Don’t You Dare: Three Major Mistakes to Avoid in Your Corporate Videos

Good video marketing isn’t just about saying the right thing. It’s also about knowing what not to say.

Poorly thought-out videos can distract potential customers, alienate the general public, and reinforce harmful stereotypes. Never make a video that contains one of these three things.

1. Distractions

In making videos that are entertaining and artistic, corporate videos often fail to discuss what their companies actually do. Don’t lose the forest for the trees.

However enjoyable a video may be, if it doesn’t educate your customers, it hasn’t done its job. Do they want to buy? Or do they at least have answers to questions they may have had? You should have your company’s purpose in mind at all levels of video production.

Spend as little time as possible talking about anything that doesn’t relate to your key message. It’s not worth it.

2. Prejudice

Sadly, even in 2015, corporate prejudice is a huge problem.

Corporate videos are among the most visible features of modern companies. They can make or break your reputation. If you want to avoid alienating marginalized people, making inclusive videos is crucial. Never appeal to ethnic or gender stereotypes in a video.

Also, unless your business serves a specifically religious purpose, don’t incorporate religious material. Make sure to feature multiple genders, ethnicities, and people with disabilities making positive contributions to your company. Don’t flaunt these people like trophies, though. Don’t hire a supermodel to be your spokesperson, for example, if you know that how she dresses is the main reason you’ll get attention.

Your video should demonstrate that everyone is welcome at your company, regardless of their identities. They are people, not assets. Treat them as such, and show your clients that you do so.

3. Tasteless Jokes

As with stereotypes and prejudiced comments, tasteless jokes will alienate customers and employees alike. The definition of a tasteless joke varies from person to person. But in general, never poke fun at:

• Death (particularly suicide)
• Disfigurement or disability
• Sex or gender ambiguity
• Cruelty to animals
• Obesity
• Serious illness
• Anything that the subjects of your videos have not given you permission to mention

For more on tasteful, relevant video marketing in Atlanta, explore Optimum Productions today!

Image Source: Pixabay