Traditionally starting a TV channel would be costly and time-intensive. You would need to invest lots of money in equipment and infrastructure. After that, you would have to strike a deal with a cable company. Today, things are different. You can start and run your own online TV channel with minimal trouble.
Here are a few ways that online TV can help push your brand.
1) Pick the Right TV Platform
The first step is to choose the most relevant TV platform for your target audience. Today, your options are endless. They include YouTube TV, Hulu Plus TV, Facebook Watch, and Sling TV.
You don’t need to stick to the traditional TV platforms. As with most other marketing platforms, the best option depends on what your target customers want. If, for example, you are trying to target 45-60-year-olds, Facebook Watch may be your best option.
Snapchat TV and YouTube would be more appropriate for younger audiences. Snapchat TV is appropriate for fast-paced, short stories. It uses highly-engaging graphics and will help you capture your audience’s attention fast.
Publish your online content on primary and secondary platforms to get your viewership as high as possible.
2) Produce Videos In Vertical Format
No one wants to tilt their phone every time they are watching a video. The ‘vertical video format’ is the defacto for social media videos. The videos in your online TV channel should look just as good on mobile as they do on desktop. Use ‘device detection’ in the HTML code to ensure that your viewers always get the most relevant version for their devices.
3) Publish the Correct Video Types
When starting a channel on TV, you must think of the types of videos you will be posting. One size doesn’t always fit all. If you hope to improve your brand awareness, include a mix of the following:
Evergreen Content
This type of content will always be valuable and relevant to your followers. It is just as helpful today as it will be in the coming months or years. Evergreen content includes how-to and lifestyle videos.
Brand Story Videos
These videos let your viewers know who you are and what you stand for. They may show behind-the-scenes footage or tell the origin story of your brand. The goal is to give your audience a sense of belonging.
Hot Content Videos
These videos are about trendy topics that your target audience would enjoy. When something happens, your audience should hear about it from you first. Hot content will encourage your followers to subscribe and check out other videos.
Aspirational Lifestyle Videos
These videos feature brand partnerships and influencers. They are the types of videos that influence your followers to try living a certain lifestyle.
4) Include a Mix of Short and Long Videos
Publish videos of varying lengths to capture the attention of your target audience. When planning the videos you plan on posting, consider your followers and prospects. How will their viewing change depending on their buying stage or context?
Ideally, you should include short-form, mid-length, and long-form videos. Short-form videos are perfect for quick consumption, especially on mobile devices. Mid-length videos may be able to stand alone. However, you can also link a few of them to create a story.
Long-form videos are great for streaming-style viewing. They have a lot of relevant information. However, they don’t need to be longer than ten minutes.
Social media is your best friend when trying to push your brand. In addition to the likes and views, the quality of your content is everything. Online TV channels help you market your business while providing your audience with the entertainment and value they want.
