Was Anonymous in the Wrong for Punishing Sony?

Let’s take a deeper look at three popular types of video content and common video marketing goals to determine the ideal length for videos in each example situation. Anonymous is an amorphous group of computer-savvy people who sometimes work toward a common cause as so-called hacktivists. In doing so, a hacktivist hopes to bring attention to a cause and to trigger action that addresses those injustices. A hacktivist (a combination of the word hacker and activist) is someone who uses tech know-how to protest against censorship or perceived political, legal or societal injustices (among other things). Who is the video for? Other publications brand them as saints who fight back against corruption and injustice in the only way they can. Micro-video is something worth exploring when you want to build your brand awareness. First things first: Before you do anything, you should map out your objectives and what metrics you want to follow to track how you’re reaching these goals. Don’t shy away from telling the whole story in videos that run long - just make sure you’re telling those longer stories for the right reasons, in the suitable formats, and on the right platforms. Searching for the happy middle ground between catchy micro-videos and longer content, we land on the type of short-form video length often seen on social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as blogs, and websites.

Video is an excellent tool for all different types of marketing for all stages of the sales funnel, but it should never be done without a clear goal and KPIs in mind. Depending on your marketing goals, the optimal video length may range from a snippet of just a few seconds to a full clip that runs as long as ten minutes or more. Short-form videos are usually 1-3 minutes long - snappy enough to hold the average viewer’s attention, but substantial enough to wade into more meaningful storytelling and deliver value in the span of the video itself. Would you like to try creating different types of video content? Psst: Using video to guide your audience to your other content is also an excellent tactic to try! Are you using it to build brand awareness and increase your brand’s credibility, or are you trying to improve lead conversion? Soon, a devoted social following transforms into a dedicated brand audience. These kinds of videos encourage engagement on social media, boosting likes and fueling comments activity as viewers reflect on and interact with the topics covered or the questions raised.

And social video stories allow brands to share behind-the-scenes sneak peeks that inspire curiosity and constantly bring new viewers and fans into the fold. Being sensitive to the correct video length will make your content more compelling, meet your viewers’ expectations, and better support your business goals. In shorter videos, it’s easy to give viewers a glimpse of your brand, whether that’s with stunning visuals, snappy storytelling, or a quick hook to inspire viewers to learn more. Interviews with thought leaders, debates and discussions on industry topics, and in-depth case studies are examples of video types that lend themselves to longer, more robust storytelling forms. Maybe you used all those ten-second and two-minute videos to guide your viewers to an in-depth presentation about your company’s newest product or a groundbreaking invention. Maybe your founder is elaborating on your startup’s mission by telling the company’s origin story. Sometimes telling the full story demands a longer video length. What are you hoping to achieve with a specific video?

For years, Anonymous has succeeded in garnering worldwide attention for specific causes, or other times, just for fun. Brands can catch attention with well-designed teaser videos that promote new releases or events and drive traffic to longer content or further information. Catering to the public’s short attention span and fulfilling the demand for better, quicker content has led video storytelling to get straight to the point. It’s a video tool that gives you the freedom to create video online in minutes - with no previous experience required. Whether it’s micro-video, short-form video, or long-form video, you can create it with Wibbitz. Once you’ve set your goals, you can move on to planning the actual video content itself. But how do you know what kind of video to make? Sony's actions were so outrageous to Anonymous that it sabotaged Sony's PlayStation Network, the company's online multiplayer system. Here's just one example: In 2011, Sony sued one of its customers -- George Hotz -- for creating a workaround that allowed PlayStation 3 users to run the Linux operating system. For nearly a month, no one could access the network, and the company's stock price took a major hit.