How and why you should take an advantage of Facebook video `s features

How and why you should take advantage of Facebook videos feature

Crafting captivating videos on social networks, like Facebook, hinges on leveraging their key features to capture attention and drive engagement. Whether guiding viewers to your website or enticing them directly to your offer, understanding and utilizing Facebook videos’ key features is essential for success.

In this article, we’ll take a look at how to leverage an interesting video feature, now available almost in all video social sites, and especially most importantly, available on the biggest social network – Facebook. As the social ecosystem and its interactions are constantly evolving, the way we used the internet one year ago is highly obsolete. If you are not an advanced internet user or marketer, the changes are very subtle and unnoticeable.

Facebook videos key features

Exploring Facebook Videos: Unveiling Key Features, Marketing Opportunities, and the Power of Autoplay

If you say you heard it for the first time, I hardly believe it…, want it or not, you must have seen one of the videos that started to play automatically, the moment when you stopped scrolling inside Facebook`s news feed. Videos directly uploaded to Facebook start to play automatically when the user stops scrolling the news feed. Because Facebook’s main goal is the best user experience, its videos’ autoplay starts in mute sound, and only when you tap on the video does the sound activate. This is what I call an elegant and non-intrusive way to introduce a new feature.

After only one-quarter with the auto-play video feature in place, Facebook saw a 134 percent increase in video plays and a 58 percent increase in engagement – leaving YouTube and others who saw none of the benefits far behind. We can speculate on motives, but the user experience with Facebook autoplay video is improved and this is what in the end matters most. If you ask me or any other marketer, autoplay videos are the next marketing holy grail waiting to be exploited. The Autoplay video feature is the next marketing holy grail waiting to be exploited. Let`s see a few stats and facts from more influential marketers:

Brandon Friesen from “Just Media” said that

“when he looks at the click-through rates on Facebook’s autoplay video, it blows away anything you see from traditional banner ads or even in-banner video. Facebook`s autoplay video motion, combined with strong content, increases click-through rates up to 8 % compared to rates of around 0.1 % for the average banner ad.”

Derek Dodge, director of digital programming for Discovery Channel said:

“Facebook`s video auto-play feature changed the way they thought about using Facebook. In the past we saw it as a marketing platform—now it’s more of a pure media platform.” 

And it doesn’t stop at Facebook, the autoplay video feature can be found on all the biggest social networks, from Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Snapchat and probably, from now on at every new video startup, you’ll see. One thing is for sure, social networks and their newsfeed compositions are changing holistically based on human behavior and the progress of informational technology. This is good news both, for marketers and consumers. This means you as a marketer have a big responsibility in helping them to take advantage of the autoplay Facebook video’s key features to catch people’s attention with short, visually appealing messages and let them then decide on their own. If you combine all the above with the fact that 24% of consumers say video is their “most trusted” source of brand content, then the message for marketers is simple – adjust to an environment of visual media platforms or stay behind.

If you jump on the autoplay video wagon soon enough, you can enjoy quite an advantage over your competition

Now you are probably thinking …man, but videos are super expensive. True, they can be. Thus, the beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

One of the people`s favorite types of videos is normal, face-to-face tutorial videos, which you can take with any HD camera-supported smartphone. As mentioned at the start, the goal of any content is to engage viewers and lead them through your sales funnel, i.e., your website where you want them to perform a certain action (either to leave you their email, contact you, make a purchase, or something else). The best way to leverage autoplay Facebook video’s key features is to combine it with a call to an action link. This simply means, when the video ends, you can add your clickable link. So natural flow for a viewer would be, he is scrolling his newsfeed, he sees your video which starts to play automatically, he watches it until the end and then he clicks on a link with a call to action – learn more, sign up, etc. which lands him on your website. The same is also true if you decide to run video ads. Since Facebook was introduced, you can collect your users’ email addresses straight from Facebook’s news feed, but that is a topic for another blog post.

Let`s one of our client`s examples: Neumob created a short 15-second promo video with an end call to action – to download their app from iTunes.

Posted by Neumob on Monday, June 29, 2015

In their case, Facebook autoplay video is addressing its viewers to download their app. At this point, It would be interesting to split-test the conversion rate, thus, unfortunately, we don’t have this data. Thus, I would say, that with video compared to images, video`s conversion rate is way higher. The other example is a face-to-face tutorial live video.

