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How To Write a Successful Video Brief
What to include in a videography brief & free downloadable template!
When it comes to creating a video either internally, or with a video production company, the best way to ensure a successful project is with a comprehensive video brief outlining the entire project.
Videos are one of the best tools for storytelling. Whether you’re launching a new product, explaining your brand or service, or engaging with your social media community, videos consistently rate as the highest ROI for marketing teams.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through each step of writing a video brief and, as we have so many video projects under our belts for leading brands in the UK, Europe and America, we’ve included our tried and tested video production brief template for you to download and use for your next project! From a corporate video brief to a more creative brief for video production, this template has you covered.
What is a video brief and why do I need one?
A well-thought-out video creative brief is crucial to align all stakeholders towards the same goal. Developing a video brief will enable you to define the scope, the expected deliverables, deadlines and budget, as well as the important elements you want to see in your video. This not only ensures your production team fully understands who you are and what you are trying to achieve, but it will also help ensure the production process runs seamlessly from kick-off to final post-production edits. Ultimately, it will help ensure that the video deliverable you end up with is exactly what you envisioned – or better!
What kind of projects need a video brief?
A well-written videography brief is crucial for any video project, from a 60-second Instagram reel to a 3-minute corporate brand explainer video, they will help ensure your video vision becomes a reality. The videography brief will also ensure that your project’s vision is kept in mind throughout the entire creative process.
Some examples...
Here are a few examples of videos we've produced with a comprehensive video brief.
Explainer Videos
Brand, service, or product explainer videos that clearly explain the why, who, what, and how.
Animated Videos
Animated video – the perfect tool to break down complex information and make it digestible for your target audience.
Social Media Videos
Express your brand personality and engage with your social community with social content to support your social strategy and campaigns.
Promo Videos
Maximise the success of your promotional campaign with compelling video content.
Corporate Videos
Shine a light on your company, its values, culture, and team.
Event Videos
Highlight the best of your event with a range of event videos.
Explainer Videos
Brand, service, or product explainer videos that clearly explain the why, who, what, and how.
Animated Videos
Animated video – the perfect tool to break down complex information and make it digestible for your target audience.
Social Media Videos
Express your brand personality and engage with your social community with social content to support your social strategy and campaigns.
Promo Videos
Maximise the success of your promotional campaign with compelling video content.
Corporate Videos
Shine a light on your company, its values, culture, and team.
Event Videos
Highlight the best of your event with a range of event videos.
Explainer Videos
Animated Videos
Social Media Videos
Promo Videos
Corporate Videos
Event Videos
Who should write the video brief?
The author of the video project brief should completely understand the purpose of the video, the goals of the project, the key messages and the intended audience. It might be a member of the marketing, brand, or content team, or your creative team.
At London Filmed, we often collaborate with our clients to pad out the video brief ahead of creating storyboards to bring the ideas to life ahead of the shoot, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your video production company to complete your brief.
Three top tips for writing your video brief:
- Be concise, clear, and avoid ambiguity – take time over your video brief and add as much detail as possible – it should be a comprehensive documentation of your project.
- With that being said, be open to change – collaborate with your video agency and lean on their expertise – they’ll be able to advise on the best tech to achieve your goals, key shots to ensure your message is clearly conveyed, and the style to suit your brand and video purpose.
- Be goal orientated – so long as you keep your video purpose front and centre, any developments to your brief should only serve to enhance your video, maximising its success.
What do I need to include in my videography brief?
Your videography brief should include the purpose, objectives, deliverables, timelines, style references, and any other information that will help communicate your ideas and requirements to your video production company.
Let’s take a look at each of those in more detail:
1. Overview
Describe the purpose of the project – consider what the vision for the project is and what problem the project solves. What are the specific outputs you require? E.g. 1 x 30-second video to be used on YouTube (16:9) and Instagram (9:16).
If you have a storyboard and script, link to it here. You should also consider the deadline and budget.
2. Objectives & Target Audience
Next, you need to figure out your key messages and shots, as well as the takeaways you want the audience to have. You should also decide on the platform and music at this stage. You also need to define your target audience.
3. Reference Videos
Include references of likes and dislikes – add links and a brief explanation of what you like/dislike
4. Brand
At this stage, you should link your brand assets that will be needed within the video output, including your brand colours. If possible, link to your full brand guidelines.
5. Other Important Information
Add any other important information such as tech specifics, location or venue requirements, etc.
Your FREE video brief template!
With hundreds of successful video projects under our belts, we thought we’d share our tried and tested video brief template to help make sure you have a seamless, successful video project!
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