Attract. Convert. Retain. 3 Videos You Need In Your Portfolio

Attract. Convert. Retain.

3 Videos You Need In Your Portfolio

1. High-Impact Attention Grabber – 30-60 seconds

2. Company Overview – 3-5 minutes

3. Customer Welcome Video – 1-3 minutes

Many of our clients come to us with a specific need in mind, but there are still plenty of customers that know they need video, but aren’t sure of exactly what their need is.  We have consulted numerous clients through the years on the best videos for their business, and while each company’s specific needs may vary, we have found three videos that are successful across the board. The individual content varies by industry & specific client needs, but this list can give you an idea of where you as a company should begin your Video Marketing journey.

The first video we recommend is a 30 to 60 second Attention Grabber. There are many terms for this “High-Impact” “Sizzle Reel” “Promo” “Demo” – whichever term you choose, this is a short, fast-paced overview video consisting primarily of high-energy music and dynamic graphics. Take your elevator pitch, add some rockin’ music and voila – your first marketing video. Of course, there are many keys to making a successful attention grabbing video that will depend on the intended usage, expected viewer response and target audience, but those can all be determined in your pre-production meeting. For now, just deciding to do one of these videos is your first step. Jot down some bullet points that you feel are necessary to get across in this quick introductory video.

The second video we recommend is a 3-5 minute CompanyOverview. This video is one of our favorites – it’s where we get to meet you & your team & watch you in action! Typically, we love to interview the owner or key personnel on your staff and shoot b-roll around your facility. If you don’t have an exciting facility or office, that’s OK! We can always use stock footage or graphics to fill the screen. There is also an awesome opportunity here for customer testimonials. The first thing you need to ask yourself when selecting this type of video is “what sets us apart from the competition?”

The final video that is important in an emerging video marketing portfolio is a Customer Welcome Video. Now that you’ve attracted attention, converted that lead into a sale, how do you ensure they have the best experience with your company possible? A Welcome Video can let them know what to expect in the early stages of working with you and can introduce them to the key people or processes that they need to know. While this video is not aimed at attracting new business, RETAINING customers is key to marketing success! When approaching a Customer Welcome Video, consider the main questions a new customer may have and aim at answering them quickly and concisely.

You don’t have to stick to these three videos when you begin building your portfolio. What other ideas do you think are important to have to Attract, Convert & Retain customers?

Darcie King

Executive Producer

E Video Productions, LLC

Before the video....what you need to know.

It always amazes me how different each of our clients can be! One will come prepared with an arm-full of clippings, brochures, etc. and say "here - make a video out of this." Others will say "I want a video, but I don't know what I want in it." And then there are those that bring a completed script and direct us every step of the way to get the exact vision that is in their head. What do we prefer? All of the above!

We love the challenge of starting from nothing and we love the challenge of working with someone that knows exactly what they want, and it is our job to achieve it!

Either way, there are just a few key things that, if done prior to beginning the video, help ensure a smooth experience every time.

1. Even if you have no idea what you want in your video, take a few moments to jot down some thoughts about your company. You know your company better than anyone else, so what comes to mind when you start to talk to a potential client? What are the key ideas that you want to get across in your elevator pitch? Jot those things down. Even just 3 bullet points will help our script writers capture your vision.

2. Send us everything at once. If you are collecting info for your video - graphics, talking points, photos, etc., try to send them at once. If they come piece by piece, it is easier for one to get missed. When they come at once, and prior to starting your project, we will have everything we need in one place to ensure we don't miss a single point!

3. Talk to your project manager. Make sure they understand your vision, even if you don't think you have one! You'd be amazing at how a simple conversation with your project manager can help you clearly define your vision. Our PM's are trained to ask the right questions that help you navigate through your thoughts and ideas.

4. Define your involvement. We welcome clients to be as involved as they'd like. However, it helps us to know what to expect from you throughout the project. Will you be hands on all the way through? Would you prefer to let us do our thing & you tweak later? Or would you prefer to be completely hands off and let us take care of it all? Defining that helps our staff understand how much you would like to be contacted or notified throughout the process so that we don't infringe on your valuable time or leave you out when you'd prefer to be here.

