There has been an inevitable shift toward animated content because more than ever before, consumers expect brands to offer something new, fresh and engaging. So naturally, marketers are jumping on the animation train, but not everyone is doing it successfully. Here are the 6 biggest mistakes made by marketers, when dipping their toes into the world of video marketing…
1. It’s about stories, not selling
If you want your video to be watched, it needs to create value. Videos that are purely focused on a brand, or sales, will likely be ignored. The best video content tells stories that connect with the viewer. The better you tell stories about yourself and the brand, the more likely your viewers are going to understand what your company is offering and what it can do for them.
Here’s a great example from Renold, who understands the power of telling their story, sharing their history and building that trust.
2. They’re too bloomin’ long
Size matters when it comes to video marketing. Videos should be short and concise. Social media platforms know this too. Instagram allows a maximum of 1 minute per video and Twitter won’t publish any longer than 2:20. They do this because they want to keep the viewer engaged and excited. The stats are there to back that up, videos under 90 seconds retain 53% of watchers.
3. They post them in only one place, once.
Doing this is simply not going to earn you the reach you need. Many businesses think that making money and creating traffic happens from a single URL, like magic. Sometimes a single video can go viral but for the most part, businesses have to put in some serious work to spread the word. Share it everywhere you can, and if it’s under a minute, you can post to lnstagram too!
4. It’s dull, dull, dull & no call to action
If they’re not great to look at or fun to follow, they will not achieve the results you need. Think to yourself as you watch it, ‘would I have clicked away yet?’ Plan for constant engagement. Did you include a call to action? “Visit our website”, “Give us a call”. If you leave your viewers in the lurch, they won’t know what steps to take next and you just lost a lead.
5. Choosing the wrong agency
Potential customers are very subjective. They will be critical of the quality and equate it to the quality of your business. Sure, anyone can use a smartphone but is that how you want people to see your brand? If you hire outside talent, make sure they understand your industry and do the necessary research to communicate the right message to the right people.
6. Expecting instant results
Rome wasn’t built in a day. The same can be applied to video marketing. Understand that a good video marketing strategy requires consistency, planning, expertise, dedication and patience!
Whether you’re intrigued about working with us wizards, you have any questions about our services or team culture, get in touch!