In today’s fast-paced digital world, creating an app is just the beginning of your journey toward success. Once your app is developed, how do you get people to download and use it? With over 255 billion app downloads globally in 2022 alone, standing out from the competition is harder than ever. Simply having a great app isn’t enough to guarantee success. What you need is a compelling way to promote it—a strategy that hooks potential users and convinces them that your app is worth downloading.
One of the most effective tools in your app marketing arsenal is the app promo video. Short, engaging, and packed with valuable information, these videos not only show your audience what your app can do but also drive conversions. App videos help turn casual viewers into loyal, paying customers. But here’s the catch—making a basic video to showcase your app is not enough.
You need a video that resonates with your audience, communicates the app’s value proposition clearly, and inspires action. With the right elements in place, an app promo video can go from a simple demo to a powerful conversion tool. In this blog, we will dive deep into how to create an app promo video that not only showcases your app but also converts everyday viewers into paying customers.
What is an App Promo Video?
An app promo video is a short, engaging video designed to highlight the key features and benefits of a mobile application. These videos typically run between 30 seconds and two minutes, depending on the complexity of the app and the message you want to convey. An effective app promo video does more than just show off the app’s user interface or list its features; it tells a story, demonstrates the app’s value, and encourages viewers to take action—whether that action is downloading the app, subscribing, or making a purchase.
Types of App Promo Videos
There are different types of app promo videos, each serving a specific purpose:
- Explainer Videos: These are designed to explain what your app does, how it works, and why users should care. They often include step-by-step guides, animations, or live demonstrations.
- Feature Highlight Videos: These videos focus on a specific feature or set of features within the app. They are great for updates or new versions of the app where you want to draw attention to added functionality.
- App Teaser Videos: Teaser videos are short, often less than 30 seconds, and designed to build excitement around an upcoming app launch or update. They usually focus on creating curiosity rather than explaining all the details.
- Testimonial Videos: These videos feature real users or influencers talking about their experience with the app. This is a powerful way to build trust and credibility.
- App Preview Videos: These are typically used on app store listings. They are short, snappy, and designed to quickly show potential users how the app looks and functions.
Why Create an App Promo Video?
An app promo video is one of the most effective ways to increase visibility, engagement, and conversions. Here are several reasons why creating an app promo video should be a top priority for your app marketing strategy:
1. Increased Visibility in the App Store
In both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, having an app promo video can significantly enhance your app’s visibility. Videos are more engaging than static images, and both stores allow you to upload a video as part of your app listing. According to statistics, apps with videos on their app store pages have a 40% higher download rate. Videos also improve your chances of ranking higher in search results because they keep users engaged for longer, signalling to the platform that your app is worth promoting.
2. Boost Conversion Rates
An effective app promo video can dramatically improve your conversion rates. Research shows that 85% of people are more likely to purchase after watching a product video. The same principle applies to apps—when people can see how your app works, what problems it solves, and how it can improve their lives, they are much more likely to download it.
3. Simplified User Understanding
Many apps fail not because they lack functionality but because users don’t fully understand what they do or how to use them. A promo video can simplify complex features, making it easier for potential users to see the app’s value. For instance, a detailed explainer video can walk users through your app’s interface, showing them how easy it is to navigate and use.
4. Emotional Connection
One of the biggest advantages of video content is its ability to create an emotional connection with viewers. While text and images can convey information, video has the power to evoke emotions. By telling a story or showing how your app can solve real-world problems, you can establish a deeper connection with your audience. For example, if your app is designed to help people manage their time better, a video that shows someone overcoming time-management challenges can create an emotional hook that resonates with viewers.
5. Shareability
Videos are highly shareable across social media platforms. When people come across an engaging video, they are more likely to share it with friends and followers. This organic spread can help you reach a much wider audience without spending a fortune on paid advertising.
Creating Engaging App Videos for Conversion
So, you’ve decided to create an app promo video. But how do you ensure that it converts viewers into paying customers? Let’s break down the essential elements of a high-converting app promo video:
1. Start with a Strong Hook
The first few seconds of your app promo video are critical. In an era of short attention spans, you need to capture the viewer’s attention immediately. The best way to do this is with a strong hook—something that grabs the audience’s attention right away. This could be a bold statement, a visually stunning animation, or an intriguing question that makes the viewer want to keep watching.
For example, if your app is a productivity tool, you could start the video with a question like, “Struggling to stay organized?” This immediately resonates with viewers who are looking for a solution to their organization’s problems.
2. Highlight the Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Every app has a unique selling proposition (USP)—the one thing that makes it stand out from the competition. Your app promo video should focus on this USP early on. Don’t try to highlight every single feature of your app; instead, zero in on the one or two features that make your app different from everything else on the market.
For example, if your app is a fitness tracker that integrates with multiple devices and platforms seamlessly, that’s a great USP to highlight. Show how this feature makes the user’s life easier compared to other fitness apps.
3. Use Storytelling
Humans are wired to respond to stories. Rather than just listing features or showing a tutorial, weave a story into your app promo video. A simple narrative can make your app more relatable and emotionally engaging.
For example, if your app is a budget planner, create a story around someone who is struggling with their finances and how your app helps them regain control. Show the transformation, the problem, and how the app becomes the hero.
4. Keep It Short and Concise
Your app promo video doesn’t need to be long to be effective. The ideal length for an app promo video is between 30 seconds and 90 seconds. Anything longer than that, and you risk losing the viewer’s attention. Keep your message short, to the point, and impactful.
