The Growing Importance of Video Marketing on Social Media Platforms

Businesses embracing video in social media will benefit from viral potential of social sharing and foster community engagement to drive brand awareness.

By Mick Essex & Gaukhar Murzagaliyeva
Apr 11, 2024
The Growing Importance of Video Marketing on Social Media Platforms

With over 91% of companies making video marketing a part of their marketing strategies and over 57% of consumers giving preference to video content from brands they support, the importance of video marketing cannot be overstated.

Video marketing relies on sight, sound, and motion to convey compelling narratives and captivate audiences in ways other media can’t match.

In the meantime, the growing popularity of social media as a hub of communication and interaction further underscores the role of video marketing in the success of modern businesses.


In this article:

  • Social Media Shift Toward Video Content Consumption
  • Benefits of Video Marketing on Social Media
  • Effective Video Marketing on Social Media: Strategies to Embrace

On social platforms, nearly 5 billion users share experiences, discover new content, and connect daily.

By embracing visuals on social media (SM) and using the unprecedented reach of social networks, businesses can break through the clutter of traditional ads, build authentic relations with consumers, and retain their loyalty in the long run.

blurry-woman-live-streaming-home

Source: Freepik

Social Media Shift Toward Video Content Consumption

SM emerged as a communication means. Yet, over time, social platforms grew into full-fledged marketing ecosystems.

Today, they offer sophisticated promotional capabilities, analytics tools, and opportunities to partner with influencers. Brands use SM to enhance their messaging, cultivate customer loyalty, and drive traffic to their websites and storefronts.

With sponsored posts, targeted ads, influencer collaborations, and viral campaigns, companies get more opportunities to connect with their target audiences in meaningful ways.

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Videos have become one of the most popular formats among social media content types, outcompeting images and text content.

Video content is available in many forms, including short clips, live streams, long-form documentaries, and branded series.

Videos offer a dynamic and immersive experience that resonates across demographics.

most-engaging-types-of-in-feed-social-content

Source: SproutSocial

Today, videos reign supreme on social media, accounting for the lion's share of engagement and consumption across major platforms.

Dynamic visuals break linguistic barriers and cultural divides, connecting people in ways text cannot.

Animated video production also offers a unique way to simplify complex ideas and captivate audiences β€” an essential tool for modern SM strategies.

Benefits of Video Marketing on Social Media

Social platforms are competitive environments. Video marketing helps brands forge meaningful connections, achieve tangible results, and gain a competitive edge.

Engagement and reach amplification

The biggest advantage of video marketing is its ability to hook audiences and spark interactions. Unlike static images or text, videos are dynamic and immersive.

Videos on Facebook are shared nearly 90Γ— more than other content.

Over 91% of Instagram users watch videos weekly. On X, videos result in 10Γ— more engagement than text posts. YouTube Shorts saw over 70 billion daily views in 2023.

youtube-is-the-most-popular-platform-for-marketers-when-sharing-videos

Source: LXA

SM algorithms favor video content, prioritizing it in feeds and boosting content with high engagement.

As a result, brands can cultivate loyal followers who eagerly await their next video content.

More effective messaging

Under information overload, delivering complex messages effectively is essential.

Video communicates ideas intuitively, making it easier to explain products, features, and benefits.

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98% of customers watch explainer videos to learn about products.
does-your-use-of-video-lead-to-an-increased-understanding-of-your-products-service

Source: WebsitePlanet

Videos break complex concepts into digestible pieces, reducing communication barriers.

Improved brand awareness and recognition

With ad fatigue on the rise, video marketing enables brands to differentiate.

Using brand colors, logos, ambassadors, or custom AI avatars strengthens brand identity and recognition.

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Over 90% of YouTube viewers discover new products through the platform.

On social platforms, engaging content spreads quickly, helping businesses increase overall brand awareness.

Higher conversion rates and ROI

Video marketing significantly boosts ROI, with most marketers reporting improved returns after incorporating video.

marketers-who-say-video-has-given-them-a-good-roi

Source: Wyzowl

Reasons videos drive conversions:

  • Videos evoke trust, empathy, and emotional connection.
  • Visual and audio elements create an immersive experience.
  • Over 84% of customers made a purchase after watching a branded video.
  • Videos help users move down the sales funnel.

SM also provides ample targeting and retargeting options to optimize ROI.

Effective Video Marketing on Social Media: Strategies to Embrace

Mastering videos in social media marketing requires creativity, insight, and strategic planning.

Know your target audience

Research audience demographics, interests, and online behavior to tailor content.

the-audiences

Source: iCoastal

TikTok and Snapchat attract Gen Z audiences, while LinkedIn attracts B2B professionals.

Create shareable content

To drive results, videos must engage viewers and encourage shares. Over 75% of videos are consumed on mobile, so ensure mobile optimization.

Use humor, storytelling, or education to enrich your content. Tools like video proofing software help refine content before publishing.

Use storytelling and emotional appeal

Storytelling builds emotional connections.

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Use storytelling to make your brand more authentic and relatable.

Behind-the-scenes content, memorable music, and strong narratives foster trust and loyalty.

Apply analytics for optimization

Measure performance using social media analytics tools.

businessman-working-at-a-table-concept

Source: TrueSocialMetrics

Track:

  • Views
  • Engagement
  • Shares
  • Conversions

Identify patterns, test variations, and refine strategies.

Is Video Marketing Worth the Effort?

heres-what-marketers-had-to-say

Source: Animoto

Video marketing is not a passing trend β€” it’s a cornerstone of digital strategy.

Businesses that embrace it can elevate their SM presence, boost engagement, improve brand awareness, and increase conversions.

The possibilities are endless for brands bold enough to invest in video.