Most marketers know the value that social media can bring to the business and website they’ve created.
With over 3.5 billion daily users on social media, you already know your target audience is on there talking about their experiences and discussing their favorite products. It’s also become a popular way of handling customer service issues and speaking directly with brands.
Now more than ever, customers and businesses are communicating one-on-one and using social media to do so.
An ever-growing method used by brands and customers to connect is through YouTube, which has sparked a rise in video marketing to appeal to different audiences. The platform boasts more than 1.9 billion logged-in users each month and those numbers continue to rise along with its popularity.
With all that traffic, your business is sure to find its target market and use its products and services to appeal to their interests.
Let’s take a look at three YouTube marketing trends you need to consider for your business this year.
1. YouTube Live
Over the past few years, live stream has taken social media by storm. Facebook revealed on its blog that people are three times more likely to watch a live stream on the platform than a regular video because events happening at the moment are infinitely more interesting than videos from the past. Events happening in the present intrigue people because they get to see something happening in real-time.
With YouTube Live, YouTube’s very own live streaming platform, YouTubers can now launch live streams where their audience can view them in real-time. Viewers engage with live video eight times longer compared to regular video, boosting your channel’s engagement rates and driving traffic to your content.
You can use YouTube Live to broadcast a Q&A session, showcase your products and services, introduce an influencer, and much more.
According to Google, who owns YouTube, there are three ways to get set up with YouTube Live:
- Webcam: Immediately start streaming via your laptop or desktop.
- Mobile: Stream live through your phone but you must already have 1000 subscribers to use this feature.
- Encoder streaming: Best for more complicated settings like multiple cameras and bigger production.
To go live, you need to make sure your YouTube channel is at least 24 hours old. You’ll have to verify your account first:
Once you’ve done that, add information about your stream so your audience knows what to expect.
Then, review your stream options:
Once you click Start Streaming, you’re ready to go live in front of your audience.
2. 360-degree videos
The second YouTube marketing trend I’d like to cover is 360-degree video. Who doesn’t love going in-depth with content and experiencing it in a way they haven’t before? With 360-degree videos, users can use their mouse to click on a video and place the screen in the perspective they want it. The video continues playing even as users move the content around on the screen and interact with it.
360-degree videos provide users with a virtual reality experience they can enjoy from their laptop or mobile phones. Brands can use this feature to give a full look at different aspects of their business or to show products and services in ways they previously haven’t. Users can now explore a brand’s content and choose to look from whatever perspective they prefer.
Because it doesn’t require a headset or special eyewear, this feature is available to a much wider audience and accommodates a larger group of people. Its usability makes it easier for brands to see a boost in their views, likes, and overall engagement.
3. How-to tutorials
Have you ever typed a question in Google and gotten both text and video results only to click on the video to find a solution? Many users find that when searching for answers, they gravitate towards video tutorials that teach them how to do something or talk extensively about how to solve a problem.
According to Google, 67 percent of millennials agree that they can find a YouTube video on anything they want to learn. The platform’s vast, ever-growing mountain of content continues to grow day in and day out. Every minute, up to 400 hours of video are uploaded into its database, with how-to videos remaining a popular genre to consume.
The idea of tutorials on YouTube is not new; for years, people have been uploading videos teaching users how to apply makeup, change a car tire, or make a delicious recipe. However, over the years, this method has made all the difference for businesses trying to elevate their brand and sell their products.
With how-to videos, users get a first-hand look at how brands can get rid of their problems and simplify their lives. This reduces the amount of customer service complaints that brands have to deal with because their audience’s questions and concerns are already being answered through video.
Apple uses its YouTube channel to market new products and gives customers a look at how to use its newest, most upcoming features:
Doing so removes most confusion their customers may have about new products as they launch. Buying expensive electronics is no light matter, but when you have representatives for a business explaining how to use those products, there’s a higher chance your audience will be persuaded to buy and will move down the sales funnel.
For all of these reasons, I can’t see this YouTube marketing trend slowing down in popularity any time soon.
Final takeaway
YouTube is a platform you don’t want to neglect if you plan on strategizing your business for higher conversions and engagement rates. Video is a fan favorite and people aren’t giving it up any time soon. By adding it to your marketing strategy, you’re ensured a better chance of achieving your goals and reaching success.
Consider using 360-degree video as a new way to get your audience to interact with your content. Try out YouTube Live and see what kind of results you get with live streaming. Finally, take advantage of tutorials and how-to videos as they’re a preferred way for users to get the information they need.
