Q1 has a funny way of feeling both fresh and overwhelming. New goals, new priorities, new pressure to “hit the ground running.” And somewhere in the middle of all that, video lands on your plate.
The good news? Your Q1 video strategy doesn’t need to be big, flashy, or complicated to work. In fact, simple is usually better, especially early in the year.
Here are a few easy, realistic ways to use video in Q1 without burning out your team (or your budget).
1. Pick One Goal and Stick to It
Before you start thinking about formats or platforms, take a step back and ask: “What do we actually want video to do in Q1?”
Is it to:
Remind people who you are?
Build awareness for what’s coming this year?
Support sales, fundraising, or internal alignment?
Choose one main goal. Trying to make a single video do everything usually means it does nothing particularly well.
2. Use What You Already Have
Q1 is not the time to start from scratch (if you don’t have to).
Look at what you already have and repurpose it:
Turn a popular blog or report into a short explainer video
Pull short clips from past interviews or testimonials
Refresh last year’s content with updated messaging or captions
This is one of the fastest ways to get video out the door and it keeps your messaging consistent without extra lift.
3. Keep It Short and Simple
You don’t need a big production to make an impact. Short, straightforward videos often perform well anyway.
Easy Q1 video ideas:
A quick “here’s what we’re focused on this year” message
FAQ-style videos answering common questions
A short update from a team lead or spokesperson
These can be filmed in an office, on a laptop, or even on a phone. Clarity and authenticity matter way more than polish.
4. Use Video to Set the Vibe for the Year
Early-year video is less about selling and more about setting expectations.
Think about content that:
Reinforces your mission or values
Shows the people behind the work
Gives audiences a sense of what’s ahead
This kind of video helps build trust and makes everything else you do throughout the year feel more connected.
5. Aim for Consistency, Not Perfection
One of the biggest Q1 traps is trying to do too much too fast.
Instead of planning one huge video project, aim for:
A few simple videos each month
A repeatable format or setup
A pace your team can actually maintain
A steady, consistent video presence will always beat one “perfect” video followed by silence.
6. Tie Video to Things You’re Already Talking About
Look at your Q1 calendar and find natural places for video:
New initiatives or launches
Seasonal campaigns
Events or milestones
If video supports messaging you’re already putting out, it feels less like extra work and more like a smart extension of your strategy.
7. Keep Measurement Simple
You don’t need complicated reporting to know if your Q1 video is working.
Stick to the basics:
Views and watch time for awareness
Engagement for connection
Clicks or inquiries for action
Early insights help you tweak things quickly and give you something concrete to point to when planning future video efforts.
Bottom Line
Q1 video doesn’t have to be a heavy lift. Keep your goals focused, your content simple, and your expectations realistic. Build momentum early, learn as you go, and let video be a tool that supports your strategy, not something that slows it down.
