“Hey, Terry, I want to produce a [insert type here] video for my business…how long should it be?” Videos come in lots of “flavors, shapes and sizes,” and because of that, it’s probably best to answer a question with a question…or questions.
Below you can see an infographic that provides some norms, but they’re only that…norms. The aforementioned question(s) can help narrow the task down:
- What is the purpose of the video?
- Who is the target audience?
- Where will the finished video be shown? Online? In a convention hall? A boardroom? All of the above?
- What’s the budget (duuuuhhhhh!)?
- Is the information to be presented highly technical?
A key factor in play when contemplating any video is the “cultural ADD” that seems to affect us all these days. Statistics tell us that a video has about six seconds to grab the viewer, or they’re gone, so it has to be compelling, with a major point right up front. Once you’ve got ‘em, you can elaborate, but your video still can’t be long winded. Connect with your audience, get your point across and finish with a call to action—whatever it is you want the viewer to do next.
Be guided accordingly!
Source/attribution: One Productions, Dublin
First Impressions Video 
Good stuff!
Michael C. Beale
Thanks, Mike! I always want to provide helpful info and keep FIV top-of-mind, so when someone wants to shoot something, hopefully, they’ll remember that guy who provides good insight into video production!