In the time it takes you to read this sentence, 3,000 new AI tools have launched and 10 marketing trends have already become irrelevant.
Overwhelmed? You’re not alone.
As the ground continues to shift beneath our feet, small businesses and marketers are left with the mighty task of rewriting the rule book on the fly.
Things that used to work, don’t. Or maybe they do, sometimes, if you’re standing on one foot and singing the Macarena.
Enter: Video. Thoughtful, creative, human-centric storytelling that stands out in a sea of bot-built, emoji-packed posts.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about using video to promote your business or brand — including how to speed things up with AI tools that actually help.
Just looking for video inspiration? Skip to 10 editable templates.
How to promote your business with video
If you’re here for the ins and outs of promo videos, saddle up for a quick crash course on the essential basics of video marketing. For all the juicy video marketing details, take a peek at our complete guide to video marketing.
The quickest way to make a promo video
Just here to make some videos, fast? We got you. Make marketing moves stat with an Instant Ads Generator. Generate 10+ promo videos in an instant to get a feel for what kind of video feels best for your brand.
The need-to-know basics of video marketing
What is video marketing?
Video marketing is exactly what it sounds like: using videos to market your business. But not just any videos — strategic ones. Whether you’re looking to build brand awareness, boost conversions, or make your business the talk of the town, video marketing is one of the most powerful tools in your marketing kit.
It’s a storytelling powerhouse, a sales assistant, and your hardest-working brand ambassador, all rolled into one.
Let's snoop at the stats
Sure, video marketing sounds great. But what do the numbers say?
(Spoiler alert: They say HECK YEAH)
Here’s the cold, hard, data-backed truth — video is one of the best things you can do for your marketing. Still not convinced? Let’s look at the stats:
- Video ads get up to 480% more clicks than static ads. That’s not a typo. That’s almost 5x the click-throughs — and usually for a fraction of the cost.
- Landing pages with video convert up to 80% better. Add a quick video and give your audience a reason to stick around (and click that sweet, sweet CTA).
- Websites with video are 53× more likely to show up on Google’s first page. Because Google loves video like peanut butter loves jelly. Adding video boosts time on-site, reduces bounce rates, and signals quality content to the algorithm gods.
- 93% of marketers say video gives them a good return on investment. That’s nearly everyone. And they’re not just guessing — they’re tracking it.
- 91% of businesses now use video as a core part of their marketing. Translation: If you’re not using video, your competitors probably are.
- 87% of marketers say video directly influences purchase decisions, and 93% say it builds trust with customers. Which makes sense — it’s easier to trust a face, a story, or a product in motion than a static image or a wall of text.
- Shoppable videos drive 3.4× more sales than regular ones. A little “buy now” button magic never hurt anyone.
The numbers are screaming: Make more videos. And with AI tools at your fingertips, it’s never been faster, cheaper, or more achievable.
Popular video types for businesses
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to video. Different types do different jobs — and the best businesses mix and match to cover their bases.
Here are the MVPs of business video content:
- Promotional videos
The go-to for announcing products, sales, or special offers. Quick, bold, and built to grab attention — like a billboard, but one that moves. - Social media ads
Made for the feed. These are short, punchy videos crafted to stop scrolling thumbs and get people clicking, liking, or buying. - Explainer videos
Break down what you do, how your product works, or why your service is worth it — in 60 seconds or less. Clear, helpful, and perfect for landing pages or email funnels. - Listicle videos
A crowd favorite. “5 tips to save time on invoicing,” “3 things every new customer should know.” Easy to digest, easy to share, and sneakily educational. - Customer testimonials
A little social proof goes a long way. Let your happy customers do the talking with short, authentic videos that build trust fast.
How to get started
If this is starting to feel overwhelming, take a deep breath and repeat after us: It doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s how to start small, smart, and fast.
- Use an AI video maker
You don’t need a production crew or Hollywood budget. AI video makers (like Biteable!) script, design, and build high-quality ads and promos in minutes. For something even quicker, try an instant ad maker to generate lots of short ads with one click.
- Try a template
Not ready to give AI a try? Start with a video template instead. Tweak the text and media to match your message, but leave the design work to the experts.
- Start small
Don’t script an epic; keep it short and sweet. Attention spans are practically non-existent — aim for 30–60 seconds for most videos, or less than two or three minutes for something a little longer, like an explainer.
