What makes a good story, use the tips below to find out.
Keep it short
YouTube Viewing averages at 5-10 minutes in length. For social media marketing, shorter content is far better.
Twitter videos are capped at 30 seconds.
Instagram has a 60-second maximum.
Facebook recommends no more than 2 minutes.
So, your video content should be:
- Short, sweet and to the point
- Bold, colourful and eye-catching
- Light hearted and playful versus more serious sales content
Use these tips and inject some fun into creating your videos.
Plan ahead so you can tell a story
Thoughtful, emotive storytelling is the heart of any successful social video and every story needs the 5 C’s:
- Circumstance
- Curiosity
- Characters
- Conversations
- Conflict
Use this tip to determine the beginning, middle, and end to your story, the setting and the conflict to be overcome.
Explore different types of video
The most common types of videos for marketing purposes are:
- Explainer videos
- Project launches and new product demos
- How-to’s
- Testimonials
- A day in the life of your company
These all offer unique ways to delve deeper into the core of your business and show your audience what you do and how you do it.
Use this tip to build more meaningful relationships with your customers and prospects.
Start relating to your audience
Share your successes and your messes! Believe it or not, setbacks and challenges can be far more inspiring as audiences can identify with the struggles and choices that led to the ultimate idea or product. Telling a story of human struggle and eventual triumph inspires and delights.
Use this tip and connect with the emotional side of your audience.
Engage your audience through the senses
- What does it look like and how does it sound?
- What smells fill the air?
- How does it feel?
Appealing to the senses has a way of engrossing your viewers into your story, and provokes a range of emotions.
Use this tip to build a picture in which viewers can fully immerse themselves.
Give your audience what matters
- Pick three key messages to charm your audience and leave them wanting more
- Show them, why you do what you do
- Show them, what you do and, how you do it
- Prove to them that you do it, and do it well!
Use this tip to create key messaging and strong calls to action.
Shoot for your intended platform
With over half of marketers heralding video as having the highest ROI of any type of content, your videos must be optimised for each social media channel. A video that works on Facebook may need a serious edit before it can work on Instagram. And you might have to take an entirely different approach to video on Twitter. Planning the shoot and key message ahead of time will ensure your videos have longevity and can be reformatted for each platform.
Use this tip to maximise your budget and ROI.
Consider using subtitles or on-screen text
Did you know that most people watch videos at work and not in their leisure time? On Facebook alone, 85% of videos are watched without sound (edit sound in edit). If the message of your video is not easily communicated through the action alone, you might consider adding subtitles. That way, the viewer can appreciate the story you’re trying to tell, whether there is sound or not. (source hubspot) And, if you work internationally, foreign language translations mean your videos can reach a wider audience.
Use this tip to grow your following and increase your online visibility.
Aim to catch attention quickly
With 80% of all web traffic predicted to be video by 2021, the potential to reach thousands of viewers is unlimited! With that in mind, hooking your audience in the first 10 seconds is crucial. If you can hook your audience in the first 10 seconds, they are more likely to stick around and engage. Make it exciting and informative, make it interesting and thought-provoking, leave them wanting more.Start by asking yourself, why will people share this video?
Use this tip to motivate, persuade, or to raise awareness and be remembered.