Longform Video Is the Next Battleground for Marketers

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Spot the trend below:

Facebook announces it’s prioritizing long form video content and releasing a TV app for Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV
Google announces a partnership with TV networks to show live TV on YouTube
Microsoft announces a bigger expansion into movies and TVs with its Windows 10 app
Apple’s TV OS most recent upgrade offers single sign-on to cable providers, allowing movies, TV, and home videos on the set top with minimal hassle
Amazon’s latest Fire TV widget now supports Alexa, and integrates with Alexa on Echo devices

The trend is straightforward: the major tech companies, now media tech companies, are vying for control of the giant screen in the living room, and the latest salvo from each company is a major one. The next battleground is longform video – TV and movies. This is no surprise to anyone (or shouldn’t be), but it begs a simple (not easy) question:

What’s our plan to adapt to these changes?

If our content marketing strategy doesn’t include original programming somewhere on our roadmap, then we’re missing the boat entirely. If we’re just cranking out text only, then not only did we miss the boat, we got lost on the way to the dock.

Why should we care? Consider that everything we see is driven by algorithm today. Facebook has already openly said they will give preference to longer form video as they attempt to conquer the living room. If we’re not playing along with what the media tech giants want, we risk either being left behind or facing exorbitant advertising costs to remain relevant.

How Do We Get Started With Longform Video?

The good news? In our pockets is most of the gear we need to get started. True, no smartphone is a full replacement for a professional video studio, but it’s a starting point for us to experiment with longer form video. Audiences will watch video that’s less than picture perfect as long as the content is entertaining, useful, or valuable.

What do we have to offer that’s valuable in longer form video? Right now, we likely have subject matter experts somewhere in our organizations which can answer one of two questions appropriate to long-form video:

What is X?
How do I do/use X?

Here’s a simple, easy way to start. Type in whatever your product or service is into Answer the Public. Let’s say I offer public speaking consultation. I type it in and it generates this wheel of questions: