Grand opening video announcement: the countdown, the day, the doors

You have painted the walls, argued with the sign maker, and tested the coffee machine so many times you can now hear colors. Opening day is coming. The only problem: the rest of town has no idea.

A grand opening video announcement is the easiest way to change that. Not one film, ideally, but a tiny series: a teaser, a reminder and an "our doors are open" moment. Each one short, each one with a job. Here is how to plan it, what to say, and what people forget to put in.

What should a grand opening video include?

Four things, every time: what is opening, where it is, the date and time, and one reason to come on the day. Everything else is decoration. It is astonishing how many beautiful opening videos forget the address, which is a bit like sending a wedding invitation with no church.

When should you post a grand opening video?

Start about two weeks before with a teaser, post a reminder three to five days before, and share an "open now" film on the morning of the day. After the opening, a quick thank-you film closes the loop. Four small films over three weeks beat one big film posted once and forgotten.

1. Step 1

   The teaser (two weeks before). Something is coming. Show a shape behind paper, a door with light under it, and the date. No full reveal yet.

2. Step 2

   The reveal (one week before). Name, what you do, the address and the opening day offer.

3. Step 3

   The reminder (three days before). A countdown: "3 days. The ovens are warming up."

4. Step 4

   We are open (on the day). The door swings open, the ribbon snaps. "Open now. Come say hi."

5. Step 5

   Thank you (the week after). "You came. You queued. You ate every bun. Thank you."

You can make all five from one film cut to different lengths. See a long, a short and a snippet from one film. For the thank-you, our guide to an animated thank you video for customers has lines you can borrow.

Grand opening video script examples

Here are three short scripts for different kinds of openings. Each is about 15 seconds. Swap in your name, street and day.

• A shop (15 s) "Harbor Street has a new neighbor. Fern and Flour: fresh bread, happy plants. Doors open Saturday the 12th at 9. First fifty people get a cardamom bun. Come early."
• A studio or gym (15 s) "Your sofa has had a good run. On Monday the 3rd, North Yoga opens above the pharmacy on Mill Road. Every class free in week one. Bring a friend, or bring your sofa's apologies."
• A service business (15 s) "Bright Smile Dental is now open on Oak Avenue. Evening and Saturday appointments, and a waiting room with actually comfortable chairs. Book your first visit online."
• A second location (10 s) "Same pizza, new oven. Luigi's is now open in Westfield, too. Friday from 5."

What makes a grand opening announcement exciting?

Movement, a clear reason to show up, and a bit of suspense. A drawn film can open doors, pull curtains, snap ribbons and spill confetti, which is exactly the energy of an opening. Add one incentive for coming on the day (a free treat, an opening price, a raffle) and people have both a feeling and a plan.

Excitement gets them to watch. The date and address get them to your door.

How long should a grand opening video be?

Between 10 and 20 seconds for teasers, reminders and the opening day film. A slightly longer 30 second version can live on your website and tell your story: why you opened, who you are, what makes your place different. On phones, short and frequent beats long and rare.

Where should you share your opening announcement?

Everywhere your future customers already look: your social accounts (tall for stories, square for feeds), local community groups, your website, an email to anyone who signed up, and a screen in the window while the paper is still up. A local ad aimed at people nearby is often the best money you spend in opening month. Tell suppliers, partners and the neighbors on your street too; they are your first word of mouth, and our piece on messages to customers and partners covers how to talk to them.

For that last one, see how to make an animated ad for a local business. Opening a cafe or bakery? There are more food ideas in animated video for a cafe or bakery.

Your opening films in Nine

If your new website is already live, give Nine the address: it reads your name, colors and typeface, so every film in the series matches your sign. No website yet? Pick Just an idea and describe the opening in one sentence, or start from a template like a name and one line ("Fern and Flour. Open Saturday at 9."). The crew draws the film with a voice, music and sound effects while you watch, and checks it before you see it. No photos of the half-finished shop needed.

For the next film in the series, just say "same film, but it is three days now" and get a new version. You get video files in wide, tall and square, and you post them yourself. Films up to 20 seconds come with the Film plan at $29 a month; a 30 second story film needs Film + Transparent. See pricing, or try it.