Why Video is Essential for Your Marketing Plan

Video is critical for your success online. It’s the way it is—people trust you more, connect with you more, and relate to you more through video. Nobody explains your product better than you do. Video has been a trend for years and is here to stay. In this blog, we will discuss the different forms of video and why it’s necessary for your marketing strategy.

 

The Power of Video

First and foremost, most people prefer to watch a video rather than read text. Video retention is higher, and viewers are more likely to share videos. Most online ads are now videos because they statistically perform better than other formats. According to techreport.com, video marketing creates 80% more conversions than conventional marketing methods.

Consider this: one in every three activities people perform online involves watching a video. Digital marketing videos can increase your website’s conversion rate by 80%. That’s an insane statistic. Additionally, research shows that 68% of people will watch a one-minute-long video completely, and 89% will complete a 30-second video. This data suggests that shorter videos can often be more effective, as people engage better with tiny, manageable pieces of content.

 

Types of Video Content

Social videos, webinars, and demos are the most popular types of visual recordings online. Businesses benefit significantly from these types of content. For example, 84% of people who watch explainer videos are more likely to make a purchase. TikTok Shop’s success with video content is a testament to this. Video content is 1200% more successful than any other content type, and businesses report experiencing 1000% more productivity from visual content.

On average, people watch about 16 hours of online recordings weekly, and this number is increasing. A survey shows that visitors spend more time on pages with videos, and 83% of marketers admit that video increases the amount of time visitors stay on their pages. Video content in emails can increase click-through rates by 300%, and just including the word “video” in your email subject line can boost open rates by 6%.

 

Short Form vs. Long Form

There are multiple types of video content. Short form is anything under 60 seconds, while long form is anything over two minutes. Most platforms require videos to be at least 60 seconds long to be monetized. Explainer videos, product demos, and user-generated content are particularly effective. Showing how a product works through a demo is much more impactful than simply describing it.

User-generated content, especially product demos by real customers, can significantly boost trust and conversions. Shoppable video ads and live video also play a crucial role. Live videos allow real-time interaction, which is incredibly valuable for engagement. Statistics show that 50% of TikTok users bought something after watching a TikTok live, and 53% of companies have used live video in some form.

 

Platform-Specific Insights

Different platforms have their own statistics. YouTube, with over two billion monthly users, is a giant in the video space. Shorts, YouTube’s short-form video format, has seen tremendous growth, contributing significantly to channel growth.

Instagram has been pushing reels for the last year. According to Predis.ai, about 50% of Instagram users visit websites to buy products after watching stories. TikTok, with its rapid growth, is expected to have two billion users by the end of 2024. 85% of brands plan to increase their TikTok spend, as it effectively highlights key messages in the first three seconds, which increases click-through rates.

Facebook stats show that live videos get double the engagement of pre-recorded videos. Based on data from 2023, Facebook has over three billion monthly active users. A Facebook messaging survey revealed that 53% of people are more likely to shop with a business if they can send them a message on Facebook. Facebook ads reached more than three and a half million users in 2023.

 

Video Is Critical

Video is critically important for any marketing strategy. It doesn’t have to start with your face—you can use your hands, voice, or product demonstrations. The key is to start somewhere and improve over time.

There are optimal times to post videos on different platforms. For example, Instagram’s peak times are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Facebook performs well Monday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday also showing strong results. YouTube prefers consistency in posting rather than specific days, and Pinterest, though often overlooked, remains a valuable platform.

In summary, video is a powerful tool that can significantly enhance your online presence and engagement. Start integrating video into your marketing plan today and watch your business grow.