Over the last decade, the digital world has moved from a text-heavy arena to an increasingly visual space. Humans love images - they capture our attention more readily and are much better at conveying meaning than text posts - a picture is worth a thousand words, as the saying goes. And as our personal ability to create images increased and improved - through the now-ubiquitous mobile phone cameras, image filters, sketching apps and more - social media platforms tweaked their approaches to make sure they were image friendly, too.
As with images, creating videos has become cheap and accessible. Anyone can film a clip with a webcam or mobile phone and edit it together quickly using free apps; hosting on YouTube or Facebook is free and potentially reaches a massive global audience. But video also pushed us into an ever more real-time, authentic and personal social space. Instagram limits its videos to 15 seconds and encourages users to share experiences in the moment. Vine, Twitter's 6-second video service, is similar. And then there are the ultra-instant tools like Periscope and SnapChat, where the goal is to document one's experiences live, sharing those broadcasts with private or public communities.
If you are a social media marketer and are not sold on video for social yet, consider this:
One of the greatest obstacles for brands wanting to include video content in their strategy, is the ability to film brand-appropriate and visually appealing videos. However, unless you're shooting an advertisement, you needn't create high-end productions every time. Creating short video content for your brand is easy, and can be equally (if not more) effective.
When: 20 April 2016 (Wednesday), 4-6pm
Where: Red & Yellow School, 97 Durham Avenue, Salt River, Cape Town
Drinks and snacks provided courtesy of our sponsors, BOS Ice Tea and Just Popcorn.
But hurry! Spaces are limited to 100 guests! RSVP to az.oc.wolleydnader@snoitartsiger with your name and contact details to secure your place before 18 April 2016!
Join us this April to enhance your digital marketing skills and up your brand's video for social game.
The Red & Yellow School has been producing industry leaders and game changers in the fields of marketing, graphic design, art direction and copywriting for 22 years. Applications for 2017 full-time and online courses are now open. Find out more on the website (www.redandyellow.co.za) or contact Red & Yellow on 021 462 1946 / az.oc.wolleydnader@ofni.