Gary Vaynerchuck mentions that he “Day trades attention.” The internet revolutionized “attention” trading but for content creators in the marketplace, they can easily get lost among the competition. Standing out in crowded industry sectors is the biggest challenge facing creators in the digital age and, with new entrepreneurs joining the fray on a daily basis, it isn’t getting easier.
One way in which creators across many sectors can gain an advantage is via niche specific video content. This type of content can help your channel – along with your company channels – grow. If you are a business, providing your viewers with instructional videos, promotions, and showreels that provide pure entertainment can give you an edge. This type of channel can certainly be lucrative, but it has to be approached in the right way. If you look at Twitch or Youtube, you’ll find thousands of “dead” channels that never got attention. You can find people on TikTok with hundreds of videos… each with 5 to 10 views. In that same note, you find content creators with videos in the thousands. It’s not about creating videos, it’s about creating videos that people want to watch. Or, for the topic of this article, creating videos in categories, or with activities, that gain the most views. Rest assured, no two types of activities are the same. Some activities gain more views than others.
Vlog & Document
If anyone needs to measure the potential for success that can be found via video sharing platforms, you don’t have to go too far, just look at the cult of celebrity. How many times have you, or your parents, switched on a celebrity version of a quiz or reality show and thought ‘who the heck is that?’
Successful bloggers may only be known to the younger generation but they underline the potential for anyone to share video content and gain an edge in their own sphere. What do they do? It’s a good question: some play music – you can find these people on Reddit’s “streaming” section. Others are playing games and documenting their growth. Others provide entertainment in some other form – the goal is to gain followers. At the end of the day, vloggers are all looking to build their own brand. Once you have enough followers, you can use their collective weight to get sponsors and promotions. Look at Casey Neistat with Project Power. Casey is an excellent example of a vlogger who documents his life. He doesn’t have a plan, he points and vlogs.
Play to Win
Online gaming in all its forms is one of the most popular pastimes. Whether it’s a big eSport such as League of Legends, Apex, or Valorant. People play to try and win. A victory in a Battle-Royale may help you climb higher in the ranking system, but a victory at a poker table can actually reward you for your skills.
Online casinos offer a good example of how video creators can mix entertainment and instructional content to gain an edge over their competitors. In the realm of poker, a content provider can take players through every step, starting with basic instructions on how to play and the order of superiority in regard to winning hands. Depending on where you live, some casinos allow you to record your games in person.
Some of the biggest brands often focus more on their own products and this may include a list of the poker variants that can be found on their site. Action from professional tournaments and videos of the creators in play can also be useful tools for those who want to get onto the tables and enjoy a few hands.
Diagnose and Fix
Instructional content is used in many spheres – from Broken game glitches like COD’s Audio System to Cell Phone repair. Viewers are always looking for well documented tutorials to help them solve their issues. Depending on the type of company or service you own, these viewers may also go on to become paying customers.
There are many industries that we can consider here but perhaps these instruction videos are most useful for motorists. Ever had an unusual warning light appear on your dashboard and the car manual is absent? Seek out a diagnostic video and the problem will undoubtedly be covered in the few minutes that it takes to watch.
A list of the best video channels for diagnostics and repairs reveals a mix of individuals and established motor repair companies. A channel such as Halfords, which currently has just under 24,000 subscribers, has a good range of videos including how to reels. Along the way, they also showcase their own products with the aim of boosting sales.
The Long Haul
On the subject of sales, the question of what to buy and which product excels over its competition is a tricky issue. When buying online, there is no option to view or test the goods so we are relying on other consumers.
Reading reviews is fine but they are subjective and often contain conflicting opinions. In this scenario, watching a video that showcases and tests those products can be invaluable.
Known as haul videos, channel operators buy and trial their purchases and provide recommendations. If they are independent reviewers, any sales that are made are through an affiliate system which will pay them commission. It’s a competitive sector and, once again, the right video content can help to provide an edge. If this is something you’re going t plan on “covering” with your videos, try to find products that other vloggers haven’t covered. Don’t try and review the latest phone or gadget, most people already covered that, instead, try to cover the obscure product that you find on Kickstarter, etc. e
How to Create Eye Catching Content
Anyone can create content and upload to a major video streaming service but there are some checks to make before going online. Your choice of equipment is vital and, while a fuzzy clip on a mobile phone is fine for amateurs, those who are serious about providing stunning video content will need to take things up a level.
But a high quality video camera is only the start as far as professional video sharing is concerned. Among the recommendations made in regards to buying equipment, it’s suggested that an external microphone is purchased in order to ensure that the sound quality matches that of the pictures. A tripod and video editing software should also be considered.
Taking the Step
While there is an initial financial outlay, starting out with video sharing is an easy process for those with a creative streak.
Start with a few practice runs before uploading and then progress to the next level. As we’ve seen via the brands mentioned, effective video content can be a vital tool as part of an overall marketing strategy.
