Nov 26, 2021
If you’re a human person with
any access to the internet, you are likely familiar with unboxing
videos. Maybe you like and watch them yourself, maybe your kids
love to watch other people open up boxes of toys, or maybe you
avoid them at all costs. Whatever camp you are in, at one point or
another, you probably thought something like, “Why do so many
people watch these?” or “Why do these work?”
Today’s episode is dedicated to
talking through the brain science of what is going on behind the
scenes of an unboxing video. In this episode I talk about why they
work, what to keep in mind if you ever decide to make your own, and
some insights on the various types of “unboxings” out there
(anything with a reveal pretty much counts). We will dig in on
mirror neurons, anticipation/dopamine, priming, the senses, and
more! Listen now to get the scoop on unboxing
videos.
Show Notes:
- [00:06] Ever wondered why
unboxing videos are a thing? That’s what we’re focusing on in
today’s episode.
- [03:19] There are countless
ways to do these unboxing or reveal videos.
- [04:01] In this episode, I am
going to talk about four main things that are happening with
unboxing videos, or that you should keep in mind when you create
these yourself. We are going to talk about mirror neurons, dopamine
created by anticipation, priming, the senses, and more.
- [04:35] Mirror
neurons are the key to
empathy and our ability to learn from observing others instead of
only by doing things ourselves.
- [06:20] Mirror neurons greatly
impact our lives every day. They have done some amazing things for
all of humanity, the first of which is our ability to learn by
observation and the second is our ability to empathize.
- [07:31] In an unboxing video,
when someone else is opening the box, it is like we are doing it
ourselves. We are able to live vicariously through that experience.
Because of the dopamine release, it is very exciting for our brains
even if we can’t have and will never have the item that is being
opened or revealed.
- [08:50]
Dopamine is tied
to anticipation, and so when there is a moment where you aren’t
sure what is going to happen -- where you are waiting for that
reveal and don’t know what is coming out of the box -- you are
getting a kick of dopamine.
- [10:24] Once you know what is
in the box (or how the movie ends), the joy for your brain is over.
It is about savoring the anticipation that the brain
loves.
- [10:50] Our brains love that
uncertainty and expectation.
- [11:38] If you want someone to
be excited about the unboxing process, you should
prime them for
that excitement.
- [13:07] Your excitement breeds
more excitement in the viewer.
- [13:43] If you have too much of
a lull, people might get bored and leave. You can play the B-side
for a while, but you need to mix in some hits here and there to
keep it interesting.
- [14:15] When you create an
unboxing video, it is important to try and incorporate
all five of the senses whenever you can to help get those mirror
neurons firing.
- [16:31] Descriptive priming
words that evoke the senses are critical when doing any video, and
in an unboxing, they can get people excited.
- [17:54] The internet is full of
unboxing videos for a reason, find some and take notes. Be sure to
watch good ones, sure, but also find and watch some bad ones. What
did they do wrong? When did your attention wane? How can you apply
that to your future videos?
- [18:43] If you have never done
an unboxing or reveal video before, what could you do one of? Plan
in advance how you might incorporate all our main aspects from this
episode: mirror neurons, anticipation, priming, and all five
senses...and hit record!
- [20:33] As it is the holidays,
it is a perfect time to pick up some Brainy Gear for you or a
friend at The Brainy Business shop.
Thanks for listening. Don’t
forget to subscribe on
Apple Podcasts
or
Android. If you like
what you heard, please leave a
review on iTunes
and share what you liked about the
show.
I hope you love
everything recommended via The Brainy Business! Everything was
independently reviewed and selected by me, Melina Palmer. So you
know, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That
means if you decide to shop from the links on this page (via Amazon
or others), The Brainy Business may collect a share of sales or
other compensation.
Let’s connect:
Get the Books Mentioned on (or related to) this
Episode:
Top recommended next
episode:
Mirror Neurons (episode 31)
Already heard that one? Try these:
Other Important Links:
Check out Melina’s award-winning
book, What Your Customer
Wants and Can’t Tell You on Amazon, Bookshop, Barnes &
Noble, Book Depository, and Booktopia