10 Ways to Create Awesome Message Series Bumpers

You’ve seen message series bumper videos. Even if you didn’t know what they were. They’re the videos that are played before a message to introduce the topic. Or more tactically, they can give campuses that utilize video teaching a chance to lower their screens before the message. 

But this type of production work is a big financial investment. So you want to make sure they’re effective. Below are 10 best practices to help ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to bumper videos. Also below are 4 reasons you should consider creating bumper videos if you haven’t already.

If you’re looking for coaching for bumper videos beyond this article then visit benstapley.com/coach to schedule a free consultation. I would love to help you determine the obstacles you're facing and if I’m the best person to help you overcome them. 

Why to Create Awesome Message Series Bumpers

1. It Sets Up The Message

Most people don’t know much about the Old Testament. I have an MDiv and I’m not 100% sure what Habakkuk is about. Bumper videos are great at introducing lesser-known source material like minor prophets.

2. Gets A Lot Of Airtime

Bumpers get airtime before the series as promotional content. They get airtime during the series as informational content. And they get airtime after the series online as archived content.

3. Videos Are Memorable

I still remember bumpers from ten years ago but cannot remember a message from ten days ago. Videos stick in people's minds, unlocking the biblical truths associated with them.

4. Helps Transition The Stage

There is often a lot of transition that happens before a message. Musical equipment is pulled off while a podium and stool are pulled on. A bumper is a great way to do that awkward transition in the dark.

How to Create Awesome Message Series Bumpers

1. Consider the Audience

These videos will be used in church and online. This means that plenty of strangers will be seeing it. So there shouldn’t be too much heavy, negative, or churchy content.

2. Create Anticipation

When the sermon bumper is shown a week before the series starts it creates anticipation. People tell their friends, share it on social media, and get excited to come for that series—this bumper Habits from Life.Church created a sense of expectation in me for the series.

3. Don’t Give Too Much Away

Leave the audience wanting to learn more. Leave them wanting to come to church and learn about the subject. We had a series leading up to Easter about the path to the cross. We used the image of a crosswalk as a vague metaphor for the series. We tried to keep this sense of mystery in this bumper Crosswalk my team produced.

4. First Ten Seconds

We want these videos easily shared on social media. So we want to grab someone’s interest quickly. The best way to do this is to use your most dynamic footage in the first ten seconds.

5. Tell a Story Without Sound

Both Facebook and Instagram begin playing videos without sound. So craft visual stories that can work muted. This bumper Words To The Wise from my team is a great example.

6. Engaging Over Multiple Views

This video will be seen more than once. We want it to be captivating enough to hold the interest of someone who has already seen it two or three times. This is key for your Lead Pastor as they will be seeing it the most over the course of the series :)

7. Match Your Style

Your shooting style should match your message series content. Nothing worse than a bumper working against a message instead of for it. We had a series called RTD. Religiously Transmitted Diseases. It was a cheeky look at sins that are prevalent within the church like hypocrisy. This bumper from my team showcases how we tried to match the style of the video to the substance of the message.

8. Change Your Style

Guests become bored of seeing the same style video over and over. So change up your visual language - cinematic, stop motion, testimonial, kinetic typography, etc.

9. Video & Audio

As important as video quality is, a soundtrack to the video will seal the deal. The image will attract the head but the sound will tug on the heart. One of our series looked at how each of us are uniquely wired to connect with God. This bumper Soul Pathways my team produced used music to highlight this tender aspect of God.

10. Capture Photos

When you are on location make sure to capture photos along with your footage. This small investment has a tremendous payoff. The photos will help brand the series before (invitational postcards) during (message slides) and after (message sound bites). The image above was taken on location while recording the bumper for a series called Redeemed.

Over to You

Hopefully, these 4 reasons why you should consider creating bumpers and 10 ways to create them help you and your church maximize their impact. Let me know what bumper best practices I missed. I would love to hear from you and learn from you. If you want additional help with your bumpers then visit benstapley.com/coach to schedule a free consultation. I would love to help you win. Have an awesome day.