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Olympic Medalist Dotsie Bausch Wants You To Switch4Good

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Dotsie Bausch, founder of Switch4Good, has a question for everyone. 

Have you ever wondered why milk is required in public school lunches? The United States is the only country in the world that requires children to drink cow’s milk.

Holy crap, what are we doing? Why are we feeding – especially to children, of which 70 percent of them cannot digest – Why are we making them drink this fluid?

It’s a little weird, no? 

Maybe it wasn’t so weird in the 1940s… 1840s… or 840s… 

Today, however, we’ve learned a thing or two about how cow’s milk affects our bodies. 

Upwards of 70 percent of the world’s population cannot digest cow’s milk, and it makes you quite sick – this lactose intolerance. I’ll tell you, it’s pretty awful. 

“Wheezing, stuffy nose, coughing. And then big-time gut distress: constipation, diarrhea, bloating, cramping. 

“It’s pretty gnarly.”

Dotsie Bausch, Olympic medalist and founder of Switch4Good

It may take some time for us to shake the familiarity of cow’s milk in our diets. We’ve been inundated with cow’s milk (or just “milk,” for the layperson) from ads, culture, government requirements, lobbyist pressure, and dairy farmers. 

Here’s The Truth About Milk…

Milk is meant for the babies of the mammals producing it. Cow’s milk is for calves. Human milk is for babies. Cat’s milk is for kittens. You get it. 

Mammalian milk contains the necessary fats and vitamins for us to grow into strong healthy grown mammals. We, and every other infant mammal, contain an enzyme that allows us to digest that milk. That enzyme disappears once breastfeeding has concluded. 

Northern European farmers were among the first to go “You know what? I want to try that cow’s milk. I mean… why not, right?” roughly 6000 years ago. Or so the theory states. Over time, they developed a genetic mutation to the enzyme that allows us to digest milk. These humans evolved to digest cow’s milk for as long as they were alive. 

This familiarity with cow’s milk extended into the business world when it came time to make money off of that sweet, sweet utter juice. Milk was everywhere: delivered to our door by the milkman, in our schools, in our breakfast cereals. 

Imagine getting made fun of for not putting milk in your cereal as a kid. Guess who’s the weirdo now, Stacy?!

Soon enough, “Got Milk?” entered the zeitgeist. Along with it, the idea that to be a successful athlete, you needed to drink milk. If Cal Ripken can play more consecutive games than any other baseball player, it must be the milk, right? 

Speaking of athletes. Did you know that milk is the official sponsor of Team USA

PED – Performance Enhancing Dairy

New Zealand and the United States are the only countries in the world whose Olympic Committees are not government funded. They have to go out and get private funding.” 

Enter the dairy industry to save the day! With “Got Milk?” featuring every famous athlete under the sun, it makes total sense that they would sponsor the Olympics. Since the government can’t be bothered, apparently. 

I have been exposed to and definitely pressured upon throughout that journey that milk – the mammalian secretions of the cow – are the only real way for athletes to recover from hard workouts, the only real way to build muscle and muscle tissue, and to repair and recover.

“I started to peel back all of the layers on everything that I had been taught and learned and really recognized that it was truly coming from a marketing perspective, not from an evidence-based perspective.

It was at that moment, during the 2012 London Games (after winning the Silver in cycling), that inspired Dotsie Bausch to start Switch4Good.

I had this idea to put on a commercial on the closing ceremonies of what then was the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang on NBC that basically has seven of us, all Olympic athletes from four different countries. 

“We’re standing up and saying, ‘Hey, guess what? We don’t need cows’ milk to recover. This isn’t the truth. It’s not a thing. And there are thousands of athletes that are finding a new way forward.’

“The dairy industry got it kicked off after it aired three times.

Angering The Milk Masters

That move only served to fire Dotsie Bausch and her fellow athletes up. After being silenced by the dairy lobby, Switch4Good only got deeper and more motivated. The best way to crush your adversary is to silence them, right? 

Smooth move, milk hawkers. You couldn’t just let it be. You just had to keep making your milk money. 

Thanks to Big Milk’s fear and power, Switch4Good got strategizing. 

