Vertical or Horizontal Video – Which Do You Prefer

Vertical or Horizontal Video – Which Do You Prefer

Horizontal or Vertical?

How do you like your video?

I bet it depends on what kind of screen you’re watching it on, right?

When it comes to the FB or IG news feeds a horizontal video looks like a narrow bar moving up and down the screen. To get a good view, you’ve got to maximize it and turn your screen.

People may do this on a video they REALLY want to watch, but they are unlikely to do this for an ad.

That’s why we format our video ads, like the one below for Sweet Tooth Candy Buffets, to maximize the screen space of the media channel.

Don’t accept a video ad format that is less than optimal for the distribution you are paying for!

Need help with your next digital marketing project? Let us help!

Just click the Request a Proposal button below and schedule a time to discuss your business.

5 Examples of Successful Online Commercials

5 Examples of Successful Online Commercials

As business owners we are always conscious of putting our best foot forward.

Appearances matter, right?

Of course they do, but they’re rarely enough all on their own.

You need to make busy prospects stop and take an action.

Branding that answers the question, “what does the business do?”

It’s important because it represents the image of the company, but rarely does it lead directly to a sale.

That’s because the customer needs a specific offer to consider.

From the customer’s point of view, you have to answer the following question.

What’s in it for Me?

Without answering this question, potential customers are unlikely to take time out of their busy life to notice your business and learn about who you are.

It has never been easier or more affordable to put your message in front of whoever you want.

We can target audiences online with extraordinary precision.

But once you get in front of them, you need to get their attention AND get them to take an action,

If you don’t, you lose out on the immediate sale and the opportunity to create a long term customer.

It’s Even More Critical with Paid Advertising

When you pay for each time your message is delivered, it’s even more important to make each impression count.

I know, because after years of experience and spending over $500,000 in paid advertising, it’s clear which ads are the most effective – in terms of both immediate sales and long term profits.

The ads that have have the biggest effects on sales are ads that communicate a specific offer.

Here are five ad formats that have worked best for our clients:

 

1. Special Offer with Live Action Video

 

2. Limited Time Sale or Special Offer

 

3. Hero Offer or Package Offer

 

4. Special Offer with Traditional Trust Elements

 

5. Animated Special Offer with Details

 

Click here to learn more about the effectiveness of online video advertising.

Click here to see more example videos.

Video Marketing is a Real Opportunity for Small Businesses

Video Marketing is a Real Opportunity for Small Businesses

If you are looking for a marketing strategy to jump start your online business, then video marketing is a great option.

Within the last decade, video marketing has grown leaps and bounds, as more and more businesses recognize the tremendous opportunity for exposure that it represents.

Video is engaging, interactive, and fun. It’s a great tool that can attract and lure an audience.

Video marketing is now being used alongside other online marketing tools to extend outreach, and increase brand awareness.

Video is a very affordable marketing option, because it is possible to produce high quality videos with great content, without spending a lot of money.

Where to Use Video

YouTube has been the most popular video sharing site at the forefront of this trend, paving the way for other video hosting sites to follow.

YouTube alone has millions of users.

There are other video portals like Facebook, Vimeo, Instagram and Vine, where users can log on to find videos on a range of products and services.

It is possible to leverage video sharing sites like YouTube to attract an audience.

Once you have their attention, you have a chance at converting them to paying customers.

If the content of your video has a message for your audience, and is also entertaining, then users will quickly like and share it.

Without any more effort on your part, it can easily become a viral video.

The Goal

The bottom line is, people like to be entertained. If you mix that with something they want to hear, then they will be sure to share it.

As a video is shared in cyberspace, interest is generated in the product or service, and ultimately sales will increase.

The key is to create a video that your targeted audience will like.

If you are able to create an engaging video, then it will be liked and shared way beyond the expected target market.

It is a strategy that has been used successfully by large corporations like Pepsi and Coke. Now small business owners are realizing the potential of this affordable marketing option.

Great Example:

Here are a few tips to help you with your video marketing efforts:

Begin with a strategy:  Decide which sites are best to share your video. Also make sure to embed it on your website.

Be creative and have fun:  If you enjoy the video, chances are your audience will too.  Don’t be afraid to call in experts who can put a different spin on how to present your business to the audience.

