What’s the most impactful way to grow a business?

Business owners are often stymied by this question.

Traditional marketing tactics are always an option: direct mail, outbound calling, sales representatives going door to door, billboards, print advertising. There’s a whole world of traditional marketing that many companies rely on to grow or maintain their business each year.

That said, many companies are finding that these traditional methods don’t work as well as they once did. Consumers are more technologically savvy and are shorter on time and attention than they used to be. Because of that, companies are turning more often to social media marketing tactics to grow their business.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow companies to connect directly with their audience members and interact with them in near real time. Companies are able to build a solid reputation online and can also create strong connections with their audience – or “tribe” as author Seth Godin calls it – folks who are interested in what the company has to say, appreciate the way they say it, and like to talk to each other about it.

One of the most impactful and top-trending social media tools available these days is video.

According to a recent article on Forbes.com, “social videos have much more engagement than any other content format…” Either pre-recorded or live, video allows consumers to truly see what you have to offer. They see your personality. They see how the product is used. And from that, they make buying decisions. Video is a great way to get your message across to the people you want to connect with.

If you’re interested in growing your business, here are 5 ways you can use video to accomplish that.

1. Tell your story. Putting your company’s story on video is a great way to start. Everyone likes a good story, and when it’s well-told in an interesting format, people pay attention. Who are you? Why did you start the business? What’s your business personality like? People appreciate getting to know you. Create a compelling story and share it on video.
2. Start a conversation. Several social media platforms have launched live-streaming video platforms that give you the option of interacting with your audience. Live video allows you to communicate your message, while chat features give the audience a chance to communicate back in real time. Twitter’s Periscope and Facebook Live are great examples of this, and Instagram is now experimenting with it as well. Regardless of whether you use live video or pre-record it, give your customers a chance to engage with you. Get a conversation going!
3. Introduce New Customers to Your Brand. Video is a great way to expand your reach in the marketplace. Introduce new customers to your brand by creating videos designed specifically for this audience. Focus on who you are, what you do, and why your product or service is of benefit to a new customer. Start by asking questions and then provide solutions. You might be surprised at how effective this is.
4. Teach People How to Use Your Product or Service. Who hasn’t used YouTube to find out how to do something? Video is a great way to demonstrate the correct way to use your product or to explain to someone why they might need the service you offer. It allows you to walk customers through a step-by-step process and gives you the opportunity to provide more explanation along the way. Video is also a great tool for do-it-yourself customer service.
5. Give a Behind-the-Scenes Look into Your Organization or Your Process. If your company has a unique company culture, make a video about it. If your warehouse operation is state-of-the-art, make a video about it. If the projects you turn out are fun, exciting, or silly, make a video about it. Anything about your company that makes you different or better than the competition is fodder for a good video, as long as you can publicize it without giving away any trade secrets. Let the world know why you’re the best at what you do and what you have to offer.

The ease with which you can create and post your own social videos these days is astounding. You no longer need a video production team; you can do it yourself with relatively little training or experience. If that thought makes you nervous, there are digital marketing agencies like Organically that can help. Give us a call at 1-800-917-0970, and get a conversation started today!