Back in February of this year, YouTube announced that people across the globe watch one billion hours of video content on its platform every single day. This statistic alone is testament to the channel’s skyrocketing popularity, as is the fact that it’s become the second largest search engine in the world, behind the gargantuan Google.
YouTube is satisfying our craving for visual content and as such, has given rise to vlogging, aka, video blogging. You’ve heard of Zoella, right? Need I say more…?
Being able to increase your personal brand through various, video-led channels is becoming more accessible by the day.
What is personal branding? In a nutshell, it’s the act of increasing your own status within a community or industry to show your knowledge and thought-leader credentials, which can elevate your business. It’s an old cliché, but people buy from people. So, what you need to do is find the most effective way to communicate the message you want to your audience.
From blogs to vlogs
Your blog is doing a sound job of promoting your personal brand, but add video to your marketing arsenal you’ll extend your reach, and treat your audience to a new and engaging way to consume the content you produce. It may feel a little daunting being in front of the camera, but actually, being able to deliver your message whilst showing some personality can increase engagement levels dramatically.
Zoella and her fellow YouTube stars are popular because they come across as just regular ‘guys and gals’. Whether they’re showcasing (read: subtly promoting) beauty products, sharing gameplay videos or funny spoofs, these vloggers build an affinity with their fans by forming direct relationships with them. And they’re making a mint doing it.
It’s time to shift the perception that vlogging is by teens for teens, and harness its potential for your personal brand, whilst bringing personality and life to your business. Here are four convincing reasons why you should set up that camera and hit the big red button…
Video is the ‘now’
Wyzowl found that 79% of consumers would rather watch a video to make purchasing decisions – up 10% from one year ago. People say that video and visual content is the future, but it’s not. It’s the now.
Video will only continue to evolve in the years to come, with Cisco predicting that it will account for 80% of all internet traffic in just two years’ time. So, embrace it now and you’ll be one step ahead of those yet to appreciate its potential.
Break down barriers
Video helps you to reach out to your target audience on a personal level that is unmatched by any other form of content. People read your name on a blog post; but get in front of a camera, and they see your face and hear your voice, too. You are breaking down communication barriers and humanising your brand, conveying your positive attributes in a way that’ll distinguish you from any other Joe Bloggs in the same position.
Whether you’re tackling an industry topic, introducing a service or answering viewer-submitted questions, every second you’re on camera, familiarisation and trust is building. And it’s this that’ll help you to propel your personal brand to the next level, and beyond.
Establish your authority
Vlogging is a chance to show off, albeit subtly. You’ve built a wealth of knowledge and expertise of your industry over the years, and sharing this with the online world will allow you to cement yourself as a thought leader. Over time, as your personal brand flourishes, more people will turn to you for insight. They’ll be inspired to use your products or sign-up to your services because hey, you’ve proved that you know your stuff.
Extend your reach
Now that we’re all video fiends, and YouTube is the second largest search engine, sharing regular vlogs will give your online presence a mighty boost, especially if they’re shared on your website and across social channels. And if consumers can’t get enough of your content, then Good ol’ Google is likely to reward you with higher search rankings.
Thanks to the likes of social media and social buttons, it’s never been easier for consumers to share your content and essentially become your personal brand advocates. The potential reach of your videos is pretty limitless, but of course, they’ve got to be engaging and interesting enough for people to want to share them – all the more reason to rely on the experts to help you pin down the best approach and get you on the path to vlogging success. Get in touch with the team at M2 Bespoke today to find out more.