It’s no wonder that YouTube is one of the most popular social networks in the world. In fact, it’s also the second largest search engine! Are your clients finding you? Video is an exciting, engaging media the likes of which print ads, radio spots, and other marketing collateral just can’t compete. You owe it to yourself and your brand to leverage video as a marketing tool, and a killer sizzle reel is just what you need to make that happen.

If you’re new to the term, a sizzle reel is a short video that incorporates music, graphics, and other effects to promote a specific product or service. Just like a short and snappy YouTube video, an awesome sizzle reel is one of the most effective ways to capture a message and captivate modern audiences.

A great sizzle reel can help you turn heads and generate interest in your brand, and it takes careful planning and real work to make one that’s actually engaging enough to keep watching.

Keep the following elements in mind while developing your sizzle reel, and you’ll have a real shot at producing a riveting and effective promotional video:

1. A length of 3-to-5 Minutes

Remember, you’re reaching out to people who watch three-minute videos and communicate in fewer than 140 characters. You could have the greatest product or service on earth, but even the most exciting sizzle reel will lose steam if it’s overly long.

A sizzle reel isn’t a mini documentary or an in-depth look at your brand; its purpose is to pique curiosity and create anticipation. With this in mind, shoot for a length of three-to-five minutes. Be short and to the point and you’ll have a shot at engaging customers with short attention spans.

2. A Clear CTA (Call to Action)

The whole point of a sizzle reel is to get people interested enough in whatever you’re promoting to take immediate action, right?  What’s the point of putting together a killer sizzle reel if you don’t bother to include a good CTA at the end?

No matter how entertaining or out of this world your sizzle reel, it will all be for naught if you don’t direct viewers to continue down a conversion funnel. Include a CTA (e.g. “Sign up for a free trial”) at the end of your sizzle reel and you’ll have a promo video on your hands that can lead to actual sales.

3. Compelling Music

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show that didn’t have some sort of music playing in the background? Boring, right!? Music has the power to turn dry video into something that’s emotionally stirring.

Don’t just pick the first piece of stock music you find and plug it into your sizzle reel. Choose music that truly represents the feeling you’re trying to convey. Whether you choose a dubstep track or a little jazzy number, choose high-quality music that appeals to your audience and will get them fired up about your brand.

4. Professional quality and equipment

A sizzle reel might only be a few minutes long, but it’s a huge promotional tool and a representation of your brand. Simply put, you can’t afford to skimp and use poor-quality equipment and assets. The effectiveness of your sizzle reel depends largely on production value.

Use professional equipment and the best graphics, sound, clips you can get your hands on. If you want something really impressive, hire professionals that have the expertise and resources to produce something truly spectacular.

A killer sizzle reel can help you stand out in a sea of competition and build real buzz about your brand. Create something engaging that communicates a strong message in less than five minutes and you’ll have what it takes to engage the YouTube generation and generate interest in your brand.

What do you think is the most important element of a sizzle reel? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.