So, What Do I Do With This?
So, you’ve recorded your Video Sales Letter (VSL), and now you’re wondering what to do with it. It’s in a raw and unedited format (hopefully you used Riverside or something similar to record!) and you have no idea where to start.
The answer is simple. You need to pop it into Descript. What’s Descript, you ask?
Why Use Descript?
Descript is like turning your video/audio into a word document to edit it. If you’ve ever used tools like iMovie and similar, they all revolve around rewinding and fast-forwarding, watching the video, and trying to get the exact moment you want to cut. It’s horrendous and the results are often subpar.
The pros probably use DaVinci Resolve or similar tools for editing, but if you’re on a tight budget, then you need to be thinking of Descript. The “Pro” version (which I use) is only $29.99 per month!
Essentially, it transcribes spoken words into text and timestamps each word. Then, you edit the words on the page, and the video/audio is automatically amended with it.
Best Practices for Editing Your VSL
Editing your VSL to make it compelling and engaging is crucial. Here are some best practices:
- Start Strong: The first few seconds are crucial. Capture attention immediately with a powerful opening.
- Keep It Concise: Aim for a VSL length of 2-3 minutes. Longer videos may lose viewer interest.
- Clear Call to Action (CTA): Clearly state what you want the viewer to do next. Whether it’s to visit your website, sign up for a newsletter, or make a purchase, make it clear and compelling.
- Use Visuals Wisely: Incorporate relevant visuals to support your message. This can include graphics, text overlays, and product demos.
- Maintain High Audio Quality: Ensure your audio is clear and free from background noise. Good audio quality is just as important as good video quality.
Editing Your VSL
If you want to see a video of me editing a VSL of my own, make sure you come back for next week’s email newsletter (Sign up here), where I’ll share the link for you to see it in action! I’ll be sharing some expert advice on how to make it slick and visually stunning, as well as how to do all the neat little tricks the experts use.
In the meantime, search YouTube for Descript editing tips – there are loads of amazing experts on there. You can even start with their own YouTube page here.
So, assuming you got the editing done, you’ve automatically removed all your ums and errs (Yes, Descript can do all that too!), and you’re at “MVP” stage for your VSL, what’s next?
Where to Place Your VSL
My honest advice is to place it in three key locations:
- Top of Your Business Landing Page: Or on the ‘find out more’ section on your website. Ours is here if you want inspiration!
- Your Website: Make it easy for visitors to find and watch your VSL.
- Social Media: Paste it on your social media channels, especially LinkedIn.
Just make sure that you absolutely make it visible!
Tips for Maximising VSL Impact
- Promote Your VSL: Share your VSL across all your social media platforms. Use snippets or teasers to drive traffic to the full video.
- Email Marketing: Include your VSL in your email marketing campaigns. It’s a great way to engage your subscribers and provide them with valuable content.
- Track Performance: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your VSL. Monitor metrics like views, engagement, and conversion rates to understand its impact.
- A/B Testing: Test different versions of your VSL to see which performs better. Experiment with different CTAs, visuals, and messaging.
