The Case for Video Content in Industrial Marketing

Tim Holdsworth
Posted by Tim Holdsworth on November 20, 2018
video-content

video-contentAs a marketer for a manufacturing company, you’ve managed to navigate your way through a wide array of challenges: doing research to understand customers’ pain points, creating a content plan, corralling subject matter experts to provide input into website and blog content, developing and managing social media networks, getting your website to be a well-oiled lead generation machine…

When it comes to video marketing, however, you’re finding yourself a bit more dubious. You may be thinking: “Do I really have to do video? It’s too daunting and outside my skill set and I can’t afford the time or budget to get it done.” Or maybe you have one or two videos and think that’s good enough.

Well, to be blunt, tell yourself to get over it. There’s no better time than now to start finding ways to either add video into your annual marketing plan or find ways to do more of it.

Need Proof of Video's Value?

Here it is, from multiple sources:

  • 85% of businesses see video as a critical part of their marketing strategy (up from 82% in 2017)

  • 76% of marketers report it helped them increase sales

  • 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text

  • By 2021, it’s estimated that 80% of internet traffic will be represented by video

  • High Tech, Professional Services & Media, and Entertainment & Publishing are the top three industries for video production. Manufacturing also ranks high on the list at number eight.  

  • According to Vidyard, the four industries where video is “surging” include health care, real estate, financial services and education — meaning there’s lots of opportunity in the industrial manufacturing marketing arena to stand out

  • 81% of consumers have been convinced to buy a product or service from a brand’s video

  • 13% of manufacturing companies have published just 0 to 9 videos; 45% have 10-49 videos — so if you don’t have at least 10 videos you’re already behind the competition

If these stats alone aren’t enough to get you going, remember that 72% of industrial sourcing is done online, long before an engineer, project manager or supply chain manager makes direct contact with your sales team. Yes, eBooks, white papers and case studies have a place in the process, but given how quickly and easily video can convey information, build trust, and even create an emotional connection, it’s essential for helping prospects through their research process.

So Where Do You Start?

If you’re wondering where to begin, it never hurts to have a look at what those who are successful at it are doing. In research compiled by Ascend2 for Vidyard, companies who are doing well with their video marketing ranked various types of video in order of importance and effectiveness (from most to least): 

  • Customer testimonials

  • Product demonstration videos

  • Explanation and tutorials

  • Interviews with thought leaders

  • Case study and project reviews

  • Webinars

  • Video blogs

  • Event videos

With these types in mind, take a look at your content plan to see where you may be able to fit such videos.

Tips for Creating Video Content

  • Keep it short and sweet — 2060 Digital says it’s best to keep video length to less than two minutes. However, keep in mind that if the content is compelling or if you’re doing a demo, it may need to be slightly longer

  • Put a name on it — The video’s intro and outro need to have your company’s logo

  • Give it personality — B2B doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Infuse some brand and personality to make the video more engaging

  • Address customer problems — Just like your blog content, your video should address pain points and provide info that prospects need

  • Next steps — Include a call to action so the prospects can take the next step in your sales funnel

  • Production quality — Prospects have some base quality requirements. A shaky shot or poor audio won’t cut it. If you don’t currently have the exact capabilities, or resources, why not hire a couple interns from your local college — chances are they’ve got the skills and are looking to exercise them

Where to Look for Inspiration...

Below are links to four manufacturing companies who are using video well — use these to draw some ideas and inspiration for your own video efforts.

Miller Welders

Miller does an outstanding job with their videos and has an extensive library that is navigable by key business issues, welding processes and industry.

Global Finishing Solutions

A leader in paint booths and finishing systems, Global Finishing uses videos to demonstrate its products in use, provide case studies and testimonials that demonstrate product effectiveness and offer how-to’s for using various pieces of their equipment. 

Rockwell Automation

Ranging from a corporate overview videos and case studies as well as trade event summaries, Rockwell’s videos are a nice compilation of more highly produced videos as well lower-key versions that are more personal interview driven.

H.B. Fuller

This adhesives manufacturing company has a variety of educational videos filterable by packaging, construction adhesives, transportation and more. H.B. Fuller uses video to showcase its adhesive solutions for a wide range of industries, the company’s manufacturing processes, and how to handle and use different products.

Video is a crucial element for successful B2B marketing. If you’re not convinced yet, or are still deciding how to work video into your 2019 budget, you’ll want to check out our infographic, Why Video? Why Now? for proven ways to leverage video that encourage prospects to act!

This article was originally published April 27, 2016 and has since been updated.

Topics: Video Marketing, Content Marketing

click here to take the state of industrial sales and marketing survey