Have you noticed yourself turning to the “Videos” tab more often when searching on Google, or heading straight to YouTube, the world’s second-largest search engine? It’s no surprise, given how video content has become a significant part of our content consumption. Videos make learning easier and more engaging.
To help you enhance your content marketing skills, the DivvyHQ team reached out to top content marketing thought leaders and compiled a list of their favorite content marketing videos. Whether you’re looking for practical how-to guides, stellar examples of branded content, or thought-provoking insights, these videos have you covered.
1. The Early WF Days
Recommended by: Brody Dorland
Brody Dorland shares his favorite content marketing video, a classic episode of “Whiteboard Friday” by Rand Fishkin from the early SEOMoz days. This video struck a chord with Dorland, reflecting on his experience as a digital marketing agency owner and co-founder of DivvyHQ.
Fishkin discusses how creating high-quality content used to be sufficient for gaining traction, but in today’s noisy digital space, understanding the comprehensive elements of content marketing is essential for success.
Key Takeaways
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The shift from easy traction to a more complex content marketing space.
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The necessity of understanding all aspects of content marketing.
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The enduring relevance of high-quality content.
2. Life in 4 Minutes
Recommended by: Ahava Leibtag
Ahava Leibtag, president of Aha Media Group and a top content strategist, chose this video for its profound emotional impact. The video from Cleveland Clinic highlights the humanity and empathy in healthcare, showing how people often feel alone and scared, and how caregivers can help them. Leibtag appreciates this piece for its powerful brand awareness that feels more like a social mission.
Key Takeaways
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Showcases empathy and humanity in healthcare.
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Demonstrates powerful brand storytelling.
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Highlights the emotional connection in content marketing.
3. How John Deere Uses Content to Educate Customers
Recommended by: Joe Pulizzi
Joe Pulizzi, head of the Content Marketing Institute, recommends a segment from the documentary “The Story of Content.” The video features John Deere’s The Furrow Magazine, an exemplary piece of early content marketing that has been educating farmers since 1895. Pulizzi appreciates this video for highlighting how timeless and effective content marketing can be when it focuses on providing valuable information to its audience.
Key Takeaways
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The long-standing impact of John Deere’s The Furrow Magazine.
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Importance of providing valuable, audience-focused content.
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Timeless principles of effective content marketing.
4. Life Thwarts Creativity
Recommended by: Cathy McPhillips
Cathy McPhillips, Chief Growth Officer at Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute, shares her favorite content marketing video featuring John Cleese’s talk at the 2015 Content Marketing World conference.
The video combines an interview, keynote, and life lesson, where Cleese emphasizes the importance of taking time to recharge and think creatively. McPhillips resonated with Cleese’s message about avoiding the monotony of work to enhance creativity and efficiency.
Key Takeaways
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The necessity of taking breaks to boost creativity.
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Balancing work and personal life to avoid burnout.
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Insights from a creative legend on maintaining inspiration.
5. Dysart’s Restaurant Blooper Reel
Recommended by: Gini Dietrich
Gini Dietrich, founder and CEO of Spin Sucks, highlights a hilarious outtake video from a commercial shoot for Dysart’s Restaurant in Bangor, Maine. She appreciates the video for its humor and the clever use of footage that would typically be discarded. The blooper reel not only entertains but also drives viewers to watch the actual commercial, showcasing a creative and effective content marketing strategy.
Key Takeaways
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Utilizing outtakes and bloopers to engage the audience.
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Turning otherwise discarded footage into valuable content.
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Encouraging viewers to watch the main commercial through humor.
6. How to Grow Your YouTube Channel and Get More Views
Recommended by: Jay Baer
Jay Baer recommends a video by Sunny Lenarduzzi that offers invaluable guidance on growing a YouTube channel and increasing video views. He praises Sunny for her ability to teach without overwhelming her audience, making her an excellent guide for those new to video marketing. Her passion and clear explanations make complex topics accessible and engaging.
Key Takeaways
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Effective strategies for growing a YouTube channel.
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Clear, non-technical guidance for beginners.
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Passionate and engaging teaching style.
7. How to Create Great Video With Your iPhone
Recommended by: Michael Brenner
Michael Brenner recommends a video that outlines five key principles for successful B2B content marketing. The video emphasizes understanding your audience, creating valuable content, and consistently measuring and adjusting your strategies to improve engagement and results.
Key Takeaways
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Tips for creating high-quality videos with an iPhone.
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Solutions for budget-friendly video production.
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Fun and engaging presentation of practical advice.
8. The Value of Humor in B2B Marketing
Recommended by: Carmen Hill
Carmen Hill recommends a video by Tim Washer, creative director at Cisco, who emphasizes the power of humor in B2B marketing. The video, which humorously promotes a router, showcases Cisco’s shift from dry, technical content to entertaining and memorable marketing.
Hill appreciates the video’s unexpected approach, cost-effectiveness, and lasting impact, noting it’s a standout example of how humor can enhance brand personality in the tech industry.