If you are creating your own videos or working with one of your staff members to do so, following these steps will also help you in capturing your vision in every project you do!

Darcie King
Executive Producer
E Video Productions, LLC
www.EVideoProductions.net
darcie@evideoproductions.net

Do You Know What We Do? Part 1...

So often when people ask us what we do, and we tell them "video production," we get a quizzical look and maybe a comment like “you mean weddings?” Well, yes, Wedding Videography is an important part of the video industry, but that is not the entire industry. Our business cards read “TV Commercials & Programming, Video Marketing (or our older cards read ‘internet advertising’) and Internal Communications.” But what do those words mean? In this series, we will explore each area & explain in depth what exactly it is that we do.

TV COMMERCIALS & PROGRAMMING

I think this is the easiest concept of the three to understand, yet, the most complicated of our areas of focus! TV Commercials are just that – commercials produced with the intent of airing on local cable or national network TV. TV Commercials make up a small portion of our production work. Typically a client comes to us for another type of video and decides to repurpose it as a TV commercial. Either way, TV commercials have precise specifications that we must follow, especially for length of the video, and are usually delivered directly to the cable or network station.

TV Programming is a little more abstract. This area includes documentaries, scripted TV shows and reality shows. We won a Telly award for our work on a documentary about Mantoloking NJ after Superstorm Sandy. We also produced a reality-type promotional video for the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce’s Wedding Road Show in 2014. We are currently in production of a scripted TV show – Surviving Sam and in pre-production stage of a food-based reality show. We are open to any and all television program ideas, including internet TV, documentaries and good old-fashioned television scripts. Check out this teaser video for Surviving Sam….

One last piece that fits best into this category is content for the web that is purchased by the end user. Perhaps it is a series of training videos, or topics on a specific subject. If the content is on the web as a way to generate income, it is less promotional in nature and more programming.  We produce videos of this type for companies like Pangaro Global Training and BrandTwist – both selling their expertise through a series of videos.

Stay tuned next week when we will explore our work in VIDEO MARKETING!

Darcie King

Owner, E Video Productions, LLC

darcie@evideoproductions.net

www.EVideoProductions.net

(732) 349-4762

Where do trends go when they die?

If you have kids, or have ever met a kid, you are sure to have heard the constant stream of questions... "Do goldfish go to heaven?" "How does a caterpillar sleep?" "Why can't I see my own face?" You know how it goes. Well, I have one to add...where do trends go when they die? Is there an island somewhere full of Rubik's Cubes and Parachute Pants? Perhaps it's something like the Island of Misfit Toys from the Rudolph movie we all watch at Christmas time.

I have to confess something. I am not a trend follower. It often takes me a long time to develop a liking for a trend. Sometimes I hop on the band wagon late in the game and ride it until it's bitter end. Sometimes I avoid it all together and never get caught up in the hype. And every once in a while, I find that diamond in the rough and embrace it before it even becomes a trend.

There are many trends in video that come & go. Those crazy stock animations that you see in EVERY corporate video - falling $$$$$$, techno wave forms, etc. Man those drive me crazy! How about the lady who walks out of the corner of your screen and starts talking to you out of no where! I never invited her to speak, did you? And where's the darn mute button when you need it? White board videos are on my list of trends that can go away now. If you don't know what a white board video is - it's those videos that look like someone is drawing it by hand. At times it is hand drawn, other times it is computer generated. Either way, they were cool when they started, but now are so overused, I don't see a use for them anymore.

What trends will stay? Well, that's a tricky question. If it is truly a trend, it will come, stay for a while, and then go away again. Some trends do better than others. The DVD for example became so main stream that I don't think anyone really considers it a trend anymore. It may not be the current content delivery method of choice for most people, but I think everyone can agree it was definitely worth any investment you put into it, whether as a consumer or a producer.

The best test on whether or not you should jump into a trend is this...does it use tried & true methods,  did it come in like a lion, and is it accessible to all of your target audience?

DOES IT USE TRIED & TRUE METHODS?