Are AI video makers a help or a hindrance?
AI video makers, in theory, use artificial intelligence to make video creation easier, faster, and better. In practice? That’s mostly true — especially now that the tech is hitting its stride. As AI tools keep evolving, they’re getting pretty good at doing the heavy lifting of video creation without making it feel like you handed the reins to a robot.
But whether they’re helpful for you depends on a few key things:
- What kind of video you’re trying to make
- How much experience you have with video
- How much control you want over every frame, transition, and text box
Let’s break that down:
Video types
AI video makers shine brightest when they’re working with short, structured content — like ads, promos, and quick explainers. These tools are great at pulling in a few business details (like your name, product benefits, and a logo), combining them with visuals and animations, and spitting out a polished video faster than you can say “rendering.”
Great for:
- Ads for social or paid campaigns
- Promo videos for sales or launches
- Simple explainers
- Listicle-style content
Not-so-great for:
- High-budget brand films with custom footage
- Documentary-style storytelling
- Videos that need fine-tuned creative direction or emotional nuance
If you’re planning a big shoot with actors, locations, drones, and drama, AI’s probably not your guy. That’s a job for a production team or your favorite editing software. But if you’re a small business or marketer looking to whip up consistent, branded videos without a big budget? AI video tools are your new best bud.
Your experience level
If you’re brand new to video, AI tools are like having a video-savvy coworker on the team. They give you scripts, design, and structure to get you from “blank screen” to “ready to post” without the panic.
If you do have some video-making chops, you might find AI tools a little limiting, depending on your vision. Even then, many platforms let you customize layouts, fonts, scenes, and pacing before you publish — so you’re not locked into a cookie-cutter result. Think of AI as your assistant, not your creative director.
How much control do you want?
AI video tools are built for speed and ease. That means you might need to give up a little fine-tuned control in exchange for getting content done faster. Good AI video makers combine the speed of AI with the expertise of video and design professionals, meaning the AI is working with a predetermined structure when building your video. If you have a specific vision you want to bring to life pixel by pixel, you might find the hands-off element of AI video limiting.
But if you just want your message out there — clearly, consistently, and with decent style — AI tools give you a fast lane to finished. You set the tone, the message, the style, and the tool does the boring bits.
The TLDR:
AI video makers are a massive help for the right kind of video, especially if you’re short on time, budget, or editing skills. But they’re not a magic wand for every use case. Know what you need, match it to the right tool, and you’ll be cranking out scroll-stopping content in no time.
How to make a promo video you’ll be proud of
Promo videos are like elevator pitches — short, sharp, and designed to leave a strong impression. But instead of one person in an elevator, you’ve got seconds to grab the attention of a whole scrolling audience. Here’s how to create one that gets watched, clicked, and remembered.
Step 1: Define your goal
Before you open any tools or write a script, decide exactly what this video needs to do.
Are you trying to:
- Announce a sale?
- Launch a new product or service?
- Drive traffic to your website?
- Get people to sign up or book?
Pro tip: One video, one message. The more focused your goal, the stronger your video will be.
Step 2: Know your audience
Who are you speaking to? Are they long-time customers or brand-new prospects? What do they care about? What problem are you solving?
Write down:
- Who they are
- What they want
- What action you want them to take after watching
Pro tip: Speak to one person, not a crowd. It makes your message feel personal and relatable.
Step 3: Choose your style and format
Now you can decide how your video will look and feel. Will it be bold and fast-paced, or calm and reassuring? Funny or direct?
You’ll also want to pick your video format:
- Landscape for YouTube and websites
- Square for Facebook and LinkedIn
- Vertical for Instagram Reels, Stories, and TikTok
Pro tip: Make sure your text is readable on a phone screen, no matter what format you choose.
Step 4: Write a quick script (or let AI do it for you)
Even the shortest video needs a plan. Draft up a script or use an AI Video Builder to do it for you. Aim for 3 parts:
- Hook – Grab attention right away. A question, a bold claim, or a surprising visual.
- Value – What’s in it for the viewer? Show the benefit, not just the feature.
- Call-to-action – Tell them exactly what to do next (click, buy, book, learn more).
Pro tip: Keep it short. Under 45 seconds is ideal. Every word should earn its place.
Step 5: Build your video
You’ve got options here. With Biteable, you can:
- Use the AI Video Assistant: Tell it what your video’s about, and it builds a draft for you (script included). Great for getting started fast.
