How To Create Effective Call To Actions For Your Marketing Campaigns

How to create an effective call to action.

Creating a corporate video that not only captures attention but also drives action is critical.

A key element in achieving this is the call to action. A powerful call to action doesn’t just ask your audience to do something—it inspires them, challenges them, and resonates deeply with their desires and aspirations.

What Is A Call To Action?

A call to action is more than just a directive at the end of a video; it’s a pivotal moment that channels the viewer’s emotional response into a tangible action.

In the context of corporate videos, a call to action is designed to guide viewers towards the next step in their journey with your brand. Whether it’s motivating them to explore further, make a decision, or change their behaviour, a call to action must resonate on a personal level.

Effective call to actions are not about pushing viewers towards a sale but about connecting with them on a deeper level.

They speak to the viewer’s values, aspirations, or challenges, and offer a pathway to fulfilment.

This can be achieved through powerful language, emotional appeal, and a clear understanding of what your audience truly cares about.

Why Does Your Corporate Video Need A Call To Action?

Without a call to action, your corporate video risks becoming just another piece of content in the vast digital landscape. A strong call to action is essential for several reasons:

Inspires Action

A compelling call to action doesn’t merely suggest an action; it inspires the viewer to take a step that aligns with their goals or values. It transforms passive viewers into active participants, engaging them in a meaningful way.

Reinforces The Emotional Impact

Your video’s content is crafted to evoke specific emotions—excitement, determination, curiosity, or even urgency. A well-placed call to action captures these emotions and directs them toward an actionable outcome, making the message more powerful.

Creates A Personal Connection

The right call to action can create a sense of personal connection between the viewer and your brand. It can position your brand as a partner in the viewer’s journey, offering not just a product or service but a solution to their needs or aspirations.

Drives Long Term Engagement

Rather than just prompting an immediate response, a strong call to action can encourage viewers to engage with your brand over the long term. It invites them to become part of a community, adopt a new mindset, or commit to a significant change.

A young, dark-skinned boy on the edge of a 10m high diving board, looking at the pool below him. A text overlay says "Find Your Greatness".
Nike's famous "Find Your Greatness" Call To Action creates a personal connection

When And Where To Place Your Call To Action

Timing and placement are critical to the success of your call to action. Here’s how to strategically position your call to action to maximise its impact:

Before Showing Your Logo

Place your call to action just before your company’s logo to ensure the emotional peak of the video is associated with your brand. This approach helps to solidify the connection between the action the viewer is inspired to take and your company’s identity.

During Key Moments

Consider inserting a call to action during key moments in the video, such as after a particularly impactful statement or visual. This ensures the call to action feels like a natural progression of the narrative rather than an interruption.

Subtle Overlays

For longer videos, subtle overlay call to actions can gently remind viewers of the action you want them to take without pulling them away from the content.

Crafting An Impactful Call To Action

Creating a call to action that resonates with your audience requires a deep understanding of their motivations, challenges, and desires. Here’s how to craft a call to action that hits home:

A call to action seen in a brand film by Oura. It states "Commit To Your Body".
This call to action by Oura speaks to the hearts of viewers

Speak To The Heart

Your call to action should connect with the viewer’s emotions. For example, if you’re a fitness watch company, a call to action like “commit to your body” doesn’t just ask for a purchase; it challenges the viewer to make a personal commitment to their health and well-being. It’s a call to embrace a lifestyle change, not just buy a product.

Align With Core Values

Your call to action should reflect the values of your brand and resonate with those of your audience. For instance, a company focused on sustainability might use a call to action like “join the movement for a greener tomorrow,” encouraging viewers to see their action as part of a larger, meaningful cause.

Challenge And Empower

A call to action should challenge the viewer while empowering them to act. For example, a tech company might use a call to action like “shape the future with us,” inviting viewers to see themselves as active contributors to technological progress

Create Urgency With Purpose

Rather than generic urgency, tie the need for immediate action to a meaningful outcome. For example, a healthcare provider might use “start your journey to wellness today,” making the urgency about beginning a life-changing path rather than simply making a quick decision.

Be Authentic And Relatable

Authenticity is key. A call to action like “own your story” for a personal branding agency feels genuine and personal, inviting viewers to take control of their narrative rather than just following a sales pitch.

Examples Of Strong Calls To Action

To illustrate these principles, here are some examples of strong call to actions that could be used in various corporate videos:

  1. “Commit To Your Body”: ideal for a fitness or wellness brand, this call to action challenges viewers to take ownership of their health, positioning your brand as a partner in their journey.
  2. “Start Your Legacy”: for a financial services firm, this call to action invites viewers to think about the long-term impact of their financial decisions, framing your brand as a facilitator of lasting value.
  3. “Be The Change”: suitable for a social enterprise or NGO, this call to action appeals to those who want to make a difference in the world, encouraging them to take action that aligns with their values.
  4. “Discover Your Potential”: for an educational institution or personal development brand, this call to action speaks to the viewer’s desire for growth and self-improvement, positioning your brand as a catalyst for their success.
  5. “Reimagine What’s Possible”: a tech company could use this call to action to inspire innovation and creativity, encouraging viewers to see your brand as a leader in pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable.

Drive Connection With Your Customers

A call to action is not just a closing note in your corporate video—it’s a powerful tool that drives your audience to take meaningful action.

By understanding the importance of call to actions, strategically placing them in your videos, and crafting messages that connect on a personal level, you can create call to actions that resonate deeply with your audience.

Remember, a strong call to action is more than a prompt; it’s an invitation to join a journey, embrace a challenge, or commit to a cause.

It’s about inspiring action that aligns with your audience’s values and aspirations, making your brand an integral part of their story.

The next time you’re producing a corporate video, think beyond the basics and craft a call to action that truly empowers your viewers to take the next step in their journey with confidence and purpose.