Brand Story Videos Explained: Startups vs Established Firms
Brand story videos for startups vs established companies
Not all businesses need the same story told in the same way. Yet a lot of companies end up with videos that feel oddly similar. Same structure. Same tone. Same talking heads. Different logo.
Brand story videos work best when they reflect the stage a business is actually at. A two year old startup trying to prove it belongs in the market should not sound like a fifty year old brand reinforcing its position. When those lines blur, audiences feel it straight away.
This is where many company story video projects fall flat. They focus on polish before purpose, or scale before clarity. Understanding how brand storytelling shifts as a business grows is what separates forgettable content from work that actually lands.
Brand Story by CactusCan Media
What is a brand story video and why does it matter
At its core, a brand story video explains who you are, why you exist, and why anyone should care. It is not a product demo and it is not a highlight reel. It is closer to an evolution of the about us video, but built for modern audiences with less patience and higher expectations.
Strong brand story videos build trust fast. They help customers understand your intent. They help future hires decide if they belong. They help partners and investors see the thinking behind the business, not just the offering.
The reason this format matters so much is simple. People buy into people before they buy into companies. Video is still the clearest way to show that without asking anyone to read a wall of text.
What startups need from a brand story video
For startups, the job of a startup brand video is clarity. Not hype or scale, but clarity.
Early stage companies are often close to the problem they are solving, but far from being understood by the market. A good brand story video helps bridge that gap by explaining the why before the what.
Founders usually play a central role here. Not because they are famous, but because they are credible. Audiences trust the person who saw the problem and decided to fix it. This is especially true in video production for startups, where authenticity often beats polish.
Production does not need to be flashy. It needs to feel honest. Clean visuals, strong sound, and clear messaging go a long way. Startups that try to look bigger than they are often lose trust instead of gaining it.
What established companies need from a brand story video
For established businesses, the challenge shifts. A corporate brand story video is less about explanation and more about reinforcement.
These companies already have customers, history, and proof. The goal is to show consistency, culture, and confidence without sounding complacent. People want to see how the business operates today, not just what it has done in the past.
Established brands often need to balance many voices. Leadership, teams, and customers all play a role. The story is broader, but it still needs focus. This is where video production for corporate audiences requires discipline as much as creativity.
A strong example is a mid sized company using a brand story video to align internal teams during growth. The video is not just for external marketing, but instead it becomes a shared reference point for values and direction.
How the storytelling approach changes as companies grow
As companies scale, storytelling evolves in a few key ways.
The tone becomes more assured. Messaging becomes layered rather than singular. Visual language becomes more refined. Risk tolerance often decreases, which makes clarity even more important.
In brand video production, startups can afford to be raw and bold because expectations are lower. Established brands need to earn attention without undermining trust. Both approaches can be powerful when used intentionally.
What does not change is the need for a strong point of view. Growth does not mean saying more. It means saying the right thing with confidence.
Does production value matter more for established companies
Production value does matter, but not in the way people often think.
Corporate video production adds value when it supports the story. It becomes noise when it replaces it. Audiences can tell when a video looks expensive but says nothing.
Startups do not need cheap videos and big companies do not need flashy ones. Both need execution that respects the audience. All with clean visuals, good pacing, and thoughtful editing at every stage.
Common mistakes both startups and established companies make
The most common mistake is trying to say everything at once. Another is copying competitors instead of owning a clear perspective.
Many businesses also focus on features instead of people. Or they overproduce without knowing what the message actually is. Others underestimate how smart their audience is and over explain.
A company story video should leave people with a feeling and a takeaway. If it does neither, something has gone wrong.
How to know if your brand story video is working
For startups, success often looks like understanding:
Fewer confused questions
Better sales conversations
Stronger alignment with early hires.
For established companies, success may show up internally first:
Teams feeling proud
Consistent messaging
External trust reinforced over time.
Views matter less than impact. Brand story videos work when they make the business easier to understand and easier to believe.
Choosing the right approach for your stage of growth
Before starting any brand video production project, it helps to ask a few honest questions:
What does our audience already know about us?
What do they need to understand next?
What do we want them to feel after watching?
The answers change as a business grows, so the video should change with it.
The best brand story videos meet companies where they are, not where they wish they were. When that happens, the result is something people actually want to watch, and remember.
At CactusCan Media, we’re more than just a video production company in Sydney — we’re a film production company trusted by brands to deliver content that works. From corporate video production and brand story videos to explainer videos, testimonial content, event coverage, and social media clips, our work is designed to help your message land. Every project is led by a professional cameraman and backed by a full creative team, so you get professional video production services without the hassle. If your business needs powerful video content that connects with the right audience, our Sydney-based production agency is ready to make it happen. Search no further for video production services near you — CactusCan has you covered.
About the Author
Sarah Watts
As our Marketing and Project Manager, Sarah is the driving force behind our successful projects and campaigns. With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to delivering excellence, Sarah orchestrates seamless collaborations that ensure our clients' vision becomes a reality.
Her innate understanding of marketing dynamics make her the go-to expert for developing effective strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Sarah is passionate about crafting compelling narratives and overseeing every project's journey from inception to fruition, resulting in remarkable success stories.
