Your small business is ready to shine, but how do you stand out in a crowded market? Meet Jenna, a bakery owner in Austin, who doubled her foot traffic in just three months. Her secret? She started making short, engaging videos about her fresh-baked cookies and optimized them to rank on Google. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to use video content to grow your business, attract customers, and leave your competitors in the dust—all with simple steps anyone can follow.

Key Takeaways

Video Power: Videos rank high on Google and grab attention on platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
Competitor Advantage: Use your rivals’ keywords to create better videos and outrank them.
Simple Optimization: Add keywords to titles, descriptions, and captions to boost discoverability.
Local Focus: Tailor videos to your community to drive nearby customers to your business.
Action-Driven Results: Engaging videos inspire viewers to visit your store or website.

Cheerful small business owner filming video content marketing with customers, bright colors.

Why Video Content Marketing Matters

Video content marketing is about creating videos that promote your business and connect with customers. Think of it as telling your business’s story through short, exciting clips that people can’t stop watching. Videos are powerful because they’re easy to share, fun to watch, and rank well on Google. In fact, studies show that 70% of people prefer watching videos over reading text to learn about a product or service (Wyzowl, 2024).

For small businesses, videos are a game-changer. They let you show off your personality, build trust, and reach local customers. For example, a coffee shop in Seattle made a video showing how they roast their beans. It ranked on Google’s first page, bringing in 15% more customers in just one month.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you own a local business—like a bakery, gym, or pet store—videos can help you reach people nearby who are searching for your services. By making videos that answer their questions, you’ll show up when they search on Google or scroll through TikTok.

How to Find Video Ideas That Win

Not sure what to make videos about? The easiest way is to look at what your competitors are doing. Use a tool like Ahrefs or SEMrush (don’t worry, they’re easy to use!) to see what keywords your rivals rank for. Keywords are the words people type into Google, like “best pizza in Denver” or “how to groom a dog at home.”

For example, Mike, a dog groomer in Chicago, used an SEO tool and found that his competitor ranked for “how to clean a dog’s ears.” He made a quick video showing his gentle ear-cleaning technique, added the keyword to his YouTube title and description, and soon outranked his rival. His bookings went up by 20% in two months!

Steps to Find Video Ideas

Check Competitors: Type your main service (e.g., “plumber”) into Google and see what questions pop up in the “People Also Ask” section.
Use Tools: Try free tools like AnswerThePublic to find questions your customers are asking, like “What’s the best yoga class for beginners?”
Think Local: Focus on your area, like “best coffee in Miami,” to attract nearby customers.
Solve Problems: Make videos that answer common questions, like “How to fix a leaky faucet fast.”

“Content is the atomic particle of all digital marketing.” – Rebecca Lieb

Making Videos That Rank on Google

Once you’ve got your video idea, it’s time to make it rank. Ranking means your video shows up near the top when someone searches on Google or YouTube. The trick is to use your keyword in the right places.

Let’s say you’re a florist in Atlanta, and you found the keyword “how to choose wedding flowers.” Here’s how to make a winning video:

Title: Include the keyword, like “How to Choose Wedding Flowers in Atlanta.”
Description: Write a short paragraph with the keyword and extra details, like “Learn how to choose wedding flowers in Atlanta with our expert tips. From roses to lilies, we’ll help you pick the perfect bouquet!”
Captions: On TikTok or Instagram, add the keyword to your caption, like “Tips for choosing wedding flowers!”
Content: Keep the video short (1–3 minutes), engaging, and focused on solving the viewer’s problem.

For example, a plumber in Dallas made a video called “How to Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals.” He answered the question in 50 words for Google’s Featured Snippet and shared a story about saving a family’s Thanksgiving by fixing their sink. His video landed in Google’s PAA section, boosting service calls by 25%.

Why This Works

Google loves videos that are clear, helpful, and optimized with keywords. By adding your keyword to the title, description, and captions, you tell Google exactly what your video is about. This makes it more likely to show up when someone searches.

The Power of Local Video Marketing

If you run a local business, videos can help you connect with people nearby. Focus on keywords that include your city or neighborhood, like “best pizza in Chicago” or “yoga classes in Austin.” This is called local SEO, and it’s a way to make sure your business shows up when people search for services in your area.

