By now, you should know the importance of marketing your business on social media. No matter how big your company is or what services you provide, building a social media presence is an absolute must.
Over the past few years, video has become the single most effective type of social media content. Including it in your marketing strategy will – without a doubt – have a positive effect on your social media and business in general.
If you really want to up your social media game, consider using these 8 video marketing hacks to boost your social media performance…
Split your video into bite-sized chunks
Social media users crave content that is short and to the point. Reports show that 45% of viewers stop watching a video after one minute, so try to keep your video content less than 60 seconds. Focusing on one clear message is key.
If your video is longer, break it down into smaller chunks. You can always provide a link to the full version on your website or Youtube channel.
Caption your video
Believe it or not, 85% of Facebook videos are viewed without sound. This has led to many marketers adding subtitles to their videos. These subtitles don’t necessarily need to include a full transcript of your video. Inserting a few captions to highlight some key points will keep your video engaging while still getting your message across to users who decide to hit mute!
Upload videos directly
All the major social networks have adjusted their algorithms to prioritise native video content. This means that videos uploaded directly to social media platforms are more likely to be seen by your audience than links to Youtube, Vimeo and other video platforms. In fact, native videos are winning close to 80% of all video interactions on Facebook!
Use paid-for ads
If you really want to expand your reach on social media, it might be worth experimenting with paid ads. They are inexpensive and highly effective. Facebook ads, in particular, deliver serious results. Their desktop ads have a massive 8.1 times higher click-through rates than normal web ads!
The power of Facebook ads lies with the in-depth data they have on their users. You can target your audience by age, gender and location, as well as their interests. Only those who are likely to enjoy – and hopefully share – your paid video content will see it, which guarantees a higher return on your investment!
Use hashtags wisely
Hashtags make it easier for people to discover your video content and they’re a great way to expand the reach of your video without having to pay for sponsored ads. However, improper use can have a negative affect on your video marketing efforts.
Only add hashtags that are relevant to your content; don’t be tempted to add a tag just because it’s trending! There are plenty of online tools – such as RiteTag and Hashtagify – that can help you to find the best hashtags for your content.
Go live
Live video is the next big thing in social media. It gives you the opportunity to connect with your audience in a whole new way and makes your brand more relatable and accessible. Try giving your followers a sneak peek behind-the-scenes or live stream an event!
Choose an eye-catching thumbnail
Grabbing the attention of a social media user can be tricky, especially when there is so much content on their news feed vying for their attention. Luckily, Facebook now allows you to add a custom thumbnail to videos that you upload directly. This gives you the option to use an eye-catching image with a snappy title as your thumbnail instead of a random frame from the middle of your video.
Pin your video to the top of your feed
To really increase the visibility of your video, pin it to the top of your Twitter and Facebook profiles after posting. This will ensure that your video is the first thing people see when they visit your profile – a great way to make a good first impression!
I’m the CEO & Founder of Stada Media, a leading video production agency based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and we can help you boost your social media performance. If you’d like to talk to me about video, drop me an email – dannylacey@stadamedia.co.uk.