Top Brands Making The Most Of Video Marketing

Author: Team WH

Published On: 31-08-21

Last Updated on: 12-02-24

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

Do you remember the Old Spice commercials? The wacky, fast-paced, humorous videos that had them going viral and making their brand synonymous with a man’s scent?

Well, you should.

The Old Spice commercials—like any good video—were a part of the larger marketing strategy meant to make an impression on the target audience.

Using video, brands are able to reach customers via social media and go viral for content that they can engage with. Almost 86% of businesses are now using videos as a very valuable tool!

But blindly posting video ads and showcases will lead you nowhere! You need  well-planned and comprehensive video marketing strategies that will help you gain traction.

If you’re still not convinced about video marketing, then an example or two should help you out!

Brands With The Best Video Marketing Strategy

What better way to showcase the use of video marketing benefits than with the campaigns of the biggest brands in the world?

Google

There are two beautiful examples of the use of video marketing from Google! These two videos follow the same idea – they appeal to emotion.

Video One – Friends Furever

The first video is the Google Android ‘Friends Furever’ video. As far as video ads go, this is the most shared ad of 2015!

But, what makes it so successful? It doesn’t have any original content, not an iota of branding, so what’s so great about it?

Well, it’s using videos of unlikely animal pairs to stress the importance of a shared experience and being together. Not only is this in line with the brand’s values, but is easy to watch, emotional, and puts the brand in a positive light!

This type of video marketing emphasises more on building your brand image than retaining a customer.

Video Two – Homeward Bound

The Google Earth ad took a slightly different emotional approach. Using the story of Saroo—the inspiration behind the movie Lion—the company showed an emotional and practical purpose of their product.

They’ve appealed to the emotional side of the product with a heart-breaking story while simultaneously linking their ultra-useful product.

What could be better?

Reebok

Reebok’s #HonorYourDays campaign was aided with the help of videos. One of the main videos showcased the backward story of a woman who won the Reebok Sponsored Spartan Race. They show her relationship with running through her life.

The content marketing strategy followed isn’t just emotional but showcases what the company has been trying to say with no words—fitness is for all ages and Reebok can provide gear for all of them.

Along with creating a powerful video, the company had a clickable CTA that took you to the campaign website where you could see how many days you have left.

While this sort of harsh, dark marketing technique won’t work for everybody, it works with Reebok’s tough fitness image. It got the point across while also leaning into some intense psychological urgency that consumers are bound to feel after watching the ad.

Coca-Cola

Soda companies have always done video ads well. Not only were Pepsi and Coca Cola one of the first to hit the Superbowl commercials—but they were the first to make it good!

As always, Coca-Cola has hit it out of the park with their Christmas video in the Philippines. Appealing to intense emotion, the video where the company gives back starting with a coke humanizes them like nothing else can.

Since there has been such a show of generosity with little, subtle branding and true human stories – Coca-Cola managed to get the right combination of emotions, branding, and viral content.A successful video marketing strategy indeed!

GoPro

It can be difficult to move past the content the brand image has curated. As in the case of GoPro, customers expected adventure sports content from the company.

They turned it on its head when they put out a clear video of a fireman saving a kitten. As in the case of any emotional video, it appeals to a multitude of viewers. GoPro has reached beyond the expected video and is trying to reach a different type of audience. They are branching out to different industries, users and content; all in a bid to increase brand awareness!

Always

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

Much like Dove, Always has consistently moved toward an empowering campaign rather than one related directly to the industry. Their videos increase brand awareness while simultaneously appealing to the consumer.

Their short film or video was one that turned the usually sexist phrase ‘Like a Girl’ on its head. It was a video that won several awards while still putting across an important message to all its users.

So, not only did the world watch the ad, but the company also associated itself with an important message!

Nike Women

While Always created a heartfelt and empowering video that showcased a critical message on empowerment, Nike went the other way with their video marketing strategy.

While still focusing on women, they looked into empowerment with a touch of humor. By taking the thoughts of real women in their different spaces, they’re being empathetic and being relatable! When they appeal to the average woman whos is more likely to be their customer, the sales are bound to go up.

So, while still emotional, the video was a different take on empowerment, one that everybody evidently liked!

Facebook

Facebook has a tips series that are a range of 20-second videos that answer the most common questions. Basic ‘how-to’ style questions are answered in quick succession that can be accessed easily.

