As the manager, owner, and operator of a small business, you already know that video can be a truly powerful marketing tool. Not only can videos help increase brand awareness, but they can also be used to drive eCommerce sales, and isn't that the ultimate goal?   Leveraging tools that let you download videos for free can provide you with a rich library of content for inspiration or repurposing in your marketing campaigns, ensuring you always have fresh and engaging material for your audience.

More sales not only bring in profit, but they allow you to grow in new and different ways. In this article, we'll talk about various different social media video tips that you can use to help your business grow. 

We'll also provide some useful video production tips, including best practices for using copyright-free and royalty-free music. 

So whether you're still a novice with video production or you're looking for ways to improve your current strategy, there's always more to learn. Let's begin!

#1.Determine Your Target Audience

Before you can even begin pondering the process of video production, you need to take a step back and determine who your target audience is. Who are you trying to reach with your videos? 

This is an important question for you to answer because it will dictate the content of your videos, as well as the platforms on which you choose to share them. 

Once you've determined your target audience, you can begin creating videos that are specifically tailored to them.  

#2.Choose the Right Platform

 Now that you're starting to know a bit more about your target audience, it's time to choose the right platform for sharing your videos. The platform you choose will depend on a number of factors, including your target audience, the type of content you're creating, and your budget. If you're on a tight budget, a YouTube channel is always a good option because it's free to use. However, if you're looking to reach a more professional audience, platforms like Vimeo or Wistia may be better suited for your needs.

And don't neglect newer platforms like TikTok. While it may not be the very first platform that comes to mind, TikTok has quickly become a popular destination for short-form video content, and its ever-growing influence on more-established platforms like Instagram is becoming a very real reality.   To expand your Instagram followers, consider leveraging the engaging video trends from TikTok and incorporating them into your Instagram strategy, creating content that resonates with a wider audience across both platforms, which is the best way to mastering the art of short-form video content.

#3.Create Engaging Content

Once you've chosen your platform, it's time to start creating engaging content. This is an area where many small or big businesses struggle because they try to stuff too much information into their videos. Remember, people can have real short attention spans, so it's important to make your videos as concise and to-the-point as possible. Shoot for between 30 and 60 seconds in length. Try to focus on one key message per video and make sure that message is communicated clearly and concisely. Also, be sure to use engaging visuals and captivating audio to keep viewers hooked from beginning to end.

As anyone who has ever tried to create a video knows, engagement is key. Whether you're trying to promote a product, raise awareness for a cause, or just entertain your viewers, if you can't keep their attention, you won't be successful. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure your videos are engaging.

First, start with a strong hook. Your first few seconds are crucial in grabbing your viewers' attention and getting them to stick around. Whether you open with an interesting fact, a captivating story, or even just a funny joke, make sure it's something that will make people want to keep watching.

Once you have their attention, it's important to keep them engaged by maintaining a high level of energy throughout the video. This doesn't mean you need to be constantly yelling or gesturing wildly; simply speaking with enthusiasm and using expressive body language will keep your viewers interested.

It's also important to make sure your videos are visually appealing. Use attractive visuals and graphics, shoot in interesting locations, and vary your shot types to keep things interesting. And Finally: tell a good story. A well-told story will keep people engaged far longer than simply listing facts or showing images. Whether you're sharing an emotional personal story or highlighting the successes of a business or organization, make sure it's something that will resonate with your audience.

By following these tips, you can be sure that your videos will be engaging and successful.

#4.Use Royalty-Free and Copyright-Free Music

If you want to add music to your videos, be sure to use royalty-free or copyright-free (AKA non-copyrighted music) tracks. This is an important aspect because using copyrighted music without permission can result in some serious legal consequences. 

There are a vast number of websites where you can find copyright-free music and royalty-free music, so do some research and find new music that you can use in your videos. Adding a musical element to your videos can really help set the tone and improve engagement, so it's definitely worth considering.

Look to reputable websites that are designed for creators like you, such as Soundstripe and Epidemic Sound. These sites offer you unlimited access to literally thousands and thousands of tracks, both royalty-free and non-copyrighted alike. T

hey also give you access to SFX (sound effects). SFX can add a whole other layer to your videos and really help bring them to life.

#5.Optimize Your Videos for Mobile Viewing 

In today's world, it's more important than ever to optimize your videos for mobile viewing. 

This is due to an increasing number of people consuming video content on their mobile devices. You need to be cognizant of this when creating your videos because if your videos aren't optimized for mobile viewing, you could be falling behind on a ton of potential views.

To optimize your videos for mobile viewers, make sure they are short and concise (no longer than 60 seconds). Also, use vertical video rather than horizontal whenever possible. 

Vertical video is much more mobile-friendly and is more likely to be seen by people who are scrolling through their various social media feeds on their phones. Finally, use large, legible text and make sure your call-to-actions are clear and concise.

• Make the text big
• Preview it on mute
• Go square. 
  
• Keep it short
• Preview it on mobile

#6.Captions and Subtitles 

If you want your videos to be extremely successful, you need to make sure they are accessible to as many people as possible. This means adding captions and subtitles to your videos. 

Captions and subtitles make your videos accessible to viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, and they also make your videos more accessible to viewers who don't speak the same language as you. Also, many people view videos on Facebook and Instagram with no audio because of their location or because they're trying to be considerate of those around them.

Adding captions and subtitles ensures that these viewers will still be able to understand and engage with your content.

Also, try adding transcripts into the video description if possible. This text allows for search engine optimization (SEO), which can help your videos rank higher in search results, making them more likely to be seen by potential customers.

The Bottom Line 

There are a number of things you can do to make your videos more successful. 

These are a few vital tips to get you started. Remember, the most important thing is to keep your videos short and to the point. Also, be sure to use engaging visuals and audio, and don't forget about subtitles and captions. 

It's also a good tactic to post videos consistently, and also respond to feedback and questions from your viewers. 

If you take these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to driving eCommerce sales and promoting strong brand awareness with your Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube videos.