You KNOW that customers want more than to read about your products, they also want to see what they are and how they perform to solve their problem or need.

They also want to hear from you why you are selling the product or service, what you think about it, and any advice you’ve got. Put another way, they want video!

In that light, marketers are always looking for ways to crank up their video marketing program…

Today you have arrived at the right place, because here I have compiled a list of ideas that you can pick and choose from to do just that!

These are effective ideas that can be implemented at a reasonable cost and will pull in that traffic and get you the results you are looking for.

They also can be adapted to your budget, can be scaled up or down, and created using on-hand tools or programs you likely already have in your marketing arsenal.

 

40 USEFUL VIDEO MARKETING IDEAS

So here we go, I have a total of 40 ideas here for you…There are of course more out there, but the point of this post is to start getting your creative juices flowing.

So enjoy the read and feel free to use them as is, or create your own versions of these ideas  for your own video marketing program…

The First 20 Ideas For Video Creation

 

 # 1.  Use an existing video. First up, if doing this. you need to make sure that there are no copyright issues. Once you have found a suitable one that will work, rework it to make it useful to your potential viewers and get traffic. Add an intro and outro to promote your brand, or some other stinger that enhances the video, further making it your own creation.

 

# 2.  Do a quick explainer video. You can explain one subject per video, focusing on questions people in your niche may have, and use the animation packages available for a very reasonable price to create these. You can even create a whole series of these sort videos and become a “go to” expert. I suggest covering one subject as to more per video, because then you will get focused traffic that is looking for answers to what you have provided.

 

# 3.  Do a how-to video series. As opposed to the above explainer videos, this is where you put together a series of short videos that cover one subject in more detail. This will attract the people loving to learn, and there are a LOT of them searching the internet. Who does not like to tap into free resources out there, and these can lead to more interaction and trust building!

 

# 4.  Put together a Video Contest.  This is a fun video to put together, and you will find that you will likely get a lot of creative people participating who will vie for whatever prize you have, if it is related to the contest subject and has some real value. Something like this easily can go viral if marketed wisely. It also  can be lots of fun for participants too and create a huge buzz.

 

# 5.  Do a product demonstration. This can be a product that you use, are selling or promoting, or it could be a tool that people in your niche could use or use more effectively. You can use some free tools to record such a demonstration, such as Google +, Blab, or Skype (using a video recording tool such as Pamela). Once you have it together,  place it on Youtube. Let people know it is there through social platforms, and enjoy the traffic!

 

# 6.  Put together a parody or edit a remix of an already popular video. See what is taking off at the moment in the social world, and try to catch the videos that are just taking off virally. Hang on to their coattails and reap the benefits of that upcoming popularity by making a similar video that will attract this same crowd…Again on this, share it on your social platforms and consider adding it to Youtube. Be sure that you do not violate and trademarks or copyrights  if you use this idea!

 

# 7.  Answer action blocking objections people have about a subject. Take a few minutes and research just what the common objections that people may have to taking some action on a program, a tool, a service, or a product may be. Then make a video addressing each of these specific objections, and get the viewers convinced they need to take action!

 

# 8.  Upload video testimonials. Did you know that testimonials are a VERY powerful marketing tool today? More and more buyers will look for social acceptance prior to making buying decisions, and testimonials via Video are more powerful than written testimonials (both are effective). Buyers know that videos are almost impossible to fake though, which is why I give the edge to video over content. Consider using these!

 

# 9.   Record yourself presenting a motivational speech. This is something that you can script, practice, and very effectively present through a video.  You can also use this as a front end introduction to your site, platform, sales page, etc. Easy to do with practice. You are speaking in front of the camera directly to the viewer, and these people will be able to use more senses in getting your message than just having an article. In addition to the content comprehension they will receive, they will have visuals triggers such as body language, tone of voice, and movements that further emphasize your intent. It is a much richer medium that a simple article. They will get a sense of who you really are and what you may be able to  provide them.

 

# 10.   Show yourself! Use your business in a video to show visitors the  “behind the scenes” details of your operation. People will feel that you are sharing something close to you, and if done correctly will come away with a higher level of trust in you, of coure leading to more leads, sales, and profits.

 

# 11.   Upgrade your current videos. Let’s face it, some people just do not like appearing in front of a camera nor hearing their voice for videos. This is OK, there are solutions…You can hire a professional to do a voiceover, using Fiverr or a similar site. Let’s say if you have just the visuals, simply hire someone qualified from Fiverr site to do the voiceover – often it costs just $5.

