In the US, the average Joe on the Internet watches 186 videos a month (this is according to comScore). They’re watching videos of all sorts that include watching the news, entertainment clips, advertisements, personal videos, etc.

Consumers have been on the go with their smart phones, tablets, laptops and they can connect with videos in a way that photos and text alone can’t. Using videos, it can bring out interactive engagement of voices and expression to represent the brand personality and originality. Not only does video boost conversations but it also helps to gain traffic too.

It’s easy for small business owners to leverage on this marketing tool. One can easily use compact digital cameras (even smart phones) and with the emergence of straightforward and easy-to-use editing software, there is no need to have a big blockbuster budget for the whole production, the key here is to keep it engaging and effective.

Here the types of videos you can create:
These videos are use as a medium of information, an informative clip that informs what your business is all about.

• Demonstration videos

            Demonstrating a product or a service is really hard to convey using words.           With a video you can show and tell your customers how a product or service       works. It’s a how-to guide that it is more engaging and customers can easily  understand.

• Testimonial videos

I know, I know, real stories from real people aren’t something new. But, you can make it fun and more engaging by asking your customers to make their testimonial videos in the most creative way. Make it a weekly contest and offer discounts as winnings. This way the video would spread by votes from their friends, more buzz, and more traffic.

• Weekly Video Blog Post

Boost  your brand personality by introducing your staff. Create a theme or a story a week, maybe give a video tour of the whole office or business location, where the whole office spent the weekend or even a funny incident happened in the office.  This creates greater connection with your customers from sharing laughs and opening up your brand personality as something they can relate to.

• Opinion Videos

            Ask them for their opinion on a video and ask them to reply in comments. This     will show that their opinions and ideas matter to you, what’s more you get to dig         more insights directly from your customers.

For some of you who are camera shy, making a video doesn’t have to be an intimidating process. Just remember to keep it simple, short and smooth.

Your first time?

Here are some simple tips to making a video:

• Don’t complicate the process, decide on a simple topic and just go with it.
• Keep it short. Decide on points you want to convey and converse it in a time-frame. If it’s a testimonial from a customer, then limit them to two or three questions. 
• Relax and get in tuned with your comfort zone in front of the camera. It will help if you have a colleague you’re comfortable with to work behind the camera, like you are talking to him or her as the camera records.
• To err is human. Take time if front of the camera, it may take a few takes but you can always edit the best segments together later.
• Keep it casual. A video should not sound as if you’re reading through notes, write them in points and go though them casually to make it conversational.
• Encourage opinions, ideas and comments. Get your viewers thinking and talking; it will then spread and be shared, hence building better brand awareness.
• Call to action. At the end of the video, it’s always good to add interactivity to lead your customers to find out more.