Key Takeaways
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Infusing humor into B2B content to engage and entertain.
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Creating memorable content without a high budget.
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Breaking away from traditional, dry marketing approaches.
9. The Story of Content
Recommended by: Nick Westergaard
Nick Westergaard highlights “The Story of Content,” a documentary produced by the Content Marketing Institute. He praises the documentary for its comprehensive exploration of content marketing’s history and its growing importance.
Featuring stories from companies like John Deere and interviews with industry leaders like Jay Baer and Ann Handley, this documentary is described as the ultimate content marketing masterclass.
Key Takeaways
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In-depth exploration of content marketing’s history and relevance.
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Insightful stories and interviews with industry thought leaders.
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Considered a must-watch for a comprehensive understanding of content marketing.
10. The Clues to a Great Story
Recommended by: Paul Roetzer
Paul Roetzer highlights a TED Talk by Andrew Stanton, renowned filmmaker and screenwriter, who shares insights on storytelling.
Stanton discusses starting a story at the end and working backward to create impactful narratives. Roetzer found this video particularly inspiring and valuable for content marketers aiming to master brand storytelling by leveraging customer journeys and authentic experiences.
Key Takeaways
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Techniques for creating engaging and impactful stories.
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Importance of authentic storytelling in content marketing.
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Insights from a master storyteller on structuring narratives.
11. Content Marketing Spectrum
Recommended by: Jeff Julian
Jeff Julian praises a video by Robert Rose that clarifies the blend between content marketing, custom publishing, and native advertising. The video helps marketers understand the strategic placement of various marketing tactics and the importance of recognizing the nuances within the content marketing spectrum.
Julian emphasizes the value of this knowledge for effective strategic planning and successful content deployment.
Key Takeaways
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Understanding the blend between different marketing tactics.
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Importance of strategic planning in content marketing.
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Recognizing the value of various forms of marketing.
12. Start with Why – Simon Sinek’s TED Talk
Recommended by: John Hall
John Hall, strategic advisor at Relevance.com, co-founder at Calendar.com, and keynote speaker, recommends Simon Sinek’s TED Talk, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the “why” behind your actions. Hall appreciates this video for its focus on creating meaningful and purpose-driven content.
He believes that aligning content with a clear purpose and core messaging is crucial for successful content marketing strategies.
Key Takeaways
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Importance of understanding and communicating your “why.”
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Creating purpose-driven content that resonates with the audience.
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Aligning content strategies with core messaging for effectiveness.
13. The Man & The Dog
Recommended by: Pamela Muldoon
Pamela Muldoon recommends a touching video created by DDB Argentina for FATH (Fundación Argentina de Trasplante Hepático).
The video tells a moving story of friendship designed to inspire viewers to become organ donors. Muldoon appreciates the video for its powerful storytelling, emotional connection, and compelling call to action, highlighting it as an excellent example of content marketing.
Key Takeaways
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The power of emotional storytelling in branded content.
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Effective use of video to drive a primary action, such as organ donation.
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A compelling call to action that resonates with viewers.
14. The Importance of Defining and Delivering Value
Recommended by: Robert Rose
Robert Rose shares a powerful snippet from a keynote by Philip Kotler, a renowned marketing academic.
Kotler emphasizes the enduring goal of marketing: to define and deliver value. Rose appreciates how Kotler outlines the strategic purpose of marketing, urging modern marketers to apply the CCDVTP (Create, Communicate, and Deliver Value to a Target market at a Profit) framework to today’s content, social, and digital strategies for truly strategic business success.
Key Takeaways
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The fundamental goal of marketing is to define and deliver value.
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Importance of applying the CCDVTP framework to modern strategies.
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Strategic insights from one of the most prolific marketing academics
15. It Can Wait – AT&T Campaign
Recommended by: Brody Dorland
Brody Dorland highlights another poignant video, this one from AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign, which partners with the reality YouTube series @SummerBreak and Teen Vogue to address teen phone use while driving.
The video effectively conveys the serious consequences of distracted driving, making a strong emotional impact. Dorland appreciates the campaign for its powerful message, urging viewers to refrain from using their phones while driving to prevent potential tragedies.
Key Takeaways
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The critical message of not using phones while driving.
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Emotional and impactful storytelling to drive behavior change.
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The importance of safety over convenience.
Master Your Content Strategy Today With DivvyHQ
These top 15 content marketing videos offer invaluable insights and practical tips to elevate your content strategy. From planning and execution to emotional storytelling and humor in branding, these expert-recommended videos cover every aspect of content marketing.
If you’re in the process of ramping up your own video marketing efforts, you’re going to need a strategy, a good plan for producing videos, and the right tools for managing the process. DivvyHQ — now a Lytho company — can help with strategy and planning, while Lytho’s Creative Workflow Software streamlines the creation process, including online proofing of your video assets.
When you need an efficient content operations solution, DivvyHQ has you covered. Request a demo to see how DivvyHQ can streamline your content planning, collaboration, and execution, enhancing your content marketing strategy with ease.
