5 Video Success Secrets

Do ever start watching a video and realize it’s a total waste of your time?

Maybe it didn’t live up to the description or deliver what the title promised. Or maybe it was such horrible audio quality you just couldn’t stand it for more than 3 seconds.

When I first started shooting video, a dear client let me know gently (and, luckily, early on) that my audio was scratchy and hard to listen to for more than three seconds. I had no idea!

Why does all this matter for your travel & tourism business? Video is the fastest way to engage and reach more of your social fans.

Here are 5 Video Success Secrets I’ve learned along the way.

1. Test your lighting!  Once I invested in a professional lighting kit, people told me I looked younger! (That made it totally worth my money).  Here’s what I use. 
2. Invest in a good microphone!  Whether you’re shooting video from your phone or an HD webcam, choosing an external microphone is key to ensure your viewers stick around for more than three seconds!
   1. Pro Tip:  Here are some suggestions and popular microphones.
3. Take the time to add captions (also called sub-titles).  Did you know that 80% of people consume video without the sound! Miss adding captions, and you may miss a sale.
   1. Pro Tip:  Tune in to this video for details to create captions quickly and easily. 
4. When you upload your video to You-Tube, add an end card (also called an end screen).  What a great way to entice viewers to watch more of your videos and not get distracted by other people’s content. This is a YouTube feature that you can set up right within your Business account. Use the option to showcase your video, another person’s video, or a playlist. Or you can invite people to subscribe to your channel.
   1. Pro Tip:  You can create your end screen within You Tube or customize yours with a graphic tool like Canva, Visme, or PicMonkey.

   5. Finally, one of the best things I’ve done to attract more viewers and subscribers is to market videos. This is key to attracting your social fans to build stronger relationships with you. All you’ll need to do is embed You Tube videos into your website, blog, and newsletters.

The bottom line is that video is a super-powerful way to get in front of your potential clients. Don’t get lost in the shuffle of content; stand out with these free video promotion tips. Which one will you start with?

Catherine Heeg, international speaker & trainer, takes the mystery and mayhem out of social marketing. She focuses on social media marketing strategies for the tourism and hospitality industry. Connect with her at www.cmsspeaking.com and socially.