There is no substitution for good video. Whether you're introducing a new type of animation or a new piece of equipment, if it is trying to replace good quality video, then it probably won't last long. The only video producers that are here to stay are the ones that offer a good, quality service time after time. They know how to embrace new trends, but not succumb to them completely. They don't give up their regular work to work exclusively in the newest animation technique. They continue to produce good videos and incorporate the newest trend in where necessary.

DID IT COME IN LIKE A LION?

When a new item hits the market and the market explodes, don't expect it to last forever. Give it time and the excitement will die down. This past Christmas, the Frozen Ice Castle play set was impossible to find. It was selling for 3 times it's cost on Ebay. Now, just 2 months later, you can get it delivered tomorrow if you'd like. At Christmas, EVERYONE wanted it and every child swore they would play with it every day if they had it for their very own. Now, eh. It's sorta fun. Same thing with video. When the trend comes in like a lion, EVERYONE needs to have a video like that and they're willing to pay a premium to get just the right one and be one of the first to have it. But months later, their video is now obsolete and no one really cares that they were the first. Be careful when hiring someone to do a "trendy" video for you - make sure you consider its shelf life before you buy.

IS IT ACCESSIBLE TO ALL OF YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE?

It's one thing to stay in front of your competition, but it's another to completely ostracize half of your target audience.  When a new format comes into play, it might boast better clarity, faster speeds, or perhaps it will cook you a 4 course dinner. However, if only 2% of your audience has the ability to play that format, will it really work?

As I said before, the best way to stay on top of trends is to always make sure you have a good, solid base. When looking to do a video, or any other project, make sure quality comes before the current trend.

Darcie King
Owner, E Video Productions, LLC
www.EVideoProductions.net
darcie@evideoproductions.net
732-349-4762

Video Marketing, Pregnancy, and Grace Initiatives… Helping to make a difference.

 Pregnant teenagers, a dedicated woman and video marketing...a local non-profit organization is using a popular internet marketing trend in a unique way to educate & inform her audiences.

E Video Productions makes it happen to get their point across in a touching video. 

How am I going to provide for my child? Am I going to be a good mom? These questions come to mind for anyone having a child or wants to have one. But they become more real for a young teen pregnant. Who do they go to when they need help, encouragement or even just a little hope? Well, if you live in or near Ocean County there is hope for these young women. Grace Initiatives provides this to women ages 11-21.

What they offer is:

·      Confidential Counseling

·      Life-skills Education

·      Job-skills Classes

·      Housing options

Everyone needs help now and again especially when you are young, scared and do not know where to go or what to do. Most young girls do not have a support system and Grace Initiatives provides this. They empower these women and give them hope. Whether it is providing knowledge of nurturing a child or learning life-skills to help them out in the future. Just by reading their website, it gives you the feeling of them really taking a deep appreciation in helping young women.

Their founding mission contained three objectives:

     1) To recruit and train qualified families that will volunteer to provide shelter and care for unwed, pregnant women while they prepare for the birth of their baby.

     2) To establish a group home for up to 6 unwed, pregnant women that would provide shelter, meals, care, counseling and life skills for residents to prepare their future.

     3) To conduct training seminars for individuals and nonprofit organization that wish to provide maternity housing similar to ours through families in their communities.

With these objectives they have grown to do what they set out for. There will always be questions and doubts, but having a great support system will help with this. With providing a video, Grace Initiatives have giving an insight into some of their client’s minds. (Below is a link to see the video and more information about Grace Initiatives.) http://www.graceinitiatives.org        

Rhonda Tomko, one of the founders of Grace Initiatives, uses this video for many purposes. I recently had a brief discussion with her. She discussed why and where she uses the video. One of the most important ways they use the video is they use it on their donor website, at the bottom of every email (in her signature) and whenever she gives speaking engagements. Whether the engagements are at churches, community groups, etc. She goes on to say that the video works for them because, “ It shows our clients speaking in short engaging statements, expresses emotions, and tells a story of each of our clients.”

What Grace Initiatives does for these young women can give hope to anyone out there wanting to help out in their communities. E Video Productions helped them find a way to get their views a crossed.  And this is how using video to market your company or non-profit organization can let any audiences know who you are and what you are trying to do in the community or just in your businesses.

