Creating an Effective Online Video

"Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

- The Wizard of Oz

We all realize that social media has redefined how business is being done. It is (supposedly) the new way of getting your message across without spending a lot of money.

So this summer, why not explore creative strategies for marketing yourself and your company by building a strong presence on social media platforms? What's the fastest way to inform the world about you and your company's products or services? Video!

Let's focus on creating a 1-3 minute dynamic video to attract potential clients to your site and services. It's simple. Start to monetize your website and drive sales. Tell us why we would want to engage in an ongoing conversation with you. What makes your company unique and worth hiring?

Suggest new solutions to client concerns in your unique communication style. Position the video on your web site, Facebook, You-Tube and LinkedIn.

You need to hire a professional videographer to film and edit the video to optimize your message.

So, put a face on your business, and let's see the "real you."

If the "real you" is as rusty as The Tin Man at the thought of being filmed, follow my suggestions and your worries will vanish.

Get Organized!

"If you build it, they will come". - Field of Dreams Focus on the audience you want to reach. What do you want the viewer to think, feel and do? Write it down. This objective motivates each word you utter. Who is your market? Be specific about what features/benefits you can offer this audience. Create an opening statement (a relevant statistic, a startling fact, or a rhetorical question) that grabs your viewer's attention. Jot down your differentiating variables. Eliminate all but the most important 3-5 points that best explain your unique offerings and the solutions you can provide. Write out key phrases on a cue card. It's your safety net. Experiment picking up a word from the cue card to keep you on point. Time it. Remember - "Brevity is the soul of wit." Don't oversell; in fact, don't sell at all. Keep it friendly and informational. Succinctly, summarize your most salient points and leave your viewer with a call to action. You have your script, you have your cue cards and you've answered the most important question, How will my client benefit from hearing this segment? Practice makes perfect.

Get in on the Conversation

In my next blog, we'll discuss the pre-shoot and the actual shoot with a videographer. So prepare the above steps and you'll be ready for the next step. Remember, the Tin Man thought things would be so different "if I only had a brain" and a little oil on those rusty joints. Now you do. Let me know how it goes and don't hesitate to ask me questions. "May the force be with you." -Star Wars Eileen