Also known as demo reels, promo videos, show reels, video pitches, or teasers, professional sizzle reels are short, stylized promotional videos. Though applied differently among various industries, they often provide an intriguing overview of a brand, product, or service. In the content below, we explore this unique media method, including the purpose of a professional sizzle reel and how to craft a compelling promotional video for your industry needs.
What is the Purpose of a Professional Sizzle Reel?
As mentioned, various industries utilize sizzle reels for multiple applications. For example, editors, videographers, photographers, influencers, actors, and other creatives use them to showcase their work, pitch ideas, or vouch for publicity engagements. Adobe insightfully shares, “Director and product Taylor Kavanaugh says that when looking to hire for a project, he considers two things: whether someone is easy to work with, and how good their sizzle reel is.”
Brands often introduce new products or services to the public through compelling, eye-catching teasers and trailers. Additionally, companies utilize them to convey mass messages and reach consumers, clients, or other businesses. Similarly, marketers and advertising agencies may employ a brief, powerful sizzle reel for sales and promotional presentations.
In essence, a properly crafted sizzle reel works as a unique communication tool and a “proof of concept, selling the idea by generating excitement.”
Sizzle Reel: Crafting a Compelling Story
Regardless of industry or purpose, a few key traits define successful sizzle reels. If you plan to create your own, hire a professional to craft a compelling video or analyze another’s reel, pay careful attention to the following characteristics.
Length
These brief videos traditionally have a duration between 3 and 5 minutes. However, asking a potential customer in today’s day and age to pause and watch 5 minutes of promotional content is virtually unrealistic. Therefore, with the ever-shortening attention spans deriving from prevalent social media platforms, marketers or influencers find greater success in shorter reels.
As a general rule of thumb, less is more. Try to compel your target audience in a concise and powerful way, trimming your extensive or unnecessary video and audio clips. Sizzle reels are designed to provide a sneak peek of the latest and greatest, a sample that will encourage viewers or customers to return. The most effective reals are usually last between 1 and 3 minutes.
Audience
Creating a professional sizzle reel with the purpose of compelling your target audience is only possible if you possess a clear understanding of your target audience. Therefore, answer the following questions:
- Who is the teaser intended for?
- What is your audience looking for in your video?
- How would your audience respond to your reel?
- Are you producing for an audience of professionals, looking for impressive data?
- Is your video intended to provide a movie sneak peek for an audience?
If you are presenting data to a client or investor through a sizzle real, keep the important information and scrap any fillers. However, if you are pitching the movie to a network, your approach may be different. In that case, show exciting, energetic or dramatic footage that employs cliffhangers and suspense.
Additionally, while brainstorming a reel, try to enter your target audience’s mind by answering their possible questions and understanding what will capture attention and demand their response. Business Insider insightfully comments, “The worst thing you can do is make a sizzle reel for yourself.”
Purpose
Similar to understanding your target audience, knowing your intended purpose is absolutely necessary to create a successful video. After all, how will you measure success without an intended goal or purpose?
For example, if your reel contains an entire pitch or presentation, the video should only cover key details. If the video is meant to be segmented with a part 1 of 2, or initiated an in-person presentation, it need not cover every facet. Then, your sizzle real should only set a mood or introduce a topic. Director Kavanaugh explains, “It’s much better to make it shorter and leave people wanting more than to make it too long. Create an emotion. Show that your work is premium, show what you do well, and then point somebody to your website where they can dive in more fully.”
Content & Narrative
Most sizzle reels are a combination of images, audio, and footage, elegantly compiled to tell a story. Simply put, select the best, high-quality media for your intended purpose. Use images that impact your reel and refrain from superfluous text. Instead, use short phrases and clear fonts that compliment your brand.
Additionally, audio is just as vital as visual content. Music serves as a powerful tool to help your video convey the right emotion. Therefore, take the time to select the right audio that highlights every component of your footage and imagery. Excellent content edited to disjointed or cheap stock music disengages your audience, just how powerful and perfectly applied music paired with low-quality content fails to attract your viewers.
Finally, utilize your content and audio to tell a story. Humans relate over narrative. Therefore, create an exciting, coherent video that leaves viewers with a satisfied sense of story arch, takeaway message, and a call to action.
Call to Action
A professional sizzle reel’s main objective is to call the intended audience to respond. Whether a consumer makes a conversion, or a network accepts a show, leaving viewers with a clear course of action is another important component of success.
Provide next-step directions at the end of your reel. Help viewers or prospective customers act by guiding them to follow a link, fill out a form, or – if presenting in person – request a proposal or additional information. Regardless, make the next step for your viewer sensible and easy to accomplish.
The Significance of Video Professionalism
We cannot emphasize enough the importance of a properly created sizzle reel. Unfortunately, many brands and influencers have experienced the negative, expensive effects of a poor teaser – including turning prospective clients away from your product or missing out on a unique opportunity.
Obtaining a powerful sizzle reel for yourself or your company begins with understanding exactly what it is, including its primary purposes and artful creation, and selecting a trustworthy videography company.
Franklin Media: Professional Videography for Your Industry Needs
At Franklin Media, we are dedicated to spreading knowledge through video – making the world smarter. Our team supports education through video training and live broadcasting. If you or your company need professional video services, we promise excellence, efficiency, and integrity in every project.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about making a sizzle reel or our other services, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at or 773.345.6539 via our online contact form.