Videos are an excellent marketing tool, and it’s more important than ever to create them for your business. According to a 2015 Cisco study, by 2019, 80% of all consumer internet traffic will consist of video traffic.

Now is the best time get on board and start taking advantage of this great tool that can help you attract more customers and keep current customers engaged with your brand.

Even the most camera-shy people can make great videos using just a smartphone.

Here’s how to get started.

You don’t need a high-quality video camera to start making videos. You can shoot great content with nothing more than what you have in your pocket––your smartphone. If you’re interested in taking your videos to the next level, however, there are a few small tools that you can invest in.

Studies show that audio quality matters more than video quality, so if you’re doing a video where talking is involved, you might want to invest in an external microphone that plugs into your phone. Many models cost under $20.

For lighting, you can probably find all of the materials for a good setup from a home improvement store for under $100. But you can also use natural light to the best of your ability––it’s the best kind of lighting.

Instead of holding your phone out at arm’s reach, invest in a small tripod for it. This will help to stabilize your video and make it easier to watch. If you don’t want to invest in a tripod, leaning your phone against a sturdy object will also help.

Before you jump into a video, create an outline of what you want to say. You don’t have to stick to a script, but having your thoughts planned out beforehand can really keep you on track and cut down on the time you spend editing.

For editing the video, if you have a PC, you can use Windows Movie Maker. On a Macbook, you can use iMovie. There are also a variety of free apps you can download to your phone to help you put your video together, like Splice.

Getting the most out of every piece of content will make it easier to do it more often, which will give you more results. Make it easier to create content by repurposing it. Once your video is done, you can post it not only YouTube, but also on Facebook, and––if it’s 60 seconds or shorter––on Instagram, and basically anywhere else your business exists online. If you have a blog, you can also create a post based off of every video that you make.

Once you are really comfortable with making videos, you can start using Facebook Live, which is a powerful tool that lets you connect with your audience in real time.

What should your videos be about?

There are a lot of topics you can talk about in your videos. Whatever you do, you want to show off your expertise and be helpful to your clients and potential clients.

Joe speaks about what he knows on our YouTube channel!

• A topic that your customers should know about — E.g. how to properly care for their floors, how to avoid getting scratches in the finish––any advice you can share.

• A common question or problem that your clients have — Addressing their problems and questions will create value for your clients and potential clients; it will also show people that you know what you’re talking about and demonstrate that you really are an expert.

• Working — Why not film yourself doing some work, like refinishing a floor? You’re already doing it, so you might as well set up your camera and record a few minutes of it.

• Behind the scenes — Taking videos of your behind-the-scenes, day-to-day operations can lend an air of authenticity to your brand. It brings you down to the level of the viewer, showing them that you’re not just a faceless company––you’re a person just like them!

• Before and after videos — This is especially a good idea for restoration and refinishing jobs. Show off your talent for breathing new life into spaces.

• Product reviews — If there are certain floor cleaning products you like to recommend to your clients, review them in a video and tell people why you recommend them so highly. You could also review some flooring that you like to install.

There are so many topics you can create videos about. You want to be a resource––just keep this in mind when planning out your video marketing strategy, and you will almost certainly be successful in your efforts.

Start now and reap the rewards.

Getting started with video today can really help you boost your business. For more tips like this, click here to download our free guide to marketing your contracting business online.