Here Mehdi Toozhy is visually presenting a certain educational topic. From the user’s perspective, the viewer gets immediately engaged thanks to the autoplay video feature. Once the video ends, the viewer has an opt-in to click »learn more«, where he`ll land on Mehdi’s website. Since Mehdi is wise, he has a website retargeting cookie, which follows its visitors until they don’t perform a certain action. In this case, to sign up for a free chapter of his book.

Conclusion: Harnessing the Potential of Facebook Video key features

Here we go, I hope, this shared insight into a combination of autoplay video feature with a call to action will make your job of driving traffic from social networks to your website a lot easier. And if you combine with the above combo,no-cost Facebook Live video and retargeting, you’ve almost run out of excuses on why driving traffic is hard.

Here is a short recap:

Publish video directly on Facebook (and other video social networks)

Add a call to an action,

Put retargeting on your landing page,

Repeat and rinse with more videos.

If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with how the autoplay feature and call to action have impacted your business, feel free to let me know in the comments below. I’d be delighted to include your case study in an original article. Additionally, don’t forget to check out similar content at Video Chef for more insights!

You better start paying attention to the latest viral craze – news and quote videos

You better start paying attention to the latest viral craze- news and quote videos

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, where the merger of videos and social media reigns supreme, explosive growth is the name of the game. Major social media platforms are funneling resources into video content production to harness this trend’s immense potential. In this article, we delve into the world of two viral social media trends: news videos and quote videos, uncovering why simplicity often triumphs over complexity in delivering what audiences crave.

Embrace these trends, and you may find that people are more than willing to reward your efforts – for video content has captured our collective imagination, and adaptation is key. The Science of Videos Videos are a science unto themselves. They offer a dynamic canvas to showcase your message, captivating audiences with moving images that trigger emotions and stimulate imaginations.

News & Quote Videos Explained

 Video content is not just about eyeball capture; it’s about delivering an immersive experience akin to real life, with the added allure of the burgeoning virtual reality trend. When we mention Facebook in this context, we are referring to other social networks and video-sharing platforms as well.

Facebook’s Quest for the “Best User Experience” Facebook, with its unwavering commitment to providing the “best user experience,” has been vocal about its preference for video content. While it may be attributed to the wealth of data at their disposal, the fact remains that people are inherently drawn to videos. This inclination aligns with basic human psychology. As a result, videos on Facebook consistently garner the highest engagement rates among all types of content. In essence, the easiest path to viral success lies through video content. A glance at some of the largest Facebook fan pages reveals a pattern: they churn out copious amounts of video content, often surpassing their text or image-based posts. Notable examples include AJ+, Vocativ, Now This, Mashable Videos, Collective Evolution, and many others. Their success hinges on an emerging trend that’s poised to sweep through video-supported social networks.

Introducing “News Videos” and “Quote Videos” Let’s break down these trends. “News videos” and “quote videos” are the buzzwords of the day.

News Videos

News videos are typically short, often limited to a maximum of 60 seconds. They typically lack voiceovers and are accompanied by contextual music. These videos are a curation of music, video clips, and text messages. The background features clips sourced from original video news or stock video libraries, with overlaid text messages presented attractively. These videos are designed for quick and straightforward consumption, delivering clear, concise messages about topics of interest. 

Here are a few examples:

A news video curated from trendy news sources offers a concise take on a current event.

A new video created from an article, enhanced with animation to provide visual engagement.

The brevity of news videos makes them ideal for our busy, short-attention-span lives. However, it’s essential to exercise critical thinking regarding the relevancy and source of information when consuming news videos.

Quote Videos

Quote videos represent an evolution of the popular quote images that have already swept the internet. Given the growing dominance of videos online, it’s no surprise that quote images are making their transition into video format. Producing quote videos requires creativity and a deep understanding of the chosen quote to effectively translate it into a visually engaging format. The goal is to ensure that as many people as possible understand and resonate with the quoted video, leading to shares, comments, and engagement.

At Video Chef, we recognize the potential monotony of seeing the same type of video content repeatedly in your newsfeed. Therefore, we continuously experiment with different styles, ranging from kinetic typography to playful animations. By adding animation alongside the quote, we aim to sustain viewers’ attention, enticing them to watch the video to its conclusion. Quote videos have another advantage – they are short, usually around 15 seconds. This brevity ensures that viewers are less likely to lose interest compared to longer videos. Facebook’s metrics reward videos that viewers watch until the end by increasing their organic reach, making them visible to more people.

