Storytelling is the heart of any video. I stress that a lot here at Video Production Tips.
For novice video makers, there’s no doubt in my mind that grasping the art of visual storytelling is absolutely the most difficult thing. Screwing a camera onto a tripod and plugging in a few lights is one thing. Using that camera, plus other confusing equipment, to tell a story takes a different mindset and train of thought.
I get lots of questions from VPT readers on this subject. So I created this post to show you more examples of a creative, effective video marketing campaign.
Dissecting the efforts of others can help promote ideas in your own head if you are not sure where to start. There’s usually a basic formula you can follow. Formulas never sound too creative and they aren’t. But formulas are your foundation. You add creative juice to the basic storytelling formula.
As a seasoned video storyteller, I’d say creativity often comes in the details of precisely what story you end up telling. Precisely what characters you create and develop. Precisely what adventures you have them endure. Precisely what visual and auditory elements you create and select to convey information and emotion to the viewer.
In other words, DETAILS.
The campaign I show you in this VPT Blog post includes not only the creative use of video and You Tube marketing, it also features a $2,500 prize. Nothing like prize money to create positive attention and boost your marketing efforts. This campaign also relies heavily on that tried-and-true attention getter…the Yuck Factor.
Well…what do you call eating dog food?
This online video marketing campaign is the effort of a company named Pace Butler near where I live in Oklahoma City. Their business is used cell phones. They make money if they convince you to send them your unwanted cell phones for recycling. Most people do not even know that option exists, so lots of cell phones are left to gather dust in a drawer. But wait! You can make money off them by selling them to Pace Butler!
Spreading that word is the company’s main goal of course.
So far their online video efforts are working. Volume is up; more phones are coming in the door.
How did they do it?
One way was to dump one ton of cell phones on top of a shiny Camaro while at least five video cameras were rolling. Yes, they trashed a perfectly good car. Sounds like Hollywood!
By doing so, they created a visually wonderful gimmick designed to set people’s jaws flapping. And their “forward” buttons clicking. The recipe for a viral video sensation!
Listen to everyone say, “You’ve gotta see this shot! It’s a hoot!”
Crunch! Over and over.
Makes for great video. (The giant Iguana ain’t bad either.)
Once you learn the behind the scenes tricks, you realize the car wasn’t really such a hot rod, but making it look like one helped tell the story.
Watch the video review I made and see what you think. I hope my dissecting this very creative video campaign gives you lots of ideas for your own video marketing campaign.
How can you wrap excitement and visual drama around your product? Start with characters on a mission and go from there! If you are interested in visual storytelling, my free course goes into detail on the subject by dissecting an original comedy holiday special that won several prestigious awards. You can sign up for this free video making course here.
Thanks for reading Video Production Tips.
Lorraine Grula
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3 Comment(s)
By used sprint phones on | Reply
This is a very interesting post. Thanks for the information that you shared. Using videos is a good strategy in spreading the word that there are companies that buy used cell phones as well as sell used cell phones that are in good working condition. A lot of people could save money in both ways.
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hello used sprint phones
I guess you now a little something about recycling cell phones! Video is a great way to spread the word about anything. Thanks for visiting video production tips.
Lorraine
By ny video production on | Reply
I really like your post . It’s really interesting and informative. I really appreciate that .Thanks for sharing such a valuable information with us.