We work in two ways: behavior and culture change, but we also work on systemic change. We do quite a bit of work right now specifically to change the laws in the United States: that children have to be fed cow’s milk in schools. And if they don’t want one, they have to have a milk note from their parents. 

“So, we’re working with members of Congress. It’s actually a regulatory change, not a statutory change. So it doesn’t have to be voted on.”

They even had a win. 

One of our big wins from last year was getting the dietary guidelines of America to put soy milk in as nutritionally equivalent so that here is a choice. 

“Now we have to implement the choice into schools.

Soy milk?! In public schools?! How… reasonable. 

Dairy Nonsense

Some of you may consider soy milk in public schools to be hippie nonsense. But you’d be wrong. What is nonsense is drinking mammalian secretions from a mammal that is not at all related to humans.

Frankly, gorilla milk would make more sense. 

Switch4Good and its mission to convert all dairy consumers into non-dairy consumers is an uphill battle. There isn’t just resistance from the powerful dairy industry. There’s personal resistance from smaller communities. 

It wouldn’t be America without someone yelling, “You can’t tell me what to do!” Right? 

Dotsie Bausch understands this better than you think. 

I grew up for thirty-five years of my life eating animals and the products of animals . . . loving animals, but mistreating them via I was a competitive horseback rider. So, it’s a journey and it’s painful to unpack 100 percent.”

If you believe that we’re all equal – and I mean all – whether you have four legs or two, whether you have hair all over your body or just on your head – that [humans and animals] should have a relationship of mutuality and respect, not extraction. 

“And that is how we treat so many animals – especially our food – as a product to extract from. 

“That’s not equality, and I don’t think that’s fair.”

Convincing The Milk Drinkers

When it comes to convincing people to Switch4Good (see what I did there?) the strategies vary. What often gets people in the door is their own health. Say you want to cut dairy out and you start by drinking your coffee black. The idea of keeping yourself healthy is enough to check out Switch4Good and what they have to offer. 

That, as Dotsie Basuch has pointed out, isn’t the “stickiest” of strategies. People give up on themselves for a variety of reasons. 

If Dotsie Bausch and company want people to Switch4Good (look, I did it again!) they need to consider all strategies. One of the “stickiest,” according to market research, is the ethics side to this debate. 

How Does Bessie Feel?

Imagine, just for a moment, that you’re a cow. You’re just trying to live your life, eating your cud, enjoying the sun, lying down when it’s about to rain. It’s kinda nice, no?

All is well when – suddenly – your perfectly nice day is interrupted by forcible impregnation. 

Wait, what?!

You carry your calf to term, about nine months or so. Then you give birth (hopefully with the help of a ranchhand in the midst of their own coming-of-age story).

THEN, if forced impregnation wasn’t enough, you have your beautiful baby calf taken away from you. 

Bruh. 

Now, the milk you have produced to make your calf big and strong is now being harvested and extracted for some other entitled mammal to consume from a tiny paper carton in between math and gym.

Not only that, but sometimes it’s wasted through the nose of some snotty child, or mixed with chocolate like some kind of dessert! It’s even been used to ruin perfectly delicious coffee.

So, you’re forced to have a calf, it’s taken from you, and so is the milk you produce. All for the glorious pleasure of wealthy industry tycoons. Then, next year, it happens all over again.

Not so fun being the cow, is it? 

Taking On Big Milk

Dotsie Bausch and Switch4Good have their work cut out for them. They’re fighting an uphill battle against industry, government, culture, and the stubborn. 

We’re still at the beginning. So quite honestly, I feel proud of the team that goes out every day –  no matter how many doors are slammed in our face – because the door slams multiple times a day. It’s not like we’re getting water to children in sub-Saharan Africa. Everybody on planet Earth is like, ‘Yup, that’s a good idea!’ We are still seeding the idea that [consuming dairy] is not a good idea.

“We’re not doing something that’s popular. We’re doing something that’s straight up against the grain . . . eye-to-eye with the status quo. And it’s hard to get up every day with hope because it’s not wildly popular what we’re doing – nor do many people want to lean into it – it’s very hard to get attention and recognition. 