The Benefits of News and Quote Videos Both news videos and quote videos are visually appealing pieces of content with the potential for virality and engagement. They often lead to likes, comments, shares, and high click-through rates. Thanks to Facebook’s auto-play feature and the presence of a call-to-action link at the end of the video, these videos enjoy a unique advantage. As users scroll through their newsfeeds, videos begin playing, capturing attention swiftly. This element of surprise triggers an emotional rush, increasing the likelihood of likes, comments, shares, and link clicks.

In conclusion, news videos and quote videos offer tremendous value to your social media content strategy. They possess the potential to go viral, engage audiences, and generate traffic to your website, shop, or sales funnel. As with any content, the worth of videos grows with time, and the more videos you post, the faster your presence can grow.

At Video Chef, we produce “news videos” and “quote videos” on an ongoing basis. This allows us to offer them to you at an affordable rate under a white-label license, complete with your branding. Our video library covers fundamental human needs: health, wealth, and relationships. For available videos, please visit our Video Chef fan page under the Videos Tab. Additionally, we are ready to create custom niche news and quote videos tailored to your specific audience, delivering a unique and engaging message. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. We would also love to hear your success stories with news and quote videos in the comments below or answer any questions you may have.

Nine reasons why you need to start with Facebook videos now

Nine reasons why you need to start with Facebook videos now

Introduction

Many brand owners are aware of the tremendous nine reasons for Facebook video content, but they often find themselves solely utilizing YouTube for their video uploads. Rest assured, you’re not the only one in this situation. The social media landscape is evolving rapidly, and staying completely up-to-date with every change is a daunting task. If you have limited time to spare, it’s advisable to at least focus on video trends, as they represent one of the most potent forms of media today.

Nine Reasons

Nine Reasons Why You Can't Afford to Ignore the Leverage Videos Bring

The rewards and benefits of uploading video directly to Facebook, are so much bigger compared to uploading it only to YouTube or God forbid, to have it self-hosted. Moreover, this is the topic of this blog post Nine Reasons, where you’ll learn the benefits of uploading videos directly to FB. Not to mention that by having tens, hundreds, or thousands of videos only on YouTube, you are leaving a lot of money on the table. Just check, your competition, if they don’t do it yet, now is your chance to move ahead of them. If they are already uploading videos to Facebook, this might be the reason you are lagging. One such example involves major artists and bands, who have thousands of videos uploaded on their YouTube channels. When you try to find their video on Facebook, there are none available. Or, if they are lucky, some fan uploaded it on their own, breaking copyright which is a topic for another post. In a slow-moving world there is still a stigma that, when it comes to videos, people still think first of YouTube, but in the dynamics of now, this is almost a thing of the past.

There are at least strong nine reasons why you should consider uploading videos directly to Facebook instead of to YouTube.

1. The First of Nine Reasons - Facebook Surpasses YouTube: A Key Perspective

How fast everything changes, ha… Just one year ago the undisputed champion of online video was YouTube, and it seemed like he was far from being jeopardized by anyone. Fast forward one year to today and we see that it has been dethroned by Facebook which has become a major player in online video overnight. Since then Facebook is not only outperforming YouTube with driving views but also at engagement. With video views in billions, it also became the number one source where people watch online videos. Based on available metrics and Facebook’s data, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out when the majority of videos in your network are coming from another site like YouTube. , in other words, for Facebook means that if there is more content generated by users, more revenue they will earn. Hence, it would be better for them and for their users to upload videos directly to Facebook. This doesn’t happen overnight thus it happens fairly quickly, especially when you invest in the improvement of a user’s experience and make sure that uploading a video to your website is beneficial to both parties, video makers, and Facebook.

2. The second reason - 10x increase in reach with Facebook videos vs YouTube link

Based on SocialBakers study, there is a 10x increase in reach with a video that is uploaded directly to Facebook, as opposed to a shared YouTube link.

3. The third reason - Facebook Videos is top valued, YouTube link lowest valued

Facebook News Feed prioritizes videos more than any other type of content. Next after videos, are prioritized posts with uploaded images, then text-only posts. And only after that are YouTube links. Ok, the latest craze is Facebook live-stream videos which are outranking even Facebook videos.

4. The fourth reason - Facebook videos auto-play feature (my favorite 🙂 )

When FB users are scrolling down the news feed, it allows your video to start playing automatically  This is a great attention grabber and an easy way for you to get views. Whoa – user experience at its best. Not to mention that the lack of an auto-play feature in Facebook`s news-feed makes other video links obsolete

5. The fifth of nine reason - Call to action link

This feature allows you to add your clickable link at the end of the video. With this option, when the video ends, you have an easy way to redirect viewers to your website, sales funnel, or shop. FB allows you to address your viewer with the following call-to-action words: Book Now, Download, Learn More, Shop Now, Sign Up, Watch More.

