The Secret Strategy Your Competitors Are Using to Steal Your Customers And Why Video Marketing Is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
If you’ve ever looked around and thought, “My product is better—so why am I not winning more business?” you're not alone.
The harsh truth? Some of your competitors aren't winning because they’re better—they’re winning because they’re getting in front of your customers first.
And they’re doing it with one powerful tool: video.
Your Competitors Are Winning Attention Early
“While you’re relying on word-of-mouth, referrals, or cold outreach, your competitors are putting themselves in front of your ideal customer before they even start looking.”
— Micah Durling, Host of the #IHateSocialMedia Podcast
You might be running a better business, delivering a better service, and working harder—but if no one knows who you are until it’s too late, you’re playing catch-up.
Why Video Works Like Nothing Else
Here’s what most people don’t realize: watching a video simulates a face-to-face conversation. Neurologically, your brain reacts almost the same way.
“When someone watches a video, their brainwaves respond as if they’re sitting in front of you,” I explained in the episode. “It builds trust instantly.”
Imagine being able to sit down with 1,000 ideal customers and share what makes you different—what you care about, how you work, and why they can trust you.
That’s what video does. And it's working 24/7.
Stats That Prove It
82% of all online traffic is video
66% more qualified leads are generated by businesses using video
55% of consumers watch a video before making a purchase decision
No video? You're competing for less than half the market. That's a tough place to be.
Your Essential Video Toolkit
So where do you start? Here are the three foundational videos every small business should have:
1. Brand Video (Start Here)
This is your video business card. It should answer questions like:
Who are you?
What do you stand for?
What’s your process?
What makes your business unique?
If someone lands on your website and there’s no video introducing your brand, you’re missing your best opportunity to tell your story—before someone else does.
2. Testimonial Videos
Text testimonials are nice. But let’s be honest:
“When I see a quote from ‘Sally K.’ that says, ‘Great service!’—I’m thinking that’s your aunt.”
Video testimonials are powerful because they’re undeniably real. A stutter or small mistake actually builds credibility. It shows the person is genuine, not scripted.
Even better? One testimonial video can be sliced into multiple clips for social media. More bang for your buck.
3. Showcase Videos
If you’re in construction, design, or service work, people need to see what you’ve done. Show before-and-after footage. Show real results.
And don’t forget: pair video with strong photos. They work together to fire up your prospect’s imagination.
Lead Generation with Video Ads
Video isn’t just for branding—it’s also your most powerful sales tool.
If you have a sales team, why not equip them with pre-warmed leads? Video ads help you reach customers who are already familiar with your brand by the time a salesperson reaches out.
“Any edge you can give your sales team is a win. If that lead has already seen your video ad, they’re walking into the conversation with some trust already built.”
Even if you’re a solo business owner, a well-placed video ad can do the heavy lifting for you.
Bonus: Why You Need a Video Strategy, Not Just a Single Clip
One video isn’t a strategy. If you sell high-ticket services or have a long sales cycle, you need to think through how your content flows:
Brand Video introduces you.
Testimonials build trust.
Showcase Videos prove your capabilities.
Video Ads generate leads.
Micro-content fuels your social media presence.
And it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with one. But start.
Real Talk: What’s Holding You Back?
Maybe you’re worried you’re not good on camera. Maybe you’re afraid your customers won’t want to be filmed. Or maybe you’ve just never done this before.
That’s where we come in.
At M.R. Sterling Productions, we help businesses just like yours tell their story through video—authentically and powerfully. Whether you're starting from scratch or ready to build a full video funnel, we can help you turn video into your greatest sales asset.
Ready to Flip the Script?
If your competitors are winning because they’re seen first, you don’t need to fight harder—you need to show up earlier.
Book a video strategy session now
Let's get your business in front of the people who need to see it.
