Mazloy Blog

Video for Business Marketing

Written by Christopher Mazurk | Oct 23, 2024

A Video Marketing Guide for Small Businesses

In today’s fast-paced digital world, video for business marketing has become a critical tool for small businesses looking to grow. Whether you're trying to build your brand, drive traffic to your website, or convert viewers into loyal customers, video content offers a highly engaging way to connect with your audience. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using video for business marketing, including setting up your YouTube channel, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), creating high-quality videos, and more.

What is Video Marketing?

Video marketing refers to the process of using video content to promote your business, products, or services. For small businesses, video marketing can help establish a presence on platforms like YouTube and drive traffic to their websites. Video marketing allows companies to tell their stories in an engaging way, showcase their products, and build deeper connections with potential customers. When properly executed, video for business marketing can significantly increase brand awareness and conversions.

Why Use Video for Business Marketing?

The benefits of video for business marketing go beyond simply sharing information. Videos can engage your audience in ways that text and images alone cannot. Here are a few key reasons why small businesses should incorporate video into their marketing strategies:

  • Higher engagement: Video content grabs attention and holds it longer than written content, making it more effective for delivering your message.
  • Improved SEO: Search engines prioritize video content, especially from platforms like YouTube, which can help improve your website's search rankings.
  • Increased conversions: Videos can explain your product or service more clearly, leading to better conversion rates.
  • Stronger brand connection: Videos provide a personal touch, allowing customers to connect with your brand on an emotional level.

When you combine these benefits with the wide reach of platforms like YouTube, video for business marketing becomes one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal.

How to Measure Success with Video Marketing

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Before diving into video creation, it’s crucial to understand how to measure the success of your video for business marketing efforts. Key performance indicators (KPIs) help you track whether your videos are achieving your business goals. For YouTube, we recommend focusing on three simple KPIs:

  • Likes: Although small businesses may not accumulate tons of likes, this metric serves as a leading indicator of how well your video resonates with viewers.
  • Video watch time: This KPI indicates how long viewers engage with your content. The longer people watch, the better your video content connects with the audience.
  • Clickthrough rate: This measures how many viewers click from your video to your website. It’s essential to have Google Analytics set up to track these clicks and determine whether your videos are driving traffic and conversions.

Tracking these KPIs allows you to make data-driven decisions that will enhance your video marketing strategy over time.

The charts and graphs prove it's a business!

Why is Video Marketing Important?

For small businesses, video for business marketing is more than just a trend. It’s a crucial part of staying competitive in the digital landscape. As consumer behavior shifts more toward video content, businesses that fail to leverage video risk falling behind. Video marketing not only captures attention but also enhances trust and credibility with your audience. When done well, it can turn casual viewers into loyal customers.

Video marketing is important for several reasons:

  • Better communication: Video simplifies complex ideas and makes your message more accessible to a broader audience.
  • Higher retention: Viewers are more likely to remember your message when it’s delivered through a video than through text or images alone.
  • Social media engagement: Videos are highly shareable, and platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn prioritize video content.

Creating High-Quality Videos for Your Business

Now that you understand the importance of video for business marketing, let’s explore how to create high-quality videos without breaking the bank. For small business owners, production value is important, but it doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Here are some essential tips:

1. Plan Your Video Content

Before you start filming, outline what you want to achieve with your video. Are you introducing a new product, demonstrating a service, or building brand awareness? Defining your goal will help you craft a clear message. And be sure to craft that message from the perspective of the viewer. They'll be more engaged if you're telling their story instead of your company's.

2. Invest in Basic Equipment

You don’t need to spend a fortune on video equipment. Many modern smartphones, like iPhones and Androids, shoot in 4K quality. Use a tripod to stabilize your camera, and invest in a simple ring light for better lighting. Good lighting can dramatically improve the quality of your video without much effort.

Here is the Basic Equipment we Recommend

3. Focus on Audio Quality

Audio is just as important as video quality. Viewers will stop watching if they can’t hear you clearly. Consider purchasing an inexpensive lavalier microphone, which can be easily clipped to your clothing and improve the sound of your video.

This Audio Equipment is a Good Place to Get Started

4. Set Up a Simple Background

Your background doesn’t need to be fancy. A well-lit office or a clean room will work just fine. Make sure the camera is positioned correctly to avoid awkward angles or distractions in the frame.

Our Clients Love These Backdrop Options

Following these basic steps will allow you to create engaging, professional-looking videos that your audience will enjoy.

Building a YouTube Brand Channel

When setting up your YouTube account for video for business marketing, make sure to create a Brand Channel rather than a personal account. A Brand Channel offers several advantages, including the ability to delegate access to team members without sharing your personal login information.

With a Brand Channel, you can manage multiple aspects of your YouTube strategy, such as uploading videos, analyzing performance, and interacting with viewers. It’s the best way to organize your business’s video marketing efforts on YouTube.

Crafting Effective Calls to Action (CTAs)

Every video you create should have a clear Call to Action (CTA) to guide your audience on what to do next. Whether it’s subscribing to your channel, visiting your website, or signing up for your mailing list, an effective CTA will drive action. Additionally, consider using affiliate links to promote products or services relevant to your business. These links can generate additional revenue while providing value to your viewers.

For example, if you’re discussing a piece of equipment in your video, include an affiliate link in the description that directs viewers to purchase the product (like we just did). This type of CTA not only benefits your business but also builds trust with your audience, as you’re providing them with useful recommendations.

Maintaining Consistency in Video Marketing

One of the biggest challenges in video for business marketing is maintaining consistency. It’s easy to get caught up in perfecting every video, but it’s more important to stay on schedule and regularly produce content. Viewers will return to your channel if they know when to expect new videos.

To stay consistent:

  • Create a content calendar to plan your videos in advance.
  • Set realistic goals for how often you can post videos.
  • Focus on delivering value with each video, rather than striving for perfection.

Consistency is key to building a loyal audience and maximizing the impact of your video marketing efforts.

Why Video Marketing is So Powerful

Video for business marketing is powerful because it allows you to communicate your message in a way that resonates deeply with your audience. Videos evoke emotions, tell stories, and simplify complex ideas, making them more memorable than any other form of content.

By incorporating video into your marketing strategy, you can:

  • Build trust: Video content creates a personal connection with your audience, making your brand feel more approachable.
  • Improve conversion rates: Including videos on your website or landing pages can increase conversion rates by as much as 80%.
  • Reach a wider audience: Videos are more likely to be shared, expanding your reach organically.

For small businesses looking to compete in a crowded market, video marketing offers a way to stand out and deliver value to your audience in a format they prefer.

Conclusion

Video for business marketing is essential for small businesses that want to build brand awareness, engage with their audience, and drive conversions. By focusing on high-quality production, tracking key performance indicators, and maintaining consistency, you can create a successful video marketing strategy that elevates your business. Start building your video marketing presence today by setting up your YouTube Brand Channel and producing valuable, engaging content.

Ready to get started? Download Mazloy’s YouTube Setup Guide for expert tips and tricks to optimize your YouTube strategy and take your business to the next level.