In the technology’s driven world we live in, it’s critical to find new and unique ways to make your product or service stand out in the crowd of marketers vying for your prospect’s attention. Video marketing is nothing new, but it’s certainly proving to be a powerful, effective part of marketing strategy—now more than ever. Who hasn’t been sent a funny video to watch or shared an emotionally charged video message?

With our hectic schedules, people would often prefer to watch a two-minute video versus taking 15 minutes to read the same information. only 60% of B2B marketers have used pre-produced video as a content marketing tactic, and only 10% are using live streaming. If you’re not already in the game, it’s time! And if you need a little more convincing, check out these 5 key benefits of video marketing for your business.

1. Video boosts conversion rates.

Video should be seen as an investment – including video on a landing page can increase conversions by 80%! Watching a compelling presenter in a video can absolutely influence buying behavior and persuade a visitor to convert into a lead (or a lead to convert into a customer!), as opposed to simply reading the same information alone. Conveying the right emotions through video is a powerful selling tool! Plus, they can serve as built-in tutorials or testimonials, depending on the angle you're going for.

2. Video is a great addition to your email marketing campaigns.

We all get inundated with email and getting someone to actually open your email is an increasing challenge. Just using “video” in your subject line can increase open rates and decrease unsubscribe rates. Video in an email leads to a 200-300% increase in click-through rate – a staggering statistic. But in most cases, you can’t deny that it’s easier to watch a video than sit and read text, right? This is particularly effective if you're demonstrating how to use your product or express something that you just can’t get across with the same impact through the written word.

3. Search engines love video.

Search engines are looking for content that engages viewers. Nothing entices more numerous and longer page views quite like a video. Not only that, YouTube is the second largest search engine behind Google. If you put your video on YouTube as well as your website, your visibility and opportunity to show up in search is greatly increased. What's more, if you promote your video via social media, your chances of getting found go through the roof!

4. Video builds trust and credibility.

Video is the perfect way to create a personality for your company and your brand, enabling you to connect with your viewer and earn their trust. 90% of users say that product videos are helpful in the decision process. The more videos you have to help educate and inform your customers, the more you will build on that foundation of trust. And trust translates to sales.

5. Video encourages social shares.

Let’s face it: this is the age of viral videos. And 92% of mobile video consumers share videos with others. This is your chance to have some fun and really show what your company is all about. Video marketing is only growing in scope and you're only limited by your imagination. From creating a how-to video to using Facebook live, there is a wide range of opportunities for you to choose from. It’s not just for the big brands anymore, everyone should be getting on board with video.