Better Business Video
If you’re creating videos for your business (reels, TikTok, YouTube video, etc.), and you should be at this point, you might be wondering if you’re doing it right and if you’re maximizing the value of what you’re getting out of them. Ultimately, you most likely want an increase in sales for your business. But what your customers want is to do business with someone they like. If you’re going to take on video creation for business, know that you are also in the entertainment business. Luckily for you, it’s never been easier.
Three main things should be behind your business videos, whether you’re doing long or short clips, and that’s:
- entertainment
- education
- inspiration
Video is a form of escape and even when you are using it to convey important ideas for your business, there still must be an element of something more. That doesn’t mean you have to hire a comedy writer for your script. Your videos don’t have to be hysterically funny but they do have to have an element of entertainment. Otherwise, you will lose your audience. People don’t wait until the end anymore. (Viewership averages about 8 seconds on a video before turning to the next one.) If you don’t capture their attention in seconds, they’re done.
In addition to the guiding themes mentioned above, there are necessary components in creating great business videos. Remember, you want your audience to be intrigued but there are also things you want to accomplish for your business. Without both of those, you’re wasting your time.
10 Surefire Ways to Draw a Crowd with Your Next Business Video
The following components should be in every one of your business videos. Together they are a blend that will appeal to your audience, while also helping you to achieve your business goals.
- Start with a hook. Again, you have 8 seconds to wow them. This is one of the most important parts of your video. Do something that will bring them in and make them want to continue watching.
- Use compelling visuals. Most of the time, your audience is looking at a thumbnail or opening image when they decide to view. Make sure it’s not opening to a PowerPoint slide. Boring.
- Keep it concise. It’s better to break up long, meaty videos into shorter episodes than to continue droning on for hours in one long video. Your audience will also retain more of the information that you’re sharing.
- Incorporate storytelling. Don’t give it all away in the first few seconds when your video is 15 minutes long. Tease the information out. Leave breadcrumbs of info and parts of your story. That way they are compelled to stick around to see how it ends.
- Showcase benefits early. Let them know early on what they’re getting out of the video. If it’s purely entertaining then make sure you’re entertaining them from the beginning.
- Include engaging music or sound effects. You’d be amazed at what people will watch if they like the soundtrack. But be careful with your music usage and copyright infringement. You don’t want an artist coming after you for rights.
- Use humor where appropriate. People need an escape. If humor fits your audience, go for it.
- Feature testimonials or case studies. These are great informative video types, but don’t make them the only kind you do. When you use testimonials, tell that customer’s story. Don’t create a video montage that appeals to your ego.
- Implement interactive elements. If you’re doing reels or short-form video on social media, play around with the polling options and other interactive features. Take a look at the video below that goes over the most common forms of interactive video.
- End with a strong call to action. Your audience has just spent some time with you. You have their attention. If you don’t have a strong call-to-action at the end, you’re missing out on an opportunity.
