Startup Video Advice

Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes In Your Startup Video

Startups are popping up all over the place and there’s a lot of competition. One approach that some of them are taking is releasing a quick informative video to help get the word out in a creative and fun way. While this is a great move in terms of strategy, sometimes these videos can go wrong. Here’s some mistakes to avoid:

[success]1. Reputation[/success]

worldwide-world-conection-communication-If you’re a startup, own the fact that you’re a startup. We’re all for having big dreams and going for them, but don’t claim to be something you’re not in your video. Avoid using phrases like “we’re viral” or “a world-wide success”. Keep it simple and just give people a reason to watch the video without trying so hard to impress them.

[framed_box width=”0″ height=”0″]Related Topic: 4 Things Your Website Has To Have[/framed_box]

[success]2. Call To Action[/success]

telcoGood videos will end with something like “Check out our website” or “Like us on Facebook”, which is a nice little nudge to encourage the viewer to find out more about you. However, putting in calls to action that sound more like sales pitches are the wrong way to go. Remember who this video is for, don’t even think about asking for investors via video, and we certainly don’t recommend mentioning any of the following: NDA’s, limited time to learn ‘trade secrets’, or how your business is the next Facebook/Twitter.

[framed_box width=”0″ height=”0″]Related Topic:Get Involved in The Startup Community[/framed_box]

[success]3. Length[/success]

graphics-display-view-screen-tv(1)Keep it at a minute if you can, a minute and a half is pushing it. Any video – live action or animated – that’s longer than 90 seconds will not have the same effect as a shorter, more compact video. Why? Because people don’t want to hear you talking about why your business is so great for longer than that. Here’s how the outline should go: Introduction, brief explanation, call to action and end. Remember, less is always more.

[error]What are some of your pet peeves in videos used to promote businesses? Which ones are your favorite or most successful? Comment and let us know.[/error]

photo credit: Anz-i via photopin cc

5 Comments

  • Sara says:

    Very informative post! I completely agree with the length aspect. Before I watch a video, I check to see how long it is and if it is over 2 or 3 minutes, I will most likely exit. All of the information you need to convey can fit into 60 seconds or less and will be easier to remember.

  • Edvin says:

    I have been checking this blog every day.
    Looks like you guys know what are you talking about.
    It’s great work 🙂
    Keep going

  • Vusi Sibanda says:

    You have mentioned some very good points. Videos should always be something fun and exciting (yet informative) to watch. Videos really shouldn’t be too long; people usually get bored after 70-90 seconds.

  • Arriety says:

    I think it’s too risky saying stuffs like “we are worldwide famous”, because if they’re not, viewers might instantly find them liars! I also have the same opinion what you wrote about call to action and length. Keep writing!

  • Sayem Ahmed says:

    This is definitely very helpful. Many marketers are guilty of creating absurd startup videos, they should take a look at this article. This article really talks about some valid points regarding startup videos.

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