Video Archetypes by Industry

Quick reference for common video patterns and structures.

SaaS / Software

Product Demo (60-90s): Hook → Problem → Solution → Features (3-4 max) → Social proof → CTA
Style: Screen recordings, clean UI | Pacing: Medium | Mistake: Too many features

Explainer (30-60s): Problem → Solution → How it works (3 steps) → CTA
Style: Abstract animations, icons | Pacing: Fast | Mistake: Too technical

Launch (30-45s): Teaser → Problem → Reveal → Key features (2-3) → Availability
Style: Cinematic, polished | Pacing: Building to reveal | Mistake: Revealing too early

E-commerce / Retail

Product Showcase (15-30s): Hero shot → Features/angles → Lifestyle → CTA
Style: High-quality product photography | Pacing: Fast | Mistake: Not showing in use

Brand Story (60-90s): Hook → Origin → Values → Products → Community → CTA
Style: Authentic, emotional | Pacing: Slow-medium | Mistake: Too sales-y

Seasonal (15-30s): Holiday hook → Products → Offer → CTA
Style: Holiday-themed, festive | Pacing: Fast, urgent | Mistake: No urgency

B2B / Enterprise

Thought Leadership (60-120s): Challenge → Insight → Implications → Approach → CTA
Style: Professional, data viz | Pacing: Slow | Mistake: Too self-promotional

Case Study (90-120s): Customer intro → Problem → Solution → Results/metrics → Testimonial → CTA
Style: Customer footage, data | Pacing: Medium | Mistake: No real metrics

Company Overview (60-90s): Mission → Problem → Solution → Differentiators → Customers → CTA
Style: Office/team shots | Pacing: Medium | Mistake: Too generic

Finance / Healthcare / Real Estate / Food / Education / Non-Profit / Entertainment

Finance Trust Builder (45-60s): Security hook → Problem → Solution → Trust signals → CTA
Style: Clean, professional | Pacing: Calm | Mistake: Too complex

Healthcare Patient Story (60-90s): Intro → Challenge → Journey → Outcome → CTA
Style: Authentic, hopeful | Pacing: Slow, emotional | Mistake: HIPAA violations

Real Estate Property (30-60s): Exterior → Rooms → Features → Neighborhood → CTA
Style: Smooth movement, bright | Pacing: Slow | Mistake: Camera too fast

Food Recipe (30-60s): Final dish → Ingredients → Process → Reveal → CTA
Style: Overhead, close-ups | Pacing: Fast | Mistake: Not enough final product

Education Course Promo (45-60s): Outcome → Problem → Overview → Instructor → CTA
Style: Dynamic, engaging | Pacing: Energetic | Mistake: No course content shown

Non-Profit Impact (60-90s): Problem → Beneficiary story → Solution → Impact → CTA
Style: Authentic, emotional | Pacing: Slow | Mistake: Exploitation

Entertainment Trailer (30-60s): Hook → Setup → Conflict → Climax tease → Title
Style: Cinematic, fast cuts | Pacing: Building | Mistake: Showing too much

Problem-Solution: Problem → Agitate → Solve → Prove → CTA (B2B, SaaS, services)
Transformation: Before → Catalyst → Journey → After → CTA (Education, wellness)
Feature Showcase: Hook → Feature 1/2/3 → Summary → CTA (Launches, demos)
Social Proof: Hook → Testimonial 1/2/3 → Join CTA (Trust-building)
Aspirational: Dream → Gap → Bridge → Vision → CTA (Luxury, lifestyle)

Length Guidelines

Pacing

Fast (1-2s/scene): Social media, high energy | Risk: Fatigue
Medium (2-4s/scene): Most content | Risk: Generic
Slow (4-8s/scene): Luxury, emotional | Risk: Losing attention