Promoting Businesses Online Through Videos

Return to the articles' index. Using Videos to Promote Your Business was first published in the New Zealand Tourism Guide's October 2011 newsletter. It was aimed primarily at owners of small and medium-sized tourism businesses in New Zealand.

Using Videos to Promote Your Business

YouTube is a video-sharing website owned by Google. It allows people and businesses to create and share videos. These videos can cover almost any subject and can be promoted via websites, blogs, newsletters, emails, Facebook pages and so on. Promoting your business through video promotion is an extremely powerful marketing tool if done well. Videos show people/potential customers what your business is all about in a quick and (hopefully) entertaining way.

Most small businesses can create their own video (and have some fun doing it) with a relatively low-cost investment. However, if you choose to use the services of a professional videographer, I suggest using one who has produced work you have seen and liked, or one who has a recommendation from a trusted source.

It's well worth getting everyone in your business involved in your video promotions, especially as the stars of your video are likely to be your staff. The more passion and more fun you can film, the more engaging the end result is likely to be for viewers/potential customers.

How about...

Asking the staff for their ideas on what to include
Running a video-making competition (for staff and maybe your Facebook 'fans')
Having a night dedicated to screening video premieres.

Tips for Making Great Video Promotions

Be passionate about your business and what you are showing
Be passionate about your business and what you are showing
Use the best quality photography or videography you can afford
Choose an engaging and lively music (backing) track with broad appeal
Ensure your voice-over scripts (and voice talents) are clear, engaging and appealing
Keep it short and sweet. Make sure your essential information is included at the beginning of the video before your viewer clicks away
Make sure you include captions, sub-titles and your website address during the video
Optimise your video for YouTube: include Meta title and description, use a link to your website as the first thing in your description and post links in the 'more info' section
Promote your videos through your website, emails, newsletter, blog and social media marketing.

Video Content Ideas

If you are wondering what to include in your videos, the answer is almost anything to do with your business. But as a general guideline, think about content that is both informative and entertaining. Here are some ideas to get your started:

Show people what they'll experience through your business
Meet the crew/staff who'll look after you
Watch 'one day in the life of...' in one minute
Post a short interview with a staff member talking about their job (and what they love about it)
Create video testimonials from your guests interspersed with shots of their experience
Create a video tourism guide for your local area
Interview local personalities
See also YouTube Advice on Content.

Glossary

If any of these terms sound like a foreign language to you, please don't stew about it. You can refer to the (easy-to-understand) glossary of terms for more information.

Store Them Away

If you want to keep any pages tucked away in your online pantry of goodies, simply bookmark the relevant page in your browser by clicking:

'Favourites' (if you're using Internet Explorer/IE)
'Bookmarks' (if you're using Firefox).

Promoting Businesses Online Through Video, Photographs and Film Clips

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