Brand videos — like ads, how-tos, video lookbooks, and even infomercials — have become powerful in swaying a consumer’s decision to purchase. In fact, videos are now marketing’s hottest content strategy
Producing videos can be time-consuming for brands, though. It’s also hard to keep coming up with innovative ways to talk about or feature your product. This brings us to the second type of video content — vlog.
Vlogs (short for video blog) are mostly produced by influencers or key opinion leaders (KOLs), followed by key opinion consumers (KOCs), who can be classified as micro-influencers.
Brands often lean heavily on KOLs or KOCs to feature their products. That’s because research has also shown that exposing products in vlogs can increase consumer purchase intent. This influence can be used to build brand love and brand loyalty.
KOLs and KOCs are no longer minorities in the marketing business: more than half of beauty and fashion brands use influencer marketing to bring in sales. But more recently, business owners themselves are learning the art of vlogging to promote their brands.
Vlog vs blog: which is more effective?
The effectiveness of vlogs vs blogs largely depends on the audience and the content being shared.
Vlogs often connect more immediately and emotionally with viewers due to the visual and auditory elements. They work well for tutorials, travel experiences, product reviews and brand storytelling.
the type of content you’re producing.
On the other hand, blogs offer advantages in terms of searchability and readability. They’re easily scannable, allowing readers to quickly find information of interest.
Blogs also tend to rank well in search engines when properly optimized, attracting organic traffic to your website over time. They’re suitable for in-depth analysis, how-to guides and long-form storytelling.
#NinjaTip: Focus on one channel as your main delivery platform (like YouTube or TikTok), and use the other channels as support. Go to where most of your customers are and build your presence there.
7 vlog content ideas for your brand
Yes, vlogs can be a fantastic way for brands to connect with their audience in a more personal and engaging way. So what are the kinds of vlog that you can do? Here are some content ideas for vlogs that you can consider.
1. Unboxing vlog
To those new to video marketing and vlogging, you can start with the easiest vlog content — product unboxing and reviews. Unboxing works more for consumer electronics, but if your brand produces items that have interesting packaging, this is worth a try.
2. Shopping vlog
An alternative for fashion brands or shopping platforms is “shopping haul” videos. This is where one shopaholic showcases what he or she has found online, giving a quick on-the-spot review, and revealing how much the items cost.
Since reviews are part of the video, choosing the right vlogger becomes even more important; the influencer’s reputation and authentic opinion can make or break your marketing play.
3. Tutorial vlog
Those who want to up their game can venture into more value-add content, like video tutorials and how-tos and demonstrate how to properly use your products, or offer tips and tricks related to your industry.
For example, makeup tutorials will never go out of style, especially as new colors and trends pop up. Fashion brands can pivot this into style guides, giving users tips on how to achieve specific looks.
fashion and beauty brands.
4. Behind the scenes (BTS)
Take viewers on a journey through your company culture and product development process. Showcase the making of your products, give a sneak peek into your office or production process. This adds authenticity and transparency, fostering trust among your audience.
5. Q&A sessions
Host live or pre-recorded Q&A sessions to answer audience questions about your products, services or industry trends. It’s also a good avenue to address their concerns directly, like if they had a bad experience with your product.
This builds a direct connection and creates a more personalized way of reaching out to your customers.
6. New product launches
Build excitement for upcoming releases by giving your customers an exclusive peek at your new offerings. A vlog is a great way to create anticipation via teasers, sneak peeks and countdowns until the release date.
A great way to boost this is by attaching a promo code, so your followers will have more reasons to wait for your new product.
vlog teasers and sneak peeks.
7. Live selling
Now for the exciting stuff — live selling. Many online sellers have built successful businesses just doing live selling, using platforms like TikTok and Facebook Live.
Live selling has taken the Philippines by storm and if you’re not doing it yet, you could missing opportunities to boost your sales. Lazada and Shopee also have live streaming for its merchants where shoppers can find great deals and big discounts.
Still not convinced? Check out the Impact of Live Selling on PH Ecommerce.
#NinjaTip: Try to build in-house brand talent by getting someone internal to host a Live Selling event on your brand’s social media channels. Who knows, you might have a star in the making!
Vlogging tips to captivate and engage your audience
Standing out in the crowded sea of online content can be challenging today. So here are some key tips to help your brand vlogs thrive.
- Know your audience. Understanding your audience’s interests, demographics and online behavior will guide your content creation. Tailor your vlog’s tone, style and topics to resonate with them.
- Find your niche. Don’t be a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. Choose a specific niche within your brand’s space and focus on creating high-quality content that caters to that audience. Attract a dedicated following and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
- Be authentic and transparent. People connect with genuine brands. Show your audience the real you, your team and your company culture. Share your story, struggles and successes to build trust and foster a sense of community.
- Tell compelling stories. Don’t just list product features or preach about your brand. Weave engaging narratives around your content. Use humor, emotion and relatable experiences to make your vlogs memorable and keep viewers hooked.
- Focus on high-quality production. Invest in good lighting, sound and editing software. Ensure your vlogs are visually appealing and easy to watch. Shaky footage and poor audio will quickly turn viewers away, so make you have the right tools.
- Be consistent. Publish vlogs regularly to stay top-of-mind with your audience. Develop a content calendar and stick to it. Even if you can’t manage daily uploads, aim for a consistent schedule, like weekly or bi-weekly.
- Engage with your viewers. Respond to comments, answer questions and participate in discussions. Actively engage with your audience to build relationships and encourage them to keep coming back for more.
- Promote your vlogs. Share your vlogs across your social media platforms, embed them in your website or blog, and consider paid advertising to reach a wider audience.
- Experiment and track results. Try different vlog formats, topics and styles to see what resonates with your audience. Track your analytics to understand what’s working and what’s not. Adapt your strategy based on data and audience feedback.
- Have fun! Vlogging should be enjoyable. If you’re passionate about your brand and your message, that enthusiasm will shine through and connect with viewers.
Bonus tips:
- Collaborate with other brands or influencers. This can expose your brand to a new audience and bring fresh perspectives to your vlogs.
- Run contests and giveaways. Incentivize viewers to engage with your vlogs and grow your audience.
- Utilize calls to action. Tell viewers what you want them to do after watching your vlog, whether it’s visiting your website, subscribing to your channel, or making a purchase.
Vlog for your audience, not just your brand
The key to successful vlogging is creating content that adds value to your customers. While making sales today is important, building a community of loyal fans that can advocate for you tomorrow will yield more dividends in the long run.
so make sure you’re being genuine and authentic.
Remember, authenticity and genuine connection are crucial in brand vlogging. Strive to create content that not only promotes your brand but also entertains, educates or inspires your audience, fostering a lasting relationship with them.
Be patient, consistent and keep creating valuable vlog content that your audience will love. Soon, you’ll build a strong and profitable brand online!
More helpful tips on building your brand online:
Your Ultimate Guide to Building Your Digital Brand
How to Manage Your Brand Reputation Online
12 Tips for an Effective ECommerce Blog
