by Dina Arsenault
They say that a picture is worth a 1000 words – So that MUST mean online video is worth 1000 times that to your overall digital business marketing strategy – This I can attest to.
“The single most important strategy in content marketing today is video. Whether it’s video on Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat or YouTube, the content you need to be thinking about creating and marketing on social for your business is video. Period.” – Gary Vaynerchuk
2016 was definitely the year of the video. The launch and skyrocketing success of Facebook LIVE, the launch of the 1 minute video and the Live Streaming option on Instagram and now the implementation of Live Video Streaming option on YouTube. The message is clear – People are responding to the visual medium of video, especially the LIVE Video platform, and as a result, social media and its users are reaping the benefits.
Needless to say, this popularity shows no sign of slowing down in 2017 – It only promises to be bigger and much more interactive and powerful as we inch closer to the advent of Virtual Reality (VR) in marketing as shown by the latest top secret production of a VR based film about the life of Darth Vader by Lucasfilm and so many more VR shorts in pre-production.
All of that aside, here is why I believe that LIVE Video streaming is so important for your online marketing efforts:
- Video encourages social shares
First things first, people engage with content that can elicit an emotion within them. Whether it is laughter, sadness, anger etc. Video is one of the easiest ways to achieve this. The more shares means the more hits to your social media platforms, the more hits to your platforms means the more potential for generating new followers and well, you get where I am going with this. So, get creative with your live video streaming and choose topics that you know your followers will not only want to watch, but also share with their own networks.
2. Video engages audiences
As I had mentioned with the first point, people engage with content that can elicit an emotion within them. They also engage with content that is interactive and that they can be a part of. LIVE video is just this type of medium. When you go LIVE, your followers are sent a notification, this gives them the opportunity to participate – To view live, ask questions directly to you and engage with other followers who are watching live as well. Watching a LIVE Broadcast gives them a sense of being a part of an exclusive online community that is centered around your brand.
3. Video builds trust with your followers
Going LIVE gives you an opportunity to create a unique personality around your brand. Being able to see you speak and interact in real time LIVE is an effective and unique way to build trust and a relationship with your followers. Seeing you being ‘real’ and unedited, allows your followers to connect with you as a person who has flaws and makes mistakes like they do, versus just a stagnant stylized logo. This is paramount in building the trust needed for someone to want to do business with you. At the end of the day, it is about building those communities online that you can eventually take offline. Focus on building communities, not markets.
4. Video has proven to increase your organic reach
It is no secret that Facebook likes you to use Facebook integrated systems. So using Facebook LIVE video streaming has proven to boost your organic reach. With the recent changes to the algorithms on Facebook, any help in the organic reach department can not be ignored or under utilized. And the fact that this feature is FREE to use, well you don’t need to be a mathematician to see the great ROI on using this for your online digital marketing efforts.
At the end of the day, if you focus on utilizing your creativity to create communities online that you can connect with, no matter what, you will always be ahead of the game in your digital marketing efforts. When you take the time to focus on building relationships versus just selling to your followers I guarantee, you will build a solid foundation to build and grow your business effectively both on and offline. As it turns out, Video is a great tool to do just that.
For those of you who are still nervous about going LIVE with your online marketing efforts, here are some top a Cue Creative Consulting Tips for utilizing Facebook LIVE for your online marketing efforts as outlined by my colleague Kaare Long.
Simply click the Facebook LIVE link!
If you are still having reservations, by all means drop me a line I would be more than happy to give you a hand and get you on your way to effectively connecting and engaging with your online community!
Dina Arsenault Digital Media Strategist and the undisputed reigning Madame of creativity, community and connection for the Ontario Chapter of http://acueconsulting.com/.
A celebrated and sought after speaker and writer, Dina is a caffeine fueled and food delighted ( locally sourced of course) Community Builder, Relationship Nurturer and all around Small Business Supporter. Dina’s online expertise is driven by her desire to promote your business online while connecting and elevating others in the process to foster community and the all around ‘good feels’. If you want to be visible, connected and engaged with your community (and exposed to great food and fun) Dina is your gal!
4 Replies to “LIVE Video – The Revolution in Social Media Marketing”
Dina Arsenault
Hi Angela. Honestly the first step is just finding the courage to just do it. Put your own issues of not looking perfect or being perfect aside and just take the plunge and be real. It’s your realness that your followers or potential customers will relate and respond to. Once you do that and get over that hurdle, set up a consistent schedule on a designated day and time and chose a topic to present on each week or month or what ever your schedule is. Promote it before hand so people know when to tune in and or ask you questions to cover during your segment. Always start and finish by introducing yourself and your company name. Most importantly, take a breath and have fun. That is how you connect with your audience. Hope this helps, by all means let us all know when you do one so we can tune in and root you on! ☺
Pavlina Toren
I loved reading this I have to admit live video is so out of my comfort zone, it is something I need to do though.
Dina Arsenault[ Post Author ]
So happy that you enjoyed it Pavlina! When you do decide to go LIVE, let me know I would love to tune in and cheer you on! If you ever need any tips for your first time, let me know I would love to help. 🙂
Angela @ Setting My Intention
I would love some tips for doing FB Live for the first time! That’s been a goal of mine for the last few months. I was using the excuse that the kids are home for the summer so I couldn’t find a quiet place but now that they’re in school I don’t have an excuse!!
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