When a startup is preparing to go live, the instinct is often to build product, test features, and secure funding. But one asset gets overlooked: a launch video. We’ve worked with dozens of early-stage companies at Hello World Media and we see a common pattern. Startups treat the launch video like a bonus instead of a strategy. That’s a mistake.
Video statistics back it up. According to HubSpot, 91% of companies use video in their marketing.  Another study from Wyzowl reports that 87% of marketers say video directly increased sales.  For a startup that still needs to prove momentum, video is foundational.
Here’s what a launch video does for you:
• It helps you state what you built and why it matters in under 90 seconds. Many people skip long intros. According to UX research, videos under two minutes retain viewers longer. 
• It gives you a signal of demand. Views, clicks, and shares become early indicators that your message resonates.
• It increases your credibility. When you show up with a polished video, investors, partners, and early users treat you differently.
• It creates reusable content. Launch films become source material for social cuts, pitches, landing pages, and more.
We once worked with a startup that reached 30,000 users in one city after a strong launch video set the tone for acquisition, content, and user-growth. The video did not do the growth alone, but it helped anchor the story.
Here’s a five-step workflow we recommend:
1. Clarify your core message: What problem are you solving, who are you solving it for, and what makes you different?
2. Develop creative direction: Don’t just show features. Show the human behind them. Make it real.
3. Film with reuse in mind: Shoot extra B-roll, capture founders talking backstage, get social squares.
4. Distribute and track metrics: Place the video on your landing page, share it on LinkedIn, cut for Instagram, and embed in emails. Track views, drop-off, sign-ups.
5. Follow up: A week after launch send a micro-video about what you learned or what comes next. Momentum thrives when you build the habit.
Final thought: A launch video is not merely aesthetic. It is a strategic tool. If you treat it as such, you won’t just launch. You’ll launch with purpose.