How to Create Video Ads for Local Businesses
On average, online video viewing is set to reach 100 minutes per day in 2021. It’s clear that marketers have a new window of opportunity to grow their businesses.
Video marketing is hot. In fact, by 2023, Statista predicts that video ad spending on desktops and mobile devices is likely to result in a market volume of over $43 billion.
And if you want to promote your local brand, video ads can do wonders for you. If done right, they can help you boost your reach, brand awareness, and educate your audience.
In this post, let’s discuss how you create engaging video ads and leverage them to grow your local brand.
Make the beginning engaging
If you want people to watch your video ad, you need to make sure that the first few seconds are engaging. The first 5-10 seconds are when you have the opportunity to hook your audience. That’s the time frame that you have to spark their interest so that they don’t hit the “Skip Ad” button.
For this, you can address common pain points at the beginning. Alternatively, you can also highlight what makes your product or brand better than others in the market.
It is also important to keep in mind that some users may be viewing your video ads while their devices are on mute mode. So, it is important to use engaging visuals. If your videos feature people speaking or voiceovers, it is also recommended that you add subtitles in your video ad.
Use video editing tools
Even if you have zero knowledge about video editing and marketing, there are multiple tools out there that can make this process easier. You can use specialized tools like Filmora, Animoto, and others to create professional-quality videos.
Some of them also include templates that you can use to make video ads in a matter of minutes. Using these tools, you can also add images, GIFs, and overlay text on videos. The best part is many of these tools are free or at least offer free trials, so you can use them even if your budget is nil.
Optimize video ads for different channels
It makes sense to create a video ad and share it across social media platforms to get the maximum reach. That way, you can make the most out of your resources as well. However, keep in mind that each network has different requirements.
Size ratio, video length, and the overall size differ from platform to platform. Before you publish your video ads on Instagram and other social platforms, you should be aware of these specific requirements. That way, you can edit your video and audio accordingly.
While YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook are great for horizontal videos, Instagram favors vertical videos. Twitter, on the other hand, favors both types of videos.
Here are the specifications for each platform:
YouTube
- 4:3 or 16:9 ratio
- 854 x 480 pixels
- Audio on (Default)
- 1:1 ratio
- 600 x 315 pixels
- Muted audio (Default)
- 16:9
- 600 x 720 pixels
- Muted audio (Default)
- 16:9 and 1:1 ratio
- 640 x 360 pixels
- 16:9 or 4:3 ratio
- Muted audio (Default)
Snapchat
- 9:16 ratio
- 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Audio on (default)
End with a call-to-action
The goal for all video ads is to get people to take a particular action. It could be to purchase your product or check out your website. Whatever it is, you should clearly state the purpose at the end of the video ad in the form of an effective CTA.
It is recommended that you focus on a single goal. If you try to include too many different CTAs, your ad may not be very effective. In fact, Facebook gives you a special option to include a prominent CTA at the end of a video ad.
Check out the screenshot below:
Get creative
Online users are used to seeing ads online and skipping them right away. If you promote your brand or product aggressively, you might come across as pushy. Instead, focus on storytelling to keep your audience engaged.
To win their trust, you can also feature video testimonials and customer stories. It’s a great way to provide social proof online.
You can also showcase product demos, or experiment with infographics to make your videos stand out. If you have an event coming up, you can also create a special video ad to create some hype around it.
Another idea to create a great video ad is to address commonly asked questions about your brand and products. To get more ideas, you can check out video ads that other competitors in your niche are creating.
Ready to create awesome video ads?
Video ads enable you to create a special connection with your audience while also promoting your brand and products. Since videos appeal to multiple senses, they can be great tools for educating your audience as well.
What’s more, they enable you to convey a lot of information in a short period of time. The benefits of creating video ads are many. If you haven’t leveraged video ads yet, it’s time to get started now. Use the strategies mentioned in this post to create an engaging video ad.
Shane Barker is a digital marketing consultant and the co-founder of Attrock, a digital marketing agency.