6. The sixth reason - Right sidebar notification

When someone shares your YouTube link, it will only say “xx shared a link” versus showing the full video title when your friends are liking, sharing, or commenting on your Facebook video.

Before Facebook removed thumbnails, thumbnails appeared in Facebook videos only.

7. The seventh of nine reasons - Facebook video sponsored posts

You can not boost or run sponsored posts with YouTube or any other hosted videos.

8. The eight reason is - Wider reach with other fan pages' video

When you post another fan page’s video, you’ll have broader audience reach. We did a small case study, thus with limited resources and many variability of which we don`t know, the difference is more than obvious.

9. The ninth reason - Plus all other YouTube`s features

After the video stops playing, FB shows related videos and starts to play them automatically, it allows you to create video playlists and do pretty much almost everything that you can do also on YouTube.

Here you have it, strong nine reasons why you should be uploading videos directly to Facebook.

Conclusion

Don`t understand me wrong. The intention of this post wasn’t to bash YouTube as it is still the second biggest website in the world and it shouldn’t be underestimated by any means. The plan was to point out the major differences that will help you make better decisions. YouTube functions as a video directory where people search for certain topics while on Facebook or other video-supported social networks, videos float freely inside of the network. This way videos find their own targeted audience on their own. In the same way as when you are discovering new videos when your friends, with whom you share the same interests, are liking, sharing, or commenting on certain social videos. To stress again, the most important thing for Facebook is its user experience, and Facebook will help you with your brand or fan page in a good way. Contrary to YouTube, I like to think that social media videos find their audience on their own. Thus in the same way as with search engines, Facebook will reward you only when you`ll be posting videos regularly and when the value in the videos will be over-delivered (one of the important metrics to note is the length of time that your video is being watched). Rewards come in increased post reaches, and organic Facebook likes. Moreover, the more videos you upload, and the more value will be provided, the faster your success will come. Of course, if in your power, upload your videos to as many other video-sharing sites as possible. For search engine benefit, make sure you add them different titles, tags, and descriptions (for the extra mile, create the same video of different lengths and spin descriptions on sentence and word level). If I’ve skipped anything of importance or you would like to share more reasons, please let me know in the comments below about nine reasons. Also kindly let me know if you have any questions. 

8 Facts why social media videos are your best return on investment

8 facts why social media videos are your best return on investment

Introduction

If you haven’t been leveraging social media to promote your brand, this article on 8 reasons social media videos may seem ahead of its time. But if your social profiles are devoid of video content it’s essential to understand that having social videos has been a necessity for quite a while now. Video content has become a vital tool for engaging with audiences and increasing brand exposure on social platforms, making it crucial to incorporate it into your digital marketing strategy. 

8 Reasons Social Media

Following are the 8 reasons why social media videos are the best return on investment:

Fact No. 1 from "8 Reasons Social Media Video Trends"

We all know that video is on pace to account for 75% of all consumer internet traffic by 2020, but it is of the same importance that we are aware of today`s video trends and how to take advantage of them.

If we are to agree with Google`s engineering director – Ray Kurzweil who is saying that technological progress is speeding up exponentially, we can confirm that this is happening very obviously in social media and video. One of the main reasons video content is an uprising trend is fast broadband connections, the Internet in new countries, and consequently the growing number of sales of computing devices, smartphones, and tablets.

Fact No.2 from "8 Reasons Social Media Video Trends" - Visual Engagement

All of this is shaped by how we visually communicate with each other and how we are modifying an existing social network ecosystem. Moreover, with videos, this is easier than with anything else, especially because of the visual appeal of moving imagery and its ability to capture the user’s attention from the first frame. For example, now you can easily break through usual content blindness and help with consumers’ buying decisions, knowing that only 20% of non-video posts hardly generating any kind of emotional reactions.

Fact No.3 - Videos are by far the most preferred type of content by any audience

Consequently, they are the type of content that gets the highest rate of engagement. This makes your video easily to go viral as your followers are liking, commenting and sharing it, turning them from followers to your brand ambassadors.

