Not All Video Is Created Equal: How to Choose the Right Format for Your Business

If you’re investing in video for your business, the hardest part often isn’t the filming, it’s knowing what kind of video you actually need.

Do you need a 90-second brand story for your website?
A series of snappy how-to videos for LinkedIn?
A full-blown case study to convince new clients you’re the real deal?

The problem is, most business owners know they need video…
But they don’t always know what format will move the needle.
So they either overthink it, or worse, they waste budget on the wrong thing.

First, not all video is created equal

Video isn’t one-size-fits-all. Just like you wouldn’t wear a tux to clean the garage, you shouldn’t use a cinematic brand film to answer FAQs on LinkedIn.

Each type of video has a purpose, a place, and a power.
Your job (or ours, really) is to match the right format to the right problem.

Here are 6 of the most effective video formats for B2B businesses:

1. Brand Story Film

Where to use: Homepage, About page, sales meetings, events
Purpose: Build trust, explain who you are, show what makes you different
Typical length: 1–3 mins
Best for: Website traffic, long-term brand building

These are the hero pieces. The ones with slow-motion shots, carefully chosen music, team interviews and story-driven structure. If you're trying to win hearts, this is the video you want.

Think: “This is who we are. This is why we exist. And here’s why you should care.”

2. Customer Testimonials / Case Studies

Where to use: Sales proposals, email follow-ups, website
Purpose: Build credibility and reduce buyer anxiety
Typical length: 60–120 seconds per video
Best for: Bottom-of-funnel conversions

These aren’t just “nice reviews”, they’re proof.
A good testimonial doesn’t just say “They were great!”
It tells a before-and-after story, with real metrics and real emotion.

Think: “Here’s what our customer struggled with, here’s what we did and here’s how it changed their business.”

3. Authority Content / Thought Leadership

Where to use: LinkedIn, YouTube, blog posts, newsletters
Purpose: Build trust, demonstrate expertise, educate
Typical length: 30–90 seconds (or broken down from a longer shoot)
Best for: Increasing engagement and brand recall

These are short videos where you, or someone on your team, shares genuinely useful insights. No sales pitch, just value.

We shoot a lot of these in batches using our Authority Video system: one morning in the studio, 20–30 useful clips, done.

Think: “Here’s how to solve this common problem in your industry.”

4. Explainers / FAQ Videos

Where to use: Website, onboarding emails, sales demos
Purpose: Save time, reduce confusion, support customer success
Typical length: 1–2 mins per topic
Best for: Support teams, sales enablement, customer onboarding

Instead of repeating yourself 20 times a week, let a video do it for you.
We’ve had clients create whole libraries of these to shorten sales cycles and improve customer experience.

Think: “Here’s what to expect before your first order. Here’s how our process works. Here’s what happens next.”

5. Short-Form Social Clips

Where to use: TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
Purpose: Awareness, reach, lead generation
Typical length: 15–45 seconds
Best for: Staying visible, being shareable, boosting traffic

Fast, punchy, scroll-stopping.
This is where personality wins. The goal here isn’t to educate deeply, it’s to make people notice you and want to know more.

Think: “That’s smart.” “That’s funny.” “That’s relatable.”

6. Recruitment Video

Where to use: Careers page, job ads, social media
Purpose: Attract and retain the right talent
Typical length: 1–3 mins
Best for: Hiring for culture-fit, showcasing your team

The best people aren’t applying based on salary alone.
They want to know who they’ll work with, what it’s really like and why your company is worth their energy.

Video brings this to life in a way no PDF job spec ever could.

Think: “This is our culture. Here’s what it’s like to be part of it.”

So, which one do you need?

Ask yourself:

You might need more than one, but you don’t need them all at once.
Start with the one that solves the biggest problem right now and build from there.

Real example: What this looks like in practice

A client came to us wanting “a brand video.”

After chatting, we realised they actually needed:

So instead of spending everything on one cinematic brand piece, we built a content kit that saved them time, boosted leads, and gave them real ROI.

That’s what happens when you match the right format to the right goal.

