How to Make Unboxing Videos: Top Tools and Tips
Unboxing videos are popular for showing off a product. Learn how to make your own unboxing videos with our recommendations and picks for the best tools.
The unboxing video trend shows no sign of slowing down, and it’s not without reason. With 81% of people researching online before buying, unboxing videos give brands and influencers a marketing tool for driving product awareness and purchases.
Moreover, unboxing videos are a great way to provide social proof to prospecting buyers, create user-generated content, and tap into current market trends.
Keep reading to find out more about how you can make unboxing videos in 2023 and what to keep in mind while doing so.
What is an unboxing video?
An unboxing video shows someone—often a professional content creator—opening a free sample or purchased product.
Unboxing videos help the brand build customer trust by showing their audience what they will get if they purchase the product—from the quality of the packaging to instructions on how to use it.
Furthermore, it's a great way to demonstrate the item's quality. If potential customers are on the fence about buying it, they may change their minds after seeing how it looks and functions in real life.
You may have seen unboxing videos on YouTube or Instagram. The most popular unboxing videos are influencers reviewing tech products from Apple and other big brands. Examples include Unbox Therapy's unboxing of the iPhone 14 and the Samsung Galaxy S22, iJustine's unboxing of all seven M1 iMac Colors, and Ryan Kaji reviewing new toys.
This article discusses precisely how to make a great unboxing video and offers tips on making yours stand out from the crowd.
How to make an unboxing video
The good news about unboxing videos is that anyone can make them. All you’ll need to get started is a mobile phone for recording your content.
Below, we discuss the basic steps for creating a highly engaging unboxing video that resonates with your audience.
1. Choose an item to unbox
Before recording your unboxing video, decide what to open. It should be relatively new and exciting for your viewers. You’ll also want the product to have everything in one box (i.e., no missing parts, tools included, etc.) to make your video more interesting for viewers.
You can unbox almost anything—from beauty products to clothing, toys, and electronics. Besides physical products, you can also unbox digital products like apps, ebooks, or video games. If you're just starting out, choose something that’s exciting and fun but not too expensive or valuable. If you have multiple items, consider making separate videos for each one so people don't get bored watching them in succession.
2. Study the product
The second step of the content production process is to study the product. The study step is for you to research, read reviews, and learn more about the product.
If you have tech products, read the manuals and learn how to use them. If it's a book or another piece of literature, read the entire thing and take notes if necessary. When reviewing food or drinks, taste everything before recording your unboxing product review.
The more you know about the product, the better you will showcase the product’s advantages and disadvantages. Remember, viewers will be watching your video because they want to know everything about the product before they purchase it themselves. Focus on things like:
- What makes this product unique from similar products?
- Why would someone choose this over another product?
3. Write a script
Writing a script for your unboxing video is very important because it will help you organize your thoughts, plan how to present the product, and ensure you don't forget any vital aspects.
A script outlines what you will say when unboxing products while the camera rolls. Practice reading aloud before recording to significantly reduce errors (this translates to easier editing).
If you don't know how to write a script from scratch, many free tools are available online to help you out. Scripts Pro is one of the leading tools. It lets you create an outline for your video as you type what you want to say. It then uses that text as an outline so you know where to place pauses between sentences and paragraphs.
For the best results, choose niche content that will be unique and interesting to your viewers. Creating niche content can help you produce more engaging videos that resonate with your audience better—whether you’re a professional content creator or a product owner.
Once your script, niche, and content type are ready, it's time to film!
4. Shoot the footage
When shooting unboxing videos, footage should be high quality with a lot of visual interest. Below, we offer some tips.
- Choose the right camera.
Most of today’s smartphones have excellent video quality and are effective tools for creating unboxing videos. You can begin with a tripod or stabilizing rig and a smartphone camera that can handle low light situations with a wide field of view (FOV).
Opting for used camera gear is a better option if you're filming on a budget. The modern digital camera market is constantly evolving with new additions. Hence, several used cameras are ready for new homes; start shopping for these affordable options.
If you want something more professional, consider hiring a videographer to help with your content production. Alternatively, consider getting a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera like Nikon's D750 or Canon's EOS 7D Mark II. These cameras offer more features and better image quality than mirrorless models.
- Film at the right angle.
Also, consider using different angles for different consumer products. For example, if you're unboxing a new smartphone, you can film yourself holding it horizontally (landscape mode) to show off its screen size and resolution. If you're opening a small gadget like a power bank or Bluetooth speaker, filming vertically (portrait mode) would be more appropriate because it will provide a close-up view and make the gadget look bigger and more impressive.
- Pay attention to lighting.
