Can Your Association Benefit from Video?

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Are you ready for your close up?

There was a time when video marketing was strictly for big budget brands who could afford pricey TV spots. But that’s no longer the case. Most modern cameras come with more than passable recording abilities, and getting the results in front of an audience has never been easier. Video is your chance to put a human face to your association, and with YouTube reaching 1 billion users, there’s never been a better time to branch out. Follow these five steps to get started.

  1. Get Your Equipment in Place. The equipment list for your YouTube video doesn’t have to be complicated. To get started all you really need is:
    • Recording equipment – the video recorder on a good quality camera should be good enough.
    • A place to make your video – quiet and undisturbed is essential.
    • Someone to appear in it – don’t be shy!
    • A YouTube account – quick and easy to sign up for.
    • Video editing software – optional but very useful. There are many options on the market, so finding one to suit your budget should be easy.
  2. Decide on Your Message. A good video is one that makes its point clearly with no rambling. Do you want your video to introduce your association? Provide a meet and greet with some key staff? Answer a question or solve a problem? Don’t forget your call to action. Whether you want viewers to come to your conference or renew their membership, the next step should be clear and easy to take.
  3. Write and Polish Your Script. Writing your script before hand will cut down a lot of time wasted on re-takes. You don’t have to write the next Hollywood blockbuster – a simple outline of what you want to say will help you. Treat your script like you would any other piece of copy – you are looking for a clear message that entices the viewer to take action.
  4. Film and Edit. Gather your equipment along with any props and of course the stars of your video. Check for sources of noise or disturbance, and make sure everything is neat with no trip hazards. You won’t get everything right first time, but if you come prepared with a polished script, you’ll have plenty of material before long. Before you publish your video you’ll most likely need to do a bit of editing. You don’t need anything complicated – search online and ask around to find out what will suit your needs best.
  5. Promote. Now it’s time to promote your new video. Start by including keyword-rich descriptions when you upload it to YouTube. Make sure you provide links on your social media profiles, and don’t forget to mention your video in your latest newsletter. You can also use the video on your homepage.

Using video marketing for your association doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive. With some basic equipment and some time invested in a good script you can add a new dimension to your marketing and help your association stand out.