Video Marketing Strategy artticle Last Update on: May 16, 2025 | Published on: Feb 17, 2017
In 2025, video is not just a national trend — it’s a local movement. Across Minnesota, from the Twin Cities to Duluth, small businesses and startups are turning to video to connect, engage, and convert their audiences in a competitive digital landscape.
Whether you’re a local brewery in Northeast Minneapolis, a boutique in Stillwater, or a tech startup in Rochester’s Discovery Square, this guide is your roadmap to crafting a Minnesota-relevant video strategy that performs in today’s content-saturated market.
Video Marketing Strategy Matters in Minnesota Now More Than Ever
Video is your digital storefront. It helps people know, like, and trust your business before they ever visit your website — or your location on Grand Avenue.
Minnesotans are savvy, community-oriented consumers. According to data from Minnesota DEED and the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, video engagement has grown over 60% among local businesses since 2022 — and that number is still climbing.
Local businesses like Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, Love Your Melon, and Thom Pham’s Wondrous Azian Kitchen are thriving partly because they consistently produce smart, well-branded videos that speak directly to Minnesotan values: authenticity, community, and quality.
1. A Publishing Schedule That Reflects Minnesota Rhythms
Consistency = Trust
Just as Minnesotans prepare for all four seasons (sometimes in one week), your video strategy should be seasonal, consistent, and intentional.
Set a content calendar that aligns with:
Local events: Think Minnesota State Fair content, summer lake culture, or winter hygge-inspired videos.
Retail rhythms: Highlight specials during Grand Old Day, Small Business Saturday, or the Minneapolis Holiday Market.
Business cycles: If you’re a landscaping company in Eagan, schedule spring prep videos in March; if you’re a ski shop in Lutsen, ramp up video content in October.
Use tools like Buffer, Planoly, or Loomly to maintain a consistent publishing schedule across platforms for an automated Video Marketing Strategy.
2. Short-Form, Mobile-First Content with a Local Hook
Minnesotans love a good story — but we also value efficiency. Short-form content (under 30 seconds) is perfect for reaching busy professionals in the Twin Cities or college students at the University of Minnesota.
Hook Locally:
“Why everyone in Minneapolis is switching to this yoga mat” – [insert brand]
“Top 3 things to do in Uptown this weekend (one involves cheese curds)”
“Ever ice fished in February? Watch this first…”
Best Platforms:
Instagram Reels & TikTok: Great for local boutiques in Edina or eateries in St. Paul.
YouTube Shorts: Powerful for educational or product-based businesses like Wood From the Hood or Moss Envy.
Keep videos vertical, captioned, and attention-grabbing in the first 3 seconds. Bonus: Feature a recognizable location like Stone Arch Bridge, Lake Bde Maka Ska, or Mall of America to make the content instantly local.
3. Tutorials and Tip Videos (Especially Hyperlocal Ones)
Tutorials don’t have to be boring. Minnesotans love practical, do-it-yourself content. If you run a shop, service, or experience, give your viewers hands-on advice.
Real Minnesota Business Examples:
Tattersall Distilling: Show how to make a craft cocktail with their new line of spirits.
Red Wing Shoes: Share how to condition boots during Minnesota winters.
Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA): Behind-the-scenes look at setting up a new exhibit or hanging valuable art.
Series ideas:
“5 Things You Didn’t Know About Home Winterization” – for local contractors.
“How to Keep Your Skin Happy in -20°F” – for beauty or skincare brands.
“What to Wear to Survive a North Shore Hike” – for outdoor outfitters like Duluth Pack or REI Bloomington.
4. User-Generated Content from the Land of 10,000 Influencers
Minnesotans are passionate — and that makes for great video content. Whether they’re showing off a new ice fishing gadget from Fleet Farm or trying out a taco from Centro, people love to share.
How to Activate UGC Locally:
Run a challenge: “Show us your favorite spot in Minneapolis with our product.”
Use a hashtag: #MNMadeVideos or your custom branded tag.
Offer a prize: Free tickets to Minnesota Wild or The Current’s Soundcheck Sessions.
