Supercharging Written Content with the Power of Video

We live in a fast-paced digital landscape where keeping your audience’s attention is harder than ever. There is so much content being pumped into cyber-space these days, from articles to blogs, and social media posts begging for attention. How do you expect to make your content stand out? 

Here’s an idea: why not add videos to your digital content strategy?  

Videos provide an easier-to-digest and engaging format to lock your readers in. Video has largely become the future, with multiple online apps providing both long and short-form content that’s perfect for a flighty audience.  

Today, TrafficSoda is going to break down the benefits of adding videos to your blog and other forms of written content, as well as best integration practices. Let’s supercharge content by adding video! 

Why Adding Videos to Written Content Works 

Simply put: it’s easier to watch a video than it is to read a comprehensive article. A video also provides a small breather/break in long forms of text, causing the reader to remain on the page longer. Here are some more specifics on how adding video boosts your blog content:

Videos Boost Engagement 

Videos being present in your content has amazing potential to engage readership. Research shows that articles with video content receive more views and hold readers’ attention longer. Videos also offer an accessible/multisensory experience that helps convey the message of your blog in a more digestible way.  

Improves Comprehension and Retention 

Listen, no one is saying well-written content isn’t informative or useful; we’re simply making the point that videos make information easier to understand and remember. I.e., an instructional blog could explain the process of a task step-by-step, but providing a demonstration along with said text can actually show said process in action.  

Enhances SEO Performance 

Search engines like Google prioritize content that includes multimedia. Embedding videos signals to search engines that your page is diverse and has multimedia content. It also helps keep your audience on the page longer, subsequently reducing bounce rates and increasing your overall ranking.  

Caters to Different Learning Preferences 

Not everyone is capable of processing information in the same way. Research has shown that video instructions are more useful than written ones. Moving away from research, many people simply have preferences over whether they like detailed explanations in writing or short but comprehensive videos. By adding video to written content, you ensure your content is accessible to a myriad of people.

Types of Videos to Integrate into Written Content 

To maximize the impact of videos on your digital content, it’s essential to choose the right type of video for your objectives. Here are some popular options: 

Informational Videos 

Informational videos are great for breaking down complex topics, especially if you make them concise. These are useful for blog posts that dive into technical subjects and offer tutorials. Such as, in our case: a blog about digital marketing may benefit from having a short informational video about the fundamentals of SEO and content strategy. 

Product Demonstrations 

If your written content focuses on a product or service, a video demonstration can really take things to a higher level. A demo video is essential to highlight key features and functionality.  

Customer Testimonials 

Your business can always benefit from written testimonials, especially if you implement them into webpage design. However, video testimonials offer an additional layer of responsibility by showing the real person behind the feedback. This can make your case much more persuasive.  

Interviews and Expert Insights 

Interviews provide credibility when featuring experts in your respective field or industry. Including thought leadership in your content makes it not only more engaging, but it makes it more legitimate.  

Animations and Infographics 

Animated videos and infographic videos are great for demonstrating stats or data in a way that’s more visually engaging. A blog post strictly packed with numbers can be more difficult to digest without having a more accessible way to view the information.  

Behind-the-Scenes Content 

Adding a behind-the-scenes video to a company blog post can humanize your brand and foster a deeper connection with your audience. Seeing the people behind the scenes reassures them that you and your team are just like them – in your own way, of course.

Best Practices for Adding Video to Written Content 

To get the most out of adding video to written content, there are some general best practices you should consider: 

Choose High-Quality Videos 

If a video is poor quality, it’s going to get a poor response. You want something that looks professional and visually appealing. Poor-quality videos suggest that you and your business don’t care about the content, thereby undermining your credibility.  

Optimize Video Placement 

Place your videos strategically within your written content. For example, embed videos near relevant text sections or use them to introduce or summarize the main points of your article. 

Keep Videos Concise 

Longer-form videos have their place, but when it comes to embedding videos into written content, it’s better to keep things concise. We generally recommend keeping videos between 2-4 minutes long at the most to keep viewers interested.  

Use Captions and Transcripts 

Not every reader can watch videos with sound – and even if you have a comprehensive blog, you should still include captions and transcripts, especially if the video format is more concise. Just because you have impairments doesn’t mean you don’t want the ease of access that comes with a video format. This ensures accessibility and makes your content more inclusive.  

Optimize for SEO 

When you add videos, make sure you include descriptive titles, tags, as well as meta data. 

Ensure Fast Loading Times 

Large video files can slow down your website, which negatively impacts user experience and SEO. Use compressed video formats and reliable hosting platforms to minimize loading times. 

Include Clear CTAs 

Videos should guide viewers toward a specific action, whether it’s subscribing to a newsletter, sharing the content, or purchasing a product. Include clear calls-to-action (CTAs) within or after the video. 

Examples of Integrating Videos into Written Content

Blog Post About Fitness Routines

• Written Content: A detailed blog post explaining various exercises for beginners.
• Video Integration: Embed a video demonstrating the exercises, showing proper techniques to ensure safety and effectiveness.

How-to Guide for Software 

• Written Content: A step-by-step guide for setting up a new software program.
• Video Integration: Include a screen-recorded tutorial walking users through the setup process in real time.

Case Study on Business Success 

• Written Content: A case study detailing how a company achieved growth through innovative strategies.
• Video Integration: Add a video interview with the company’s CEO sharing personal insights and additional context.

Blog Post About Sustainability 

• Written Content: A blog discussing eco-friendly practices for small businesses.
• Video Integration: Embed an animated video explaining the environmental impact of these practices, complete with infographics and visuals.

The Impact of Video on Audience Engagement Metrics 

Incorporating videos into written content doesn’t just enhance user experience – it also improves key performance metrics: 

Increased Time on Page 

Videos keep users on your site longer, giving them more time to absorb your message and reducing bounce rates. 

Higher Social Shares 

People are more likely to share content that includes videos, increasing your content’s reach and visibility. 

Improved Conversion Rates 

Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase, videos help persuade audiences to take action by building trust and providing clear information.

Tools and Resources for Video Creation 

To create high-quality videos for your content, there are various tools you can consider using:  

• Camtasia: Ideal for screen recording and video editing.
• Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional-grade video editing software.
• Canva: Great for creating simple animations and graphic videos.
• Loom: Perfect for quick video recordings and tutorials.
• Vimeo or YouTube: Reliable platforms for hosting and sharing your videos.

Unlocking the Power of Video 

Adding video to written content is an essential way of boosting engagement. It’s one of the best ways to supercharge content by adding videos. 

Videos not only enhance engagement and comprehension but also improve SEO and cater to diverse audience preferences.  

Want to boost your content now? Start brainstorming video ideas for your next blog post and watch your engagement metrics soar. However, if you need some extra help adding video to written content, look no further than TrafficSoda!