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Many brands are turning to video to appeal to consumers, grow an online audience, and sell more products or services. Though video is a powerful marketing tool, there’s more to it than hitting record. The prep work is paramount, and this guide from Market Your Biz shares everything you need to know.

What Is a Storyboard?

In film, including short video productions, storyboarding helps visualize scenes before production starts. When you create a storyboard, you break down a scene (or multiple scenes) into small pieces.

Each scene snippet has its own notes, directions, and script details. When you’re filming with a team, a storyboard keeps everyone on the same page. A thorough storyboard can save time and frustration, too.

Who Needs a Storyboard?

Storyboards are useful in many projects and industries, though they originated in animation for film, TV, and video games. Storyboarding also helps companies map out customer journeys, gives writers a way to plan chapters or scenes, and more.

For videos, storyboarding showcases the overall project goal and how a team can get there. If you are hiring outside help, like actors or animators, a storyboard is an essential roadmap for outsiders who may not be familiar with your brand or story.

Benefits of a Storyboard

A storyboard serves as a game plan for your video content. A clear storyboard makes production easier and helps you stay organized. It can also lower the time cost because even small details appear on the storyboard, so there’s less confusion and checking for clarification.

When time is money, such as if you hire outside help for video content, sticking to production timelines is crucial. Storyboarding helps you stick to a budget and project expenses for props and materials.

Establish Your Message

Most businesses use video for marketing purposes. Even behind-the-scenes content or customer interview footage serves as marketing fodder to attract new customers. Every video needs a clear marketing message that aligns with your brand.

As Indeed explains, there are many types of marketing messages, all with different purposes. You might appeal to ethos by showing your company’s credibility in a video short. Or, you might use humor to connect to consumers personally.

Target an Audience

All content creators (which includes business owners) make their content for a specific audience. Before filming videos to post online, brands need an audience profile in mind. Who is your ideal consumer, what do they want, and what content will attract their attention?

Attracting the right audience also involves nuances like the platforms you post on and the hashtags attached to your videos. A great way to plan your video content, even before storyboarding, is to see what other companies in your industry post. Watch their videos to see what works, what doesn’t, and what inspires you.

The most influential video-friendly social media platforms include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Each platform has rules and guidelines for content and length limits. Research your target audience to determine which platform best supports your content and intended viewers.

Write the Script

After establishing the main theme or message, it’s time to weave those details into a written script. Scripts include in-depth information beyond the basic message, too. Your task is to build a world and characters that speak to your audience, which takes more effort than writing a story.

Your script should include dialogue, movement descriptions, action lines, and even camera direction. The more explicit the script, the clearer your vision, and the easier it is to achieve the desired result.

Cut Your Video Budget

Developing, storyboarding, casting, and recording your video can become expensive, even for a short project. For professional-looking yet affordable videos, explore ways to save on various steps in the process.

Using royalty-free videos with extensive stock video footage can reduce costs significantly. Subscribing to a stock site gives you access to quality HD videos that save time and the cost of hiring actors or renting studio space.

Like any marketing strategy, the right video content can expand your brand’s reach, delight consumers, and boost your sales. Start with storyboarding for a seamless video production experience and a final product you can be proud of. You can save substantially by using royalty-free videos in your marketing.

Count on the knowledgeable and experienced team at Market Your Biz for all your digital marketing solutions. Schedule a call today!