Take Lisa, a yoga instructor in San Diego. She made a video answering “What makes a great yoga studio?” She talked about her welcoming classes and clean studio, using the keyword “yoga studio San Diego.” Her video ranked on Google, and she gained 30 new students in a month.

Tips for Local Videos

Show Your Community: Film in recognizable local spots to build trust.
Mention Your Location: Use your city name in the video and description.
Highlight Benefits: Talk about why your business is the best choice, like “Our pizza uses fresh, local ingredients.”

See How Digital Marketing Can Drive More Traffic to Your Website

Our team at Digital Marketing All can help you create videos that attract customers and rank high. Here’s how we can help:

Brand Voice Strategy: We’ll help you create a unique voice to attract your ideal customers.
Market Growth Opp Research: Discover new ways to gain traffic you’re missing.
Local SEO: Unlock more local traffic and dominate your market.
Dominate Google: We’ll get your business to the top of Google search results.
Competitive Link Analysis: Learn what your competitors are doing to stay ahead.
Geo-Targeting: Find customers in your desired location.
Content Marketing: Our team creates epic content to be shared, generate links, and attract traffic. We know the secret recipe for success.
Paid Media Advertising: Effective paid strategies with clear ROI. You pay per result with us.
Blogging Services: Let us create blogs that help you rank high.
Search Box Optimization: Own a keyword in your local area to dominate your market.
Search Price Optimization: Control advertising costs and achieve a higher ROI.
Marketing Consulting: Develop tailored strategies to grow your brand and maximize impact.
Book a Call

Baker filming video content marketing in cozy bakery with fresh pastries.

Balancing Information and Inspiration

Your videos should inform and inspire. Instead of just explaining how to do something, show viewers what’s possible. For example, don’t just say, “We offer dog grooming services.” Instead, say, “Imagine your pup strutting out of our salon, looking fabulous and feeling great!” This makes viewers excited to take action, like booking an appointment.

A fitness coach in Miami did this perfectly. Instead of a boring “how-to” video, she shared a story about a client who went from couch potato to running a 5K after joining her classes. Her video, titled “Start Your Fitness Journey Today,” used emotional triggers like confidence and success, leading to 200 new sign-ups in three months.

How to Inspire Action

Focus on Benefits: Show how your service changes lives, like “Feel stronger and happier with our yoga classes.”
Use Emotional Triggers: Appeal to desires, like “Be the top choice for pizza in your town.”
Create Urgency: Add phrases like “Limited spots available!” to encourage quick action.
Show Social Proof: Share customer stories, like “Join the 5,000+ pet owners who trust our grooming services.”

FAQs About Video Content Marketing

What is video content marketing?

Video content marketing is creating videos to promote your business, engage customers, and rank on search engines like Google. It’s about telling your story in a way that’s fun and helpful, like a bakery showing how they bake fresh bread daily.

How do I find keywords for my videos?

Use tools like Google’s “People Also Ask” or AnswerThePublic to see what your customers are searching for. For example, a pet store might find “best food for new puppies” and make a video about it.

Why do videos rank well on Google?

Google loves videos because they keep people on the page longer. A study by Backlinko (2024) found that pages with videos rank 53% higher than text-only pages. Optimize your video with keywords to boost its ranking.

How can small businesses use video marketing?

Small businesses can make short videos about their services, like a plumber showing how to fix a leak. Focus on local keywords, like “plumber in Dallas,” to attract nearby customers.

How long should my videos be?

Keep videos short, between 1–3 minutes, to hold attention. For YouTube, aim for 5–10 minutes if you’re sharing detailed tips, but always stay engaging.

Let’s wrap this up with a spark! You’ve got the tools to create videos that not only rank high on Google but also inspire your customers to choose you. Picture your business thriving as new customers walk through your door, all because of a simple video you made. Don’t wait—grab your phone, pick a keyword, and start filming today. Your next customer is waiting to discover you!

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. If you want to be our next success story, have my team at Digital Marketing All do your marketing. Click here to book a call!

Skyrocket Your Business with Video Content: The Secret to Outranking Your Rivals