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Posts Tagged ‘shooting web video tips’
By: stu | Posted: Tuesday, July 19th, 2011
NOW…PUT TESTIMONIALS TO WORK!
OK, you’ve started gathering testimonials. How do you turn them into sales dollars?
• CIRCULATE THEM
You put corporate emphasis on getting testimonials – now it’s only fair to circulate them throughout your organization. Put them on bulletin boards, on the lunchroom wall, in your company newsletter. You may be surprised at the ideas the testimonials spark.
• USE THEM AS-IS
Brief customer comments can be used as-is in your advertising but check with your legal department regarding getting a signed release before you use them.
• RE-CONTACT FOR MORE DETAIL
A nice note like, “Thanks, your people did a great job” is an OK testimonial but if you call or e-mail the customer, you could get additional details and facts that add depth and value to the testimonial story.
• DIG DEEP: GET THE WHOLE STORY
A quick note of praise can be considered an “A” lead for a full testimonial. IncreaseSalesWithVideo.com conducts full customer interviews that yield pages and pages of notable, specific quotes on your product or service and your USPs in concrete, tangible terms.
• TURN TESTIMONIALS INTO ONLINE VIDEOS
If testimonials are powerful sales tools, then TESTIMONIAL VIDEOS are dynamite. You can create them yourself but keep in mind you want them to be professionally done. Good lighting, decent wardrobe and crisp audio is important. One company who can help with creating these videos is called IncreaseSalesWithVideo. They developed a “PerfectTestimonial Process”, where they contact and interview your testimonial leads…prep them…visit them in person…videotape them praising YOU…and edit the footage into a tight, extremely compelling video to put on your website, social media campaign, mobile phone, and more.
This has been part two of a two part report, check out part one Six TIME-TESTED TECHNIQUES for capturing GREAT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS.
Clint Pollock
President | EZWebPlayer.com
The Non-Tech solution to putting videos online
www.EZWebPlayer.com
By: stu | Posted: Thursday, July 14th, 2011
Customer testimonials are an extraordinarily powerful sales and marketing tool because they help people who are considering buying from your company develop the trust that you will deliver what you say you will.
Customer testimonials can be used to power-up your sales efforts in almost every sales venue — in print, on TV and radio, in presentations, at tradeshows, and in video on your website. But before you can USE customer testimonials, you have to CAPTURE them. Here are 6 proven ways to build your own library of great customer testimonials.
1. PUT CORPORATE EMPHASIS ON TESTIMONIAL-GATHERING
Talk-up the importance of testimonials in staff meetings, team meetings, task force meetings, quarterly and annual meetings. WHY are testimonials important? Short answer: because they can boost your business. For more detail on specifically how testimonials will help increase your business, click here.
2. RAISE INTERNAL AWARENESS OF YOUR USPs
Unique Selling Points (USPs) are what make your company, product, or service uniquely different and better than any other. If you expect your people to note testimonial leads, you’d better teach them what to listen for: any current customer praising you, especially when they speak about one of your USPs.
3. READ CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Do you use warranty or customer feedback cards or forms? Do you read them when they come back? You should. Not just because they tell you what your customers think but because what customers write can become customer testimonials.
4. PLUM ASSIGNMENT: TESTIMONIAL CHIEF
Using testimonials can have an excellent long-range effect on your sales and marketing programs, but gathering them can get pushed aside by more urgent day-to-day tasks. What to do? Give someone in your organization the specific task of gathering and cataloging testimonials.
5. ENLIST EVERYONE WHO CONTACTS CURRENT CUSTOMERS
Who in your organization has one-to-one contact with existing customers? Your people in sales, customer service, and parts do. But don’t overlook reception, shipping, agents, and anybody else who comes in contact with customers. A casual customer comment at checkout can turn into a powerful testimonial.
6. PUT E-MAIL AND YOUR WEBSITE TO WORK
If you e-mail past customers, send a note from time to time asking for their thoughts, comments and suggestions. Consider putting a customer blog or posting board on your website. These can be rich sources of testimonials because they make it EASY for your customers to jot a note.
