6 Types of Small Business Videos That Tell a Story
If you're ready to make interesting videos that tell your story, show authenticity, and build your credibility, use these six video types as inspiration.
Videos have taken the throne of the world of content. In fact, 85% of people would like to see more videos from brands in 2021. Their engaging and compelling format is what keeps the users' eyes on the screen. What videos can do for your small business is to help you tell your story.
The connection with consumers is built through familiarity, emotion, and closeness. Videos can help you with that.
As a small fish in a big pond, you need to win over your consumers with your originality. In a video-consuming society, videos are the right tool for achieving that goal.
Use videos to show your authenticity, build your credibility and share your values. If you are ready to make interesting videos that tell your story, consider the following video types as your tool.
1. Introduction Video
People love a good personal and inspirational story. Introduce your business in a way that will help the consumers get to know you.
Approach the introduction video with care. You want to reveal just enough to create familiarity, but not too much to bore the users.
The Founders Brewing Company’s video simply named “The Story” is a great example. They shared who they were and where they came from and still managed to make the video relevant to their audience.
What you can share in the introduction video is:
● The origin of the idea to start your small business
● Your motivation for starting the business
● The challenges you had to face
● The vision that kept you going
● The team that had your back
The story of your business’s origins is the best story to evoke emotions. Such a story humanizes your business. It emphasizes your uniqueness and creates a bond with your consumers.
2. Product Explainer Video
Explainer videos are widely popular. They allow companies to introduce their products better, and they help consumers understand what they are investing their money in.
The explainer video format doesn’t need to be boring. You can create animated, screen-cast, or live-action explainer videos. Present your products in a captivating way that will evoke users’ desire to become a part of that story.
Let’s take Wonderbly’s video as an example. Wonderbly creates personalized books for children. They opted for an animated video format that brings their products to life. With great illustrations and exciting music, they perfectly reflect the joy that children can experience with their books.
3. Customer Testimonials Video
There's no better way to prove yourself than to show the smiling faces of your satisfied customers. A customer testimonial video can be more worthy than the best-written copy on your website.
Without a reputation that big companies have, video testimonials can be your ace in the sleeve. Customers need to see with their own eyes that your business has made people happy.
To create a testimonial video, you want to get in touch with your loyal customers. Interview real customers. Their truthful impressions will add to the video’s value.
For additional authenticity, capture actual reactions. That’s exactly what Magic Flask did. Check out their inventive take on customer testimonial video.
4. Behind-the-Scenes Video
Consumers’ trust won’t fall into your lap. You’ve got to earn it.
Behind-the-scenes videos are a terrific way of giving consumers a sneak peek of what makes you a trustworthy business. This type of video can reflect that the promises you make you intend to keep.
For example, The Botanist Gin created a video that proves how their products are a labor of love. The video shows the whole story from picking fresh ingredients to finalizing the product.
Let the consumers see how you get the job done. The more they know about your processes, the easier they’ll put their trust in you.
If you are a software or service company, you can give them a glimpse of how your workday looks like. Show them your dedicated employees, your streamlined processes, and your enthusiasm.
5. Educational Videos
You are the experts in what you do. Use your knowledge to educate wide masses and build your credibility along the way.
In addition to educational materials, present to the viewers how you apply the knowledge that you are sharing. They’ll get to learn a little bit more about your processes while attaining new information.
A pool construction company, River Pools, consistently uses educational videos to engage potential clients. Their employees answer typical consumers’ questions in the videos such as important decisions to make or how to maintain the pools.
The topics you cover should be in your niche. If you need inspiration, visit this page and browse free essay samples and flashcards on various topics that can give you fresh ideas.
The educational-focused strategy can help you establish authority. Be the business to whom people come for advice.
6. Live Videos
If you have an exciting event or moment coming up, stream it. Live videos have that raw and real energy that is very much missed in this Photoshop-driven society.
You must wait for a good live video chance. Otherwise, the video will have no effect.
The type of moments you can record is your employee's 10-year-at-your-company anniversary, the launch of a new product, or making your 500th order.
Use a social media platform where most of your users are to make this type of video. The platforms you can use for live video streaming are:
● Twitch
Live videos let the audience be a part of your story. They get to see your drive, excitement, and commitment to the job you do. Knowing that there are no edits, no must-follow scripts, or other arrangements, the consumers will know that what they see is the real image of your business.
How to Make a Good Video
Before we part ways, let us leave you with a few valuable tips on crafting effective videos. If you want to make videos that tell the story of your small business, keep this in mind:
● Write a great script (your words have power)
● Keep it short (videos around 1 minute or less are best for keeping the audience’s attention till the end)
● Use everyday language (avoid technical terms and jargon)
● Show your personality
● Let the camera run to capture real and honest moments
● Hire a good editor (editing can do wonders)
Final Thoughts
Videos are an amazing storytelling tool. Don’t just say what you can do for customers, show it.
No matter what type of video you opt for, there is a unique opportunity for winning over new customers with every video. Give videos a try and watch as your small business gets the attention, acknowledgment, and appreciation it deserves.
