Since the rise of popular video hosting platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, unboxing videos have taken the Internet by storm. A symbiotic method of promoting small businesses and social media personalities, unboxing videos are an entertaining way of showcasing a product to a broader audience. If you’re an intrepid influencer with a reasonable amount of followers, a well-performing unboxing video could be your expressway to a lucrative brand deal. Here are some tips and tricks for filming the perfect unboxing video for your channel.
First and foremost, your unboxing video should be high-quality and watchable to ensure it reaches and resonates with the broadest possible audience. Creating high-quality content may look easy, but it involves a significant degree of skill. Knowing how to shoot and edit videos like a professional will not only improve the quality of your channel, earning you more followers and subscribers, but it will also attract other brands and businesses to reach out for collaboration projects. As such, investing in good video editing software and learning how to use it is essential.
Nothing ruins the enjoyability of a video quite like poor sound quality. For a successful unboxing video, you will need to describe the characteristics and quality of the featured product in detail; hence, good sound quality is critical. While many smartphones and cameras are equipped with relatively decent microphones, you can vastly improve your sound quality by investing in a USB microphone specifically designed for streaming and vlogging. Surprisingly, you won’t have to fork out a fortune to get your hands on a good-quality microphone.
Businesses often partner with social media influencers to showcase their products; therefore, coming across as confident and optimistic in your videos benefits both parties. Unboxing videos are designed to solicit excitement and anticipation, much like opening a gift on Christmas morning. While focusing on the product's advantages and ignoring potential flaws may seem disingenuous, remember that your video is for entertainment and promotional purposes. You can mention suggestions for improvement, but broach them with tact and rationality.
The length of your video will largely depend on your choice of video-sharing platform and the product itself. For example, TikTok videos are typically shorter than YouTube videos, although you may be able to divide your video into several parts. As a rule of thumb, aim for five minutes or less. While cramming in more content by filming a longer video may be tempting, you are less likely to hold your audience’s attention. Studies have shown that consumers prefer shorter videos, which promote higher engagement, so keep things clean, concise and compelling.
Many companies put a lot of thought and effort into their packaging. Packaging is far more than simply a vessel to protect a product in transit; instead, it is a marketing tool that supports brand identity. Furthermore, if you’re involved in a direct brand deal with the company in question, they may have altered their packaging for the purpose of your video. For example, if you’ve been sent a product in custom made packaging, draw attention to it - this will make your audience more likely to purchase the product for themselves.
If your unboxing video is for a company you don’t know much about, make a point of educating yourself and your audience about them. Knowing who the company is, their story, values and the type of products they offer will give you more to talk about during your video. The more you know about the product, the better you can confidently showcase its characteristics and advantages. Additionally, if you’re using Instagram or TikTok, ensure you tag the company.
Demonstrating the product in action is one of the most crucial aspects of an unboxing video. For instance, if you’re a makeup channel unboxing a new palette, swatch each colour to show your audience the quality of the pigments - you could even follow your unboxing video up with some tutorials. If you’re unboxing something designed for practical purposes, such as tools or technology, ensure you have a way of demonstrating its value on screen.