“It’s the fierceness and the grit of the team to wake up every day and get creative and keep fighting.”

If anyone can get everyone in the world to Switch4Good (last time, I swear) it’s Dotsie Bausch and company. 

Will you Switch4Good?

Chris Blondell is a Philadelphia-based writer and social media strategist with a current focus on tech industry news. He has written about startups and entrepreneurs based in Denver, Seattle, Chicago, New Haven, and more. He has also written content for a true-crime blog, Sword and Scale, and developed social media content for a local spice shop. An occasional comedian, Chris Blondell also spends his time writing humorous content and performing stand-up for local audiences.

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Top 10 Video Marketing Agencies You Must Check Out in 2023

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video editors

If you’ve been following the latest marketing trends, you would know that video marketing is popular. Factors like lower costs, the availability of video platforms, and the rise of social media influencers helped change how consumers interact with video content. Read on to learn the best video marketing agency to help you leverage the power of video. 

1. Vireo Video 

Vireo Video homepage

If you need an expert in Youtube marketing, be sure to check the features of Vireo Video. The platform specializes in Youtube marketing and offers various video-related services, such as Youtube content strategy, SEO, and advertising. Vireo Video is trusted by brands like Eckhart Tolle and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. For Eckhart Tolle, Vireo assisted in the optimization of his videos and helped grow his Youtube channel. As a result, his channel has more than 45 million new views or an increase of more than 260% compared with the previous period. 

Key Services:

  • Influencer marketing
  • Video optimization
  • Targeted YouTube advertising placements
  • Strategy development

2. NinjaPromo

NinjaPromo screenshot

Video marketing is one of the many services offered by the digital marketing agency NinjaPromo. If you’re looking for a perfect partner to assist you in reaching your desired audience quickly, NinjaPromo is one of the best agencies to work with. The company can help you create creative, engaging, and practical videos to promote your brand and increase your online presence. 

Key Services:

  • Video Production
  • Consultation
  • SEO optimization
  • Explainer videos
  • Event and product videos
  • Tutorials

3. Moburst

moburst screenshot

Moburst is a mobile and digital marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses grow their mobile apps. They offer different services to enable enterprises to improve their mobile app performance and increase user engagement. Moburst has created over 1,500 videos that generated 900+ million views. 

Key Services: 

  • App Store Optimization 
  • Video production
  • Mobile User Acquisition
  • Mobile App Analytics
  • Mobile App Design and Development
  • Mobile App Retargeting

4. Voy Media 

voy media screenshot

Trusted by big brands like Lacoste, Voy Media is a full-service agency offering various marketing and creative services. Their services are designed to help businesses grow their brand. Likewise, the agency helps them generate leads and increase conversions through social media platforms. Voy Media also ensures its clients receive the necessary support by assigning a dedicated account manager. 

Key Services:

  • Video editing and production
  • Product and lifestyle photography
  • Graphic design and illustration
  • Full studio production with talent and script

5. Pop Video

pop video screenshot

Pop Video was established in 2010 in Houston, Texas. They describe themselves as a business-first solution for a video-first world. Pop Video has a team of visual content creators with a specialization in video production and visual content marketing.

The agency has worked with various clients across different industries, including healthcare, technology, retail, and finance. Some of its notable clients include Microsoft, Adidas, and Coca-Cola.

In addition to its core video production services, Pop Video provides consulting and training services to help businesses develop their video marketing strategies and produce their video content in-house.

Key Services:

  • Video Marketing
  • Video production
  • Animation
  • Content creation
  • Social media optimization

6. Epipheo

epipheo screenshot

If you need help with educational videos, explore the services of Epipheo. Epipheo is a video marketing agency that creates animated explainer videos and other visual contents to assist companies, organizations, and individuals in connecting with their audience effectively. 

Key Services: 

  • Social video ads
  • Storytelling testimonial videos 
  • Animated explainer videos
  • Live action videos
  • Strategy and consulting

7. Early Light Media

early light media screenshot

Early Light Video is a full-service video production company that creates high-quality video content for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. The agency is known for delivering top-notch video content that meets its clients’ needs. It was founded in 2013 by a team of Emmy Award-winning creative directors, With offices in Baltimore and Washington, DC.

