Why Add Video to Your Content & How

Today I want to share a few tips and ideas on the topic of videos for your online content. I am in no way an expert, but having worked on quite a few videos in the past with my business partner husband, Dave Ockwell-Jenner, we have learned quite a lot over the past 10 years.

The Good News

The great news is if you add video to your content you will gain more interest and your audience will probably stay around long enough to read the message you shared.

But, it's not OK to add any old video, just for the sake of it. The videos you add to your content should compliment it, and if the topic does not match the video, there is no point.

My Office Video Set Up

The space you use to shoot your videos does not have to be super big, but of course depending what cameras you have will determine what size works best.

Set Goals

Before you even think about adding videos to your content you have to know the reason why you are doing this. 

  • Create a strong brand
  • Educate your audience
  • Share your story

Your goals must fit into your marketing strategy, otherwise there is no point and your audience will be confused and not share your video.

Touching your audience emotionally is a great way to go, but once again, the video has to be pertinent and honest. 

Video Quality

You have a lot of competition, so do an excellent job of producing your video or it will be a waste of time.

  • Consider the background that will be seen in the video. If you are showing a regular living area with a lot of your own personal 
  • tems this may take away from the person presenting in the video, and of course the message that is being shared.
  • Lighting is important, but obiously if you do not have a huge budget to shoot your videos do some research to see how you can effectively work with the light you have, or purchase some inexpensive options.
  • Sound is very important. If you can't hear the person talking in the video because of background noise, or if the person mumbles this is a big problem. Depending what camera you are using to shoot the video will determine if you need a stand alone microphone. Again, it's down to researching your needs.
  • Clothes; what you wear should not take away from the video message. Depending on the background in your video work out what colour/patterns would show off best, without taking over. 

As you can see from the video set up in my office the background suits my topic, for example, the Small Business Community Network (SBCN) videos work well.

When my people shoot Motivational Steps videos the banner advertising the SBCN networking organization disappears and can be replaced with a Motivational Steps one, or we just have the curtains as a background. We can also do an angled shot which can then focuses on the white bookcase, but my guys tend to blur it out so it's not too distracting. In fact they can do that with any background.

Length of Video

I believe that the video should be shorter or longer depending on the topic.

  • Tip of the day ideally should be short and sweet - up to 2 minutes.
  • Educational video - Obviously you need to get the related points covered in your video, but once again, try to keep the video length no more than 20 minutes maximum, or people might get bored.
  • Product video - Again it's up to your discretion, but think about the commercials on the TV. You want to grab the viewers attention, leave them with a call to action, and be memorable. I would suggest 5 - 6 minutes.

I am not an expert in this area, but I have neen experimenting, along with my business partner/husband for many years with video, so it's a case of try it and see where it goes.

Keep it professional, keep smiling, and above all know you can ask an expert if you need help, often the information is online for free. Alternatively you can hire a professional to shoot your video, depending on your budget.

Have fun shooting your videos, why not share them with me? linda@motivationalsteps.com