With the rise of the Youtube vlogger and influencer, video marketing has proved it is not a flash in the promotional pan. Companies can no longer afford to miss the opportunities presented by promotional videos.81 per cent of consumers have bought a product or service after being convinced by a brand's video.But the number of businesses using video has risen from 63 per cent in 2016 to 81 per cent in 2017. You don't want your company to be left behind in the scramble to get videos uploaded.Not sure if promotional videos are the right marketing tool for your company? Read on to discover five benefits they'll have for your performance.

1) Improve Your SEO with Video

Google bought Youtube in 2006 for $1.65bn. That means similar SEO principles to those you use on your website apply on Youtube.Targeting keywords, including calls to action, and being relentlessly helpful all work well in Youtube videos. Include these principles in your promotional videos and upload them to Youtube.Use Youtube's embed function to add your videos to your company website. Google likes websites that include video because they provide a better user experience. Not to mention the fact they keep visitors on your site for longer.That improves your Google SEO. But you'll enjoy the second hit of positive SEO from the rankings on Youtube.You can also upload your videos to Vimeo or Daily Motion. Give followers additional places to share your videos, or build a following on these less competitive platforms.

2) Embrace the Power of Storytelling

People are used to consuming information by text online. Anyone can post a short update or a long blog post, ready to be seen by millions.But with so much content online, fatigue is setting in. More people are turning to video to communicate their messages instead of text.It benefits the viewer too. Viewers retain 95% of the messages they watch. They only retain 10% of the messages they read.By using promotional videos within your marketing, you appeal to a viewer's sense of sight and hearing. That suits both visual and aural learners.Even better, 80 per cent of users can remember a video they watched within the last thirty days.Keep their interest by using the principles of storytelling in your videos. Cast your target customer as the hero of the story. Your brand becomes the aide that helps them solve their problems.That's much easier - and more fun - to communicate using video.

3) Convey Complicated Messages More Easily

Imagine you've been asked to write out instructions for how to boil an egg. Seems easy, right?Halfway through, you'll be checking and re-checking to make sure you included everything. And then you have to ensure your instructions make sense.Wouldn't it be easier to just show someone how to boil an egg?That's the power of a product video. Instead of relying on text, complicated charts, or graphs, you can just show your audience what you mean.90 per cent of users agree that accessing product videos helps in their buying decision-making.It's a powerful way to convey your message. Novelists have relied on the principle of 'show, don't tell for decades. If it works for JK Rowling, it can work for you.

4) Create Social Media and Website Content at Once

Once upon a time, companies made promotional videos and paid to air them in specific slots on television stations. If their target audience wasn't watching that channel at the time the video aired? They lost money.The same videos still work like TV commercials online but distributing them is far cheaper. Many platforms also offer comprehensive targeting to ensure you get your videos in front of your target audience.But one of the beauties of promotional videos is their flexibility. You can embed them on your website and direct your mailing list subscribers to the page.And you can definitely re-use the videos on social media as part of your content creation strategy. Don't worry that people will get tired of seeing them.Not all of your audience will 'like' you on Facebook. Even if they do, they won't all see your Page's updates.Likewise, with Twitter and Instagram. Since not all of your audience is on your mailing list, you can re-share your videos across different platforms. Reach people at different times of the day.It's cheaper than creating separate content. Social media viewing also offers major benefits since videos on Facebook enjoy 135 per cent more organic reach than images.

5) Earn Trust with Video Testimonials

Many companies proudly display written testimonials from past customers. Unless those customers are major brands like Apple or Sony, it can be difficult to associate a face with the name.And some consumers worry that written testimonials can be faked. The fake reviews flooding Amazon prove that customers don't always trust reviews or testimonials.Including video testimonials or video case studies on your site or Youtube channel is an easy way to boost your credibility. It's not impossible to fake a video but it's less likely that you'd go to the trouble.Potential customers can see and hear from those who have had success with your solution. Humans respond to humans on a fundamental level based on facial expression, tone of voice, and body language. Having this visual contact provides the subtle cues that turn a skeptical consumer into a buyer.This also explains why having you and your staff in your promotional videos is a great way to build trust in your brand. People can respond to you on a human level instead of you just appearing as words on a screen.

Ready to Make Your Own Promotional Videos?

Videos are a great way to give a human face to your brand. They're quick to consume, easy to share, and great to re-purpose.They're like your own online commercials you can broadcast whenever you want to boost your brand message. And you can have some fun making them, too!Have you decided you want to use promotional videos in your marketing outreach? Contact us to get a quote.