Video Marketing Basics. Lets Start Simple!

Why you should definitely consider Video Marketing

As technology becomes more accessible, our means of marketing continues to evolve. Over the past decade we have seen a significant increase in video marketing efforts from brands both large and small. The reason people are so ecstatic about video marketing is because it works!

Not only has the costs of producing a video dropped significantly over the years, the means of promoting your video have become much more sophisticated, helping brands reach the right target audience much more quickly.

Below we’ll dive into the main reasons why you should definitely consider making space in your marketing budget for video, and some of the best ways to reach your ideal buyer in no time.

Get your Message to the Masses

They say that an image is worth a thousand words, however, video is estimated to be worth 1.8 million words according to Dr. James McQuivey. People are predominantly visual by nature, meaning that by implementing video you cater your marketing message to the masses.

While a striking image may captivate the attention of a person rather quickly, the moment you add motion to it, you significantly increase engagement and retention. This is why video marketing has seen a steady increase in use over the past few years.

People are waking up to the fact that in a world where everyone is bombarded with information on a consistent basis, it is important to be able to draw their attention away from the clutter and look at your message.

The Viral Potential

Video marketing done right can reach millions of viewers with a small budget. Above any other content format on the internet, video has the quickest potential to go viral. It’s much more memorable to share a video as opposed to a blog post. An image may impact people, however video captivates them and keeps them talking.

Facebook has shown to be one of the best video marketing platforms for viral video marketing. While YouTube is still the king of video on the internet, the advertising platform and precise targeting options within Facebook, allows you to put your brand video or product video in front of the eyes of a very precise demographic.

However, it is important to understand that both YouTube and Facebook are two different platforms that ultimately serve different purposes. On both platforms, videos can go viral and drive in heaps of traffic seemingly overnight.

Understanding Different Types of Video Marketing

Video is versatile and can be utilized in many different areas of your business. Whether you use video for promoting a product or your company, to facilitate customer engagement or simply to add value to your brand, there is no downside to using this marketing method.

Quick Ads – These ads are typically no longer than 30 seconds and most are even shorter. For the most part, this format is used on popular video platforms like YouTube. These are the videos that appear in between your video playlists that give you an option to “skip this ad” after five seconds. This means that if you are going to implement this strategy, you have to hook the viewer within five seconds. It’s a good way to break into relevant markets if you don’t have any followers or to push a time sensitive promotion.

Tutorials – These videos are typically longer in nature and can last up to 20 minutes. While you aren’t ‘selling a product’ directly, you provide value to the viewer by giving them insight into a product/service you might be promoting. Tutorials are also excellent for SEO as it keeps the viewer on your page meaning that the ‘on page time’ increases and bounce rates decrease.

Explainer Videos – These videos are typically no longer than 2 minutes. However, for the vast majority of these videos 90 seconds is the goal. These videos are dynamic as they could be used to introduce a brand or product and should establish a problem and solve it within the timeframe. Most brands implement these types of videos in their marketing campaigns.

Sales Videos – These videos can range anywhere between 5-10 minutes and are typically used on landing pages or squeeze pages. As opposed to explainer videos, these videos can go into greater detail about the product/service you are promoting and should have a clear call to action at the end. Sales Videos are designed to make it easier for your prospects to understand what it is you are selling.

Viral Videos – For the most part, viral videos are quite short. Similar to Explainer videos, this format typically is no longer than 2 minutes in length. However, the ideal timeframe you should be shooting for is roughly 30 seconds. The purpose of a viral video isn’t to sell but to drive in traffic. You optimize a CTA to drive people to your squeeze pages after the video has gone viral. In essence, these videos should contain a strong emotional link to your target demographic and your CTA should relate to the contents of the video.

What to Consider when Using Video for Your Brand

Your budget will change depending on what type of video you need. There are a few elements you need to consider when making a video:

  1. Script – This is the heart and guide of your video. Without a compelling script a video cannot be made. Depending on the writer you get, a script budget could range from anywhere between $50 USD – $100 USD. Scripts are presented in Audio-Visual format. (Two Column Format)
  2. Voice Over – Once the Script has been created, voice over is required. There is a great wealth of ‘voice talent’ online and the type of voice actor you require will influence your budget. These V.Os can range from $30 and upward depending on the experience and portfolio of the V.O artist.
  3. Production – Once you have the script and the voice over completed, you will commence with producing the video. Typically people use programs like After Effects or other video editing software. The format you chose for your video will influence the price. Don’t “skimp” out on the price–the quality of your video will have a direct impact on your conversions rates.
  4. Platform and Promotion – Once everything has been produced, you will need to load it on the appropriate channels and apply an advertisement budget to it. The price tag associated with this action is entirely up to you.

We hope this in-depth overview of video marketing provided you with the necessary tools to engage in video marketing for your brand. If you have any questions or doubts, be sure to get in touch with us today!

What We Learned About Explainer Videos In 2018

WOW! It’s been a busy 5 years for Ydraw. We launched interactive videos, ypaint, #ygrams, 2.5D animation, live with animation, cardboard videos, and blackboard animation videos, to name a few. We also improved our 2D and 3D styles. Don’t believe us? Check out the demo reel.

