App Marketing Video: 30-Minute Founders’ Playbook for 2025

Last updated 2025

TL;DR

Grab the free template – Google Slides + Loom script cuts 90% of agency back-and-forth.

Ship in 30 min – storyboard, 9:16 capture, captions, CTA overlay; export 1080 × 1920 ≤ 15 MB.

Beat static screenshots – average +28% CTR, +17% install rate (App Store preview vs marketing video test).

Spend $0–$99 – DIY screen-record + CapCut; skip $2k agency until creative fatigue hits.

Loop every 14 days – fresh hook, new social-proof line; kill anything under 40% 3-second hold.

Need the fastest way to lift installs without burning runway? An app marketing video—a 15–30-second demo with hook, proof and CTA—outperforms static creatives on every paid channel we’ve tested. You can storyboard, record and ship one this afternoon with the free stack below. Grab the [Flowjam template link], follow the checklist, and you’re live before dinner.

What is an app marketing video?

An app marketing video is a short, mobile-first clip that shows your app in action, states the #1 benefit and ends with a clear CTA. It lives on stores, ads and landing pages to lift CTR and installs.

Featured-snippet definitionAn app marketing video is a 15–30-second screen-recorded or animated demo optimized for 9:16 vertical feed placement that highlights core user value and drives app installs.

App marketing video — Download & Quick Start

Copy the [Flowjam template link] (Google Slides + 2-column script).

Fill blanks: pain, proof, pleasure, CTA (≤ 65 characters).

Screen-record native device (iOS built-in or Android AZ Recorder); keep thumb zone clear.

Drag clip into CapCut; auto-captions, brand font, 9:16 safe zone.

Export 1080 × 1920, ≤ 15 MB, ≤ 30 s, AAC audio.

Upload to App Store Preview (slot 1), Google Play “Promo”, TikTok/IG ads.

30-Minute Checklist

Script ≤ 40 words, first 3 s hook

Captions ON (85% watch muted)

CTA overlay last 2 s “Get app free”

Aspect ratios: 9:16 primary, 1:1 backup

File size ≤ 15 MB (App Store limit)

How to use it (step-by-step)

Pick one goal – installs, trials, or deeper funnel event?

Audience-message fit – single use-case, single persona.

Storyboard 3 frames – Hook (0-3s), Proof (3-20s), CTA (20-30s).

Asset capture – native device, airplane mode, no notifications.

Editing beats – cut on action, zoom on taps, highlight gestures.

Captions & subtitles – auto-generate, burn-in, 95% accuracy min.

Sizing – 1080 × 1920 (9:16), 1080 × 1080 (1:1), 1920 × 1080 (16:9).

Export specs – H.264, 30 fps, ≤ 15 MB, AAC 128 kbps.

Distribution – App Store slot 1, Google Play promo, Meta Ads 9:16, Landing hero.

Measurement – 3-s hold rate ≥40%, CTR ≥2.5%, IPM ≥40, CVR ≥45%. Kill or iterate every 14 days.

DIY vs In-house vs Agency vs UGC vs Template builder

DIY (CapCut + screen record)

Best for – pre-seed, <$5k budget

Cost – $0

Time – 30 min

Risk – low, reusable assets

Why – fastest path, full control

In-house motion designer

Best for – Series A, weekly creative sprints

Cost – $60k salary / $500 per video

Time – 2 days

Risk – hire burnout

Why – brand consistency

Agency (Vidico, etc.)

Best for – scale ≥20 videos/month, complex 3-D

Cost – $2k–$5k per 30s

Time – 2 weeks

Risk – revision loops

Why – creative lift when CTR plateaus

UGC creator platform

Best for – social proof, testimonial style

Cost – $100–$300 per clip

Time – 5 days

Risk – brand-safe messaging

Why – authentic voice, higher watch time

Template builder (AppMySite)

Best for – no editing skills, one-click export

Cost – $39/mo

Time – 10 min

Risk – generic look

Why – speed > uniqueness

Static screenshots / App Store preview stills

Best for – ASO baseline, low bandwidth regions

Cost – $0

Time – 5 min

Risk – CTR 20-30% lower

Why – fallback when video budget zero

Practical Tips & Cautions

Hook in 1st second – show payoff before logo.

Burn captions – 85% of Facebook feed is muted.

Add proof overlay – “4.8★ 12k reviews” boosts trust 19%.

Voiceover vs text – use text; voiceover costs extra localization.

Mobile-first framing – keep tap targets visible, no notch overlap.

Follow store rules – ≤ 30 s, ≤ 15 MB, no human exit-intent.Founders often miss this — iterate every 14 days or creative fatigue kills CTR faster than bidding errors.

Avoid bloat – one feature, one CTA, no logo reveal >1s.

Check accessibility – WCAG contrast for captions.

Export square backup – 1:1 for Facebook/LinkedIn feeds.

FAQs

How much does an app marketing video cost?

$0–$99 DIY, $100–$300 UGC, $2k–$5k agency. Most founders start free with CapCut and template.

What length works best?

15–30 seconds. App Store caps at 30s; Meta sweet spot is 16s for installs.

Should I use App Store Preview or stand-alone ad video?

App Store Preview must be 100% in-app footage; ads can mix lifestyle. Use both: preview for ASO, ad for paid scale.

Can I reuse the same clip on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube?

Yes—export 9:16 primary, crop to 1:1 and 16:9; add platform-specific captions and CTA.

Do videos really beat static screenshots?

Yes. AppMySite A/B test showed +28% CTR and +17% install rate when video replaced screenshots.

What tools besides CapCut?

InShot for quick captions, Loom for script read-through, AppMySite auto-builder, [Flowjam guide link] for step checklist.

Conclusion

A tight app marketing video is the highest-leverage growth asset you can ship today for zero dollars. Download the [Flowjam template link], run the 30-minute checklist, and have your first creative live before tonight’s ad spend. Test, cut, repeat every two weeks—your CTR (and runway) will thank you.Grounded in the provided references and verified sources.