Life is a little bit different now: pajamas are acceptable work attire, kids popping into video calls is normal, and we rely even more heavily on technology for social connection.
Thanks to live video (Zoom, Hangouts, Marco Polo, etc), we have adapted to our limited contact world. And while a socially distanced world can cramp our style, creative uses of explainer videos can help business thrive and communicate in impactful new ways.
When used properly, video is one of the best ways to educate and inform an audience. Unlike text or audio alone, it has the benefit of telling and showing. A clear, concise video can help your audience quickly understand difficult topics, retain new information, and win you fans in the process!
Even with all of these benefits, it can be challenging to know where and how you should invest, especially in an uncertain economic environment. Fortunately, there are creative ways you can use explainer videos to communicate with your audience and gain a healthy return on your investment.
Safety Videos
A video that explains what you are doing to keep your customers safe from Covid-19, can go a long way in getting them to return to your establishment. The same goes for your employees. People are smart and appreciate clear, concise, and honest communication. Doing so will help you build trust and show that you respect their health, safety, and time.
“Getting Started” Videos
When rolling out a product or service that requires a large workforce or userbase, video can quickly and effectively deliver information people need to know. When writing the script, consider including answers to commonly asked questions. A video that teaches your audience how to get started while addressing common questions increases your odds of success. With one video, you can reduce the time and customer service resources you need to support the launch of a new product or service.
HR, Compliance, and Diversity Training Videos
How many HR and compliance videos have made you want to take a nap, or worse, quit your job? If you’re looking to lead on social issues or change your company culture, a video can be a compelling way to train. When approaching topics, especially sensitive ones, such as diversity training, ask: is there a way to use a story to help make the point? Stories can leave a lasting impression on your audience. Sometimes the visuals tell the story with background narration. Other times, you can use real-life stories or even generic narratives that help teach a point. Whichever option you choose, your audience will thank you for not boring them with another bulleted PowerPoint training.
Testimonial Videos
Traditional testimonial videos are more difficult now than ever before. Instead of getting your clients on camera, something that’s difficult even without the challenges of a pandemic, consider a recorded phone call with your client. The audio recording can then be cut into highlights and turned into a short animated testimonial video. If needed, you can add professional voice talent to narrate the video and make it flow more smoothly. This saves your clients the anxiety of having to appear on camera, eliminates the cost and headache of on-site video production, and creates a Covid-safe workflow without the need to interact in person.
White Paper Video Summaries
White papers are typically full of useful information your team can share with prospects to help make a sale. If your prospects are busy, it’s likely to be difficult to get them to engage with a white paper. A short video summary of the white paper can be a great way to extend the reach of your sales team and pique your prospects interest in learning more. An effective video can generate interest in your product or service and give your sales team an increased chance to close the deal, even without the typical in-person meetings.
Investing in Video With Limited Budgets
When deciding how much to spend on your next video, it’s important to understand your objectives and audience for the video. Who do you want to view the video and what do you want them to learn or do? Do you want it to run for six months or six years? Do you need it completed quickly? Your objectives and audience will determine the style and length of the video. The style and length will impact the cost. If you want the video to have a long shelf life, you might want to consider something more polished, since you have longer to enjoy the returns of your investment. If visual quality is less important (perhaps it’s only going to an internal audience) or you need to communicate a message quickly, you can cut costs and speed production by using simple graphics and basic animation.
You will have a lot of choices to make about your video, but if nothing else, please remember this one important tip:
Invest in script development.
A bad script will result in an ineffective video, even if you pay for Pixar-level visuals (which is why Pixar spends so much time and effort on their scripts)! The old adage that “content is king” still reigns supreme today. Choose a company who specializes in crafting clear and concise explainer video scripts.
While professional and personal worlds have been tipped every way, video can still help you stand out from your competition and develop trust from a safe distance.