Any marketing professional will tell you that video marketing is booming right now and will continue to grow exponentially over the next few years. In fact, more than half of consumers prefer to see videos from their favorite brands. So if you haven’t already created video content for your organization, now is a great time to start. However, when it comes to creating the perfect video, you have so many choices to make about how you want it to look. What message you want to get across, and what your goals are are also important considerations.
One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make in this process is choosing between creating animated videos and a live-action. Both formats have their pros and cons. However, many marketers are beginning to see the benefits of animated video over live-action. Read on to learn more about why animated marketing videos have an advantage over live-action ones and why they’re great to include in your marketing strategy.
No creative limits
When you choose animation over a live-action video, there are no limits to what you can show. With animation, it’s easy to simplify complex messages that are otherwise difficult to convey. Visual elements do a great job of showing what words can’t. When it comes to animated video, the only restriction is your own imagination. Of course, in live-action, you can include special effects or integrate CGI. But this can end up costing a lot more than you bargained for. So, if you want to show a concept that’s really difficult to illustrate with actors on a set, animation is the way to go.
Creative uses of animation can really do a great job at entertaining audiences while providing them with education and information. It’s fun to watch something unique, imaginative and engaging, and it can help convey your marketing message. Animation is engaging when creating explainer videos or showing abstract ideas like data, numbers or statistics. You can use icons and graphics to better quantify the data and make it more visual without overwhelming your audience.
With an animated video, you have the opportunity to choose which visual style matches best with your brand and message. You can bring a mascot, character or logo to life. In addition, you can use colors and themes that help illustrate your branding and get people to remember what you have to say.
No actors or sets
Some of the most challenging aspects of shooting live-action videos are remedied by choosing animation instead. In a live-action video, much of what you shoot is dependent factors on actors and locations. Talented, professional actors that fit into your budget can be hard to come by. You’ll have to do multiple takes to get it just right, which can be time-consuming and frustrating. All it takes is one scene with poor acting to turn your audiences off.
And in a live-action video, you’ll need to choose between filming on location or a set, both of which require preparation and planning. On-location filming means you have to send someone out to scout for a suitable location. It can take some time to find a location that is right for your needs, and when you find it, you may only be able to shoot during certain hours because of natural lighting. You may also need to spend money to book the location ahead of time. If you opt for a set instead of filming on location, that often requires building set pieces and props. This is yet another added expense.
When you have a great idea for a video, you’ll want to get started on it right away. However, live-action videos can sometimes take a while to get off the ground. When you need a video done right away, it can be aggravating to have to take care of all the groundwork that’s called for in order to shoot live-action. On the other hand, animated videos don’t require actors or sets. You never have to worry about finding and booking a location. You simply need to find the right animation company to work with. They’ll do all the hard work for you.
Easy to make changes
While animation may be a little time-consuming upfront, it’s much easier to make changes to down the line. Even if you find something that needs to be altered at the end of the production process, animators can simply go back into the video and make the changes you require. In the case of live-action video, this would require you to contact your actors, schedule a time to work with them, book your location again, and recreate the exact conditions that your original video was shot under. Imagine if your actor got a haircut or was suddenly unable to be in your video anymore. All the hard work you did would have to be reshot with new actors.
None of this is a problem if you choose animated marketing videos. Even if you wish to make a change months after the video was originally created, just talk to the animator about it ahead of time and let them know what your future needs will be. If you know you’ll need to make even small changes down the line, animation is perfect for your business.
Better audience engagement
Think about the videos that you pay attention to the most when you’re scrolling through your social media feed or browsing YouTube. Which videos pop out the most and hook audiences instantly? Chances are, it’s something highly visually appealing. Watching videos is much more engaging than reading text. And bright colors, unique shapes, and captivating action are what draw people into your videos. And what’s the best way to integrate all of those elements? Animation!
If done right, animated marketing videos can be visually stunning and extremely engaging. People browsing the internet have short attention spans. They won’t spend much time on an article or video if it doesn’t capture their attention right away. Consumers are used to seeing live-action videos, but because there are so many different types of animation, you can use and so many ways to make it pop. Animation is much better at grabbing people’s attention from the start. And it will help differentiate you from your competition, which means audiences will better remember your brand.
On a psychological level, animation appeals to audiences because it can conjure up feelings of nostalgia. Who didn’t love to watch cartoons as a child? People connect better with a video that appeals to them on an emotional level. This means that they’re more likely to engage with it, comment on it, or share it with family and friends.
Better ROI
Many marketing professionals are hesitant to move forward with video marketing because they believe it’s too expensive. The truth is, video marketing doesn’t have to break your budget. The returns you see will definitely make your investment worth it. The majority of marketers who have created video campaigns report that their video helped to generate leads and sales. They also kept people on their website longer and helped increase understanding of their product or service. Additionally, research shows consumers who watch product videos are 144% more likely to add that product to their cart.
When it comes down to it, animated marketing videos are one of the best investments you can make. You don’t have to worry about the costs of hiring actors, securing locations, or renting out video equipment or props, and you’ll still be getting the great ROI that video is known for. Of course, not every business has the budget to create amazing 3-D videos loaded with visual effects. However, very few businesses actually need that kind of video to begin with.
There are lots of different animation styles to choose from and there is definitely a solution that will fit into your budget. Simple whiteboard style drawings, 2-D animation, and kinetic typography are great ways to bring your ideas to life in a unique way. Start by thinking about what your audience is looking for and what you can say and show to help them connect with you, and work from there.
Starting out with your video strategy
As a marketer, you want to create a strategy that makes sense for your business in terms of both budget and timeline. If you’re ready to get a leg up on your competition with a video, now is the perfect time to get started. And if you want to create something that is stunning and engaging without all the drawbacks of live-action, animated marketing videos are the right choice.
Get in touch with the team at Gisteo today. Since 2011, we’ve been creating effective animated videos in a wide variety of styles. If you’re looking for knowledgeable experts, professional-looking animation, and quick turnaround time, all at a price point that will fit your budget, the Gisteo team is ready to make your video dreams a reality!
I completely agree with you, animated marketing videos are really great for increasing brand popularity and web traffic.