What Marketers Need to Know About Web Video Production

Video Content Generates Millions of Hits Per Day

If you’re not yet convinced of the power that web video production holds, here’s a quick fact for you. On an average day, YouTube receives 30 million unique visitors. Strangely, only 9% of small businesses reported using YouTube. That means that 91% of businesses are missing out on the power a platform like YouTube can bring. And believe it or not, the platform is for more than just adorable pet videos and sports highlights. There are tons of reasons that a small business should be on YouTube. You’ll have the chance to connect with your market in a brand new way they find more engaging. Whether you’re hosting a Q&A or showing off a product, there’s always a reason your business should be on YouTube. If you’ve yet to implement video into your strategy, you’re making a grave mistake.

Web Video Production Requires Planning — And Lots of It

While the point-and-shoot method is great for basic videos, the truth is that proper video production takes planning. You want a video that does your business justice, so there’s no benefit in rushing in. Here are some of the things you’ll need to address before you can start production:

• Budget
• Shooting locations
• Cast
• Crew
• Props
• Shooting equipment
• Lights
• Microphones
• Post-production facilities
• A video hosting platform
• Graphics
• Green screen/background

And this is all before you can even begin the scripting phase. That’s a lot, isn’t it? The good news is that you can get help with all of the technical details. But your input is still necessary for a great final result.

You’ll Also Want a Backup Plan

If you’ve set foot near a production facility, you may be familiar with the adage of Murphy’s Law. The popular saying states that “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” Don’t mistake the popular quote for a pessimistic outlook. On the contrary, Murphy’s Law is all about being prepared. There’s a good chance that even with a professional set and crew, you’ll need a Plan B. Or a Plan C, for that matter. During the planning phase, it’s important to have backup plans and backup plans for those backup plans. By having a backup plan, you’ll reduce the downtime if something needs a fast change. Time is money, after all, so always have a plan at the ready.

Web Video Production Can Help With Your SEO Goals

While you’ll draw tons of attention to the video platform of your choice, there’s one other huge reason to use video. It can boost your SERPs. If you’re looking to get more engagement or drive your SEO ranking, video can be a great addition to your strategy. A lot of marketers mistakenly think that the only way to increase SEO rankings is through social media posts and blogs. However, web video production can be every bit as helpful. For instance, did you know that video content can actually help with link building? Go to YouTube and pick a video on the homepage. Chances are you’ll see an annotation and external link to the channel’s website.

Your Video Can Be as Straightforward or Creative as You’d Like

When you think of a marketing video, chances are you think of a talking head telling you about a product. And for some businesses, that may be the right call. But web video production is all about creativity. If you’re looking for a straightforward promotional video, that works! But you have other options. In general, there are 3 main types of web video. The first is known as a screencast. In this type of video, the content creator literally records their screen. If you’ve ever watched an online tutorial, you’ve probably seen a screencast. If you’re looking to create educational videos, this is typically the way to go. Next are animated videos. These are a bit more involved as you’ll have to hire someone to create the graphics, but they’re fun all the same. Animated videos feature a voiceover or some type of narration to accompany the image. Finally, you may want to choose a live video. While this isn’t “live” in the literal sense (more on that in a moment), this video type gets uses live actors. Think infomercials or product safety videos. And you’re free to mix and match any or all of these elements if you’d like. It’s all about your business and how creative you feel like getting! Take a look at our portfolio for examples of each of these video types.

Don’t Neglect Facebook Live

If you’re part of a marketing team, you already know how important Facebook can be to your strategy. But did you know that you can also use it to stream live videos? The introduction of Facebook Live was monumental, and it’s only growing in popularity. All you need is a camera, a microphone, and a little bit of time. You can use live streaming (not to be confused with the other live video) to reach out to your audience directly. Take this time to really engage your audience. Answer questions and put some faces to the brand. Users get to interact with you in real-time, so have a bit of fun!

Let Us Help With Your Web Video Production Needs

At Viva Media, we understand that web video production can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we offer comprehensive video production plans. From scripting to post, let us help you use the power of video to elevate your business. Get in touch today for a free quote!