When it comes to telling the world about their business, startups are really spoiled for choice.

From paid search to social ads to programmatic display to linear TV… the list goes on and on.

But this vast choice of channels is a double-edged sword because more options mean more competition. So how do you make your startup stand out?

The answer, perhaps surprisingly, might just be video marketing. And startup animation videos in particular. Ready to find out why?

Lights, camera, action!

The rise (and rise) of video marketing

With the astronomic success of video-based social networks like TikTok — plus the fact that 86% of businesses are already using video as a marketing tool — a video is clearly a powerful tool and one that’s here to stay.

Not only that, but the amount we consume is growing too, with over 27% of us watching more than 10 hours of digital video per week during 2020.

With these key stats in mind, are businesses taking full advantage of the promotional power of video marketing?

Probably not.

One of the biggest concerns we’ve come across, believe it or not, is camera shyness. Yep — it’s genuinely difficult to find people who’ll stand in front of a camera and start selling for your business. If you’ve ever tried doing that, you might already understand why.

So what’s the solution? Well, it’s here that the startup animation really comes in handy. Using animated videos rather than live-action ones can make it much easier for startups to step into the video marketing arena — and start enjoying the benefits.

The benefits of adding startup animations to your marketing mix

The first question you’re likely to have on your mind as a startup founder or business owner is, well, why? What could a startup animation do for you that other promotional channels simply can’t match?

To answer these questions, here are the 5 biggest benefits of adding startup animations to your marketing mix:

1. It’s a fast way to boost brand awareness. Animated video is one of the easiest ways to get your branding out in front of customers. Because video is such a visual medium, you can reinforce brand colours, tone of voice, logos, and more — all in the space of seconds. Even better, an animated video can tell your brand story in a way that’s succinct, concise and memorable.
2. Video improves Search Engine Optimisation. When trying to make an impact in search engines like Google, filling your website with multiple forms of media is highly recommended for the best results — and that includes video. Another upshot is that video will increase your time-on-site metrics, giving your analytics a boost and, over time, improving your SEO rankings.
3. Video delivers messages faster. We live in a hectic world with plenty of distractions. When someone lands on your brand’s website, you want them to understand what your business does in a matter of seconds, and that’s exactly what a startup animation delivers.
4. A new approach to presentations. If you’ve presented your startup to potential clients or investors, you’ve probably leaned on decks and slides — but is that the best way? Whether it’s an investment meeting or a sales pitch, we’ve all seen PowerPoint decks a million times, so doing something different can make you really stand out. An animated video gives you a new way to make a strong first impression, showcasing your business in the best possible light — and not a laser-pointer in sight!

   >> For the times when only a PowerPoint will do, make sure you read our guide to PPT design tips here.

5. You can re-use your video content across channels. An animated video won’t just sit on your website and tell your brand story — it can spread your message far and wide. Whether you’re sharing on social media channels or video-sharing sites like YouTube, a single startup animation can be reused in multiple places. What’s more, because it’s video-based, you don’t face the same SEO penalties you would by duplicating text-based content. So it’s a win-win.

How to plan your first startup animation: 3 top tips

By now we’d hope you’d be convinced of the benefits of using startup animations, which probably leaves you with a question: How do you get started?

We’re here to help.

Our team of graphic design and video marketing experts have knocked our heads together and come up with 3 top tips for creating your first-ever startup animation — and making it truly impactful, of course.

#1 Identify your core message and stay focused

We know you’re keen to tell the world how awesome your startup is, but startup animations can easily veer into information overload if you try to explain too much. Instead, start by deciding what your core concept should be: a single vision for your animation will deliver your message much better.

#2 Rely on storyboards, not just your imagination

It’s easy to visualise your concept for animation, but when it comes to making it real, things can get tricky — especially if you’re sharing the project with your team. To make the process of planning your first startup animation that bit easier, be sure to create storyboards of the key moments in your video in timeline order.

Trust us, you’ll be glad you did.

#3 Find the best startup animation partner to bring your vision to life

Turning ideas into storyboards and then a bonafide video animation might seem like a simple series of events. But the reality is often the opposite.

If you’re new to the world of animation, or you simply don’t have the time to create your startup animation from scratch, working with an animation partner like the team here at Design Buffs can be a great solution. Our pre-vetted team of animation whizz-kids will deliver a video that takes your ideas and amplifies them with the power of animation.

Want to learn more about Design Buffs or start creating your very own startup animation today? Book a free introductory call with our friendly team now and let’s get this party started.