7 Top Video Trends You Should Use for Marketing

It’s no secret when someone tells you that video marketing is the best type of marketing there is out there. They’re not only attention-grabbing, but very easy content to consume to the average watcher and if you can tell a story, then even better - this way it gets them hooked to the very end (and watch times are very important). 

But how do you know which way is actually the best way to showcase your product or service? Keep on scrolling to find out.

1. Social Media

There are 2 types of videos that go hand-in-hand with Social Media video trends:

• Ephemeral - temporary videos only available to the viewer for a 24-hour period. Social media platforms that make use of this particular style are Snapchat, and Facebook and Instagram stories.
  
  Due to the its limited time frame of accessibility, it makes this trend super effective as it can be very engaging (especially if you put a poll or quiz) and can in fact, be very addicting to the average social media user.

• Vertical - these types of videos have a higher completion watch rate compared to any other type of videos. In fact, 90% of people are more likely to complete a video that is vertical than one that is horizontal and has become a widespread format most, if not all social media gurus use.

Most people consume their online content through mobile devices, and thus, video marketing is adjusting accordingly to follow the trend alongside short and quick-to-the-point videos across all social media platforms.

Vertical videos is in and are definitely the way to go.

2. Live

Live videos became extremely popular due to the authenticity and naturalness of the entire video, as well as its connection to social media platforms. You are able to go live on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

While it can be used as a means to simply share something, it is also a cheaper alternative to running live shows especially with things turning that into the world of online since everything’s being done remotely.

However, while doing a live may seem as easy as clicking the ‘start’ button, to stand out (due to its growing nature), to put some work into the presentation to stand out from the rest.

3. Interactive

Out of all of the video trends, interactive video is the one that is most likely to grow even more traction than it already has. It allows for the viewer to directly interact with what is going on in the video, truly immersing them into the world created in the video.

Brands such as IKEA, Amazon, YouTube and Instagram have created interactive videos or more known as shoppable videos where you can shop while you watch.

On the other hand, you can also include polls or quizzes, or even reactions to your videos and live streams to add that interactive aspect with your audience especially depending on the platform.

Regardless of how you choose to make your video an interactive one, it is one of the best ways to engage people in the story you want to tell as you immerse them into another reality.

4. Personalized

Is literally as the name suggests: videos personalized and curated to a specific person. It could even be you! It typically includes the person’s name, email address, profile picture, pretty much anything that directly addresses the person and their interests. 

Personalized videos are so successful because it makes the customer feel valued and important and in turn, they’ll share what they receive to others (and this way you get free marketing!). 

And due to the increase in available insights and data to its users on social media, all the better to strategically market future products and services to its audience, catering to previous and loyal customers while also attracting new ones and increasing engagement. 

5. Animation

Who doesn’t love a good animated video? No matter the age, race or gender animated films are always a classic favourite.

Animated videos became of the utmost importance when in 2020, it was hard to shoot any real footage. Not to mention, being able to create them remotely allowed for businesses to close the gap in the lack of in-person meetings while still delivering their messages in a creative way, specifically in two methods:

• Fluid Animation - similar to that of the motion of water, fluid animation is made up of persistent movement and is rather simple to create. All you need are a few layers and one mask, and soon enough you’ll get people interested in what it is that you have to offer.

• Collage Animation - consists of a mix of photographs and illustrations whereas the animator cuts out parts of an image and combines them to create an animation with what they’ve gathered, making them stand out from the crowd.

6. Searchable

Allowing your video to be ‘searchable’ and ensuring that your SEO is performing at its best is what will make your video marketing strategy effective especially as YouTube, one of the biggest video streaming platforms.

Some tips on how to optimize your SEOs:

• Use keywords in the title and descriptions

• Create eye-catching and original thumbnail images

• Include tags, keywords that are trending and relate to your video

• And don’t forget to include subtitles and closed captions for those who prefer reading

7. Internal Communications

Internal Video Communications are typically used to onboard new employees via training/orientation shifts as a way to increase engagement, collaboration, and communication and will only continue to grow especially in 2021.

