Video marketing has become a significant tool for businesses of all sizes, including local businesses. It is a cost-effective way to communicate with potential customers and build brand awareness. According to a study by Wyzowl, 87% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool, and 91% of marketers consider video an essential part of their marketing strategy. In this blog post, we will explore why local businesses need video marketing and how they can use it to their advantage.

‍
1. Connect with customers on a personal level

‍
Video marketing allows local businesses to connect with their customers on a personal level. By creating engaging and informative videos, businesses can showcase their products or services in a way that resonates with their target audience. Videos also allow businesses to showcase their brand's personality and values, which can help to build trust and loyalty with their customers.

‍
2. Increase brand awareness

‍
One of the primary goals of marketing is to increase brand awareness. Videos are a powerful tool for achieving this goal. With the right video content, local businesses can reach a wider audience and generate buzz around their brand. By sharing videos on social media platforms and other channels, businesses can expose their brand to potential customers who may not have otherwise discovered them.

‍
3. Show off products and services

‍
Video marketing provides an excellent opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products or services. Whether it's a product demonstration or a behind-the-scenes look at how services are delivered, videos can help customers better understand what a business has to offer. This increased understanding can lead to more sales and loyal customers.

‍
4. Build trust and credibility

‍
Videos can also help local businesses build trust and credibility with their customers. By providing valuable information or showcasing expertise, businesses can position themselves asthought leaders in their industry. This can help to establish trust and credibility with potential customers, which can be especially important for local businesses competing against larger, more established brands.

‍
5. Stand out from competitors

‍
Video marketing can help local businesses stand out from their competitors. With the right video content, businesses can differentiate themselves from others in their industry and showcase their unique selling points. This increased visibility can lead to more website traffic, social media followers, and ultimately, more sales.

‍

6. Boost engagement and social media shares

‍
Video content is highly shareable, which can help local businesses boost engagement on social media platforms. By creating videos that are entertaining, informative, or thought-provoking, businesses can encourage their followers to share the content with their own networks. This increased exposure can lead to more website traffic, brand awareness, and ultimately, more sales.

‍
How Local Businesses Can Use Video Marketing

‍
Video marketing is a powerful tool for local businesses to connect with their target audience and increase brand awareness. Here are some ways that local businesses can use video marketing to their advantage:

‍
1. Product demonstrations

‍
Video marketing can be a valuable tool for local businesses to showcase their products and services in action, providing customers with a better understanding of what they are purchasing. By creating videos that highlight the key features and benefits of their products, businesses can engage their audience and build interest in their offerings. This approach is especially useful for businesses selling complex or technical products, where a clear demonstration can help customers better understand the product's functionality. In addition, videos can help to build trust and credibility with customers, as they provide a transparent and authentic view of the product in action. By showcasing the product's capabilities and benefits, businesses can establish themselves as experts in their industry, and position their offerings as the ideal solution for their customers' needs. Overall, using video marketing to demonstrate products can be a highly effective way for local businesses to increase engagement and drive sales. By focusing on the key benefits of their offerings and presenting them in a clear and compelling manner, businesses can capture the attention of their target audience and stand out from the competition.

2. Behind-the-scenes footage

‍
Local businesses can strengthen their customer relationships by providing them with an exclusive look into their operations. Sharing a behind-the-scenes view of how products or services are created or delivered can generate trust and credibility with customers. By showing the hard work and dedication involved in running a business, customers can gain a better understanding of the brand's values and mission. Furthermore, customers feel valued when businesses provide them with exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes processes. This creates a sense of transparency and honesty, which helps to build a strong relationship between the brand and the customers. By using video to showcase their operations, local businesses can enhance the connection they have with their customers and create a loyal customer base. Customers appreciate businesses that go the extra mile to make them feel like they are part of the brand's journey.

3. Customer testimonials

‍
One way local businesses can use videos to their advantage is by featuring customer testimonials. By showcasing real people who have had positive experiences with their products or services, businesses can build trust and credibility with potential customers. Testimonials allow potential customers to see that others have already had positive experiences with the business, making them more likely to trust and consider the business themselves. Customer testimonials can also help businesses stand out from their competitors. By showcasing satisfied customers, businesses can differentiate themselves from others in their industry and showcase their unique selling points. This increased visibility can lead to more website traffic, social media followers, and ultimately, more sales. To create effective customer testimonial videos, businesses can reach out to satisfied customers and ask them to share their experiences. They can also offer incentives or discounts for customers who agree to participate in the video. Overall, customer testimonial videos can be a powerful tool for local businesses to build trust and credibility with their audience and increase their customer base.

4. How-to videos

‍
Creating instructional videos is a practical way for local businesses to showcase how their products or services work. These videos can be a valuable resource for customers looking for guidance on how to use a product or service correctly. For businesses selling products that require assembly or setup, how-to videos can simplify the process for customers and minimize confusion or frustration. By creating these instructional videos, businesses can establish themselves as knowledgeable and helpful experts in their industry.Moreover, providing customers with helpful resources like how-to videos can help to build brand loyalty and establish trust with their customers. It also shows that the business cares about providing a positive customer experience beyond just selling the product or service. How-to videos can also be shared on social media and other channels, which can help to increase brand awareness and attract new customers who are searching for helpful information.