- Pick a promo template: Pre-designed for results. Drop in your message, update the visuals, and you’re done.
- Build from scratch: If you want full creative control, start with a blank canvas and add your own scenes, text, branding, and soundtrack.
- Try the Instant Ads Generator: Perfect for product promos or last-minute sales — enter your product info, and get a polished ad in seconds.
Pro tip: However you decide to make your video, don’t forget about branding. Use your brand colors, fonts, and logo to make your promo video instantly recognizable.
Promo video best practices (and psychology-backed tips)
In a world of scrolling thumbs and micro-attention spans, good storytelling is only half the battle. To actually get people to watch your video — and act on it — you’ve got to play smart with how the brain works.
Start with a face
Human brains are hardwired to notice other humans. Starting your video with a person (even an AI avatar) helps establish trust and connection immediately.
Hook fast
You’ve got about 3 seconds to earn someone’s attention. Lead with a bold statement, surprising visual, or intriguing question.
Keep it moving
Static visuals lose interest quickly. Add subtle motion, quick cuts, zooms, or text animation every few seconds to keep engagement high — especially important for platforms like Instagram Reels or TikTok.
Use contrast to your advantage
High contrast visuals, bold text, and color shifts help re-capture attention when viewers start to drift.
End with a CTA
Don’t just fade to black. Give viewers a clear next step:
- “Shop now”
- “Visit the site”
- “Book a call”
- “Follow for more tips”
Make the most of audio
Even when videos are muted, well-paced visuals help tell the story. But when the sound is on, make it count.
Use music to set mood, and consider AI voiceovers or avatars to humanize your message without hiring a full crew.
The dos
- Lead with the good stuff – Don’t build up to your message. Put the value right at the top.
- Think in scenes – Each visual moment should move the story forward. No filler.
- Make your CTA unmissable – Buttons, text, visuals — whatever it takes. If people like the video but don’t know what to do next, it’s wasted effort.
- Test versions – Try different headlines, visuals, or CTAs and see what gets more clicks.
- Keep it consistent – Your brand, tone, and style should feel like you. Every video builds familiarity.
The don'ts
- Don’t make it too long – Attention spans are short. Aim for 15–45 seconds.
- Don’t cram in too much info – One message per video. You can always make another one.
- Don’t rely on audio only – Add captions. Period.
- Don’t get too clever with copy – Clarity > creativity. Say what you mean, and say it simply.
- Don’t ignore aspect ratios – If you’re posting vertical content in a landscape frame, you’re wasting space (and impact).
Video marketing ideas to promote your business (with templates)
1. Announce a sale or special offer
Got a discount, deal, or limited-time offer? A quick promo video creates urgency and gives people a reason to act now. Keep it short, snappy, and CTA-driven.
2. Introduce your business
Tell your origin story. Show off your values. Let people know who’s behind the brand. A friendly, authentic intro video builds connection and trust.
3. Launch a new product or service
A video lets you show your offer in action — not just talk about it. Highlight the benefits, include a visual demo, and make your audience want to try it.
4. Create explainer videos
What do you do, and why should people care? Break down your product, service, or process into a short, engaging explainer. Simple. Clear. Effective.
5. Turn testimonials into social proof videos
Ask happy customers to share their stories on camera (or compile quotes with motion text and music). Real experiences build real trust.
6. Repurpose blog posts into listicle videos
Already got great written content? Turn it into a scroll-stopping “5 Tips” or “3 Mistakes to Avoid” video. Perfect for social media and email.
7. Use video in your email campaigns
Adding video to your emails can boost click-through rates by up to 300%. Add a clickable thumbnail linking to a short intro video, product teaser, or testimonial to bring your message to life.
8. Make a video thank you
Send a personalized or general thank-you video to customers, supporters, or newsletter subscribers. Unexpected + human = memorable.
9. Answer FAQs with videos
Tired of answering the same questions over and over? Turn them into helpful mini-videos for your website or socials. Informative and efficient.
10. Use video for event promotion
Running a webinar, workshop, or live event? Hype it up with a teaser video showing what people will learn or experience.
How to market your video marketing
Making a great video is only half the battle. The other half is getting it seen. Just like a billboard in the desert, a video without a distribution plan doesn’t do much.
Here’s how to get your video out into the world.
Video SEO
Yes, even videos need SEO. Extend the reach of your video by optimizing it for search results.
