According to research, video content is more powerful and successful than any other content on social media platforms. Whether potential customers have to make a purchasing decision or get to know more about a brand, videos are the best form of content out there as compared to pictures and text. Videos can improve brand loyalty and engagement rate for businesses to help them achieve their target sales revenue. It can also help achieve other social media marketing goals for instance to get more subscribers on YouTube.
However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that not all videos perform the same. You simply can’t create and upload any video out of nowhere to fulfill your business targets. You need to properly plan a social media video in order to get followers on different platforms. Therefore, this article will provide you with three easy steps to help you plan a social media video. Read on!
1) Specify Goals
When planning for video content, you need to ensure that your goals are clear. It’s ideal to have SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely) that allow you to stick to them and make it easier for you to achieve them.
You should research your audience thoroughly to make sure your objectives align with them, as you will be able to attract their attention more.
Checking your competitor’s social media accounts can also give you hints on what’s trending and how you can get ahead of the competition.
At this stage, you should also determine the purpose of creating the video. For example, are you looking to increase your website traffic or want to increase the audience for your brand?
If a how-to post on your page has more likes, shares, and comments, you can make a similar video to it to help you further increase the engagement rate. Whereas, if your product information post has more clicks, such a video can help you increase your website traffic.
2) Brainstorm Ideas
After specifying your goals, it can be slightly overwhelming to decide on the kind of video and the type of content you want to create. At this stage, it will be better for you to create a storyboard or write a script for your video, as it will allow you to come up with several ideas accordingly. Whereas, creating a storyboard helps to give you an overview of the kind of video you want to produce.
Going through your social media posts can also facilitate you to decide on the content of your video. For instance, by analyzing the overall analytics, you will be able to clearly see which post performed best in which perspective. Some of your content may have an increased number of outbound clicks while others may have a higher engagement rate, i.e., more likes and comments. This can give you insight into the content your social media video should follow.
While brainstorming ideas for content, you should also consider the type of video you will produce. The different types can be as follows:
- Testimonials – A video including testimonials or user reviews can be helpful if you want to capture the attention of potential customers.
- Behind the scenes – When you show the making of a certain product to your audience, it makes them more interested in your brand and increases customer loyalty.
- Informative – You can create a how-to video for a specific product and tell them how they can use your product to their advantage.
- Fun – This can include some jokes or pranks to help your audience feel a part of the community.
3) Video Production Plan
You obviously need to plan the production before you actually start recording the video, as it will save you time and your valuable resources. You can outsource production to an agency to spare you extra stress. Otherwise, you need to consider the following when doing it all in-house:
Equipment. Thanks to the advancement in technology, you can use smartphones to create premium quality videos. However, it’s better to invest in a microphone, as it will deliver more crisp and distraction-free audio. You can also easily find a top-notch quality tripod at affordable rates.
Lighting. Usually, it’s ideal to use natural lighting, so consider filming at the golden hour to give a more aesthetic look to your video. If you’re thinking of filming a video for your product only, you can use indoor lighting.
Music. Whatever music you are thinking to use in your social media video, it’s a must to take into account the license. Otherwise, you may have to face a lot of trouble down the line. You can either purchase the license of music or get free stock music online.
Background. If you want to add vibrant colors to your video, you can shoot outdoors that features flowers and lush greenery. Or you can also use a background cover of your choice if you’re planning to shoot indoors. Remember to choose colors wisely as they trigger the emotions of viewers.
