Do you really need to do video content on social media?
My short answer is no, you don’t have to. You don’t have to do anything. But, if you’re not using video, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity. Video is the number one way for people to get to know, like, and trust you and when it comes to personal branding – you are the brand.
The main types of video content are:
- Long-form videos that are uploaded to YouTube and other platforms
- Live videos on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Lives
- Videos inside stories
- Short-form videos: TikTok, Reels, and YouTube shorts.
All of these video types are great opportunities and each one gives you the option to reach your prospective customers in a slightly different way. I really encourage you to start thinking about using these tools and to stop taking yourself so seriously. Have fun with it and you’ll get better as you go.
Video Inside Stories
The least scary option is probably inside your stories (IG or FB).
A video inside your stories goes away after 24 hours. That’s a perfect time to press the record button, pop inside your stories and just talk to the people that are on the other side.
I try to get into my stories and talk a little bit about what’s on my mind every day. Sometimes I talk about my products that are on sale, or I give a little health tip, or I give a mindset tip.
The great thing about this type of video content is that when people comment back on your story, you’re in their DMs and you want to get into conversations with them. Anything that gets you into fun conversations inside the DMs is a good opportunity.
Short-Form Video
If you are thinking about doing TikToks or Reels, keep in mind that there are a lot of different ways to present information.
- You don’t have to be a dancer
- you don’t have to be funny
- you don’t have to be great at lip-syncing in order to be super impactful.
In terms of social media content, the number one content that is being pushed out on Instagram right now is Reels because Instagram is competing with TikTok. Also, the best performing videos are between 7 and 15 seconds, and you can do anything for 7 seconds.
Start with what you’re most comfortable with. If you haven’t done the work of building your own personal brand and your content pillars, go back and do that. Once you’ve got those down, it becomes a lot easier to figure out what you want to talk about. Start authentically where you are.
And if you need some help, here is the link to my Free Reels Workshop to get you started.
Live Video
I have this course that I do with my business partner Lisa called Real Lives that is super affordable and teaches you everything you want to know about doing lives, like
- good lighting
- correct camera angle
- how to open up the conversation
- things to do and not to do on videos
The easiest way to do a live video is to do it with a buddy. Grab a friend, pick a topic and just talk to each other about it. Just go on and have a conversation. Start to think about how you can deliver some really interesting information in less than 10 minutes. Talk about things that you know and love and that are related to your content pillars. Write out the key points, open with a hook, give a couple of key pieces of information, wrap it up and give a call to action to reach out to you for more information.
The biggest mistake people make when they start a live video is that they wait for more people to show up before they get started. When you start a live video, just go, even if no one’s on yet. If you are partnered with a brand, go live and start to talk about some of your favorite products. If you’ve learned something new this week, go live and share what you learned this week.
Start connecting authentically with the people on the other side and the most powerful way to do that is through video.
Hopefully, this has sparked some curiosity in you and if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me.
In the meantime, remember, you are magnetic and people are waiting to hear what you have to say.
Love,
Tracey.
