AI Video Prompts That Actually Work: The Complete Guide to Stunning Marketing Videos

You've seen the magic: type a few words, wait 30 seconds, and boom—a professional video appears. But here's the thing nobody tells you: the difference between "meh" AI videos and "holy cow, did we really just make that?" videos comes down to one skill.

Writing better prompts.

Not coding. Not expensive software. Not years of video production experience. Just knowing how to tell the AI exactly what you want—like a director on a film set.

This guide will teach you how to think like a filmmaker, write prompts that get results, and create marketing videos that actually stop the scroll.

Let's turn you into a video prompt master.

Why Your Prompts Aren't Working (And How to Fix Them)

Most people write video prompts like this:

❌ "A person using our product"

And then wonder why the result looks... generic. Flat. Forgettable.

Here's the secret: AI video generation is incredibly powerful, but it needs direction. Think of it as having a world-class cinematographer waiting for your instructions. If you just say "film someone using a product," they'll shrug and give you something basic.

But if you say:

✅ "Close-up shot of hands unboxing a premium watch,
slow reveal from velvet cushioning, natural window light
catching the polished steel, subtle camera push-in,
luxury brand aesthetic, soft ambient music"

Now you're directing. Now you're getting results.

The Video Prompt Formula That Works Every Time

After generating thousands of videos, we've cracked the code. Great video prompts follow this structure:

[Subject] + [Action] + [Setting] + [Camera Work] + [Lighting] + [Style] + [Audio]

Let's break down each piece:

1. Subject: Who or What Are We Watching?

Be specific. Ridiculously specific.

Pro tip: The more details you add, the more control you have. Include clothing, expressions, age ranges, and physical characteristics that matter for your brand story.

2. Action: What's Happening?

Static videos are boring videos. Describe movement:

"walking confidently through a bustling city street"
"slowly pouring coffee into a ceramic mug"
"typing on a laptop while occasionally glancing out the window"
"unwrapping a gift box with genuine excitement"

3. Setting: Where Are We?

Context creates emotion. A product in a studio looks different from a product in someone's home.

"modern minimalist apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows"
"cozy coffee shop with exposed brick and warm lighting"
"sleek corporate boardroom with city skyline view"
"outdoor rooftop terrace at golden hour"

4. Camera Work: This Changes Everything

Here's where most marketers miss out. Using cinematography language dramatically improves your results.

Camera Movements That Work:

Framing Options:

"extreme close-up on the product details"
"medium shot showing person and environment"
"wide establishing shot of the entire scene"
"over-the-shoulder perspective"
"POV shot from the user's viewpoint"

Example in action:

"Slow dolly-in shot starting wide on a modern kitchen,
pushing into a close-up of hands preparing a fresh smoothie,
ending on an extreme close-up of the vibrant purple drink"

5. Lighting: Set the Mood

Lighting isn't just technical—it's emotional.

Natural Lighting:

• "golden hour sunlight" — Warm, romantic, aspirational
• "soft overcast light" — Even, professional, clean
• "harsh midday sun" — Energetic, bold, summery
• "blue hour twilight" — Moody, sophisticated, premium

Indoor/Studio Lighting:

• "soft studio lighting" — Professional, controlled
• "natural window light from the left" — Authentic, lifestyle
• "dramatic side lighting" — Editorial, high-fashion
• "warm ambient glow" — Cozy, inviting

Creative Lighting:

• "neon reflections" — Urban, edgy, nightlife
• "candlelight flicker" — Intimate, romantic
• "screen glow on face" — Tech, modern

6. Style: Define the Aesthetic

Tell the AI what kind of video you're making:

"cinematic film look, shot on 35mm"
"social media aesthetic, bright and punchy"
"documentary style, authentic and raw"
"luxury brand commercial, premium feel"
"lifestyle photography, natural and relatable"
"music video aesthetic, dynamic and stylized"

7. Audio: The Secret Weapon

Here's something powerful: modern AI video generation includes synchronized audio. Use it.

Sound Effects:

"coffee machine hissing and steaming"
"keyboard clicks and mouse sounds"
"footsteps on concrete, city ambience"
"package unwrapping, cardboard and tissue paper sounds"

Ambient Sound:

"quiet café atmosphere with soft background chatter"
"ocean waves and seagulls in the distance"
"busy office soundscape, phones and typing"
"peaceful nature sounds, birds chirping"

Dialogue: Use quotes for specific speech:

The barista smiles and says: "Your usual?"

Music Vibes:

"upbeat electronic background music"
"soft acoustic guitar melody"
"inspiring orchestral swell"

Putting It All Together: Real Prompt Examples

Example 1: Product Launch Video

Bad prompt:

"Show our new headphones"

Good prompt:

A young professional in a modern loft apartment puts on
sleek wireless headphones, closes their eyes and smiles
as music starts playing. Soft morning light streams through
large windows. Close-up on the headphones, then pull back
to show the peaceful moment. Premium lifestyle aesthetic,
warm color grading. Soft lo-fi music fades in.

Example 2: SaaS Product Demo

Bad prompt:

"Someone using software on computer"

Good prompt:

Over-the-shoulder shot of a marketing manager reviewing
colorful analytics dashboards on a large monitor. They nod
approvingly and take a sip of coffee. Modern startup office
with plants and natural light. Subtle camera push toward the
screen. Clean, professional aesthetic. Soft keyboard clicks
and ambient office sounds.