Fact No.4 - Social Videos Naturally Connect with Their Audience

Next time, when you are uploading videos to Facebook, imagine that you are adding them to a big sea of videos. Moreover, the beauty of this is that from there on, your videos will find their audience on their own, simply by engagements (likes, shares, comments) that will happen inside of the targeted audience. At this point, video strategy becomes several games. The more videos you add to the sea, the more people will get engaged with it and hence the higher your return on investment will be. People are also searching for videos from inside of FB, slowly turning it into a total replacement for YouTube

Fact No.5 - Increased Click Through Rate

Since your videos appear next to your prospect`s friend photo or relative`s status, it makes them also subconsciously more domestic and click-appealing. Because Facebook is constantly upgrading its user experience, your videos are less and less intrusive for your prospects while they are more and more valuable for you especially thanks to the high click-through rate provided by Facebook’s video features auto-play video and the ability to add your clickable link when the video ends.

Fact No.6 - “Live broadcasting Facebook Video" Production costs are next to none

Moreover, when it comes to video production costs, they are next to none. Really?! Yes, because people most of all prefer »how to« type of videos. Videos that helps them solve a certain problem. Moreover, now you can create this type of video for any possible business industry. All you need is an HD camera-supported smartphone. Especially now that Facebook is pushing hard with its “Facebook Live video”. By some data, it increases your reach 10 times fold.

Fact No.7 - Social Videos Position You as an Authority in Your Niche

Well, almost all. You shouldn’t neglect the most important thing, which is to provide value to your prospects and targeted audience. Also, if you do one video or two, it won’t be enough as videos are only one part of the bigger puzzle. With video postings, you should stick to the system, say publish one video per week, or if you want success faster, do it one per day.
As mentioned above, the more videos you’ll make and the more value you’ll provide, the faster you’ll see your return on investment. Among other things, this »how to« video helps you provide a better personal experience, as despite being in the online world, people still prefer to buy from people. Once you enjoy authority, you can simply recycle all your voice from videos and turn them into animated videos or transcribe them and turn them into blog posts. Do you remember popular quote images? You can use your quotes in the same way, just turn them into quote videos. Now these are the type of videos with strong potential to go viral without you almost doing anything.

Fact No.8 - With social videos you have unlimited possibilities

They are very practical and you can use them in various ways. With it you can run an advertising campaign, or sponsored posts, you can use it once, or you keep it in continuous status update rotations. Best of all, you can publish it on all other video-supported social networks

Conclusion of "8 Reasons Social Media Video Trends"

To sum up, the future of the internet belongs to these 8 reasons of social media video. You might remember when early Facebook status updates were mainly text, but soon they were overdriven with images and photos. It is hard to tell and highly unlikely that video will overdrive the photos and images, but the odds are heavily in the favour of video.
Now you can easily beat your competition and overall news feed blindness with proven Social Videos, which offer the highest conversion rate among all other available status updates (text, photo, image graphics).
8 reasons Social media videos are the most convenient way for everyone: your brand,  prospects, and social network
Moreover, if you need any help with video production, kindly get in touch. We at Video Chef are on top of things in the field of video expertise. We would be happy to advise on your video content, either “how to” “quote videos” or any other type of animation. If you have any questions or maybe you would like to exchange a success story related to the video, I would be happy to include it in the original article. We’re looking forward to comments or questions you may have.

An update in the form of a valuable comment on my Facebook post by YouTube specialist Ray Lane :

“It`s not a secret that videos work better on Facebook than on YouTube” 

It’s a secret to me. Facebook video is great, but not even in the same league as YouTube, here’s why…

1. Facebook fakes the view count. If a Facebook video has 10,000 views, it is quite likely a large number of the ‘views’ are people who didn’t watch, but rather that it auto plays (silently) in their timeline for a few seconds.
2. Facebook videos are gone after a few days. Good videos may do well for a couple of days, but then they are gone, and pretty much unsearchable.
3. YouTube video views are from people who chose to watch your video.
4. YouTube videos tend to get a LOT more action from viewers.
5. YouTube videos are discoverable by people searching, meaning that those viewers are much more likely to take action since they were actively looking for what you created a video for.

I don’t post this to disparage FB videos, I think it is useful and effective… But YouTube is still the king by a long distance (in my testing

The Marketing Trends Visualized

The Marketing Trends Visualized

Marketing Trends Visualized

Transparency is poised to become the bedrock of modern Marketing Trends and Visualized strategies. As consumers gain more power and influence, businesses must prioritize open and honest communication. Providing clear, authentic, and comprehensive information about products and practices is essential for building trust and meeting the evolving expectations of an empowered consumer base.

In this environment, transparency not only fosters trust but also differentiates brands in a crowded marketplace, making it a crucial tool for marketing success.