Search engines can’t “watch” your video — they rely on titles, descriptions, tags, and transcripts to figure out what it’s about. So, your job? Give them context.
- Use keywords in your video title and description. Think about what your audience would actually search for — “How to fix a leaky tap,” not “Company plumbing overview 2025.”
- Add closed captions and transcripts. Not just for accessibility — this gives Google more text to crawl.
- Host on YouTube. It’s the second-largest search engine in the world, and Google loves prioritizing YouTube results.
- Include relevant tags. Just like hashtags but for video platforms — they help categorize your content.
- Write a video-rich blog post. Embed the video, then support it with a few hundred words of keyword-friendly copy.
Social media
If SEO is the long game, social is the hype machine. This is where your video really picks up steam.
Meet your audience where they’re at with attention-grabbing videos made for socials. Think about where your target audience is mostly likely to be, and get posting.
- Nail the hook. The first 3 seconds on social = everything. Make sure your video grabs attention immediately.
- Optimize for each platform. Square or vertical for Instagram and TikTok, horizontal for YouTube and LinkedIn. Don’t post the same thing everywhere — tweak the captions, crop the format, remix the vibe.
- Use subtitles. Most social video is watched without sound. Include captions.
- Add a strong CTA. What do you want people to do after watching? Click, comment, share, buy? Say it.
- Don’t post and ghost. Stick around, reply to comments, share it in Stories, and reshare it later — most content has more than one life.
Website embeds
Your website is your home base. Make sure your best video content lives there too.
- Embed on high-traffic pages. Think homepage, product pages, FAQ pages, About Us — anywhere people are already looking.
- Use autoplay sparingly. Unless it’s muted or a background loop, autoplay can feel intrusive.
- Place above the fold. If people have to scroll too far to see the video, many won’t.
- Pair with supporting copy. Add a headline, a short description, and a clear call-to-action under the video.
- Track performance. Use tools like Google Analytics or heatmaps to see who’s watching and what they do next.
Pro tip: Hosting your video on YouTube or Vimeo is best for SEO and speed. Uploading directly to your site can slow things down.
Email marketing
Video + email = one of the highest-performing combos around. Just mentioning “video” in your subject line can boost open rates by 6–13%.
- Don’t embed, link. Most email platforms don’t support video embeds. Instead, add a thumbnail or GIF with a play button that links to the video.
- Use video in onboarding and drip sequences. A short welcome video can set the tone, while product how-tos and explainer videos help people get value faster.
- Personalize where possible. “Hi [Name], we made this just for you” goes a long way, even if the video isn’t technically personalized.
- Keep it short. People check emails on the go. Aim for videos under 1 minute unless it’s a deep-dive.
- Include a CTA below the video too. Don’t just rely on the video itself — reinforce the next step with a clickable button or link.
What video marketing success looks like
Making a great video is just the start. The next (and arguably more important) step? Figuring out if it actually worked.
Tracking the right metrics helps you understand how your audience interacts with your videos — and gives you the insights you need to tweak your approach, boost results, and justify your time and budget.
Key metrics to track
Here’s a breakdown of the most useful video marketing metrics and what they actually tell you:
- Views – How many times your video has been watched. Good for measuring reach, especially on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.
- Watch time – How long people stick around. Short watch times may mean your hook isn’t working or your content isn’t relevant.
- Engagement – Likes, shares, comments, saves. A strong signal that your video resonated.
- Click-through rate (CTR) – How many people clicked after watching your video (great for social ads, email embeds, or CTAs in product videos).
- Conversion rate – The holy grail. Did they sign up, buy something, or take the action you wanted after watching?
Interpreting performance by platform
Not all platforms are created equal. A video that flops on Instagram might soar on LinkedIn. Here’s what success might look like in different places:
- YouTube: Longer watch times, strong SEO performance over time
- TikTok/Reels: High views and shares = strong reach, even without direct conversions
- LinkedIn: Lower views but more qualified leads — aim for comments over likes
- Email: High click-through rate is key; embed or thumbnail with link is best practice
Promote your business with Biteable
Promoting your business with video isn’t just smart — it’s one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience, build your brand, and drive real results. And with the right tools (hello, Biteable), it’s easier than ever to make something that looks professional and feels personal.
Get started and unlock access to powerful AI video creation tools with a free 7-day Biteable trial.
