2018 was a huge year for video marketing. Instagram was really able to make a statement with interactive video advertising. Videos created higher conversion rates than any other medium that led to more positive ROI. Brands trusted videos across the globe. Much of this was also true for marketers who embraced video marketing in Sri Lanka. While it was the entertainment sector that cashed in on the success, large Sri Lankan businesses too were able to make great strides. While some businesses continued to ignore video (at their own peril), this article looks at what lay ahead for Video Marketing Sri Lanka 2019.
I have been keeping a close eye and by the looks of it Sri Lankan businesses (and business owners) are bound to accelerate their own attention towards profiting from video in 2019. So here are 10 predictions that I am willing to bet half my life savings will occur in video marketing Sri Lanka 2019.
1. The relationship between video and search will grow even tighter.
Video and SEO already are working together. In fact more and more video searches now appear as the number one search results on Google. Search engines will put even more emphasis on video when it comes to organic ranking. I predict that Google will put out an algorithm update specifically for videos in 2019.
2. Email will more easily integrate video content.
Simply by including the word “video” on any email will increase open rates. But unfortunately many marketers fall in to the trap of not knowing how to natively embed videos on the email itself. Instead what they offer are external links to watch videos. I predict many email providers (gmail, yahoo, outlook, etc) will come up with functions of autoplaying videos on the email itself.
3. Live videos, will continue growing.
What snapchat began in 2018, Instagram and facebook ended in style. To be able to launch a story (or a series of stories) via video became so popular even youtube came up with their own live video versions. This trend will become so popular, that I am predicting more and more platforms will adopt it. Infact out of all the competitors an unexpected platform will jump up and come up with a unique way of taking “live” videos to the next level.
4. Video marketing budgets will increase.
This is hardly a surprise or let alone a prediction. Worldwide brands are increasing their video budgets. Sri Lanka will follow suit. But that is true to corporate level brands and businesses with big budgets. My prediction is that a lone wolf or a website will come up with an affordable platform that will make creating marketing videos more affordable (leaving out the big budgets). This will obviously make medium to small businesses to spend on video marketing.
5. More internal videos will be created.
Be it training or an inter-departmental communications, video will start to dominate the corporate culture in Sri Lanka. Brands such as apple, Starbucks, Walmart are already heavily invested in video for internal communications and training. I predict that local corporations will start having training sessions for managers and leaders to create their own videos, and it will take a very positive attitude.
6. Clickable Videos – The Next Big Thing to hit in 2019.
Imagine a video which is clickable (tappable) that could lead us to a buying decision? Or a clickable video where we can search within the video for more information? Instead of looking through product reviews, pictures, these videos will enable the shopper to buy products. This will be the next big thing to come out in 2019. I predict that these videos will come out of the testing phase.
7. Amazon videos will be the company to innovate clickable videos.
Amazon is the only retailer (in my opinion) daring to take this bold step (read above). While the testing phase will still be at an infantile operational level, this concept will change the e-retailer landscape… and I predict this to happen in 2019.
8. Long Videos will be a Failure in 2019.
Short videos will continue dominate, but that wont stop social media platforms testing “how to make long videos work in 2019”. The result? An utter failure across all channels and across all platforms. The bitter truth will be that people will have less time and less attention spans. I predict this epic failure to occur in 2019.
9. Medium to small businesses will rely on entertainers to market brands.
The most significant sector that cashed in on the success of online video were the entertainers (not musicians) in Sri Lanka. Channels like wasthi prodctions, Lakai Sikai, Janai priyay became irresistible on all social platforms that supported video. With hundreds of thousands of followers, these entertainers already command a lot of attention. I predict more and more medium and small businesses will reach out to these guys for video marketing in 2019.
10. A large percentage will ignore video in 2019
With new innovation, new technology and new ideas, the traditional side of Sri Lankan business owners, marketers and entrepreneurs will continue to ignore video marketing in 2019. The majority of them will read about it, Some will hear about it and all will know about it – but I predict a major part of Sri Lanka will ignore the power of online video marketing in 2019.
Let us wait and see how my predictions pan out… If you are new to video marketing in Sri Lanka check out my Learning Center for more information on the topic.
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