Video is everywhere right now, in our feeds, in our inboxes, even popping up before we watch our favorite shows. And honestly? It’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Nearly 9 out of 10 businesses are using video, and most marketers will tell you it’s their secret weapon for grabbing attention and making ideas stick.
In this guide, we’re breaking down 8 types of videos you can use, plus exactly how to make them work for your brand.
1. Animation
Animation is a video created using 2D, 3D, or frame-by-frame techniques. It is a playful way to bring abstract or complex ideas to life in two to three lines.
Samsung Animation Video
Company: Samsung Electronics
Video type: 2D/3D animation style
i. How it stands out?
It’s polished and lively, with tight pacing, crisp artwork, and motion that guide your eye.
Samsung animation videos often distill a product’s core value through visual metaphor and dynamic transitions, no bulky specs sheets, just a memorable visual journey.
The tone feels upbeat yet sophisticated, merging emotion and information seamlessly.
ii. How to Use Animation Videos?
- Explain complex ideas simply; use motion to break down features or tech into bite-sized visuals
- Engage with storytelling; build a quick narrative arc (e.g., problem → solution) in under a minute
- Highlight stats visually; turn data into animated diagrams or iconography (a videographic hybrid approach)
- Brand with style, custom shapes, colors, and motion creates a consistent visual identity
- Boost conversions, a compelling animated video on landing pages can lift sign-ups or product interest dramatically
2. Stop Motion
Next comes stop motion. It is a hand-crafted, frame-by-frame animation using real objects.
You can think of toys or tools that move ever so slightly between shots to create that magical, stop-motion look.
Now let’s look at a video example.
Home Depot Holiday Stop Motion Campaign
Company: Home Depot
Video type: Stop Motion
i. How it stands out?
It’s tactile and charming in a way CGI can’t match, building trust and a DIY feel through real-world objects.
The physicality of tools carving out letters, sanding through frames, and literally creating the words builds both playful branding and a unique visual method to show product features.
And because it’s stop motion, every frame feels deliberate, organic, and deeply engaging for viewers scrolling past.
ii. How to Use Stop Motion Videos?
- Showcase product features: tools, gadgets, or items that can move and interact
- Evoke craftsmanship: great for DIY, handmade, or branded storytelling
- Drive creative brand engagement: memorable for social and campaign videos
- Highlight stop motion video ideas with seasonal or fun narratives
- Differentiate from typical live‑action or animation, very tactile and quirky
3. Mixed Media
The third most common type is Mixed Media. Such a video blends animation, live action, still images, and screencasts into one cohesive visual collage in just a couple of lines.
Adobe Mixed Media Campaign
Company: Adobe
Video type: Mixed Media
i. How it stands out?
It feels energetic and layered, just like the creative process itself.
You get the polish of animation, the authenticity of live footage, plus a behind-the-scenes peek via screencast.
It’s like you’re inside the designer’s brain, watching ideas come to life.
That depth of context makes it feel intimate, informative, and on-brand, especially for showing off creative workflows or highlighting features in types of video marketing.
ii. How to Use Mixed Media Videos?
- Ideal for hybrid-brand storytelling and tutorial showcases:
- Mix screen-recorded demo videos with live-action creator clips and motion graphics
- Use illustrative overlays on real footage to highlight UI flows or product features
- Blend textures, sketches, photos, and live shots for dynamic storytelling
- Great for launching new tools, explaining workflows, or promoting creative software
4. Screen-Recorded Video
When I think of screen-recorded video, I picture a crisp, step-by-step walkthrough of an app or dashboard.
It’s all about real-time navigation paired with voiceover narration that makes everything feel transparent and accessible.
Atlassian Screen-Recorded Demo
Company: Atlassian
Video type: Screen-Recorded Video
i. How it stands out?
Honestly, I loved how grounded it felt, no voiceover over flashy animation, just someone driving the interface while explaining why it matters.
It feels authentic and clear: you see exactly what you’d do step by step.
The voiceover is calm and instructive, and they even use on-screen annotation to draw attention to UI elements.
It’s a training meets demo, styled in a way that feels approachable.
ii. How to Use Screen-Recorded Videos?
