5 Tips For Creating A Promotional Web Series

Because the net doesn’t need another boring web series.

1. Avoid Bold Messaging

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Audiences are smart. Start preaching about a particular issue or point of view and you’ll lose them. Be subtle in getting your message across.

In the IKEA web series that averaged 6 million hits per episode, the actual products are secondary to the story.

2. Entertainment value often increases with humour

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The web loves comedy and brevity. In making My Fucking Life, a web series about sexual health for gay men, young hosts talk candidly about the gay dating scene. This makes it feel like a natural exchange, rather than a high school sex ed. class.

3. Set respectful working guidelines from the outset

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Companies often have a committee that makes all sorts of contradictory suggestions that slow down the editing process. Polish your edit up as much as possible before showing the client. Also try to deal with one contact person who has final decision making authority.

4. Surprise your audience

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Consistency is key, but surprise is even more important. Set audiences up for one thing and then give them something unexpected. If the viewer can guess the ending early on, he or she will be less satisfied and less likely to share the video.

5. Call to Action

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After watching an episode, install "popcorn technology" so that audiences can binge watch. And always hyperlink to relevant website pages that help spread your message.

Teaser for "My Fucking Life" - A Pull Focus Production

My Fucking Life is a 6-part web series about sexual health for gay men. The series premieres September 2, 2014, with episodes released weekly.