Social Media and Video Marketing: What’s The Best Strategy?

As time passes, everything around us changes along with it and that includes video marketing and how we go about using it to further our brand. Being able to adapt to the times and making use of these changes allows for better and stronger marketing strategies, and for your social media engagement to increase.

What is Video Marketing?

The sole purpose behind video marketing is meant to create a video that is easily digestible content to a market audience as a means to appeal to them about what your product has to offer.

What is Social Media Marketing?

Plain and simple, Social Media Marketing is a way to create and increase engagement with your audience on social media platforms such as:

• Instagram

• Facebook

• Twitter

• TikTok

• Snapchat

• YouTube

Almost, if not every single day people are using social media whether it’s to get in touch with friends or to simply scroll and browse the web, so focusing your resources into video marketing to be posted on social media websites is the way to go.

Does It Really Matter?

To put it simply, yes. More and more people are leaning towards watching videos as opposed to any other form of media, such as TikTok where the giant has grown its audience by 75% since the beginning of the year 2021. This is the most ideal and best way to showcase what your brand and company have to offer while attracting an audience that’s here to stay.

Need-To-Know

Once you’ve got yourself a following, the best way to keep them engaged and to increase the number will be to do what’s trending: videos. What started on YouTube has now become widespread across all different types of social media websites, where people are branching off to watch their videos now. 

And just with any other marketing strategy, it begins with a well-thought-out plan:

• Set your goals

• Pick a target audience

• Choose what kind of video you want to make and set the tone for it

• Create the video

• Share them

• Track the statistics

Keep in mind, each social media platform has a certain limit to how long videos can be, most ranging to a maximum length of 60 seconds. That being said, some do allow for longer videos, however, many people want the quick and dirty version of what it is you have to offer, so remember to keep it simple and short. Each second is as crucial as the next, so use them wisely and in the most tactical and sensical way to capture your audience.

Monitor Your Success

Now that you’ve planned, created and shared your video, all that’s left is to monitor its success. Each platform has its own analytical reporting system and being that Facebook and Instagram are two of the biggest social media platforms for videos, those are the two you’ll want to be looking at most. 

Facebook Analytics

Facebook will show you ‘Highlights’ of your video by showing you several things all related to the progress such as watch times, and the number of views you’ve gotten whether these numbers increase or decrease.

Instagram Insights

On the other hand, Instagram users will be able to see through individual post analytics with engagement and actions are taken once seeing the post. You can also see follower information if it increased or decreased and their demographics (age, location, gender) and their most active times and days throughout the week.

TikTok Analytics

TikTok has been growing tremendously over the past couple of years and has become the social media platform most go to first. Their analytics also cover the number of views seen over several days, increase/decrease of followers as well as follower demographics.

Written by Tina Phong

Conclusion

Video Marketing on Social Media platforms is the best way to market your brand. Whether it’s through Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok, creating content-filled, short videos make consumers find your brand more appealing.

If you need further help creating your own marketing videos, we offer video production services that will help you elevate your brand!

We look forward to being a part of your success. Contact us here to get started.

How to Make Money with Music

Do you want to make music more than just a hobby? Do you want to learn how to make money off the music you create? Does this seem impossible to do? If you answered yes to any of these questions then keep reading! 

Making music is one thing. Making money from it is a whole other thing. Knowing what to do and what not to do can be difficult when there are so many people giving you their opinion. 

Below I’ll be breaking down some “do’s” and “don’ts” when it comes to making money off your music. 

Keep in mind that this is not the only way to make money off your music, these are just some things you can do, and others that you can avoid to help you. 

Do: Find your target audience

This should be the first thing you do before even thinking about releasing music. Your target audience is the listeners who will become fans, so make sure the music you’re making is meant for them.

Ask yourself this:

• Who do I want to hear my music?

• What genre does my music best fit into?

• What does the average listener of this genre look like?

Once you answer these questions, you will have a better grasp of what you want your fans to look like, and start catering your music to them.

Note: Authenticity in music is important, but if you want to make money, you have to be willing to make music for your target audience, and not just for yourself.

Do: Focus on the Fans

Your fans will become the most important part of your career, so make sure you treat them right. Social media and the internet in general have made it incredibly easy to create personal connections with fans, so utilize it! 

It’s also important to understand the difference between listeners and fans. Listeners will check out a song or two and leave it at that. Fans will check out a song or two and then become devout followers who never miss a release. 

Likely, you will have more listeners than fans. Don’t try to win over new fans, focus on the ones you have because they will be the ones buying your merch, streaming your albums, and showing up to your concerts. Make sure you are treating them right.  

Tip: Create an email list with your dedicated fans and send them updates and links to stream/purchase your music. 

Do: Save Money

Making music is not a cheap thing to do. There are costs of instruments, studio time, gear like amps, microphones, etc., and million other little things that add up. 

Here’re are some things you can do while starting out to save money

• By secondhand gear

• Focus on bettering yourself as a musician before trying to get studio time

• Seek sponsorships and endorsements

• Teach yourself as much as you can about the music industry

• Use social media to get your name out into the world and create a following, it’s free

Do: Create High-Quality Music

Google how many songs there are on Apple Music. 

Now on Spotify.

Now in the entire world. 

Those are some big numbers and they are constantly being added to. In order for your music to reach people, it needs to be high quality. 

The first thing you should focus on in making your sound high quality is you. If you’re singing or playing an instrument, you need to practice like crazy before recording to make sure you are singing/playing to the best of your ability.