Emergence of Marketing Technologists: Pioneering the Evolution of Visualized Trends

In terms Instead of thinking in terms of digital marketing Trends Visualized, companies should be thinking of marketing in a digital world.

The Winners will be adept at agility marketing

The best marketers will have ever more consumer data, capable of faster adaptation, shorter lead times, and always-on, real-time marketing.

Media Agency: Leading the Charge in Marketing Trends Visualizatio

Media agencies will be moving from being media-facing to consumer-facing as creativity is the new currency of effective media placement.

Marketing will shift from Globalization to Personalization

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the realm of marketing is transforming regionalization, localization, and individualization. ‘Marketing Trends Visualized’ offers invaluable insights into these evolving dynamics, providing a roadmap to navigate the shifting landscape. Explore how dynamic visuals illuminate the nuances of regional markets, localized strategies, and the personalized experiences shaping consumer interactions. Stay informed, stay agile, and stay ahead in this era of connected marketing.

There will be a growing focus on internal communications

Companies will be focused on internal communications through key challenges and opportunities to create brand ambassadors as a marketing asset.

About Klemen Stibilj

Klemen “the Niel Patle of Video,” is a CEO and co-founder of Video Chef. Besides his passion for video trends, internet marketing Trends Visualized, and everything related to video, he is a break-dancer wannabe. Klemen loves music, traveling, and meeting people with various talents. As he is an idealist, he is changing the world, also with Video Chef’s offer of providing one video for free – for a cause you care about.

Process Over People Visualized

Process over people visualized

Introduction

In the vast world of business, whether you’re dealing with industry giants like McDonald’s, Subway, Ford, or any other renowned brand, there’s an underlying principle that consistently proves its worth: the supremacy of process over people. Irrespective of who is at the helm, whether it’s a seasoned expert or a newcomer, the effectiveness of a business predominantly hinges on the meticulously crafted processes it has in place.

Process Over People

The Universality of Process over people

Processes exhibit a remarkable trait – their universal applicability. It matters little whether it’s a teenager flipping burgers or a seasoned Russian rocket scientist managing operations; anyone can thrive within a well-structured system. In the business realm, this means that success can be attained by individuals at any skill level, provided they adhere to established processes.

The Power of Systemization

The crux of this concept revolves around systemization. When a business is founded upon a robust system replete with well-defined processes, it becomes less reliant on specific individuals overseeing it. This facet assumes pivotal importance for long-term success, as it drastically reduces the margin for human error.

The Fallacy of Solely Relying on Individuals

Conversely, placing exclusive reliance on individuals without a structured process over people can prove to be a precarious endeavor. While exceptional individuals may occasionally deliver extraordinary results, their success tends to be sporadic and unpredictable. It’s akin to banking on having a horseshoe and a rabbit’s foot perpetually on your side to accomplish your objectives – far from being a dependable strategy.

The Path to Success: A Systematic Approach

To consistently achieve sustainable success in the realm of business, it is imperative to adopt a systematic approach toward your objectives. This entails having well-defined processes and procedures in place to guide your actions and decision-making. Such a structured approach ensures that your success is not contingent upon the capabilities or availability of any specific individual.

The Value of Inquiring About Process over people

The next time someone offers their assistance or services in your business ventures, it’s imperative to delve into their processes for achieving desired outcomes. Gaining insight into their approach and system can serve as a yardstick to gauge their reliability and efficacy.

Conclusion

In summary, while individuals undeniably play a crucial role in business, the true potency resides in meticulously crafted processes. These processes serve as a robust foundation upon which individuals can operate, guaranteeing consistency and mitigating the risk of failure. To chart a path toward enduring business success, place your unwavering trust in the meticulously designed step-by-step processes that lead you to your desired outcomes. Experience this ethos firsthand at Video Chef and witness the transformative power of prioritizing Process Over People.

Gold Versus Paper Based Financial System Visualized

Gold versus paper-based financial system visualized

Introduction

In a world where financial systems play a pivotal role in our daily lives, the age-old debate between gold and paper money continues to captivate our attention. The renowned investor Warren Buffett once famously dismissed it, likening it to a seemingly pointless hunk of metal that could be melted down to form a cube of 67 feet (20 meters) on each side.

Gold Versus Paper Based Financial System Visualized

Warren Buffett's Perspective On Gold Versus Paper

While Warren Buffett’s perspective on gold is well-known, it’s crucial to delve deeper into this debate and consider that a similar argument could be made about the paper-based financial system. At the heart of this discussion lies the gargantuan size of the derivatives market, which has now exceeded an astronomical $1 quadrillion.