Patty Hilton

Intern: E Video Productions

patricia.a.hilton@gmail.com

Making Unused Time Work For You

If you can't join us, beat us....Well, not really. But I'm hoping this blog post will inspire you to come up with a marketing idea for your company, though!

How can you utilize unused time, space, product, etc? How can you develop that time, space or product into a money generator for your company?

We have come up with a great way to utilize our downtime to generate exposure in the community and make a small profit. 

Every quarter, we offer an Open Studio event - a time when we schedule ourselves to be in the office/studio for the day, keep the equipment at the ready, and invite people in to record short videos for their website & social media. For a minimal investment, they can start to build their video marketing portfolio. While at first glance, you see us offering crazy low prices for something that typically draws a much higher price tag, but take a closer look at how this actually benefits us, not just customers that are walking away with almost free video.

1. We pick a day that we don't have other shoots scheduled, where we are in the office working on editing, marketing, etc. If someone comes in to do an Open Studio video, we benefit by making a few bucks and get a distraction from our day-to-day routine. We are making the absolute best use of our time on these days.

2. Offering a great deal like this allows us to approach people in a way that is a benefit for them, not a sales pitch for us. We are able to reach out through multiple social media networks, networking events and emails in a way that comes across much more approachable. We get mixed reacions - a few that don't want to be 'sold to,' a few that are interested in our Open Studio and a few that want to discuss full-scale video projects. By offering a low cost service, we actually have an easier time selling higher cost services.

3. (This is my favorite part). Video breeds more video. This goes two fold. A - the client that loves their video that they did at our Open Studio often comes back for future Open Studios or larger scale projects. Once you start video marketing, you start to see the endless possibilities. B - most of these videos are posted on Facebook, YouTube & other social networking sites...furthering our reach as a video producer. The more videos we have out there, the more people see our work and the more people turn to us for their video needs.

Now, the purpose of this post is not to convince you to come to our Open Studio (even though I think you'd really benefit from it!); it is to inspire you to come up with a way to use your unused time, space & product to benefit your company. No matter what you do, there is some way you can apply these concepts to make more money, book more appointments and get more exposure!

Darcie King
owner, E Video Productions
darcie@evideoproductions.net
Facebook - /evideoproductions
Twitter - @evpDarcie
YouTube - evideopr
LinkedIn - evideonj

Video For Your Website - Tactics to Build Online Sales

I recently had an article on Video Marketing Trends appear in Web Wholesaler magazine! You can either read it below or by clicking here: http://wholesalecentral.com/Video-Tactics-for-Blockbuster-Sales-201302.htm

Video Marketing Trends for 2013
By Darcie King, owner E Video Productions, Forked River, NJ
 www.evideoproductions.net
darcie@evideoproductions.net
@evpDarcie
YouTube: evideopr

Ten years ago, it was rare for online wholesalers and retailers to have video on their websites, and those that did incorporate video into their online marketing plans were innovative. Now, if you ask a room full of business owners if they have video on their website, at least half would say "yes," as it is quikly becoming the norm rather than the exception. Today, it is how, not if, you use video that makes you stand out from the competition.

 In recent months, there have been many advances for video integration into marketing campaigns. Among them are:

Quick Response, or QR, Codes. A QR code is the square that looks similar to a bar code on many products. Users download a free app on their SmartPhones, and when they scan the code, they are shown a website, video, special offer, email address or phone number.

YouTube. This video-sharing site surpassed Yahoo as the world's second largest search engine, and is rivaling it's parent company Google for the number one spot.

Large screens. Enhanced video is displayed in a majority of booths at the nations largest trade shows, and many waiting areas now feature video ads instead of television programs.

As with any technology, it is important to remember that change happens fast. Going forward, video marketing will primarily feature personal stories rather than sales techniques. Story-telling brings companies to life in the ever-growing world of Social Media and online marketing. This can be done through compelling graphics, a storeowner's on-camera interview, a well scripted narrative or even a compilation of photos. Customers don't want to be "sold to" anymore. They want to get to know you as a company, and are more likely to do business with a company that has a gripping story.

