Using Video to promote your content on Facebook can pay off. But how do you do it and where do you start?

Here are 9 tips to consider when creating video content for social media.

1. What are you going to talk about? Make a plan and write it down. What need or problem are you trying to solve with this video? Is it of interest to your customers? Why would your customers want to watch this video? Don’t focus on the product or a sales pitch. Instead, focus on their need and how you can solve it. Take the time to plan out the scope and topic.
2. How long should you video be? No more than 2 minutes. The video can be shorter, but it should not exceed 2 minutes. You’ll loose your audience with a long drawn out video.
3. Speak slowly and loud. This is not an auction or a race. Rehearse what you are going to say and say it slowly so viewers can understand you. Project your voice. How far is the video recorder from you? Turn up the volume and speak loudly. Folks can always turn down the volume if it’s too loud. But if you speak softly, even with the volume on high, you will have lost your audience and opportunity to get your message across. Slow & steady, and project your voice.
4. The first 3 seconds matter! Open with a question and relate it to a challenge they may have. Be creative! You need to hook them, otherwise they will scroll on down past your video in a newsfeed. Again, think about what need you are trying to solve, and turn that into a question or two.
5. Next, tell them who you are. Your name, your business name, and your location.
6. Follow this up with a promise – make a promise to them on how you will answer the question you posed in the opening 3 seconds, or a promise on how you will help them solve the issue.
7. Get to the heart of the matter. This is where you tell them how you are solving their problem, or answering the question you posted. If you are talking about a service or product, list the benefits and how it/they work. Be concise and to the point.
8. Wrap it up with a clear call to action. Tell them what you want them to do, use action words.
9. Close by telling them once again who you are and where you are located or how to reach you.

If you are loading the video to Facebook remember the 20% text rule for the thumbnail and the first 3 seconds of the video. Take the video using the wide screen 16×9, and in MP4

Mobile is king, always place your video as a mobile ad.  Upload the native video file to Facebook, and to your YouTube Channel.

Taking a bit of time to map out your plan will pay off.