To make preparing for the summer break as stress-free as possible, I'm sharing my top tips for creating plenty of social media content ahead of time, ensuring your audience stays engaged when the sun is shining.

Why is it important to stay active on social media over the summer?

• Your audience is still active: Even though many people are on vacation or taking breaks from work, they are often more active on social media, using their free time to scroll through feeds, share experiences, and engage with content. This activity presents a valuable opportunity to capture their attention and keep your brand top of mind.

• Summer is a great time to experiment with new content types and strategies: With potentially less competition and a different audience dynamic, you can test out creative ideas and refine your approach. This can provide valuable insights that will benefit your social media strategy in the fall and beyond.

• Staying active on social media helps you build and sustain momentum: Instead of having to regain lost ground in the fall, a continuous presence ensures that you keep working the algorithm, growing your audience, and driving engagement year-round. This consistent activity can lead to higher engagement rates, increased follower growth, and stronger brand loyalty.

How can you efficiently create a lot of content in advance for summer?

Planning in advance does take effort, but it pays off. Here is how I fill an entire content calendar before summer begins.

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1. Repost content from the past two months

Not everyone sees everything you post, and if they do, then seeing it multiple times is still beneficial. In addition, recycling past posts keeps your feed active without extra effort.

Here is how to do it efficiently:

• Choose some of your best-performing posts from the past two months and even some under-performers to give them a second chance and just share the exact same content again.

2. Repurpose your written content into videos

Last year, I created a majority of my summer content by taking articles written in the past six months, putting them into Storykit AI, and transforming them into short videos.

This approach not only ensures all your new content gets properly distributed, but it's also a highly effective way to create engaging, on-brand content at scale.

Here is how to do it efficiently:

• Take 10 articles or other content pieces you published in the past six months.

• Use Storykit AI to create 5 videos from each piece, giving you 50 snackable content pieces.

• Spend just 20 minutes per article (that's 20 x 10 = 200 minutes, or about 3 hours for 50 videos).

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Further reading: 22 ways to repurpose your existing content for social media with video

3. Use formats to produce

One of the most effective ways to create content is to work with formats. And this applies to all content, including video. It’s a simple, classic, editorial trick to create a base of content that is quickly produced. 

Here are 5 formats you can use to add variation to your summer content plan:

• Testimonials: Share a quote from one of your users or customers every now and then. Ask the customer for a photo and a short description of why they love your brand.

• Present a colleague: Snap some photos of some of your colleagues and ask them a few questions. Create a template and easily add the assets and text. Voila!

• Share some interesting facts about your company: Share your company’s story, how it started and how it’s going.

• Themed days and holidays: The summer season is packed with themed days and special events. These are perfect to make a series of “Did you know…” videos. We can guarantee you’ll find a few days that align with your business!

• Go behind the scenes: Stay authentic and transparent and let your audience know what happens behind the scenes. 

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Bonus tip: Make your videos in portrait format since many of your customers and users will be scrolling on the beach, in the hammock, or from the couch. :) Also, make sure to optimize your content for mobile devices. 

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Further reading: Turn smartphone videos into employer branding content in 3 steps

Final thoughts...

Even though social media activity dips during the summer, staying consistent and working with the algorithms will not only ensure you stay visible but will also help you gather insights you can use in the fall. Use my tips to batch out a bunch of content, test different strategies, and give your audience something to enjoy even when you're not actively online.

As technology continues to advance, the intricacy of software systems grows, making it essential for IT (informational technology) companies to find innovative ways to convey their value propositions to clients. 

One powerful tool that has emerged in this context is video. 

By leveraging video, IT companies can:

• Simplify complex information
• Enhance customer understanding
• And drive sales

This article explores why video is important in the IT industry and how companies can use it effectively, drawing inspiration from successful case studies.

How video can be used in the IT industry

The importance of video in the IT industry cannot be overstated. Here are a few ways it can benefit IT companies:

Marketing and customer engagement

Videos are a powerful tool for marketing IT products and services. They can demonstrate product features, showcase client testimonials, and explain technical concepts in a user-friendly manner. Engaging video content can attract potential clients, enhance customer understanding, and build trust in the company’s offerings.

Technical support and troubleshooting

Video content is invaluable for providing technical support. IT companies can develop a library of troubleshooting videos that address common issues faced by users. These videos can reduce the load on support teams, provide quick resolutions for customers, and improve overall user satisfaction.