Continue on to part two - Six TIME-TESTED TECHNIQUES for capturing GREAT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS; Part Two of Two
Please join us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook or follow our RSS feed to make sure you get part 2 of this article which will be post next Tuesday.
Clint Pollock
President | EZWebPlayer.com
The Non-Tech solution to putting videos online
www.EZWebPlayer.com
By: rbouchez | Posted: Friday, January 21st, 2011
Welcome to Location Scouting for your web video part 2: Staying out of trouble on location! If you missed part 1, Finding the Perfect Location, there’s a link at the bottom of this post.
- Identify a back-up place to shoot in case of rain!
- Ask questions in advance such as…
- Do we need permits or special permission to shoot here?
- Are there deliveries or other interuptions during the time we plan to shoot?
- Can phones be silenced or do customers need to be kep out of the way? (can it be done without disrupting business?)
- How early can we set up and long can we stay if we run late?
- Are there employees, friends or family of the location that want to be in the video?
- Are their any employees that do not want to be on camera?
- Are there any places within the location that should not be shot?
- Shoot “behind the scenes footage” as you location scout.
- It’s easier to do this the first time you are there, you know - when there are no deadlines and crew to worry about!
- Look for alternative meeting places nearby & jot them down! Have an emergency “rendezvous point” everyone knows about. There are a pleathera of reasons for this:
- Meeting on location isn’t always the best idea, sometimes locations are difficult to find and it’s just easier to direct talent – for example - to a nearby restaurant.
- …or, perhaps, what if you have to pack up and leave a location in a hurry (perhaps the shoot required special permits that weren’t “available” – long story for another day).
- Over estimate the time & space you need!
- Tell your hosts you’ll have more equipment, be more disruptive and need more time than you’ll actually take! After the fact, when you prove to be less time & trouble than they thought, you’ll be applauded!
Be sure to share your tips & stories from location shoots in the comments! Please note that every Thursday the EZWebplayer team posts Web Video Quick Tips! Oh, and here’s teh link to part 1: Finding the right location.
Thanks for stopping by!
@richardbouchez, Social Media Specialist for EZWebplayer.com
By: rbouchez | Posted: Thursday, January 13th, 2011
There’s no better way to give your web video a truly local feel than to shoot on site in a great location! The right scene will set the stage and fill in a lot of information for your viewer, information you won’t have to include in your copy, but finding the right location can be a nightmare so here are 5 tips to help you avoid the pain, hassle & “should haves” that come along with shooting on location. Next Thurday come back for part 2: Staying out of trouble on location!
- Visit sites during the same time of day or night you plan to shoot.
- In many locations you’ll find dramatic differences beetween, let’s say, early & late afternoon… especially around tall buildings, trees and sunrise or sunset hours!
- Bring a camera & shoot test shots!
- Still or video – doesn’t matter! Outfits can be better coordinated, vendors can be more adequately prepared and you’ll be generally surprised at what a difference reference shots can make, especially if your doing something conceptual in nature.
- Try to pre-shoot some b-roll.
- You’re already there, take advantage of the time! You might even discover your location doesn’t look very good in video.
- Bring a second set of eyes & ears.
- Chances are, you’ll be so concerned with the scene you may miss noise or other obstacles someone with another perspective might pick up! Talk about location positives & negatives even if you think they’re obvious.
- Bring a “Basic Needs Checklist” and consider each item at the location. Here are some items to start you out:
- Parketing
- Permits
- Lighting
- Camera distance
- Must have B-roll shots
- Props
Be sure to share your tips & stories from location shoots in the comments! Please note that every Thursday the EZWebplayer team posts Web Video Quick Tips! Next Thurday come back for part 2: Staying out of trouble on location!
Thanks for stopping by!
@richardbouchez, Social Media Specialist for EZWebplayer.com
By: rbouchez | Posted: Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
Twas the day before shooting and all through crew a slight frightful feeling… what did we forget to do?
A “top 12″ wrap-up of our weekly tips for adding high quality video to your website…
Web Video Quick Tips #1: Using Effects
Web Video Quick Tips #2: Interviewing an Expert
Web Video Quick Tips #3: What to wear?