Visualizing the Disparity

To put this into perspective, let’s envision accumulating and stacking $1 quadrillion in paper money. The resulting pile would soar to thousands of feet in height and stretch for hundreds of yards, significantly overshadowing the hypothetical gold cube that Warren Buffett described.

Government Debt and Economic Implications

Another facet of the financial system to contemplate is government debt, which currently stands at over $56 trillion worldwide. While gold may seem unproductive at first glance, it’s essential to evaluate the stability and impact of government debt on the economy.

Gold's Reliability

Unlike government debt, it doesn’t necessitate taxpayer-funded bailouts or carry the risk of triggering a collapse of the entire financial system. In this context, the seemingly “useless” it holds a distinct advantage over the potentially “destructive” paper-based financial system.

Conclusion

In the ongoing debate, it’s crucial to acknowledge that both possess unique strengths and vulnerabilities. While gold may appear less dynamic in comparison to the vast financial markets, it also lacks the potential for catastrophic failure and the burden of taxpayer-funded bailouts that can afflict paper-based systems. Ultimately, the choice between gold and paper money hinges on various factors, including individual preferences, prevailing economic conditions, and long-term financial objectives.

GOLD VERSUS PAPER-BASED FINANCIAL SYSTEM

The $18 trillion US debt Visualized

$18trillion US debt visualized

Introduction

In today’s economic landscape, discussions surrounding government $18 Trillion US Debt often lead to concerns and questions. One of the central questions is whether it’s somehow ‘better’ if the government defaults on its citizens compared to banks. Let’s explore some of the key reasons why you might not need to worry too much about it.

$18 Trillion US Debt

US Government Debt Reaches $18 Trillion US Debt

Reasons for Not Worrying About US debt

Congratulations to the United States government for accumulating a staggering $18 trillion in US debt! Despite this astronomical figure, several factors might put your worries at ease.

They Can Get It Under Control: Addressing the $18 Trillion US Debt

One argument often heard is that the government can manage and control its debt situation. However, is this assertion entirely accurate?

Fact 1: The Last Several Years

The truth is that in recent years, the US government has been using a significant portion of its tax revenue, approximately 90%, to fund mandatory entitlement programs and pay the interest on its debt.

Fact 2: Who Does the Government Owe?

Another commonly misunderstood aspect is who the federal government owes this enormous debt to. It’s time to uncover some of the truths behind this.

Fact 3: They Can't Solve It That Easily

The US government’s ability to address its debt issue isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. Let’s delve into the numbers.

Social Security Trust Funds

Two of the Social Security trust funds alone hold a substantial $2.72 trillion of US debt, which is a critical piece of the puzzle.

US Tax Revenue

Since the end of World War II, US government tax revenue has consistently accounted for roughly 17% of GDP. Increasing tax rates doesn’t significantly impact this percentage.

The Systemic Issue

It’s crucial to recognize that the problem extends beyond any single administration or president. The issue lies within the systemic structure of government finances.

Who is the World in Debt to?

Lastly, it’s worth pondering who the world is in debt to. Narrated from the words of Chris Winters, this question invites us to reflect on the global debt landscape.

In conclusion, while government debt can be a cause for concern, it’s essential to understand the intricacies of the issue and the broader economic context. Addressing government debt isn’t a simple task, and it involves various complex factors.

Additionally, at Video Chef, we strive to provide insightful content on economic matters, helping audiences comprehend complex topics like government debt through engaging visual presentations and informative discussions.

The Advertising Battle: Tablets vs. PCs

The Advertising Battle: Tablets vs. PCs

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of digital advertising, a fierce battle is underway between two formidable contenders: tablets and PCs. These two platforms offer distinct advantages and challenges for advertisers aiming to capture consumers’ attention. Understanding the dynamics of this competition is crucial for marketers seeking to optimize their ad campaigns and reach their target audiences effectively. 

tablets

First, let's look at the major differences between tablet devices and desktop computers

1. Tablets can be taken everywhere: airplanes, buses, waiting rooms, the back seat of a car to entertain children…literally, everywhere.

2. PCs are stationary but have much larger computing power than tablets. If you have some serious computer-based work to do, it is almost imperative that you have access to a desktop computer, a proper keyboard, and a mouse.

3. People consume video much more on a tablet than on a PC. For the average U.S. consumer, they will spend 33 minutes watching videos on their tablet device, as opposed to 22 minutes on their PC. Again, this is largely due to a tablet’s portability: you can stretch out on your couch or your favorite recliner and dial up a movie on Netflix. If you’re viewing a video on your PC, you’ll be perched on your computer chair, your face inches from the large monitor. It is estimated that by 2018, 70% of all digital video viewing will be done on a tablet.

