Video content is one of the best ways to engage your audience and promote your brand. In today’s digital age, videos are more important than ever. The power of video lies in its ability to capture attention and communicate messages quickly and effectively.
In order to create successful branded video content, however, you need to know what you’re doing.
In this guide, we will go over the basics of creating great video content, as well as some tips on how to make sure your videos reach their full potential.
So whether you’re just getting started with video content or you’re looking for ways to improve your existing strategy, keep reading for some helpful advice!
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What is Branded Video Content?
Branded video content is a type of marketing that uses videos to promote a company or product. This can include everything from product demonstration videos and commercials, to customer testimonials and behind-the-scenes footage.
The goal of branded video content is to build awareness and interest in the company or product being promoted.
In order to be effective, it needs to be well-made and relevant to the audience.
One of the best examples of branded video content is Ikea’s Make Home Count. Their message “why not make your home the place you love the most?” resonated with a lot of people all over the world and proves to be an effective campaign.
Key Benefits of Branded Video Content
There are many benefits to creating branded video content. Here are just a few of its benefits for your business:
1. Engaging
Videos are one of the most engaging types of content out there. They are eye-catching and can hold attention better than other forms of content like text or images.
2. Informative
Videos can be a great way to educate your audience about your product or service. You can use them to demo how your product works or show off its features in a way that is easy for people to understand.
3. Brand awareness
A well-made video will stick in people’s minds more than other types of content. This can help build brand awareness and recall, which is essential for any business.
4. Shareable
People love sharing videos, especially if they find them entertaining or informative. This can help you reach a wider audience and promote your brand to people who may not have heard of you before.
5. SEO-friendly
Videos can help boost your SEO efforts by increasing your chances of ranking in search results and getting more traffic to your website.
Planning Your Branded Video Content
Before you start creating your video, it’s important to have a plan in place. Otherwise, you could end up wasting time and money on a video that doesn’t achieve your desired results. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your video:
1. Purpose
What is the purpose of your video? Are you trying to build brand awareness, promote a product, or something else? Having a clear goal will help you make better decisions about what type of content to include.
2. Target Audience
Who is your target audience? What are their interests and needs? Knowing this will help you create content that appeals to them and speaks to their specific wants and needs.
3. Budget
How much money do you have to spend on your video? This will determine the quality and length of your video, as well as the type of equipment you’ll need to produce it.
4. Timeline
When do you need your video completed by? Make sure to give yourself enough time to plan, film, and edit your video so that it turns out the way you want it to.
5. Distribution
Where will you be sharing your video? Will you be posting it on social media, your website, or somewhere else? Knowing where your video will live will help you make decisions about its content and format.
Developing Your Script and Storyboard
The first step in creating your video is to develop a script. This will give you a roadmap for what needs to be included in your video and help keep you on track during the filming process.
Scripts are usually memorized but can also be read from cue cards or an online teleprompter. When writing your script, keep the following things in mind:
1. Keep it short
Videos should be short and to the point. The attention span of most people online is very short, so make sure your video gets its point across quickly.
2. Write in a conversational tone
Write as you would speak. This will make your video more relatable and easy for people to understand.
3. Include a call to action
Tell viewers what you want them to do after watching your video. Do you want them to visit your website, sign up for your newsletter, or something else?
4. Storyboarding
Once you have a script, it’s time to create a storyboard. This is a visual representation of what will happen in your video and can be helpful for planning purposes.
You can use storyboards to determine shot types, camera angles, and transitions.
They are also helpful for planning out special effects or other visuals. If you’re not sure how to create a storyboard, there are plenty of templates and tutorials online that can help you get started.
Filming Your Branded Video
Now that you have a script and storyboard, it’s time to start filming your video! If you’re doing it yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Lighting
Make sure that your subject is well-lit, either with natural light or with artificial lighting. Poor lighting will make your video look amateurish.
2. Camera angles
Experiment with different camera angles to add interest to your video. For example, you could film from a low angle to make your subject look powerful, or from a high angle to make them look vulnerable.
3. Audio
Pay attention to the sound quality of your video. Background noise can be distracting and makes it difficult for viewers to focus on what’s being said in the video. If possible, record in a quiet location or use a microphone to ensure that viewers can hear clearly.
4. Background
Choose a filming location with a simple background that won’t distract from the content of your video.
5. Editing
Once you’ve filmed your video, it’s time to edit it. This is where you’ll add music, graphics, transitions, and any other elements that will make your video more engaging and professional-looking.
If you’re not sure how to edit your video, there are plenty of tutorials and software programs that can help you get started.
Publishing and Promoting Your Branded Video Content
Now that you’ve put all the blood, sweat, and tears into creating amazing video content, it’s time to get it out there for the world to see! But before you start sharing willy-nilly, there are a couple of things you should do first to make sure your videos are working hard for your brand.
1. Choose where to host your videos wisely
There are a ton of different places where you can host your videos – from YouTube to Vimeo to Facebook. Think about where your target audience is hanging out online and pick accordingly.
If you’re trying to reach a business market, LinkedIn might be a good bet. Trying to reach millennials? YouTube or Instagram Stories could be your best friend.
2. Optimize your videos for SEO
Just like with any other piece of content on your website, you want to make sure your videos are properly optimized for SEO. This means choosing descriptive titles and captions, using relevant keywords, and creating transcripts of your videos.
3. Create engaging thumbnails
We all know not to judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to video, people are going to judge it by its thumbnail. Make your thumbnail eye-catching and representative of the content inside the video.
4. Share, share, share
Once your videos are online, start sharing them far and wide. Use social media, email marketing, and even good old-fashioned word of mouth to get people watching.
5. Measure, measure, measure
It’s important to keep track of how your videos are performing so you can adjust your strategy accordingly. Look at things like view count, watch time, completion rate, and engagement (likes, comments, shares) to get a sense of how people are responding to your videos.
The Takeaway
Creating branded videos is a great way to promote your business and connect with your target audience. Just remember to keep it relevant, engaging, and concise, and you’ll be sure to create content that people will love.
Good luck!