Good lighting can make or break your unboxing video. Using natural light for your video is an option. If not, purchase lights and set them up in front of your camera while filming.
These tips will help you achieve the best results.
- Pick a room with lots of natural light (if possible)
- If you can't use natural light, use lamps or other artificial sources of light instead of overhead lights
- Ensure there's no glare on the surface where you'll be filming
- Pay attention to shadows; they can ruin an otherwise great shot
If you don't want to spend a lot of money on artificial lights, online options cost around $7 to $130.
- Know when to let the product be the star of the show.
Remember that the product must take center stage. Focus on unpacking your product and explaining how you feel about it.
You can include background music to let your viewers see what you're doing without distraction or add a voice-over or on-screen text when you have important things to say about the product.
You can also use slow-motion effects to make popular products look particularly awesome.
5. Edit the video
Video editing is a crucial step in creating a successful unboxing video. It's a step that enables you to perfect your video with finishing touches. You'll want to edit the footage to just the essential parts of the unboxing, eliminating any dead space, awkward pauses, or audio problems.
The best part about editing your unboxing video is that it's relatively simple if you have the right online video editor. Several online video editors can create professional-looking videos without costing thousands of dollars.
Below are some of the leading video editing software for creating unboxing YouTube videos or other social media videos:
- InVideo is one of the most popular video editing tools for YouTube creators. It features a simple drag-and-drop interface and lets you add captions, music, effects, and more to your videos. It also has a built-in watermarking option, so you can easily add your YouTube channel name or logo without using another application.
- FlexClip is another popular choice among creators. It offers many of the same features as InVideo but includes a few added extras that make it stand out from the crowd. One feature you will love is its ability to automatically generate thumbnails for your videos, making it simple for viewers to find them on YouTube or other platforms.
- Animoto allows users to create video slideshows using images and music from their computer or online sources like YouTube or Vimeo. Animoto automatically creates slideshows based on these elements and gives users complete control over the end product of their video.
Once you've created your video using an online tool or a professional video editor, you can share it on social media platforms directly from Wideo, embed it on your website or blog post, or download it for uploading to your unboxing channels on YouTube, TikTok, Vimeo, or Facebook.
Unboxing video FAQ
There’s no better time than now to make your own unboxing video. Read our answers to the most frequently asked questions about unboxing videos.
What do you need for an unboxing video?
You’ll need a recording device to create an unboxing video. Depending on your budget, you can opt for a high-quality camera or use your mobile device.
You can also hire a professional video editor to perfect your video by eliminating background noises, removing unnecessary pauses, and adjusting your video to the correct dimensions for each social platform.
How do unboxing videos make money?
It’s possible to make money with unboxing videos. Although we don’t have full visibility into Youtube’s payment system, one unboxer said he receives $2 to $4 for every 1,000 views.
If you’re a professional content creator, you may also form paid brand partnerships for advertising products through unboxing videos (meaning more income).
What should I say in an unboxing video?
The purpose of an unboxing video is to demonstrate a product to the viewers. Here are a few things to mention.
- Describe the packaging quality
- Go over any product accessories
- Demonstrate the key functions of the product and what makes it different from similar products in the market
- Talk about the disadvantages of the product, if any
- At the end, give your overall star rating based on the above
What are the most popular unboxing videos?
Unboxing videos exist for any type of product, from electronic devices to toys and food. Here are some of the most popular unboxing videos of all time:
- Ryan’s World: HUGE EGGS Surprise Toys Challenge with Inflatable water slide (2.1 billion views)
- Unbox Therapy: iPhone 6 Plus Bend Test (73.6 million views)
- Marques Brownlee: Retro Tech: Game Boy (39.2 million views)
- DOPE or NOPE: 10 Magic Products Magicians Don't Want You to See! (16 million views)
Hire a video professional for the best results
Making an unboxing video can sometimes be a stressful, time-consuming process. A professional filmmaker with the knowledge and proper equipment can help you perfect your unboxing video, from shooting all the way to video editing.
Hiring an independent filmmaking professional for your unboxing video has many benefits. Not only will you have someone with the knowledge to deliver high-quality videos, but you will also have more time to study the product and prepare yourself for the camera.
Here is how to find an independent filmmaking professional for your unboxing videos on Upwork.
- Search for someone with previous experience making unboxing videos
- Ask them about their past work and how long it took them to finish each project
- Ask them about their process and what equipment they use
If they meet all of your requirements and are willing to work within your budget, go ahead and hire your independent filmmaking professional.
On the other hand, Upwork is the place to be if you’re a videography specialist looking for work. Sign up today to begin working on projects that fit your specialty.
Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.
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