2021 Top 12 Video Content Categories to Engage Viewers

November 11, 2021
Contents

Video is not a new form of content that sprung overnight and became incredibly famous. It has been around for quite some time. The first-ever video ad aired in 1941 When the Philadelphia Phillies were facing the Brooklyn Dodgers on July 1st, 1941, the commercial played for the first time. "America runs on Bulova time!", That's what the ad said. It was short and sweet, and it was new. Since then we have been seeing commercials between our favorite sitcoms and in movie theatres. But in 2021, the video content has evolved and adapted. The need for the 1940s was different. We did not have smartphones or the internet. But in 2021, we have smartphones as well as the internet. The taste of the audience has changed.

It was predicted that in 2021, a person would consume 100 minutes worth of video content a day! But the truth is that we consume more than that. Every day, we stream our favorite shows on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney, and many more. We constantly scroll through the range of videos on social media. Instagram and Tiktok have made producing video content easier than ever!

There has never been a time when video content has been consumed in such a big way. This is the cue for marketers to leverage video content for their brands. According to HubSpot, 84% of marketers believe that videos help to generate leads. There are statistics everywhere that prove that video is fast becoming a marketing tool. Only a fool would not consider using it. There are many goals of creating video content, may it be increasing sales or marketing your product.

Goals of creating video content

The Bulova ad commercial all those years ago had many goals. The ad was meant to introduce the brand to the audience, it was also meant to create brand awareness. Similarly, every piece of video content you create needs to have a goal. Your video may not tick all the boxes here but make sure your ad has a definite, achievable goal.

  • Boost Brand Awareness: The primary goal of a video ad is to create brand awareness among the audience. People need to know about your brand or they won't buy from you.
  • Create engaging video content: An ad will only be effective if the audience remembers your brand. So, your goal should be to create engaging video ads to hook them in.
  • Building brand credibility: After introducing your brand, you need to prove that your brand is trustworthy. Brand credibility can come from creating testimonial video ads or customer satisfaction ads like Healthify does.
  • More conversions: Most companies create video ads to increase conversions, to convert the leads into customers. Your video ads can do that if you provide an effective CTA at the end of your ads.

These are the main goals for creating video content. Brands want to reach more audiences and video content helps them to do so. However, with the increasing demand for video content, it may be hard to stand out. That's why you must create engaging content. Below we have mentioned the top engaging video content types. You can use these ideas to get ahead of the curve or level the playing field.

Types of Video Content

1. Explainer Videos

What is the purpose of your brand? What kind of product or service do you offer? If your brand is complex to understand, an explainer video would make things simple for your target audience. Explainer videos start with a problem, then you introduce a solution, or how your company provides the solution, the final step in the explainer video is a simple CTA.

Now, most SaaS companies are using these kinds of videos to explain their services. They mostly use short animated videos with voiceovers to explain their company services to potential customers.

https://youtu.be/ZUG9qYTJMsI

This remarkable and engaging explainer video by Dollar Shave Club is a burning example that you do not need celebrities endorsing your products. Your brand's video can just have you and your brand, and it will still resonate with an average person.

2. Behind the Scenes Videos

When we are talking about video marketing and video content types, Behind the scenes is a huge hit among the audience. Recently Kylie Jenner relaunched her brand of cosmetics, called Kylie Cosmetics. On July 15th, all her products were rebranded to be vegan and cruelty-free. Before that, Kylie Jenner posted a behind-the-scenes video of her launching Kylie Cosmetics.

The video garnered millions of views on YouTube, and it became a huge success. Behind the scenes, videos humanize your brand. Often customers can feel estranged from a company. But BTS video blogs appeal to a diverse audience. It not only grabs the audience's attention but it introduces them to your real world. They get to see what happens behind the curtain. You can make BTS videos like One day in the life of (Brand name), What goes on behind the scenes, etc.

BTS videos cater to the audience's curiosity about your product and company. These personalized videos when posted across various social media channels like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram can not only attract new viewers but new buyers.

3. How-to videos

How-to videos or tutorial videos dominate the major video streaming platforms like YouTube. They have the highest traction over other forms of videos. Generally, people search for solutions on the internet, like how to fix my frozen laptop, how to bake a cake, how to cut my own hair. The internet is flooded with tutorial videos.

You can use the demand to your benefit. Create how-to videos that are relevant in your niche and try embedding your brand subtly into the how-to video.

This tutorial by Offeo suggests how to create a consistent Instagram feed, and how we can help with it. The point of tutorials is you need to offer a solution to your target audience. Offer a simple solution that your service solves, let your video say that for you. A great how-to video has proper steps, clearly defined instructions, a visual representation of the steps, and a clear voiceover. You can also use animation to create a fun how-to video.

4. Testimonial videos

When you want to build brand trust, this is the best type of video content you can make for the audience. Testimonial videos are videos where your customers share their experiences with your product/ service. Many brands use these types of videos to enhance brand loyalty.

Dove has been known for its customer-centric advertisements. This video ad features Molly Burke who used Dove Body wash and found it extremely fascinating. Molly suffers from loss of vision because of which she is more attuned with her other senses. This testimonial video instantly hits home.

More often when you have prospective new customers, they look for reviews. What better way to advertise than use your current customers to create an attention-grabbing video? Customer testimonials establish trust, unlike any other video format.

