When I found out that I needed to add video to my website as part of my online marketing strategy. I didn’t want to go down that road. But I had to listen to my awesome internet marketing coach and be brave and do it.
I don’t know about you? But the thought of having to make a video of myself for my online business was a bit scary. I thought blogging was scary too, but here I am blogging.
As you’ll see there is a video on this blog post and on the previous ones, and other pages on my website. So, I’m here to say, it can be done.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
By 2015 experts believed that video would take up 57% of consumer internet traffic – that’s the equivalent of 4x as much as web browsing and email. By 2017, this will have risen to 69%. By 2017, it will have risen 79%. (Hubspot)
According to Forbes, there has been a 400% increase in mobile video views from 2012-2014.
79% of web browsers will watch online videos everyday by 2018. (Groupon)
78% of people watch videos online every week and 55% of people watch videos online everyday. (Hubspot)
Mist Media reports that the average internet user spends 88% more time on a site with video.
According to ComScore, 64% of users are more likely to buy a product online after viewing a video.
Why Not Add Video To Your Website?
Many prospective customers are visual learners. I know I am! I prefer to watch and learn than to just read text.
Your visitor may stay on your page longer viewing your video which will increase time on site (TOS) which is good SEO.
Also, search engines like an optimized video to go along with an optimized blog post. Once again good SEO!
Video promotes further engagement with your visitor and a better connection with them. Who knows, your visitor may watch your video and immediately like what you have to say. Bam! a new lead and possibly a customer.
Video will show off your personality and brand. It’s good to put a face to a business. Let the visitor see that you are a real person. Again, they may just plain like and trust you.
Having a video may be easier to explain a complicated concept rather than written text. Again the visitor may stay on the page longer, and appreciate that you provided a video to help them understand.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
It’s easier now more than ever to make videos with most of us having smart phones, and simply uploading videos to You Tube. You can have a video up on your website the same day.
I know for me the hardest part is getting past the little things that I found difficult. As I said earlier, I did not want to make videos. It sounded easy in theory, but reality, Ugh!!
So here are some things I learned in the process that hopefully can help you out:
- Film in natural light. Filming at night can look grainy.
- Have an extra charged battery on hand to switch out when the first one dies. I used my digital camera’s video feature to film. With all the outtakes I had, my battery ran down quickly. (This was a good time to laugh at myself rather than being frustrated). Some of the outtakes were hilarious, especially when I’m not use to behaving much less seeing myself on video act like that. (Well, that’s all water under the bridge now!)
- Make sure you are energized! It’s tough filming if you are hitting an afternoon slump. My eyes started drooping while I was talking and I looked like I needed a nap.
- Practice, practice, practice what you are going to talk about. Make sure you are fluent in what you want to convey. I found if I wasn’t, I would say, “um” frequently. Drove me crazy!
- Find a comfortable place to film. Some info I read online said to stand while filming. I prefer to sit on my couch, trying not to slouch. This will vary on the type of video you are making and your niche.
- Oh, and make sure you stay in the frame. I had to redo three videos because I drifted in out of the frame while I was teaching on a white board. Viewers want to see your face!
- This one was the most important one for me: I needed to get over myself and get out of the my own way. I was being to self-critical. I was judging every little thing I was doing, not to mention checking out every flaw I could find. Well that had to stop! Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, and get caught up in perfectionism. I’m certainly not a spring chicken or supermodel and that’s that! Maybe you are, or not, just don’t get hung up on it.
Give Video A Chance
So I’m here to say: calm down, laugh a little and give yourself some grace! I did! And this video stuff got a little easier.
Adding video to your marketing efforts is a no-brainer if you want to increase your visibility and opportunity to grow your business.
The numbers have spoken!
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