So. You've got the leading video automation platform on your side. But what stories are you going to tell? Dip into our community blog for ideas, inspiration and plenty of handy how-tos.
April 17, 2023
April 17, 2023
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While most social media users still favor the silent feed, it's important to remember that more and more viewers are turning up the volume while browsing. Although having sound ready on your videos isn't a must, being prepared can give you an extra advantage and help you catch the attention of both sound-on and silent viewers.
And the good news? You don't need to add any extra time to your workflow to make it happen.
In this article, we'll explore the state of sound on various social media platforms and explain why preparing your videos for viewers who turn the sound up can make a huge difference on social media.
We'll also show you how to do it effectively and effortlessly with music, so your videos keep your audience engaged, whether they're watching with sound on or off.
So grab your headphones and get ready to dive into the world of sound-off and sound-on video success.
While the silent feed is still favored on many social media platforms, sound can still play an important role for those who choose to turn it on.
Understanding the ways in which sound can enhance the viewing experience on each platform is crucial for creators looking to optimize their use of audio.
When it comes to LinkedIn videos, the device viewers are using is likely to determine whether or not they are listening with sound.
A survey among LinkedIn members found that 56% of people watching videos on their desktop or laptop usually have the sound on, compared to only 37% of those watching on their mobile devices.
However, with 29% of mobile video viewers saying that they watch with a mix of sound on and off, many can be persuaded to turn the volume up if you capture their attention with the right text and visuals first.
You've probably noticed that most videos on Facebook don't have sound, right?
That's because about 85% of users watch them on mute. As far as ads are concerned, nearly 80% of users on Facebook watch ads without sound. This means the time you took to find the perfect song for your Facebook video might not have been worth it.
But here's the thing: a recent study by Facebook shows that 80% of stories with voiceover or music in stories drive better results than those without sound. So it turns out that sound matters more than we thought depending on where you post your video content on the platform.
Instagram basically follows the same trends as Facebook in terms of video sound. People scrolling through their feed usually have the sound off, but when it comes to Instagram Stories, 60% of people turn on the sound.
However, due to reels and more TikTok content being shared on Instagram, more people are actually turning up the volume to watch videos.
TikTok is all about sound! They're a 'sound on' platform, meaning users are meant to turn up the volume to fully engage with the content. According to TikTok, half of its users think music makes content more engaging and energetic.
In addition, brands that use TikTok's music have seen a 120% lift in awareness.
And guess what? 88% of TikTok users believe sound is essential to the overall TikTok experience.
If you're already using TikTok or want to get started, make sure that you're set up for success and that your TikTok PFP is on point with our guide, Everything you need to know about your TikTok PFP.
On YouTube, people usually watch videos with sound on — this goes for both video content and ads.
In the US, 60% of YouTube users watch ads with sound, and in the UK, it's even higher at 65%. So, if you want to create awesome video content on YouTube, then sound is definitely something that you want to pay attention to.
Unless you’re only on TikTok and Youtube, most of the time sound is not a make-it-or-break-it when it comes to video content.
However, when viewers do choose to turn up the volume, does it make a difference?
Here are three benefits of adding music or sound to videos:
Music and sound effects can help capture and maintain viewers' attention, leading to increased engagement with the video.
High-quality sound can enhance the overall production value of a video, and can help convey a professional and polished image of the brand.
Music and sound can help create an emotional connection with viewers, making the video more memorable and increasing the likelihood of viewers taking action, such as making a purchase or sharing the video.
So while sound may not always be necessary, it can be a powerful tool to enhance the impact and effectiveness of your video content.
When it comes to creating videos in today's fast-paced world, where content can be shared across various platforms, the best thing to do is focus on creating quality videos that viewers can watch without sound.
At Storykit we always say, "design for sound off, delight with music on". This means focusing on creating visually compelling content that can stand on its own and then adding music as a secondary component to enhance your video.
Creating great silent videos can be achieved by incorporating elements such as text overlays, branding, and background visuals that enhance the story you're telling.
Don't focus on creating time consuming voiceovers when most of the time they aren't even turned on.
