Video can be highly effective as a form of engaging web content. But all too often, it’s just not done well.
Online video has to be engaging before it can begin to be persuasive. Just think about in terms of writing a blog post. You have to get someone’s attention (and keep it) long enough to make them want to read the rest of the article. With video, the idea is to engage someone enough to get them to starting watching your video and keep watching it all the way to the end.
Check out this Improvemental Commercial that my friend Laurie March put together…
(Click here if you can’t see the video)
It’s simple. It’s catchy. It’s fun and engaging. It made me want to check out Improvemental.com.
6 Tips for Creating Engaging Video Content:
- Homemade works just fine. Your video doesn’t have to be scripted and you don’t need to hire an entire video crew (though it couldn’t hurt, heh). Use a Kodak Zi8 with a tri-pod stand and an external mic. Do a little video editing in iMovie and you’re set to go!
- Add a subtitle effect. For example, we include a subtitle for the first 2 seconds of every video tutorial we upload on the Diverse Solutions channel. It includes the title of the video and the URL for the blog.
- Keep it short. Your videos should be no longer than 2-3 minutes. YouTube allows you to submit videos that are up to 10 minutes in length but people have a short attention span (very short). So keep your video to about 30 seconds to 3 minutes in length and you’re good to go.
- Provide an accurate description. Just as headlines count in copywriting and capturing people’s attention, it’s important that you give your video an accurate title and description. Use descriptive keywords that tell people what the video is about. Try to think in the language that your audience is going to search.
- Promote it like crazy. Just like your first blog post, you’re going to sit there and wonder if anyone’s gonna comment and you’ll check your video stats to see how many views you have. Don’t get discouraged. Remember, it takes time to build an audience. Of course it doesn’t hurt to promote it like crazy (tweet it, Facebook it, blog it, link to it in your media page, etc).
- [INSERT YOUR BEST VIDEO TIP HERE, then tweet it – you can copy-paste the text below]
#videotip Add a subtitle that explains what your video is about w/a link back to your site: http://tinyurl.com/3e7qhjx
What about you?
Are you using video to market your business? Are you thinking about it? If you are, what are some of your best tips for shooting a good, engaging video?
My biggest video tip? Don’t try and be perfect…minor slips and flubs are perfectly okay when your doing a casual video. 🙂
Great point Kirsten! I totally agree with you. Often times, it’s more fun that way too 🙂
Point #4 is very important, especially for people like me who will NOT watch a video on a blog unless I’m given a VERY compelling reason to do so.
Collin: I whole-heartedly agree with you! Funny how just a simple title and accurate description goes a long way! Well, that and keeping the video to a reasonable length. Two things will get me to watch it: 1.) A compelling title/description, 2.) Knowing that I can consumer it in less than 2 minutesThanks for the comment amigo!