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Why Video Storytelling Matters
Storytelling has been an integral part of humanity for as long as we’ve been able to communicate with one another. Smoke signals, drawings, and hand signs were all ways humans used to tell stories before we learnt how to communicate with sound.
Heck, some people still story-tell through hand signs and drawings. Storytelling has always mattered – and still very much matters – because it allows us to tap into the one thing that truly connects us all: our humanity. While maybe a bit of a soppy sentiment, it is certainly grounded in truth. Video and film in particular helps us story-tell and evoke emotion in a way words or pictures cannot always do alone.
That’s why as a full-service creative agency, film and video is what we choose to focus on for clients. In fact, there’s a science behind why video storytelling is so powerful (and everything is more believable when there’s a science-backed explanation, right? Yeah science!)
The Science
In his essay The Science of Storytelling: What Listening to a Story Does to Our Brains, entrepreneur and storyteller Leo Widrich touched on research which suggested that when humans hear a story, “not only are the language processing parts in our brain activated, but any other area in our brain that we would use when experiencing the events of the story are, too.” When we use sensory details to relay a story (like the client was as excited about the project as if he’d just won a million dollars), it helps engage a listener’s sensory cortex. Or, if you said to your co-worker Jim: “Don’t eat the fish in the office fridge, it’s gone bad”, he might still give it a crack anyway. But if you said to Jim: “Tim was hungry, so he ate the leftover fish in the office fridge. An hour later, he was shooting liquid from both ends”. You get it, right? Odds are Jim will now not eat the fish in the fridge. Basically, when we convey information via a story, the better a listener’s experience and understanding of the message will be.
Although neuroscientists are still debating these findings, just imagine your own past experiences. When someone tells a great story, full of visual details, metaphors and expression, you’re much more likely and easily able to imagine yourself in the same situation. Stories help us understand an experience, without having to live through it. It allows us to empathise, understand and connect on a deeper level. It helps us experience the world, before we’ve even actually experienced it.
But wait, there’s more – especially when it comes to video storytelling.
A neuromarketing study which analysed participants’ brain responses to video ads might also help us understand the science behind the importance of video storytelling. The study found that the presence of a narrative in video ads was strongly linked to the audiences’ preference scores of the portrayed products and the ad itself. Ads where content was structured as narrative significantly stimulated alpha brainwaves, which basically means viewers experienced physical and mental relaxation when watching the ad. What does this mean? It means video storytelling to sell a product is an excellent strategy to trigger the consumers’ brain towards a good experience, leading them to like both the product and the ad.
Cool AF Facts About Video Storytelling
In case you need some more science and facts, here are some interesting titbits of information related to video storytelling:
- 46 billion pieces of content are produced every day (LinkedIn)
- Almost 50% of your brain is involved in visual processing (Pearson)
- 92% of consumers want brands to create ads that feel like stories (OneSpot)
- Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text by the human brain and 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual (3M)
Why Your Brand Should Care About Video Storytelling
Why do we keep banging on about the importance of video storytelling? Look, it’s not just because we’re a full-service creative agency that specialises in video storytelling – promise! Rather, we truly care about helping brands realise their full potential and create kick-ass content. So why should your brand care about video storytelling? There are a few key reasons:
- It builds brand awareness
- It helps you connect emotionally with leads and customers
- It can build a community of followers
Case Study: Nike Nails Great Video Storytelling
We all know Nike is a sports apparel and accessories brand. But you wouldn’t always know that from their advertisements. Why? Because what they actually sell is inspiration in the form of stories. Nike’s video ads inspire people from all walks of life to be the best they can be, and in the process have helped people open their hearts (and their wallets).
Build Video Storytelling Around Feelings (#Feels)
Cast your mind back to an ad you’ve seen recently – chances are it was an ad that played on your emotions in one way or another. Brands these days are making a play on content that makes people feel, and it works. Think about it: a Qantas isn’t selling you a plane ticket – it’s selling you a dream to be united with family and friends across the globe. Coca Cola doesn’t just sell a soft-drink, it sells “happiness”.
According to HubSpot, there are some emotions and feelings that are more effective and drive certain types of actions, such as:
- Happiness leads to sharing
- Sadness leads to giving
- Fear leads to loyalty
- Anger leads to virality
Tips for Epic Video Storytelling
Alright so now you’re probably wondering how you can start incorporating video storytelling into your brand strategy. When creating videos, you need to have a clear vision of the feeling you want the audience to league with, and how your story will create the emotional undertone that will drive viewers to want to take your intended action.
Humour is an incredibly useful video storytelling tool – especially if you’re in an industry where people might expect things to be more formal. Humour can be shocking, surprising and of course, make you laugh. These are all memorable emotions. Meanwhile, you also want your video to have a beginning, middle and end (it’s what any good story is built on!)
Now, a big one that a lot of brands seem to forget: show, don’t tell. Use visuals and sound rather than stating anything outright. And don’t shove your product in people’s faces – rather include it where it naturally fits in the story.
And finally, you might have a lot of good ideas, but it’s best to keep things simple with one, clear and simple storyline. As Ron Swanson so eloquently states, “Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing”.
Phew, you’ve made it to the end and now you (hopefully) understand why video storytelling matters. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective way to engage, connect and make your brand remain top-of-mind, and top-of-heart.
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branding
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