5. Educational content

‍
Local businesses can offer educational videos that provide value to their target audience. These videos can serve as a way to position the business as a thought leader in their industry by sharing valuable insights and tips. For example, a home improvement store can create a video series on DIY projects that help customers tackle home renovation tasks on their own. The videos can cover various topics such as painting, tiling, flooring, and more. This content can establish the business as a go-to resource for home improvement projects, increasing the likelihood that customers will turn to them for supplies and expertise. Similarly, a local gym can create workout videos for people to follow along with at home. These videos can include different types of workouts such as strength training, cardio, and yoga. They can also provide tips on how to perform each exercise correctly, ensuring that viewers are getting the most out of their workout. By providing valuable content that helps customers reach their fitness goals, the gym can position itself as a trusted resource for fitness and wellness. In addition to building trust and credibility with potential customers, educational videos can also help local businesses expand their reach. By sharing these videos on social media platforms and other channels, businesses can attract new audiences who are interested in the content they provide. This increased visibility can lead to more website traffic, social media followers, and ultimately, more sales. Overall, educational videos can be a powerful tool for local businesses looking to establish
themselves as thought leaders in their industry and provide value to their target audience. By creating content that is informative, engaging, and useful, local businesses can attract and retain customers while building a reputation for expertise and trustworthiness.

6. Event coverage

‍
Local businesses can leverage video marketing to showcase their involvement in community events, such as fundraisers or festivals. By capturing highlights of these events and showcasing their participation, businesses can showcase their commitment to their community and foster a sense of community around their brand. Video content can be an effective tool for showcasing the personality and values of a local business. By highlighting community events and showcasing the ways in which they contribute to the local area, businesses can connect with potential customers on a more personal level. Customers often prefer to do business with companies that align with their values, and community involvement can be an important factor in this decision-making process. Local businesses can also use video to promote upcoming community events or initiatives that they are involved in. By creating promotional videos that feature interviews with event organizers or highlight key aspects of the event, businesses can generate buzz and excitement around the event. This can help to increase attendance and create a more engaged and invested audience. Furthermore, by showcasing their involvement in community events, businesses can improve their brand reputation and build trust with potential customers. A business that is active in its community and demonstrates a commitment to making a positive impact is likely to be viewed favorably by customers. This can be particularly important for local businesses that may be competing against larger, more established brands. In conclusion, local businesses can use video marketing to showcase their participation in community events, highlight their investment in the local area, and build trust and credibility with potential customers. By leveraging the power of video content to showcase their brand's personality and values, businesses can connect with their target audience on a more personal level and position themselves as thought leaders in their industry.

7. Live streaming

‍
Local businesses can leverage live streaming to engage with their audience in real-time. It is especially useful for businesses that are hosting special events or promotions, as it allows customers to participate from anywhere. Live streaming enables businesses to reach a wider audience, and it can create a more interactive and engaging experience for viewers. By live streaming events, businesses can increase their brand exposure and reach a broader audience beyond just those physically present at the event. It can also be a cost effective way to promote a new product or service launch. Viewers can ask questions and interact with the business in real-time, creating a more personal and authentic connection. Overall, live streaming can be a valuable tool for local businesses to build relationships with their audience and increase engagement. It allows businesses to showcase their personality and connect with customers on a more personal level. By creating a unique and memorable experience through live streaming, businesses can strengthen their brand and build a loyal customer base.

8. Explainer videos

‍
Local businesses can create videos that explain their products or services, providing a clear and concise overview of what they offer. These explainer videos can be a powerful tool for businesses, especially those selling complex or technical products. By breaking down information into easily digestible chunks, businesses can help customers understand what they offer and how it can benefit them. Explainer videos can also be helpful for businesses looking to introduce new products or services. By providing an overview of the product or service, businesses can generate interest and excitement among their target audience. In addition, explainer videos can be shared across multiple platforms, such as social media, email marketing, and company websites, making them a versatile marketing tool for local businesses. With the right messaging and visuals, explainer videos can help businesses stand out from their competition and increase their chances of attracting new customers.

9. Social media content

‍
Local businesses can incorporate videos into their social media content plan by creating engaging, eye-catching videos that highlight their products or services. Social media videos must be tailored to each platform, with attention to the unique video specifications and user behavior on each site. For example, videos intended for Instagram's feed should be no longer than 60 seconds, while TikTok videos should be short and sweet, with an emphasis on humor and entertainment. When creating social media videos, local businesses should aim to capture the viewer's attention in the first few seconds to encourage them to watch the video in its entirety. Including subtitles in the video can be helpful as many users watch videos with the sound off. Local businesses can use social media videos to promote their products or services, showcase their brand's personality, and interact with their followers. Furthermore, social media video marketing can be a cost-effective way for local businesses to reach a larger audience. By targeting specific demographics and interests, businesses can optimize their video ads to reach potential customers within their local area, increasing their brand exposure and potential for sales.

10. Personalized videos

‍
Local businesses can create custom videos for their customers, like personalized thank-you videos or birthday greetings. Personalized videos can help to build stronger relationships with customers and show that the business values their patronage. These types of videos can be created using simple video editing software and can be shared via email or social media. Personalized videos can make customers feel special and appreciated. A birthday greeting video or a thank-you video can help to differentiate the business from its competitors and create a more personalized experience for the customer. It also shows that the business is willing to go above and beyond to make their customers feel valued. To create effective personalized videos, local businesses should use the customer's name and personalize the content based on their preferences or past purchases. This can be done by analyzing customer data and using it to tailor the video content to the customer's interests or needs. Personalized videos should also be short and to the point, focusing on the message the business wants to convey to the customer. Overall, personalized videos can be a powerful tool for local businesses to build stronger relationships with their customers and enhance their overall customer experience.

To summarize, video marketing can effectively help local businesses connect with their target audience and improve brand awareness. Through the use of videos, businesses have the opportunity to demonstrate their products or services, establish credibility with customers, and position themselves as leaders within their industry. By adopting a well-planned and customer-centric approach, local businesses can effectively leverage video marketing to achieve their desired business outcomes.

‍