You have heard that video marketing for businesses is the next “big” thing, but you’re not sure how to go about it. You know that you’ve seen some great videos (and some really bad ones), but you’re wondering what makes some videos awesome and others not. You want to make one for your business, but you don’t want to embarrass yourself (or your company) in the process. Well, if this is you, you’re in luck because this article is here to save the day; and possibly your video too.

Here are the top 5 video marketing mistakes you want to AVOID when producing a video for your business:

Mistake #1: The video is too long

All too often people take the “bigger is better” approach to their videos by assuming longer must be better; but it isn’t. Statistically, the percentage of viewer engagement dramatically declines after 2 minutes of watching a video. That’s not very long. So, it is recommended to make your videos 2 minutes or less in length to maintain the highest viewer engagement; 60 seconds or less is ideal.

Mistake #2: Talking about too much

When making a video about your business, it is tempting to talk about every feature or selling point about your company. But let me encourage you, resist the temptation. The average attention span is 8 seconds so you don’t have long before you lose someone; you must make every second count. So try and focus on one or two main messages instead of 4, 5 or 6. Just remember, less is more.

Mistake #3: Making pointless videos

If you use social media, it is almost inevitable that you have come across a video only to ask yourself at the end “What was the point of this?”. This is exactly what you don’t want viewers of your video asking themselves. Please, don’t aimlessly post a video without any specific purpose in mind. This turns the viewer off and can do more damage to your brand than good. Instead, come up with engaging content that viewers will likely find interesting, informative or entertaining.

Mistake #4: Having unrealistic expectations

Often times people expect too much from the first, and possibly only, video they produce, which sets them up for disappointment. Video marketing does not (typically) produce instant results. So, to avoid this, it is important to keep the expectations of your video realistic. Think of it like playing the lottery. Your odds of “winning” only trying it once are dismal. But the more you try the better your odds get.

Mistake #5: Not having a call to action

This is an essential component to every great business video that is commonly overlooked. You must have a call to action at the end that compels the viewer to take a specific action. Effective video marketing prompts viewers to act, whether that is to order now, visit their website or call for more information. Make it fun and creative. Try to avoid the cliché “call or click today”. That’s just terrible.

 

When you’re making your first, or next, video for your business, follow these practical tips to create effective and engaging video marketing content. And if you need help from a professional, we are always here to lend a hand!

 

Have questions about video marketing? Check out our other blog here for some of the most common questions we get!