How To Create A Promo Video For Your Online Course

The campaign for marketing that is the best for your program will largely be dependent on the subject of your course and the target market you're targeting, however, regardless of who you're seeking to get into your class, there's a fact that will help the effectiveness of your marketing campaign: video marketing is one of the best strategies to engage with people online.

If you are new to video, this might seem out of reach--but don't fret! If you have the right tools and some direction it is possible to create videos that precisely reflect your course and capture the interest of your targeted audience. Before we begin, let's take a look at what video marketing really is and why it's become such an effective device.

  What exactly is video marketing?

Video marketing involves using videos to promote your business. That's it! It's incredibly easy and effective. A promo video is a specific video designed for advertising a particular event, product such as an offer or event or, as in your instance the case of an online course. Promo videos are usually brief (ours are usually around 15 seconds in length) and have the same primary focus - to enrol prospective students for instance.

Sincere it's not a new concept to use video in marketing. Video has been used by people for a long time. The thing that makes the current landscape of marketing unique isn't necessarily a new piece of technology for video, but it's the social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat--these are all social media platforms that offer a (relatively) new method for users to exchange ideas and stay connected. Since all these social sites are available as apps on phones and tablets, users are able to access them at any time and anywhere. So, your course has the potential to maintain a constant connection with your targeted audience.

  What has changed with social media? the landscape of video marketing?

Alongside revolutionizing the way people interact with one another Social media has also changed how you communicate with members of the audience you're trying to reach. In contrast to radio or television, social media is never completely off. Furthermore, the amount of people that video marketing through social media has potential to be able to reach is astounding. Consider this:

• According to Statista Statista, 78 percent of people living in the United States has a social networking profile.
• As of December, 2015, 59 billion people are active on Facebook. Out of the 1.59 billion people, 1.4 billion are actively engaging with the platform through their mobile phones.
• Instagram boasts 400 million active users in September 2015.
• Although they are smaller in comparison to Facebook and Instagram, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Snapchat each boast over 100 million people.

  Are the benefits that video marketing brings worth the energy it takes to make it?

The quick answer is an unquestionable yes. For the long answer, let's first look at how your audience could be a good fit for the video marketing strategies you employ:

• When you make videos with high-quality content they can create an emotional connection with your course's target audience members. Videos can bring out features of the brand that are in tune with your target audience, those who view your video may think that they know your brand better than if they were to read the same information presented in written form. This is particularly important if your course extends the business you run.
• Videos are easier to digest than text. Because it provides a visual element that people can focus upon, videos marketing can communicate your message in an easily digestible way that incorporates both sight and sound--making it more memorable.
• Video marketing may increase the propensity of target customers to purchase the product that is being promoted, meaning people are more likely to enrol for your online class.

While engagement with target audience members is certainly the ultimate goal of video marketing campaigns It is essential to examine the more technical side of video marketing in order to figure out ways to create this participation. After all, you can't create a relationship with your audience who don't view your video content. Here are some of the methods that video marketing can bring an additional value to your course's promotional campaign by getting your content more visible to a wider amount of viewers:

• People enjoy sharing posts that resonate with them through social media. video content is a simple way for them to share your message. If you are able to create video marketing content that is beneficial to the people who are your customers and they'll be eager to share the videos with their friends, family, and professional networks--and they will more likely join the online courses you offer.
• Since video marketing does not require costly equipment or a lot of editing, it can be used to market your products in real-time (it's even faster to create videos than certain blog content!). Believe it or not, you can create a marketing video and post it in a matter of minutes (not hours) This implies that you are able to continuously produce video content for marketing that is relevant, interesting and memorable. This results in content viewers will be happy to be more likely to share.

  Can video marketing keep your course relevant?

Aside from all of the advantages of using video marketing that we've already mentioned, there's another important reason to add the use of video marketing in your promotional strategy is a great idea: relevance.

As technology has advanced over the years, businesses are required to stay on top of the latest developments in order to stay current in the eyes of their target audience members. Video marketing is just one more step in a long string of technological advances and tactics for marketing. In fact, Cisco predicts that video content will comprise 69% of Internet traffic from consumers in 2017 and Nielsen believes that 64% of marketers experts expect video to be a fundamental aspect of marketing strategies.

  Below are the steps I take when putting together promotional videos:  

  STEP ONE: PLAN  

It's essential to create an idea of what you want to accomplish before investing any time producing the video.

• Choose the objective of your video. What actions do you wish viewers to do after watching your video? Make a note of it! Be sure to clear your mind before going further
• What content do you need for your video? List specific images or video videos you'd like to incorporate.
• What kind of text do you wish to include? List specific promotions or event information, coupons codes, or calls to action.

  STEP 2 STEP TWO: PRODUCE  

It's where the majority of people are stuck due to insufficient tech knowledge. But you don't really need tech skills anymore! We make all of our promotional videos using our phones.

• Decide where to make the video. Make use of one of our top apps and you'll have an amazing video in just five minutes flat. The top five iPhone video games include Quik, Legend, Stop Motion, Flipagram, Ripl and Boomerang. There are some paid for, and others are completely free. Most even have templates so you don't have to "design" anything. If you are tech-challenged Try Flipagram first since it's a basic slideshow.
• Add your pictures along with your text to the app of choice. Make sure to use only your own pictures or those that you have the right to make use of. Do not steal images from Google!
• Want music? Certain apps come with built-in music beds which can help make your video sound amazing. Be aware that the vast majority of the songs you have in your iTunes library are protected by copyright. That means you can face fines if you embed the songs in your video without a permit to utilize the clip. (i.e. you could get sued and your sound could be censored, and your music may be banned from social media - gaaaahhh!) My preferred place to buy audio or sound effects is Audio Jungle.
• After you've finished you can save the video on your camera roll or send it out directly through the app.

Keep in mind that if you intend to share your video to Instagram the video must be between 3 and 60 seconds long. Be aware that attention spans can be short... thus ensure that your video is brief.

Additionally, if you'd like your video to look good on all platforms, stick to a square-cut crop. So, everyone has to turn their phone to see the video.

Here's a sample of a video for promoting a course that I shared on Instagram (about fifteen seconds):

  STEP THREE: PROMOTE  

• Upload your video to your social media channels by adding a brief text message and a link. Inform your followers what to do. (i.e. to reinforce the video's call-to-action)
• Upload the video to your YouTube channel, and then embed it in blog posts, guest post on other blogs, or in guest posts.
• Include the video in your email marketing.

  Ready to make a promo video to promote your online course?  

Promo videos are a proven way to grow course enrolment. When using the apps listed above, they really are easier than you think. So give it a go and watch the engagement on your social media increase!

If you have any questions concerning creating a video promo for your online course, send them to the comments section below. It is also possible to download my Video Planner Worksheet that will aid you in planning your next video!

Julie Ball is the Founder of Grow Web Marketing, a marketing agency that helps female entrepreneurs grow their business as well as their image and brand their brand. If you want to learn how to produce professional videos for your business, without having to spend a fortune, check out her online course Easy Video Marketing for Small Businesses.