Video Production

Discovery & Strategy

14min

Why Discovery & Strategy Matter in Video Production

The success of a video project is determined long before the cameras start rolling. Discovery and strategy define the purpose, audience, and messaging framework that will guide the entire production process. Without this foundational work, video content can feel disjointed, fail to engage the right viewers, or underperform in conversions.

Key Insights on Video Strategy & Planning

  • Videos with a clearly defined purpose generate 47% more engagement. (Source: HubSpot)
  • Messaging consistency improves brand recall by 70%. (Source: Think With Google)
  • Targeted video content delivers a 2x higher ROI than broad, generalized messaging. (Source: Wistia)

Step 1: Define the Video’s Purpose

Before production begins, ask: Why are we creating this video?

Business Goal

Best Video Type

Brand Awareness

Short-form social content, brand story videos

Lead Generation

Product explainers, educational content, webinar clips

Sales Enablement

Testimonial videos, case studies, demo videos

Customer Retention

Training videos, FAQ videos, onboarding sequences

How to Align Video Content with Business Goals

  • If the goal is brand awareness, prioritize high-energy, shareable content that sparks curiosity.
  • If the goal is lead generation, educate the audience and introduce value without a hard sell.
  • If the goal is conversion, provide persuasive, trust-building content like customer success stories.
  • If the goal is retention, ensure clarity in training or support videos to enhance the customer experience.

Action Step: Before proceeding, write a one-sentence objective that answers, “What success looks like for this video?”

Step 2: Identify the Target Audience

Effective video content speaks directly to the right people at the right time. Defining your audience ensures the video resonates, builds connections, and drives action.

Audience Profiling: Who Are You Speaking To?

Demographic Factors

Psychographic Factors

Age, gender, location

Interests, values, beliefs

Income level, job title

Buying motivations, challenges

Preferred platforms

Content consumption habits

How to Gather Audience Insights

  • Analyze existing customer data → Use CRM insights, analytics, and past campaign performance.
  • Review social media engagement → Understand what content formats and messages resonate.
  • Survey current customers → Identify common questions, pain points, and preferences.
  • Use industry reports → Leverage research on video consumption trends in your market.

Action Step: Create a 1-2 sentence audience persona that clarifies who the video is for and what matters most to them.

Step 3: Develop a Messaging Framework

Key Elements of a High-Impact Video Message

Messaging Component

Purpose

Core Value Proposition

Clearly articulate why the viewer should care.

Emotional Trigger

Establish a relatable problem, aspiration, or need.

Call-to-Action (CTA)

Provide a clear next step (e.g., book a demo, sign up, buy now).

Brand Consistency

Ensure tone, visuals, and language align with brand identity.

Crafting a Story that Converts

  1. Start with the pain point → What problem does your audience need solved?
  2. Introduce your solution → How does your product, service, or brand provide value?
  3. Show proof of success → Use testimonials, statistics, or demonstrations.
  4. End with a strong CTA → Make the next step obvious and compelling.

Action Step: Write a brief messaging outline that defines the video's core narrative and emotional appeal.

Step 4: Concept Development

Once the purpose, audience, and messaging are defined, it’s time to shape the creative direction of the video.

How to Develop a Video Concept that Engages

Creative Element

Why It Matters

Mood & Tone

Sets the emotional impact (e.g., inspiring, educational, humorous).

Visual Style

Determines if the video will be cinematic, animated, interview-based, etc.

Format & Length

Optimizes content for platforms (e.g., 30s for social, 3m for YouTube).

Storytelling Approach

Ensures the message flows in a logical and engaging way.

Concept Refinement Process

  • Brainstorm multiple creative angles → Explore different ways to tell the same story.
  • Test ideas with stakeholders → Get feedback from marketing, sales, and leadership.
  • Consider repurposing opportunities → Can this video be adapted into multiple formats?

Action Step: Draft a Creative Brief that summarizes the concept, key visuals, and tone.

Final Takeaways: How to Nail the Discovery & Strategy Phase

  1. Every successful video starts with a defined purpose and audience understanding.
  2. Messaging should be clear, emotionally compelling, and aligned with business goals.
  3. Concept development must balance creativity with strategic intent.
  4. Pre-production planning reduces inefficiencies and maximizes content effectiveness.

Want expert help building a video-first marketing strategy?

Book a Consultation With Look Studios

Sources & Further Reading

  • HubSpot. How Video Messaging Drives Conversions. Retrieved from hubspot.com
  • Wistia. The Psychology of Video Engagement. Retrieved from wistia.com
  • Think With Google. Why Video Personalization Increases ROI. Retrieved from thinkwithgoogle.com