Once you dive into the world of social media marketing, you’ll know why this question keeps coming up so often!
When you have to choose between live-action and animated videos for your social media, you can’t just close your eyes and aim to hit your targets. You need proper planning.
Why?
Because your video marketing strategy is how people recognize you. It’s a defining factor for any brand as it sets you apart in the digital chaos. You are you because of the video content you share on social media.
As a video production agency offering animation services for years, we have lost count of the times this question was brought up by our clients. We have had hours and hours of discussions, and yet the question is still up for debate.
Every other day, it’s another client contemplating between a live-action and animation video. And we don’t blame them.
We thought, why not answer this question once and for all.
Cutting directly to the chase, there are no right or wrong answers. But there are definitely ‘better’ options depending on the context at hand.
After reading this blog, you will know:
- Whether to invest in live-action videos or animated videos for social media.
- Which questions to ask yourself to understand your context & reach a conclusion
- What we think works best.
So, let’s get straight into the details.
Why Live-Action Videos for Social Media?
People love seeing other people.
It’s a scroll-stopping piece of content in a real sense as people are drawn to faces. No wonder live-action performs better on social media
If the product you’re selling is tangible, then live-action videos might be the perfect option. You can clearly capture how your product functions and looks when used by real humans.
Illustrations or animation are effective too but they wouldn’t conjure up the real emotions and feel of your product.
Live-action videos add human value and the human element is irreplaceable, to say the least. But there sure are some cons.
Brownie points for businesses who introduce their employees, their workstations, and even some other insights of the company through a live-action video. These businesses are way ahead of the competition when it comes to customer trust and recognition in the market.
Cons of Live-Action Videos
One of the biggest concerns is cost restraints.
Locations, cameras, actors, props, and what not require one thing, that is, money.
Safe to say, live-action videos break budgets and even timelines.
If you are in a hurry to get yourself a video, then live-action might not work because when real people come into the picture, real issues emerge too.
When you decide to go for live-action videos for social media, you need to realize that editing and redoing a scene wouldn’t be too frequent, as well. It’s much less flexible and last-minute changes are a foreign concept. Once the filming is done and everything’s wrapped up-there’s no turning back.
Why Animated Videos for Social Media?
Now, if you don’t have the budget but still want to stand out animation is a perfect choice.
Animated videos are not just engaging but fun to consume. You can present the content in a digestible and visually-captivating way.
When it comes to explaining a concept, animated videos are an excellent tool because the fun visuals keep the viewers at ease. Users are intrigued to watch the entire story, and they don’t feel threatened by the bulk of information being presented to them.
You can either go for 2D animation or 3D animation depending on your budget and project needs. If 2D cartoon animation doesn’t work for you, go for 3D as it’s a great alternative. It’s far more realistic.
Video animation can be frequently edited and it’s primarily restricted by the animator’s imagination only.
If you’re getting an animated explainer video made by a video production agency like Anideos, you have the flexibility to request revisions as well.
Using animated videos for social media make your brand seem more approachable.
Here comes the “but.”
But there’s a huge con with animation which we’ll discuss below.
Cons of Animated Videos
The human element is missing, and nobody can do much about it.
Using animated videos for social media might not click with your target users. Some might not even consider it a personal approach.
Hence, the best approach is to mix live-action and animation if you have the budget.
Ask Yourself
Though there’s no clear-cut answer, but there’s a way to decide for yourself. The questions below will help you determine your context and hopefully land on an informed decision.
- What is the product or service I’m trying to sell?
- What is my target audience?
- What is the message I want to convey?
- What is my budget and time constraints?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you know whether a live-action video or an animated video will solve your problem.
If there’s still a big question mark in your head, you can contact us for free consultation services.
Ending the Animated vs Live-Action Debate
Putting an end to this animation vs. live-action conflict, we only have one thing to say.
Take your time and stick to your decision.
Both animation and live-action videos can help you create unforgettable content but don’t keep on bouncing to and fro.
You are communicating and building your brand’s identity with the videos you put up on social media. If you post animated videos but want to try your hand at live-action videos once in a blue moon, go for it. But there should be some consistent elements that let the viewers know it’s you.
Being among the best animation firms in USA, we have a lot of expertise to share with you. So, if you are struggling to make a decision, we are just a call away. Reach out to us with your project details, and we will gladly come up with something for you!
