Video Ideas to Educate, Inspire, and Entertain
2020 has been a huge year for video. Businesses are turning to online video to connect with their customers, work with and train their employees, and to share their message with their followers and fans. Many of my own clients have built additional cost for videos into their budget for next year, and we’ve already started planning videos for 2021. Not only can video be a powerful marketing tool, but it can offer an easy solution for many of the problems businesses are facing today. No matter what goal you have for your business or what issue you may be facing, I’ve got a video idea for you to educate, inspire, and entertain all your customers and followers- even your employees!
Videos That Educate
I worked with Highlights Library to create this brand video that provides a lot of great information about the site.
Video is a great way to educate your audience. You can teach your customers about your products and services, train your employees, and teach your online followers something new about your business or industry.
How-To videos area great way to teach a customer how to do something, but you can even reach beyond your customer base. YouTube is full of how-to videos, teaching people all over the world all kinds of new skills- from braiding hair to repairing your own garbage disposal. Don’t be afraid to provide the world with some insight on what you do or how you do it- it will increase your brand awareness and your viewers and followers will see that you know what you’re talking about- leading to increased trust and perhaps even sales.
Explainer videos provide a deeper dive into a process or service. They’re often animated and explain what your business does in detail, making complicated topics easy to understand.
Training videos are pretty self explanatory. You can use videos to train or onboard employees, or teach them a new skill or process. If you’re a service-based business you can also create training videos for your customers- teaching them how to navigate your services and what to expect by working with you.
Product Demos are exactly how they sound- the give a demonstration on how to use something. Think of a video version of a quick start guide or manual.
Brand Videos tell your customers and follows what you’re all about. They can include information about your products or services, your company culture, and even a history of the business.
I worked with the Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland to create this inspirational video. It features testimonials from girls, parents, and volunteers talking about the positive impact the Girl Scouts has had on them.
Videos that Inspire
Video can also be a powerful way to inspire. You can inspire your customers, co-workers, online followers, or others in your industry. One of the best things about inspirational videos from a production standpoint, is that it focuses on the message that’s being delivered and can often have a DIY look and little to no budget.
Thought Leadership videos show that you’re an authority in your area of expertise. They include personal stories of growth and tips for others who want to do what you do. Think of Ted Talks or the countless YouTubers who are using their platform to provide insights and inspiration to their followers.
Motivational Stories can also be used to inspire your audience. Think of motivational speakers or someone you admire, telling you the story of where they started and how they’ve found success and happiness in their lives or business.
Testimonial Videos can also spark inspiration. By providing your audience with a great testimonial video, you can inspire your prospects to purchase your product or services, employees to step up in their role, or current customers to purchase a new product or service offering. Testimonial videos can often feel salesy- but I still consider testimonials to be inspiring since they’re providing information that can lead to action, and often include a powerful story.
I created this behind the scenes video for one of my favorite clients, The Tart Peach. This short video shows that you don’t need to create something super lengthy and involved to make an entertaining video!
Videos That Entertain
Come on, this one is obvious. Videos, films, and movies have been entertaining us for generations, and just because you’re a business doesn’t mean you can’t also create some entertaining content for your website, social media, or YouTube channel.
Behind The Scenes videos are a fun way to provide your followers online a peek behind the curtain. Show off an area of your business that isn’t front and center and have fun with it. Or, if you’ve been spending a ton of time preparing for an event, create a behind the scenes video that shows off all the hard work you put into the event before it even started.
Holiday Videos are a sweet way to inject some entertaining content into your social media calendar. Make a video showing off your employees Halloween costumes, wish your followers a Happy Holiday, or make a silly video for a local or national holiday.
Live Video is gaining popularity very quickly. While live video can be used to educate or inspire, it’s also a great way to entertain your followers. Try going live on Facebook or Instagram to give your followers fun updates or show off what you’re doing in your business.
Video Podcasts are also on the rise. I’ve been working with another business owner and editing a great video podcast over the past few months. They’re a great way to entertain your followers while providing information and inspiration as well, so grab a couple microphones, set up a camera and let it roll.
Ultimately, video is a great way to show off! Show off you business, brand, customers, employees, products, or services, and educate, inspire, and entertain while you do so. Videos can also be repurposed in a number of ways online to make sure they reach a large audience and have an impact, so don’t be afraid of investing in something that will be used for years to come.
Wanting to create some video content for your business? Send me a message and I’d love to help you get started.