Video Ministry Marketing And Business Promotion: 9 Reasons Why No One Is Watching
With the rise of videos being watched online today, any ministry marketing or business promotion plan online must consider video.
The good thing is it is not as difficult as what you may believe. Below are golden nuggets of basic truths concerning online video for ministry marketing or business strategies online.
Online video marketing is becoming the best method to reach a business or ministry marketing target audience. The power of video and its effect online can be seen everywhere, especially if you spend any time on the internet.
From YouTube sensations to antics caught with a smart phone camera, a video online can easily catch our attention and go viral. To see just how popular watching videos is look at the latest statistics from a leader in measuring the digital world, Comscore.com:
"U.S. Internet users watched 30.3 billion videos in April 2010, with Google Sites ranking as the top video property with 13.1 billion videos, representing 43.2 percent of all videos viewed online. YouTube accounted for the vast majority of videos viewed at the property."
You may have tried to taken advantage of all those eyes watching videos for your business, service, or ministry marketing venture. You invested in the time, maybe even a video camera, and got the nerve up to start shooting videos to sell your service, a book, a product, or something related to your ministry.
So what is happening? No one is watching your videos? Why?
These 9 common mistakes are just a few of the problems people make when creating their video. You can learn how to avoid them and take steps for the solution of having more people watching your videos!
Who knows? You may gain an audience that can't wait for your next video release!
Reason #1: Biggest Mistake In Video Ministry Marketing or Business Promotional
This is one of the most common mistakes people make when creating a video and it is real simple. It has to do with the motive. Instead of sharing valuable content, the person tries to sell the viewer on his/her product or service.
It can happen real easily. You may think of that American Express bill, or see a pile of bills that need to be paid. Inside you think, "I have GOT to sell something to pay that..." So you turn the camera on and the next thing you are doing is sounding like a salesperson. No one enjoys a video that is pushy and full of sales hype, let alone coming from someone they don't know.
So to solve problem, focus on sharing, sharing, and more sharing of valuable information in the field you are an expert. Share a tip, or your knowledge on that subject. The marketplace pays for value and your value is your skill or knowledge. As you share content that can help someone, you start to gain the trust of a viewer. As you continue this process of giving away valuable information, it can set you up to where you don't have to sell a viewer at all.
They realize you know what your are talking about concerning your subject. You have given valuable content away.
So to buy something from you, well, that must really be something of value because you offer so much information for free!
Reason #2: Poor Audio In Video
This is a simple mistake with drastic results where no one will give your video the time of day. It's amazing to note that a viewer is more likely to put up with poor production or video quality than audio! If they can't hear you well, they will skip on to another video quick!
The best way to get good audio in your video is to invest in a separate microphone and plug it into the camera. Using the mic that's built into the camera can give you an echo sound or you'll pick up too much room noise.
Now if you have a Flip camera or one of the smaller cameras where you have to use the built in mic, then you will have to get close to the camera...as close as you can and still be in the picture. Make sure there is no outside noise and the room is quiet. I know my dog always seems to want to bark when I shoot without my mic.
When it comes to these smaller cameras, I prefer the Kodak Zi8. It has a built in port for my mic. I love it! You can find an inexpensive mic on Amazon and have much better quality of sound to ensure your viewer can hear your message and continue to watch your video!!!
Reason # 3: You Are Not Authentic Or Real
This mistake is real simple to avoid. Be real!
If you are trying to copy someone you'll come across as fake. You have to put aside your fears and ego, step up to the mic, look into the camera and be YOU!
The closer you can get to who PEOPLE think you are; who YOU think you are; and WHO YOU REALLY are....The more authentic you come across the camera.
I have some favorites that I enjoy watching on videos or on television. One of the reasons why I enjoy watching them, besides the fact they give great value in their content, is because of how real they come across on their videos.
Dani Johnson, Amy Grant, Jesse Duplantis, Paula White, and Stephen Pierce are a few people from different backgrounds and professions that I enjoy watching videos!
Reason #4: You Have NOT Set Up A YouTube Channel
This reason may seem too obvious for some of you. But there are countless people who fail to do this simple step of setting up their YouTube channel. When you consider that 60% of the content online is video, and that YouTube dominates other video sites, it's like a no brainer. You have to take advantage of this gigantic video site.
The popularity of Google's video-sharing site YouTube is also increasing massively. The latest statistics from Comscore.com (leader in measuring the digital world) shows that the month of May, YouTube had as many as 14.6 billion videos being watched by the site's users--this figure marking an all time high for this video site. In addition, YouTube accounts for 43.1 percent of all videos viewed online. An average of 186 videos per viewer in the US alone.
Hello! That is an average of 186 videos per viewer JUST in the United States!
So set your channel up, load your videos with keywords and be found where the video viewing eyes are!
Reason #5: You Tend To Ramble
I know when I start shooting a video I tend to make the mistake of wanting to get a bunch of different thoughts into one video. Next thing you know, I am rambling and the video is longer than 2 minutes.