The charm of these videos isn’t just how quick they are but how easy the brand makes it to use their product. While they aren’t directly pitching their product, Facebook is using their instructional videos to cater directly to the customers’ needs. It opens a whole new realm of video marketing.

Not only is the video production simple but it’s the perfect example of a brand catering to the customer and marketing at the same time. It’s subtle support and service while also using video to its fullest potential.

Two birds, one stone! One of the best video marketing strategy examples we know!

Buzzfeed

This massive entertainment business knows how to do video marketing right.

Let’s look at their partnership with Purina. They collaborated and created a short video that told a story rather than being instructional.

Unlike the Dove or Reebok campaigns, Buzzfeed simply told the story of a man and his newly adopted puppy. They used common, relatable storylines (puppy chewing up furniture, staying awake all night) to create a compelling, entertaining story, keeping the target audience hooked!

The video has some subtle product placement that is only obvious to the educated consumer. Despite the product placement, it’s still entertaining and appealing to all viewers.

Dollar Shave Club

Similar to the Buzzfeed video, Dollar Shave Club has produced videos that are more entertaining than inspiration for their viewers.

They’re humorous, fast-paced, and cater to a variety of viewers. Marketers need to take note of this video marketing strategy and the success it can have. Despite not being too relatable, inspiring, or high-production, the video was still entertaining, and sometimes that’s all you need!

LG

In the same vein, videos with subtle product placement such as the infamous LG prank video also gain massive success. The video itself has been viewed almost 35 million times! Not only was it entertaining for viewers, but it sparked conversation on all forms of social media—what’s your worst interview became an icebreaker.

This made sure that LG was brought up in the conversation. So, a simple prank video managed to add to the brand image and viewership and demonstrated the product’s efficacy with alarming accuracy.

What more video marketing benefits do you need?

How Can Industries Successfully Tap Into Video Marketing Benefits?

It’s easy to assume that video marketing won’t work for industries that aren’t related to sodas, entertainment, or sports. But, even B2B companies can jump on this wagon and implement a successful video marketing strategy!

See for yourself how marketers are using video in their strategies in these unexpected industries!

Manufacturing

Surprisingly, almost 81% of marketers in manufacturing use a video marketing strategy. That’s an extremely large number, especially when you don’t see as many marketers using video outside of this industry.

Manufacturers use this medium as a way to showcase the products, services, and customer testimonial videos of previous clients on their websites. A great example of this is MSC putting up videos on their platform. They released several videos on the aerospace manufacturing products they deal in!

Finance

Educational or Instructional type videos don’t just work for Facebook. They’re really useful for finance industries – banks specifically – who wish to instill confidence in their customers.

There will be multiple videos on a number of social media platforms on how to go about basic banking functions, the institution, and certain programs and rewards.

Larger banks such as Bank of America have recently shifted into the video marketing world!

Public Relations

If there is one industry that video works the best for, it is Public Relations.

However, it’s not what you’d think. PR firms are starting to bring production in-house. Since they’re responsible for keeping their clients in business, they’re starting to harness the power of video to do so.

What better way to retain creative freedom in your content marketing strategy and have complete control than with the entire production system being in-house?

Real Estate

Whether it’s a new hotel or a fancy new park, people are always interested in seeing new properties. The real estate industry has harnessed video to cater to people’s demands.

They aren’t catering just to potential customers who are looking to buy homes or properties. Rather, their videos are appealing to a variety of viewers. Real estate shows; a type of video marketing, are also becoming wildly popular on streaming platforms such as Netflix. The show ‘Selling Sunset’ was proof that people love watching real estate on video.

It isn’t all about seeing the fancy homes but providing educational and instructional style videos that are working for firms.

Healthcare

From their website to conferences, the healthcare industry has taken to creating videos about everything. They’re usually educational-style videos talking about procedures, insurances, tips, tricks, and more!

Sometimes, doctors will provide educational information on procedures for conferences and for patients. The video content hospitals, doctors, and supporting businesses in the industry aids not just patients but a variety of other consumers in different fields.

Why Does Video Work As A Content Marketing Strategy?

There are a hundred reasons that video works as a strategy. While there’s not enough time to list them all out, here are a few of the main video marketing benefits and the reasons they work!

