Storytelling has become a buzzword for marketers, especially in the conference circuit. While stories often take the form of written posts, storytelling isn’t limited to words. There are many other ways to improve your branding and engagement through storytelling by using videos, GIFs, live streaming, and other methods. Read on to learn how.
Tell your story with video
People often prefer to watch a video and a visual story rather than read written content. Creative videography can capture your brand in a unique light. Videos posted to your social media pages or website can either accompany written content or stand alone.
Recently, video has seen increased organic reach on Facebook, and video marketing has proven to be highly effective. According to Comscore, adding a video to your website can increase the chance of a front page Google result by 53 times. With all that potential, businesses have realized the value of developing their own video content.
While starting a YouTube channel or a Vimeo account can be a great place to share your videos, you may also consider adding professional videos to your marketing budget. High-quality capture demonstrates that your brand is serious about the stories it wants to tell.
Go live
Facebook Live or live-streaming events on other social platforms, such as Periscope, show your brand cares about including your audience in the day-to-day activities of your company. Live videos do not involve editing or any kind of retouching, though this is not to say they are not professional or planned. But they can be an effective way to reach your viewers and show them the inside scoop or teach them something new.
Keep it short and sweet with GIFs
Another newer outlet to tell your brand’s story is the use of GIFs (aka Graphics Interchange Format). GIFs are very short videos that move forward and backward on loop. Unlike a full video, you just see a series of still images in motion. Any company can use GIFs to help emphasize a point in articles or on their website. GIFs are perfect for expressing a certain emotion beyond just using words.
Giphy is a program where you can make your own GIFs, which can be shared and searched for by users on a variety of platforms. If you have content that is well suited for this platform, GIFs are a quick and easy way to create excitement with users and generate brand recognition. As an added bonus, GIFs are typically very short, so they tend to keep viewers’ attention all the way through to the end.
Develop infographics
Infographics can help enhance your brand's image through creativity and get your content shared. Infographics are a visual way to represent content: For example, instead of saying “65 per cent of people love pizza,” you could illustrate a pie chart with an image of a pizza and remove 35 per cent of the pizza to show the data graphically. There are unlimited infographic possibilities, and you can use your own images, creations, and text to communicate your story through graphics.
Host webinars
Facebook Live, Google Hangouts, and Skype are all fantastic platforms to host webinars. Webinars enhance your brand’s image because they express an interest in teaching something, but they can also help people understand what you’re all about. Develop webinar themes and topics that showcase your company’s expertise, and demonstrate that your brand is the one to consult when your audience has industry-specific questions.
Regularly post to social media
Some people check their social platforms as much as, if not more than, they check their email. In fact, Facebook reports that its users spend 50 minutes a day on Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger. Companies that regularly post to social media have a better chance of reaching and communicating with their followers. Regular posting of relevant content can help build a brand image and improve storytelling. And by sharing internal links, social media posts can drive traffic to your website and blog, which can have an even more in-depth explanation of your brand’s story.
The takeaway
Social platforms have made it easier than ever to develop, create, and share content with followers who are interested in your company. By effectively using video, live streaming, GIFs, infographics, webinars, and social media posts, you can create a cohesive and consistent brand image for people who have already expressed interest in your company, and leverage new leads.
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