Corporate video is OVER. Thank God.

September 24, 2012 by Larry Kless

Guest post by David Murray, program chairman, Strategic Video Awards

A brief history of the last 50 years in corporate video: Corporate training films begat weird corporate promo videos begat dreadful corporate streaming videos begat public embarrassment through paltry page views.

Funny Office Safety Training Retro Video! Hilarious!!

‘You and Office Safety’ – Safetycare free prev

1984 Apple’s Macintosh Commercial

Kevin’s New Employee Orientation Cheesy Corporate EOE Video

Corporate communication types and marketers have now been forced to realize—finally!—that people apply the same standards for watching your video that they do for watching TV shows or the dozen or more YouTube videos they watch every day.

If it isn’t grabbing their heart or their mind and shaking it violently, they switch it off. In a second.

Because they know that with one click they can find Jon Stewart joking, Jeb Corliss crashing or Volvo—Volvo!—doing something completely insane.

Jeb Corliss Table Mountain Crash

Volvo Trucks – The Ballerina Stunt

Yep, corporate video makers have realized they can’t get away with making corporate videos anymore.

What will they make? The judges at the Strategic Video Awards can’t wait to find out.

And we hope you’ll enter your non-corporate corporate video before our Oct. 26 deadline.

The Strategic Video Awards were created for everyone who uses video to communicate for corporations, associations, non-profits, public institutions, colleges and universities, PR firms and ad agencies, and custom publishers. The Strategic Video Awards differ from other programs in that we judge the effectiveness of the message versus the technical aspects of the video. For more information, go to: http://www.strategicvideoawards.com/

Videos Show You How To Install Performance Parts

August 5, 2012 by Larry Kless

Guest post by Alex @ Redline360.com

The do-it-yourself automotive trend is growing every day, and especially in a down economy, people want to save money by installing performance parts themselves so they can save hundreds of dollars on labor. There is no better way for a manufacture of performance parts to connect with their potential customers than to create videos such as the one below that give you a background and step by step installation guide so you feel comfortable doing the job yourself. For example, in the video below, Mishimoto, a brand popular for radiators and cooling parts, demonstrates how to install their parts into a Subaru Impreza WRX.

It also helps that the video has a professional race car driver, Matt Waldin, to give credibility to the brand and entice customers to continue watching the video. The video goes step-by-step in explaining not only the benefits of the part, but what tools you need to do the job so you can be sure you have everything necessary to get the job done.

Some customers like to make their own product videos, and they gain a following and recognition on automotive forums of their knowledge and experimentation of the products. Lots of times, especially with newer cars, people like to hold off on buying parts until someone in the community buys it first and then reviews it for quality, ease of installation and performance gains.

Some how-to’s can get very technical, and some customers even do mechanical comparisons on a dynamometer to determine effectiveness of parts, such as a comparison of the difference between a short ram intake and a cold air intake. Information such as this isn’t so straight forward, so there needs to be testing done that can only be given credibility with a video posted online, or dyno sheets that show power gains. As customers get more savvy, online videos are going to be playing a bigger part in the automotive performance market.

How to start your own Videography Business

June 17, 2012 by Larry Kless

One of the first things you have to consider when thinking about starting your own videography business is whether or not you are suited to owning your own business. As difficult as it may be to hear the truth is not everyone is capable of being in business for themselves. It takes discipline and dedication and owning a decent video camera does not automatically qualify you to be in business.

If you are working you might consider taking on a project or two in your spare time to determine if you have the skills needed. Even the best videographers may be able to produce a great product but without the knowledge of running a business, you can find yourself in over your head in a hurry. You will be giving up your time and trading it hopefully for at least some money. The thing to remember is that if you don’t make money at it, it’s a hobby.

Although, markets are decked with corporate video production companies, yet if you have a rage and passion, you will surely achieve what you desire.

However, if you pass introspection and believe you have the passion for the occupation begin by identifying the type of projects your skills are best suited to produce. You will need to have top quality equipment if you expect top quality production. On top of that since you will be charging for your work, your customers will expect top quality results.

Develop a business plan that includes the money you will need for quality equipment. Having a great camera will mean nothing without post-production equipment of the same caliber. You’re going to need to go all in on your equipment if you expect to receive rave reviews of your product.

Knowing your competition should have been part of your business plan in order to determine if there is enough business in your area to go around. Compare your skills to others and be honest with yourself in deciding who can offer the best product. Every day will be a learning experience and when the time comes that you decide you know everything about the business, it may be time to find a new line of work. One skill that has raged like an epidemic is video marketing; it’s all about marketing your efforts. So, don’t lag behind in this aspect.

Promoting yourself will be the means by which you are measured by potential clients. Put together a website that can showcase your work and don’t be stingy on its design. This is something that shouldn’t be left to a niece or nephew as a school project. You are trying to show yourself as a professional and your website needs to project that same image.

