The power of trailers in the Video on Demand (VOD) era

Why do trailers matter in the era of Video on Demand?

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of settling down with some snacks, ready to watch a movie or TV show on your favorite streaming service.

The number of choices available to viewers has exploded thanks to Video on Demand (VOD). With so much content available, it can be difficult for viewers to decide what to watch. 

This is where trailers come in – they provide a sneak peek into what viewers can expect and help them make an informed decision about what to watch. In this blog post, we will explore the power of trailers in the VOD landscape, why they are important for the success of VOD content, and how to create effective trailers.

Why are trailers important for VOD content?

Trailers are not just about helping viewers make decisions. They also play a crucial role in generating excitement and anticipation for upcoming content. Think about the last time you saw a trailer for a highly anticipated movie or series. It probably got you excited and counting down the days until its release.

Trailers create buzz, and buzz is critical to the success of VOD content. It can help generate interest and anticipation, driving views, subscribers, and ultimately revenue. Sharing trailers on social media is an effective way to increase visibility and generate interest among followers. Plus, viewers are more likely to share trailers that they find engaging, which can lead to a viral effect and increase the reach of the content even further.

In today’s world, where the attention span of viewers is shorter than ever, trailers play a vital role in capturing attention and leaving a lasting impression. They need to be visually appealing, emotionally impactful, and leave viewers wanting more. If done correctly, trailers can be a powerful tool in building a connection between viewers and VOD content.

Why Your VOD Content Needs a Trailer?

What makes an effective trailer?

A great trailer is key to creating anticipation and buzz around your VOD content. But what makes a trailer effective? Here are some key elements to consider when creating a trailer that will captivate your audience.

Captivating visuals

One of the most important aspects of a trailer is the visual component. A visually appealing and captivating trailer can create a strong first impression and capture the viewer’s attention. It’s important to use high-quality footage that showcases the production value of your content. Use visually stunning shots, intriguing angles, and creative editing techniques to make your trailer stand out from the rest.

Know your audience

First and foremost, know your audience. Before creating a trailer, you need to understand who you are targeting. What are their likes and dislikes? What kind of content resonates with them? This will help you tailor your trailer to their interests and create something that they will be excited about.

Create an emotional connection

A great trailer should create an emotional connection with the viewer. It should evoke a range of emotions such as excitement, intrigue, and anticipation. To achieve this, consider the tone and pacing of your trailer. Use music, sound effects, and voiceover to enhance the emotional impact of the visuals. It’s important to create an emotional hook that makes viewers want to watch the full movie or series.

Keep it short and sweet

In today’s fast-paced world, attention spans are shorter than ever. A trailer should be short and to the point. It should provide enough information to give viewers a taste of what to expect, without giving away too much. Most trailers are between one and three minutes long, and the best ones are able to create a strong impact in that time frame.

Use music effectively

Music can be a powerful tool in creating a memorable trailer. The right music can create a powerful emotional impact, enhancing the visuals and creating a lasting impression on the viewer. When selecting music for your trailer, consider the tone and mood you want to create. A good rule of thumb is to choose music that complements the visuals and enhances the emotional impact of the trailer.

Highlight the unique selling points

Your trailer should showcase what sets your content apart from the rest. What makes it different and why should viewers watch it? This is where you can highlight the unique selling points of your content. Whether it’s a standout performance from a lead actor, a visually stunning setting, or a fresh take on a familiar genre, make sure to include it in your trailer.

Experiment

Traditional trailers are great, but there are other formats you can try too, like teaser trailers or behind-the-scenes footage. Don’t be afraid to get creative and see what works best for your content.

Make sure you don’t give away too much

While it’s important to give viewers a taste of what to expect, you don’t want to give away too much. The audience should feel tempted to watch more of a trailer after watching it. It’s important to provide enough information to create interest, but leave some mystery to be discovered in the full content. Avoid giving away key plot points or twists that could ruin the experience for viewers.

Examples of effective trailers

The trailer for the Netflix series Stranger Things: The trailer for Stranger Things is a great example of an effective trailer. It features captivating visuals, evokes a strong emotional connection, and highlights the unique selling points of the series, such as its 1980s setting and supernatural storyline.

Stranger Things 4 | From Russia with love… | Netflix

The trailer for the Marvel movie Black Panther: The trailer for Black Panther is another great example of an effective trailer. It features stunning visuals, and an exciting soundtrack, and highlights the unique selling points of the movie, such as its diverse cast and African-inspired setting.

The Role of Trailers in VOD Marketing

Trailers are a vital component of VOD marketing, as they help generate interest in upcoming content and create excitement among viewers. A well-crafted trailer can be the difference between a viewer scrolling past your content and deciding to give it a chance.

Spread the word on social media

Social media has become a crucial tool for VOD providers to promote their content. By sharing trailers on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, premium video on demand providers can reach a wider audience and generate interest in their content. Social media allows for easy sharing and interaction, making it an ideal platform to share trailers and engage with viewers.

Use trailers in email marketing

Email marketing is another effective way to promote VOD content. Including trailers in email campaigns can generate interest and increase views. Email marketing allows VOD providers to target specific audiences and personalize their messages, making it an effective way to promote their content.

Utilize paid advertising

Paid advertising can help VOD providers reach a targeted audience and generate interest in their content. Including trailers as part of paid advertising campaigns can help drive views and increase revenue. Paid advertising allows video on demand providers to target specific demographics and interests, ensuring their trailers reach the right audience.

Release trailers strategically

Timing is everything when it comes to releasing trailers for VOD content. VOD providers should strategically release teasers and trailers in the lead-up to the release of their content to build momentum and generate interest. This can create a sense of excitement and anticipation among viewers, increasing the chances of them watching the content when it becomes available.

The future of trailers in VOD (Video on Demand)

The future of trailers in VOD is definitely exciting! With the continuous growth of VOD platforms and the sheer amount of content available to viewers, trailers will be more important than ever. They will not only serve as a tool to help viewers cut through the clutter, but they will also become an integral part of the viewer experience.

As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and immersive trailers in the future. Virtual and augmented reality will provide new opportunities for trailers to give viewers a taste of the content in a more interactive and engaging way. Imagine being able to step into a trailer and explore the world of the movie or series before it’s even released. That would be truly mind-blowing!

Additionally, we can expect to see more personalized trailers in the future. With the help of AI, trailers could be tailored to individual viewer preferences and viewing histories. This would make trailers even more effective in helping viewers discover content that speaks to them.

Overall, the future of trailers in VOD is bright, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store!

And that’s a wrap!

Trailers are the backbone of VOD marketing, helping viewers make informed decisions about what to watch in a sea of endless content. By creating visually captivating and emotionally engaging trailers that highlight the best moments of their content, VOD providers can generate buzz and excitement among viewers.

From social media to email marketing and paid advertising, there are many ways to use trailers to promote VOD content. And as technology continues to advance, the possibilities for creating even more immersive and innovative trailers are endless.

So, whether you’re a VOD provider looking to increase your revenue or a viewer searching for your next favorite show, trailers are your best friend. They provide a sneak peek into the world of VOD content and make it easier to find hidden gems that might otherwise go unnoticed.

In the end, the future of trailers in VOD looks bright. As long as there are great stories to tell and new technologies to explore, there will always be a need for trailers to showcase the best of what VOD has to offer.

The featured image is created using Venngage.

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