Ever since the coronavirus pandemic began, YouTube has seen a huge surge in traffic. That probably shouldn’t be too surprising. Not only do most of us have extra free time on our hands, but the demand for online learning has never been greater.
Most industry experts believe this trend will persist even after the current public health crisis ends. That is, many of us are going to remain “YouTube converts” for years into the future.
That has important implications for marketers. There were already all kinds of reasons to use YouTube to find and inform potential customers or clients. Studies have shown, again and again, that video is more engaging and memorable than other forms of media, and the obstacles to starting a YouTube channel for your business have never been lower.
As with anything, online marketing, ease, and efficiency are crucial. If you’re thinking about making YouTube video marketing a part of your advertising mix, here are seven proven ways to streamline your efforts…
1. Invest in Cost-Effective Tools
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get started with video marketing, but it does help to have some tools like a high-resolution camera, a good microphone, and quality lighting. Not only will these impact the way your videos look and sound, but they’ll also make it easier for you to produce clips more easily.
The costs for good video equipment have come down dramatically in recent years, to the point that you can get most of what you need for a few hundred dollars. Or you can do what a lot of marketers do and shoot on a smart phone without sacrificing quality.
2. Setup a Studio
Don’t worry—we aren’t saying you need to have a dedicated room or soundstage. Instead, we are simply recommending you set aside a corner of an office or spare room where you can leave your lights, along with a camera, tripod, and backdrop in place (as examples). Being able to just step in and get started will make video creation more convenient.
There are always plenty of reasons not to shoot a video promoting your company. If you have a space that’s already set up so you can just press “record” and get started, you’ll have taken away a big excuse for procrastination.
3. Work from Scripts
You’ll never realize how little you have to say until you get in front of a live camera without any text or bullet points to work from. Even if you don’t want to script your videos word for word, you should outline some key points. This will keep you on-topic, reduce stress, and keep your videos running smoothly from one topic to the next.
Very few people feel comfortable freestyle in their marketing messages in front of a live camera. By using a script you make it easier to stay on track and present yourself as a professional.
4. Batch Your Projects
In the same way you wouldn’t wash a single pair of socks at a time, neither should most marketers shoot their YouTube videos one by one. By batching, you can make the most of time, equipment, and even things like pressed suits and makeup. Set aside a few hours to shoot a half-dozen videos and you’ll be amazed at how much more quickly each individual project goes.
Anything that helps you stay consistent with content marketing is worth trying, and batching videos is one of those habits that pays bigger dividends than you might think. You can probably do a whole lot more than you think in much less time than you expect by trading a daily chore for a few bursts of focused effort.
5. Streamline Editing
When it comes to editing your company’s YouTube videos, you have two options: to get good at refining video clips, or work with an outside vendor. We strongly advise the second course for reasons to do with quality and timing. Just be sure your partner knows what kind of look, sound, and feel you are shooting for.
Editing is the most time-consuming part of the process for most video content creators. By becoming proficient with tools and tactics, or outsourcing the job, you can make everything feel like less of a chore.
6. Use Marketing Templates
For some marketers, releasing videos takes as much work as creating them. When you’re generating descriptions, keywords, thumbnails, and other elements from scratch, the hours can add up quickly. Get around this bottleneck by having templates you can customize again and again for faster releases.
There is no point in reinventing the wheel for any marketing task, and particularly when it comes to producing video. Drag-and-drop marketing templates can literally save you hundreds of hours while improving the production value of your clips.
7. Get into a Rhythm
Everything in life gets easier with practice, and it’s much simpler to keep up a habit then it is to schedule a chore. Recognize that and make your video production efforts a regular part of your schedule. When you get into a rhythm, you’ll have more fun and see improved results over time.
As with anything in the world of content marketing, it takes time to get great at video… and a little more time to start getting results. Be patient, get into the right habits, and hang in there. You might be amazed at what you can do for your business with a little bit of sustained effort.
Need Help Breaking into Youtube Video Marketing?
It’s easy to succeed in YouTube video marketing—and any other online video marketing platform—when you have the right creative team backing you up. If you want expert-level guidance that’s customized for your business, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and see how we can help!
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