- Walk through product dashboards or tool workflows in real-time
- Use screen-recorded demo video style to onboard new users or train teams
- Combine narration with simple callouts to emphasize actions or features
- Keep it short and punchy, 3 to 5 minutes maximum, to hold attention
- Embed in Knowledge Bases, onboarding portals, or product tooltips
- Show real software in action, perfect for types of video marketing like tutorials and educational content
5. Animated Demo
Animated Demo Video is a polished, guided walkthrough created using animation techniques to simulate a product in action. It is perfect for showing features without needing real-life footage.
GoCo Product Explainer
Company: Goco
Video type: Animated Demo
i. How it stands out?
It’s like watching the product come to life, but cleaner, faster, and more focused.
The animation smooths out the experience; no loading screens or accidental clicks; just a fluid journey through onboarding flows, time tracking, and benefits.
It feels effortless, approachable, and perfectly tailored for audiences who want clarity without the clutter.
ii. How to Use Animated Demos?
- Host Q&A sessions, product launches, or webinars, let your audience be part of the moment
- Incorporate viewer comments or reactions live for real-time engagement
- Showcase behind-the-scenes moments, trials, and human stories in action
- Great for live stream marketing, where authenticity and connection drive brand loyalty
- Perfect for community building, training demos, launches, and live events
Want Something Custom?
Since we made this one, we know exactly how to replicate that polish, whether it’s for GoCo or any other SaaS platform.
Let’s chat about turning your product highlights into an animated demo that doesn’t just explain but inspires.
Talk with a video strategist
6. Live Action Video
Now, this is a very famous type. Live action videos feature real footage of people, environments, and products. It is perfect for human connection and emotional storytelling.
Microsoft Live Action Campaign
Company: Microsoft
Video type: Live Action
i. How it stands out?
Now, this video has no flashy graphics, just real kids building robots, families coding together, and candid sharing about what they’re creating.
The real-life setting adds emotional gravity: you can feel the inspiration and curiosity. It’s storytelling that resonates because it’s genuine.
ii. How to Use Live Action Video?
- Feature real environments and people; families, customers, or employees
- Share testimonials or emotional stories tied to brand impact
- Use events, company culture, or cause-driven narratives
- Great for on-site shoots, interviews, or natural settings
7. 360° Video
360° video surrounds viewers with an immersive, panoramic view, letting them explore an environment by dragging or rotating the footage in real time.
GoPro 360° Video
Company: GoPro
Video type: 360° Video
i. How it stands out?
This kind of content transports you, literally. There’s no single viewpoint; instead, you feel in control of your gaze.
Moments like coral reefs and sea fauna passing by feel authentic because of the head-turn interaction. It’s more than just watching, it’s exploring.
That sense of presence is what makes 360° so captivating in travel, environment, sports, or experiential brand storytelling.
ii. How to Use 360° Videos?
- Show off event venues, real estate, campuses, or travel destinations
- Let users explore physical products or environments in 360°
- Tie locations or activities directly to emotional brand narratives
- Mimic real-world settings with full user control
- Great for platforms like YouTube 360 or Facebook VR
8. Live Stream
Live stream videos are real-time broadcasts where an audience joins as events unfold, with interaction, immediacy, and authenticity front and center.
Microsoft Live Stream
Company: Microsoft
Video type: Live Stream
i. How it stands out?
I felt like I was in the room with them. The live format brings in the spontaneity; kids solving coding puzzles, parents reacting in real time, and genuine excitement around achievements.
It’s interactive, warm, and inclusive, exactly the kind of emotional resonance live streaming offers when done right.
ii. How to Use Live Stream Videos?
- Host Q&A sessions, product launches, or webinars; let your audience be part of the moment
- Incorporate viewer comments or reactions live for real-time engagement
- Showcase behind-the-scenes moments, trials, and human stories in action
- Great for live stream marketing, where authenticity and connection drive brand loyalty
- Perfect for community building, training demos, launches, and live events
From animated explainers to immersive 360° videos, each format offers a unique way to engage your audience. Want to dig deeper into picking the perfect fit? Check out our guide on how to choose the right video type for your goals.
Final Thoughts
Video isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity. With attention spans shrinking and competition rising, telling your story visually has never been more important.
Start with 2–3 formats that align with your brand goals and scale from there. The possibilities are endless when strategy meets creativity.
Are you looking to create videos that inform, inspire, and convert? Let us help you bring your message to life, one frame at a time.
Contact us today and let’s get started!