Using Micro Videos at Your Credit Union

If your credit union hasn’t jumped onto the micro video bandwagon, the time might be now to do so. Facebook has announced that they’re joining the fray by offering Premium Video Advertising in a 15-second HD format. Facebook has had this advertising option in trials since December and it’s currently in beta testing. 

A micro video is a short-form video that lasts only a few seconds. Facebook’s video offering joins Twitter’s Vine, six-second micro videos, and Facebook-owned Instagram Video’s 15-second version. While it’s wonderful to have all of these choices, it leaves many marketers confused on the best way to utilize such a short video format. 

Vine is all about immediacy. Its GIF format makes it easy to share and it’s a great way to encourage fun short-form videos from your members. For the time being, however, Instagram seems to be holding all of the cards for this video format. It offers filters, the ability to edit and Instagram Cinema which stabilizes any shaky handheld videos. Given everything Instagram has to offer, Twitter has already announced that it’s going to update Vine to be more of a competitor. Facebook ads are too new to compare, and they are specifically paid ads on the social media network. 

Ways to Use Micro Videos

The appeal of any of these micro video formats is the chance to distill your credit union’s message down to six or 15 seconds. It may seem constraining, but creatively the potential could be limitless. Here are some ways that your credit union could utilize micro videos:

• Product Demo – Just started offering mobile banking or some other tech-related product? A quick video can announce it and show it off all at the same time.
• Member Contests – Call out to your members to share via video to win a prize. Ask them to show what they bought with their loan from you or say what they love most about their credit union.
•  News Update – There are numerous creative ways to do a short video update members about any credit union news.
• Staff Bios – Have your credit union’s staff members each do a micro video about themselves. Either give them guidelines on what you want or leave it up to them to showcase their individuality.
  
• Community Outreach – Next time your credit union is out in the community, create a series of short videos highlighting the event. 

Your credit union may have to experiment and see which format works best for you. Whichever micro video format you choose, the important thing is to just get started. Keep in mind, two advantages any micro video format will have for your credit union are: videos are a good way to boost your search engine optimization, and; however you implement them – they’re the perfect way to help showcase your credit union’s personality to its members and community. 

If your credit union needs a hand with video production or setting up a good social media strategy that may include Facebook's new video ads, please contact us at CU Solutions Group.