Did you know 51.9% of marketing professionals say video content provides the best ROI? Imagine promoting your video to millions… getting more views, likes and subscribers.

Video marketing is a powerful way to build relationships and brand awareness with prospects. If you aren't using video in your marketing yet, it's high time to begin.

So to help you get started, here are the best video marketing practices you want to watch out for and implement in 2018:

1. Plan Before Recording

Don't just "wing it" and ramble when you record. It's important to have a clear-cut message you want to share. Create bullet points you want to get across. You can even tape them to the wall to stay on track.

Then practice it. Don't read. The more conversational you are the more connected your audience will feel.

2. Hook 'em Fast

Just like headlines are important for articles and email marketing, opening hooks are key to grabbing attention from viewers.

You have 10 seconds to capture your audience’s attention. What question can you ask to draw them in? How can you make them curious or intrigued to find out more?

3. Give First

If you create your video with the feeling "I want them to buy" it will send bad vibes. Think first about how you can share value.

What can you teach them? How you can make them feel entertained? What inspiration can you provide?

4. Facts Tell, Stories Sell

No one can resist a good story. Try to think of a story that illustrates the point you want to make. It helps viewers relate to you and engages them on an emotional level.

5. Call to Action

Ask the viewers to take action at the end of the video. Do you want them to buy, subscribe, or hit like and share?

6. SEO Optimize

Use keywords in your video title, description, and tags that will help you rank better on YouTube and Google. Create a catchy title that uses keywords and sounds natural.

If you have post the video on your website, creating a sitemap tells the search engine bots you have a video hosted on your website and will result in more organic traffic.

Video marketing is quickly becoming the future of content marketing. I hope you'll take the plunge this year to make video marketing an important addition to your promotion toolbox.