 

# 12.  Introduce your team. You can do a video of interveiws of team members in their work setting to better build trust with your leads and prospective leads. When viewers see and learn more about you, and who is working with you, and see the work envrionment, they will also build confidence that you are a valuable resource they need to listen to and take action with.

 

# 13.  Tell a story. This is similar to an explainer video, but it can cover more and be longer, and can be done using several kinds of props such as whiteboards, outside backgrounds, or action shots, i.e. driving a car or similar. Of course every story has a lesson, so be sure to include this at the end…reiterate the main points of the story and add in calls to action as well if appropriate.

 

# 14.   Conduct an Interview with a SME. A SME is a subject matter expert. Find someone who is such an individual in your market niche, prepare a set of questions, and get them to agree to a video interview with you…In the interview, try to pull out the natural tendency of people to like to talk about themselves, to better provide a picture to the viewer. You win and the viewers win.

 

# 15.  Add a guest teacher. Have someone else who is competent on camera do a segment of your teaching or explainer video . It adds variety and entertainment to the final product and depending on who that teacher is, it can add star value and social proof to your product. The more the teacher is known in your market niche the better result you will experience regarding viewers and traffic.

 

# 16.  Use PowerPoint more. This is a great tool to make a slideshow video with. Likely you have worked to some degree with this tool, but consider other innovative ways you might do more. You can easily narrate the voiceovers and add music, time the presentation slide advances to your voice as you explain the contents of each, and the end product looks and sounds professional. This works and works well!

 

# 17.  Prepare more screencast videos. These are easy to put together using some of the free or low cost software tools available online, and they are very effective when demonstrating or  teaching something to your clients. Some things you just cannot talk about, you have to show them in action, and screencast allows you to talk the lessons through as viewers see what you mean in the action shown on the screen. It is a super way to come across professionally to your viewers.

 

# 18.  Make a publicity stunt video. This is a good way to build your brand and your name in the market. Tap into some of the trending stunt videos, make a “shoulder niche” stunt video, and get it out there. Be careful though , you want the stunt to capture the attention of viewers but you do not want to get hurt in the process!

 

# 19.  Lead the viewer through an experience. Do a first person viseo journal of an experience, where they will feel as they watch like they are experiencing the event or process through your eyes. This could be a video compilation of a conference, where you cut and splice the segments into the story, showing some shots of your arrival, the different activities, and the closing sessions. Generally you are trying to relay to the viewer the experience that YOU experienced. Very effective.

 

# 20.  Latch on to a popular topic in the news. Look at what is popular now in the news. It could be politics, sports, another special event, or similar. Record a video on your take regarding the topic and using one that can tie in to your niche, then add in points or reasons this makes your product, service, or tool more important than ever to buy, sign up to, or use. You will capture people in the niche that are interested in this topic, and make believers out of them if done correctly.

OK we have looked at the first 20 ideas, it’s time for a small break before we get into the final 20…

WHAT IF MY BUDGET WILL NOT SUPPORT CREATING BIG BUDGET VIDEOS?

This is a concern that many marketers have…The cost, the time and the effort to get videos planned, recorded, edited and posted is perceived as being too much…

Many will say they simply can’t afford to do too much video marketing…

I say this:

“You cannot afford NOT using videos for your marketing and sales program no matter the niche, the size of your company or business, and whether or not you have a sizeable budget!”

OK, break is over, let;s get to the next 20 ideas…

The Second 20 Ideas For Video Creation

 

# 21.  Sales pages and squeeze pages. This is one you have likely heard many times before, but I will tell you I see used it far too sparingly in my internet surfing and reviews. Using videos  will increase your subscription rates, your conversion rates, and subsequent profits, more so than any kind of other page. It’s that simple. Use videos and see the positive difference in YOUR program!

 

#22.  Create a time lapse video. You can easily set up a video camera, and over a period of time as you determine is right to record the changes in scene being recorded. Once you have the footage, then condense it into a short video. I have seen this used in many settings and they are very effective in showing the progress of a project or quickly telling the whole story from start to finish within a few minutes or less. People like watching these too.

 

#23.  Record a rant or your thoughts about a subject. This could be about anything, but may come off best if it is something that you have a strong opinion on. When you do these, do not hold yourself back, express yourself as openly as possible, and show your emotions. People viewing it will either agree or not agree, but they will see you as you are. It may attract some who might otherwise not have been convinced that you are a trustworthy person, because it really involves you opening yourself up to let others know your true thoughts and feelings. There may be some that will disagree, but that’s ok too.