Web Video Quick Tips #5: Writing 101 for Video
Web Video Quick Tips #6: Amazing Scripts in 3 steps
Web Video Quick Tips #7: Don’t be a Space Invader
Web Video Quick Tips #9: Custom Bins for Special Effects
Web Video Quick Tips #10: Fun with Silhouettes
Web Video Quick Tips #11: Driveway Dolly
Web Video Quick Tips #13: Perfect Talking Heads?
Web Video Quick Tips 14: Add a Back Light
Web Video Quick Tips 15: Lighting Using Reflectors outdoors
Happy Shooting!
By: rbouchez | Posted: Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
Have a difficult shot to record? Simple, just record it many times and pick out the best cut. That’s where the term “cut” came from.
Also, a long dialogue that’s difficult for the talent to remember can be cut into shorter, easy to remember cuts. Each cut should be shot at a different zoom ratio or angle for later editing. This allows the video to flow visually while the talent enjoys the luxury of delivering shorter lines. Remember to record several takes of each cut. Just because it seems like the first take was perfect, doesn’t mean that it was. Later viewing can reveal missed details.
By Stu Marks: Chicago Area Media Designer & video consultant.
Photo by By oaklandEarthGirl
By: rbouchez | Posted: Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
“How do you take an existing customer evangelist / enthusiast and make them comfortable doing a video testimonial about your company and its services?” This question, posted on www.Linkedin.com, inspired this article.
There’s nothing like having your praises sung! Using testimony (known as MOS or Man on the Street) many businesses integrate real people into their commercials, infomercials and presentations. When done correctly, results can be extremely useful and cost effective.
For the inexperienced I do not recommend walking around your establishment with a camera or surprising your customers because the results usually yield video with poor lighting and more often than not, your customers will have nothing to say. At first don’t get too creative! Concentrate on getting good sounding audio with well lit video. Start with an interview type scenario in a well lit room; this may be inside a restaurant or outside a store during off hours. Make sure you have plenty of time and plenty of light.
Here’s what you do:
- You should be prepared with a number of bullet points that you are looking to get on camera. While you don’t want to fabricate answers you do want to put words in their mouth – literally. The key here is the producer… you want a producer who can get a subject to feel at ease in a conversation about their experience.
- Let your subject know they can say whatever they want as many times as they want, you’ll edit it later anyway.
This is the key: Tell them very specifically that during your conversation you will be suggesting lines or ideas to them and if they feel that they agree they are welcome to use your suggestion or make it their own. - If you are trying this with little or no experience, over shoot this like crazy. Shoot wide and close and have your subject repeat the same lines over and over and over… the more they say the lines, the more comfortable they’ll be on camera. You are always better off having too much video! With a little practice, a good plan and enough time this will work for you.
- It’s a great idea to get everyone’s email address before shooting their video, so you can email them the final product in hopes they will spread your marketing message with their family and friends. Speaking of which, be sure to look around the web for places to upload your video where your potential customers may see it.
Thanks for stopping by!
By: rbouchez | Posted: Thursday, November 18th, 2010
This week the web video tips we’re serving up are a little different…
…in fact, I’m turning today’s tip over to Valsartdiary. It won’t take you long to figure out Val has a very successful YouTube channel, her videos are shot well – though not over produced – and she has a knack for the “clever.” If only more branded videos were just a tenth as interesting!
In this video Val shows us how she shot the silhouette video clip she uses as the signature for her video. Hope you enjoy it!
By Richard Bouchez: Social Media Specialist for EZWebplayer.com.
Video Shooting Links worth checking out:
1. Your Custom Video Starter—What Type of Camcorder?
2. Web Video Quick Tips #7: Don’t be a Space Invader
3. Web Video Quick Tips #11: Driveway Dolly
Greycie Loo directs by Elaine with Grey Cats
By: rbouchez | Posted: Thursday, November 11th, 2010
Amazing Dolly Shots for your web videos are as Close as Your Driveway!
