Video is widely pervasive and prevalent in our world. It’s not just what you see in a movie theatre. There’s much more to it! But…what does it actually do?
1. Tells A Story
Humans have been telling stories for as long as they’ve been around. Why wouldn’t video do the same? It’s an extension of our nature. Mainly, it’s an excellent way to tell the story of your brand. That’s unique to you. You can also tell a great client success story. There’s endless possibility!
2. Gets Personal
The aural and visual nature of video does a great job of really showing people who you are. No longer do you have to guess at the nuance and inflection in a block of text; now, you can see and hear a person as if they’re standing right in front of you!
In 2015, a study by Invodo showed that the “introduction of video to [retailer] business…increased purchases by 40%!” Why? Video brings a tangible human presence into an otherwise digital world. People want to buy from a company that they feel like they know. What other medium could do this so well?
3. Hypes
You’re with a rowdy group of people at a sports game. At the last second, your team scores a goal and proceeds to win the match. Everyone cheers. Now, it’s up to you to write a couple sentences that communicate that same excitement through black and white text on a page. Not the same, is it?
People often use video to promote new products – products that can change the world. Video is the best way to relay that information and their passion. Take, for instance, the Pebble: E-Paper Watch (now Fitbit). The creators started crowdfunding on Kickstarter with the hope of raising $100,000. How much did they actually make? $10,266,845. Without a video – a personal presence – explaining their hopes and strategies, nobody would have given that much.
4. Educates
Video does an excellent job demonstrating the benefit of a product.
Pre-Purchase:
Adobe reports that “online shoppers who view demo videos are 1.81x more likely to purchase than non-viewers.” People can really get to know the ins-and-outs of a product before purchasing it. This is especially helpful when you’re attempting to go head-to-head with big names in a competitive market.
Post-Purchase:
When companies use video to show how people might best use their product, even after securing purchases, they build a trustworthy name. A caring name. This sort of thing is what creates loyal customers that stay with you for life.
5. Makes Life Easier
Who wants to sit down and read instructions anymore? Video can show step by step how to accomplish something. It’s more helpful than pictures and is way more engaging than blocks of text. Animoto even says that “4x as many customers would rather watch a video about a product than read about it!”
6. Increases Market Presence
Because video is so pervasive, your product is much more likely to be noticed in video format than otherwise. Wistia states that “people spent on average 2.6x more time on pages with video than without.” People really like to watch video!
In addition to that, video helps your voice be louder than your competitors. By engaging visually with an audience that prefers visuals, you bring in more people. Your image is literally broadcasted across the interwebs, speaking for your product. This really drives sales!
7. Distinguishes Your Work
No one makes a product exactly the same as their competitor. To someone browsing through websites, this may not be clear! Video shows what differentiates your product from others. You have a unique product that will come across in a unique video. Plus, in comparison to competitors who don’t use video, you will stand out.
8. Engages People in You
You become the center of the video you create. You are that tangible presence that people can interact with. Millennials especially want to see the personalities of the people that they are buying from. According to research done by both Morris Creative group and Market Strategies International, millennials make purchasing decisions via those they trust. In order to build trust, you must use video, so as to bring people into understanding your heart for your product.
9. Is Your Best Salesman
Ultimately, video shows your product or service in action. It does an excellent job marketing, educating, and personalizing. You don’t need to sell when the product already sells itself.
In summary, video distinguishes your product by telling a simple, personal, and exciting story. It markets extremely well and increases the ease by which people can find and learn about your product. It’s the best choice for use in business today. Why not give it a try?