Why Your Brand Video Isn’t Working
You spent good money on a brand video - but it’s not landing. People aren’t watching the whole thing, it’s not converting, and honestly, you’re not proud to show it off. That sucks. But more importantly, it might be fixable.
If you’re reading this blog I hope you’ve found this before producing some content for your business. These are all issues you want to avoid having to worry about in post - which is why it’s important to partner with a reputable company, like us, from the beginning.
At Bunker Hill Media, we work with businesses of all sizes, and we’ve learned this: it’s not always about having the biggest budget. It’s about making smart choices. Telling a real story. Avoiding common mistakes.
So if your brand video isn’t working, here’s what might be going wrong - and how to actually fix it.
1. It Looks Unprofessional (Because Corners Were Cut)
Blurry b-roll, bad lighting, off-brand colors—it all adds up. And viewers can feel it, even if they can’t articulate it. A sloppy-looking video tells your audience: “We didn’t care enough to do this right.”
What went wrong: You hired someone cheap, or tried to DIY with a phone and zero lighting.
How to fix it: It’s really hard to say this, but this is one of the issues where you might want to start over with a new video partner. You don’t need to rent a Hollywood soundstage, but you do need someone who understands light, composition, and color. Even just bringing in a professional for one focused shoot day can elevate the entire look.
2. The Audio Is Bad and That’s a Dealbreaker
You can survive imperfect visuals. But if the audio is tinny, echoey, or muffled? Game over. People click away immediately, no matter how great the message is.
What went wrong: No lav mic. No boom. A camera operator that prioritizes visuals over audio. Just a camera mic picking up every hum, echo, and air conditioner in the room - make sure you partner with the right team from the jump.
3. There’s No Clear Story
You strung together some pretty clips, added stock music, and called it a day—but your audience is left wondering: what’s the point?
What went wrong: No script, no voice, no through-line. Just vibes.
How to avoid it: Think like a storyteller, not a marketer. Every good brand video answers three questions:
Who are you?
Why do you care?
Why should I trust you?
If your video doesn’t hit those notes, you’re not telling a story. You’re just showing footage.
4. You’re Chasing Trends Instead of Substance
Yes, short-form content has its place. But if someone is watching a brand video on your website, they want to learn about you. That three-second TikTok hook? Not always necessary.
What went wrong: You over-edited it. Jump cuts, dramatic zooms, random sound effects—everything but the actual message.
How to avoid it: Slow it down. Let the visuals breathe. Focus on clarity and confidence. When someone clicks “play” on your homepage video, they’re already halfway bought in. You don’t need to scream for attention - you just need to deliver something real.
5. Too Many People Talking, Not Enough Focus
If your video has five different speakers and no clear voice, it’s going to feel scattered—fast.
What went wrong: You tried to include everyone’s voice, and ended up with no voice at all.
How to avoid it: Pick one or two key voices max. Then build the visuals to support their message. A tight, focused script always wins over a rambling group chat.
6. You’re Trying to Say Too Much
Your business has a lot to offer. I get it. But your video doesn’t need to say everything.
What went wrong: You treated the video like a brochure. Now it’s three and a half minutes long and no one watches past the first 45 seconds.
How to avoid it: Pick one goal. Is this an “About Us” piece? A product explainer? A vibe-setting homepage video? Keep the message focused. The rest can live elsewhere on your site.
Final Thoughts
A bad brand video isn’t the end of the world - but it is a missed opportunity. Whether you’re a small business owner, a nonprofit director, or a marketing lead, your video should reflect the heart of your brand. And that doesn’t happen by accident.
It takes planning. It takes intention. And it takes a creative partner who knows how to turn your story into something worth watching.
Ready to Get It Right?
At Bunker Hill Media, we help brands ditch the fluff and make videos that actually work. Clean visuals, clear messaging, and storytelling that connects—without the corporate jargon or agency bloat.
Based in Boston. Always down to travel.
Let’s make something worth watching: bunkerhillmedia.com/contact
