Prompt Horizon Issue #21: How to Use Sora 2 (& Other AI Apps) for Video Marketing

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Hey there! 👋🏻

Video has always been one of the most powerful ways to grab attention and tell a story, but producing it has usually been expensive, time-consuming, and a bit of a headache.

That’s changing fast!

AI tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 are making it faster and easier for anyone — not just big-budget brands — to create standout videos that actually connect with people.

In this week’s newsletter, we’re breaking down how to use Sora 2 (and a few other must-know tools) to level up your video marketing.

You’ll learn what these tools can really do, how they’re changing the way teams approach video, and practical ways to use them to boost creativity, save time, and get better results.

Let’s go!

TL;DR 📝

• AI video tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 are reshaping how brands create video, producing studio-quality clips from text prompts in minutes without crews, cameras, or editing software.

• Spirit Airlines cut support calls by 76% after switching to AI videos, and 27% of e-commerce brands now use AI avatars for personalized ads and demos.

• Quickly generate product launch teasers, daily social videos, or A/B test multiple ad variations, all at a fraction of the traditional cost and time.

NEWS YOU CAN USE 📰

OpenAI’s Sora 2 is offering a state-of-the-art model that generates stunningly realistic and dynamic video clips with synchronized audio from text prompts. Its advanced capabilities include hyperrealistic physics, enhanced steerability, and an expanded stylistic range, making it feel more like a "world simulator" than a mere special effects tool. [Source: OpenAI] 

Spirit Airlines decreased phone support inquiries by 76% with AI video. Since communicating policies through video, employee support inquiries over the phone have decreased by 76%, indicating improved retention of information[Source: Synthesia] 

Instead of scrambling to book new talent, you could have your video ready by lunch today. Same quality, fraction of the cost, and zero headaches with scheduling conflicts or location permits. Companies are already personalizing their content with AI-driven solutions such as AI avatar generators and seeing incredible results. [Source: Invideo]

Over 27% of eCommerce brands use AI avatar generators for personalized shopping experiences in product demos and ads. From helping companies make smarter decisions to uncovering trends that would have been hard to spot otherwise, AI tools are popping up in more places than ever. [Source: Zebracat] 

How to Use Sora 2 (& Other Apps) for Video Marketing 💡

Video marketing is going through a major glow-up.

Thanks to next-gen tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2, brands no longer need big budgets or film crews to produce scroll-stopping videos. 

These tools aren’t just making the process faster; they’re changing the game entirely, letting you create personalized ads, cinematic product videos, and fresh creative content in a fraction of the time and cost.

Sora 2 can generate studio-quality videos from a simple text prompt.

Within minutes, Sora 2 would produce a polished video that you could use on a landing page, in a social ad, or as part of an email campaign, all without needing a videographer, actors, or editing software.

This opens up a wide range of practical marketing uses:

• Product launches: Generate a cinematic teaser video showing your product in action before you even have final footage.

• Social content: Create snackable, TikTok-ready videos daily without relying on expensive shoots.

• A/B testing: Quickly produce multiple versions of the same ad with different styles or messaging to see which one converts better.

One of its most exciting features is “cameos”, which lets you place real people (including yourself) directly into AI-generated videos. 

Beyond Sora 2: A Toolkit of AI Video Apps for Marketers

While Sora 2 is making headlines, a rich ecosystem of AI video tools is already empowering marketers to enhance their video strategies. These platforms offer a range of features, from creating AI avatars to automating video editing and personalizing content at scale.

• Synthesia: A leading platform for creating AI-generated videos with realistic avatars. It's ideal for corporate communications, training videos, and product explainers. 

• Runway ML: A powerful suite of AI magic tools for video editing, including features like text-to-video generation, background removal, and motion tracking. It's a versatile tool for creative professionals looking to add a layer of AI-powered magic to their videos.

• InVideo: An intuitive, template-driven AI video editor that simplifies the creation of social media videos, ads, and promotional content. Its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to marketers without extensive video editing experience.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Your AI-Powered Video Marketing Strategy

1. Define Your Goals and Audience

As with any marketing initiative, start by clarifying your objectives.

Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive leads, or boost sales? Understand your target audience and the types of video content that will resonate with them.

2. Choose The Right AI Tools

Based on your goals, select the AI video tools that best fit your needs.

For high-quality, personalized corporate videos, Synthesia might be the best choice. For creative, experimental content, Sora 2 or Runway ML could be ideal. For social media content, InVideo can streamline your workflow.

3. Master The Art Of The Prompt

With text-to-video tools like Sora 2, the quality of your output depends heavily on the quality of your input.

Craft detailed, descriptive prompts that specify the scene, characters, actions, mood, and style of your desired video. Experiment with different prompts to understand the nuances of the AI model.

4. Create And Iterate

Start creating your video content, and don't be afraid to experiment.

Use AI tools to generate multiple variations of your videos and test them to see which ones perform best. The speed and low cost of AI video generation make it easy to iterate and optimize your campaigns.

5. Integrate And Personalize

Look for opportunities to integrate AI-generated video into your existing marketing channels.

Use personalized videos in your email campaigns, on your website, and in your social media outreach. The more you can tailor your content to individual users, the more effective it will be.

6. Measure And Optimize

Track the performance of your AI-generated videos using key metrics like engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use this data to refine your strategy and improve your results over time.

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THIS WEEK'S PROMPT 🤖

Use this prompt with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or any advanced AI assistant to brainstorm an AI-powered video marketing campaign for your brand.

Act as a Creative Director specializing in AI-driven video marketing. Your goal is to help me develop a comprehensive video marketing campaign for my brand, [Your Brand Name], using AI video generation tools like Sora 2, Synthesia, and Runway ML. My brand operates in the [Your Industry] sector and aims to [Your Brand Goal, e.g., increase brand awareness among millennials, drive product demos, boost social media engagement]_

Consider the following aspects and provide detailed, actionable insights and prompts for each:

1. Campaign Concept & Storyboard

Brainstorm 3-5 creative concepts for a video campaign that leverages the unique capabilities of AI video generation.

Provide a prompt to generate a detailed storyboard for the most promising concept, including scene descriptions, character actions, and visual style.

2. AI Tool Selection & Workflow

Recommend a combination of AI video tools (e.g., Sora 2 for cinematic shots, Synthesia for a personalized call-to-action, Runway ML for special effects) that would be best suited for this campaign.

Outline a step-by-step workflow for creating the videos, from initial prompt to final edit.

3. Personalization at Scale

Describe how we can use AI to personalize the video content for different audience segments (e.g., by location, interests, or past purchase behavior).

Provide a prompt to generate variations of the video script tailored to different customer personas.

4. Distribution & Promotion Strategy

Suggest a multi-channel distribution plan for the AI-generated videos (e.g., social media, email, website, paid ads).

Provide a prompt to create a social media content calendar to promote the video campaign.

HAVING FUN WITH AI

Stumbled on this fun prompt from Linus on X:

”Create a photo-style line drawing/ink sketch of the faces identical to the uploaded reference image — keep every facial feature, proportion, and expression exactly the same. Use blue and white ink tones with intricate, fine line detailing, drawn on a notebook-page style background. Show a right hand holding a pen and an eraser near the sketch, as if the artist is still working.”

MEME OF THE WEEK

WRAPPING UP 🎁

The AI video revolution is here, and it's poised to transform the marketing landscape.

Tools like Sora 2 are not just making video production easier; they are unlocking new creative possibilities and enabling a level of personalization that was previously unimaginable. 

By embracing these technologies, brands can create more engaging, effective, and efficient video marketing campaigns. The key is to start experimenting, learn the art of the prompt, and strategically integrate AI into your workflow.

The future of video marketing is in your hands, and with the help of AI, it's more exciting than ever.

Until next time, keep exploring the horizon. 🌅

Alex Lielacher

P.S. If you want your brand to gain more search visibility in Google AI Mode, ChatGPT, and Perplexity, reach out to my agency, Rise Up Media. We can help you with that!