Video Marketing Tools to Promote Your Design Business [3 Quick Tips]

“Video marketing is too expensive!”“My business isn’t suitable for video content.”“Sure, video would be nice to have, but I don’t really need it.”Trying something new is nearly always daunting. When it comes to marketing your business online, that can be even more true. After all, your business is your baby and you don’t want to do anything to hurt it, right?Then again, most of us would do anything, endure any hardship and spare no expense, to protect and nurture our baby. That’s why the three objections to marketing with video above make little sense. If you truly wish to nurture your business with your online marketing strategy, then marketing with video simply must become a part of that effort; and we’ve explained why in the various posts in this series: Here’s one and here’s another.The good news is, getting started with a video marketing strategy does NOT have to be expensive; video works for every business niche – including interior design; and yes, you will definitely benefit from using video – and yes – you also need it!

3 Quick Tips for getting started with video marketing

First of all, you will not need to spend a small fortune on buying or renting video equipment or editing software. Your smartphone is an incredibly powerful device that very likely offers a quality video recording feature. You can also use the webcam on your computer, along with a decent microphone. So, you already have the video recording equipment you need!Next, there are all sorts of free editing software applications available and, with a little time and effort, you can create surprisingly high-quality videos with them. Do a little research to find one that meets your needs and, as you move forward, consider paying for their upgraded version.Next, consider how easily you can place your videos into the marketplace, once again using free video editing services and free video sharing platforms:

1. YouTube – By far the largest social media and video sharing platform on the internet, YouTube offers so much more than just a place to share your videos. The YouTube Editor is a wonderful tool for creating attractive videos that can then be added to your YouTube channel – and embedded in your website or other social media platforms. And – it’s free!
2. Video Plugins – If you currently have a website, and of course you do, you're probably aware of the plugins that can be used to augment the basic design, improve your SEO, and or enhance communication with visitors. If you have a WordPress website, the choices are too numerous to mention but, here are a few that can be had for a nominal fee, or for free: TubePress, Video Gallery Wordpress, YouTube Channel Gallery.
3. PowerPoint Video – It would be unusual for an active business to not have at least ONE PowerPoint Presentation stashed away somewhere. Did you know you can use your free video editing software to turn your favorite slideshow into a marketing video? Yes, with free services like Camtasia, Animoto, and Vigo Video, for example, you can create exceptional video content simply by repurposing your PowerPoint presentations. Of course, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be using your video app for all kinds of video creations. Click here to learn more.

Now that you know some of the easy and inexpensive tools to get you started with video marketing, what is holding you back?Looking for more interior design marketing tips? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

3 Easy Tips for Marketing Videos to Promote Your Design Business

In a previous post, we explained the incredible value of video marketing and shared a list of the best types of marketing videos you can use to promote your interior design business. Yet, many design business owners continue to resist the use of video in their marketing plan, usually due to fear: fear of cost, fear of looking bad, fear of embarrassing themselves.There is only one thing that can be said about that – get over it.Marketing with video is simply too powerful and effective for you to allow fear to keep you from using it to promote your design business. As a way to help you with that, we’d like to share a few ideas that should make using video much easier for you, helping you find your comfort zone with video marketing.3 Easy Marketing Video PresentationsWhile we listed 11 types of videos that have real value for marketing any business, we’d like to focus on the three easiest types of videos you can produce as the foundation of your marketing strategy. And, since you now have a comprehensive content plan in place, you will never be wanting for subjects.

1. Tip Videos – As a tool for building your reputation as an expert in the design niche, a tip video may have no equal. In just 3-5 minutes, you can outline a popular pain point for potential design clients, then offer 1-3 solutions. This lets them know you understand their needs and that you have the answer they’re searching for. It’s a huge win for them, and for you, as you freely share your obvious expertise.
2. How-to Videos – Usually a bit longer than a tip video, a how-to video can be used to explain concepts that may be difficult for the uninitiated to understand. From the fundamentals of the design process to programming SMART appliances or electronics, both prospects and clients will appreciate your guidance through a world with which they are likely unfamiliar.
3. Client Testimonials – These are the easiest videos of all to produce – since you may not even appear on camera! Since you're already asking your very happy design clients to write a testimonial for you (YES, you are!), it’s a simple step to ask a few of them if they would be willing to use their camera phone or web camera to shoot a quick video testimonial for you. You will probably be pleasantly surprised by how many of them say “Yes”.

With attention spans shrinking, offering a quick, clear video presentation that educates your viewer is becoming an increasingly powerful online marketing tool. For maximum effect, your videos should be uploaded to both your website and your YouTube channel. (OF COURSE, you have a YouTube channel, right?)And, as mentioned above, your videos should be used as the foundation of your marketing strategy, with your weekly blog posts and social media content focused on the subjects of your weekly videos.So, easy peasy, you now have a video marketing plan in place that coincides perfectly with your 5-minute content plan, enabling you to share your expertise across a variety of platforms as part of your marketing strategy.See how it all comes together so well, with these 3 easy tips for marketing videos to promote your design business online?Looking for more interior design marketing tips? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Internet Marketing Tips – 5 Best Ways to Use Video Marketing

We all know that video can be entertaining and that there are millions out there on the internet who will watch nothing but those cute cat and dog videos for their amusement every day. While “creations” like these may attract a broad audience, they do little to help a business gain traction or engagement with a targeted audience.When it comes to using video for marketing your design business, the question must be answered: Whom are you trying to reach – and why?Business objectives with video marketingUltimately, the goal of every marketing effort should be to generate income. However, the ways you go about doing this can make all the difference in the just how you employ video as part of your marketing efforts. In other words, while the long-term goal of your marketing efforts is to boost revenue, you should also have a short-term goal for each video you produce.Video can be used in a variety of ways, with a range of outcomes for your business. Here are the five best ways to use video in your marketing efforts:

1. Lead Generation – Valuable information tends to be shared, which will increase interest in what you have to offer. This will boost traffic from your video platform (YouTube, for example) to your website, creating opportunities for enhanced list-building. Whether you provide “explainer” videos, “how-to” videos, or make other types of information available in your videos, the more value it has, the more leads you’ll generate.
2. Increased Engagement – Good video generates comments from the audience, which creates opportunities for you to interact with them. Doing so allows your audience to “get to know you” on a more personal level, building loyalty toward you and your brand.
3. Brand Awareness – Imagery reinforces brand awareness as almost nothing else can. Once your audience has a firm picture of your brand embedded in their minds, it will be difficult for your competition to replace it.
4. Product launch – Something like 65% of people are visual learners. This means that showing a new product will likely be far more effective than explaining it to your target audience. If you're launching a new service, create videos that show it in the most flattering way possible, while also clearly demonstrating the benefits of using it – how it will make their life better.
5. Conversions – Making the sale is your ultimate goal, so you should never forget to create videos in which you ask for the sale. As you use your marketing videos to engage and build relationships with your target audience, it will become increasingly difficult for them to refuse when you ask them to buy from you. Use this to your advantage to increase conversions and boost ROI.

BONUS TIP: User Reviews – 61% of shoppers check out product reviews before buying, according to AdWeek.com. Whether you're offering a product or service, the opinions of satisfied customers genuinely do matter. Video reviews are even more powerful because your audience can see the reviewer and judge their honesty and integrity for themselves. Take advantage of this by creating user reviews as an integral part of your video marketing strategy.Can you think of other ways to best use video to promote your business? How has video enhanced your marketing efforts? What do you think are the best ways to use video for marketing your business?Looking for more interior design marketing tips? Get in touch with TD Fall today.