Trust is important to consumers, and online sellers can stand out from the crowd by establishing just that. Allow your customers to get to know you, and you are at least halfway there.

When telling your story, the key is to be AUTHENTIC. Being authentic means you focus on the bigger picture rather than a particular product or service. Highlighting a product or service tends to come across as a "sales pitch" which doesn't work with many consumers. Think about Flo - the Progressive Insurance lady. She doesn't "sell" - she "relates." When she talks to the fictional customers in the commercials, she may give the benefits, or explain a little detail about a particular product, but more often than not, she is using her personality and humor to relate, both the fictional customer on the screen and the potential customer watching at home. Now, if you are nothing like Flo, don't force it! The important thing is to be you. Everyone has a personality trait, but if you really think you are a stick in the mud that won't attract an audience, then feature someone else in your company or hire an actor that can relate with your potential customers. The key is to make sure the script is not a sales pitch but a conversation. If you have trouble writing that way, try an interview format. Typically, business owners, marketing directors, etc. have all the info they need for a really great script in their heads, but when they go to write it down, nothing comes out. But in an interview setting, and by talking through the script, you find gems that will shine in your video!

Cross-platform branding and extended promotions are also tools that video marketers are beginning to use more and more. Don't just produce a video for your website & consider yourself done. Single-channel marketing is no longer effective, so incorporate the branding message from your video into other marketing techniques. Take the personality you use in the video, and bring it to your trade show floor and create give-aways based on it. In turn, use a QR code to drive customers from your unique give-away item to your video online. Make sure everything comes full circle and the shopper gets the complete package. In addition, if you had a successful direct mail or email campaign, continue THAT message in your video marketing. Find unique ways to make it work for video - beyond rewriting the copy to a script. How can you garner the same feel (emotion) that prompted so many sales during the original campaign, while making it interactive or compelling in a video format?

Extended promotions, or a series of videos, can also help cross-platform branding. When you drive the same message monthly or weekly, but with a different twist each time, you will reach a far larger audience. While someone will be compelled by the message initially, another customer might not realize you are the perfect fit until week 12, when that message fits their needs at that time. The key to cross-platform branding and extended promotions is consistency.

Dollarshaveclub.com uses a very quirky character in their unconventional videos. Similar to Flo, the character is persuasive through the use of humor. The company successfully created a video that took off in social media, and the company's unique message has been shared, tweeted and liked hundreds of thousands of times. Dollar Shave Club worked hard to create that viral campaign, incorporating a unique product, an absorbing on-camera personality, a humorous story and a tightly monitored social media presence.

Finally, with the expansion in the use of mobile devices such as tablets & smart phones, mobile video is another aspect of video marketing that will be growing rapidly over the next 12 months. When you create a video for your website, you need to consider how it will work on multiple devices. Beyond technical issues - such as how the graphics display, whether the video is cross-platform compatible and if the audio is clear, one has to consider use. What will make someone watch or share a video on his or her phone? Many people are very protective of their mobile devices and will not spend time idly searching and watching videos. You need to give them a good reason to want to watch your video. This brings into play how you promoted your video prior to release, where your video is place on your site, what the marketing material around your video says, how you tag your video, and what description you give it. Have a full plan on paper before you begin uploading, or even producing your video, so that once it is released, the video is mobile ready and your customers will have to watch it!

For web wholesalers and retailers, video is an exciting way to share company and product news, and can inspire sales as well as brand loyalty. It is an essential part of every online seller's marketing toolbox.

Tips for your video tips!

One of the best ways to promote your business is to demonstrate your expertise in your subject. A person doesn't want to hire a contractor that can just get the job done...they want someone that will get the job done RIGHT...the first time! They want an EXPERT. How can you show them that you are an expert? One great way is to provide video tips throughout your website. There are a couple different ways that you can go about this. First, you can have a media page that provides numerous links to videos and articles that you have produced and written showing your knowledge on a wide range of subjects. This is great when you want to show a wide base of expertise or have potential clients that don't know exactly what service they are looking for and need to view a variety to get an idea of what you can do to help them. A second way of using video tips is to sprinkle them throughout your website where they fit best. For example, a party planner might have tips on throwing an amazing birthday part on their Birthday page, tips for a calm bride on their Wedding page and ways to ensure a fun event on their Bar/Bat Mitzvah page. By positioning yourself as an expert, you not only market yourself as the top of your field, but you ensure that your clients know you and how you can best help them. Check out this clip below from one of our clients. He is certainly an expert in his field - marketing. Here he gives you tips for creating your website. It is professionally done and complete with graphics that enhance the message.



