--- title: What Ever You Do, Don't Make It Boring description: "The cardinal sin of many unsuccessful web videos is the same: they're boring. Here's how to fix that." image: http://320867.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/320867/Summit-info-video.png --- $15,000 web design grant from ArcStone [![Apply Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/320867/fbbcda94-7c24-4963-a9ff-46e94ea03955.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/320867/fbbcda94-7c24-4963-a9ff-46e94ea03955) [ArcStone](https://320867.hs-sites.com/) - [Impact](https://info.arcstone.com/impact) - [Work](https://info.arcstone.com/work) - [About](https://info.arcstone.com/about-arcstone) - [Careers](https://info.arcstone.com/careers) - [Services](https://info.arcstone.com/services/) - [Web Design & Development](https://info.arcstone.com/services/web-design-and-development) - [Web Hosting & Email](https://info.arcstone.com/services/web-hosting-and-email) - [Accessibility & Inclusive Design](https://info.arcstone.com/services/accessibility-inclusive-design) - [Digital Marketing & Strategy](https://info.arcstone.com/services/digital-marketing-and-strategy) - [Membership Management](https://info.arcstone.com/services/membership-management) - [Online Webinars & Events](https://info.arcstone.com/events) - [Blog](https://320867.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Contact](https://info.arcstone.com/contact-us) ### Categories # What Ever You Do, Don't Make It Boring By Nicholas Longtin | April 2015 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The cardinal sin of many unsuccessful web videos is the same: they're boring. Even if your audience has a vested interest in the information you're delivering, if the video is boring, viewers won't retain the information, or even worse they may just browse away without watching. ![Summit-info-video](https://320867.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/320867/Summit-info-video.png)   The video below is an example of how to take a relatively uninteresting topic (network equipment refurbishing) and deliver the information in an interesting-looking video that keeps the viewer's attention all the way through. This video avoids being boring by using upbeat music, quick edits, visually interesting shots, and cleverly animated titles. It's also short, ensuring most viewers will make it to the end. The longer your video is, the more difficult it will be to keep it interesting. Here are some simple guidlines you can follow to help make sure your videos aren't boring. **Cut The Fat** Keep your videos as short as possible. Avoid tangents, extra footage, or anything else that doesn't work to drive your key point home. Good planning will help avoid a bloated video. If you can't sum up your video's content well in one sentence, go back to the drawing board. **Avoid Talking Head Syndrome** Many web videos contain interview content. While this can be a great way to communicate, it gets boring quickly. After eight to ten seconds of watching someone speak, we start to drift off and stop absorbing the information. Mix in other footge with your talking head content and augment what the person is saying with suporting content. This "b-roll" footage can be a great tool for keeping an audiance engaged. Remember, it's always better to "show" than "tell". **Tell a Story** Video is a powerful story-telling medium; use its full potential. Telling the story of your business, of your products, or how you help customers succeed can be a very compelling marketing tool. People don't really like watching ads, but they like watching stories, so tell your story. Topics: [Digital Marketing](https://320867.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/digital-marketing) [![We help attract leads for your business. Learn how.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/320867/995738e6-24e2-4d8e-abcc-2e5a4d5ba552.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/320867/995738e6-24e2-4d8e-abcc-2e5a4d5ba552) ![Dan Olson](https://www.arcstone.com/hubfs/dolson.jpg) ## Talk to a Digital Strategist Questions about your project? We can help. 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