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    Today, video plays a key role in advertising campaigns, becoming an indispensable tool for reaching a wide audience. Thanks to rapidly evolving technology and the importance of social media in people’s daily lives, this medium is currently more accessible than ever before. In this article, we will take a closer look at the role that video plays in advertising campaigns (with an emphasis on digital campaigns), analyzing its impact on the effectiveness of marketing communications and the dynamics of change that this medium brings to the field of advertising and promotion.

    Evolution of the role of video in marketing

    Before we discuss how video can be used in a brand’s marketing strategy, it’s worth reviewing the general history of how video has evolved as a promotional tool to the current stage. After all, the video marketing landscape has undergone significant transformations over the past few decades, and these changes have been primarily driven by advances in technology and changes in consumer behaviour.

    In the early 1990s, video marketing was associated primarily with television commercials. However, the advent of the Internet revolutionized the concept of video, paving the way for online streaming platforms. In 1993, the band Severe Tire Damage held the first live online concert, marking a milestone in the history of online video content.

    Subsequent innovations, such as Microsoft’s ActiveMovie and Macromedia Flash, further increased the interactivity and accessibility of online videos. The introduction of music-sharing networks, such as Napster in 1999, facilitated easy video sharing, albeit with some limitations due to low internet speeds.

    The introduction of music-sharing networks, such as Napster in 1999, facilitated the easy sharing of videos, albeit with some limitations due to low internet speeds.

    The 2000s marked the beginning of the spread of high-speed Internet and the development of social media platforms such as MySpace and Facebook. However, it was the launch of YouTube in 2005 that revolutionized the online video content landscape. With its user-friendly interface and wide reach, YouTube quickly became the go-to platform for consuming and sharing video content.

    The emergence of YouTube ushered in a new era of brand video marketing. Brands began using YouTube as a platform to connect with their target audiences through engaging video content. Google’s acquisition of YouTube in 2006 further solidified its position as a dominant force in the world of online video.

    In addition to YouTube, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have also played a significant role in shaping the evolution of video marketing. Facebook introduced live streaming capabilities in 2015, allowing users to broadcast live videos to their followers. Instagram followed suit, introducing IGTV in 2018, providing users with a platform for sharing long-form video content. The rise in popularity of TikTok (Https://upmore.com/blog/tiktok-how-to-use-it-for-brand-marketing-activities platform) and the user-generated content format were also important steps in what video marketing looks like today.

    Today, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are revolutionizing the field of video marketing. AI-based tools enable automated video production, personalized content recommendations and in-depth analytics, increasing the overall effectiveness of video campaigns.

    These advancements are also making it possible for video marketers to make more effective video campaigns.

    Why use video in advertising campaigns?

    There are several reasons why you should consider using video in your marketing campaigns. The most important of these are:

    1. Increase engagement: Video has the unique ability to engage viewers and build a deeper emotional connection. Dynamic images, sounds and a captivating narrative can capture viewers’ attention in ways that are difficult to achieve with other media. With its visual and audio capabilities, video can convey information in a more compelling and captivating way, resulting in greater engagement and longer viewer interaction time.
    2. Versatility: Video can be used for various purposes and at different stages of the buying process. It can be a product advertisement, a feature presentation, an event report, an instructional guide or even a brand story. This versatility allows content to be tailored to the needs and expectations of different target groups. Whether it’s to educate customers about a product, build brand awareness or encourage purchase, video can be an effective tool at any stage of the marketing process.
    3. Increase conversions: Studies clearly show that video-based advertising campaigns can generate higher conversion rates than other forms of advertising. Well-designed and engaging videos can effectively convince viewers to take a desired action, such as buying a product or using a service. The viewer’s emotional engagement and the persuasive marketing messages in the video can make viewers more likely to take the action that the campaign is promoting.
    4. Measurement of results: With the analytical tools available on online platforms, you can accurately measure the effectiveness of a video campaign. The number of impressions, user engagement, viewing time and even conversions can be tracked, allowing you to continuously improve your advertising strategy Analyzing this data allows you better to understand the behavior and preferences of your audience and tailor your campaigns to their needs, resulting in more efficient use of your advertising budget and achieving your marketing goals.