Darcie King
E Video Productions
http://www.evideoproductions.net
darcie@evideoproductions.net
http://www.facebook.com/evideoproductions
http://www.twitter.com/evpDarcie
http://www.youtube.com/evideopr

Reflections & Spotlights

Wow. What a crazy few weeks it has been at the Jersey Shore! For those of you that follow us on Facebook, you have learned that we were pretty much in the heart of Hurricane (ok, post-tropical cyclone) Sandy. We were very blessed and did not sustain any damage to our home or office, but it has been a very trying time in our town, county & up and down the shore! So many friends, clients & associates displaced. So many beloved places destroyed. If you are not local to this area, look at the pictures & videos online of Seaside Heights and Long Beach Island...we are right between the two about a mile inland. Then look at the Mantoloking Bridge - my parents are about a mile from there. This didn't hit too close to home. It hit home.

But being "Jersey Strong" has its benefits! It has been so heartwarming over the past few weeks seeing how neighbors and strangers are helping each other out! People who don't have much to give are giving what they can to help. While I've known too many people that lost their homes, I know even more people that were blessed by the kindness of others through this trying time. It's surreal watching Red Cross trucks drive through our neighborhoods. Some families and businesses are still picking up the pieces, and will continue to do so for quite some time. But the best thing the rest of us can do is to move forward and work extra hard to bring normalcy back to the Jersey Shore!

So here I am, reflecting for a moment and now moving forward with our Spotlight. Our Spotlight Success Series was created out of the needs of many of our clients! While we customize every package to fit the exact needs of the business and their intended audience, we found that many clients would prefer to choose a set package. What is a Spotlight Success Video? It puts YOUR COMPANY in the spotlight! Every business has a story - it is important to tell your story to your potential customers, and what better way to do it than through a video! We are able to tell your story through interviews, scripting, on-location shooting, in-studio shooting and/or customized graphics. You can use this video in all of your marketing: Social Media, Website, Waiting Area, Trade Shows & DVD mailers! While we still offer customized packages, a basic Spotlight Success Series video starts at $2600. If you were affected by Hurricane Sandy, we are offering a discount for the Spotlight Success Series through the end of the year. If you book with a 50% deposit by 12/31/12, you will receive 25% off your video. What better way to show the world that you are JERSEY STRONG than by capturing your story on video!?

Darcie King
E Video Productions
www.evideoproductions.net
darcie@evideoproductions.net
Facebook: EVideoProductions
YouTube: Evideopr
Twitter: @evpDarcie

EVP News: Teaming up with JSWA 2nd year in a row!

We are very excited to be teaming up with the Jersey Shore Wedding Association for the 2nd year in a row to provide coverage of their Fabulous Fall Bridal Show! Take a peak at last year's video.



We love teaming up with organizations like this. Not only is it a nice afternoon out, but it gives us an opportunity to get to know other businesses in the area! And, when it comes to JSWA, we are doubly excited since our sister company Always In Motion Pictures also is an exhibitor!

So if you are free on Sunday, October 28, and are planning a wedding or event, stop by Captain's Inn in Forked River and look for our crew with the camera roaming around!

Video Spotlight: Video Marketing Solutions

We were tired of using the ol' "shoemakes' kids" excuse. (You know...the shoemaker's kids are the only ones in town without shoes.) So we finally did it - we produced our OWN marketing video! It's not easy being your own client. First of all, you know what you are capable of, so you hold yourself to a higher standard. :) Second of all, it's very easy to push your project back when a client has a tight deadline. So finally, after months (ok, years!) of working on this, it's done! Kris and I may look a little younger, but heck, look at the politician's publicity photos and we're alot closer than they are! :) This video features a combination of techniques. It incorporates graphic animations, kinetic type and interview driven voice-over by both key employees and client testimonials. It also includes screen captures to show our work in action. It primarily features on-location interview shots utilizing our mobile studio set-up. There is a shot from our studio showcasing our more dramatic black background. At just under 3 minutes in length, it's long enough to provide you with all the information you need, but short enough that it remains watchable. We'd love your feedback! Please share your comments after you view our video!