Need help figuring it out?

If you’re still not sure what format is best for your business, that’s okay.
That’s exactly what we help with at Two Krakens.

We won’t just throw cameras at the problem.
We’ll sit down, map out your goals and recommend the right kind of content for your strategy, audience, and budget.

Because at the end of the day, video isn’t just about pixels, it’s about trust.

RAW, Log, Rec.709? What Do They Mean – and Why Should You Care as a Business Owner?

If you’ve ever had a video made for your business, or even considered it, there’s a good chance you’ve heard phrases like:

And if you’re sitting there nodding politely but thinking, “I have no idea what that means…” you’re not alone.

The world of video production is packed with technical jargon. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to be a filmmaker to understand the fundamentals. And once you do, it’ll help you ask the right questions, make better decisions and get more value out of your video investment.

So let’s break down three common terms you’ll hear in video production: RAW, Log and Rec.709.

Why this matters to your business

Before we go deep, let’s be clear on one thing:

These terms affect how your video looks, how flexible it is in post-production and how long it takes (or costs) to get it looking its best.

So even though they might sound technical, they impact real-world things like:

What is RAW video?

Let’s start with the highest-quality, most flexible format: RAW.

The technical bit:

RAW is uncompressed and unprocessed data from the camera sensor. Think of it as a digital negative, similar to how old film cameras worked.

What this means for business owners:

RAW is the closest thing you’ll get to having total creative freedom in post-production. It’s the format most used in cinema or high-end ads. But with great power comes great responsibility (and bigger file sizes).

If your brand is investing in a flagship ad campaign, a cinematic documentary, or evergreen content that needs to look flawless for years to come, RAW is a great option.

But for most day-to-day marketing content (podcasts, social clips, explainer videos), RAW is probably overkill.

What is Log video?

Next up is Log short for logarithmic.

The technical bit:

Log footage is compressed but in a clever way. It captures a wide dynamic range by flattening the image meaning shadows and highlights are preserved, but it looks washed out before editing.

Common Log formats include:

Log footage requires colour grading, but not as much as RAW. It’s a good middle ground: smaller file sizes, faster workflows and still a lot of creative flexibility.

What this means for business owners:

Most of the content we shoot at Two Krakens especially interviews, brand videos and testimonials is filmed in Log.

Why?

Because it gives us the ability to:

You still get that polished, cinematic feel but without the time and resource demands of a full RAW workflow. It’s the smart choice for professional marketing content that needs to look great and be delivered on time.

What is Rec.709?

Finally, we’ve got the one most people are familiar with even if they don’t realise it.

The technical bit:

Rec.709 (short for ITU-R Recommendation BT.709) is the colour standard used for HDTV. Basically, it’s how your TV, phone and YouTube videos display colour.

What this means for business owners:

If you want quick-turnaround content that looks clean and vibrant straight out of the camera Rec.709 is perfect.

This is ideal for:

The trade-off? You lose some flexibility. If your lighting was off or someone’s face is too bright or dark, there’s only so much that can be done in post.

Still confused? Think of it like this…

Let’s compare it to baking:

FormatLike…Editing flexibilityTime to finishBest for…
RAWBuying all the ingredients from scratchMaximumLongCinematic campaigns
LogUsing a pre-made baking mixModerateMediumBrand videos, interviews
Rec.709Buying a ready-made cakeLowFastSocial content, quick edits

Which format is right for your content?

It depends on your goals, turnaround time and how polished the final result needs to be.

Here’s a quick decision guide:

QuestionRAWLogRec.709
Want maximum control over colour and tone?
Need content fast?✅/❌
Shooting for social media?
Want cinematic brand storytelling?
Working with limited budget/time?

Visual example (before & after)

Imagine this:

Why this really matters: Trust.

Yes, this sounds like techy stuff.

But in the world of branding and trust, how your video looks matters more than you think.

Choosing the right format isn’t just a production decision. It’s a strategic one.

At Two Krakens, we don’t just show up with a camera. We plan, shoot, edit, colour and deliver content that feels right, sounds right and earns trust with your audience every time.

