Video Marketing for Social Media Channels

Facebook

Do you remember the last time you shared a video on Facebook? The video was probably great fun, evoked an emotion in response to a social issue, or it was a must-share for social reasons.

Telling a story is at the heart of Facebook’s video set-up, and those stories impart a perspective on an individual or a brand. When it comes to brands, Facebook has recently committed to video target marketing to such a degree that it allows brands to reach their target audiences with considerable ease. Of course, brands can utilize this option through advertising investment. However, digital marketing trends rate organic interaction and access higher than ad communication. There has never been a better time to create video communication on Facebook.

 

So, what should you pay attention to when creating video communication on Facebook? Here are a few tips:

• Add a name and subtitles to your video because 85 percent of Facebook video is watched without sound. 
• The first 3 seconds of video must be especially well thought out. Facebook’s autoplay option presents each visitor with a skip option after the first 3 seconds of video. Only the intrigued will watch through for longer.  
• Use high resolution. Creating videos with resolution lower than 720p or 1080p formats does not cut it these days.
• If you use Facebook Live, find a striking title to draw more visitors.  

 

YouTube

The favorite of several brands and influencers, YouTube is an effective channel for video marketing. Dozens of brands grow and position globally with YouTube’s help. GoPro and Volvo Truck’s accounts are impressive examples.   

With three billion searches a month, YouTube is second only to Google as a search engine.

So, what should you do on YouTube for successful search engine optimization and to increase clicks?

• Add a description to your video! 40 percent of YouTubers read these descriptions.
• The first 10 seconds are vital. Statistics show 20-25 percent of users decide in the first ten seconds whether to watch or switch.
• Accurate video descriptions and links to sites will increase your SEO points. The better your SEO, the more clicks you get.
• High resolution is essential. Resolution below 720p or 1080p formats are impractical.

 

Yeah, Snapchat can open doors.

Collectively, Snapchat users watch 10 billion videos a day on average.

This number is very, very big! This level of interaction and growth is turning brands on to Snapchat.

 

Snapchat is a platform of choice to reach a young target audience. So, how should you exploit it?

• Use texts and drawings in your video. 33 percent of Snapchat video play is watched without sound. 
• Get them with your first Snap! If you fail with your first snap, 22 percent of users will dump your account.
• Film your video in vertical format.
• Provide content that is either fun or useful.

 

Instagram

With Stories, Instagram has become an important player in video marketing. Brands and influencers are brainstorming ideas to exploit this feature and to create a lasting impression.

The big question is: How will Instagram differentiate its Stories from Snapchat’s video marketing model, which many are already familiar with?

Because it’s obvious that this is an opportunity.

 

So, how do you make your mark on Instagram:

• Think “Silent.” Instagram videos are silent until the viewer clicks on the screen to turn on the volume. So, a silent start gives you a stronger opening.
• Match video and photo content. Connect the stories.
• Use hashtags. Content with hashtags raises interaction by 12 percent.
• Instagram Stories offers you 24-hour content and you don’t have to save them instantly. While the Stories screen is open, you can scroll down and upload content from your photo album.
• Use Instagram Stories for your backstage video.

 

Twitter

Twitter is the unsung hero of video content. Twitter continually innovates while everyone talks about Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. 

A whopping 82 percent of Twitter users watch the actual video content.

 

It’s a great platform to explore new things.

Interaction on Twitter is through personal communication. So, it’s a good idea to address people in a unique way and create personal video content.

 

And here are your tips for effective Twitter use:

• Use the human factor in your video. Video with people present from the start is watched twice as much as other videos.
• Have a story. Video with a beginning, middle and an end makes for easier watching.
• You can also share videos that are just for fun.
• Your maximum video length should be 140 seconds and video size 512 MB.
• Mobile apps support MP4 and MOV formats. Keep mobile in mind when you create digital content.

 

Good luck!

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