10 Video Storytelling Strategies That WORK

Want to create video content that captures attention and keeps people watching? The key is storytelling. By using the right strategies and focusing on what’s in it for your audience, you can dramatically increase engagement on your videos. That’s why we’re breaking down 10 effective storytelling strategies, complete with examples, so you can start implementing them right away. Before we jump in, let’s talk about why video storytelling is so important.

Storytelling is ingrained in our DNA. It’s how we connect and relate with each other. But before you start telling stories, it’s important to understand your goals so you can tailor your stories to achieve them.

The benefits of storytelling are vast

• Emotional Connection & Rapport: Establish an emotional connection and build trust by sharing stories that resonate with your audience on a personal level.
• Capture & Keep Attention: Videos grab attention, and great stories make it easier to hold onto that attention.
• Improved Conversions: When you tell a story, people are more receptive and less resistant to being sold something.
• Effective (And Wide) Reach: Video content is easily shareable, especially when it’s a compelling story that people want to pass on.
• New Income Streams: Mastering storytelling can lead to more opportunities to introduce additional revenue streams.

With all these benefits in mind, it’s worth investing time in developing your storytelling skills. Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the strategies you can start using today.

Discover 10 Effective Video Storytelling Strategies (With Real Examples!)

Before we dive into these powerful strategies, remember that you don’t have to master all of them at once. Instead, we suggest creating 10 different videos where you can experiment with each strategy individually. As you gain more practice and confidence, you can then blend these strategies together to create a compelling video that incorporates them all. Remember, becoming a skilled storyteller is a journey, not a race!

Strategy #1: Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of simply telling your audience about your product or service, show them how it directly benefits them. Use real-life case studies and stories to immerse them in your content and make them feel connected to the journey. Check out this example highlighting the impact of working together on a customer’s life and business.

Strategy #2: Interactive Storytelling

Get your audience involved in the story by allowing them to make decisions that influence how they experience your video. Just like the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books from your childhood, you can use tools like Voomly to serve different videos based on their responses. Watch how Brad Callen used this feature to deliver relevant content to each segment of his audience. The possibilities with interactive video experiences are endless!

Strategy #3: Use Open Loops

Capture your audience’s curiosity and keep them engaged by using open loops. Open loops create a sense of anticipation and make people eager for the resolution you’ve promised. They are commonly found in headlines, TV shows, and movies. See how open loops work in action in this video that leaves you wanting to know more.

Strategy #4: Create a Brand Character

Stand out from the crowd and establish a memorable brand personality by creating a brand character. This character will help people associate your brand with certain feelings and emotions. Use Voomly’s People Builder to create an avatar that represents your brand and bring it to life using Doodly. This iconic character will leave a lasting impression on your audience, just like Geico’s Gecko.

Strategy #5: Captivate Your Audience with Videos

Let’s face it, getting people to watch your videos can be a challenge. With so many distractions and competing demands for their attention, you need to find a way to disrupt their mindset and make them stop scrolling.

Think about what catches your own attention on social media. It could be captions that address a problem you’re facing, intriguing questions, or tutorials that promise to help you achieve a desired outcome. These are the types of elements that disrupt your thinking and make you take notice.

To make your videos stand out in a sea of endless scrolling, check out the tutorial below to learn how to create attention-grabbing thumbnails with Voomly. You can also take a page out of Russell Brunson’s playbook and use bold instructions to tell people exactly what to do.

The key is to give your audience a reason to stop scrolling and then guide them to take the action you want.

Strategy #6: Begin with Drama

Think of a great action movie. It starts with a bang, dropping you right into the middle of the action and leaving you hooked. You want to do the same with your videos. Start by immersing your viewers in the heart of the story, leaving them wondering what will happen next and how it all ties together.

To see this strategy in action, watch how Russell Brunson starts his videos. By starting in the middle of the story, you immediately capture your audience’s attention and keep them engaged throughout.

Strategy #7: Think about the Bigger Picture

Your videos are just one piece of the puzzle for your audience. They are constantly growing, evolving, and seeking what comes next. To provide value and keep them engaged, ensure your videos are part of a larger journey or narrative.

By using your videos to capture attention and leading your audience through a well-built funnel, you can continue the story and provide the next steps they need to take. Tools like Voomly can help you create customized funnels based on your audience’s needs and previous interactions.

Strategy #8: Speak to Your Dream Customer

Don’t waste time telling irrelevant stories. Before you start creating videos, take the time to understand your dream customer. By focusing on their pain points and frustrations, you can speak directly to them and attract more of your perfect customers to your audience.

Check out this sleep apnea ad as an example. It directly addresses the pain points of their perfect customers, making it impossible for anyone experiencing those issues to look away.

Strategy #9: Follow the Hero’s Journey

Every viewer wants to be the hero of their own story. Position yourself as their guide by understanding the Hero’s Journey and using it as a framework for your videos. Take them on a emotional journey, sharing your own experiences and providing the insights and solutions they need.

Watch this video from Russell Brunson to see how he used a variation of the Hero’s Journey to tell a compelling story and connect with his audience on a deep level.

Strategy #10: Leave Them Wanting More

To keep viewers engaged and wanting more, it’s important to end your videos on a high note. However, don’t leave them hanging. Offer them the opportunity to learn more or get further involved by collecting their information and staying in touch. Voomly makes it easy to capture information while viewers are engaged with your video, allowing you to follow up and provide more value.

When done right, these video strategies can significantly increase engagement and conversion rates. Understanding your audience and guiding them through their journey will keep them hooked and eager for more.

Are you struggling to capture and retain people’s attention? Want to convert them into subscribers or customers? Look no further. Storytelling is the key.

In this guide, we’ve provided you with effective strategies to make your videos stand out, go viral, and see the results you’ve been dreaming of. By incorporating these strategies into each video you create, you’ll be amazed at the impact it will have.

With Voomly, a video marketing tool designed to maximize engagement through storytelling, creating captivating videos has never been easier. Start your free trial now and discover how effortless it is to implement these strategies. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your videos to the next level.