It is easily one of the best ways for people to learn as they are watching something on-screen, listening and thinking. It’s not a widely-used teaching strategy simply due to the fact of needing to plan, record, and edit the video and printing out a document, and doing a presentation.

However, more and more people are using it because of how 2021 has turned into whereas this is the most similar way to creating face-to-face and more personal interactions. Soon enough, this will be the norm of how to train new and onboarding employees.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it, the top 7 video trends for the year 2021, from vertical videos posted on social media, to live, interactive, and even training videos! It’s no doubt that video marketing is the smartest and easiest way to get an audience interested in what you have to offer. Which trend are you going to try next? Let us know!

Written by Tina Phong

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.

5 Tips For Narrating Audiobooks

Have a book you want to turn into an audiobook? If not, then you should seriously consider looking into it as audiobooks are becoming very popular with book lovers!

If so, then consider writing your book, from the very start to sound appealing, rather than visually. This is definitely a change in one’s mindset especially if you’ve been a writer for a while now, but if you’re choosing to go into the audiobook market, then you’ll need to cater to its audience.

Keep on reading for tips and tricks on how to be a better narrator for your audiobook and keep your listeners engaged and interested as your story unravels.

1. Clear Audio Writing

The typical audiobook listener will have their focus split between the audio and whatever it is they’ve decided to do that day: driving, walking, and doing the dishes. Even if they were to give it the full attention, they only have that one chance to hear what you’re saying as the story continues with its flow, making it very different from physically reading the book as you can always backtrack and reread what it is you didn’t quite understand.

How to keep the reader engaged and still know what you’re saying is to include connecting words such as finally, therefore, then, while, and so as it draws attention to the contrast in what you’re saying. And don’t forget, repetition such as names is important as well.

So keep these in mind when recording that your words need to be clear and easy to understand. 

2. Audiobooks Are Performance Scripts

Write your story as a performance script from the beginning to make it easier to narrate for the audiobook. This way you can easily connect with your audience as the tones, rhythm, pace and any other audio signals throughout your story would’ve already been thought about - leaving you with little editing.

3. Repetition and Rhythm

Writing an audiobook based on how it sounds is similar to that of oral storytelling and slam poetry. Each writing performance has its own structures to it, but one aspect to note in particular is that of repetition and rhythm, and to land the nouns. So that even if your words aren’t super clear, the listener will still be able to understand what is going on. Basically, place more emphasis on nouns as opposed to other words.

However, make sure to change up your rhythm every now and then as it can get repetitive and boring and you don’t want to lose a reader.

4. Long Sentences and Breathing

Watch out for any long and wordy sentences in your story. Not only will it make it harder for the listener to understand what you’re saying, but you may run out of breath by the end of the sentence and ruin the quality of your work.

Read your sentences out loud more than once at any and each stage you progress on with.

5. Listeners Need Attunement Time

Hearing an unfamiliar voice can be a bit strange to people, especially to new audiobook listeners, so they’ll need time to adjust. 

Just as with any radio show host, they’ll have an opening line to ease the listener into their segment, as the words can get lost starting off, so avoid using any keywords in the first sentence. Try starting off the section with its main orientation words and then later on including important plot points of the story.

BONUS: Whispersync

Whispersync is a feature created by Audible as a means to synchronize your audiobooks with Kindle’s ebooks in case you or any of its many users decide to switch audiobook platforms and that way your progress in the story doesn’t get lost. In fact, it’ll start you right where you left at.

Be wary that not all audiobooks are compatible with this feature, but for those who use Amazon as their main platform will have easily granted access to it (except for books with images, that’s where it gets a bit tricky and you may as well not bother). 

CONCLUSION

Narrating your audiobook isn’t as easy as speaking into a microphone. You’ll need to be able to speak clearly, write your story as a script, make use of repetition and rhythm, watch out for long sentences and breath, and allow for listeners to adjust to your voice. Do you have any other tips on how to better narrate your audiobook? Let us know!

Written by Tina Phong

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. 

Learn more here and listen to some of our audiobook samples.

The Top 32 Business Books of All Time

If you want to improve your business and grow look into some of these amazing entrepreneurial books listed below (in no particular order). Each page is packed with information, advice and real-life experiences from business leaders who have ‘made it’, which you can directly apply to your journey as well.