Once your video passes the silent test, then you can move on to the next step and add music to take your content to the next level. This shouldn't take long. If you find yourself spending just as much time looking for the perfect tune as you did crafting your masterpiece, it might be time to re-evaluate the way you're working.
At Storykit, we offer a top-notch music library that simplifies the process of adding a captivating soundtrack to your video, eliminating the need for extensive hours of searching. With our solution, you can grant your viewers the freedom to personalize their viewing experience and guarantee that your video will be outstanding, regardless of the platform it's shared on.
April 4, 2023
April 4, 2023
Designed for repurposing and elevating the great content you’ve already got, you can get professional videos done in only a few steps. Just paste your copy in the editor and watch Storykit magically transform it into video.
Achieve more engagement with these 5 video ideas that you can make in 10 minutes.
Create a trailer for your article or blog post and drive viewers to a piece of content you want more attention on. Try the 'Read More' template.
Paint a more vivid picture of your company. Share anything from your most sold products to the markets you're active in. It's easy with the 'Basic Facts' template.
Highlight a particular message and quote from a full case study. Use it as a trailer to drive traffic or as standalone content. Get it done using the 'Micro Case' template.
Advertise all your open positions at once. Showing that your company is growing and expanding is also great marketing. The 'Job Carousel' template is all you need.
Grab the FAQs from your help centre or website. Create how-to videos or highlight features for users or potential customers. Use the 'FAQ for Video' template and you'll be done in no time.
1. Log in to Storykit and create a 'New Video'
2. Select Script Template when prompted and find the template you need.
Want help getting started on a different type of video? You'll find 99 script templates for every purpose, from employer branding and events to corporate communications.
If you need any help, don’t hesitate to reach out.
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Filters are the perfect tool for enhancing the visual quality of your uploaded images and videos. On top of that, they create a coherent feeling between your uploaded content and stock media.
And since each filter uses your theme colors, you can be confident of staying on brand - whichever effect you go for.
Here are some of things you should keep in mind.
Take some time to think about which filters align with your brand's personality. What tone do you want to convey? If you’re selling the next generation of AI services, a vintage old-timey filter won’t resonate. Whereas a more clean and minimalist filter will.
People are put off by mixed messaging from brands. So, once you find the perfect filters that align with your brand tone, stick to them. Especially if you're posting on social media. Viewers will soon recognise your 'look' in their feed before having to read your company name.
Each filter adjusts the contrast, colour balance and other key settings for you. But you can easily dial up your branding when you need to, whatever the filter. Just increase the Filter Opacity and explore the additional effects.
We think the best way to learn about filters is to jump in and use them. But here's a few ‘looks’ that might be handy to get started.
Add a bit of drama. Consider using these filters when describing a challenge or taking the viewer on a heroic journey.
Nurture a strong corporate image. Think about using these filters when you want to inform, educate and build trust with your brand.
Make your colours pop. Check out these filters for a bright and energising atmosphere and to enhance the fun in your story.
Create a classic, nostalgic vibe. How about using these filters to easily beautify your uploaded images/videos and stay on trend?
Sometimes you can say it all in two colors. Monochrome can be useful when you want to focus even more on what’s being said, to capture a more serious mood or present an interview.
Not sure which is the right choice? Add a few images or video clips in the Script Editor or Storyboard Editor and explore all 25 filters. You'll soon get a taste of each and find the perfect match for your brand.
If you need any help, don’t hesitate to reach out.
March 27, 2023
March 27, 2023
We already know that the real estate industry has a major impact on the environment – buildings and real estate account for about 40% of the EU's energy consumption and about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions.
The industry faces a number of challenges to achieve the goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 – and increased energy efficiency in our homes, workplaces, schools and hospitals will play a key role.
There is another factor to consider when it comes to your company's sustainability efforts.
In order for you and your company to create long-term value and build relationships with stakeholders and investors, you need to communicate what you are doing and what your long-term strategies are to contribute to achieving climate goals. The switch to climate-friendly concrete or the expansion of solar panels are not only important investments – but also stories that you should use in marketing your company.
How you succeed in communicating your sustainability efforts can likely affect your business – as investors no longer just look at companies from a financial perspective – but also how you contribute to climate goals.
You may have already heard of ESG? Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is a financial industry standard used to measure a company's sustainability.