What makes you FASCINATING?

If you're a business owner or marketer, by now you probably know you need a USP - unique selling point. This USP helps differentiate you from your competitors. That's almost as boring as the 4 P's of Marketing. That and a bag of chips will get you a bag of chips.

In today's marketplace, you need something more. Traditional marketing terms won't help you grab hold of a target audience that is also the target of about 1000 other marketing messages in a single minute. You need to focus on what makes you FASCINATING! Fascinating is a neat word, isn't it? It brings to mind images that just amaze you. Isn't that how you want people to think of your company? You want them to be totally blown over & amazed by what you are offering them. How can you figure out what makes you fascinating? Well, what are you most passionate about? When you start small talk with someone, and your company or organization enters into the conversation, what do you typically end up talking about? THAT'S IT! That's what makes you fascinating!

A video is key in showing just how fascinating you are. Through video, you can tell & show the true fascination, as well as engage your potential clients through emotion. Video reaches more senses than most other forms of marketing! They can hear how fascinating you are, see how fascinating you are and feel how fascinating you are. They can even hear from others just how fascinating you really are (through testimonials). Don't just consider your USP. Consider what makes you fascinating.

What makes Grace Initiatives fascinating? Watch the video below:


Darcie King
darcie@evideoproductions.net
EVideoProductions.net
12MonthsofVideo.com
@evpDarcie

Travel & Tourism - Marketing With Emotion

The travel & tourism industry is unique. You have two main hurdles to overcome when marketing your location or service. First, you have to convince people that they need to get away, take a break or have more fun. Second, you need to convince them that above all other potential get-aways, YOURS is the best. Whether you appeal to a local audience looking for a quick trip, or aim for those looking for the ultimate in luxury regardless of price, you need to appeal to emotion. A flow chart detailing your benefits vs. the negatives of your competition might not sweep someone off their feet and convince them to leave their every-day life and spend thousands of dollars on "relaxing."

Video offers a unique way to market a unique industry. Through video, you can immerse someone IN your experience...for two or three minutes, they are there on the island with you, enjoying the sun, the waves and they can almost even taste the cocktails. Videos offers them an opportunity to tour your facility or get an insider's view on what they can expect. Through video, you can even introduce them to the key employees they may meet during their trip, allowing for a more personal experience and a feeling of familiarity once they arrive on your property. Happy guests can also talk to future guests through video...a video testimonial allows the viewer to get a better sense of emotion than just reading a testimonial.

Whether you are a luxury hotel, a premier resort, an affordable motel, an amusement park, a zoo or aquarium, a hot night club, a unique experience (such as Medieval Times or somewhere you can swim with dolphins), or any number of other travel destinations, video marketing can help you reach an audience that may not even know that they need you!

Articles from Sandpapers past...

I wrote this article for the Sandpaper (a local newspaper), and it appeared a while back. Unfortunately, I somehow completely missed that issue! But I've found it and now can share it with you here.

Darcie King
evideoproductions.net
darcie@evideoproductions.net
(609) 242-3760

5 Strategies for Video Socialization

When you create a flyer, do you post it on your door and wait for people to find it? Or do you get out there, pass them around, give them out at networking events, ask other businesses to display them for you? If you wouldn't wait for people to find your flyer on your office door, why would you post a video on your website & wait for people to find it? You need to get it out there, pass it around, show it to your networking groups, ask other businesses to display it....all VIRTUALLY and ONLINE! These five tips will help you socialize your videos without having to leave your desk!

1. Upload, upload, upload. Do not upload once and hope that source will carry you through to virtual fame. If you use a private video host, you can still upload to YouTube! Don't just post a link to your YouTube video on Facebook, upload your video there too. There are many advantages to uploading your video to multiple platforms. First of all, you're reaching a different audience in each place. Someone might subscribe to your YouTube channel that doesn't get your newsletter or "like" your Facebook page. There are other pages also that allow you to post video to specific audiences.

