I can feel some of you cringing as you read this, but I think you should at least consider incorporating video into your marketing plan. Video can be used in a lot of ways, and it’s very effective. That’s one of the reasons HSN and QVC are so successful. They are constantly connecting with their customers with conversation and demonstrations. Video can do the same for you.
I love fresh pineapple but never bought it because it’s such a mess to slice up. Then I came across a video of the Vacu Vin pineapple slicer. The 2 minute demonstration showed how easy it was to use, so I purchased one. It worked as promised, and now I would try other products from this company. So, if you have a product that has a function you can demonstrate, video is a great way to go.
If your products that don’t lend to an instructional video, you can still show your products in motion, whether you sell apparel, makeup or jewelry. This also gives your potential customers a chance to get to know you. And if your company offers a service, video is a great way to build trust. People will start to develop a relationship with you before even meeting you.
Getting started is easier than you may think. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a decent camera, and they all come with software so you can do some basic editing. Then you can set up a YouTube channel and link from your blog, or you can put your videos on Vimeo and imbed the videos in your website, which is what I do. Here’s a list of other video sites, if you’re interested in doing a little research on your own.
If you’ve never done anything like this before, practice. You will definitely get more comfortable with each try. In the beginning you may feel embarrassed watching yourself, but keep practicing. Sometimes I still cringe a little, especially if my lighting is bad, but I re-do it if I have time. (You can find a few examples where I ran out of time – not good, but, oh well.) Like anything else, the best way to get started is to jump in with both feet. Let me know if you have any questions.
