Ok, so you’ve decided that video is the way to go to make the world aware of your brand, and you’re in good company. If you can make a video that goes viral with your brand featuring in it, well, my friend, then you’re golden. But how? What makes a social person want to click, watch and share your video?
In truth, the answer to that question is probably puppies and kittens, babies and humour (all 4 of those together is dynamite!). These things trigger a natural reaction in the world of social media that people to want to share with their friends.
So, where does this leave us in terms of your brand video? We’re going to throw out there 10 ideas for video use that promotes your brand to get you thinking. Check these out, see what you think could work for you.
Company Specific
This is your video outlining everything about your company – your vision, your mission, your product, your services. It’s laying it all out there on a white tablecloth for the world to enjoy. How you do it comes down to what the company does, this is where your creative team take up the challenge (just don’t forget the puppies and kittens, babies and the humour!).
The origins of your product will place it in the public’s minds; share the story and the history of your brand with them.
Case studies & Testimonials
These are a great way to showcase your business and its strengths. People love stories about people – the video that connects people to your business, real people, is powerful and compelling and sticks in people’s minds. Real customers and advocates of your business telling their stories is a great way to showcase your brand.
Demonstrations
Demonstration videos of your product or service – or ‘how-to-do-this’ videos – are a brilliant way of creating reassurance about your brand, instilling confidence in people that you are the expert in this field.
Is there anyone out there who has never yet been faced with an unsolvable problem and hasn’t googled “how do I do this?” We think not!
Live Video
If you’re going to go out and doing something, then video it! Why wouldn’t you?
If you regularly attend events, host live displays, take exhibition stand space, cook great food in a kitchen, fly a hot air balloon, play football….the list is endless. Film it, stream it, and put it on the digital platforms of your choice.
TV Commercials
If you have the budget for TV, and you can come up with a great video, there’s no doubting that you can get your brand out there.
In truth the impact of TV commercials is on the decline with so many of the audience able to skip through the adverts, but then it always was the time to nip out to make a cup of tea or a sandwich. It’s certainly worth checking out.
On the flipside, clever and personalised content placed on catch-up players (for example; 4OD or the ITV Hub) can make headlines.
It’s certainly worth checking out, but make sure you know what you’re doing with this one.
Social Media
Videos made specifically for social media can be a wonderful thing. Add humour, beauty, quirkiness or content unsuitable for mainstream TV (or puppies, kittens…) and you have a chance that your video will go viral.
A great benefit of the social media video over TV commercial is the length, you’re not restricted to packing your punch into so short a time, and the speed in which EVERYONE could see your video is phenomenal. You really can be an overnight sensation.
Charitable Causes And CSR
There are unlimited great causes on this Earth and your brand may be an ideal way to tap into the ‘Save the World’ culture.
It may seem cynical to run a campaign promoting your brand on the back of the planet’s misfortune but it is a consideration, and if it is right for your brand then why not? A story for a cause can evoke a really emotional response in your audience.
The (really big) Thank You
In a way this is a slight return to the Testimonials above, but there is mileage in video of your customers and clients saying ‘thank you’ to your company for a great job well done.
This also works in reverse; there’s an opportunity for your company to say ‘thank you’ to your clients in video footage for a great project and outcome – highlights of the project could be recorded throughout the project and edited accordingly at the completion.
More Live Video
No, we didn’t run out of ideas for subheadings here, it just is the same thing but different.
If you can incorporate your brand into live footage of amazingly, stunningly, jaw-dropping visual content, then do it. Polar ice caps, tropical rainforests, meteor showers, anything that really takes the viewer’s breath away. And how much fun would that be to be a part of? (Lots, is the answer.)
Animation
It’s a mainstream option, but animation can be a great way to get your message across. Look what Wallace and Gromit did for Wensleydale cheese. Need we say more?
When uploading your video to your chosen medium, remember to make sure that you have the best keywords in your titles and the right tags to increase the search volume. Produce video content in sufficient quantity to maintain your brand awareness and to keep your story fresh. You’ll reap the rewards from it.