Need help choosing?

If you're not sure whether your content should be shot in RAW, Log or Rec.709, don't worry. That’s our job.

But if you do want to understand it better, we’ll walk you through the choices, show you side-by-side footage, and help you get exactly what you need without overcomplicating anything.

Want us to handle it all?

We’re Two Krakens, a trust-focused video and content studio helping businesses in the West Midlands and beyond create standout content that builds credibility, sparks action and actually gets watched.

Whether you need a one-off shoot or a long-term video partner, we’ll make the process easy, creative and worth every penny.

Got a video idea in mind?
Let’s talk. We'll help you figure out if it needs RAW power, Log flexibility, or good old Rec.709 speed.

Amelia Sordell

Amelia shares sharp, founder-focused videos often solo, direct to camera, with bold captions and clear messaging. Her style is raw, confident and instantly recognisable.

WHY IT WORKS:

She says what most won’t. Her straight-talking tone cuts through noise and builds trust fast especially with business owners tired of all the nonsense.

THE RESULT:

Her content drives real engagement and has made her a go-to voice on personal branding, fuelling demand for her agency and speaking gigs.

Simon Sinek

Simon often appears in clipped talks or Q&A sessions, delivering memorable soundbites on leadership and purpose. His videos feel timeless, slow-paced, focused and designed to make you think.

WHY IT WORKS:

He speaks with clarity and conviction, often sitting back in the frame, letting the words do the work. No gimmicks just core truths delivered with calm authority.

THE RESULT:

Simon’s videos continue to circulate years after they’re recorded. They act as shareable proof of his thinking and reinforce his reputation as a globally respected leadership expert.

Steven Bartlett

Steven’s short videos often come from his podcast but feel more like personal philosophies. He delivers big ideas with slow pacing, emotional music and cinematic edits that invite reflection.

WHY IT WORKS:

Steven’s tone is thoughtful and serious. His delivery feels considered, even when repurposed. It’s less about tips, more about perspective and that stands out in a fast, noisy feed.

THE RESULT:

His content builds deep trust and loyal followers, turning podcast clips into speaking invitations, book sales and strong emotional brand equity.

Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary’s clips are everywhere. pulled from interviews, talks and Q&As. They’re fast, caption-heavy and full of emotional hooks. Whether it’s advice or a challenge, each one sparks a reaction.

WHY IT WORKS:

His content strategy focuses on repurposing real moments, not scripting them. It shows him in action, sharp, reactive and human. That authenticity has made him one of the most followed entrepreneurs on the planet.

THE RESULT:

Thousands of bite-sized videos have made Gary V a daily presence on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram, fuelling a global personal brand and VaynerMedia’s pipeline.

Alex Hormozi

Alex’s videos are direct, intense, and instantly recognisable. He answers business questions while looking just off-camera, with bold captions, fast cuts, and tight framing.

WHY IT WORKS:

His delivery feels raw and honest, making him instantly trustworthy. The short-form format allows him to share big ideas quickly, and every clip reinforces his authority without ever needing a pitch.

THE RESULT:

One shoot creates months of content. These videos drive inbound leads, build massive trust, and have helped scale Acquisition.com into a multi-million audience brand.

Video Testimonials Are No Longer Optional – They're Essential

Consumer behavior has fundamentally shifted. Today's buyers are bombarded with advertising claims and have developed sophisticated filters for authentic content versus marketing fluff.

The Authenticity Demand

Modern consumers can spot scripted content instantly. They crave genuine stories from real people who've solved similar problems.

Video Content Dominates Engagement

Video content receives 1200% more shares than text and images combined. Your customer testimonial videos don't just convert – they spread organically.

Trust in Traditional Advertising Is Plummeting

Studies show that 92% of consumers trust peer recommendations over advertising. Video testimonials bridge this gap by showcasing real customer experiences.

Competitive Advantage Window

While most businesses still rely on text testimonials or generic marketing, professionally produced video testimonials set you apart as a forward-thinking, customer-focused organization.