A Quick Guide to Your First Pre-roll Video

The pre-roll video lets the world access your brand. It allows them to test your product or service in a flash. And it shows them why they need to choose your product over competitors. Unlike a sales pitch, the pre-roll video lets you pitch your product/service to your most important audience. And you don't even have to be in the room with them.

As the name implies, the pre-roll video rolls before the main article, video, or content. Whether it's a YouTube video, a social media reel, or a film, the pre-roll plays before the actual video. It is like a movie sneak preview but for a digital video. The term pre-roll is derived from Hollywood. A movie is considered "rolling" whenever it is playing. The pre-roll video is something you watch before the main video you wish to see.

This marketing tactic is common. You will see such videos while reading a blog or browsing the internet. Also, you'll see it when watching a YouTube video. These videos are attention grabbers. They pop up at the appropriate time and offer a solution to a problem.

Pre-roll videos are often short and run for thirty seconds or less. The reason is they are not the main content. You may find a 60-second pre-roll video, but that is rare. Below is a pre-roll video we made for a customer. The video is 15 seconds long.

Here's a different 15 seconds video for another customer.

You may have noticed that you can skip these short videos on some platforms. For example, Twitter allows skipping pre-roll ads immediately or after a few seconds. On the other hand, platforms like YouTube may not allow you to skip. These ads are powerful even if they get skipped after one second. A Nielson study discovered that even a second of the ad, when watched by viewers, impacted the brand incredibly. It increased awareness, ad recall, and purchase intent, proving the power of pre-roll videos. The more viewers watched, the higher these metrics.

Are you considering making pre-roll videos for your brand? Here are the essential elements to keep in mind:

Why pre-roll videos are effective 

The goal of pre-roll videos is to get the viewers' attention and make them want to know more about the product. The videos are short, providing limited information about your brand, product, or service. However, the limited information should pique the viewers' curiosity. It should cause them to click the learn more tab, which leads them to your website. 

Once this happens, you have grabbed the viewer's attention while their eyes are on the screen waiting to watch their video. They are now a captive audience, and you can share the benefits of your product.

The kinds of pre-roll videos that work

If we're honest, we will admit that people hate pop-ups. No one wants to spend a second watching an ad before their video plays. Therefore, it is important to entertain and captivate the viewer genuinely. Avoid making the video a boring elevator pitch. A great strategy for a good video is not sharing details about your company's products, purchase options, and prices.

The video is also not meant for lengthy copy or other promotional details. As mentioned, the goal is to get the viewer curious enough for more information. They should click on the redirecting link to learn more. A successful pre-roll video holds the viewer's attention for the thirty seconds or the ad's entire running time. An effective ad avoids a sales pitch. It piques the viewer's curiosity. 

How to Get Started on Making pre-roll videos

Now is the time to make a pre-roll video for your brand. People are always on the internet. They watch these videos every time. You have the opportunity to introduce your product to a waiting audience. 

We specialize in helping brands get started with pre-roll video ads. Regardless of your company size, sector, and budget, we can help you. See the form below for the first step to making the video.