Would you agree that you need to hook your video viewers within the first 2 seconds? The stats show this to be true. In this article we will be going through the best way to hook your viewers quickly.
Even though video marketing is an amazing tool, creating great videos doesn’t mean that your target market will watch them. The only way to ensure that people don’t simply scroll past your videos is by offering them compelling content that they just can’t turn away from. Your goal is to get people to watch, share, and connect with your brand.
These tips and tricks are proven ways to hook your video viewers within seconds:
Focus on the First 8 Seconds
Microsoft published a study in 2015 that found that people have an attention span for video that’s just 8 seconds maximum. If that sounds shocking, note that there does tend to be some disagreement on this finding. Some researchers believe we have 10 or 15 seconds to hook viewers.
In any case, it all comes down to a matter of seconds, so no pressure or anything! You’ve got to grab your viewer immediately if you want to really capture their attention. It’s good to keep these numbers in mind as you plan your video. Focus on the first 8 seconds to increase the chances of your audience actually sticking around for the entirety of your video.
Here’s a Good Example of a video we Produced with a Fast Intro:
R-CON Short Final from New Evolution Video on Vimeo.
Have a Killer Video Title
Just like with written content like blog posts, your video titles have to be attention-grabbing. They should make the subject matter of the video clear while also being compelling enough to get clicks. Brainstorm titles that are both descriptive and enticing so people will want to find out more.
Make it intriguing but don’t stretch the truth with a title that doesn’t really touch on the actual content of the video. Incorporate keywords to boost your video’s SEO, too. Come up with several titles and try A/B testing on different platforms to see which one works best to get viewers to click, watch, and engage.
Cover Image Should be Eye Candy
A video’s cover image can be the deciding factor for whether or not someone clicks play. To give your video a strong start, have an enticing and attractive first frame. Another trick is to use bold text in a clear font to start the video off. The text combined with an eye-candy cover image could be just enough to get someone to stop scrolling and start watching.
PURA VIDA from New Evolution Video on Vimeo.
Present a Problem
Your product or service should be the solution to your audience’s problem. Hook them into your video by tapping into their problem and using emotions to reel them in. By presenting the problem they’ll feel a connection to the frustration or concern that they share about it. They’ll be able to relate and will want to stick around to see what you offer as the solution.
Offer Your Solution
The next step after presenting the problem and tapping into their emotions is obviously to offer your solution. Show your audience how you can be helpful to them. Not only do you want to be helpful, but you also want to make it clear that your solution is the best one for their needs.
Put their mind at ease with the clear answer that they’ve been searching for. As you do this, you can once again leverage the emotional connection. They’ll view you as an authoritative source who’s found the solution to their problem, or perhaps even to a problem they didn’t even know they had until just then.
Entice with Every Frame
Once you’ve hooked the viewer in those first few seconds, you want to keep them wanting more. Achieve this by having each frame build on the previous one. Every frame is an opportunity to hold the viewer’s attention so that they stick around to see what follows. Enticing frames tap into our natural curiosity and desire to find out what happens next.
Tell a Story
Storytelling is at the heart of successful marketing. Video is the perfect venue for telling a story and bringing it to life through words and images. You can tell a story about your brand, your business culture, how your product or services came into being, and so much more.
Depending on the type of video you’re making, the story you can tell may not be obvious to you at first. As you write the script and plan the shots, think of how you can transform your topic into a story that entertains, informs, and connects with your audience in some way. It doesn’t have to be detailed; it just needs to be relatable and to connect on that emotional, human level.
Here’s the short and sweet guide if you want to print it and keep in above your bed:
Be Funny
A great way to grab attention is by starting your video off on a lighthearted note. Inject humor with a joke or an outtake. Don’t be afraid to get a little silly.
Humor is such a great tool for engagement because we all have a desire to laugh. It entertains and shows your audience that you don’t take yourself too seriously. Your viewers will be smiling right away and more likely to keep watching and see what you come up with next.
Rollbud Promotional Video from New Evolution Video on Vimeo.
Be Above the Fold
The placement of your video can be a factor in whether or not it grabs attention and gets people to watch. If you’re sharing the video on your business’s website, blog, or social media, always position it above the fold. This means your audience won’t have to scroll to find the clip. If it’s below the fold, they may not even see it at all. Place your video content front and center so that it’s seen right away.
Use a Call to Action
Adding a call to action in the first few seconds of your video is another easy trick that’ll get your viewers to keep tuning in. CTAs are an important part of taking your audience through your marketing funnel. In a video, they can encourage viewers to do more than just watch. You could get them to click to your website in a matter of seconds if they’re intrigued enough. Take advantage of that immediate opportunity to hook them in and bring them into the funnel.