Training and development

Videos serve as an effective medium for training and development. IT companies can create detailed tutorials and instructional videos that help employees understand complex systems and technologies. This visual approach to learning accelerates the training process, ensures consistency in knowledge dissemination, and can be accessed anytime for refresher courses.

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Effective use of video in IT: Lessons from Advenica

Simplifying technical content with video

Advenica, a leading cybersecurity company, recognized the advantages of using video in their marketing and communication strategies. Their work is highly technical and dense, with texts that are specific and complex. To address this challenge, Advenica decided to use video to break down these intricate concepts into more accessible content.

• Efficient communication: Video allowed Advenica to explain their complex cybersecurity solutions in a more straightforward and engaging manner. This approach made it easier for clients to understand the nuances of their products.

• Enhanced reach: By producing videos, Advenica could engage a broader audience on social media platforms, significantly expanding their reach and improving their ability to communicate their messages effectively.

• Digestible content: Splitting complex information into a series of videos made their content more digestible for their audience. This not only improved customer understanding but also increased engagement on their website and social media channels.

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Example of video from Advenica: 

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Using video helped Advenica demystify their highly technical content, making it more accessible and engaging for their target audience. This approach enhanced their communication strategy and contributed to better customer understanding and engagement.

Full case study: Advenica gets more videos for less with Storykit

How Storykit enables the IT industry to create videos

You’re now aware of the many benefits that video can bring to your IT business. However, you probably don't want to spend time learning how to create videos or actually making them. This is where Storykit comes in. Storykit makes it incredibly easy for anyone to create professional videos without needing any editing experience.

With Storykit, you can take a text, such as a security update or a product description, and effortlessly transform it into a video. You can also add screen recordings and product pictures or stock images from our extensive stock library to enhance the storytelling.

Here’s how IT companies leverage Storykit:

1. Comprehensive onboarding videos
   • Create thorough onboarding videos that improve knowledge retention and compliance among staff. These videos can cover company policies, security protocols, and essential job functions, making it easier for new employees to get up to speed.  
2. Tutorials and security protocol updates
   • Develop clear and engaging tutorials and security protocol updates. This ensures that all team members are informed about the latest practices and procedures, enhancing overall security and efficiency.
3. Service guides and product demos
   • Transform service guides and product demos into visually appealing videos. By doing this, IT companies can elevate customer understanding and satisfaction, making it easier to communicate with both non-technical audiences and industry specialists.
4. Effective training and development
   • Use Storykit for effective onboarding, training, and development processes. Training videos can cover a wide range of topics, from software usage to troubleshooting techniques, ensuring that your team is well-equipped to handle various IT challenges. This approach makes complicated IT concepts more accessible to employees and stakeholders.

Storykit simplifies the video creation process, allowing IT departments to produce high-quality content without needing specialized skills or extensive time investment. By integrating videos into your IT operations, you can enhance communication, training, and customer satisfaction effortlessly.

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Conclusion

In the IT industry, where complexity is the norm, video serves as an invaluable tool for simplifying information and enhancing communication. By adopting video strategies, IT companies like Advenica have successfully improved client understanding and driven sales. As technology continues to evolve, the importance of clear and engaging communication will only grow, making video an essential component of any IT company's toolkit.

By embracing video, IT companies can not only demystify their complex software solutions but also build stronger relationships with their clients, ultimately leading to greater success in a competitive market.

Here are some expert tips for selecting the best stock assets for your videos and searching for them effectively.

4 best practices for choosing stock assets for videos

When creating videos, it can be tempting to simply search for assets that match the words you're saying and use the first result, like “marketing person” or “social media feed”. 

While this approach might occasionally yield acceptable results, there are several strategies you can employ to enhance the quality of your stock images and significantly improve the storytelling in your videos. 

Here are some best practices for using stock assets effectively.

1. Limit the number of assets

If your video is in the one minute range, aim to use no more than three to four different stock assets. You don't need a new asset for every single topic or point. This helps maintain a cohesive and professional look throughout your video and avoids overwhelming your audience with constant visual changes.

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INSTEAD of doing this: Piecing together a lot of different background assets to tell your story...

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DO this: Use one or two and drag them across storyboards to create a smooth flow of information.

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2. Choose calm and uncluttered assets

Select backgrounds and images that are not overly busy. Your visual content should complement your message, not compete with it.

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INSTEAD of doing this: Instead of choosing backgrounds with too much action or detail that could distract from the text or main subject of your video...