    How to maximize the potential of video in online advertising?

    To achieve maximum effect from the use of video in online advertising, a few key principles must be followed. First, it is necessary to properly tailor video content to the needs, preferences and behaviors of the target audience. Analyzing demographics, interests and online behavior can help us understand what video content will be most appealing to our target audience. This allows us to create content that will effectively capture the attention and engage our potential customers.

    Secondly, close monitoring and analysis of video campaign performance is crucial. Thanks to analytical tools available on advertising platforms, it is possible to track indicators such as the number of impressions, the degree of user engagement, viewing time or conversions. Analysis of this data allows you to assess the effectiveness of your campaign and identify areas for improvement or optimization.

    An important element of effective online video advertising is also the authenticity of the content. In the world of social media, where users are increasingly sensitive to manipulation and artificiality, it makes sense to bet on content that is original and authentic. Video ads that tell real stories, contain humorous elements, show people, their emotions and their daily lives often achieve greater success than those that are artificial or exaggerated.

    In 2024, there are several trends in video marketing that are worth considering when building your brand strategy. Trends that currently dominate the video market include:

    1. Short Forms of Video: Due to users’ growing interest in quick and easy to digest content, short forms of video are becoming increasingly popular. Formats such as bumper ads on YouTube and short videos on social media platforms focus the attention of audiences and are an effective form of advertising messages in short bursts.
    2. User-Generated Video: More and more brands are using user-generated video content, or UGC, to engage their community and build authentic relationships with customers. UGC can include product reviews, customer videos, or video contests that engage users in creating content for the brand.
    3. Take advantage of social media trends: Once in a while, popular dance routines, filters, narrative forms, or sounds appear on platforms such as TikTok or Instagram. Using these when promoting a brand can help increase organic video reach and targeted audience engagement. However, the content should first and foremost be authentic, and we can’t be sure that every video recorded to a currently popular sound will become viral on the march.
    4. Narrative-based video: Videos based on strong narrative and emotional stories continue to be very popular in marketing. Brands use storytelling to capture viewers’ attention, build an emotional connection with the brand, and communicate their values and mission.
    5. Livestreaming: Livestreaming, or broadcasting video content live, is becoming increasingly popular in online marketing. Brands are using live streaming to host events, showcase products, conduct Q&A sessions or share behind-the-scenes of company life. This allows them to interact directly with viewers and build authentic relationships.

    It is worth using video in advertising campaigns!

    In summary, the role of video in online marketing is constantly evolving, responding to changing consumer needs and expectations and taking advantage of new technologies and trends. From simple TV commercials to interactive, personalized video content tailored to social media platforms, video is an integral part of effective advertising campaigns.

    It is important for brands to understand and actively leverage video’s potential to reach their audience and build lasting relationships with customers. The key to success is to constantly adapt to the changing landscape of video marketing, consciously take advantage of new technologies and trends, and focus on delivering valuable, authentic content that engages and inspires audiences.

    The key to success is to constantly adapt to the changing landscape of video marketing, to take advantage of new technologies and trends consciously, and to focus on delivering valuable, authentic content that engages and inspires audiences.

    Looking to the future, video will continue to play a key role in online marketing, becoming increasingly interactive, personalized and effective in conveying the marketing message. Therefore, it is worthwhile to continue exploring the possibilities that video offers and use it as an important tool in building your brand and achieving your business goals.

    The future of video will continue to be an important tool in building your brand and achieving your business goals.

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    Martyna Malepszy
    Martyna Malepszy

    She has been with Up&more since April 2021. On a day-to-day basis, she is primarily engaged in running and optimizing campaigns that encourage the installation of mobile applications, but not only.