Hey there! The other day, I was having coffee with my friend Alex, who runs his own company. Alex has been pretty stressed out lately, and I could see the frustration in his eyes.
“Business just isn’t growing like it used to,” he admitted. “We’re doing everything—blogs, social media posts, email campaigns—but nothing seems to work. I’m at my wit’s end.”
I took a sip of my coffee and leaned in. “Have you ever thought about focusing on Social Media Video Strategy? Specifically, creating animated videos?”
Alex looked intrigued but skeptical. “I’ve heard about it, but I’m not sure where to start. Can it really make that big of a difference?”
“Absolutely,” I replied. “Let me walk you through seven crucial steps to building a successful social media video strategy. Trust me, it can transform your business.”
“First things first, you need to define your goals,” I began. “What do you want to achieve with your videos? Is it brand awareness, engagement, lead generation, or sales?”
Alex nodded. “Okay, but how do I decide which goal to focus on?”
“Think about your overall business goals and how video can help you achieve them. For instance, if you want to increase brand awareness, your videos should focus on telling your brand story and showcasing your values. Clear goals will guide your strategy and help you measure success.”
“Next, you need to understand your audience. Who are they? What are their interests, pain points, and preferences?”
Alex looked thoughtful. “We have a general idea, but how do we get specific?”
“Use analytics tools to gather data on your audience’s demographics and behavior. Engage with them through surveys and social media interactions. The better you know your audience, the more tailored and effective your videos will be.”
“Not all social media platforms are created equal,” I explained. “You need to choose the right platforms for your videos.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Which platforms should I focus on?”
“It depends on where your audience hangs out. For example, if you’re targeting a younger demographic, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are ideal. For a professional audience, LinkedIn might be the best choice. Tailor your content to the strengths of each platform.”
“Now, this is where the magic happens,” I said. “You need to create content that grabs attention and keeps viewers engaged.”
Alex looked eager. “What makes content engaging?”
“Focus on storytelling. People love stories, so weave a narrative into your videos. Use high-quality visuals, compelling scripts, and captivating animations. Keep your videos short and sweet, especially for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.”
“It’s not just about creating great content,” I continued. “You also need to optimize it for each platform.”
Alex seemed puzzled. “What do you mean by optimizing?”
“Each platform has its own technical requirements and best practices. For example, videos on Instagram should be vertical, while YouTube prefers horizontal. Pay attention to video length, aspect ratios, and thumbnail designs. Also, use relevant hashtags and keywords to increase discoverability.”
“Once your videos are ready, you need to promote and distribute them effectively,” I said.
Alex leaned in. “How do I do that?”
“Share your videos across all your social media channels. Collaborate with influencers and partners to expand your reach. Use paid advertising to target specific audiences. Don’t forget to include a call-to-action, encouraging viewers to like, share, and comment.”
“Finally, it’s crucial to analyze your results and adjust your strategy accordingly,” I concluded.
Alex nodded. “What should I be looking for?”
“Track metrics like views, engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Use these insights to understand what’s working and what’s not. Be ready to tweak your content, timing, and distribution strategies based on your findings.”
“So, Alex,” I said, wrapping up our conversation. “These seven steps can help you build a successful social media video strategy. Define your goals, know your audience, choose the right platforms, create engaging content, optimize for each platform, promote effectively, and analyze your results. Video marketing, especially animated videos, can significantly boost your business growth.”
Alex smiled, looking more hopeful. “You’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m ready to give video marketing a shot. Can your agency help us get started?”
“Absolutely,” I replied with a grin. “We’ll make sure your videos stand out and drive the results you’re looking for.”
ELEVEN GATES was created with the aim to work collaboratively with clients and to break down the silos that keep brands from providing meaningful customer experiences.
