Engaging with their target audience is the most vital thing for every business. There are many channels available these days to engage your audience. Companies use many mediums to convey their messages to customers and prospects. Among many channels, social media is now one of the most crucial spaces to engage your audiences. To beat the competition and do well as a business, you need to be active on social media.
Social media is a vast domain. You have social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, image sharing & messaging sites such as Instagram and Snapchat, social blogging sites like Medium and Tumblr, social community and discussion sites, and video sharing sites like YouTube and Vimeo. You need to tap each one of them effectively to reach and engage with your audience.
From writing a blog and sharing images to uploading video content, you need to have a robust social media marketing strategy to reach and engage effectively with your existing customers and prospects.
However, when you formulate your social media marketing strategy, you need to pay special attention to video content.
Why?
The reason why you need to focus on video marketing is – because the video content is capable of getting you more shares and conversions than any other type of marketing content.
But to make your video marketing successful, you need to understand that your video content needs to be engaging and it should have the right specs.
If you are already doing video marketing but are not getting the desired results or in case you are starting your video campaign, then you are in the right place. Let us take you through how video gets you noticed on social media – know the specs before you get started, types of content you could post, and ideas to get you started with video.
Know the specs before you get started
If you want to generate higher and better engagement with your audience, then you need to tell (read the video) your story in the right manner. A lot goes into making a video. From subtitles and length to details and sound, you need to get everything right to make your video more engaging and interesting.
However, the first thing you need to get right is this – know the specs before you get started.
When it comes to video content, it is important to understand the specs first. Let us take you through the video specs of Facebook and Instagram.
Facebook video specs
On Facebook, the most common type of video comes from shared posts. There can be two orientation for this type of video content – Landscape and Portrait. Here are the video specs for both:
For Landscape and Portrait, the recommended video dimension is 1280 x 720, and the minimum width is 600 pixels.
The Landscape aspect ratio is 16:9, and the Portrait aspect ratio is 9:16.
For mobile, the aspect ratio for both is 2:3.
The maximum file size is 4 GB.
The recommended video formats are .MP4 and .MOV.
The maximum video length is 120 minutes.
The video max frames 30fps.
In the case of character limits, the maximum count is 2,200 characters. If a link is used, then the recommended count is 90 characters. The headline should not be more than 25 characters. And, link description should not be more than 30 characters.
Similarly, there are different specs for 360 video, Facebook video ads, carousel video ads, collection video ads (mobile), canvas video ads within news feeds, autoplay video within canvas ads, Slideshow video ads, and Facebook stories.
Instagram video specs
Video content is also extremely popular on Instagram. Here are the specs for in-feed video – Landscape, Square, and Vertical:
For Landscape video, the minimum resolution is 600 x 315, for Square video, the minimum resolution is 600 x 600., and for Vertical video, the minimum resolution is 600 x 750.
The aspect ratio for Landscape is 16:9, for Square, it is 1:1, and for Vertical, it is 4:5.
The file size for all formats is a maximum of 4 GB.
The recommended video formats are .MP4 and . MOV.
The maximum video length is 60 seconds.
The video max frames at 30fps.
In the case of character limits, the maximum caption is 2,200 characters, and the caption recommendation is 125 characters.
Similarly, there are different specs for Instagram video ads, carousel video ads, Instagram stories, and Instagram TV.
Hence, if you want your video marketing to be successful, you need to make sure that you follow the specs of each platform.
Types of content you could post
The more engaging and interesting you make your video content, the more people will consume it.
What makes for interesting content?
If you know the types of content you could post, it would make things much easier for you. Isn’t it?
Let us give you a brief on some of the topics that are known to perform better on social media:
- Interview/ Q&A – People just love to engage with informative interviews and Q&As that tend to answer your questions. You can sit with one of your team members and make it look like an interview. Or, if you are planning to go solo, then you can opt for the Q&A format.
- Behind the scene – People are curious to know how you do your work. It is a good idea to make a video highlighting those who work for you. You can highlight your company culture and connect with your audience.
- Product or feature video – Brands’ social media posts hugely influence your consumer’s buying decision. If you want to highlight a product or market a specific feature, video is the best bet to reach your audience. A social media post is more convincing than an ad.
