Top 10 Ways to Use Video to Promote Yourself
Authors that self-publish (and even those that go the
traditional publishing route) need promotion to sell their books. It’s a fact.
Getting that usually requires lots of articles posted on the web, radio shows,
tele-seminars, etc. Generally, just a lot of time to “get the word out” and
build credibility and exposure and try
to drive traffic to ultimately buy their book.
Savvy artists are the same. They need to get their art out
to the world. This helps build a following, increase credibility and eventually
start getting their art into
the hands of those that collect and appreciate it. Video is a prime promotional vehicle for such a visual medium.
the hands of those that collect and appreciate it. Video is a prime promotional vehicle for such a visual medium.
Small business owners already know that marketing is
important; but are they taking full advantage of the low-cost alternatives
available to them? Marketing and promoting with vides helps increase their
ability to get the word out about their business, showcase themselves and build
an interest in what they offer.
Good informational/educational videos are an excellent way
to market and promote a business, book or creative endeavor. Since you have the
ability to use an interesting format, sound, photos, etc., it takes it from a
static web page to visually-enhanced and intriguing promotional opportunity.
Video can be used to:
Build credibility: Let your audience know who you are.
Include a picture of yourself and start building name recognition.
Use the visual aspect to teach: Showcase yourself teaching
how to use your products, record testimonials, showcase results people have
gotten using your products, etc. In other words, put a visually-memorable
medium in their minds.
Show the world your personality: People buy from people
disguised as businesses. You know you prefer to buy from one website vs.
another that may have the exact same items. One has an interface you trust,
prices you like or just the fact that the owner makes himself available.
Develop a series: Break down tips or steps into a series of
video and use them to keep bringing back your audience to get more. If you give
everything in one video, you’re forced to come up with new material for each,
plus you run the risk of creating a long, boring video (which, unless very
well-done, most people won’t take the time to watch.
Keep your videos short and pleasant: A running time of under
three minutes is optimal. Most people don’t have the attention span to devote
to more, unless they are very interested in your topic. Use soft, pleasant
music or narrate the video yourself. Silent videos are dull, so try to use
sound of some type.
Use photos and pictures to illustrate your point: If you’re
doing a live film video, you’re showing yourself, but also be sure to use props
and your products to illustrate a point. Just a talking head in front of a
video camera is completely overused and somewhat dull (unless you’re really
funny or entertaining, which many of us are not!).
Videos created using slides vs. filmed content can place
photos of products, people, etc. in them to make them more interesting. Use
animation sparingly. No one wants to be jarred from slide to slide with
spinning text and zooming transitions. Choose one slide transition for all
slides and only use animation on every other slide or at least choose a few to
remain static to give the eye a break.
