Online Video Case Study: Ana Apple Designs

If you’re stuck on ideas on how to create online videos for your craft-based business, let’s take a look at what Ana Manzano has done for her handmade business, Ana Apple. Here are some tips and ideas that I hope will inspire you to get started on your own videos:

► Have a “Welcome” video and place it near the sign-up box for your mailing list.

There are a few reasons why this video is great:

1. It serves as a nice and short introduction to get to know Ana and what her business is all about, in her own words. This is a great opportunity to show how you’re different from your competitors and set yourself apart. In Ana’s case, she tells you that besides having an eco-friendly business, her heart and her brand also advocates for creating a sense of community and bringing people together.
2. You get a taste of Ana’s personality without having to meet her in person. One of the advantages of online video is that it shortens the connection of getting to know someone and it also increases your Likeability and Trust factors – two essential things you need to gain customers.
3. She tells you about what you get when you sign up for her mailing list. Having a mailing list is so important for any business. It captures your website visitors and lets you keep in touch with them via email, with the potential of having these visitors turn into customers one day. By actually saying it as if you were speaking to someone, it can more likely drive your visitors to sign up.

► Capture events where your products are featured

When her products are showcased at an event or a store, Ana updates her Facebook page with a video. This is especially great if you attend local arts and crafts shows, have set up a booth at a conference or at a local market. Next time you have an opportunity to showcase your products, try and bring a video camera with you and record a quick video.

► Announce recent developments to your business

Have you hired someone recently? Ana created a video to introduce someone she recently hired as a new member to her team.

Other examples of news you can share using video:

► Record a ‘Thank You’ message to those who supported you

► Talk about what’s coming up ahead in the next few months or year

These are just some of the ways you can increase your Likeability and Trust factors as it puts a face and personality behind your products, creating a more personal connection to your potential and current customers.

► Show a DIY tutorial

► Talk about the materials you use

Your customers don’t really know too much about the fabric, paper, and other materials you use. Why not tell them some interesting facts about it? By educating them with this information, you are doing a few things: a) you are promoting your products in a subtle way, b) you add more value to your products as now they know what they would be receiving, c) they will remember YOU for being informative and personable. This is another way to have them remember your business. Be memorable.

► Share and talk about something that relates to your business’ core values

Ana’s products are not only handmade, they are also produced by eco-friendly material. This video is a great example of showing how the Ana Apple brand proudly celebrates and advocates living a ‘green’ family lifestyle.

Now over to you: what ideas popped in your head while seeing how Ana used online video for her business? Leave a comment below – I’d love to hear your answers!

Bianca Filoteo — VideoForShyPeople

Bianca Filoteo is all about getting entrepreneurs to embrace online video and that’s why she created Video For Shy People. She combines her acting & filmmaking background with her passions for business & technology to help entrepreneurs with all the aspects of creating their online videos. From concept to execution, Bianca is an online video coach/marketing consultant/creative director whose mission is to amplify her clients’ online web presence and discover their online spotlight.

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