They say that learning from your mistakes is a good way to learn. But a far more effective, less costly and less time consuming method is to learn from the mistakes of others, so you can avoid making them in the first place.
In this post I’ll outline 5 common mistakes that are made in corporate video production. By avoiding these costly errors you will end up with a piece of communication that is more clear, concise and effective.
Too Long
It’s a safe bet that most viewers of your corporate video are short of time and have ever-diminishing attention spans. They’d like you to get to the point so that they can gather the information they’re looking for and then move on to their next task. If your corporate video is too long, you run the risk of viewers switching off before they’ve received your core message.
Too Many Messages
Often there can be a temptation to try to cover as much as you can in a corporate video. But by cramming too much disparate information together, you run the risk of diluting the message. It’s far more effective to focus on one clear goal and communicate that directly and succinctly.
Inauthenticity
Contrived scenarios, overacting and fake situations are a turn off. Viewers are far more interested in genuine stories, real people, and situations that they can relate to. Often it’s more effective to feature real people in your videos who are familiar with the situation, rather than casting actors with little empathy for the challenges and requirements of the situation.
Style over Substance
Sophisticated motion graphics and rapid fire editing look cool, but do they enhance the video’s ability to communicate? Sometimes over-editing or too many effects can obscure the power of a video. Often simple, direct and professional is the way to go.
No call to action
Once viewers reach the end of the corporate video, it’s important to let them know what next action would help them best. Would you like them to contact you, fill in a form, or visit your website? If so, let them know.
Having a strategy or plan to begin with can ensure you steer clear of these mistakes. Have a look here at our tips for making a video production plan.
If you have questions about how to get the best results for your corporate video, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Ryan Spanger is one of Melbourne’s most respected and sought-after video production professionals. Ryan founded Dream Engine in 2002, and specialises in helping medium to large corporates, government departments, and the non-profit sector to connect with their audience more effectively by using video.
