Video content has become central to how we share and consume information. A survey by Wyzowl found that the average person spends around 19 hours per week watching online videos, an increase of 8.5 hours since 2018.
Not only are we watching more, but we’re also sharing videos twice as often as any other type of online content. When asked how they want to learn about a product or service, 73% said they prefer to watch a short video, while only 11% would rather read an article.
Given the popularity of videos, how can bloggers use them to their advantage? The good news is that it isn’t necessary to create something entirely new; the best method is to integrate videos into your existing marketing channels. And, with over 570 million blogs and 77% of internet users reading them daily, adding videos to yours is a great way to make it stand out.
It’s clear that video content is highly valuable and worth investing in; here’s how bloggers can benefit from using them.
Five Ways To Use Videos in Your Blog
- Tutorials
Tutorials are an easy way to incorporate video content into your blog. People often read blogs to learn how to do something or gain new information, and videos are great teaching tools.
Instructional guides are enhanced by visual content even without putting yourself on camera. Tons of programs make it easy to record your screen while narrating your explanation.
- Video Summaries
Use videos to present a concise summary of your blog post. Similar to Cliffs Notes versions of books, which only capture the most critical and enticing parts, a video summary can act as a highlight reel of your article. This is ideal for capturing additional audiences who may be short on time or prefer watching a video to reading an article.
- Vlogs
Videos can also be standalone blog posts. If you don’t have time to craft an article, you can post a vlog instead of written content. Or, your vlog can serve to add depth to a short-form blog post.
Even if you’re connecting your video to a blog post, don’t assume your audience will read the article first. It’s always best to include a brief intro explaining what the video is about.
- About Us Videos
Readers love to know the people behind their favorite blogs. “About Us” videos are a fantastic way to educate your audience about who you are and engage with them on a more personal level. It doesn’t need to be complex; a simple video that lets your audience see the face and voice behind the blog is a valuable tool.
- Unique Content
Your audience cares about what you uniquely offer. Do you regularly share your favorite products on your blog? Try adding video reviews to your site. Are you a travel blogger? Share clips of your trips, rate travel products, or post “How To” videos about packing. Do you have a food blog? Post videos to accompany recipes or summarize your top ten recipes.
How to Add Videos to Your Blog
One of the simplest ways to add videos to your blog is to embed copy the “embed video” link from YouTube and insert it into your webpage. Make sure videos are customized to your site, so they look great and don’t exceed your column width.
It’s beneficial to inform readers that there’s a video in your post. Signal it in the title simply by adding ‘(Video)’.
Remember that quality matters. Use a tripod to ensure stability and invest in a microphone to provide clear audio. Check that your lighting source is sufficient and your background is free from distractions. Although vertical videos work well on social media, for blog-quality content, film horizontally.
The Takeaway
Video marketing is a key tactic in today’s world. Its popularity has risen quickly over the last few years, and it won’t go away any time soon.
Adding video content to your blog can help you reach new audiences, stand out, and get more shares.
Regardless of your niche, there are opportunities to incorporate video content in a way that’s unique to your blog and enhances what you already offer.