Top Tips for an About Us Video (and How to Get It Right First Time)
Why Most About Us Videos Try to Say Too Much
One of the biggest challenges with an About Us video is knowing what to leave out. When you understand your business inside out, it’s tempting to explain everything – every service, every value, every detail. The problem is that most viewers don’t need all of that information upfront.
People browsing your website or encountering your brand on a social feed want clarity, not complexity. They want to quickly understand what you do, who you do it for, and whether it’s relevant to them. A strong About Us video focuses on communicating that message clearly and confidently, not telling your entire story at once.
This is the first topic in our new LinkedIn video training series, where we share practical, real-world advice to help businesses get more value from video.
Start With Headlines, Not Scripts
Before thinking about filming, narration, or visuals, the most effective first step is to break your business down into its fundamentals. Aim to identify five to ten key points that define what you do.
When writing these points, think in headlines. Ask yourself: If this were a newspaper article about our company, what would the headlines be? These headlines should be short, clear, and meaningful – they form the backbone of your About Us video.
This approach keeps your message focused and prevents the video from becoming unfocused or overloaded with information.
Turn Key Points Into Visual Proof
Once you have your headline points, the next step is to think visually. For each point, consider how it can be demonstrated rather than explained.
This might include:
People: founders, team members, or customers
Real environments: offices, workplaces, or on-location filming
Activities: staff working, collaborating, creating, or delivering services
Existing assets: previous videos, photography, or archive content
An About Us video works best when viewers can see what you do in action. Dynamic visuals not only hold attention but also build trust by showing the reality of your business rather than relying on abstract statements.
As a video production company in London, this is something we prioritise during pre-production – planning visuals that support clarity, not distract from it.
Shaping the Narrative Once the Foundations Are Clear
Only once the key points and visuals are mapped out should you move on to narrative and creative direction. At this stage, decisions about tone, pacing, music, and structure become much easier because the purpose of the video is already defined.
The narrative should flow naturally from one headline idea to the next, supported by visuals that reinforce each message. This creates a sense of confidence and control – something that’s essential in an About Us video.
When planning this stage, it’s important to remember that simplicity is a strength. Clear messaging almost always outperforms clever but confusing storytelling.
Why Short About Us Videos Work Best
In most cases, an About Us video should be short, around 60 seconds is ideal. This forces clarity and discipline, and it respects the viewer’s time.
A concise video shows that your business understands its own value and can communicate it efficiently. It also works better across multiple platforms, from website homepages to LinkedIn feeds and paid campaigns.
Short doesn’t mean shallow. It means focused, intentional, and confident – exactly what an About Us video should convey.
How About Us Videos Support Corporate Storytelling
An About Us video doesn’t need to tell your full story – it opens the door to it. It acts as an introduction, encouraging viewers to explore deeper content such as case studies, testimonials, or longer brand films.
By pairing a strong About Us video with broader corporate video production, brands can guide audiences from first impression to deeper engagement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A frequent mistake is treating an About Us video as a box-ticking exercise. Poor planning, vague messaging, or overlong runtimes can weaken the impact and leave viewers unsure about what you actually do.
Another common issue is forgetting where the video will be seen. About Us videos should be designed to work across platforms, from websites to LinkedIn, with clear visuals, confident delivery, and messaging that lands even without sound.
Thinking about distribution early helps ensure the video performs as intended.
Building Smarter Video Content Through Training
This article is part of a wider push to help brands make better decisions about video. Our new LinkedIn training video series breaks down common challenges and shares practical advice based on real production experience.
Each short training video is designed to give you clear, actionable guidance you can apply immediately – whether you’re planning your first About Us video or refining your wider content strategy.
How We Help Brands Create About Us Videos That Work
At Pictures for the People, we help businesses create About Us videos that are clear, confident, and strategically focused. From initial planning to final delivery, we ensure every video communicates the right message and works across platforms.
Our approach combines thoughtful storytelling with practical production – creating content that supports your brand, your goals, and your audience.
If you’re planning an About Us video or want to improve how your brand communicates through video, get in touch – we’d love to help you get it right from the start.
