When it comes to creating engaging content for online videos, there are endless options. However, the complexity of creating an effective video strategy can be a real challenge. Especially if you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot of experience. Just when you think you have it figured out, something new crops up. For example, did you know that:

• voice-overs can increase viewer engagement by 54%
• white background videos get 49% more views than coloured ones
• customised thumbnails can increase click-through rates by 16%
• short-form videos with only the essential details can increase conversion rates by 11%

Each piece of research into online video marketing contains fascinating insights like this. It would be wonderful if all your video content was a hit with the audience. However, that’s not always the case. Especially if you want to grow your channel and want to do more than just create content for a pure audience of people similar to yourself. This is where emerging products and platforms can help. They’re providing new ways to connect with your audience, enabling you to find the right people who will engage with your content, and allowing you to track the results of your efforts in real-time.

How do I use these new tools?

If you’re looking for ways to maximise your online videos, then take a look at the newer products and platforms. They each have their perks, which you might not have tried out yet, and which can help you to create better content for your audience. These new products and platforms are enabling content creators to personalise their content, target their audience more effectively, and evaluate the results of their work in real-time.

What is Google Optimise?

One of the newer tools to hit the market is Google Optimise. Simply put, it’s an online tool that enables you to drastically improve the efficiency of your content. While there are plenty of reasons why you might want to try Google Optimise, the main one is to decrease the amount of time it takes to get your content out there into the world. Previously, this required a lot of trial and error, or outsourcing to highly skilled writers who could create high-quality content quickly. This is definitely still a viable option, but now there’s a better way.

What is Contentful?

You might also want to check out Contentful. This is an app that provides a simple yet robust content management system (CMS) for your website or blog. Essentially, Contentful enables you to effortlessly publish content onto your chosen platforms with just a few clicks of the mouse. This is a perfect tool if you’re looking for a way to save time and ensure that your content is always up-to-date and available for your audience.

How does HubSpot fit into this category?

HubSpot is the modern-day CMS. It was originally built for marketing teams who wanted to create marketing blogs. However, over the years, it’s evolved into a versatile content management system that can handle almost any form of creative content, including video content.

Why should you try out HubSpot? Well, it comes with a ton of features, including the ability to track and examine content performance across different platforms. This means you can see exactly how your content is performing, wherever your audience is encountering it. You can even examine the individual results of different content types, like video, web content, and even lead magnets.

The fact that HubSpot is a robust content management system that can handle video and other creative content, combined with the fact that it has a massive audience of its own, means that there’s always someone, somewhere, who can benefit from your work. Whether you’re just starting out, or you’ve been creating content for years, there’s always room for improvement.

Now, you might be wondering how all of this relates to video specifically. Well, if you’d like to create an effective video strategy, then you might want to consider using these products and platforms to get the most out of your video content.

What is Skillshare?

Another tool on this list is Skillshare. This is a community of learners and trainers who are helping people to improve their skills. In the area of marketing and sales, you’ll find everything from digital marketing and sales seminars, to DIY marketing and sales boot camps. You can find online courses that can help you to improve your video skills, as well as those that can help you to become a better marketer, copywriter, or speaker.

Why should you try out Skillshare? Well, like the others on this list, it’s a perfect place to find content creators who are ready to help you develop your skills, or content creators who need help with a project.

What is Udemy?

Udemy is another platform where you can learn an entire course, or take a single course, at your own pace. While you’ll usually find courses around traditional learning styles, like reading texts and listening to lectures, you’ll also find courses that are completely digital, like creating videos with Adobe Spark and Final Cut Pro)

Udemy is a bit like Skillshare in that it provides a place for people to learn online. However, it also offers a bit more, with a more diverse range of courses. For example, you can find video editing courses, as well as courses that teach you how to become a social media influencer. You’ll even find courses that teach you how to be a better parent, or how to become a more fluent speaker. The courses are usually around 12-15 hours long and, depending on the topic, they can range from beginner’s level, all the way up to advanced.

Udemy is also a place where experienced teachers can create courses, or share their knowledge in how to become a better version of yourself.

What is Creative Commons?

Finally, you have Creative Commons. This is a non-profit foundation that enables creators to distribute their content, under certain restrictions. For example, you cannot edit or re-use the content in a commercial setting without permission.

Creative Commons enables creators to retain ownership of their content while giving it away for free. This is perfect for someone who wants to create content, but doesn’t have the time or resources to do it themselves. Instead, they can use Creative Commons to distribute and collaborate with other skilled content creators. It’s a win-win situation because you can find courses that can help you to develop your skills, as well as those that can help you to become a better marketer, copywriter, or speaker.

Taking online video seriously means reaping the benefits of being able to access a worldwide audience, at any given moment. However, the sheer volume of choice can overwhelm even the most seasoned content creator. The simpler we can make the process of creating and distributing content, the more we can grow and evolve as an industry.

With the advent of these new products and platforms, we’re seeing the benefits of online video content shifted from a luxury, to that of a necessity. Because video is such a pivotal part of our society today, and because we’re constantly bombarded with content, it’s vital that we examine how to make the most of this media. Especially if you’re a content creator who wants to ensure that their efforts are focused on creating engaging content, that will draw in and retain an audience, rather than simply pushing out content to gain views.