Engage your audience: make the video hard-hitting, so that it will capture the attention of your audience. The key is to elicit strong emotions and include a compelling call to action.

Video marketing is a great way to build your brand.

As you gain an audience, people will be on the lookout for your next video.

Soon sales will soar, and you will wonder why you didn’t use this marketing tool a lot sooner.

4 Easy Video Marketing Tips You Can Use Now

4 Easy Video Marketing Tips You Can Use Now

Interactive, engaging, and enjoyable!  These are just some of the words often used to describe well-made videos that have taken the internet by storm and gone viral.

Video marketing is fast becoming a popular e-marketing tool.  If you want to know how to make video marketing work for you now, then make sure to apply the tips in this article.

Some of the top video sharing sites include YouTube, Hulu, and Dailymotion.  There are endless possibilities when it comes to the types of videos you can produce.  However, be sure to stick to videos that will appeal to your target audience, and will show off your product/service the best.

Here are some video marketing tips that you can use now to generate more traffic, and increase conversions:

1. Make Content Appealing

If you want to get more traffic to your website with videos, then your video must be an attention grabber.  If it’s not entertaining, then you won’t get a lot of views.  How can you make your video appealing?

  • Make it short.  If the video is too long, viewers might not view it all the way through.
  • Make sure that it is has a high resolution, and is also very clear.
  • Include screenshots and live demonstrations for products.
  • Include keywords that will attract your target audience.
  • Use a professional voice.

These are just some of the things you can do to make your videos more marketable.

2. Include a Call to Action

A call to action tells users what to do next.  You can ask them to share the video, like it, comment on it, or visit your website.  This interplay will give added exposure to your video, and ensure that it gets more views on the internet.

The call to action can be posted in various places on your video, and should be included at the end, so that it is the last thing that viewers see.  In addition, there are tools that will allow you to embed a link to your website, or subscription link on the video.

3. Pay Attention to Comments

If you ignore the comments by viewers, you are missing out on a golden opportunity to improve the impact and reach of your videos.

The feedback you receive can go a long way in helping to determine how you may need to adjust your video marketing campaign, as well as the improvements you may need to incorporate.

This will be extremely beneficial going forward, as it can positively impact the quality of videos you do in the future.  Many persons who leave comments are also potential customers that you can interact with and convert.

4. Submit Videos to Different Sites

While YouTube is the most obvious choice; there are other video sharing sites such as Metacafe, Dailymotion, and Vimeo, that you can submit your videos to.  The more sites you submit to, the more exposure your business will get.

These are just a few simple tips you can include in your video marketing strategy.

How to Use Video Marketing to Get Traffic that Converts

How to Use Video Marketing to Get Traffic that Converts

Video marketing is an effective and affordable form of advertising that can pull in targeted traffic.

But how can you get the most out of video marketing and convert the traffic that you attract?

Your video needs to entice viewers and also get them to share it with others. We look at some useful tips below.

Beginnings Matter

If you are going to pull in traffic, then your video must ‘pack a punch.’

It must have a hard-hitting start, and must also be eye-catching, and cleverly crafted, so as to elicit a response from the viewer.

It should also be simple, and well-scripted, and contain a message that clearly sets out the value of your product or service.

Spread the Word

Once your video is complete, you have to get it circulating in cyberspace, via as many channels as possible.

You can upload it manually, or via a video distribution service.

If you upload it manually, then devote some time and effort into putting it on different video sharing sites.

Ask for What You Want

If you want your video to get traffic that converts, then be certain to include a ‘call to action.’

That simply means you tell viewers what they should do next, and get them involved.

Give them options. If not, they will simply view the video and move on, and you will have no chance of making converts out of them.

You can ask viewers to leave comments about the video, visit your website or blog, share the video, add it to favorites, or like it.

You can also use overlay ads to get viewers to refer to your product site.

Make a Convincing Call to Action

The call to action is the means by which you will be able to generate qualified leads, and also get sales.

You can have great content but not be able to generate leads, if you don’t build an audience.

The interactive call to action gets your audience involved, and also means that your viewing audience is going to increase further.

A solid base of viewers will become the launching pad you need to gain converts.

And as you target a wider audience, you are able to build brand awareness.

While there are a lot of tools available to help with video marketing, using your own blog or website to host your video is also a very viable option.

Driving traffic to your blog is also an effective way to get the converts you need.