5. Event videos

Video marketing has changed the game. Every brand in 2021 knows that to make a mark you have to use videos. Event videos are a recording of a live event organized by your company. You can keep it short and only highlight the major events, or you can keep it real and long.

The event video is from Apple in 2019, during the launch of the iPhone 11. It is an hour-long video but it has many millions of views on YT. The reason being people who couldn't attend the event watched the event video. There are two options you can use for taking your events to your customers and followers.

  • You can record the event live, and edit it later and post it on your social media accounts.
  • Or you can go live, during the event on your major social media platforms like Facebook, or Instagram.

6. Live videos

Another video content type is "live videos". Many influencers and brands use live streams to connect with the audience. It is a great example of bonding with your audience, even when they aren't physically present.

If 2020 has taught us anything, that is anything can be virtual, office meetings, yoga sessions, and even Birthday parties. Going live will help you achieve

  • Improved connection with the target audience
  • Better interaction between brand and customers
  • Building loyalty among customers.
  • Building a trusted online community

Live streaming is just what you need to communicate with your audience better. Go live at least once a week, to keep in touch with the community. Or you can also use the live feature for an upcoming event. Both ways, it works wonders.

7. User-generated content videos

Nowadays social media has become the virtual home for many. To create online social proof of your existence, you need to be active on social media. Small businesses on Instagram are masters at leveraging user-generated content.

In other words, they encourage their audience and customers to share their pictures, videos using the products. These videos provide traction on social media because the engagement is more. When you include your customer's content in your marketing videos, it not only becomes user-generated but also becomes a testimonial video. You hit two birds with one stone.

Instagram has given rise to the new era of user-generated content. If you are looking for a way to build and expand your social media community, this can help you.

8. Company culture video

Sometimes advertising is so much more than increasing sales. Company culture videos are an integral part of marketing strategy. It also helps with hiring the right talent for your brand.

A company culture video is about your brand beliefs, goals, and story. It should encapsulate the company's value. You can make company culture videos by showcasing how the business works. Employees can be included in these videos. BTS videos are mostly company culture content that highlights how a business works.

B2B businesses can profit extremely from the company culture content. It not only shows your potential clients what your company is about but also attracts leading brands and potential leaders in your niche towards your company. In the future, it can also encourage people to work for you.

9. Product videos

A content marketing strategy in 2021 without an appealing product video is criminal. You need to focus on selling your brand to people. A product video is brief descriptive content that showcases your product and what it does.

This marketing video is of Sony advertising its headphones. The video focuses on zooming in and flaunting the product. It also highlights the defining features like - bass, charging power, water resistance, etc. The key to dear a successful product video is to champion your product. Use clear video and show your product from every possible angle, so the customers can visualize what the product looks like in person.

  • Clear, high-quality video of the product
  • 360° representation of the product
  • Highlight the top product features in bold font
  • Catchy music that does not overwhelm the buyer
  • 2-3 seconds into the video, show the product name and hype it up.
  • Add CTA at the end of the video so the viewers know where to get their hands on your product.

Product videos are meant to be the backbone of your video marketing strategy, so be extra creative with it.

10. Q&A videos

Customers always have a ton of questions. It is always smart to be a step ahead and answer those questions in advance. Q&A videos are consumed by curious viewers who want to learn more about you.

A great way to learn about burning questions is by using social media to your advantage. Instagram has many stickers, one of them is "Ask me anything", you can use this sticker to let your followers ask you their queries. After assimilating the questions, create a video that includes all the answers.

Q&A videos create a trusting bond between viewers and the creator because you provide them with answers. It offers viewers the answers they were looking for.

11. Branded docu-series

How-tos and product review types of video are amazing to reach an audience. However, if you want to do something unique and exciting a brand's docu-series would be great. But it comes with high risk and effort.

A branded docu-series needs to be creative and out of the box. For example, if you are a talent acquisition agency, you can make a mini docu-series about "Angela" a girl looking for creating an impact.

However, creating a branded docu-series is tricky and you need to pay attention to a few things.

  • Have a coherent storyline
  • Keep the videos short, so the audience sticks around to see them.
  • A few episodes would do, do not make it abnormally lengthy.
  • Use animation if you can.

Shooting a docu-series can be expensive as well. So, if you are not equipped to handle it, better to steer clear.

12. Branded short film

Many marketers stick to the good ol' product or company video on the landing page. That's how far they go but if you want to stand out you need to try different things. A branded short film with your product placed in it is going to work wonders with the viewers.

https://youtu.be/aD4YqhjWddw

This badass short film was shot by Clive Owen for BMW. What better way to showcase your car, than in a car chase? BMW took traditional advertising and morphed it into something more powerful.

You can also create branded short films for your brand. Try collecting ideas on how to champion your product in the video. Think of new talent you can use in your videos. Just let the creative juices flowing. If you are bold enough to take the risk, a well-thought-out branded short film would do your company much good.

Conclusion

The era of video marketing has picked pace. It has changed the way customers view products. Marketers and industry professionals know that just creating videos isn't going to be enough. You have to create impactful and scroll-stopping videos. Offeo can help you create one-of-a-kind engaging video content.

Offeo Promo maker can make impressive product promo videos with just a click. Why waste time editing and fussing over things, when Offeo can do the job for you in minutes.

We also have an intuitive and easy Ad maker that creates effective marketing ads. Why hire a designer when you can do it by yourself? Try Offeo ad maker to make fun, engaging, and exciting ads.

Written By
Ankita

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