The purpose of ESG is to make it easier for investors to find sustainable companies to invest in. The standard makes it possible to map and compare companies based on sustainability criteria. ESG is an important topic at this year's influential real estate conference MIPIM.
Want to read more about how Storykit helps property and real estate development companies capitalize on their communication? Learn more here!
With an effective sustainability strategy on social media, you can help your company become more successful and more interesting to investors, journalists and the general public.
First and foremost, sustainability needs to be a prioritized topic in your content strategy with clear goals for how you reach out, to whom, how often, where – and what types of content formats you will work with.
There are many companies that are good examples that you can be inspired by.
Andreas Ivarsson works at the world-leading communication agency BCW and has worked with social media and digital video for over ten years. We asked him to choose some actors to be inspired by, all of whom use Storykit's video tool to work with sustainability communication on social media.
JM, one of the Nordic's leading project developers of housing, emphasizes sustainability primarily with a focus on the environment and climate. In this video, they show practical examples of how they work with sustainability through efficiency in newly built apartments. The video is a so-called listicle video, a clear list of points illustrated with environmental images. The format often works well and is not difficult to produce. If you look closely, you can also see that they do not use video, instead, it is still images that feel alive thanks to smooth panning and zooming.
Peab, one of the Nordic's leading construction and civil engineering companies, is very concrete and often lets employees be visible when communicating about sustainability. They use both employees to provide credible stories and identification to the recipients, but also to contribute their expertise. Using employees in communication also builds an even stronger team and increases internal pride.
Stena Fastigheter rents out, sells, manages, and constructs homes and premises. In this video, they show what their Swan-labeled properties look like. In this case, it becomes clear how easily consumable facts can become when combined with moving images. The video is a clear example of concrete actions the company is taking in sustainability. The fact that it is also good advertising for their new building project doesn't make it worse. In the post's text, they have chosen to add some "nerd facts" that can certainly attract people interested in sustainable building technology.
Avoid fluff in your communication and do not exaggerate the effects of what your company does. In social media, presenting messages that aren’t entirely true can "at best" lead to your content underperforming, and "at worst" require you to do crisis communication.
Since social media is about conveying a story, moving content is preferred. Our brains engage more easily with video, and it is an effective way to explain more complex messages with images and text in harmony.
People are drawn to other people, and this applies even when scrolling through social media feeds. Highlight people who speak out or portray your story; it engages more than pictures of facades and machines.
You need engagement on social media for your content to be successful. Always ask yourself if the recipient will want to consume - and share - the content.
After someone has taken part in your fantastic content, what should they do next? Always have a call to action! It can be a question that generates comments, a link to register for a webinar, or something in between.
Want to read more about how Storykit helps property and real estate development companies capitalize on their communication? Learn more here!
March 24, 2023
March 24, 2023
The construction industry is still one of the most male-dominated industries in the world. In Europe and the United States, the proportion of women is around 10 percent - and most of them hold administrative or office jobs.
However, if you ask women who work in the construction industry, you get a positive outlook. In a US survey conducted in 2022, 80 percent of the responding women said they loved their job.
Recruiting more women is a challenge that many companies are trying to solve today. With increased focus on equality and diversity, it is a must to actively work with these issues.
Having more even gender distribution is not just a hygiene factor, but also leads to greater success. According to the Peterson Institute, construction companies with more female employees have increased productivity. Among the companies that are among the top 25 percent in terms of gender equality, 46 percent have a greater chance of outperforming their competitors.
Another study conducted by Credit Suisse shows that companies, where half of the managers are women, have ten percent higher returns than companies with fewer female managers.
The need for more women in the industry is something that Maria Wilund, PR manager at Peab, one of the leading construction and civil engineering companies in the Nordics, agrees with.
– We know that mixed workplaces perform better, but we also have a major skills shortage. Our industry has difficulty finding personnel to recruit, so both men and women are needed - it is not just men who can build society.
Peab's strategic goal is to recruit more women than are graduating from relevant education. To increase the proportion of women who choose to join the industry, they have started "Building Year”.
"Building Year" is a paid apprenticeship year for women. With this, they aim to create debate in society and concretely make young girls aware of the industry, says Maria.
