5 Low-Cost Ways to Get Started With Video MarketingFor the entrepreneurs with a big vision and a small budget.
ByAaron Agius•
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
In case you weren't aware,videomarketingis a pretty big deal right now.92 percent of smartphone usersactively share videos with their friends, whileover 60 percent of marketersand small-business owners said they'd be investing moremoneyinto video marketing in 2017.
Video content works especially well onproduct pages, since you can convey the attributes of the product in a way that immediately resonates. Unsurprisingly,four times as many consumerswould rather watch a video about a product than read sales copy explaining it.
People are bombarded with information all day, every day. So, in order to cut through the noise and get your voice heard, video content is your most powerful asset. Video provides asensory-rich experience for viewersand engages emotions in a way that simply isn't possible with textual content.
While video is the best type of content available, it's also the most expensive. If you're on a shoestring budget but still want to leverage the immense power of video, here are five low-cost tips to get you started.
Related:10 Laws of Social Media Marketing
1. Screencast presentations
If you're just getting started with video marketing, producing screencast videos of slideshow presentations is an effective-yet-inexpensive option.
I recommend purchasing the standard version ofScreenFlow. For $99, you can use a wide range of functions, but there arefree screencasting applicationsavailable too. I would also suggest using a good podcasting microphone, which can be purchased forless than $100.
Once you've written the script for your video and have created the visuals using PowerPoint, simply open your presentation, turn on ScreenFlow andnarrateas if you were giving the presentation to a live audience.
ScreenFlow has an abundance of editing features and you can export your video directly to YouTube.
If you don't want to spend money on a high-quality camera, or if you're just camera shy, definitely give screencasting a try.
2. Video testimonials
Video testimonials are popular among ecommerce store owners because they conveysocial proofand trust more effectively than text reviews. A couple of video testimonials from real clients on your product page can definitely help toimprove conversions.
Fortunately, customers are very forgiving about the video quality when it comes to testimonials. In fact, an exceptionally well-produced video testimonial can appear less trustworthy, since it's probably well-rehearsed and shot with multiple takes.
Consider emailing your previous customers and offering them discount codes in return for video testimonials of your product.People love discounts, and you'll benefit greatly from the social proof.
It's a win-win scenario.
Related:4 Ways to Market Your Business for Free
3. DIY animation
A quality, animated, explainer video from a leading agency will set you back thousands of dollars. While you're likely to get excellent results for this kind of investment, it's not within everyone's price range.
As an alternative option, consider usingDIY animation tools. Most of them are inexpensive or free and you can still create engaging videos (albeit not of the same quality as those that are professionally designed).
I recommend starting withAnimaker, which features a simple drag-and-drop interface. Check out the free tutorialhere.
4. Freelancers
Employing an in-house team of video marketing experts is not feasible for every company. Fortunately, with sites such asFiverrandUpwork, you can tap into the international labor market and find skilledfreelancersto help you with every facet of your video marketing strategy.
For example,audio mixingis one of the most critical parts of producing a high-quality video. Most people can't articulate why they think an audio track sounds professional, but they intuitively know when it doesn't.
Afreelance audio engineerwill remove any unpleasant clicks and pops from your audio tracks, as well as mix the narration and background music to blend perfectly.
You can also hire freelancers tonarrate complete green-screen videos for you-- just give them the script and any other specific directions you have.
Related:Use These 5 Steps to Create a Marketing Plan
5. Use live video
Amazingly,Facebookusers spendthree times more timewatching live videos than standard videos.
Facebook Liveis free to use and audiences aren't going to expect flawless video quality on a livestream. This is an excellent way to create a more intimate connection with your audience without investing in expensive recording equipment and editing software.
你能想到生产过量的任何其他建议吗llent video content inexpensively? Please let me know in the comments below.
