If you're not using videos as part of your online content, you're seriously missing out - according to Wyzowl, videos can help increase conversions by 80%, and studies show that 74% of people who watch an explanatory video subsequently bought the product.
83% of businesses say that video provides a good ROI. And further studies suggest your videos don't have to be perfect - in fact, any video is better than no video at all! Consumers are more concerned with the quality of the content, not the design or image quality of the actual video.
While video production isn't easy, fast or cheap, the facts speak for themselves - videos pay off. Having an in-house videographer, outsourcing it, or even picking up some handy skills yourself using your trusted iPhone will all provide great content.
So why else should you be brushing up on your directing skills?
Videos Create Trust. An interesting, useful video will engage watchers and hopefully make them feel something. It will show your companies personality, and make the viewer feel approached in a unique way. A conversational video will resonate - probably explaining why 57% of consumers say videos gave them the confidence they needed to purchase a product online.
You'll show up higher in the Google ranks. Did you know you are 53 times more likely to be rated higher by Google if you have a video embedded on your website? Not only that, but a video will increase the length of time a visitor is on your site.
Videos are easy to consume. Even the laziest viewers who hate reading long essays of text are far more likely to watch a few minutes of footage.
Mobile phone users love videos. 90% of consumers watch videos on their phones - and it's set to keep growing. And Google says that smartphone users are 1.4X more likely to watch adverts. As well as this, mobile users are twice as likely than TV viewers to feel a sense of "personal connection" to the brand whose video content or ads they're watching.
Videos get shared more. 76% of users say they would be more likely to share a video if it was entertaining. Video is obviously having a moment - Instagram having just launched Stories and the 60-Second Video, and Twitter launching Periscope. And did you know that YouTube is the second most popular social network in the world?
Be a hub of knowledge. Because who doesn't love a good explanatory video? Videos showing users how to use a certain product, how it works, or why, are almost certain to be watched - in fact, 98% of users say they watch a video to learn more about a product or service. Just under half of businesses say they have an explanatory video on their homepage - ideal if you have a complex item or service to sell.
Video adverts work. You read that correctly - while they may sometimes feel like a huge hindrance, it doesn't deter from the fact video adverts have a click-through rate of around 1.84%. That might seem low but it's actually the highest click-through rate of any advert format!
Videos help email campaigns. If you include a video in your emails, the click through rate increases by 96% - so if you want an email to be opened and viewed, include a video!