Quick-form video is revolutionizing the way in which that companies strategy main lead technology. However are you aware why — and how you can apply it to your advertising technique?
When HubSpot began rising again within the early 2000s, the core technique for main lead technology was natural search optimization. It labored extremely properly for HubSpot (and lots of different companies), serving to us develop into the corporate we’re right now. However occasions have modified.
AI developments and the ensuing shifts in Google’s algorithm have considerably disrupted search engine optimization, making the competitors for key phrases fiercer than ever — and making it harder and costly to rank and drive site visitors. But many new companies nonetheless flip to this technique to drive development in 2024, with out taking a look at different avenues — which Kieran and I imagine is a big mistake.
As mentioned in a current episode of Advertising and marketing Towards the Grain, we see the way forward for main lead technology shifting to short-form video — and the information backs us up. Quick-form video was reported as having the best ROI of any social media advertising technique in 2024, with over 84% of entrepreneurs saying that video has helped them enhance site visitors to their web site.
However what are the benefits to short-form video and how are you going to combine it into your advertising plan?
Benefits of Quick-form Video as a Lead Era Software
Quick-form video — like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram reels — gives corporations vital benefits over conventional lead-generation methods. Whereas the particular perks will differ relying in your product and enterprise mannequin, three that Kieran and I discover significantly compelling are:
- Scaled distribution: video platforms give companies entry to huge audiences, which is particularly invaluable for newer corporations that want to develop their buyer base. For instance, the variety of every day YouTube Shorts views reached 70 billion in 2023.
- AI defensibility: video content material is inherently extra character-driven than info-driven, that means it’s more durable to copy with AI, guaranteeing your content material stays distinctive and fascinating
- Differentiation: with so many companies nonetheless counting on conventional search engine optimization, embracing short-form video units you aside from the competitors and allows you to rapidly achieve traction in less-crowded areas
Three Ideas for Utilizing Video for Lead Era
Learn to check and incorporate video into your advertising workflow by accessing HubSpot’s Video Advertising and marketing Starter Pack and contemplating the concepts under:
1. Lean into storytelling.
“Most model advertising is boring,” says Kieran. “As a substitute, attempt approaching your model such as you’re writing a TV sequence.”
For instance, slightly than growing conventional, short-term video campaigns, think about long-term sequence with recurring characters and plotlines. This storytelling strategy establishes a deeper reference to the viewers, making your model memorable.
Additionally, by no means underestimate the ability of humor. “One of many outlandish issues I feel somebody may do is rent a comedy author for growing an organization’s model marketing campaign,” Kieran says. Humor once more makes your video content material memorable whereas additional differentiating you from opponents.
2. Recycle current content material.
Particularly for groups with restricted budgets and assets, repurposing current video content material is an environment friendly approach to develop your short-form content material portfolio.
For instance, recycle long-form movies by slicing them into smaller, extra digestible clips. Flip webinars into video adverts, or buyer interviews into testimonials. This strategy maximizes the shelf-life of your current content material and allows it to succeed in a broader viewers.
Additionally, don‘t be afraid to lean into AI. As Kieran explains in the course of the episode: AI instruments now allow you to take the textual content from a weblog publish and generate a two-minute instructional video that completely summarizes the weblog’s key factors. Add AI-generated audio, embed the video again into the weblog, and distribute it on different platforms to drive site visitors. Immediately, you’ve got created a multimodal weblog publish that engages readers in new methods.
3. Companion with influencers.
Collaborating with influencers permits manufacturers to succeed in focused demographics with much less effort. For instance, I’d search for individuals who have actually profitable YouTube channels and TikTok accounts with very particular audiences — after which accomplice with them for sponsored video content material or embed my product into their content material.
Associating your model movies with (fastidiously chosen) creators will increase your credibility, as they have already got established belief with their followers. Moreover, worth and brand-aligned influencers enhance authenticity and guarantee your message resonates with a receptive viewers.
To observe our total dialogue about the way forward for lead technology, take a look at the complete episode of Advertising and marketing Towards the Grain under:
This weblog sequence is in partnership with Advertising and marketing Towards the Grain, the video podcast. It digs deeper into concepts shared by advertising leaders Kipp Bodnar (HubSpot’s CMO) and Kieran Flanagan (SVP, Advertising and marketing at HubSpot) as they unpack development methods and be taught from standout founders and friends.