Have you ever seen influencers or other content creators unbox cool-looking hauls? Would you like to have something like that delivered right to your doorstep?
Well, guess what? As a UGC creator, you can do what they’re doing. They’re called unboxing videos, and they’re wildly popular with brands because they get high engagement on social media.
So, if you’ve never considered adding an unboxing video to your portfolio, this article is my attempt to convince you to change that.
But don’t worry–I’ll spill all the tips and tricks for creating the perfect unboxing video, from showing you examples to giving you the rundown on how to make a good unboxing video.
So grab your scissors and the nearest unopened box, and let’s get started!
What are some examples of unboxing videos?
Instead of trying to describe unboxing videos to you, I thought I’d just SHOW you instead.
See, there’s a certain mystery about unboxing videos that makes them alluring. Check these examples out to see what I mean:
Here’s another example ⬇️
As you can probably see after watching them, unboxing videos are super popular with brands because they’re great at capturing attention and building anticipation–you want to see what it looks like when they open the box! Plus, they let viewers know exactly what comes in the box.
Unboxing videos are viral on TikTok, where e-commerce brands pay content creators to make them for ads and their brand accounts.
If you’d like to be one of those creators, keep reading. I will walk you through how to film an unboxing video!
Planning for an unboxing video
While unboxing videos might seem spontaneous, the best content creators know you have to plan and prepare to get the best content. The stakes are high; you only get one chance to open a brand-new box.
You might be thinking, “Wait… How am I supposed to plan a video where I’m opening a box?”
Great question! That’s what I’ll teach you in this section.
Research the product
This is the most crucial step. As I said earlier, you don’t have a chance to test the product before you unbox it. You need to know what’s inside, whether you’ll have to assemble it, and what to look for.
Sure, the element of surprise is a GREAT feature of unboxing videos. You want to be surprised and delighted and have that show on your face in the video. You don’t have to know every little thing about the product–but you do need to know enough to be able to film a great unboxing video.
If you’re excited to receive this product, the surprised looks of delight should come naturally. Research the product enough that you don’t look confused as you open the box.
Gather your package-opening equipment
This might sound silly, but I’ve seen SO MANY videos where creators forget to bring their scissors to open a package, leave the video for a few seconds, and then come back like nothing happened.
Don’t be that person (and make it easier on yourself later when editing).
Grab everything you need and have it nearby when you start filming.
Prep your equipment and surroundings
Just like any other video, make sure you have good lighting, an organized filming space, and that your equipment is working.
Natural light is best for creating the perfect lighting, but artificial light will do, too, as long as it isn’t harsh and doesn’t create shadows.
To get a great filming space, minimize the distractions and noise in the background.
When it’s time for your equipment, check your video camera, phone, and any microphones you’ll be using.
How to shoot an unboxing video
Okay! Now that everything is planned, checked, and in its proper place, it’s time to FILM THAT VIDEO!
Party time! 🎉 Right?
You should hold off on celebrating for a minute. As exciting as this is, the hard part has just begun.
As a UGC pro, you don’t want just to make *a* unboxing video–you want to make an AMAZING unboxing video. To do that, you’ll need a few tricks up your sleeve.
Let’s break down how to make an unboxing video on TikTok or Instagram, shall we?
The intro 🎬
Start with a SHORT intro to the story you’re about to tell through this unboxing.
Your mission is to pique people’s curiosity and make them want to watch the video. The key word here is short. You only have a few seconds to connect with viewers and convince them to keep watching.
So how do you do this? 🤷
Here are a couple of tried-and-true ideas that work:
- Option 1: Ask a pressing question. This gets to the heart of WHY people might be interested in the thing you’re about to unbox–something that bothers them that this product could solve.
- Option 2: Tell them that if they continue watching to the end, they’ll be pleased because you’ll show them something super lovely or cool.
You get the idea, right? Both ideas are pretty standard, but if you take them and use them with the product you’re promoting, it can be magic.
Take a minute to think about which option works best for your video before you begin.
While you’re doing your introduction, show yourself retrieving the sealed package or setting it down on the table–this will help you double down on the excitement and curiosity you’re creating.
