It’s always tempting to jump straight into shooting your video. But hold your horses, Spielberg! A little planning can go a long way. A storyboard is your video’s blueprint; it sets the scene for your narrative, helps you visualise your shots and the flow of your story. Not only does this save you a bucket load of time in the editing suite, but it also helps ensure your video content has a clear message and structure.
Think of storyboarding as creating a comic strip for your video. Each box represents a different shot or scene. You don’t have to be Da Vinci – stick figures will do. The idea is to map out what each shot will look like and what’s happening in the scene. Storyboarding helps you identify any potential issues before they become real (and often costly) problems.
Quality Matters: Don’t Skimp on Production
It’s easy to think you can just whip out your smartphone, shoot a video, and voila, instant viral content. While smartphones have come a long way in terms of video quality, there’s more to a professional-looking video than just the device you’re shooting on.
Consider sound quality. Poor audio can turn viewers off quicker than you can say “Action”. Investing in a good quality microphone can significantly improve your video’s audio quality.
Lighting is another critical factor. You don’t want your video too dark (we’re not shooting a horror film here), nor too bright. Natural light is fantastic if you can get it. Otherwise, a well-placed lamp or two can do the trick.
And let’s not forget about stability. Unless you’re shooting the next Bourne film, shaky footage is a no-no. A tripod can be your best friend here, ensuring stable footage and a professional look.
Keep it Short and Sweet
Let’s face it, we live in a world of instant gratification and goldfish-like attention spans. We want our content fast, and we want it now. When it comes to your digital marketing videos, keep them short, snappy, and engaging.
No need for a 10-minute monologue. Often, less is more. Aim for 1-2 minutes for promotional videos and up to 5 minutes for educational or informational videos. The idea is to engage your viewers, deliver your message, and leave them wanting more.
Don’t Forget About SEO
“Wait, SEO for videos?” you might ask. Absolutely! The same principles that apply to your website content also apply to your video content. You want your videos to be found and seen by your target audience, and SEO can help with that.
Optimise your video titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords. Consider the search terms your target audience might use when looking for content like yours. Incorporating these into your video’s metadata can help increase its visibility in search results.
Incorporate a Call to Action
So, your viewer has made it to the end of your video. Now what? This is where your call-to-action (CTA) comes in. What action do you want your viewers to take after watching your video? Maybe you want them to visit your website for more information, sign up for a newsletter, or share your video on their social networks.
Your CTA should be clear and compelling. Don’t leave your viewers guessing what they should do next. Guide them towards the next step in their customer journey.
Make it Shareable
We all love sharing content that resonates with us. When it comes to your digital marketing videos, make them so engaging and relevant that your viewers can’t help but hit that share button.
The more your video is shared, the broader your reach. Think of each share as a personal recommendation, a vote of confidence in your content. Make your videos easy to share across various platforms and watch your reach multiply.
Test, Measure, Repeat
Last, but certainly not least, is the holy trinity of digital marketing – test, measure, and repeat. As with any digital marketing strategy, it’s vital to track your results, identify what’s working (and what’s not), and tweak your strategy accordingly.
Try out different types of video content – informational videos, product demos, behind-the-scenes looks, customer testimonials – and see what resonates with your audience. Use analytics tools to track engagement levels, view counts, shares, and more. The insights you gain from this data can help refine your video marketing strategy and increase your ROI.
Creating captivating visual content can be a challenge, but with these tips, you’re on your way to becoming a video marketing whizz. So, ready to take the director’s chair and let your brand’s story unfold on the digital stage? Lights, camera, action – it’s showtime!