Want to read more about how Storykit helps property and real estate development companies capitalize on their communication? Learn more here!
"Building Year" is a broad campaign for Peab, but they also continuously work on lifting up women: getting more interested in the industry and ultimately wanting to work for Peab.
Social media has proven to be very effective for Peab in terms of employer branding.
– We used to work with traditional job ads when we were recruiting, and we noticed an incredible response with many more applications when we started recruiting on social media.
What type of content on social media have you seen the best response to?
– It is clearly when we highlight our own employees.
What is your best tip for reaching women on social media?
– What works best for us is to work with recognition. To attract women, we must show the women who work for us, who are "ordinary" women that most people can identify with. For example, we have a series where female employees have filmed themselves to get more women to join the industry. These have had incredibly high engagement on social media, concludes Maria Wilund.
At Peab, they create content in different formats for different channels - both for internal and external communication. Video is an important format for reaching out - whether it's about advertising, internal training, or simple videos optimized for social media.
With Storykit, they can easily produce the number of videos they needed.
– Just in the past year, we have produced more than 300 films with the help of Storykit, says Carina Nilsson, who is in charge of communications.
What are the important ingredients to get women interested in you as an employer in the content you create?
– Being honest and showing what reality is and looks like. It's important to have a personal tone with the recipient. If you want to reach women, it's important to show women in the content we create to give a sense of identification. We try to use our employees in all the content we produce for social media as much as possible, says Carina.
In this video, they talk about how Peab's permanent offices and construction sites have been equipped with free menstrual products.
In this video, they highlight Peab's support for "All Women's Houses".
This video addresses the importance of a healthier work environment.
Want to read more about how Storykit helps property and real estate development companies capitalise on their communication? Learn more here!
March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023
Instagram filters offer a range of benefits for businesses, from boosting brand recognition to creating a consistent look across your posts.
In this article, we'll delve into the world of Instagram filters and explore how they can benefit your business. We'll also reveal our top picks for the best Instagram filters (along with a few of our own) that will elevate your brand's visual identity and make your posts and stories stand out.
Instagram filters are pre-designed digital effects that you apply to your photos and videos to enhance their visual appearance.
These filters are built into the Instagram app and can be accessed from the editing screen after you've taken a photo or video. They come in a variety of forms ranging from simple color adjustments to complex image enhancements.
For instance, you can choose filters that add warmth or coolness to your photos, or create a vintage look with a black-and-white or sepia filter. Some filters can even change the saturation or brightness of your images, making them appear more vibrant or muted.
In addition, many filters offer special effects like blurring, vignettes, or lens flares that can add a professional touch to your posts.
Traditional Instagram filters are different than AR filters. AR filters offer more interactive and engaging features such as animated effects and face filters that track your movements in real-time (e.g. when you see someone with dog ears). In addition, they are only available when you're making a Story, a Reels video, or when you're using Instagram Live.
Here are some of the benefits of using a specific filter, or filters, for your business.
If you’re not sure where to start with Instagram filters, we recommend trying these five to add a professional touch to your photos and videos within the feed.
This is one of Instagram's most popular filters, and for good reason. It adds a subtle brightness and warm tone to your photos, making them look more inviting and professional.
Another popular filter, Juno adds a cool, bluish tint to your photos while also enhancing the color saturation. This filter is especially effective for product shots or images that feature a lot of color.
This filter adds a slightly muted, vintage look to your photos while also enhancing their contrast and brightness. It is a great choice for photos that need a little extra pop and visual interest.
If you're looking for a filter that gives your photos a classic, timeless look, Gingham is a good choice. This filter adds a subtle, desaturated effect to your photos, making them look more polished and refined.
For images that have a lot of natural light or bright colors, Lark can be a great choice. This filter adds a cool, bright tone to your photos while also enhancing their clarity and sharpness.
If you want to maintain a consistent look and feel for your posts or ads on Instagram — whether they're videos or images — then it is smarter to apply your filters before you even upload your content onto the app. By applying your own unique filters, such as those featuring your brand's signature color, you can create a consistent look and feel across your entire profile.