Practicing can feel like a lot of work and sometimes seem like you’re taking two steps backward and one step forward. If this happens try these things:

• Take a break

• Listen to songs that have a similar sound to what you’re practicing

• Don’t stop practicing once you get it perfect, keep going until you can perform it that way every time

• Set aside time to practice every day and stick to it

After you have practiced, the next step is to start recording, mixing, and mastering. Whether you do it yourself at home or with a professional in a studio doesn’t matter too much. Just make sure you are achieving a high-quality sound and you are not wasting money. 

If you’re a singer unsure of how to record the best vocals, check out this article from Jony Studios.

The next thing to focus on is creating visually pleasing art to go with your music. Your single/album/EP art should reflect the piece of music as a whole as well as look good. Contrary to popular belief people do judge books by their covers and they will judge your music based on your album art. 

Do: Get Your Music on Apple Music and Spotify

Once you have created high-quality music that you are proud of, the next step is to get it onto streaming platforms.

Start with a pre-order/pre-save before the initial release. This will allow you to make a bigger impact with your music and get more people excited about it. 

Once your music is released onto Apple Music and Spotify, you have the opportunity for millions of people to be exposed to your songs through playlists.

Now you’re probably wondering “how do I actually make money from streaming services?”

This article will break it down for you.

Do: Get Started

The hardest thing to do when it comes to making money in music is actually getting started. So if you want to make music your career then go for it! Don’t get hung up on the fact that you’re not going to be making money right away. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Check out this video to learn more tips about monetizing your music

Don’t: Sign a Record Deal right away

Signing a record deal will not solve all your problems, in fact, it will probably create more. Record deals are typically in favour of the record company making all the money from your music. 

Here’re some cons to signing with a record label:

• Any advances you receive from them have to be paid back

• You lose ownership of your music

• You’ll receive very little royalties (like 2% while the label keeps the other 98%)

In the music industry, everyone’s main goal is to make money and usually, that means that smaller artists get the short end of the stick. 

Don’t Release Music without Marketing

Unless you're a huge, successful artist, surprise releases should be avoided. Give people time to get excited about your music. Post about it on social media, email your fans about it and tell everyone you meet. 

You’d be surprised how many indie artists upload their songs and just hope it will go viral. Most of the time, this doesn’t work. 

Don’t: Assume Social Media will make you famous

Many people have the goal that they are going to go viral on Tik Tok or become Instagram famous. While there are methods that have been known to achieve this, don’t approach social media with the attitude that it will make you famous. 

Use social media to share authentic content and connect with fans. If you end up going viral in the process, that’s awesome! Just don’t base your entire career off of it. 

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion: Don’t give up

You might be feeling a little bit discouraged and overwhelmed right now. That’s ok! The important thing is that you don’t give up. Music takes time and effort and there will be a obstacles to get through but it will be worth it in the end.

I hope these tips were able to guide you in getting started with your music career.

If you need further help creating your own music, we offer audio production services that will help you elevate your sound and bring your song to life!

We look forward to being a part of your success.

12 Motivational Audiobooks to Inspire You Towards Success

Many successful people have one thing in common. They read. Not just any book that may interest them but books that inspire them to change for the better. 

Reading isn’t for everyone. If you are a busy person with barely enough time to make dinner, you definitely won’t have time to read a book. This is why audiobooks are a good choice for successful people, because you can listen to them while completing other task

If you don’t know what audiobook to start with, here’s a list with some good ones.

1 -  How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People contains universal principles of interacting with other people. It explains ways to get others to like you and see your way of thinking. 

You can read a full summary here.

2 - Fanatical Prospecting - Jeb Blunt

Jeb Blunt is an international consultant and speaker, and comes from an extensive sales background. His book focuses on ways to take your prospecting the next level and tips to succeeding in sales.

You can learn more about it here.

3 -  Think and grow rich - Napoleon Hill

Hill did research on 40 millionaires on what made them successful and compiled it into a book. The main idea of Think and Grow is “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”

If you want to read an in-depth summary, click here.

4 -  Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business - Barbara Corcoran

Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran recounts the story of how she took $1000.00 and turned it into a billion dollar real estate business. 

You can learn more about her book here.

5 - Zero to One - Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel is a successful venture capitalist. His book gives innovative advice to tech start-ups.

You can read a full summary here.

6 - Ego is the Enemy - Ryan Holiday

Ryan Holiday’s book discusses the idea that our belief that the world revolves around us, is really holding us back from living our lives. He gives tips on how to overcome this and achieve greatness.

You can read more here.

7 - Before Happiness - Shawn Anchor

Before Happiness takes the reader through a 5 step process to change the way you think to be more successful and happy.

You can read a full summary here.

8 - Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink

Extreme ownership walks the reader through leadership advice from to Navy SEALs. 

You can learn more about Extreme Ownership here.

9 - The One Thing - Gary Keller

The One Thing offers tips on productiving, decluttering, and having more focus, succes and energy.

You can read more about it here.

10 - Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand

Unbroken follows the story of Louie Zamperini as an Olympic hopeful turned WWII bombardier. This story highlights the idea that a man is not defined by his past.

You can read a full summary here

11 - #GIRLBOSS - Sophia Amoruso 

#GIRLBOSS highlights the unconventional methods that can be used to achieve success. Written by Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal vintage, one of the fastest growing retailers in the world. 

You can read a more in depth summary here.

12 -  Tribes - Seth Godin

Tribes helps you awaken your inner leader and build a supportive tribe.

You can read more about Tribes here.

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

If you want to be successful, try listening to one of these audiobooks. They might inspire you to invest, start a business, or think positively, all which will lead to a happy and successful life. 

If you need help turning your book into an audiobook, we offer audiobook production services that will help you reach a wider audience and increase your book sales. 

Listen to some of our audiobook samples here to get started.

Have you read one of these books before? What was something that has stuck with you from it? Let us know in the comments below.