Sometimes I fear that I sound like Bryce Shivers (Fred Armisen) and Lisa Eversman (Carrie Brownstein) in the “Put A Bird On It” sketch from Portlandia. For those of you not ‘in-the-know,’ the premise of the sketch (which you can watch at the end of this blog) is that the couple helps local shops by putting birds on items to “improve” them. Lisa, “What a sad little tot bag. I know! I’ll put a bird on it!” She places a bird on the tot. “Did you see this bag before? I know I didn’t. Now there’s a bird!”
Basically, Bryce and Lisa like birds, and because they like them, they believe birds should be put on anything and everything. I’m worried that I might be coming across in a similar way.
“Have a landing page? Put a video on it!”
“Want more people visiting your site? Put a video on it!”
“People not buying your products? Put a video on it!”
Do you see what I mean? I don’t want to be thought of as ‘put a video on it’ guy, but… I do think a properly executed video has a lot of power, and can replace or supplement current features of your company and its website. For example… just off the top of my head… an “About Us” page. Do you have an “About Us” page? Should you put a video on it? Would we be here if the answer was “no”…?
A typical “About Us” page is a body of text detailing the history and latest developments of a company and its team. It is an important page that can make a strong connection with the audience, customer, or client.
Using a video to tell the story of the company can build a strong connection with the audience, because they get to see the story – rather than simply reading it. For example: A doctor who started his own local clinic can talk about how comfortable his waiting room is and technologically advanced the examine rooms are. The audience can then be shown the warm and welcoming waiting room, and all of the shiny, new examine equipment. Show me, don’t tell me. Why write about how the owner is so enthusiastic, or how advanced your office set up is… when the audience can be shown all of this through video. No other media can display passion and enthusiasm better than video. Testimonials can also be used in an “About Us” video. The praise from a customer or client may even carry more weight, because it may be viewed as more genuine.
An “About Us” video is not necessarily used to sell a specific product. Instead, it is selling the business as a whole. The video is also a good opportunity to explain the industry, what sets the business apart from its competitors, and gives a fun behind-the-scenes look at the business and team. It associates faces with the business. It turns a building and a name, into something people feel comfortable with and want to support. This is why an “About Us” video is important.
While I am slightly concerned that I’ve become a modern-day snake oil peddler, who claims video to be the answer to all problems… the biggest reason I am not worried about being run out of town on a rail is that I know the strength of video. It isn’t the solution to every problem, but it has many benefits including increasing sales and engaging with consumers.
If you are curious how video can increase the presence of your business, contact us at Transformation Marketing in Lincoln, Nebraska. We are a full service advertising and marketing agency. If you are looking for custom website design and coding, graphic design for web or print or social media campaigns, we can make all of that happen… and then I’ll put a video on it. Maybe even a bird if our lead designer lets me.
“Put A Bird On It”