We live in a society obsessed with technical propositions but the answer to effective video advertising often lies in being more human.
You know what your video advert should say, but conveying that message visually isn’t always straightforward.
Luckily, there is an established shorthand for success: Christopher Booker’s basic story types are seven powerful narrative structures we regularly use to create meaning and move audiences emotionally.
When creating early touch video content such as broadcast or online ads, it’s important to appreciate that users aren’t usually in buying mode – in fact, you’re more likely to be interrupting them rather than something they are looking forward to.
With this in mind, effective video advertising demands a positive first impression if it’s going to live on in the mind of the user. This is where the seven basic story types can really help:
'Stories Are Equipment For Living'.
Kenneth Burke
The seven basic story types are:
1. OVERCOMING THE MONSTER:
The main character sets out to defeat an antagonistic force, which threatens the main character themselves or their homeland.
Brand: Apple
Year: 1984
Agency: Chiat/Day
2. RAGS TO RICHES:
An unfortunate protagonist acquires things such as power, wealth, and a mate, before losing it all only to regain it all upon growing as a person.
Brand: O2
Year: 2013
Agency: VCCP
3. THE QUEST:
The protagonist and some companions set out to get hold of an important object or to reach a location, facing many obstacles and temptations along the way.
Brand: John Lewis
Year: 2012
Agency: Adam & Eve
4. VOYAGE AND RETURN:
The protagonist goes to a strange land and, after overcoming the threats it poses to him/her, returns with nothing but experience.
Brand: Guinness
Year: 1999
Agency: AMV BBDO
5. COMEDY:
Light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending.
Brand: Cadbury’s
Year: 2007
Agency: Fallon
6. TRAGEDY:
The protagonist falls from grace and whose death is a happy ending.
Brand: St John’s Ambulance
Year: 2013
7. REBIRTH:
The protagonist redeems him/herself over the course of the story.
Brand: Sainsbury’s
Year: 2014
Agency: AMV BBDO
'While information may help change that emotion state, it’s the emotion that’s important, not the information'.
Geoffrey James, Inc
Customers purchase based on emotion which is why businesses must seek to be more human. According to Paul Ekman, there are six basic emotions, Happiness, Sadness, Surprise, Fear, Disgust, Anger.
In the 1990s Paul Ekman expanded the list to include some more complex emotions including Amusement, Contempt, Contentment, Embarrassment, Excitement, Guilt, Pride In Achievement, Relief, Satisfaction, Sensory Pleasure and Shame.
If you’re looking to create effective video adverts why not get in touch with us for a quick chat.
[This Article was originally published in April of 2015 but has been completely overhauled in January 2021]