Not good for a successful ministry marketing or business promotional video plan!
So try this method to avoid this mistake. Focus on ONE thought per video. One of the easiest ways to do this is to set yourself up for it by saying something like this as you shoot your video:
"In this video, I am going to tell you how to avoid rambling in your video...."
So, in the rest of this short video will only explain what you just said in your own opening line. You are not going to talk about any other idea, just this one thought. It's like I'm doing here in this article. I am not going to write about audio or lighting....JUST how to focus on ONE thought per video.
Reason #6: No Call To Action In Your Video
This can be a critical error in a video. You may have the greatest information, the latest advice on a subject, but you don't tell the viewer how or where they can go to find more about your subject or you!
What is a call to action?
A call to action is a single, focused command to your viewer or prospect. So train yourself to end your video with a simple statement including your domain name where they can get more information like the kind they are hearing and viewing in your video.
As you establish that you do have something of value to offer, and you are the best source to deliver it, you want them to take the next step.
I think it's best to emphasize this with your domain name shadowing in your video in the bottom right or middle of each shot. For a viewer to take a certain action, you have to literally tell them and show them if you can, what they need to do to lead them to your opt-in or squeeze page.
If you can have video that shows them at the same time you are telling them all the better. For example, I offer a free online video marketing course. As I tell them all they have to do is go to " http://www.videoministryhelp.com " and submit their primary e-mail address", I am at the same time showing them the page and zooming in on the opt-in box.
The call to action is one of the most important keys in any kind of ministry marketing or business promotion, but especially in video!
Reason #7: Looking At Themselves Instead Of Into The Camera
This is a key for viewers to really feel like you are talking to them, and not just enjoying looking at yourself in the camera or computer screen. So how do you make sure you get this connection?
No matter the size of the camera lense, even if it's that tiny green dot on a laptop, look at that point and not yourself!
As you look into that lense, imagine your best friend or someone you like to talk to and laser your focus in on that target talking naturally.
I worked at KXLY-TV in Spokane, Washington a number of years ago in the sports department. They had a sports anchor that was popular through out that part of the state and came across as everyone's friend. When I'd go on sporting events with him and the crew, I watched him closely every time he was on camera. No matter how chaotic it was behind him at a basketball or football game, when that camera's red light was on, he was on! He'd have his warm smile and look right into that camera talking naturally as if he was just talking to you!
I eventually focused on all the anchors and noticed the EXACT same thing. Whether they were in the studio or at a live event, they always looked deep into the camera lense as they read their scripts, or gave the weather, speaking as if it was just you and them.
Reason #8: Over Production Of A Video
Not everyone makes this mistake, but I figure it's worth mentioning, especially if you are really getting into the post production of your video. The mistake made here is when you over produce, use too many special effects, make your transitions wacky each time you cut to a new scene or thought.
Nothing will drive a viewer away faster than seeing you enthralled with all the little special effects your I-Movie or Windows editing software provides.
So, keep it simple. Your transitions need to be more natural fades than cubes or 3D effects.
It's ok to open the video with say, a 3D effect of a door or window, but keep the inside of the video to simple fades or dissolves.
Remember, you want your viewer to be focused on what your are saying, not in your special effects or hyper production.
Reason #9: Incorrect Lighting
This is a basic and obvious fact that they need to be able to see you in the video, and not wonder who is that speaking out of that shadow! Don't fret about thinking you have to buy a major light set either.
Anyone can use the "three point lighting technique. This is a standard method used in video or photography. The system forms the basis for the best lighting. This technique uses three lights called the key light, the fill light, and the back light.
Granted it's best to use all three but you can get some decent lighting just with two.
The key light is on the person in the video. This light is usually the strongest and has the most influence on the look of your scene. Place it to one side of the subject so that this side is well lit and the other side has some shadow.
The fill light is a softer light that fills in the shadows on the other side. To make this light softer, you could move the light farther away and set it as more of a flood light than key.
And the back light is just that, lighting the back of the person giving definition and subtle highlights around the subject's outlines. The back light also separates the person being shot from the background and provides a three-dimensional look.
The great thing is often you can use your own lights in the house, open a window, and get the right lighting balance to suffice for a good solid picture.
I personally find my husband's "Home Depot" work lights, with a few desks lights, work great to get proper lighting. I always want to let in as much natural light as possible by opening any blinds or drapes.
The point here is to adequately light your area and not feel like you have to be a Hollywood lighting pro.
One other note on this that is not related to lighting as much as what is in the background.
Don't have a messy bed or desk behind you. Look behind you and make it presentable. Try not to have a lamp or tree (if you are shooting outside) come out from your head.
Conclusion:
I truly believe anyone can create and produce a video for a ministry marketing or business promotional plan online. It is a great way to really connect with your target audience so they can come to know you and understand what product or service you have that they may need.
Avoiding these 9 simple mistakes will give you a greater chance to connect with your viewers and get more of your videos watched.
For more information and for a FREE video series on how easy it is to get started, click here for "7 Online Video Ministry And Business Promotion Tips."
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