In the age of social media, many businesses have found new and exciting ways to tap into technology and make their businesses go viral. One of the latest and best ways to do this is through Instagram videos and Vine videos. These services only give you a 6-second to 15-second window to capture a viewer’s attention. The clips are easily watchable and shareable which makes it possible for people to remember. Also, the fact that you get to reach millions of Vine and Instagram users is a great plus. You just have to plan out your video and “GTTP” – get to the point – fast. Here are a few ways you can use Instagram and Vine videos to market your business:
Create a Vine and Instagram Videos to Tease an Upcoming Product
Such a short span of time is perfect for teasing the audience about your latest products. Just show them enough to create interest but cut it short of actually revealing the product. This can be done in a variety of creative ways that would surely create a buzz. Rolling Stones magazine does this every month to slowly unveil the celebrity to feature on the cover of the next issue, building curiosity among its fans so they will continue to return. BMW has been doing this for years, look at the video in the section below. They show their fans “just enough” to get excited over the car then close it off with their signature logo and sound.
Unveil a New Product
Vine and Instagram videos are also great ways to unveil new products or services by giving an interesting look at the product and making sure it goes viral at the same time. Taco Bell created an interesting video to announce a new taco showing a taco coming out of a pack of Doritos. Then we had to wait for weeks on the release of the new product.
Engage the Audience with Innovative Ideas
You can simply create an interesting concept video using various techniques like stop motion, animation, or using mobile phone screens. Nordstrom, a fashion retailer, made a social video featuring a number of smartphone screens with people massing Puma sneakers from one screen to another, while Target used their own product, Lite Brite, to make a stop motion video of changing season to wish its fans a happy summer, while marketing their product and creating something unique at the same time.
Let Your Audience Do the Filming
Many businesses encourage their fans to make videos and add creative hashtags. These videos can be about trending topics and include their products or services in some way. User-generated content is essentially free advertising and helps the audience feel involved and be part of your company. ASOS is an online fashion retailer which asked its customers to upload videos of them receiving their packages with the hashtag #ASOSunbox. This allowed them to reach all their customers’ friends who aren’t following them yet, and the best video was uploaded on their official page.
Hold a Competition
Similarly, holding a best video competition with trending and product-related themes, also encourages your audience to do the marketing for you. Many companies, including Dunkin Donuts, who introduced the idea, use this method of marketing on Vine and Instagram.
Tips, Trivia, and How-To Vlogs
Vine and Instagram videos can be very effective as they show your fans you care beyond marketing your product, and also give a refreshingly new and subtle way of marketing. Oreo Cookies does this by uploading countless videos with ideas on how to eat Oreos. General Electric uploaded an interesting video announcing Thomas Edison’s birthday, and one showing fans how to make art with milk, food coloring, and dishwashing detergent. Lowe’s, a home improvement store frequently uploads Vine videos showing customers how to complete a variety of DIY projects in just 6 seconds.
Whether you’re working as a freelance video professional in a big company, or are the head of your own start-up looking for innovative ideas to market through videos, Instagram and Vine offer a cheap and creative platform to help you reach millions of people. This is a great way to help you make money doing what you do best!
