The New Benefits of Video
As the old saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words." In today's media-savvy world, nothing temps and tantalizes a potential client like a well-crafted promotional video. With smart scriptwriting, captivating testimonials, sharp interviews, fantastic pictures and sound, and excellent production values, a promotional video is perhaps the most important investment a company can make to "seal the deal" and increase its bottom line.
Indeed, more and more companies are turning to short, promotional videos that can be posted online and distributed freely.
And why not? The increase in online videos corresponds directly with the big increases in online video watching.
Some Eye-Opening Statistics
Over the last year, for example, Canadians spent 1.2 billion more minutes viewing online multimedia than the year before.
In June of 2008, 81.96% of Canadian web users viewed online videos. Of those, the average viewer watched 398.7 minutes and 111.7 videos. In the US, the average user watched a bit less, however there were many more users in total.
Statistics also show that when a web page offers streaming videos and rich media, web users stay on the page and website for a longer period of time. For a business, this means that they get a much better chance to broadcast their messages to users who are willing to listen.
Distribution is Easy
Not only do individual users pay more attention to videos, but the internet makes distribution to more total viewers far easier and cheaper than ever before.
A YouTube video has the ability to reach more than 600,000 people in a single day. The website also lets you upload up to as many videos as you want, at absolutely no cost. In most cases, distribution costs for online digital media is zero. And if a well-crafted video goes "viral," your customers will continue to spread your message for you.
The Future
The numbers continue to grow. According to a new report from Borrell Associates, local online video advertising will explode from $371 million in 2007 to $5 billion in 2012.
No longer are videos only expected on the website of large Fortune 500 companies, even small- to mid-sized businesses are expected to have website videos featuring their products, services, and their unique company story. Websites that don't include videos will soon be left behind.
Quite simply, online videos and rich media have become a crucial tool for any business. By teaming up with a firm like Marketing Breakthroughs, businesses can take advantage of the cost-effective and lucrative opportunities online videos truly offer.
* Statistics obtained from comScore Inc.,Borrell Associates and eMarketer
Learn more about MB's New Media and Streaming Video Production services.
