By 2020, online videos will make up more than 80% of all consumer internet traffic. However, if you have been on social media recently, you’ve probably already noticed that video is already taking over your newsfeeds. Facebook and Instagram are focusing more on video, especially with stories and IGTV growing in popularity. To catch up with the trend, Twitter, Pinterest, and even LinkedIn are developing more options for video.

You may find yourself wondering if creating videos to promote your business is really worth it, and it is! Not only is everyone doing it, video is one of the most moldable and profitable digital marketing tools out there.

Social Spice Media gives seven reasons why you should add video into your marketing strategy today:

1. Video Has Better Return on Investment

When surveyed, 64% of consumers said that they are more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it, and 83% of business owners said that it was a good return for their investment. Even though video production isn’t the easiest or cheapest task, it has been shown to pay off big time. Even a low budget video can be better than none at all. Smartphone cameras are consistently improving and can be used for filming if needed.

The videos you film don’t always have to be perfect; it is more about the information you get across. 85% of Facebook users watch videos with the sound off, so opt for captions or find a way to get your message across without the use of words. If you think about it, the effectiveness of video should not be a surprise, since vision is our most dominant sense.

2. Video Builds Consumer Trust

Trust is the backbone of all conversions and sales, and it is not going to be easy persuading consumers by using plain text. The entire concept of content marketing is based on trust and creating a long-term relationship. Video content engages people and makes them feel emotion that a static image simply cannot achieve. Influencer marketing has blown up in the past few years, and most influencers began as YouTubers, which demonstrates the power of videos.

Some consumers are still skeptical of buying a product or service from the internet because of the chance of fraud. Although an effective marketing video will explain and show the quality of the product or service in question.

3. Google Prioritizes Video

Consumers view video for a longer length of time than static images, which increases the time spent on your website. More time spent on your website will help build trust and signal to the search engine that your website has good content.

Since Google bought YouTube, video has had a significant effect on your search engine ranking. If you optimize your videos on YouTube it will also help with your search engine results. Try using interactive videos in order to encourage customers to take the next step and click on your website.

4. Video Promotes Social Shares

Videos are shared on social media 1200% more than images and text combined. Recently social networks have also encouraged video by offering special features. Facebook launched 3600 Video, Live Video, and LifeStage (A Video-Centric App for Teens). Instagram extended the video length to 60 seconds and created Instagram stories, while Twitter created Periscope.

76% of users said they would share a branded video with their friends if it was entertaining enough. Having someone share your video may not result in an immediate sales conversion, but it does give your brand exposure, to consumers who may not have heard of your business.

5. Mobile Users Prefer Video

Social media and smartphones go hand in hand since 90% of consumers claim to watch videos on their mobile phone. Google says that smartphone users are twice as likely as TV viewers and 1.4 times more likely than desktop viewers to feel a personal connection to brands that show video content or ads.

Millions of people spend hours on YouTube watching videos, and only 9% of small businesses currently advertise on the platform. With 91% of businesses not advertising on YouTube, that leaves a huge portion of the market untapped. The platform also claims that their views increase by 100% every year. If you incorporate video into your marketing strategy, there is no doubt that your audience will grow!

6. Videos Can Explain Everything

If you are trying to advertise a new service or product, use a video to do it. 98% of users say they have watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service. A video can fit a lot more information into a post than a simple image.

If you need to portray a difficult concept or boast about result statistics, use an animated explainer video. Animated videos contain the ingredients of entertainment, nostalgia, and simplicity, making them the perfect way to get your point across.

7. Videos Allow You to Retarget an Audience

If you are looking to take your social media ad campaigns to the next level, video retargeting may be the best bet. Retargeting has become a major movement in digital marketing over the past few years.

Make sure to add a Facebook pixel to your website in order to have the ability to retarget website traffic. Retargeting gives you the ability to show consumers who have previously interreacted with your brand the ads you create.

For example, if a consumer viewed a product on your website, you can retarget them on social media and show them the exact product, relevant deals, or just information about your brand. Social media ads have become so advanced that you can actually tailor the message a consumer is shown to specify which part of the sales funnel they are in. For example, if a customer bought a cocktail dress from your website, you may want to show them some amazing shoes that would go perfectly with the new dress.

Imagine the customer did not buy the cocktail dress because they were worried about the fabric quality or the price of the item. This is where video marketing comes in to play. You can use the video to show the dress on a moving model, in order to show the flow of fabric, or if you have a discount code you can show it to the customer in hope that they will now find the item more affordable.

Video testimonials are a great way to build trust with potential buyers. Imagine that you added an item to your cart or viewed a service but did not buy it because you were unsure if it really worked. Now imagine scrolling through social media and seeing customer review videos on the product or service in question. Seeing happy customers will give potential customers more faith in the product or service they were interested in.

Video content gives you the opportunity to share your values and your brand. You are not just retargeting consumers with information or products they have already seen; you are adding value by entertaining, inspiring, and educating them through visual storytelling.

Get in touch with Social Spice Media to learn more about creating custom videos to fit your brand. Our team pays attention to your goals and creates a custom strategy that delivers results.

Do you know someone who could benefit from our services? Refer them to us today! Our team is eager to connect with businesses in any industry. We serve the local needs of Ventura County and Santa Barbara as well as anywhere in the United States.