Use the video to convey the most important aspects of your app, and then direct viewers to take the next step—whether that’s downloading the app, visiting your website, or signing up for a free trial.
5. Show the App in Action
One of the key advantages of video is that it allows you to show, not just tell. Rather than simply explaining what your app does, show it in action. Use screen recordings of your app’s interface, animations, or live-action footage to demonstrate how your app works in real life. This makes it easier for potential users to understand the app’s value and functionality.
For example, if your app is a photo-editing tool, show how easy it is to enhance a photo in just a few taps. Include before-and-after examples to visually demonstrate the app’s impact.
6. Add a Clear Call to Action (CTA)
No app promo video is complete without a call to action. The CTA is what prompts the viewer to take the next step, whether that’s downloading the app, subscribing, or visiting your website. Be clear and direct with your CTA, and make sure it stands out at the end of the video.
Examples of effective CTAs include:
- “Download Now on the App Store and Google Play!”
- “Start Your Free Trial Today!”
- “Try it for Free and Get Organized Now!”
Make sure your CTA is aligned with your overall marketing goals and that it directs users toward an easy, actionable next step.
The Bottom Line: Making App Promo Videos That Convert
Creating an app promo video is one of the most powerful tools you can use to drive app downloads, build brand awareness, and boost conversions. When done right, these videos not only show off your app’s features but also connect with your audience emotionally and inspire them to take action.
By focusing on storytelling, crafting a strong hook, highlighting your app’s unique selling points, and keeping the video concise, you can create a high-converting app promo video that turns everyday viewers into loyal, paying customers.
Tips to Create an App Preview Video That Converts
1. Advantages of a Preview Video for Your App/Game
Creating an app preview video offers several advantages that static images or written descriptions simply can’t match. With a video, you can give potential users a hands-on view of how your app works, making it easier for them to visualize themselves using it. A preview video also has the potential to increase retention rates by helping users understand the app’s functionality before they download it. Additionally, it boosts your app store ranking, improves user engagement, and ultimately drives more conversions.
2. Understand Your Audience
Before you create your app promo video, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your target audience. Different audiences respond to different types of content, so knowing your user demographics—such as age, gender, interests, and app usage habits—will help you tailor the video to their needs.
For example, if your app is a game targeting teenagers, the video should be fast-paced, exciting, and full of action. On the other hand, if your app is a productivity tool aimed at professionals, the video should be clean, concise, and to the point.
3. Leverage Keywords in Your Preview Video for Increased Visibility
Just like with written content, keywords are essential for making your video discoverable. Use relevant keywords in your video title, description, and tags to help it rank higher in app store search results and on platforms like YouTube. Research what keywords your audience is using to search for apps similar to yours, and incorporate those into your video strategy.
For example, if your app is a language-learning tool, keywords like “language learning app,” “learn Spanish online,” or “best app to learn languages” can help drive more traffic to your video.
4. Use Storytelling & Visual Elements for Effective App Preview Videos
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to make your app promo video memorable. But storytelling doesn’t have to mean a full-fledged narrative with characters and plot twists. Even something as simple as showing a user journey—from encountering a problem to solving it with your app—can create a compelling story. Combine storytelling with strong visual elements, such as animations, screenshots, or real-life footage, to keep your audience engaged.
5. Create Engaging Opening Scenes in Your Preview Video
First impressions matter, especially when it comes to video. Your opening scene needs to grab the viewer’s attention right away. Use eye-catching visuals, bold text, or intriguing questions to hook viewers within the first five seconds of the video. A strong opening increases the chances that viewers will stick around to watch the entire video.
How to Create Video Content That Converts
Creating video content that converts requires a combination of clear messaging, engaging visuals, and a strong CTA. Whether it’s a promo video for your app or an ad campaign, here are some tips to ensure your video content converts:
- Keep It Focused: Make sure your video has a single, clear message. Don’t try to cover too many points in one video, as this can confuse viewers.
- Optimize for Mobile: Since most viewers will watch your app promo video on mobile devices, ensure that the video is optimized for smaller screens. Use large fonts, bold visuals, and concise messaging.
- Test Different Versions: If you’re running video ads, create multiple versions with slightly different messaging, visuals, or CTAs. Test them to see which version performs best.
- Include User Testimonials: People trust the opinions of others. Including testimonials from real users can build trust and credibility for your app.
How to Create High-Converting Video Ads
Creating high-converting video ads follows many of the same principles as creating an app promo video, but there are additional factors to consider:
- Focus on the Pain Point: Start your video ad by addressing a common pain point your target audience experiences. Then, show how your app solves that problem.
- Make the Offer Clear: If your video ad is promoting a special offer, make sure that the offer is front and centre. Whether it’s a free trial, discount, or exclusive access, make it clear to viewers what they’re getting.
- Use Social Proof: Adding elements of social proof, such as user reviews, ratings, or awards, can help increase conversions by showing viewers that others trust and value your app.
- Keep It Short: Video ads need to be short and punchy. Aim for a length of 15-30 seconds to keep viewers’ attention and maximize engagement.
What Is the AI App That Converts Text to Video?
In recent years, AI has made it easier than ever to create engaging video content. One such tool is Lumen5, a platform that automatically converts text into video. Lumen5 uses AI to match your text with relevant visuals, audio, and animations, making it an ideal solution for creating videos quickly and efficiently.
