If you’re not using video in your marketing strategy, you’re missing out on a great opportunity. People consume content in various ways online. One way becoming increasingly popular is video, with nearly half of all consumers wanting to see videos from brands.

Here are eight ways to include video in your marketing strategy:

1. Use the Right Equipment
Although you can create a video with just a smartphone, the quality won’t be as high as if you used more specialized equipment. However, this doesn’t mean you’ll have to spend a lot of money. A webcam and microphone can make a huge difference in the quality of your video and audio.

2. Find the Right Location
Like when taking photographs, you need to have the right lighting when you record videos. Make sure that you’re in a location that is well-lit and comfortable. However, you don’t need a special set, as viewers would appreciate a “behind the scenes” look at your business.

Along with physical locations to film, consider where you’d like your videos to be seen online. Creating a YouTube account is fairly easy. However, most social media platforms allow you to share videos in some form. This may be more convenient if you already use those platforms.

3. Write a Script and Rehearse
While you can make spur of the moment unscripted videos, a well-rehearsed scripted video presents a more professional image. Write a script, then rehearse it, even multiple times, before you record for the best results.

As for how to structure your video, keep your audience’s attention span in mind. You want the most important information towards the start of the video to draw viewers in. Like with most online content, you only have around 8 seconds to make a good first impression.

4. Engage With Your Audience
Like with any marketing content you create, your audience should be the focus of it. The best part of video platforms, including social media, is the ability for your audience to engage with your content by commenting on it and sharing it.

When audience members comment on your videos, try to respond to them in a timely manner, especially when handling negative comments. Also, don’t be afraid to ask them to share your videos in the content itself, as your viewers may need encouragement to do so.

5. Host Events
Video allows you to host events for your viewers that they can virtually attend without leaving the comfort of their homes. Livestream features like Facebook Live allow you to do this while also reacting to viewers’ comments in real-time.

Let’s say that you own a liquor store. Hosting a live stream of a wine tasting where you taste and discuss wine would present an opportunity to highlight your products to viewers. It also allows them to ask you questions through the comments about the wines being sampled.

6. Organize Your Videos
If you’ve created a great deal of video content, it may be helpful to organize them in playlists. YouTube’s playlist feature allows you to do this fairly easily. This way, you could create a theme and add videos on topics related to that theme in a playlist.

Let’s say that you’re a chef who creates cooking videos. You could organize your videos based on the type of dishes being prepared. For example, you could have a playlist for dessert with all of the videos of you making desserts. Then, you could create another playlist for side dishes.

7. Include a Call to Action
Most likely, there is something that you want viewers to do after watching your video. Like with other marketing content, you want to include a call to action towards the end of your video. Some examples of calls to action to include in a video could be for viewers to subscribe to your YouTube channel, follow you on social media, or purchase your product.

8. Include Your Branding
To make your videos more professional, include elements of your branding in them. Include your brand’s logo, colors, and design elements in any graphics used in your video. That way, your videos can easily be identified as being from your brand, no matter where they are viewed.

Learn More About Video Marketing
Video marketing can be an excellent addition to your overall marketing strategy.

Links Web Design is a content marketing agency in Bangor, ME, and Fruitland Park, FL.