What is a Promo Video and How to Create a Perfect One?

Everything in today’s world needs an introduction. Be it the next thriller movie or a product launch, the teaser/trailer says much about what's coming and what the audience can expect. The same goes for corporates. Corporates and Brands launching their new product or marketing campaigns can benefit significantly from promotional (promo) videos. 

Corporate Promotional Videos are short videos that are meant to generate actions from the audience. They are videos created to promote your product or service in a visually compelling way. Be it a product purchase or a newsletter subscription, corporate promotional videos are meant to generate curiosity among the audience so that they keep coming back for more.

In this blog post, we will be learning about why and when to use promotional videos. We will also learn about the different types of promo videos and how to use them to capture new audiences and retain older audiences. We will also cover promo video examples to inspire you and get started with your own promo videos.

Why use Promo videos?

One of the main benefits of promo videos is that they are effective in communicating a message quickly and efficiently. Unlike lengthy product demonstrations or presentations, promo videos are designed to deliver a powerful message in a short amount of time. This is especially important given the decreasing attention span of viewers in today's fast-paced digital world.

When done right, corporate promo videos can be an incredible tool for businesses and individuals to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and drive conversions. They can be used to promote products, services, events, or even a brand's mission and values. By creating a compelling video that resonates with your target audience, you can effectively communicate your message and stand out from your competition.

Different types of Promo Videos

Promo videos come in a wide variety of forms, each with a distinct function and aesthetic. Among the most popular styles of promotional videos are:

Product Demo Videos: These videos showcase a product's features, benefits, and functionality, and are designed to demonstrate how the product works.

An entertaining, instructive, and visually appealing video makes an effective product demo video. It should highlight the product's distinctive selling characteristics and show how it can add value to the audience’s life. A quality product demo video can also aid to win over potential consumers' confidence and credibility and persuade them to buy.

Here’s a promo video example,

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Event Promo Videos: These videos are used to promote upcoming events, such as conferences, concerts, and festivals. Promo Videos for Events are intended to generate excitement and anticipation for the event by showcasing highlights from previous events, interviews with participants, and providing information about the event's schedule and activities.

The main purpose of Promo Videos for Events is to give viewers a glimpse into what they can expect from the event and to encourage them to attend.

Example,

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Brand Promo Videos: These videos are designed to promote a brand's mission, values, and personality. These videos are intended to create an emotional connection with the audience.

A Brand Promo Video should be visually engaging, emotionally compelling, and provide a clear understanding of the brand's values and personality. These videos often feature a mix of live-action footage, animation, and graphics to convey the brand's message in a visually compelling way.

Example,

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Demo Explainer Videos: These videos are used to explain complex concepts, processes, or products in a simple and engaging way. These videos are typically short and concise and use animation or motion graphics to illustrate the information being presented.

A Demo Explainer Video should be clear, concise, and easy to understand, using visuals and simple language to break down complex concepts into digestible pieces of information, to inspire the viewer to come back for more.

Have a look at this promo video example, 

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Testimonial Videos: Testimonial Videos are a type of corporate promotional video that feature satisfied customers or clients sharing their experiences with a product or service. They are designed to build trust and credibility with potential customers, by showcasing the positive experiences of others who have used the product or service.

A Testimonial Video should feature authentic, honest feedback from satisfied customers, and should showcase the benefits and advantages of the product or service in a compelling way.

Example,

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Social Media Ads: According to a recent report, 58% of viewers will watch the entirety of a business video if it’s less than 60 seconds long.

Short and attention-grabbing videos are designed to promote a product or service on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. These videos are typically designed to quickly capture the viewer's attention and communicate the key benefits and features of the product or service being promoted.

A Social Media Ad should be visually engaging, with bold and attention-grabbing graphics and text, and should be designed to work without sound (ideally with subtitles of your intent is to use a voiceover), as many viewers will be watching with the sound off. They should also include a clear call-to-action, inviting viewers to learn more about the product or service being promoted.

Example,

How to Create Effective Promo Videos

As a video production company, here are some technical tips to help you create effective promo videos:

1. Use high-quality equipment: Invest in high-quality cameras (like the Sony A7S III or the Canon C300 Mark III), lighting (Aputure Light Storm LS C300d.), and audio equipment to ensure that your video looks and sounds professional.

2. Choose the right format: Select a video format that is appropriate for your message and audience. For example, a vertical format may work better for social media platforms like Instagram, while a horizontal format may be more suitable for YouTube. For a social media promo video, choose a vertical format optimized for Instagram, such as 1080x1920 pixels.

3. Use engaging visuals: Use visually engaging footage, such as interesting camera angles, close-ups, and slow-motion shots, to capture the viewer's attention. For example, for a fashion brand, the production company might use high-quality close-up shots of the fabric, stitching, and details of the clothing, along with slow-motion footage of models walking on a runway.

4. Optimize for different platforms: Different platforms may have different requirements for video length, format, and aspect ratio. To optimize a promo video for YouTube, a production company might create a horizontal video in a 16:9 aspect ratio, with a length of 2-3 minutes. Make sure to optimize your video for each platform to ensure maximum engagement.

5. Incorporate animation and graphics: Animated elements and graphics can help to illustrate complex concepts or add visual interest to your video. For a children's toy product, 2D animation Studios might use animated characters and graphics to create a playful and fun atmosphere. The video could feature animated characters playing with the toy, along with colorful graphics and text to highlight the product's features and benefits.

6. Edit professionally: Effective video editing is key to creating a polished and engaging video. Use editing software like, Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro to cut, trim, and arrange footage, and add effects, music, and text.

7. Include a strong call-to-action: Make sure to include a clear call-to-action (such as "Download the app today and start your fitness journey”) at the end of your video, inviting viewers to take a specific action such as visiting your website, following your social media channels, or making a purchase.

Use Storytelling in Promo Videos 

Storytelling is an effective way to create a connection with the audience and convey the message of a promo video in a more compelling and memorable way.

Develop a clear story arc that draws the audience in and keeps them engaged throughout the video. It's important to ensure that the story aligns with the brand's message and values. Use the story to illustrate how the product or service solves a problem or fulfills a need, and create a connection between the story and the brand.

Use characters that the audience can relate to and connect with, and avoid polarizing figures that may turn some viewers off. Create a character that your target audience can see themselves in, with relatable struggles and aspirations.

Edit the video to maximize its storytelling impact, removing any elements that don't move the story forward. Review the video with an eye for pacing, and cut out any unnecessary scenes or dialogue. Visuals and sound can add depth and emotion to a story. Use music, sound effects, and voice-over narration to create a mood or tone that enhances the story, and use visuals to illustrate key moments or emotions.

Make the video visually appealing with eye-catching visuals, camera angles, and fonts. Use color grading and effects to make the video visually interesting, and consider how the visuals can help convey the story. Storyboarding helps in visualizing the camera angles and the props needed to be used in each shot and will lead to powerful storytelling.

Using storytelling in Promo Videos is more engaging and memorable than a straightforward list of product features and creates an emotional connection with the audience. 

Conclusion

In today's world, where attention spans are shorter than ever, creating an effective promo video is crucial for engaging your audience and promoting your product or service. By incorporating engaging visuals, animation and graphics, storytelling, and editing techniques, you can create a promo video that captures your audience's attention and communicates your message in a memorable way. 

With the right approach and attention to detail, a promo video can be a powerful marketing tool that helps you stand out in a crowded marketplace and achieve your business goals. Contact us and create your promo video today.