Animoto Survey Proves Video Brings Growth to Professional Photography Businesses

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Animoto, the leading online video maker that makes it easy for anyone to create and share professional-quality video, today reported new survey results that prove the effectiveness of video in growing professional photographers' business. Animoto's survey of 915 professional photography customers revealed that the majority have found success in using videos created with Animoto as a tool to increase sales and awareness. The power of video for professional photographers' business is resounding -- nearly all (94 percent) agree that video increases customer satisfaction, and 83 percent agree that using video has had a positive impact on their business.

"Professional photographers not only must be fantastic storytellers through the images they capture, they must also be savvy businesspeople," said Brad Jefferson, CEO and co-founder of Animoto. "Video is an effective and simple method to stand out in a crowded marketplace that can help pro photographers quickly realize higher profits and referrals."

Video Delivers Sales
One in three professional photographers say that the inclusion of video as a product has led to higher orders from customers overall. As professional photographers seek to diversify, video is a complementary offering that brings life to the stills captured throughout a photo shoot or event. The fusion of photos and video clips into one seamless edited video is a simple tactic for professional photographers to upsell. There are a variety of ways videos can be included as a sales asset, each of which adding a dynamic component to the storytelling process:

• 54 percent of professional photographers include video as a product in a package.
• 40 percent of professional photographers use video as a bonus or incentive to upsell.
• 36 percent of professional photographers sell videos a la carte.

Video Increases Awareness
Three quarters of professional photographers cite the use of video as increasing brand awareness, and nearly half (44 percent) have earned more referrals from existing customers due to the use of video. Including video as a tool in marketing and social media efforts gives current and potential customers a shareable asset that can aid in organic, word of mouth marketing. A new addition to promoting their work, videos are a trackable, effective tool for pro photographers to showcase skills, experience, and creativity. Video can be shared as an engaging takeaway in a variety of ways with success:

• 61 percent of professional photographers use video to market their services online.
• 55 percent of professional photographers share video on Facebook and social media properties.
• 29 percent of professional photographers use video on their homepage to promote business, and 23 percent use video on their blog.
• More than a quarter (29 percent) of professional photographers who use video have experienced increased traffic to their website.

Videos Strengthens Customer Satisfaction
In addition to its ability to help professional photographers increase sales and awareness, video contributes to higher overall customer satisfaction. Eight in 10 professional photographers receive positive feedback regarding their use of video for sales and marketing, proving that video is in demand from customers. Video is a strategic tool to fuel business, and can be used to foster relationships with clients:

• 75 percent of professional photographers' clients have cried when watching an Animoto video.
• 49 percent of professional photographers share video as a gift.

"Photos have the power to elicit emotion from customers, but video moves them to tears, inspiring another level of connection to a memory and the person who captured it that can't otherwise be recreated," added Jefferson.

Animoto videos help professional photographers tell a story, evoke emotion, increase sales, and better market their business. For more information and examples of how professional photographers use Animoto today, please visit: animoto.com/business/photography.

About the Animoto Photography Business Study
Animoto surveyed professional photographers using Animoto Pro. The email survey was fielded in August 2014 with 915 photographers responding.

About Animoto
Animoto is the leading online video maker for consumers, educators and businesses that empowers the creation and sharing of professional quality videos using pictures, video clips, words, and music. The company's patented Cinematic Technology makes it easy to preserve your memories or promote your business through the power of video in just minutes from a computer or mobile device. Founded in 2006, Animoto is based in New York City with an office in San Francisco. For more information, visit animoto.com and sign up online, or download the iPhone, iPad, or Android apps.

Animoto and Cinematic Technology are registered trademarks of Animoto, Inc.

SOURCE Animoto