Storytelling is an art, but it’s also a minefield. From neglecting the human element to overloading corporate interviews with jargon, brands often trip themselves up. Here’s how to avoid the biggest pitfalls and create explainer videos, brand storytelling content, and corporate interviews that actually resonate.
Mistake 1: Forgetting the Story in Brand Storytelling
Let’s start with the obvious. Storytelling needs a story. Yet, somehow, this basic truth gets lost in corporate jargon and over-polished production.
We’ve all seen it, a “storytelling” video that’s really just a highlight reel of products or a vague mission statement over stock footage. Where’s the arc? Where’s the emotional hook?
A story isn’t just a beginning, middle, and end. It’s conflict. It’s resolution. It’s the why behind the what. A great brand storytelling video takes your audience on a journey, not just a tour of your corporate office.
How to Fix It: Focus on real people and real problems. If your brand is the hero, what’s the villain? A compelling narrative is built on tension and resolution. Introduce a challenge, show how you solve it, and leave your audience with a sense of transformation.
Mistake 2: Overloading Explainer Videos with Too Much Information
Explainer videos are meant to clarify, not confuse. But brands often try to pack an entire encyclopedia into a two-minute video. The result? Information overload.
Your audience doesn’t need to know everything about your product—just enough to pique their interest. Too much detail, and you risk losing them entirely.
How to Fix It: Stick to one key message. An explainer video is a gateway, not a deep dive. Focus on what your audience needs to know at this stage, and leave the rest for follow-up content. Keep the visuals clean and the script snappy. If you can say it in 10 words, don’t use 20.
An explainer video isn’t a user manual. It’s an invitation to learn more.
Mistake 3: Turning Corporate Interviews into Snooze Fests
Corporate interviews have a bad reputation, and honestly, they’ve earned it. Too often, they’re stiff, overly scripted, and devoid of personality.
No one cares about a robotic CEO reading a teleprompter. What they care about is authenticity. They want to see real people with real passion for what they do.
How to Fix It: Treat interviews like conversations, not interrogations. Ask open-ended questions. Let your subjects speak naturally, even if they stumble a little—it’s human. And for the love of all things cinematic, ditch the monotone backdrops. A well-lit, dynamic environment can make even the driest subject matter feel alive.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the Platform
Not all videos work everywhere. What plays well on LinkedIn might flop on Instagram, and vice versa. Yet brands often create one-size-fits-all content, expecting it to thrive on every platform.
It doesn't.
How to Fix It:Tailor your content to the platform. A brand storytelling video for your website can be longer and more detailed. A LinkedIn explainer video should focus on professional insights, while a corporate interview for Instagram might emphasize behind-the-scenes moments. One story, many formats.
The platform is the stage. Tailor your performance to the audience in the room.
Mistake 5: Prioritizing Polish Over Personality
There’s a fine line between professional and sterile. Brands often over-polish their videos, removing the human element entirely. The result? Content that feels manufactured, not meaningful.
Your audience doesn’t expect perfection—they expect connection.
How to Fix It:Leave room for imperfections. A laugh, a pause, even a minor slip can make your video feel real. The goal isn’t to create something flawless; it’s to create something memorable.
Mistake 6: Treating Video Production as an Afterthought
Great video content doesn’t happen by accident. It requires planning, collaboration, and a clear vision. Too often, brands approach production as an afterthought, treating it as a box to check rather than a creative process.
How to Fix It:Invest in pre-production. Define your goals, script your story, and storyboard your visuals before the cameras roll. Involve your team early and ensure everyone is aligned on the vision. A little effort upfront saves headaches later.
Final Thoughts
Brand storytelling videos, explainer videos, and corporate interviews are some of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal—but only if you use them wisely. Avoid these common pitfalls, and your content will do more than just fill up your feed. It will connect, inspire, and convert.
The truth is, video production is equal parts art and strategy. When you get it right, the results speak for themselves.
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