Key Services: 

  • Video production
  • Post-production
  • Animation
  • Voice-over casting
  • Music Licensing

8. Indigo Productions 

indigo productions screenshot

Indigo Productions is a full-service video production company based in New York City. They specialize in creating high-quality videos for corporate clients, advertising agencies, and individuals. Their team of scriptwriters, directors, producers, hair and make-up artists, and location scouts will handle all the logistics.

Key Services:

  • Promo videos
  • Web commercials
  • Music videos
  • Movie trailers
  • Documentaries

9. LAI Video

lai video screenshot

LAI Video is a Washington, DC-based boutique video production company specializing in creating visual stories that inspire and engage audiences. The company was established in 2013 and has become a leading video production agency in the DC metro area.

LAI Video has worked with various clients, including National Geographic, The World Bank, Georgetown University, and The Smithsonian Institution. Their skilled team of filmmakers, animators, editors and producers work closely with clients to ensure that each video project meets their specific goals and objectives.

Key Services:

  • Corporate videos and commercials
  • Video communication campaigns
  • Branding
  • Video animation
  • Marketing storytelling

10. SparkHouse

sparkhouse screenshot

SparkHouse is a video production company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in creating high-quality video content for businesses and organizations. The company was founded in 2013 by filmmakers and storytellers passionate about creating visually stunning and emotionally compelling videos.

SparkHouse has worked with various clients, including Target, 3M, Best Buy, and General Mills. Their talented filmmakers, animators, writers, and producers work closely with clients to ensure each video project is customized to their unique needs and objectives.

Key Services:

  • Brand Videos
  • Corporate Videos
  • Animation
  • Event Videos
  • Social Media Videos
  • Documentary Films

Which Types of Videos Do You Get from a Video Marketing Agency? 

A video marketing agency typically provides various video types, each with a specific purpose and target audience. Below are the common types of videos you can request from a video marketing agency.

  • Brand videos
  • Explainer videos
  • Corporate videos
  • Testimonial videos
  • Social media videos
  • Live stream videos
  • Case studies
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials

Conclusion

Video marketing is essential for businesses looking to engage their audience, build brand awareness, and drive conversions. As we look ahead to 2023, the competition will only continue to grow, making working with a reliable video marketing agency more critical than ever. 

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Top 10 Video Marketing Campaign Examples You’ll Enjoy Watching

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three women

A video is an effective form of content, and its increasing popularity has gone together with the rise of social media. However, many marketing professionals still need a video for their digital marketing strategy. In other instances, some have already integrated video into their campaigns but need to see the best results. We’ve compiled some video marketing campaign examples that could inspire you to get the best possible ROI. 

1. Google Android: Friends Furever

elephant

Android’s “Friends Furever” video is a simple and cute marketing campaign. The video was shared over 6.4 million times, according to video ad tech company Unruly. Google produced a quirky video showcasing animals forming unexpected friendships. Each clip in the montage features great pairs of animals: dogs and elephants, chimps and horses, and tigers and bears.

The campaign proves that even the most uncomplicated videos can be super shareable with the proper subject matter.

Watch the video here

2. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream

ice cream sandwich

We encourage you to watch from the 20-second mark to see how it goes. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is a small ice cream shop from Columbus, Ohio, and its YouTube channel proves you don’t need hi-tech equipment to make lovable videos. This is a remarkable small business video marketing campaign. 

Watch the video here

3. Reebok: 25,915 Days

woman and a text showing 13,120

The video features one woman’s relationship with running in reverse, from running the Reebok-sponsored Spartan Race as a middle-aged woman to birth. It’s a great way for Reebok to promote its brand mission of changing how people perceive and experience fitness at every age. 

And at the end of the video, a compelling CTA reads, “Calculate your days.” After all, adding a well-curated Call to Action is one of the secrets of a successful video marketing campaign.