Plus, filtering your content prior to uploading will also streamline your workflow, as you won't need to spend time editing individual posts once they're on the platform.
Due to the popularity of videos on Instagram, and the introduction of features like Reels, filters are now just as important for videos as they have traditionally been for images.
At Storykit, we're dedicated to helping businesses create eye-catching videos with custom filters that perfectly match their brand and style.
We understand the importance of consistency, which is why we have ‘rule sets’. ‘Rule sets’ allow an organization to lock in the filters they allow, making is it easy for anyone at an organization to produce high-quality videos without sacrificing their unique vibe.
Oh, and speaking of filters, we've curated a list of our top 10 most popular ones that our clients absolutely love. From subtle enhancements to bold transformations, each filter adds a professional touch that sets your videos apart from the rest.
Discover strategies to save time and maintain consistency, while maximizing your impact across platforms. We'll will share practical tips for automating routine tasks, creating content more effectively, and leveraging tools to engage with your audience.
Need videos for social media, sales, HR, or internal communication? With Storykit, any team can create professional videos. These videos can match their brand and work for any platform, format, or language. No editing skills are needed. Whether for LinkedIn, corporate presentations, or global campaigns, Storykit ensures your videos are engaging and optimised for impact.
"We gained 20,000 followers on LinkedIn using Storykit."
Arielle Charra
Director of Marketing, Listgrove
Storykit is the leading video automation platform. It helps thousands of clients in automating and optimizing their video production, boosting productivity, efficiency, and return on investment. With Storykit, you can put your video creation on autopilot.
Anyone! Storykit is made for companies and organizations and works great for anyone with communication needs of any kind. The tool is ideal for digital marketing, PR, HR, social media, corporate communication, sales, events, recruitment, customer success – every team.
With Storykit’s text-to-video AI functionality, you don’t need video editing experience or expensive equipment to create unique and amazing videos.
Absolutely not. Storykit’s intuitive AI-powered platform allows anyone to create professional videos quickly and seamlessly, without any video editing experience or special equipment.
Certainly. Storykit is designed to turn any text into eye-catching video, so it’s perfect for everything from social media posts to corporate communication and employer branding.
Whether you're aiming to engage with clients, disseminate information internally, or enhance your brand, Storykit simplifies the process. It helps you create high-quality videos that appeal to your audience.
Yes, they work like magic on your phone, large display screens, and in your keynotes. We even have customers using Storykit to make videos for their coffee machines!
You can create many things. From social media content and ads to employer branding and internal communications – plus educational videos that boost brand awareness, strengthen reputation, build loyalty, and deliver real impact. The possibilities are endless.
Yes, keeping your videos on-brand is a priority for us. Storykit ensures every video matches your brand guidelines, from fonts and colors to logos. For even more customization, simply reach out to us.
Yes, you can upload your own visuals and integrate them seamlessly into your videos. You can also add voiceovers and audio for a more engaging experience – available in Pro and Enterprise plans. Check out our full feature list.
Yes! Producing video content in various languages allows you to engage a worldwide audience.
Creating different videos for different platforms is simple and fast in Storykit. You can easily change the aspect ratio, assets, music, languages, and stories with just a few clicks. This means you can create videos tailored for all major platforms, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
Storykit offers different pricing plans based on your needs. Book a call for a customized quote, tailored to your preferences.
Yes, we offer tailored plans for teams, companies and organisations of all sizes. Book a call to find the best plan for your video content needs.
The Pro and Enterprise plans have advanced features for companies and organizations that want to grow their video marketing. These include voiceovers, custom templates and modules, a premium library of videos, images, and music, and more. Check our feature list for details.
Absolutely, you can start your free trial and create your first video within minutes. No editing skills or credit card needed.
We offer extensive customer support, onboarding help, and useful resources. This way, you can always get the most from Storykit. Our Enterprise solution also includes a dedicated Enterprise Activation Manager to support you every step of the way.
Absolutely! Our API solution allows you to integrate AI-enhanced video generation into your existing tools. Contact us, and we’ll help you build a customized video production system that fits your needs.
Don’t wait to create! Reach out to us for a demo or start a free trial today!
Create more videos at a fraction of the cost – faster and easier than ever. Book a demo today and see for yourself.