How to use video for your brand in 2019

Video as a medium is continuing to grow in popularity among marketers and that’s not going to stop in 2019. Why do many people shy away from it? Are they thinking it is difficult to produce? Too expensive? Or simply just from not knowing what to film and why?

So here are some quick ideas for you:

1. Start with your objective - what specific value does this video have to bring to your business or organisation? This does not have to be monetary, but it helps if you make it specific, measurable, attainable, resourced and time-phased (SMART)
2. Then think of what you want the video viewer to THINK, FEEL and/or DO as a result of watching it
3. Then work out what messaging will enable you to do that
4. Then write a draft 'script' or 'storyboard' for the video
5. At this point, bring in a video specialist if the ROI warrants it, or create your video yourself.

If that's all too difficult, then how about trying one of these ideas? Here are a few different ways you can use video to support your brand this year:

• Create a recorded 'thank you' video, which you can email out to customers who order from you. How will that make them feel?
  
• Record a corporate introduction to your business and your values to put up on your website home page. What will this make them think?
  
• Use animation to create a demonstration of how to use one of your products. What will this enable them to do?
  
• Record customers giving you testimonials to put up on your website. How will that make them feel?
  
• Create instructional video how-to guides for your key top selling products. What will this encourage them to do?
  
• Film interviews with key members of staff about working for the company. How will this make them feel?
  

These are all examples of short pre-recorded videos which you can produce inexpensively and easily to help promote your company’s marketing effort.

If you believe what you have is really camera-worthy, you could also use live video in your marketing:

• Use the Facebook Live video to broadcast live from your HQ or from an event. One of our clients did a quick video of one of their team 'having that Friday feeling' as he ran joyfully singing through the factory
  
• Use Skype to live video chat with customers to say thank you at Christmas or a company anniversary
  
• Live stream a question and answer session to promote you as industry experts
  
• Live stream an interview with a thought leader from your industry
  

There are plenty of ways to use video to add value to your customers’ experience of working with you, from providing easy to watch how-to guides for your products, through to personalised thank you videos which you can send by email.

Video is a very valuable part of the marketing mix so make sure you include it into your marketing plans for this year and with Facebook Live and Skype it doesn’t have to be expensive to get your message out there creatively, and to the right audience.

How can LCM help?

If you're short on time or 'marketing juice' and would like professional input and advice from the marketing experts here at LCM on how video could help drive your business forward, then please do get in touch.We will be happy to talk through what you are trying to achieve. We will ask you guided questions to find out if you need our kind of input, or if another route is best for you.

Telephone 01489 891870 or email info@lcm.co.uk