DO this: Choose calm and serene visuals to help maintain focus and make your content more engaging.

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3. Match the tone, not necessarily the exact content

Your assets don’t have to be literal representations of your content. For example, if your video is about the stress of marketing, opt for soothing backgrounds that counterbalance the stressful topic. This contrast can create a more balanced and appealing visual narrative.

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INSTEAD of doing this: Using "literal" assets that match what you're saying in your script...

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DO this: Choose visuals that support and enhance the story you’re telling. They don’t need to be a literal translation of what you’re saying. They should be consistent with the tone and message of your script.

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4. Opt for high-resolution and quality

Always use high-resolution assets to ensure your video looks professional. Poor quality or pixelated images can detract from your credibility and viewer experience.

INSTEAD of doing this: Downloading and inserting low-quality stock assets to your videos...

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DO this: Use Storykit's high-resolution stock image library to insert assets directly into your videos, enhancing their visual quality and storytelling impact.

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Further reading: Craft engaging videos: The key dos/don'ts for impactful results

Effective stock asset search terms

To find the best stock assets, use a variety of search terms that align with the themes and aesthetics of your video. Here are some useful keywords to consider:

• Society: Images depicting community, culture, and social interactions.
• AI: Graphics related to artificial intelligence, technology, and innovation.
• Technology: Futuristic or modern technology-related visuals.
• Digital: Content that represents the digital world, including internet and social media.
• Environment: Nature-focused visuals that emphasize sustainability and ecological themes.
• Nature: Serene landscapes, forests, and natural elements.
• Forest: Specific natural environments showcasing trees and greenery.
• Sustainability: Images promoting eco-friendly practices and green energy.
• Landscape: Wide shots of natural or urban landscapes.
• Skyline: Cityscapes and urban horizons.
• Office: Professional settings, workspaces, and office environments.
• Team/Teamwork: Groups of people working together, collaboration scenes.
• People/Face: Human elements, expressions, and diverse faces.
• Drone: Aerial views and perspectives.
• Slow Motion: Dynamic visuals that emphasize motion and detail.
• Buildings: Architectural structures, both modern and historical.
• City: Urban life and bustling cityscapes.
• Business: Corporate settings and business-related imagery.
• Economy: Financial and economic visuals.
• Happy Face: Positive emotions and smiling faces.
• Colors: Vibrant and varied color schemes.
• Color in Water: Artistic and abstract visuals involving water and color.
• Gradient: Smooth color transitions and modern design elements.
• Abstract: Non-literal, artistic visuals.
• Ink: Creative and artistic visuals involving ink in various forms.
• Transitions: Visuals that can be used as transitions between scenes.
• Particles: Dynamic and visually interesting particle effects.

The easiest way to add stock assets to your videos

Adding stock assets to your videos and testing out different ones in normal editing software can be a pain. First, you have to find, download, and save the assets, then you need to upload them and hope they work. If they don’t, you need to start the process all over again. However, Storykit simplifies this process by providing access to a number of high-quality stock libraries, such as:

• Getty Images
• Videoblocks
• Pixabay
• Pexels
• Unsplash

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In Storykit, you can search directly within the tool across all these libraries to find what you are looking for. If an asset is too short in length, it appears in red, so you don’t waste time adding the wrong ones. 

Additionally, with Storykit’s AI capabilities, when you generate a video, it will automatically suggest assets that work with your script, saving you from having to start looking from scratch.

Martin Svensson, Communication Manager at Länsförsäkringar, struggled significantly with creating videos due to the lack of readily available assets. They had just started a magazine for their customers, which contained a wealth of material that could be used in educational videos, such as interesting facts about their county and articles to promote Västerbotten. However, the lack of a proper photo library made the process time-consuming and frustrating.

"One of the videos we wanted to make was about snow scooters, but we didn't have any photos of snow scooters in Storuman Municipality. I played with the idea of building a photo library with our photographers, but the IT department warned that it would be difficult to control the security of such a library. At that point, I was almost ready to give up on my video efforts."

That’s when Martin came across Storykit. He explains:

"I received a demo and quickly realized that Storykit had all the features we needed, plus a really good photo library."

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Read full case study: How Sweden's largest insurance company increased its video production by 300%

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By leveraging tools like Storykit, you can streamline your workflow, ensure high-quality results, and focus more on crafting compelling video content rather than getting bogged down in the technicalities of asset management.