Example 3: Food & Beverage

Bad prompt:

"Coffee being made"

Good prompt:

Extreme close-up of espresso pouring into a clear glass,
rich crema forming on top. Pull back to reveal a cozy
café counter with pastries in soft focus background.
Steam rises gently. Warm golden lighting, artisanal
coffee shop aesthetic. Espresso machine hissing,
ceramic cup clinking on saucer.

Example 4: Fashion / E-commerce

Bad prompt:

"Model wearing our jacket"

Good prompt:

Slow-motion tracking shot of a confident woman walking
down a rain-slicked city street at dusk, wearing a
tailored camel coat. Neon signs reflect off wet pavement.
She turns to camera with a subtle smile. Cinematic film
look, high-fashion editorial style. City ambience,
heels clicking on pavement, distant traffic.

Example 5: Testimonial / Social Proof

Bad prompt:

"Happy customer"

Good prompt:

Medium shot of a genuine, relatable person in their home office,
speaking directly to camera with an authentic smile.
Natural window light, slightly shallow depth of field
on the background. Documentary interview style, warm
and trustworthy. They say: "I honestly didn't expect
it to be this easy."

Platform-Specific Prompts

Different platforms need different approaches:

Instagram Reels / TikTok (9:16 Portrait)

• Fast-paced, attention-grabbing openings
• 4-6 seconds is the sweet spot
• Strong visual hooks in first 2 seconds
• Trendy, energetic aesthetic

POV shot walking through a neon-lit night market,
quick cuts between food stalls, handheld camera movement,
vibrant colors, street food sizzling sounds, upbeat
electronic music energy, TikTok aesthetic

YouTube / LinkedIn (16:9 Landscape)

• More professional, polished feel
• Can be longer (8 seconds)
• Include context and storytelling
• Business-appropriate aesthetics

Wide establishing shot of a modern corporate headquarters,
slow push toward glass entrance, transition to interior
showing collaborative workspace. Professional business
aesthetic, clean corporate look, soft ambient soundtrack

Instagram Feed / Facebook (1:1 Square)

• Balanced, centered compositions
• Works across multiple placements
• Universal format
• Clear focal point

Centered product shot on clean marble surface,
slow 360-degree rotation, soft shadows, premium
studio lighting, minimalist luxury aesthetic,
subtle ambient music

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Overloading Your Prompt

❌ "A person in a café with a laptop and phone and coffee
and pastries and a dog and plants and books and it's raining
outside and there's music playing and..."

Pick a focus. Simplicity creates impact.

✅ "Close-up of hands typing on laptop in a cozy café,
steaming coffee nearby, soft rain against windows,
warm ambient lighting"

Mistake 2: Vague Vibes Only

❌ "Something aesthetic and cool"

Be concrete. What does "aesthetic" mean to YOU?

✅ "Minimalist Scandinavian interior, soft neutral tones,
natural textures, clean lines, warm diffused lighting"

Mistake 3: Forgetting Motion

Video is about movement. Static scenes waste the medium.

❌ "A coffee cup on a table"

✅ "Steam rising from a coffee cup as morning light
slowly moves across the table, subtle camera push-in"

Mistake 4: Ignoring Audio

You're leaving half the experience on the table.

❌ "Person cooking in kitchen"

✅ "Person chopping vegetables in a bright kitchen,
satisfying knife sounds on cutting board, sizzling
pan in background, upbeat cooking show energy"

Mistake 5: Conflicting Instructions

❌ "Fast action scene but calm and peaceful"

Pick a direction and commit.

✅ "Intense moment captured in dramatic slow-motion,
creating tension from the stillness"

Advanced Technique: The Shot List Method

For complex videos, write it like a director's shot list:

SHOT 1: Wide establishing shot of city skyline at dawn
SHOT 2: Medium shot of protagonist waking up, soft morning light
SHOT 3: Close-up of hands making coffee
SHOT 4: Over-shoulder shot checking phone, notification appears
SHOT 5: Product reveal, slow push-in, premium lighting

Generate each shot separately, then combine them. This gives you maximum control over your final piece.

Building Your Prompt Library

Smart marketers don't start from scratch every time. Build templates:

Product Showcase Template

[Product description] displayed on [surface type],
[lighting style], slow [camera movement],
[brand aesthetic] feel, [relevant ambient sounds]

Lifestyle Template

[Person description] using [product] in [setting],
[time of day lighting], [emotional tone],
[camera style], authentic lifestyle aesthetic

Announcement / Hype Template

Dynamic [visual element] with [movement type],
building energy, [color palette], quick cuts,
[music style], social media-ready, bold typography space

Your Action Plan

Ready to create videos that actually convert? Here's your next move:

1. Open Brand Video Studio
2. Start with a simple prompt using the formula
3. Generate with the Fast model to test your concept
4. Refine your prompt based on results
5. Generate final version for your campaign

Keep Learning

• Brand Video Studio Guide — Master all video creation modes
• Advanced Prompt Engineering — Deep dive into prompt writing
• Brand Ads Mastery — Create matching brand images

The Bottom Line

Great marketing videos aren't about fancy equipment or big budgets anymore. They're about knowing how to communicate your vision clearly.

Master the prompt formula. Think like a director. Include the details that matter—camera work, lighting, audio, style.

Your next scroll-stopping video is just one well-written prompt away.

Now go create something that makes your competitors wonder how you did it.