1. All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin

Godin speaks to how marketers actually think and how they go about creating stores - or rather lies - impacting the lives of many without thinking of the consequences. While he exposes marketers, he also includes useful tips on how to build your brand and tell a story, to better market your business.

2. Beating the Odds by Eddie Brown

Brown takes you on a journey on how he created Brown Capital Management through many economical crises’ such as 9/11 and the financial recession in 2008. How a young boy who lost his mother at a young age, went through difficult struggles to pave his own path growing up, and becoming the CEO of his now billion-dollar company.

3. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

Based on the 2008 financial crisis, a young woman speaks to her immigrant experience. A story more relevant than ever in our present political climate as she goes on about what it is to be an immigrant in the USA and the courage she shows. 

4. Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuck

Vaynerchuck shows you just how to build up your own web presence and turn it into a brand, creating your own business while making sales through the internet. After all, he grew his family’s business into a $4-million dollar company to a $60-million one by working the internet.

5. David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

Gladwell dives into how we as humans, think about the challenges that life has to offer while giving insight on what it means to face discrimination, suffer from a loss of a parent - or anything really that has to do with having to struggle. Reading this will teach you about things you didn’t think you needed to know like: avoiding any ‘elite colleges’ like Harvard.

6. Female Innovators at Work by Danielle Newnham

This book is meant for women who own their own businesses, including case studies and interviews from other successful women CEOs from different areas across the vast and diverse market talking about their journeys and the challenges, successes and lessons learned along the way to where they stand now.

Also check out 18 Podcasts by Women Entrepreneurs.

7. Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher and William Ury

Despite it being 30 years since its first publication, this book has continued to be circulated among business owners, teaching each individual how to go about negotiating and resolving any conflicts on any levels based on Harvard’s Negotiation Project. 

8. Girl Code by Cara Alwill Leyba

Leyba gives you a look into what it is like not only being a female entrepreneur but also dealing with other female entrepreneurs as well, and how hard and difficult it can be - however, it shows the positivity of when women are there to support one another and the great outcome of it. Leyba helps you build confidence, empower women, connect with yourself, what you do and why you do it particularly with business. She also aids in how to deal with jealousy, burnout, self-care and truly find out what being successful means to you.

9. Good to Great by Jim Collins

Collins does the research for you, gaining intel and any relevant information that tells you exactly how big companies such as Coca-Cola and Intel took the huge leap towards their success, becoming big-name companies. Him and his team of 21 researchers did extensive research,  analyzing thousands of articles, transcripts of up to 2000 pages and stored 384MBs of data and compiled all of that information into this book to share with anyone interested in how to compete against their business rivals. 

10. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Duckworth’s book goes about teaching business owners to create more grit in themselves and the environment around them. Being resilient, strong, passionate and persistent are just some of the things that are the key to being successful. Keeping in mind that those who do “make it” don’t necessarily come from a wealthy background or come up with the best ideas, and they’re the ones who typically work hard and put in the effort to improve every single day.

11. Hooked by Nir Eyal

Eyal goes into the step-by-step process on how to build and sell whatever product it is that you have to offer by explaining to you consumer habits. 

12. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The book is as the name suggests as Carnegie teaches you new people skills that will lead to how people can make their business and personal lives successful. An essential to the ongoing competitive market. 

13. In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney

Like Newnham’s book, Bonney includes stories of successful women entrepreneurs of different fields, backgrounds, races and places giving inspiring life advice on how visibility is what makes a successful female leader to this day. 

14. Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy

Written by one of the co-founders of Ogilvy & Mather is simply a classic for any entrepreneur out there looking for a read on how to go about their business endeavours. 

15. Purple Cow by Seth Godin

Another Godin book on marketing, mentioning how people built their businesses in the past and played it safe while doing so. Instead, he says to focus on one key aspect: be remarkable. Stop advertising and trying to get the word out there, rather start creating and building your product to make it stand out from the rest.

16. Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

The co-authors wrote what you can call a playbook for dreamers who want to start their own successful business while calling you out on any excuses you have that prevent you from truly starting your own startup, telling you and showing you a technique that ‘simple-is-better’.

17. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Kiyosaki tells his own story of how he grew up with two dads: his biological one and his dad’s best friend otherwise known as the ‘rich dad’ and how they influenced his decisions and thoughts on money and investing. He also tells you how you can have money work for you rather than having to work for money your whole life - that you don’t necessarily need to be rich to start earning a high income.

18. Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Gives you an insight into the minds of business owners, how they think, act and communicate, leading them to having their business be a complete success and become leaders who inspire those in the business world.

Check out how to find a mentor. 

19. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Everyone knows the name ‘Steve Jobs’, the founder of Apple and Issacson took it upon himself to write a biography about him as a means to inspire you to go out and venture on a startup yourself, building up your own business with your own creations that you have to offer the world, while also giving you a business plan to truly be successful.

20. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

You’ll learn how to live a life of The New Rich as you get out of your boring 9 to 5 job and do something you’re actually passionate about. Ferriss gives you tips and tricks on how to live life like a millionaire without actually being one.

21. The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki

Kawasaki was one of the first marketers for the big tech company, Apple and shares how he made his ideas into reality. From creating the right team, building a brand for the name, getting consumers interested and invested in the product (or namely the brand). Kawasaki teaches you how to start a business. 

22. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Horowitz can be a rather familiar name within the business as he is one of two very prominent businessmen in Silicon Valley. In this book, Horowitz offers crucial advice while also telling you the hard truth about what it really is like to start and run your own business.

23. The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

Is an autobiography written by Haddish herself, an actress-comedian about her rags-to-riches story in how she made it from the bottom, with absolutely nothing, to someone who followed their dreams and is now a successful woman who made it.

24. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Ries offers different strategies for any new business to test, adjust and adapt their new products regardless of the size of it to truly achieve their goal. Basically, rather than having to come up with your own plan, Ries gives you one to show you whether or not your new innovative product or service is truly profitable.

25. The Power of Broke by Daymond John

Daymond John discusses how being broke and having a limited budget can drive one to success as he tells the story of his own experience, being broke and starting his own business as well as becoming a voice for those with little to no money who want to set out on their entrepreneurial journey.

26. The Power of Visual Storytelling by Ekaterina Walter and Jessica Gioglio

In this book, it gives you a guide on how to create marketing programs based on visual storytelling, using video marketing, infographics, photos, presentations and any other form of a visual to further boost your business. 

27. The Startup Owner’s Manual by Steve Blank and Bob Dorf

Just like any manual, this one is a how-to-guide on how you can run your very own startup business. Giving you all the tips and tricks, with visual aids and statistics on how to truly build a successful company.

28. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Gladwell himself explains the theory of “the tipping point phenomenon” and how it has impacted people all over the world when it comes to selling products or simply by sharing ideas with others. It basically talks about how any small change can lead to bigger and better things.

29. The Virgin Way by Richard Branson

A biography about Richard Branson himself, in how he made it as a successful businessman. The book talks about leadership, family while having fun and being passionate about what you do, as well as listening - all key attributes to creating an international brand such as the Virgin Group.

30. Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday

Holiday teaches you the outs and ins of how media really works. Showing you how he does it himself through blog manipulation, and distorting information in any way that he can that still makes it believable.

31. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Some of you may have heard of the name Shonda Rhimes, a producer in Hollywood known for her works Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. She wrote her own book on how she went from being this shy introvert who never took any opportunities handed to her, to someone who said ‘yes’ to everything that came her way. This particular book is targeted towards those who simply need a push to break out of their shell and shake the world.

32. Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Last but not least, Thiel’s book offers insight into how to go from nothing to being something. Filled with positivity, actionable tips and an outlook on the future of the thriving tech industry, he tells you how to be more innovative and open up your mind to new and unexpected opportunities.

CONCLUSION

Each book has its own thing to offer, and these are just some of many other amazing reads when it comes to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Some will teach you how to make it as a woman, people skills, strategies, marketing and so much more - everything required to start and run your business with little to no hitches. Have you read any of them? Or are you interested in reading any of the ones listed above? Let us know your thoughts and comments!

Written by Tina Phong

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. 

Learn more here and listen to some of our audiobook samples.