In 2018, we’ve been making the switch from explainer videos, to stories! If you want the full details on why, you can read this blog post.

We focused on generating leads, traffic, and sales with stories. Ydraw spent thousands on creating YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram ads. We wanted to create a simple system that would help our clients generate more traffic, leads, and sales with their videos.

Here are some things you should be doing in 2019 with your videos

Video Advertising Ideas Class 101

1. Instagram Ads

I want to show you some of our Instagram videos. We usually test our creations on our own company first and then push them out to our customers.

Here’s our 30 second Instagram ad we did for Ydraw. We took a video we already had and cut it down to 30 seconds. We can do the same for you.

It worked! Here’s a simple screenshot of the results. (note: we did run this over the holiday season which can get expensive. Costs have since come down.)

This simple ad has generated over 142 direct leads. The power of Instagram comes with the comments and sharing. I will discuss this more later.

Here are a couple more examples of Instagram video ads. Below them is a webinar I recorded that goes into more detail about Instagram ads.

Instagram Sponsored Ad Webinar

2. Facebook Ads

Just like Instagram ads, you ought to be running Facebook video ads. Here’s why.

I have been running Facebook ads for years. So far the numbers have been great! The screenshot above is a simple ad I created.
Spend: $218.17
Leads: 31
Reach: 17,687

3. Youtube Ads

I am still in love with YouTube! If you’re not using YouTube for ranking and video ads, wake up…haha!

Please make it a priority in 2019.

Here is a fun YouTube Video Ad we created for a carpet cleaning company.

There is so much more to come on this subject so stay tuned for more.

Explainer Videos Your Key to Unlocking Success

Explainer Videos Your Key to Unlocking Success

 

Explainer Videos Your Key to Unlocking Success

Explainer videos are an indispensable ingredient in presenting your brand or organization. Whether you’re a start-up company, a big name corporation, or a non-profit organization, explainer videos are extremely useful in getting your point across.

The intention of an explainer video is to inform viewers of an idea or to explain what your product or service does.

We all know it can be hard to capture attention with dense writing, so these videos are usually fun, simplistic, upbeat and are about 2-3 minutes long.

Explainer videos are simple, easy, affordable and effective.

The entertaining nature of an explainer video makes it easier for viewers to retain the information.

According to the Global Video Index of 2015, research shows that people are likely to only remember 10% of any information they hear. Yet if paired with a relevant image, they retain 65% of that same information 3 days later.

Also, a recent survey by Video Rascal shows that 85% of people are more likely the purchase a product once they view a correlating explainer video.

These are just two statistics of mounting research supporting their relevance.

Explainer videos are eye-catching, especially when found on the landing page of a website. They grab the attention of site visitors as well as Google.

Adding a video to your website increases your ranking with Google, which in turn can bring more traffic to your site. Oftentimes when a consumer seeks out to understand something new, they’ve already made the decision to purchase it.

Don’t end up scaring away potential new customers with too much text!

Reading a few paragraphs can be boring and is often skipped over for the more comfortable choice of watching a video.

More and more companies are choosing explainer videos as their elevator pitch. Some of these videos are even going viral.

While there is no proven formula to get a video to go viral, you definitely can’t achieve viral status without a video.

You’ve probably seen the Dollar Shave Club’s controversial explainer video about how – ahem – great their blades are. Currently, their video has almost 22 million views.

That is a great example of an entertaining and very memorable (to say the least) video that has been shared over all platforms of social media.

These videos are a great way to help your fans and future fans to evangelize you. Help them share your glory! Give them the content worthy of being spread to the masses and to the furthest corners of the earth.

Word of mouth advertising spreads much easier these days, so what better way to inspire your faithful followers than by giving them the exact content you want them to share?

Creating the actual content for your explainer video is up to you. Take time to really think about what you want to say, and put yourself on the other side of the screen as you write your script.

There are unlimited ways to portray your message, but remember–the simpler the better. The goal of an explainer video is to get your point across and have the viewer remember your message.

So use your imagination, have fun, and boost your online presence!

Unlock success with explainer videos today.

Thank you for reading Explainer Videos Your Key to Unlocking Success

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Why 2016 Is The Year Of Video Marketing

Why 2016 Is The Year Of Video Marketing

Video Marketing the Consumer Connection

Ads are everywhere, from the logo on your coffee cup to your children’s mobile devices we are constantly immersed in a consumer driven society. Of the many different modes of delivery your company can choose to market your product or services there are none that compare to a video.

Video marketing does what print cannot, it engages the consumer with both audio and visual means. Everyone knows the old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words”, but what is a video worth? According to Dr. James McQuivey of Forrester Research the value of a one minute video is worth 1.8 million words. The human brain is constantly absorbing information and “filing” it into our conscious and subconscious mind, guiding our everyday actions. Research by comScore states that 45.4% of internet users view at least one online video in a month’s time and the average user is exposed to a median of 32.2 videos per month.

