5 examples of unbranded videos that your brand could seriously learn from

Video content is hard to do and even harder to do well. Here are five examples (okay, four but we couldn’t leave out ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’) we think deserve your time and adulation. Some include product placement, most are on YouTube and others are simply great ideas that are well executed.

1. Thug Notes

An interesting take on Cliff Notes — a popular student study guide company — Thug Notes takes the old and makes it new. High quality production, content and clever idea. [YouTube]

2. Honest Trailers

Simple idea, incredibly passionately executed — what trailers should say, not the Hollywood version. Whilst the ability to integrate and place products is somewhat limited, the content and passion behind Honest Trailers (and the demand from the community it has created) is undeniable. Possibly copyright issues. [YouTube]

3. My Drunk Kitchen

Let’s be honest, we don’t always cook as sober as we should. At least that’s the idea behind Hannah Hart’s “My Drunk Kitchen”. Booze brands, food brands and appliance brands should be sending her goods to use on the show. Hart already has a book deal. [YouTube]

4. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

The premise is simple, coffee with Jerry Seinfeld and another comedian… in a vintage car… with product placement from Acura. It’s simple, funny and the placement feels natural. Great editing and recurring theme makes this great viewing. [Sparkle]

5. MinutePhysics

Whiteboard videos are incredibly popular right now. From RSA to TED Talks, they’re fast becoming the defacto video for conferences etc. One outlet that has consistently created useful and high quality videos is “Minute Physics” – a Physics idea explained in a minute. Simple, effective and (with the topics carefully curated/picked) shareable. [YouTube]

Themes/ideas that might work for your brand:

• Find an idea that people agree with (or it’s hard to disagree with)
• Post regularly and passionately
• Funny works (but so does simple and honest)
• Short does not always equal views (four out of the five are +3 minutes long)

---

This article by Paul Armstong originally appeared on Digitalorangeconsulting.com, a Burn Media publishing partner. Image: McBeth via Flickr