Video Blog (vLog)
Commonly known as a vLog, these videos are like a visual blog post. They range in length from less than a minute to over any limit we’d suggest. Most times a vLog will focus on a single topic or overall idea. vLogs use many cuts, text, animations, and graphics to keep a viewer watching and are usually fast-paced to be more engaging. They work well when embedded in a blog post, and as a portion of your YouTube channel. (Note: not pronounced “vee-log” – rather vhlug or something like that!)
Video Newsletter
Also known as a vLetter, these videos are sent out in email blasts to update your audience on what’s going on with your business. Updates can be purely informational (stats and data) or can be more on the humorous side. Either way, these videos give your existing customers a peek into what’s going on with you and your company.
Social Media Teaser Video
Usually shorter than 60 seconds, social media videos are bite-sized videos made to grab viewers’ attention in an already crowded newsfeed. While a social media video could be a stand-alone video, it’s also possible (and encouraged) to take a short snippet from a longer video and repurpose it for social platforms.
Edutainment Video (Education + Entertainment)
When you blend education with entertainment you get edutainment! These videos are like training videos with a funny or entertaining twist. The goal is to educate the viewer on something specific, but using an entertaining style so they don’t feel like they’re watching a training video. Edutainment videos are a longer form video.
Animated Explainer Video
Animated explainer videos have become prominent in the past few years. They exist to explain your company’s mission, or product/service, all done through simple animations set to a voiceover. They feature lots of movement and are an engaging way for potential customers to learn about you. Animated Explainer videos are usually short, between 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
Branded Films
Branded content is rising in popularity, and many brands are leveraging these kinds of videos to reach their audience. They can be stand-alone short films or a full-on streaming series on a platform like Netflix. (Yes, brands have done this!) They’re cinematic in style, narrative in structure, and often feature some sort of indirect reference to the brand’s products or services. Ideally, when done well, branded content is less obvious compared to a product advertisement. These videos can range in length and tend to be longer form videos comparable to television segments.
Tutorial Videos
Also known as “How-To” videos, Tutorial videos teach viewers how to do something in practical steps. They can be about anything, from beauty tutorials to how to ride a bike, to fixing your faucet. Viewers walk away with new knowledge about a skill they previously didn’t possess or details of a skill they have but in which they don’t currently excel. Shorter is better in a Tutorial video and if a topic is complicated, then a series of tutorials is better than one long video.
Company Culture Video
These videos pull back the curtain and show viewers what it’s like to work at your company. Often aimed at new hires or potential recruits, this is a chance for a business to show off what it’s like working there. Just as every business culture is different, every company culture video is unique.
Personalized Video Messages
It’s like a personal letter but in a video! These are used to send a message to new clients, subscribers, hires, or others. They’re often recorded on a smartphone, or an in-browser tool like Wistia’s Soapbox, so they’re low on production quality but are useful when a personal touch is required.
360 Video
Gaining popularity in the last couple of years, a 360 video is where the viewer can click and scroll to move the “camera” 360 degrees or use a VR headset for an immersive experience. Most major social media support this type of video platform, and they’re designed to invite the viewer into an experience. (Facebook and YouTube, in particular, are platforms with this option.) A 360 video could be a standalone video, or it could tie into an already existing video or video series, or it could provide “Behind-the-scenes” footage to show the making of an experience.
Immersive Video
Another new type of video increasing in popularity is immersive video. It consists of Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR). These videos totally immerse the viewer into the video through a VR headset or add a “digital layer” to reality using a smartphone or other device. Immersive videos are quite interactive, and like 360 videos, they are designed to deliver an experience to the viewer. Immersive videos can also be completely digital/3D animations instead of recorded 360 videos.