool to get your message across, and score more sales and other kind of wins too.
I’m currently not recording videos, because my focus is purely on Google SEO, and because I’m very shy and introverted.
But I know I’ll have to beat that when the time comes, and I hope for it to be soon.
Anyway, I dabbled just a bit, and made two video tutorials, here’s the link if you want to check it out.
Warning- these are 3 years ago and are pretty awful, though I was and still am proud of those.
Take care Sue-Ann!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRpTf3zUAKPXV5YqIiEJ4Fg
Nikola:
You’re like me, Nikola…have videos I know I should be doing dating back, yep, 3 years or so…but still feel more than shy to publish. I think it’s okay to focus on what you are doing well and like, so videos may or may not come about over time.
As I play around, it all feels more comfortable I guess, but I still feel it may NOT be my strength or what I most enjoy creating. Think of video work like I am trying to…it is an extension of strong and powerful writing…because the best videos start with a great script!
Thanks for sharing your videos. I think the how-to method you are doing will always be popular so it’s a great way to get started:) Well, take care Nikola, and thank you for sharing and taking time to comment! Oh, and p.s., sorry I was working on the fly the last several days so just popping in and doing comments now!! Hope your week is going great and keep up the great writing work. Thank you, Sue-Ann
You know I am a fan buddy 😉 Video rocks and is easy too. Easy peasy way to connect and grow business by being human, and proving your humanity.
I always smile when you drop in, Ryan! So, thank you so much.
Safe travels and talk soon. Thanks again, Sue-Ann
Hey Sue-Ann,
Thank you so much for the high praise. We are happy to have you with us and we will do everything possible to keep our service level and even improve it.
If you need anything out 24/7 tech support is there for you. Do not hesitate to contact us!
Thanks again!
WPX Team
WPX Team:
Wow. How nice of you to visit and comment! Welcome:)
This is the kind of stuff I’m talking about. I truly feel important to the WPX business and I know your part of my websites is more than crucial to me and I most definitely appreciate it. Thank you so much, Sue-Ann
P.S. I do plan to talk about you guys more!! lol