Spotlight your customers by resharing their videos or featuring them in highlight reels. Tools like Taggbox or Pixlee make it easy to manage and repurpose user content is great in Video Marketing Strategy.
5. Clear Calls to Action that Fit Your Local Audience
Minnesotans don’t love being sold to, but we appreciate value. That’s why your videos need to offer something relevant and easy to act on.
CTA Ideas:
“Stop by our Northeast shop and say ‘VIDEO20’ for 20% off.”
“Book a free design consult at our St. Paul studio this week only.”
“Click the link to see where our mobile coffee truck is heading next in the Twin Cities!”
CTA placement tips:
Put it early (first 10 seconds).
Make it visual (button or text overlay).
Repeat it at the end.
If you’re running a video ad campaign via Minnesota-based digital agency Rocket55, your CTAs can also include deep links to local landing pages or trackable QR codes for store visits.
6. Tracking, Analytics & Local Optimization
Without tracking, it’s all guesswork. Use platforms like YouTube Studio, Meta Insights, or TikTok Analytics to monitor watch time, clicks, and drop-offs.
Minnesota-Specific Optimization:
Check when your local audience is online (Sunday mornings or weekday evenings?).
A/B test creative versions with and without local imagery (like Lake Harriet vs. generic stock footage).
Use Google Analytics 4 and UTM parameters to connect video views to physical store visits or event registrations (like a workshop at The Coven or Twin Ignition Startup Garage).
7. Live and Interactive Video Featuring Local Vibes
Live video continues to thrive as a component in Video Marketing Strategy. Whether you’re launching a new flavor at Sebastian Joe’s or hosting a panel at Techstars Minneapolis, going live makes your content feel immediate and authentic.
Use Cases:
Facebook or Instagram Live: “Come with us to Stone Arch Bridge Festival.”
LinkedIn Live: “Meet the Founders of Minnesota-Made Brands.”
TikTok Live: “Behind the Scenes of our setup at Bauhaus Brew Labs.”
Add interactive elements like:
Q&As about local topics (“Best lake for kayaking?”)
Live giveaways (“First 10 to comment get a free T-shirt”)
Polls about Minnesota quirks (“Lefse or Lutefisk?”)
8. Storytelling That Reflects Minnesota Values
We Minnesotans love real talk. We value honesty, perseverance, and people who do good in their communities. Let that shine through in your videos.
Tell Stories Like:
How your Duluth startup got its first customer
What inspired your St. Paul art collective
How you support local causes like Second Harvest Heartland or YouthLink
Whether you’re a nonprofit in Mankato or a B-Corp in North Loop, people want to support brands with heart.
Keep branding consistent — from your visual tone to your accent (we see you, “Uff da”).
9. Accessibility & Multilingual Content for Minnesota’s Diversity
From Somali neighborhoods in Cedar-Riverside to the Hmong community in St. Paul, Minnesota is home to a diverse and growing population. Make sure your videos are inclusive.
Accessibility Tips:
Caption everything (tools like Kapwing and Zubtitle make it easy).
Offer translations in Somali, Hmong, or Spanish when possible.
Use diverse voices and faces in your content.
It’s not just good ethics — it’s good business. Accessibility helps you reach a wider audience, build genuine local connection and sets your Video Marketing Strategy apart from others.
10. Videos That Support the Whole Funnel (And Real Goals)
Video is not just for awareness. It can:
Drive traffic to your store in Maple Grove
Increase appointments for your clinic in Eagan
Boost pre-orders for your locally-made product line
Integrate video into:
Email campaigns with tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact Minnesota partners.
Landing pages for events like Twin Cities Startup Week or MN Tech for Good.
QR code signage at farmers markets or in-store displays.
Final Thoughts: Minnesota Nice Meets Digital Savvy
In Minnesota, people do business with people they trust — and nothing builds that trust faster than smart, authentic, well-timed video. Whether you’re showcasing your small business in St. Cloud or running a media company in Uptown, including these ten components in your 2025 video marketing strategy will give you the edge.
Remember: keep it real, keep it useful, and keep it local, that the best Video Marketing Strategy