Watch the video here

4. Alibaba: To the Greatness of Small

youtube screenshot

Sometimes, the most powerful messages resonate with the smallest audiences. This global marketing video is from the China-based ecommerce platform Alibaba. Alibaba’s global customers are almost as big as Amazon’s. The campaign was a powerful tribute to the role of SMBs in the global economy. Similar to a young athlete with Olympic dreams, all great brands start with an ambitious founder.

Watch the video here

5. Coca-Cola: The Last Customer

video collage screenshot

Coca-Cola is known for heartwarming holiday videos, and this is one of the best! The Last Customer is a video campaign launched by Coca-Cola in 2020. The campaign was designed to promote small businesses’ importance and their role in their communities.

The campaign consisted of a short film about a small convenience store owner preparing to close his shop for the last time. The owner reflects on his memories of running the store and the relationships he has built with his customers over the years. As he closes shop for the last time, he is surprised by his loyal customers who have gathered to say goodbye and express their appreciation for all he has done for their community.

Watch the video here

6. GoPro: Fireman Saves Kitten

fireman

“Fireman Saves Kitten” is a video campaign launched by GoPro in 2013. The campaign was designed to showcase the power and versatility of GoPro cameras in capturing dramatic and inspiring moments.

GoPro shows a powerful example of how brands can use their products to tell compelling stories and promote meaningful social causes. It was a testament to the power of video content to engage and inspire audiences. Moreover, it helped to cement GoPro’s reputation as a leader in the action camera industry.

Watch the video here

7. Nike Women: Better For It

better for it

Suppose your campaign is a powerful message of encouragement and empowerment for women. In that case, The “Better For It” campaign encourages women to embrace their imperfections and to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. The campaign’s tagline, “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying,” aims to motivate women to take risks and persevere through challenges.

The campaign also includes a digital community where women can connect and share their stories of progress and inspiration. The community features a range of resources, including workout routines, training tips, and motivational messages.

Overall, the Nike Women “Better For It” campaign is a powerful message of encouragement and empowerment for women of all ages and backgrounds. It seeks to inspire women to push themselves to be their best physically and mentally and celebrate their achievements along the way.

Watch the video here

8. BuzzFeed for Purina: Puppyhood

puppy and man

BuzzFeed did a great job writing a script that takes all the classic puppy stories you’ve heard and turns them into a delightful tale of a man and his dog spending time together.

Although it’s evident to today’s trained consumer that Purina’s Puppy Chow brand is behind the video, the product placement is so subtle that it’s not bothersome. Video marketers, take note.

Watch the video here

9. Intel: ‘Meet the Makers’ Series

screenshot

Intel’s five-part “Meet the Makers” series aims to highlight the stories and innovations of people who are using Intel technology to create new and exciting products. It features videos showcasing different makers and their projects, from artists to scientists to entrepreneurs. So, if you’re looking for an effective and engaging way to advertise your product or service through video, the video ad is a good inspiration.

Watch the video here.

10. Google Earth: Homeward Bound

screenshot

The Google Earth: Homeward Bound campaign is a marketing campaign that aims to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the planet. It is also meant to promote the work of Homeward Bound, a global leadership initiative for women in science.

By inserting their product into a story of loss, love, and restoration, Google Earth successfully positioned its capabilities as life-changing — but it doesn’t feel too showy. The video makes you think that Google Earth isn’t out to make money, but rather, they’re out to build a service to improve the lives of their users.

Watch the video here.

Conclusion

Based on the examples above, the best video marketing content is engaging, informative, and resonates with its target audience. It should tell a story, evoke emotions, and offer a unique perspective or solution to a problem. Businesses and brands can build brand awareness and loyalty by creating high-quality video marketing content that connects with their audience. It ultimately drives sales and revenue.

Now it’s your turn. Video can do wonders to increase content engagement and clickthrough rates. Use these marketing videos as inspiration, and create fantastic visual content. These video editing tools can make your video content creation easier. 

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Why Use Video Marketing: 8 Compelling Reasons to Convince You

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woman recording a video

Video marketing is one of the latest trends in business strategy. As it progresses rapidly, 83% of businesses believe that adding videos to their advertising and marketing strategy gives them good ROI. Do you still have doubts? Why use video marketing for promoting your business? The answer is simple. Adding video to your promotion checklist is worth it. Not only because everyone is doing it but because the video is an excellent digital marketing tool. Here are eight reasons to convince you to start working on your video marketing efforts. 