You will need a professional brochure as well as potential clients will want something they can use to compare your services and your prices with your competition. Some new business owners tend to offer reduced prices to undercut the competition. This is a really bad way to gain business. Most believe you get what you pay for and when they see exceptionally low prices might think they will get substandard results.

Above all, be honest with clients you do get. Especially when shooting weddings as some clients will have expectations that are simply unrealistic. Regardless of your agreement, their expectations can drive you crazy. That is something that goes with the proverbial territory and will simply be a part of doing business with the public. Something they don’t teach in business school.

About the author:

The article is written by Peter Smith. Peter’s expertise lies in vintage and digital photography, apart from that he is regular contributor to various technology blogs. To know more about his creative powers visit his website: Corporate Video Productions Company | London Tracc Films

Online Video Sets Automotive Trends such as Hellaflush

August 15, 2011 by Larry Kless

If you are an automotive enthusiast, you will quickly recognize the phrase “Hellaflush“. It has become synonymous with modified cars and trucks that have aftermarket wheels that are flush with the fender. This might not seem like a big deal to the average Joe, but to the auto enthusiast, especially import enthusiasts, Hellaflush has become a trend that looks like it’s here to stay.

Online Videos posted to YouTube, Vimeo and others, show the trend at work that drives up interest, excitement, and viral videos. Here is an example of a video dedicated to the Hellaflush movement that has been posted to YouTube:

As you can see from the above video, this automotive trend is very popular, and is catching on every day. Online Videos like these give inspiration to average enthusiasts to turn their cars into something special.

Getting your car Hellaflush requires a lot of research to ensure that the wheels and tires you purchase are the correct offset to make it sit just right when lowered. The tires also come in to play as each tire manufacture has different tire designs and this can make or break the stance of your car. The suspension is also very important and needs to give your car proper clearance. Popular suspension setups such as KSport Kontrol Pro Coilovers and Blackworks Coilovers have been used to create optimal stances. Seeing a video of the same car you have that is hellaflush gives you creative ideas on creating that look for your car or truck.

About the author – Alex Polonsky

Alex Polonsky is an automotive enthusiast that blogs over at APtuned (http://www.aptuned.com/blog/) where he talks about the latest trends in automotive high performance. Alex has been in the automotive industry since 1999 and has a passion for online video, technology, and social media. Alex is also co-founder of VidCompare.

See his recent post on this blog here: Online Video for Motorsports made easy with the GoPro HD and on Reel SEO: Automotive Video Drives Sales for Auto Performance Parts Industry

3 Tips When Shooting Your First Promotional Video

June 19, 2011 by Larry Kless

Guest post by Marian LaSalle, Painted Path Designs

If you’re a small business owner or want to communicate with an online audience, you should consider video marketing. I proudly present my Top 3 Tips for Producing Your First Online Marketing Video

1. My first tip is to pay attention to sound.

If you’re using a flip cam or a similar video camera, make sure you’re in a quiet location so the background noise doesn’t bother the viewer. Unless you are shooting a music video, it should be quiet around you. Before you start filming, make sure that you are not going to be interrupted by cell phones, barking dogs, or people chatting in the background. Also make sure your camera is close enough to the subject that you will be able to hear them clearly.

If you’re using a camera that will allow an external microphone, look into these sound enhancing options. Shotgun mic, Lapel mic, handheld mic or a wireless external mic.

2. Be short and to the point.

Do you know what WIFT means? It means your viewers want to know what’s in it for them so, get to the point right away and then share your information later. Present your message with your audience in mind. Time is valuable and let’s face it, if they get bored they will click you off and be on to the next video with-in the first 20 seconds. They don’t want to waste time watching a hard sales pitch, a boring commercial or a misleading message.

3. Call to Action.

Make sure you include your contact information and give them a good reason to visit your store, call you, like you on your Facebook business page, sign up for your FABULOUS newsletter or visit your informative website. Think of other ways they can connect with you too like: following you on Twitter, reading your blog or asking a question in an email. Encourage your viewers to follow-up with you in a quick and easy way.

Video can be a powerful tool in communicating with your customers and potential customers too. Just this week I received a glowing testimonial from a client who said he’s thrilled about the new clients he’s getting from the video’s we produced for his website. He’s had such an increase in business he’s asked us to record a video every month for him. The first video we shot was an introduction on his front page so people could get to know him. Know, Like and Trust is what your customers want and video is the easiest way to accomplish this.

If you have any questions or would like to see some of the videos I have produced, please visit my website and if you like what you see, contact me so we can talk about your online success.

Marian LaSalle
Painted Path Designs
Web Design & Internet Marketing
Video Introductions for your website and YouTube

Connect with Marian on-line
www.facebook.com/marian.lasalle

http://www.marianlasalle.com

www.facebook.com/InternetTrafficConsulting

www.facebook.com/ReferralBusinessBuilders

This article first appeared on: http://EzineArticles.com/6291203

Strategies, tips, how to's and best practices for online video publishers

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