Can adding a Facebook video post really increase sales? An easy one to answer, absolutely yes! 90% of consumers say video helps them make buying decisions.
From a personal point of view, I spend a lot of time travelling and have been known to scroll aimlessly through my social media accounts while waiting for an elusive train. Video definitely catches my attention and I have made several online purchases from such posts.With buyers four times more likely to watch a video about a product rather than read about it, there is no doubt that online video drives better engagement and sales.
So how do you go about creating a video? Here are five easy steps:
Video definitely catches my attention
STEP 1: DECIDE WHO YOUR AUDIENCE ARE
Read ‘A Proven Way to Attract More Customers’ to help you define who your video is for.
STEP 2: BRAINSTORM
Get those ideas flowing for your videos. Look at what previous posts have had a good response, what pages are people visiting on your website and what are people interested in. Ask other people what they think, look at your competitors and also think about what grabs your attention.
STEP 3: PLAN YOUR VIDEO
Either write a script or create a storyboard. Both ways encourage you to think through the important aspects of the video and how you want it to flow.
STEP 4: THE FUN PART — RECORDING!
A big yay – you can use your smartphone to create engaging, high-quality video and it doesn’t cost the earth. Here are a few helpful suggestions to get you on your way:
- STABILISE YOUR PHONE WITH A TRIPOD
A stable video really helps it look more professional – shakiness is not a good look (unless you sell earthquake supplies). Affordable tripods are available from Amazon, ranging from £8 - USE A MICROPHONE
If you need to add sound, find a quiet location. Sound quality is greatly improved by using a microphone. Again Amazon makes it easy for us, search for lavalier microphone, available from £10. - GOOD LIGHTING
This can make or break your video – natural light is one of the best light sources for your production. If you can’t get that, then lamps work well, too. If you are featuring in your video make sure you are facing the actual light so that it evenly spreads across your face. - YOUR VIDEO BACKGROUND
You need to find a suitable background for your video. I got married on the beach and our wedding video featured a man in speedos in the background, not quite the ambience I’d imagined. You can use large coloured card (also available from Amazon, I promise you they are not sponsoring this blog, they just make it easy to purchase useful odd items), or if you are filming small object like jewellery then you can look at using a Light Box, which is a whole new blog in itself.
STEP 5: EDITING
If you’re just starting out, then video editing software doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of great free and inexpensive options out there, just google ‘free video editing software’. We use Adobe PremierPro which is awesome though it also has a monthly subscription so not for everyone.
With 64% of clients buying a product online after watching a video about it, it really makes sense to start using video as part of your social media marketing.
