Ah, the good old days when you could just slap up a website with a few fancy words and a stock photo and call it a day. Nowadays, you need something that stands out from the crowd – something that makes potential customers stop and say “hey, I like what you’re doing here.” Enter the short brand video! 

This little gem of a marketing tool can help you showcase your business in a way that words and images simply can’t. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be a Spielberg to create a killer video for your small business. With a little know-how and the right tools, you can create a video that’ll make your competition green with envy. So, let’s dive in and discover why a short brand video is a must-have for your small business website.

What’s the best way to create a short brand video for your website?

1. Define your target audience

Before creating a brand video, you need to identify your target audience. Understanding your target audience is essential because it will help you create a video that resonates with them. For instance, if your target audience is millennials, your video should be short, concise, and visually appealing. Conversely, if your target audience is an older demographic, your video should be more informative and straightforward.

2. Keep it short and sweet

When it comes to creating a brand video for your website, less is more. A short, engaging video that captures your audience’s attention is more effective than a long, drawn-out video that viewers lose interest in quickly. According to research, the average attention span of a human being is approximately 8 seconds. Therefore, your video should be no longer than 1-2 minutes. Keep in mind that the goal of your video is to pique your audience’s interest and encourage them to learn more about your business.

3. Tell a story

One of the most effective ways to create a compelling brand video is to tell a story. A story that connects with your target audience emotionally is an excellent way to capture their attention and keep them engaged. When telling a story, consider the following:

  • What inspired you to start your business?
  • What problems does your business solve?
  • What makes your business unique?
  • What are your core values?
  • Answering these questions will help you create a narrative that showcases your business and connects with your target audience.

4. Highlight your USP (Unique Selling Proposition)

Your brand video should highlight your USP, which is what sets your business apart from the competition. Identify what makes your business unique and showcase it in your video. For instance, if you offer a product or service that’s more affordable than your competitors, highlight this in your video. Alternatively, if you offer a unique feature that no one else does, showcase this in your video.

5. Use high-quality visuals and sound

The visuals and sound quality of your brand video are crucial. Use high-quality visuals that showcase your business and products or services. If you’re using a smartphone to record your video, ensure that it’s in high definition or 4K. The sound quality of your video should also be high, and the voiceover or background music should be engaging and complement the visuals. Check out some tools below that can help you create a short brand video on a budget.

6. Include a call-to-action

The goal of your brand video is to encourage viewers to take action, whether it’s visiting your website, making a purchase, or subscribing to your newsletter. Therefore, it’s essential to include a call-to-action at the end of your video. Be clear about what you want your viewers to do, and provide them with a reason to take action. For instance, if you want them to book a consultation call with you, make sure there is a “Book Now” Button somewhere near the video. A 17hats Online Scheduling button would be the best! 🙂

7. Be consistent with your branding

Your brand video should be consistent with your business’s branding. Ensure that your video features your brand colors, fonts, and logo. Consistency is crucial because it helps viewers remember your business and makes it easier for them to identify your brand across different platforms.

8. Edit and optimize your video

Once you’ve created your brand video, it’s important to edit and optimize it for your website and social media platforms. Consider adding captions to make it more accessible to viewers who are hearing impaired. Also, optimize your video for search engines by adding relevant keywords to the title, description, and tags.

9. Share your video

Now that you’ve created an engaging brand video, it’s time to share it with your target audience. Share your video on your website, social media platforms, and email marketing campaigns. Encourage your viewers to share your video with their friends and family, and consider running paid ads on social media to reach a wider audience.

A short brand video is an excellent way to showcase your business to potential customers quickly and effectively. When creating a brand video for your website, it’s important to:

  • define your target audience
  • keep it short and sweet
  • tell a story
  • highlight your USP
  • use high-quality visuals and sound
  • include a call-to-action
  • be consistent with your branding
  • edit and optimize your video
  • And share your video with your target audience. 

By following these steps, you can create an engaging brand video that helps your business stand out and grow.

How should you capture your video for your small business?

It’s okay if you don’t have a five-figure budget to create a video for your business. The main goal is to just get started! Here are three recording options to create a video that you can do yourself.

  1. Smartphone: Smartphones have become increasingly popular as a recording option for creating videos. Most smartphones come with high-quality cameras that can capture footage in 1080p or even 4K resolution. Additionally, there are several free or low-cost video editing apps available for smartphones that allow you to edit your footage and create a polished final product.
  1. Webcam: If you’re creating a video that involves speaking directly to the camera, a webcam is a great option. Many laptops and desktop computers come with built-in webcams, and external webcams can be purchased for a relatively low cost. Webcams typically record in high-definition and are easy to use with video conferencing software such as Zoom or Skype.
  1. DSLR Camera: For those who want to create high-quality videos, a DSLR camera is an excellent option. DSLR cameras are typically used by professional photographers, but many of them also have video recording capabilities. These cameras can capture footage in high-resolution and have interchangeable lenses that allow for more creative shots. However, they can be more expensive than other recording options and may require some technical expertise to use effectively.

What tools should you use to create and edit your video? 

As a small business owner, your resources might feel limited, but they don’t have to be! There are free, inexpensive, and easy-to-use video tools that you can use to create a video. 

Animoto: Animoto is a popular video editor that allows users to create professional-looking videos with ease. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of pre-built templates, making it an excellent option for beginners. Animoto allows you to add photos, videos, music, and text to your video, and you can customize the fonts, colors, and transitions to match your brand. The editor also includes a library of stock images, videos, and music that you can use in your video. Animoto offers both free and paid plans, with the free plan allowing you to create videos up to 30 seconds long. Overall, Animoto is a great option for small business owners looking to create a high-quality video without spending a lot of time or money on production.

Loom: Loom is a popular video recording tool that allows you to create and share quick videos with ease. It’s an excellent option for small business owners who need to record tutorials, presentations, or demos. With Loom, you can record your screen, your camera, or both, and you can also add your voice to the recording. The tool also includes a range of editing features, allowing you to trim your videos, add captions, and even draw on your screen. Loom is easy to use and offers a range of integrations with other tools, such as Slack and Google Drive. Best of all, Loom offers a free plan with unlimited recordings, making it an affordable option for small business owners who need to create video content regularly.

Canva: Canva is a popular graphic design tool, but it also has a video editor feature that allows you to create short videos for your website or social media platforms. Canva’s video editor has a simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to create engaging videos. You can choose from a variety of templates, add text, images, and music, and customize your video to match your branding. Canva’s video editor is free to use, but some features may require a paid subscription.

Adobe Spark: Adobe Spark is a web-based video editing tool that’s ideal for small business owners who don’t have much experience with video editing. It has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to create professional-looking videos quickly. With Adobe Spark, you can choose from a variety of templates, add text, images, and music, and customize your video to match your branding. Adobe Spark offers a free plan, but some features require a paid subscription.

OpenShot: OpenShot is a free and open-source video editing software that’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to create high-quality videos with advanced features such as 3D animations, keyframe animation, and time mapping. OpenShot’s interface is intuitive and easy to use, making it a great choice for small business owners who want to create engaging videos without spending a lot of money. With OpenShot, you can add text, images, and music to your video, and export your video in a variety of formats.

A short brand video is an excellent way to showcase your business to potential customers quickly and effectively. When creating a brand video for your website, it’s important to:

  • define your target audience
  • keep it short and sweet
  • tell a story
  • highlight your USP
  • use high-quality visuals and sound
  • include a call-to-action
  • be consistent with your branding
  • edit and optimize your video
  • And share your video with your target audience. 

By following these steps, you can create an engaging brand video that helps your business stand out and grow.