What are stock videos? And why use it in your communication strategy?

Videos are a great way to communicate and connect with your customers. However, if you don’t have the resources or budget to produce your own custom proprietary videos, stock video, and specifically full stock stories, can be a great solution.

What Are Stock Videos?

Stock videos are videos that have already been produced by someone else, without an engagement, and that are available for download, for your use, from a website, normally for consideration. You will have to search the internet for the videos that suit your purposes, both from a license and a marketing perspective. If you need to completely build your production from scratch, with stock video, you will probably need to spend a lot of time in your search, visiting many stock video platforms and websites, although it is also true that you will normally save substantially with respect to the cost of production of a custom proprietary video. Of course, you can also simply search for those few clips that you need to complete your proprietary video, also saving substantially.

The use of stock video has increased exponentially, and there actually some TV commercials that have been produced exclusively with stock video.

Why Use High Quality Stock Video In Your Communication Strategy?

When it comes to video, there are a few things that companies should keep in mind. For one, videos can be used as a way to introduce new products or services to potential customers. Additionally, videos can also be used as a way to communicate, internally or externally, the company’s culture or how it operates. In short, videos have become a fundamental tool in the communication strategy for companies of all sizes.

There are a few reasons why companies should use high quality stock videos in their communication strategies. First of all, the quality of the video sends a message to the viewer about the quality of the company or product. You cannot pretend to distinguish your company as a quality business if your communication is failed either from a technical or an aesthetic perspective.

Second of all, they can be incredibly cost-effective. Rather than creating custom video content, many businesses will find that using pre-made stock videos is considerably cheaper and easier to manage. This is especially true if the company may make use of a full stock story, as explained further below.

By using high quality stock footage, companies create an impression of quality and authority without having to invest significant time and resources into creating their own video content.

How To Find The Best Stock Videos For Your Communication

Finding the best stock videos for your communication needs can be a challenge. There are a lot of options out there, and it can be difficult to know which ones are the best for your business.

There are certain platforms with a database of literally hundreds of thousands of stock videos to choose from.

They normally have a search engine with filters that will allow you to restrict the results and simplify your selection. First, look at the quality of the image required. If you are simply going to need to upload your video in social media, maybe a 1080p quality video will do. For more sophisticated purposes, or if you intend to show exceptional quality regardless of the media, it may be advisable to search for higher image quality. Then, insert the key words that define the images you are looking for, such as “family in countryside”, or “baby and dog”. Filters vary from platform to platform. The more filters you use, the less results, which may potentially make you miss that clip you were searching for. Finally, when you have your finalists, check both the price and the options for licensing (they are normally closely related) to make sure that the permitted use falls within your budget and what you intend to do with the content.

In any case, even if you use most of the filters, you will still obtain no less than hundreds of results, which you will have to review for selection.

An alternative to this is to directly search at “boutique” stock video websites and platforms. They normally have much less content, but much more quality, from all perspectives. If they have what you are looking for, it will be easier for you to find it. One of these “boutiques”, www.vystock.com, has both clips and full stock stories available for download, at competitive prices. They film short, simple, easy to understand stories, with the highest standards of quality. Then, if the full story matches your needs, you are all set with a click, and if not, you can always download only the clips that do. Vystock.com also offers the possibility of adapting or customizing the full story, in case there is something missing (e.g. include your product) that would, otherwise, make the story perfect for the company.

Conclusions

Videos have become a fundamental tool in the communication strategy for companies of all sizes. A cost efficient alternative to producing your custom proprietary videos is to resort to stock video. Larger stock video platforms will give you more options to choose from, but at the expense of time and, potentially, lower quality.

On the contrary, Boutique stock video sites have less quantity but normally provide you with more focused options and higher quality. Moreover, there is the possibility to download full stock stories at competitive prices, and have minor amendments or changes inserted, if need be.