- Live videos – Live streaming is now a common feature offered by most platforms. You can go live and interact with your audience for better engagement. It is the right format for behind-the-scenes, Q&As, and event content.
- Promos and deals – Most of your customers are interested in a deal. You can put out a stimulating video announcing a sale or deal to catch their attention.
- User-generated content – User-generated content can look more convincing. You can ask some of your loyal customers to share their content, which you can repost. User-generated content can also create more engagement.
- Contests – Holding a contest is a great way to engage with your audience. You can create a video to promote your contest. You can also make a video to announce the winners. Alternatively, you can go live to interact with your audience and announce the winners.
- Announcements – If you have major news like expansion, product launch, or an acquisition, you can make a video and let your audience know about it.
- Events – You can post your event videos. Make the video more interesting by interviewing select attendees.
- Breaking news – People these days use social media to get their daily news fix. Breaking news and participating in trending topics is a great way to engage with your audience. But be careful of newsjacking. You can put out a video if you have a breaking news about your organisation. You can also make a video sharing your views about an important event.
- How-to and Tutorials – How-to and tutorial videos are extremely popular these days. You can make these videos to interact and engage with your audience. When done in the right manner, these videos can fetch great results.
Ideas to get you started with video
YouTube’s consumer base is growing at a rapid pace. The reason for this is simple – video consumption is on the rise. If you have just started your video marketing or in case you are not getting the desired results from your present campaigns, then here are ideas to get you started with video:
“Getting to know you” videos
“Getting to know you” videos are the most common beginner YouTube ideas that you can start with.
- You can make videos –Introducing yourself – Introduce yourself – who you are and what do you do. What should your audience expect from you? You can also make a video welcoming people.
- Introducing your company – Make a video to tell your audience what you do and introduce them to your business.
- Introducing your team – Make a video to let people know who all help your organisation run.
- Introducing family and friends – Introduce your family and friends to your audience.
- You can also start vlogging – Just like blogging, you can start vlogging, which is a nice way to engage with your audience. Vlogging can be on any topic – educational, entertainment, or personal.
- Make an explainer video – You can make an explainer video to introduce your product, service, or company.
- Create a tour video – People like to know what goes behind the scene in making a product. You can let your audience take a sneak-peak into your office.
- Another popular format on YouTube is “a day in the life” – People on YouTube love to know what you do and how your day pans out. Make “a day in the life” video of your typical day.
- Create culture videos – Let people know what culture you follow in your organisation. Make videos that bring out a fun and positive culture of your organisation.
- Shoot “behind the scenes” videos – Let people know what goes on behind the scenes in your organisation.
- Share facts with your audience – Make a video to let your audience know some facts about yourself.
Draw my life – Narrate your key events and experiences through draw my life videos.
Educational and tutorial videos
- DIY video – DIY videos are extremely popular. Show your audience how they can do a particular job without any external assistance.
- Tutorial or how-to videos – These are also immensely popular on YouTube. You can upload videos on how-to learn piano, guitar, etc. – the possibilities are many. How-to set up your new phone or how-to look young, etc.
- Cooking tutorial videos – These videos are also massively popular on YouTube. Teach people how to cook their favourite dish.
- Product tutorial videos – Teach people how to use different products, could be yours, or someone else’s.
- Explain a concept – You can make a video explaining a concept. For example, if you are good at maths, you can solve a tricky problem, or if coding is your forte, you can explain a complex coding problem.
- Workout videos – When it comes to fitness, many people check out YouTube on how to do a particular exercise. You can make workout videos and post them.
- Webinar or presentation – If you conduct webinars or give presentations, you can put them on YouTube so that people can watch it when they have time.
- Infographic videos – If you want to share numbers and statistics, you can make infographic videos to engage with your audience.
- Whiteboard video – It is an animated video where someone draws on a whiteboard. If you have a complex idea to explain to your viewers, you can make a whiteboard video to engage with your audience.
- Q&A videos – If you want to answer frequently asked questions about your product or business, you can put a Q&A video to make things simple and easy for your audience.
- Myth-busting videos – If you want to bust some myths, you can put out myth-busting videos to clear the air.
Review videos
- Product reviews – Many people go to YouTube to check out product reviews. It is one of the most popular types of content on YouTube. Before making a purchase, many people check out product reviews on YouTube. You can upload your product reviews so that it can help your prospects firm up their decision.
- Movie review – You can also share your opinion on a movie that you have recently watched.
- Book review – The same is true for a book as well. You can share your opinion on your latest read.
- Game review – Just like movie and book, you can share your opinion on the latest game you have tried.
- Testimonials – If you have a business, you should post testimonial videos. It should be part of your business strategy because it develops trust among your audience.
Fun video ideas
- Comedy or skits – If you can make people laugh, you should make videos and post them on YouTube. Funny videos can go viral quickly.
- Music video – If you are into music, you can make videos and upload them on YouTube.
- Prank videos – People love prank videos. If you can make prank videos, then you should start putting them out on these platforms. People just love harmless pranks.
- Funny and cute baby videos – People love to see funny and cute baby videos. You can make them and post them on YouTube.
- Funny animal videos – People also love to watch funny animal videos. Kitten or puppies can go viral on social media if you can make funny videos.
- Challenge videos – YouTubers love challenge videos (for example, the Ice Bucket Challenge). Remember not to compromise safety.
- Parody video – Give a popular video, song, or movie a spin of your own by making a parody video.
- Bloopers – You can put out a funny blooper video on YouTube, which your audience will love to watch.
- Lip syncing or singing – YouTubers love these videos. You can try them out to reach out to your audience.
- Magic tricks – If you know a few tricks, make a video of them and put it on YouTube. People love to watch magic tricks.
- Walkthrough video – Video game walkthrough videos are extremely popular on YouTube. If you are good at some of them, make a video and put it on YouTube.
- Speed-run videos – Can you finish a popular game quickly? If yes, you can show off your talent by capturing it in speed-run videos. These are very popular on YouTube.
- Highlight reel – If you are good at action sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, surfing, etc., you can show off your skills proudly. YouTube has active communities for all these sports, and it can help you in more ways than one.
- Time-lapse – Time-lapse is a technique of capturing the video frames at a much slower speed. These videos are extremely popular on YouTube.
- Fan videos – If you want to share your opinion on what happened at the end of your favourite book or movie, then people love to hear them on YouTube.
- Mashups – Mashup videos are immensely popular on YouTube. You can make them and post them on social media. For example, it could be two different songs or a movie clip.
- You can also make collection videos – If antique collection is your passion, and you have a huge collection, you can make a video and share it with the world. People love to see collection videos.
- Unboxing video – People love to watch unboxing videos. Whether you are opening your new smartphone or unboxing a new toy for your child, YouTubers would love to see it.
- Shopping haul – You can make a video of your latest shopping spree and put it on YouTube. It is popular among beauty and fashion vloggers.
- What’s in my bag video – If you are a woman, you can make a video of what is there in your bag.
- What’s on my phone video – Want to show off your phone apps? Make a video and put it out on YouTube.
You can also make videos listing your favourite books, movies, YouTube videos, songs, albums, games, travelled places, apps, athletes, and teams.
- Promo video – If you have a promo video, you should put it on YouTube. It is known to fetch great results (if it is a nicely made video).
- Opinion videos – You can share your views and opinion on any subject – politics, celebrity news, current events, etc.
- Response video – If you differ with someone’s views, you can put out a response video sharing your views in response to the video.
- Reaction video – Want to react to news or event, you can shoot a reaction video and put it out on YouTube.
- Event recap – Make a video of the event you are planning to host and put it on YouTube so that those not present during the event can watch it.
- Live streaming – You can opt for live streaming to engage with your audience so that nobody misses out on anything.
- Video contest – Plan a video contest, and ask your viewers to make videos for you. It is the best way to get user-generated content, and the most engaging way to interact with your viewers.
Video can improve your brand’s visibility on social media. If you are looking for a social media marketing services company that can take charge of your video marketing campaign, you can get in touch with vStacks Infotech now. We are a digital marketing company specialising in social media marketing, and we know what it takes to make your brand more visible on social media.
