Brand films and brand videos are two very different types of content marketing videos. Both kinds help to capture the attention of potential customers and create a positive understanding of your value offerings, but there are some key differences between them and when each format should be used.
Brand Films vs. Brand Videos
Brand films and videos can both be powerful tools for creating awareness about your brand, but it’s important to understand the differences to decide what would best represent your brand and engage your target audience.
What is a brand film?
Brand films usually focus on storytelling and aim to evoke an emotional response from viewers. They often feature characters or stories that people can relate to, take a narrative approach to communicating the real-life value a brand provides, and have an overall theme that is consistent with the brand’s message.
A brand film is typically longer in length, but more importantly it’s used to communicate a brand’s message in an emotionally engaging way.
What is a brand video?
Brand videos tend to be more informational and focus on educating viewers about a product or service. They often feature interviews with experts or demonstrations of how products work, rather than telling a story.
Brand videos tend to be shorter, more concise pieces of content that are used to quickly communicate a specific message or concept.
The Benefits of Using a Brand Film vs. a Brand Video to Tell Your Story
Both have their advantages in creating visual content that’s more attractive and engaging than traditional text-based content, but when it comes to telling your story, there are some clear benefits of using a brand film over a brand video.
Brand films create long-term household names, brand videos (sometimes) convert short-term sales.
A brand film can provide an immersive experience for viewers by taking them on an emotional journey through the use of a narrative story, compelling visuals, and sound design. Brand films help build trust with your audience by providing them with an authentic representation of the company’s values and ethos, showing rather than telling. Additionally, it allows brands to create meaningful connections with their customers by conveying their core message in an engaging way, leaving a longer-lasting impression on your viewers.
When Should I Use a Brand Film vs. a Brand Video?
Brand films and videos can both be effective ways to market products or services in that they help create a unique brand identity, build customer trust, and drive sales. However, each type has its own purpose and should be used in the right context to maximize its effectiveness.
Brand films are best used when companies want to make a strong, memorable impression on their target market, increase brand awareness, or launch a new campaign. They’re best used as evergreen or larger-scale content pieces, like a commercial or website hero video, and can be effective for both B2C and B2B audiences.
Brand videos, on the other hand, tend to have a more specific purpose. Functional videos that clearly highlight and communicate the UVPs of your product or service tend to make a bigger impact down-funnel for longer sales cycle B2B industries. Corporate videos with thought leadership or industry “soundbites” also typically fall more under the umbrella of brand videos.
TL;DR?
Brand films help create a sense of connection between a company and its customers, by conveying the brand’s message in an engaging and creative way. The biggest difference between a brand film and a brand video is that brand films show, helping the audience feel and experience a brand, while brand videos tell.
Brand films create long-term household names, brand videos (sometimes) convert short-term sales.
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