Video ads have quickly become one of the most powerful tools in the digital marketer’s toolkit. With billions of hours of video consumed online daily, brands embracing video advertising have a better chance of connecting with their audience meaningfully. But creating a video and throwing it on the internet isn't enough – there’s a strategy behind making video ads that actually drive results.

Let's walk through exactly why video ads are essential, how to build an effective strategy around them, and what tools and metrics can help you measure your success.

Why Leveraging Video Ads for Marketing is Essential

The digital landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Audiences are no longer just reading content – they’re watching it now more than ever before. According to a 2024 report from Wyzowl, 91% of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and 89% of video marketers say video gives them a good ROI.

Why is video so effective? For one, video engages multiple senses – it combines visuals, audio, and text, making it more immersive than static images or written content. It's also more memorable. Studies have shown that viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to just 10% when reading it in text.

Beyond engagement and retention, video ads are versatile. Whether you want to educate, entertain, promote, or inspire, video can deliver that message. And, with platforms like Rumble offering massive reach, the opportunities are endless.

Effective Strategies for Leveraging Video Content in Your Marketing Efforts

To fully take advantage of video advertising, you need a clear strategy. Here are some core principles to guide you:

1. Know Your Audience

Just like any marketing tactic, the foundation of success lies in understanding your audience. What do they care about? What problems do they need to be solved? What kind of content do they typically engage with? The answers to these questions should shape your video content and the platforms you choose.

2. Set Clear Goals

Before hitting “record,” define what you want the video ad to accomplish. Is your goal to attract new customers, drive sales, increase brand awareness, or increase social media engagement? Your goal will influence the kind of video you create in terms of length, format, message, CTA, etc. 

3. Choose the Right Type of Video

Not all types of marketing videos are created equal. Consider the format that best matches your objective:

• Explainer videos for product understanding
• Testimonial videos to build trust
• Behind-the-scenes content for brand transparency
• Promotional ads for direct conversions
• Educational videos to position your brand as an authority

4. Keep It Short and Sweet

Attention spans are short, especially on mobile devices. Aim to communicate your core message within the first few seconds, and keep the total length under 60 seconds for most platforms. Consider breaking it into a video series if you have a longer message.

How to Create Engaging and Shareable Video Content

Creating an effective video that people actually want to watch and share requires more than just pointing at a camera and pressing the record button. Here are 4 main things you'll want to consider when creating high-quality video content.

1. Hook Viewers Immediately

The first 5-10 seconds of your video are the most critical. Use attention-grabbing visuals, bold text, or provocative questions to stop the scroll.

2. Focus on Value

Give viewers something, whether it's a laugh, a helpful tip, or a powerful insight. If your video delivers value, it’s more likely to be shared and remembered.

3. Have a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

Whether it’s “visit our website,” “shop now,” or “subscribe for more,” your CTA should be clear, concise, and aligned with the video’s goal. 

4. Encourage Shares

End your video with a subtle nudge to increase engagement – something like “Tag a friend who needs this” or “Share this with someone who could use it.” Make it easy and enticing for viewers to share.

Ways to Leverage Video Marketing for Different Platforms

Every social media platform has its own rules, culture, and expectations when it comes to video. What works on one may flop on another. Here’s how to tailor your content for Rumble:

• Use clear, attention-grabbing titles that accurately reflect the content
• Design engaging, high-quality thumbnails to increase click-through rates
• Create content with a strong hook in the first 10 seconds to keep viewers watching
• Keep videos concise and purposeful, avoiding unnecessary filler
• Encourage engagement by asking viewers to comment, like, or subscribe
• Use relevant tags and categories to improve discoverability in Rumble’s algorithm
• Be authentic and stay true to your voice, as Rumble viewers value genuine content

Measuring the Success of Your Video Marketing Campaigns

You need to track performance to know if your video digital marketing efforts are working. Without measuring your video campaign, you’re flying blind.

Define Success Early

Success might mean different things depending on your goals:

• Brand awareness? Look at impressions and reach.
• Engagement? Focus on likes, shares, and comments.
• Leads or sales? Track conversions and click-throughs.

Make sure to align your video objectives with specific KPIs.

Conduct A/B Testing

Test different video thumbnails, lengths, CTAs, and formats. Even small tweaks, like changing the first sentence or background music, can be the make or break of a successful video.

Key Metrics to Track Video Performance

Here are some of the most important metrics for evaluating how your video ads are performing:

• View Count: Total number of times your video has been watched. Good for gauging overall reach.
• Watch Time: The total minutes people have spent watching your video. Useful for understanding interest.
• Average View Duration: How long people typically watch before dropping off. The lower duration may indicate a weak hook.
• Engagement Rate: Likes, shares, comments, and reactions. This shows how resonant your content is.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): The number of viewers who clicked on your CTA or link. This is a critical metric for performance-based campaigns.
• Conversion Rate: The percentage of viewers who completed a desired action after watching the video.
• Bounce Rate (For Landing Page Videos): If people leave the page quickly, your video may not meet their expectations and, therefore, not reach your target audience.

Bonus Tips for Getting the Most Out of Video Ads

• Repurpose Content: Turn a longer video into several shorter clips for different platforms.
• Use Subtitles: Many users watch without sound, so captions improve accessibility and engagement.
• Invest in Good Lighting and Sound: You don’t need Hollywood-quality production, but clear audio and good lighting go a long way.
• Stay Consistent: Post regularly to keep your brand top-of-mind and to connect with your audience.
• Retarget Viewers: Use retargeting ads to follow up with a specific audience who watched a portion of your video but didn’t convert.

Ready to Start Implementing a Video Campaign?

Video ads aren’t just a trend – they’re a content marketing and social media marketing necessity. With the right video strategy, compelling storytelling, and smart optimization, video advertising can drive awareness, build loyalty, and boost your bottom line. 

Whether you’re running short-form ads or telling your brand’s story on Rumble, leveraging video thoughtfully will keep you ahead of the competition and top of mind for your audience. While you shouldn't expect to go viral overnight, you should expect to see a higher engagement and ROI by effectively leveraging these video marketing tactics.