1. Video Increases Conversions and Sales 

person writing on a paper

Videos are crucial to the online customer journey and can make you serious money. Consider adding a product video on your landing page and increase conversions by 80%. The percentage shows that people who watch your videos are more likely to purchase your product or service. Wyzowl’s November 2022 survey shows that 89% of people say watching a video has convinced them to buy. 

2. Video Builds Trust 

Trust is the cornerstone of conversions and revenues. However, building trust should be the ultimate goal. The idea of content marketing relies on trust and creating long-term relationships. That’s why video content is likely to engage and convince the audience. 

YouTubers have become the most influential social media personality when discussing audience segmentation to help you promote your product or service. So, if you decide to invest in content marketing, you must also be serious about video marketing. 

Promotional videos can foster trust as well. Some consumers are still skeptical about buying online products and services because they fear fraud and cheating. But compelling marketing videos present your products in a conversational form. 

Overall, video content is an effective way to build trust with your audience. It allows you to communicate authentically, transparently, and credible, create an emotional connection and establish consistency with your brand.

3. Video Ranks Better in Google 

wooden SEO blocks

Video content can rank better on Google due to higher engagement rates, improved user experience, diversified content, social signals, and video SEO. You should create and optimize video content for a higher ranking in Google search results.

One of the factors of Google’s algorithm for search rankings is “dwell time,” or how long visitors stay on your website. This may also be called “long clicks vs. short clicks.” If people spend a lot of time on your website, it must have quality content. A short, compelling video is a great way to capture viewers’ attention.

4. Video Shows Higher Return on Investment (ROI)

Statistics show that 83% of companies believe video provides a good return on investment. Even though video production is yet to be the easiest task, it can generate more revenue. Plus, online video editing tools are constantly evolving and have become accessible. Even your smartphone can make decent videos already.

Another good news is that your videos can be imperfect. It’s the content that matters! The latest research shows that users are mostly put off by videos that need to explain the product or service more. Low quality and poor design only matter a little. So the video is like pizza. Even if it tastes terrible, it still looks pretty good.

5. Video Marketing is Versatile

Video marketing is a versatile tool that can be used to achieve different marketing goals. Video can work well when launching a new product or service. More businesses using video marketing said they have an explainer video on their homepage. 

You can create animated videos if you’re trying to explain a difficult concept to your audience. Animation can bring ideas to life that no text or live video can. Besides, more than boring talking heads are needed to break through the clutter. Animated videos give a perfect mix of entertainment, education, and simplicity. And they work.

6. Mobile Users Love Videos

people using their phones

Video and mobile go hand in hand because people enjoy watching videos on the go. And as the number of smartphone users continues to increase, the video audience keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Google says smartphone users are twice as likely to watch videos as TV viewers. Likewise, mobile phones are more accessible than desktops, where viewers can easily connect to brands that show video content or ads.

The keyword here is convenience. Videos are easy to consume on mobile devices, requiring minimal effort, and can be viewed on the go. With the increasing number of mobile users, video content has become a popular and convenient way to consume information.

7. Video Marketing Captures a Wider Audience

Video content is an excellent tool for learning, but it’s also super easy to consume. In today’s fast-paced world, people don’t have enough time to read long product descriptions or service manuals. The modern customer wants to see the product in action. This trend has become one of the most fundamental driving forces in video content marketing.

Video marketing can capture a broad target audience and works on many levels, even the laziest ones. Ensure you target not only the eyes but also the ears of the potential client. Your competitive advantage gets double power!

8. A video is an Effective Tool for Social Media Marketing. 

Social media channels also encourage video content with their new features. Plus, YouTube is the second most popular social network in the world. Video content is more likely to be shared on social media than text or static images. This means that videos have the potential to reach a larger audience than other types of content.

Conclusion

Video advertising is becoming more and more affordable and widespread. It’s an excellent way for marketers to reach people. It is easier than ever for businesses to create and share high-quality video content. We believe this article helped wipe out your doubts and answered the question, “why use video marketing.”

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