There are more than 8 billion video views per day on Facebook alone and by 2019, video will account for 80 percent of consumer-based web traffic. It's no wonder "video marketing tips" is a popular search phrase in the online world.

With numbers like these, you'd be crazy to ignore marketing your business through video. This's especially true in a field like car sales. 

In the following article, we'll be showing car dealers how to better use video in their marketing efforts.

Let's crank up the engines! 

1. Know When to Rough It

Creating quality videos can present a big challenge. That's because most people are not professional videographers. 

They're intimidated by how to use the technology. They don't know the difference between wide and tight shots.

If their name isn't Martin Scorsese, they wonder what the point is. And the idea it can take a couple of days to end up with two minutes of professional-looking video is discouraging, to say the least.

But social media has torn down some of these barriers. Today, it can give you a marketing advantage on the different platforms if you incorporate the use of video.

The challenge is knowing when (and when not) to "rough it." See, every video doesn't have to be of a professional caliber.

In fact, short and off-the-cuff videos in the raw can do much to build intimacy between your dealership and prospects. Save the professional production quality and the two-day headaches for your most important messaging. For the rest, a smartphone will do.

2. Go Live with Automotive Video Marketing

Platforms like Facebook Live make it easier to answer your prospects' and customers' most pressing questions in real time. To make it work best for your marketing efforts, try the following: 

          >  Announce and amp up your "Live" video ahead of time

          >  Make sure you're working with the strongest possible internet connection, so choose a                      reliable provider

•           >  When responding to a question, speak to your viewers by name to encourage a better                       sense of community

          >  Put some thought into the description, so there's no mystery as to the purpose of the                         video

Other than that, encourage your viewers to subscribe. And ask them to tell their friends.

3. Use It Frequently

You may be uncomfortable when you first start using video. It'll probably show, too. But as you do it more often, your comfort level will grow.

Short attention spans can work to your advantage here. Your viewers won't remember the early "bad" videos. They'll just see that you keep using video.

Sooner or later, the messaging will take hold over the delivery. Before long, you'll be a pro! 

4. Go Deeper with Your Product

Car sales marketing ideas are all over the web. But most pale in comparison to a short video that demonstrates your inventory's key product features or performance. 

In other words, show customers what the cars can do. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million.

Video Marketing Tips the Balance in Your Favor

Incorporating the above video marketing tips into your outreach will help you stand out from the many car dealerships still resistant to video production. Embrace the format in its messy and polished forms, and you'll see the results.

This especially is important as the holidays near. Your competitors will be making a strong play for your customers. So use video often; and while you're at it, check out these holiday-specific marketing tips.