And finally, show excitement in your facial expressions and your words. I know this is generic advice, but it’s rooted in psychology: We like seeing happy people because that makes us feel happier. It’s that simple. 💛
Okay–that was a lot, and we haven’t made it past the intro! Take a minute to absorb all that information because you must get this part right. Then, when you’re ready, let’s talk about the rest of the video.
Start unboxing the product
Now that you’ve caught your viewers’ attention, it’s time to turn your full attention to the unboxing experience:
How does the packaging and design feel? What’s the story that the brand is trying to tell?
One thing that’ll set your unboxing video apart is your ability to pay attention to small details and relish the experience. Is there a note somewhere? Does something about it make you smile? Did they include an extra accessory? Narrate your experiences and show all the extra touches to viewers.
While you’re unboxing, feel free to sneak in mentions about the brand or other ideas you have. After all–you’ve already researched the product, so you can show off your knowledge a little!
Finally, remember that viewers will watch your reactions, so the more expressive you can be, the better. Don’t fake it or exaggerate it, but do your best to get your point across. This will make your video MUCH more engaging and watchable, which is what you want!
All of this sounds a bit hard, and it is. I won’t sugar-coat that for you, but I can tell you it DOES get better with practice.
And that’s a good thing because if you could do it without thinking or practicing, it’d be MUCH more complicated to set yourself apart as a UGC creator!
Keep it going
Some brands may want you to stop the video as soon as the unboxing is done, but if they DON’T specify that, it’s a good idea to keep it rolling.
After you’ve unboxed the product, you can share your initial impressions–how it feels, your opinion based on looking at it and touching it, how it compares to similar products, how you plan to use it, etc.
Once you’ve added a little ✨extra✨ context, you can close down the video with a call to action. The brand might provide this, or you may need to come up with one ahead of time. Be aware of what this is so you can end without a bunch of awkward talking.
More guidance and tips
Okay, so do I have any other tips before you go out there and rock your unboxing video?
Yes, I do! Let’s unpack them (pun intended) right now:
- First, ➡️ Go over the previous section of this article again and try to digest all that info. But don’t just read it–try to picture how you’d do this. Try practicing unboxing with the next package you receive from Amazon or a similar site.
That reminds me of an important point: If you want to land more UGC deals, just start practicing with products you already have or are ordering anyway. This go-getter attitude and the practice will help a TON. - Create a storyline. Ultimately, unboxing is an experience where you take the viewer with you. Bring them in even further by adding a storyline–and help brands sell more products by making them the hero!
- Write a script if that will help you. There’s nothing wrong with writing or using a script–just be expressive while delivering it!
- Watch unboxing videos on YouTube. Of course, I included some examples at the beginning of this article, and those are a great place to start. But if you want to become a true student of unboxing videos, try watching some channels on YouTube (such as Unbox Therapy) that focus exclusively on unboxing videos. Study their techniques, like how they fill the experience with humor and anecdotes.
Of course, watching the professionals can be a little discouraging when you’re just starting, so remember that this is what you’re AIMING for. You don’t have to compare yourself to them or feel bad about not being at that level–just watch what they do and start trying some of their unboxing video ideas yourself. Growing your UGC skills is super fun if you don’t get in your head about it. - But before you head over to YouTube, here’s another example of a perfect unboxing video I found for you: Darcy McQueenyyy 👀
My top tips ⬇️
Now that we’ve been through all of that, I wanted to leave you with my top tips for creating unboxing videos:
First, like anything else, you need to PRACTICE. Every time an Amazon package shows up at home, 👏 grab 👏 it 👏 and 👏 unbox 👏 it. This will help you practice planning and scripting videos, reacting to what’s in the box, positioning your camera and audio equipment, and even using calls to action at the end of your videos.
Plus, if you’re still trying to build your UGC portfolio, it’s a great way to create an example video to pitch to brands.
Second, remember that the true MAGIC of unboxing videos is their ability to capture people’s curiosity and interest. If you capitalize on that, brands and audiences will LOVE your unboxing videos.
Finally, keep working on honing your reactions and camera presence–this will also help you land clients and create high-performing videos.
And now, all that’s left to do is go out and make some unboxing videos! You are going to rock it. 🙌