 

# 24.  Tell your life story as it relates to a topic.   This will give you an opportunity to once again build the relationship with the viewer. They can see why you are in the niche you are in, or why is is that your are using what it is you are promoting, or why you feel the way you do about something. As opposed to a rant, this is a more reasoned approach and involves persuasion and selling your viewpoint to the viewer. It works well if you are sincere and back up your conclusions.

 

# 25.  Advise yourself. This may seem somewhat counterintuitive, but it can work. Let’s say you have been in the internet marketing world for a couple of years, and of course the things you know now are much different from when you started. You didn’t know what what you didn’t know, and now you know what you didn’t know, so you essentially go back and point out the things you would have done differently had you known. It works, because you are teaching others as you advise your former self. They will learn what you have learned, and this is done in a bit of an unusual manner, so you will likely keep the viewers attention, and gain some trust while doing so…

 

With the last 15 ideas, I will just do one or two liners with each. I think you are probably by now following the the thought process presented on how to fit each of the presented video ideas into your program…

 

#26.  Become a reporter. Do a video report  at a live event, launch, or perhaps a seminar or trade show. Publish it.

#27.  Do an introduction video. Record this as if you were in front of an audience. In it tell them who you are, what you want/aspire to be, and the things you care deeply about.

 

# 28.  Conduct a public poll. Get out into the streets and start querying people for their opinons on a topic that is related to your niche. Post this video and build a content post around it.

 

# 29.  Create a video response. This is a good way to get ranked quickly by Youtube. Use this for videos that are trending and you will find yourself quickly appear to the right of the trending video on the Youtube site, meaning your video has a good chance of being viewed!

 

# 30.  Network to create videos increasing visibility using other’s viewers. This can be done by working together  with other video producers to create a product that can be posted on both your sites and increase the possible swath of visitors, subscribers, and conversions.

 

# 31.  Unboxing a product. This works for some reason rather well. Many people like to watch these unboxings, and it gives you another opportunity to relay who you are to viewers.

 

# 32.  Do a top 10, top 20, 10 things to avoid, etc, type video. Whatever the number, whatever the subject, go through and explain point by point the items on the list, then add in intro, outro, calls to actions, and publish.

 

# 33.  Prove or disprove a myth. This is a good topic because it will generate discussion and if you are persuasive in your argument or viewpoint, can build your relationship and trust with viewers.

 

# 34.  Do a “show and tell” for tools you use in your business. It could be any of the tools, hosting service, sites, or software you are using on a regular basis that others viewing the video may want to use in their programs.

 

# 35.  Use people as props. You can do this by having real people hold up placards that, when added together one after another, send a message to the video viewers. Put these into your videos to emphasize a point or an idea. Entire videos can be created in this manner, or only snippets, up to you!

 

# 36.  Expand on the “why”. If you are describing how to use something or teaching a set of guidelines or rules, instead of just regurgitating the points, go deeper and explain the why something is the way it is.

 

# 37.  Play the “Devils Advocate” card. Take a controversial stand on something that is generally accepted and explain why, backing it up with facts, talking points, or opinion.

 

# 38.  Mental Discipline. Talk about the emotional difficulties clients may face on their journey. Expand on your own experiences or that of friends to add credibility.

# 39.  Talk about your mistakes. Use self-disclosure to explain to viewers the mistake, the result, the lessons, how it pertains  to them, and what they can do to avoid the mistakes.

 

and last, but not least:

 

# 40.  Pose a question, and ask for responses. Record a video posing a question or a dilemma for which you ask responses from viewers within a limited time period, and lastly offer a prize for the best answer. Later at you add an accompanying  video explaining the answer to the question, provide examples of feedback from respondants, and award a prize for the best answer.

 

CONCLUSION

There you have it! I hope that these short ideas will give you new incentive to create and use more videos in your marketing program.

They will  have a positive impact on your marketing program I am sure if they are used.

Do not forget to do the requisite SEO for videos you create so you get the credit you deserve for your efforts and people can find you when they do searches using keywords and descriptions you have included.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Best of luck and please add in any feedback you have for the ideas presented as well as adding to this list below in your comments. I am sure there are many many more hundreds of ideas out there that would work!

Cheers!