Ok, so you’ve made an awesome video. Congrats!
Now… what do you do with it?
Having a video without a distribution strategy is like having a ship that never leaves port. Sure, it’s impressive, and it’s nice to look at, but it’s probably not going to get you anywhere. Studies have shown time and time again the power of video marketing, but creating a video is only the first step. Getting it in front of the right audience is just as important. In this blog post, we'll explore the different distribution strategies that companies could use to get their video out there, nd which distribution strategy might best suit your specific video.
Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer companies an opportunity to distribute their videos to their followers and beyond. Social media platforms have a massive user base, and companies can reach a wider audience through social media. Companies can also run targeted ads on these platforms to reach specific demographics, allowing companies to target their ideal customer with ease.
Social media is a great distribution strategy for videos that are short, engaging, and shareable. Videos that are meant to educate, entertain, or inspire are perfect for social media platforms. Companies can also use social media to share behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with employees, and customer testimonials.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great distribution strategy for videos that are intended for a specific audience. Companies can send out email newsletters that include links to their videos. Email marketing is a great way to reach out to existing customers for re-selling opportunities or to potential leads who have subscribed to a company's mailing list.
Email marketing is a great distribution strategy for videos that are educational, informative, or promotional. Companies can also use email marketing to share webinars, product demos, and tutorials.
Video Hosting Platforms
Video hosting platforms like YouTube and Vimeo are a great distribution strategy for companies that want to create a dedicated video channel. These platforms allow companies to upload their videos and create a library of content that their audience can browse and watch.
Video hosting platforms are a great distribution strategy for videos that are educational, informative, or entertaining. Companies can also use video hosting platforms to share webinars, product demos, and tutorials.
OTT Ads
OTT (over-the-top) ads are ads that are delivered through streaming services that provide content over the internet, such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. These services have become increasingly popular, and many people use them to watch their favorite TV shows and movies. One advantage of using OTT ads is that they can be more targeted than traditional TV ads. Because the ads are delivered through streaming services, companies can target their audience based on their viewing history and preferences, as well as specific demographics factors like age, gender, and location. This can result in dramatically higher engagement and conversion rates.
OTT ads are a great distribution strategy for videos that are promotional or meant to drive sales. OTT ads can be particularly effective for companies that sell products or services that are relevant to a specific audience. Another advantage of using OTT ads is that they are measurable. Companies can track metrics such as views, clicks, and conversions to see how their ads are performing. This data can help companies optimize their ads for better results.
Broadcast Ads
Broadcast ads are traditional television commercials that are aired on television networks or cable channels. This distribution strategy has been used for decades and is still effective in reaching a wide audience. Broadcast ads are a great distribution strategy for companies that want to reach a broad audience with their videos.
One advantage of using broadcast ads is that they can reach a massive audience. This can be particularly effective for companies that want to build brand awareness or launch new products or services. Broadcast ads can be used to generate a buzz and create a sense of urgency among viewers. Another advantage of using broadcast ads is that they can be memorable. Catchy ads that resonate with a captive viewer base is by far the most effective way to build brand recognition and loyalty.
Although companies can use broadcast ads to target specific demographics based on factors such as time of day, day of the week, and TV program genre, broadcast ads are generally most effective for companies who are seeking to appeal to a broad demographic of potential customers. As such, broadcast ads can be particularly effective for companies that sell products or services that have broad appeal.
So... which one should you choose?
The right strategy will depend on the type of video you’ve created and the intended audience. Social media is great for short, engaging videos, email marketing is great for targeted audiences, video hosting platforms are great for creating a dedicated video channel, and paid distribution is great for promoting videos and driving sales. By choosing the right distribution strategy, companies can maximize the impact of their videos and reach their target audience effectively.
Do you need help crafting a video distribution strategy?