Video is perhaps the most powerful tool available in our multimedia toolbox. And, if you’re not already putting video up on your Website, blog, or Facebook Fan Page, here are a few ideas on what you might do with the medium.
Product Demos
This is a pretty obvious one, and lots of companies are doing this, but what about pushing yourself go in a different direction here? Back in the summer of 2008, Squarespace garnered a fair bit of attention for a series of time-lapsed product demos that showed how they were able to replicate well-known blogs with their platform in twenty minutes or less. There were no voiceovers, only an instrumental soundtrack powering along beneath the frantic on-screen action. And these things worked. Internet television network Revision 3 soon picked up Squarespace as a sponsor, and they are now sponsoring several of the Web’s most influential tech podcasts.
Personality Pieces
It doesn’t always have to be about the company or the product either. Sometimes it’s quite alright to put together a video that’s all about the personalities behind your business. Last month, EllisLab CEO Rick Ellis posted a video of himself playing “All Along the Watchtower” in what he described as his “most ridiculous hat.” This was filmed for “Do Something Silly Tuesday” on Twitter and highlighted his guitar playing chops, an aspect of the executive’s personality that isn’t particularly well known. Fan site EE Insider then picked it up and ran with it.
A Little of Both
Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV excels at using video to market his brand, and he manages to make his videos do a little of both of the things I’ve already mentioned. An episode of Wine Library TV is always chock-full of personality, but every episode is also a product demo. Gary’s store may not sell every wine he tastes, but his knowledge and expertise in his subject area are a strong selling point for the store in general.
Got any tips on how to best use video online? Leave a comment below! And make sure to get out and so some fun stuff on this Fun Stuff Friday.