4. PCs generate the most ad revenue. And most websites— except for the very few that require a monthly subscription fee —get all of their revenue from advertising.

Tablets and PCs Battle

And there you have it. Even though the advance of tablet devices such as Apple’s iPad, Microsoft’s Surface, Samsung’s Galaxy, etc. continues to infiltrate the marketplace, the majority of the money made on the internet is coming from PCs. Advertising is the grease that keeps the entire internet running. And most of that grease comes from the PC market.

There are a few reasons for this. A PC’s monitor is much bigger than that of a tablet and hence, it can display much larger and a much higher number of ads. Ads geared for PCs can be as simple as banner ads, as complex as animated video ads, and as annoying as pop-up ads. The ads that appear on a tablet are much smaller in comparison, harder to see, and easier to avoid. The ad revenue from tablets just isn’t there, and won’t be for a long time.

So if you’ve ever wondered why the convenient and portable tablets haven’t completely overtaken the PC market, the reason is ad revenue. Sure, there are a few technical details that a tablet has to compromise on so it can be as small and portable as it is, but remember: it always comes back to the money. Join us at Video Chef, where we’ll help you craft videos that resonate and drive results in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape.

Summertime And The Video Trends

Summertime And the video trends

Introduction

Summertime brings not only sunshine and warm days but also a wave of Summer Video Trends that captivate online audiences. As people seek entertainment and inspiration during the summer months, content creators and brands are leveraging these trends to engage their viewers. From outdoor adventures to refreshing recipes, the season offers a unique backdrop for video content that resonates with the spirit of summer. 

Summer Video Trends

Summer Video Trends: Summer is gone, fall has arrived, and winter is just over the hill. What does this have to do with website videos and animation?

Well, not much if you’re watching funny clips on YouTube of people getting chased by swans. But in the all-important advertising world, seasonal changes mean big changes in the size of their ad campaigns and video trends. This past summer, for instance, was the World Cup, the most-watched sporting event in the world, which puts it in the running for the most-watched event in the world— period.

The World Cup is a true showcase for any company with deep enough pockets to put its best marketing foot forward. And believe me, that foot costs a whole bunch of money. This is why now, with the World Cup months behind us and the holiday shopping season still a couple of months away, many companies are cutting back on their marketing dollars. But it seems Nike didn’t get the memo and wasn’t ready to let the buzz of the World Cup go just yet. In the middle of August, a month after the last World Cup ball was kicked; it released a video ad called “Mirrors” that featured Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar Jr. wearing Nike’s latest and greatest soccer cleats. It’s a nice ad, but it came a little late:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0RT1lc5HHQ 

What a flop, right? An ad for soccer cleats a month after the World Cup was put to rest? What a terrible idea from Nike’s marketing department, right? Wrong. So far, the ad has had over 12 million views on YouTube. Most corporate ads that end up on YouTube are lucky to get a couple hundred thousand views after a year or two. This one had over 12 million views in just three months and it continues to grow. This kind of web traffic has had to drum up some serious revenue for Nike. And that’s just the views on YouTube. What about the millions of people who saw it on TV? Or embedded in other websites? Nike has shown it can spot when a trend remains hot, create a compelling marketing campaign, launch it across multiple platforms, and walk away the clear winner. But with fall quickly descending into the cheery holiday season, even Nike is scaling back its onslaught of advertising. You could say the months of September and October are the quietest in marketing circles. I won’t say they’re quiet because they certainly are noisy enough, but it marks a definite change in advertising business tactics. There’s usually the rush of summer commercials and then the lull between summer and the holiday season.

But it won’t stay that way for long, at least not in social media. Websites like Facebook are ramping up their holiday advertising earlier this year than in years past. Do you know how every year people complain that the holiday decorations are put up in stores earlier and earlier? Well, now we have verified data that this is, in fact, true. And it doesn’t matter if we’re talking about a goliath like Facebook or a farmer’s market in your hometown. Many shops rely on seasonal shopping for a large chunk of their net income. Accurate and well-aligned marketing campaigns make that happen. This is why everyone, from Nike to Country Joe’s Tomatoes is getting hip to the idea that online promotions might just be evergreen. What about you?—Are you thinking of the possible video trends that could heighten your business focus? Now is the time to act! Use Video Chef to promote your business online.