5 tips for good storytelling with videos

People can process images much faster than text, videos can generate much stronger emotions and the recipients are drawn much more deeply into the story.If companies want to fully exploit the strengths of video stories, they should consider a few key aspects. Movingimage, expert in the use of video in companiesexplains the dos and don'ts of successful video storytelling.

1. Keep it simple. A good story idea for a video works like a good joke. The idea should be able to be written down in a few words and look at a topic from an unexpected perspective. If it cannot be described in five to a maximum of ten sentences, it is too complicated and you need to work on it further.

2. Focus on one message. A crucial aspect for a simple video story is to concentrate on one central message. Trying to fit in several messages at once is not recommended. The video can only be brought to a climax with a single message.

3. Respect the intelligence of the recipient. However, companies must not make the mistake of confusing "simple" with "simple-minded". Video stories must respect the intelligence of the viewer. If they feel they are being made to look stupid, they will not identify with the content of the videos and will distance themselves from it.

4. Stay credible. Regardless of whether a video story is staged with actors or told as a documentary - companies should not skimp on the budget. Otherwise, quality and therefore credibility may be lacking. In documentary formats, no sentences should be put into the mouths of the protagonists. Otherwise they do not come across as authentic and are thus robbed of their specific strength.

5. Do not use for image films. With their specific characteristics, video stories are predestined above all for advertising films. However, this format is not suitable for certain image films such as company portraits. The aim of such videos is often to paint a holistic picture. It is difficult to reconcile a trenchant focus in the sense of storytelling with this goal.

"It's an anthropological constant: people love stories," says Mark Schlossarek, Head of Corporate Video Production at Movingimage. "If they get it right, no other medium allows companies to tell their stories as captivatingly and successfully as video. "About Movingimagemovingimage, headquartered in Berlin with offices in Tokyo, New York and San Francisco, is the leading provider of secure enterprise video platforms for international companies. With movingimage's cloud-based solution, companies can efficiently manage all videos for customers, partners and employees centrally and stream them in top quality to any end device. The platform integrates seamlessly into existing IT landscapes consisting of systems for content, digital asset and product information management and guarantees the highest security standards. movingimage's customers include over 500 companies, including 20 DAX companies such as Volkswagen, Allianz and Bayer.