Online video is a form of content that is growing rapidly. In fact, over half of the overall internet traffic is video, with that percentage growing yearly. Yet, it is still under-utilised as a branding element. Promotional videos, product videos, vlogs, all these are the kinds of video content we as business owners need to be implementing. While it can be an investment at times, it more than pays for itself in the long run. Not only that, with phone camera technology as good as it is nowadays, it has never been easier to film your own short videos (see mine below). There is simply no excuse to be ignoring this marketing platform.

Say you want to start by filming your own videos. Great! You have a camera and a nice outdoor setting but your not sure how to go about it. Don't stress, no one is expecting an Oscar worthy epic. There are a few things to remember however that can help.

When creating your videos, follow these 3 simple rules:

Be authentic. The whole point of creating video content is to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Video enables your viewers to see you in action, hear your voice and get a greater understanding of who you are. A big part of todays business is built on relationships and video can be your first touch point to building a strong client relationship.
Be consistent. This rule goes for any part of your brand really. There is no point delivering one video and expecting it to deliver great results, people simply don't connect to a piece of content that quickly. It is said that a person needs to see an ad 7 times before it is effective and the same can be said about video. Start by filming a video once a week and go from there. You may find posting a video once a week is sufficient, or you may want something more frequent. See what works for your audience and for your business.
Make sure your content is great content. You will be wasting your time if what you are saying does not relate or connect with your audience. Take the time to plan what you will be talking about so you can get straight down to the point. You want a strong message.

If you are wanting to jump into vlogging then just start! You won't get it perfect straight away, no one does, just keep on improving with every video you create. If you follow these 3 simple tips, you will be a vlogging expert in no time!

How Video Can Elevate Your Brand