More Engaging

When it comes to reading a thousand-word blog or watching a ten-second video, consumers these days are more inclined to watch a video.

The statistics are there to prove it. With Facebook starting video posts, the studies showed that where a static post would hold a customer’s eye for 1.3 seconds, a video post would hold it for 5 seconds longer.

No matter what anybody says, those extra 5 seconds matter.

Builds Customer Loyalty and Trust

Brands tend to be larger than life, untouchable, more omnipresent than humans.

With videos, brands can humanise themselves enough to gain loyalty and trust from their customers. It’s also an excellent way to promote themselves and increase brand awareness. A great example of this is the Benefit series. The cosmetic company Benefit decided to start a series of videos that spoke about cosmetics, tips, products, and other educational and entertaining content.

With the interactive video content that the brand put out, they were able to gain more followers on their social media pages while developing trust and loyalty from existing and potential consumers.

Recall is Easier

Getting a customer to recall information you’ve put in a picture or article format is harder than it comes across.

With engaging and entertaining content, a customer will relate and associate information with the brand for better recall! Not only is the video going to stick in their minds, but the CTA will stick too.

How To Make A Great Branded Video: Video Marketing Tools and Techniques

When you see a brand video like the ones from Nike or LG, there’s a lot more that goes into it than flying with a concept that came to mind. The best way to create a brand video is by following a few guidelines.

Understand the Audience

Branching out is always a good idea—but not in your first video. When GoPro expanded its target audience through the fireman saving a kitten video, they did it with an end goal in mind. It’s to broaden their already well-established brand image.

However, before getting to that stage, understanding what the audience wants—like the Facebook educational snippet is the best way to use video content to the best of your abilities.

Planning is Crucial

Be it written or produced, all video content needs to be planned. As in the case of Coca-Cola’s Christmas-themed video, the timing was right. Plan your content according to holidays, festivals, events, needs, customer journey, and such factors.

When you base your video marketing strategies on such factors, it becomes easier to conceptualise as well!

Storytelling

Marketers worth their salt will know that viewers are looking for stories. Whatever kind of service companies are offering, an element of storytelling doesn’t go amiss.

Humanity loves its stories, and so will your viewers.

Brands like Buzzfeed have mastered the art of subtle product placement to boost sales while telling a story that viewers will love. It’s a great way to grab attention, gain a couple of million views and go viral online.

Production Isn’t Hard

Your target audience isn’t generally looking for top-quality content. So, you don’t have to spend all your resources into producing videos. You also don’t need a huge production team to create videos that drive sales. Free resources for producing high-quality video content are readily available. There are many a online video editor to assist you in effortlessly creating impactful videos.

If you’re going to have a team, then it might as well be one that can use the free resources available to make content your audiences will want to watch.

Endnotes

Video marketing is the new blogging. It’s starting to pick up pace and now every brand wants in! The plethora of video marketing strategy examples that we saw in this article tells the same tale.

The rate at which it’s picking up means that any video a brand puts out needs to be the very best. This is why using an agency like WrittenlyHub is crucial. Not only will the content of the video match what the brand requires, but it’ll aid marketers in their quest for leads, sales, and great traffic for their websites!

So, what are you waiting for? Contact us for quality content marketing strategies for your stellar videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a video marketing strategy?

A video marketing strategy is your game plan for integrating video content into your overall marketing efforts. It covers everything from defining your objectives and target audience to creating, distributing, and analyzing videos to boost brand visibility, engagement, and conversions.

2. How effective is video marketing?

Video marketing is a powerhouse! It’s not just about views; well-crafted videos can significantly enhance user engagement, conversion rates, and even SEO performance.

3. How to create a video marketing strategy?

Starting with clear goals is key. Identify your target audience, decide on the video types—explainers, testimonials, webinars—and pick the right platforms. Develop a content calendar and allocate budget for production and promotion. After execution, don’t forget to measure KPIs to tweak future campaigns.

4. Why is video marketing important?

In today’s digital age, video is the medium people can’t get enough of. It’s eye-catching, easily digestible, and shareable. Notably, it enables brands to establish a more human connection by adding tone, emotion, and storytelling elements that text alone can’t capture.

5. How long should a marketing video be?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but as a rule of thumb, keep it under 2 minutes for social media. Longer formats like webinars or educational videos can be more extended, but always focus on delivering valuable, captivating content from start to finish.