10 great tips for adding video to your website
Have you always thought you needed video for your business website? Are you a bit overwhelmed with it all? Here are some fabulous video tips provided by local marketing and media specialist, Darren Koons with c2ginteractive.
Before you create the video:
- 1. Know who you are and what you do and have a clear idea of what you want your viewer to ‘do’ as a result of watching the video
- 2. Consider creating video content that is at least 30-40 seconds long and up to but no more than 2 to 3 minutes long. Why? This is enough time to engage your viewer but not so long that you lose your viewer
- 3. Be prepared with what you will say during the video but be aware that viewers place a high value on authenticity rather than rote memorization. You will lose your audience if you sit in front of the video camera and recite a script that is rigid and stiff. Be yourself! Create an outline that will guide you rather than a script.
Video production tips for DIY
- 4. Great lighting is vital for a good video. Doing it yourself? Direct a lamp to shine towards your face and position yourself so that you’re sitting near a window to incorporate daylight into the setting.
- 5. Wear solid colors and create a pleasant contrast by wearing dark colors if you have fairer skin and lighter colors if your skin tone is darker.
- 6. Create a Youtube Channel for your business using the keywords, tags in your title that are relevant to your ideal client, your business mission and vision. Remember that Youtube is the second largest search engine behind Google. Make it easy for viewers to find your video.
- 7. Syndicate your video by making sure you create a description of the content in a text file and then upload a closed caption or transcription to maximize search engine optimization of your video.
Video productions tips beyond DIY: solutions, pricing and more
- 8. Working with a pro?
- Three production options:
- a. create a 2-minute video of your fabulous face, filmed by a pro (lowest price and typically a few hundred dollars – your price may vary) or…
- b. create a 2-minute video of your fabulous face, filmed by a pro with your business logo at the beginning and end of video, as well as a banner with a call to action for your viewer on the lower third of the video frame (mid-range priced to start at least several hundred dollars) or…
- c. create a 2-minute video of your fabulous face, filmed by a pro with all of b above, plus transitions to other images (higher price range to start at ~$1000).
- 9. The prices above typically do not include editing of your video or syndication of the content so be sure to budget for at least double the production cost of 8a, 8b and 8c for editing and syndication.
- 10. If you decide to work with a video pro, consider choosing a pro who sees the value of creating a strategy for your videos that supports your overall business mission and vision. This means you may find it’s valuable over time to create videos consistently to reach your ideal customer and that your video strategy is best handled by a video pro who not only produces excellent videos but ensures that your videos are optimized and syndicated.
Good luck! What video tips can you share that have helped you and your business website?