You, Uncut: Using Video Bloopers to Boost Engagement

This guest post is by Carla of Looqiloo.com.

I love watching blooper reels at the end of movies. Sometimes they’re my favorite part of the whole experience. It’s nice to see that the multi-million dollar, polished product you just sat and watched was the product of lots of trial and error. It reminds you that actors are just people too, and yes, they sometimes get it totally wrong too! Let me share this series of my favorite bloopers from the show Friends to loosen you up and get those face muscles working.

Just like the movies, great online videos don’t just happen. I can’t count the number of times I have to remake even the most mundane of videos, usually because I stumble over the script, or the dog barks, or for some equally unentertaining reason.

Sometimes though, the mistakes can be better than the finished product.

People don´t spend their time watching boring monotone videos—they want something interesting. We love to connect with people online, and we want our audiences to feel something towards us. Whether they love us, respect us, or think we’re pee-your-pants funny, it’s all about making that connection. What makes you more real than the mistakes you make?

Bloggers all about being social and spreading the word. After reviewing hundreds and thousands of videos, I can say is that there is one thing most of us are trying to achieve: to make an audience feel like they’re part of something, so they (your potential customers, followers, friends) identify with whatever it is you’re trying to convey.

So next time you’re thinking about making a video, keep it simple and honest: showcase your bloopers and mistakes! Let your audience join you in the little jokes, engage people by being you, uncut!

Here are my top tips for putting bloopers to good use for your blog.

Build credibility

Be natural. If something comes out kind of funny, leave it! You’ll probably be surprised how many people with laugh along with you as you begin building up a persona through your videos. You can also try laughing at yourself a bit after the mistake, or apologizing in a playful manner.

Don’t try to force it though. Fake isn’t funny. For a look at how this can work when it’s done well, see these bloopers on live news.

Leave the viewer smiling

Why not take your cue directly from the movies and collect all your best bloopers to include at the end of your video? This can be particularly helpful when the video topic is educational or a little dry, as it leaves the audience with something to smile about, and a reminder that you really are just like them.

Best of

If you produce a lot of video content, an annual “Best Of” video can be a great opportunity to build engagement through bloopers. Whether you schedule it randomly, to fill in those quiet Christmastime days, or tie it in with another promotion, so long as you can make it truly funny, your audience is guaranteed to laugh along with you.

You never know, your video might even go viral and you, my friend, will reap the benefits.

Don’t confuse crud with comedy

Keep in mind that there’s a fine line between simply making mistakes constantly and “blooping.” Knowing what you’re talking about and getting back on track without dragging on the joke for too long will make all the difference.

When people don’t know what they’re talking about, and don’t recover from their mistake, it can backfire and lose viewers. Take, for instance, this blooper video: it’s too much of the same thing, and constant re-takes.

You don’t want to waste people’s time, otherwise not only may you bore your audience, you might also have them run off for good!

Let them know you’re good first

It is very important that, before you show your audience your mistakes, you show them you know your topic. From there on, it’s smooth sailing!

The reason I bring this up is because when we make mistakes, we don’t necessarily mean to be funny. You could get stuck, or not know what you’re talking about, and this is not good.

But if you stumble over your words a little, add a friendly smile or short laugh, then pick up the pace, you’ll likely entertain the viewer and have them keep to your train of thought easily.

You, uncut

Enjoy your bloopers, they make it real! That authenticity and organic development is rare, and it could be your gateway to success. After all, there is very little we love to share more than laughter!

Do you use your bloopers in the videos you share with followers? Show us your best blooper links in the comments.

Carla lives and works in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica, and is the community manager and face of Looqiloo.com, where she helps video product reviewers look great on camera every day! Follow her on twitter @trendseeker and @Looqiloo.