Thinking of using video on your blog? These days you don’t have to be a Pixar artist or indie auteur to add cinematic storytelling to your site.
I recently used simple text-to-animation software to create a cartoon starring my animated alter-ego, New York Marketing Copywriter Woman.
And now a new application, Google Search Stories Video, makes it fast and easy for a lazy—or just plain busy—copywriter to create nifty reels that tell your story in 35 seconds.
You can make a purely narrative video—among my favorites of this genre is the charming Uncle Babysitter.
Or use Google Search Stories Video to tell your business story, as did Lisa Barone and commenters at Outspoken Media recently.
Produce a cool video in two minutes flat
With Google Search Stories Video Creator, you’ll see how easy it is to customize your video: Just type in keywords, choose background music and upload your story to YouTube. It’s that easy.
And yes: Once you’ve thought it through, you can produce your video in two minutes. Or less.
Google Search Stories Video made easy with these 7 tips
To make a stand-out Google Search Stories Video, think about using some of the following suggestions:
- Watch and learn. View a few Google Search Story Videos to see what others have done. Note the elements you like about their creation—concept, keywords, music selection—and what you don’t.
- Tell a story. Think about using a narrative with a beginning, middle and end.
- Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. For your first keyword, choose a word or phrase that your customer might actually use when searching for you or your service.
- Be the star of the show. Choose search terms that point to you and your business. And try to…
- Position yourself as a problem solver. Don’t just brag about your expertise: Select keyword phrases that imply benefits and show your capabilities.
- Take your audience on a journey. Connect the dots logically with keywords that move your plot.
- End on a strong note. It’s tempting to use an entirely self-serving term for your last keyword. But watch it. Because Google ends the video with the words, “The search continues.” So if you type “World’s Greatest Copywriter” for your final keyword, visitors will then read “The search continues.” Not exactly the sentiment you want clients to linger over. Play with your last keyword and end with a touch of mystery, humor or surprise.
I’d love to see your creations–please feel free to post a link when you comment.
Photo courtesy of Brymo
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, this is really cool, Lorraine! I had no idea you could do this. Plus, what a great way to show people you walk the talk when it comes to SEO. (I’m afraid my top search terms are “pick up artist” and “douche-free bio.”)
@Kelly: Lots of us would kill to rank with “douche-free bio.” That phrase is notoriously hard to keyword-stuff…
I hope you’ll try this app, Kelly–it’s really fun.