Cool follow shots where a couple is walking down a side walk conversing, usually captured in Hollywood style by using the expensive dolly track system, can be accomplished with a minivan that has sliding side doors. The camera operator sits on the seat nearest the back door which is open, or sits cross legged on the floor if the camera is too tall for a shoulder from the seat, or (my favorite) the camera is setup on a sturdy tripod on the floor after the seat has been removed. Many minivans have quick release seats like the Ford Aerostar.
I used this method for several low budget productions for a nonprofit group starring one of the former Marlboro Cowboys who had quit smoking. A wireless mic (which we used) will work just fine plugged into a converter in the vehicle, or use a shotgun mic on a boom operated by a crew member walking along side the van. It takes a few practice runs, but as soon as the driver gets the hang of dragging the brakes gently, this produces a wonderful moving platform from which to shoot. Remember to shoot dialogue far enough away to inhibit engine and tire noise from the mobile platform.
By Stu Marks: Chicago Area Media Designer & video consultant.
Video Shooting Links worth checking out:
1. Web Video Quick Tips #7: Don’t be a Space Invader
2. Ten Tips to Better Video – Shooting Good Video – CamcorderInfo.com
3. 8 Ways to Shoot Video Like a Pro
Flickr Photos credits:
Gutbrod Van by Hugo90
By: rbouchez | Posted: Thursday, November 4th, 2010
When shooting footage for your web video, remember that transitions and effects, including fading in and
fading out need extra time, so leave extra dead space before and after scenes. No talking, no moving,
keep smiling.
By Stu Marks: Chicago Area Media Designer & video consultant.
Video Shooting Links worth checking out:
1. Web Video Quick Tips #11: Driveway Dolly
2 Web Video Quick Tips #7: Don’t be a Space Invader
3. Ten Tips to Better Video – Shooting Good Video – CamcorderInfo.com
4. 8 Ways to Shoot Video Like a Pro
Flickr Photos credits:
Wrap-up – 313/365 By woodleywonderworks
Cat n camera by Elaine with Grey Cats
By: rbouchez | Posted: Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Talking head videos are surprisingly among the most powerful videos on the web.
To get your message across without making viewers uncomfortable, remember to not fill the screen
with your big face. Zoom out a little to show head and shoulders or even further to show a waist up
shot.
Would you like a total stranger to walk right up to you on the street and almost bump their nose into
your for head while trying to be friendly? No, and viewers don’t enjoy watching a video with the same
effect. If you feel like you must fill the screen with your face, remember that you will appear comical and
obtuse.
Stay out of their space and you will be taken seriously.
By Stu Marks: Chicago Area Media Designer & video consultant.
Video Composition Links worth checking out:
-
Video Composition
-
Ten Tips to Better Video – Shooting Good Video – CamcorderInfo.com
-
Video Composition Rules – Atomic Learning
Flickr Photos credits:
Mr. Eyebrows By onkel_wart (away)
American cat by jasohill
By: rbouchez | Posted: Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
It’s no secret anyone can create & upload web video to their site, Youtube or other sites easily, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Here are 3 key points to consider to help keep your videos fresh, interesting and effective followed by a great discussion by some of the pros on creating videos for business.
Don’t ONLY create videos to increase your chances of being found. Have specific business objectives (a strategy) in addition to SEO such as:
- Improve your customer service by posting how to videos.
- Added value to current clients with “tips” videos.
- Go viral – worth mentioning because, while getting millions of views on Youtube is possible, it’s really a practical goal.
- Stay on brand. “Premiere” products will want to pay special attention to quality and serious brand will have to avoid silly or tacky subjects.
- How many can you make? Creating videos takes time! Try to create a system where you shoot a couple at once so you can post them over time or get into the habit of shooting quick videos throughout your week. This will help you keep your content fresh and new!
Check out this podcast! Starting at 45min 15seconds begins a great discussion of how different businesses can use video. This is also a great example of the discussion every business owner should be having before they start producing videos for their business!
TWIM (This Week In Media) is a podcast that focuses on the present and future of web video from tv shows, to movies and even how businesses are using web video for self promotion.
Thanks for stopping by!
