Earlier this year Twitter released a new mobile application called Vine. The software lets users add 6-second videos to their tweets or Facebook updates. You simply point your mobile device, (you can call out “ACTION!” If you’d like), touch the screen and the app records the scene.
What makes Vine different, however, is the ability to stop and start the recording instantly. You just lift your finger, and the recording stops—you touch it, and it begins again, right where you left off. You can create frame-by-frame animations, montages, or (really) short films.
Vine is already one of Apple’s most popular mobile apps; users are increasing every day— and with a few creative, yet simple ideas, you can enliven your Twitter feed, entertain clients and followers, and have fun as an amateur filmmaker. Vine offers individual tweeters an opportunity to catch their cats doing funny things, and professional tweeters a fresh and innovative new tool for their social media campaign! It’s a win-win.
Images really catch our attention, and moving images—well that is just a bonus. With six whole seconds you can broadcast a message from your company, include your logo, showcase some recent projects or products, invite your followers to suggest ideas for clips, or personalize your brand with a video of your employees performing a simple action—like we have in this Vine video!
Another great idea is to ask your customers to wear your logo, or use your product, record themselves, and submit the videos to your marketing team. You can make it a friendly competition, and feature your favorite videos via social media—or you could just compile the videos into a longer-form advertisement. Hold contests where you encourage your consumers to create videos that
help with brand recognition and visibility, and simultaneously make them an equal part of the process they will remain interested in your business.
Use Vine to create short instructional, how-to videos for services or products that are perhaps a little confusing. Additionally, you can entice your followers with short 6-second teaser ads of a longer video that you plan to release in the future.
Perhaps this is your opportunity to be a little silly as a company. Turn your smartphone into a candid camera situation. Sneak up on employees and catch them texting or checking their Facebook page. Surprise people out on the street or in your store by asking them questions about your brand, food, or service. Use your imagination to create hilarious and memorable clips, because those are the ones that are the most popular—and wouldn’t you like to be the one who records the next viral video?
But be careful, because Vine is enticing and easy to use. Don’t be tempted to upload a dozen videos a day. Think twice before uploading a collection of poorly thought-out videos. Just like any other social networking platform, you want to seem organic, original, and human. If you are bombarding your Twitter followers with 6-second ads, do not be surprised if your engagement decreases and you’re hit with some bad publicity. Reward customers for their click by offering fun and creative videos so they come away with a positive image of your brand.
By Sasha Novikov
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