As our technological advances are ever transforming; so too are our forms of entertainment. Nielsen’s Total Audience Report stated that people are spending more time with media and less time watching live television. This means huge shifts in how companies reach their audience with advertisements.

Aside from the fact that we now have DVR and the power to fast forward through commercials, people aren’t just sitting at home watching the boob tube. They’re streaming their movies and shows on tablets, smart phones, and computers. People are streaming everywhere from parks to public restrooms. Traditional television commercials and print advertisements cannot raise your bottom line alone. The future is here, and that future is online video marketing.

100 million internet users watch videos online each day. Statistically speaking the numbers don’t lie in 2010, the Forrester Marketing Group conducted a survey and found that when an explainer video was included in an email the click-through rate had increased by 200%-300%. A growing number of people would rather watch a video than read text. This is support by Forbes Insight which states that 59% of senior executives prefer to watch than read.

Major retailers have found that 90% of online shoppers have said that an online product video was useful in guiding them to make a purchase. Researching a product via written specs and reviews is now coming in second to product videos and video reviews. Product videos are a growing advertisement resource for retailers and are statistically proven. Not only do these videos allow for the consumer to better understand and “experience” the product, but it also leaves them feeling more confident in their purchase. Consumer confidence is key to achieving brand loyalty and additional word of mouth sales.

In short video marketing is more than just an ad. It is a means of connecting with the consumer beyond the traditional – “hey here’s my product, it is amazing you should buy it” approach that traditional or virtual print ads provide. Connect with your audience and reach your target market where ever they may be.

2016 is The Year of Video

Already many large content marketing brands like Red Bull, Amazon, Cisco, Netflix, GoPro and many more have already made video their secret weapon to get awareness and loyalty from their customers. Marketing gurus say this is year will be all about video.

Are you wondering if you should invest in video marketing?

Reason #1: 50% of mobile traffic comes from videos

Reason #2: 64% of consumer internet traffic came from video last year and it’s predicted to rise to 69% by next year and 79% the year after that.

Reason #3: Nearly 80% of people watch videos throughout the week.

Reason #4: Over half of people watch videos everyday.

Reason #5: Of all the people viewing the videos, 65% will watch ¾ of it.

Reason #6: Forbes says they have found over 80% of senior executives watch more videos today than last year

Reason #7: ¾ of senior executives will watch videos related to their jobs and 54% of them share the videos with their colleagues.

Reason #8: Most people say they would like to have the text on the same page as the video.

Reason#9: Of marketing, sales and business professionals 69% of them say they have used video marketing and a lot of the people who haven’t used it yet say they’re going to in the upcoming year.

Reason #10: Respondents who are already using video marketing score it fair to extremely successful.

Reason #11: 81% of people post videos to their brand websites.

Reason #12: Of all online marketers, communication and sales professionals 93% are currently using video.

Reason #13: About half of marketers have found that marketing videos are effective for brand awareness.

Reason #14: over the next year 96% of B2B companies say they’ll be using video.

Reason #15: If you use the word “video” in your email subject lines will increase your open rate by 19% and 26% less likely to unsubscribe.

Reason #16: If your page has a video you’ll be getting an extra two-minute dwell time on average.

Reason #17: Half of marketers across the world say video has the highest ROI.

click here to read more about how video marketing can help you this year.

The Writing’s on the Wall—and It Says No One Reads Writings on the Wall Any more

The Writing’s on the Wall—and It Says No One Reads Writings on the Wall Any more

Sad, but true. Especially if that wall is your home page, Facebook wall, or email marketing campaign.

This has less to do with writing and more to do with people’s changing preferences and attention spans. If not writing, what do they want?

Video killed more than the radio star…

In fact, for more than a decade, video has killed anything that stands in its way. Let’s look at the new reality:

  • 74 percent of all online traffic will be video by 2017.
  • 70 percent of marketing professionals report that video converts better than any other medium. (Marketing Profs)
  • Video on landing pages can increase conversions by 80 percent. (Unbounce)
  • Video in an email can boost open rates by 20 percent and increase click-through rates by 200 to 300 percent. (Forbes)
  • 59 percent of viewers will watch a video that is less than one-minute to completion. (Wistia)
  • The average online use spends 88 percent more time on a website with a video (Mist Media)
  • 64 percent of consumers are more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it. (comScore)

So the question now isn’t should you use video, it’s how effective do you want your video to be?

The top two video styles are very different: live, talking heads (real people); and animated whiteboard-style explainer videos.

What happens if you take a talking head video and go toe-to-toe with a whiteboard explainer video? One video scribing company did just that. Identical audio and identical lengths but one was “live” and one was whiteboard. Here’s what they found out:

  • Those viewers who had seen the whiteboard video performed better in four out of five memory tests.
  • The whiteboard video was three times more likely to be shared.
  • The whiteboard video was over twice as likely to be recommended.
  • Four out of ten whiteboard video viewers would have bought the service described in the video—twice as many as the talking head viewers.

Those are important findings—especially for the next time you’re considering video for your organization!