The Impact of Video on Digital Marketing
• 75 million people in the US watch videos online everyday
• 94% of consumers watched a video online last week
• 76% of smartphone owners watch videos at least once per week from their phones
• 40% of 18-24 year old people watch videos more than 10 times per week
• >70% of consumers say that videos leave a positive impression of a company
• 85% of customers are more likely to make a purchase after watching a product video
I have never been a huge reader. Don’t get me wrong, if I REALLY like a book, my addictive personality kicks in and it's impossible to put it down. But any given day of the week, I would MUCH rather watch a video than read text.
I have always been drawn to the tube. Being the youngest of six, I don't want to say my parents and siblings “gave up” ... but they definitely found it easier to put me in front of a TV and direct my eyes to the likes of Lady and the Tramp and Mary Poppins instead of, you know, interacting with me. Hey, I am not complaining — Lady and the Tramp is still my jam. And I named Falco Creative Media’s largest package option after the ‘practically perfect in every way’ star of my childhood.
Maybe I should have known back then my life would one day revolve around TV and video. But I never would have guessed that video would emerge as the medium of choice in digital marketing and that I would start a company dedicated to its evolution. My family was onto something.
So, I started this company for many reasons…
- I kind of always knew, like my dad, I was destined for entrepreneurship.
- I wanted a fresh start.
- I like to call my own shots (all the teachers that sent me to the principals office on the reg would agree with this).
- I knew I could be successful if I put all my time and energy into something I truly love and care about.
- Because digital marketing and video is where it’s at now.
- Because, why the heck not?!
Two years ago was a big one. Marriage? Check. Royals win the World Series? Done. Champion in my fantasy football league? Finally! Again, a HUGE year. It was also a pivotal year in the world of digital marketing. In April 2015, more than 4 billion videos were played back each day on the Facebook platform alone. It is estimated that 3.8 trillion photos were taken in all of human history until mid 2011 — 1 trillion were taken in 2015 alone. YouTube crossed a billion users worldwide! How could I ignore these signs?
Go back to the numbers I listed at the beginning of the blog… why do so many companies still fixate on text at the expense of video content? Their websites and social media feeds are littered with text. Well, it's time companies realize it: video is vital. It's also just a great way to connect and engage with customers and clients to create a sense of loyalty and trust.
Cisco now predicts that 80% of all Internet traffic will be streamed video content by 2019, up from 64% in 2014. It's time to stop ignoring video. It starts with a conversation: reach out to me and let's talk about your work, how video can make you more effective and if it doesn't work out, no hurt feelings, you can always be my friend… I am always looking for someone to hang out with in Minneapolis and eat spaghetti Lady and the Tramp style.
This is a video I put up on Heartland Soccer Association's Facebook page last week. It is short and sweet but hit 3K views, with 1.5K of those hits coming within the first 24 hours of being posted. This is one of the many perks of hiring me as your social media manager (Mary Poppins package!)