2. Take advantage of each services unique features. In YouTube, for example, you can add neat features such as an overlay, mobile capabilities, and more. In Facebook, you can tag anyone that might have something to do with your video, alerting them AND their friends to the presence of your video. Check into unique services offered by each site that hosts your video.

3.  Tell everyone you know about this amazing video! Tweet about it on every account you manage. Start a discussion about it in your Linked-In groups. Ask for reviews on Facebook. Show it on your blog. Feature it in your e-newsletter. Get it out there!

4.  Choose your (key) words wisely. If you are a financial planner, words like "finance, money, planning" are over used. Try searching for them and see how many results come up! Get as specific as you can. Think about what people might be searching for that would need your services. Could someone searching for colleges possible need the expertise of a financial planner? Don't cheat & use competitor's names (this will get you taken OUT of search results), but think outside of the box when coming up with Key Words. And most definitely - USE THEM! Most video upload sites allow key words. Don't skip this step! It is how your videos are found.

5. Make your video sharable. Make it easy for people to share your video. Don't lock any features or restrict the video in any way that makes it difficult for people to spread the word. Remember, this is FREE ADVERTISING! The more people that like, favorite, share, comment, etc. on your video, the better chance that others will find IT and thus YOU.

Darcie King
E Video Productions
http://www.evideoproductions.net
http://www.youtube.com/evideopr
http://www.facebook.com/evideoproductions
http://www.twitter.com/evpDarcie

Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose!

Money is the number one issue why companies don't do enough advertising. It is important to know what you will not grow if no one knows you exist! The question should not be whether or not to advertise, but rather how to best maximize your advertising dollar.

One great way is to repurpose your existing marketing video. If you have a promo video that your made for your website, trade show or sales DVDs, it typically doesn't take a large chunk of money to re-edit it into a 30-second TV commercial! And when you do this, you are also better able to continue a consistent message through various mediums.

We recently did a promotional video for NJ Best Lawn & Irrigation, which you can see on their home page when you click on that link. When they decided to advertise on local television, we were able to repurpose that video for a 30-second spot.



Another option is to create a new campaign, but using the same production company. There is a higher cost to this, but it still allows you to keep a consistent message with similar graphics, shooting styles, etc. If you had videos done for your website by one company, and then go with the cable company to produce your TV commercial, they will look very different and might not be complimentary to each other.

But wait, there's more!

I know you've all been to a trade show somewhere where there's a large both at the end of an aisle with a man or woman talking through what sounds like a McDonald's drive through microphone. "Wah, wah, wah, wah, when you use it this way you can, wah, wah, and then the benefits are wah, wah." It's over modulated, too close to their mouth and too loud for your sensitive ears already bombarded with tons of trade show noise. If you can get close enough, you can see how that amazing rag really does soak up a soda bottle full of water! But often times, you are stuck behind a really tall guy and can't see a thing. There must be a better way to demonstrate a product.

Yes, you finally figured it out! You can do an infomercial on TV! You get quality microphones so people can actually hear what you're saying. You get a live studio audience to "ooh and ahh" at the end of every sentence. The production studio edits together a beautiful package that is high quality and ready for TV. You sit back and wait for your return. Uh oh. You spent so much money on producing your infomercial that the only people able to see the amazing stain fighting power of your product are those suffering from insomnia at 3am. Their eyes are glazed over and they're feverishly looking for reruns of Three's Company. You think there's nothing else you can do to demonstrate your amazing product.

But wait, there's more!

There's another way to demonstrate your product directly to your target audience. A promotional video. This video can be shown at a trade show (with high quality production value shown on a top of the line HDTV), displayed on your website (fully optimized to appear on the first page of Google) or used in social media (for a truly viral experience that is as beneficial as word of mouth advertising). A product demo video can be cost effective if produced correctly and free to display. You can show the benefits, the product in use in a real situation, testimonials, and much more. For an example of a product demo, check this out:



Darcie King
E Video Productions
12 Months of Video