Three Tips to Winning With Effective Tradeshow Video

effective tradeshow video on display at event

Often times, digital presence is intertwined with business success and tradeshows remain a pivotal platform for direct engagement and networking. Making a highly effective tradeshow video becomes critically important. Between all the bustling aisles and countless booths, standing out becomes a challenge that many businesses face. Enter the game-changer: tradeshow videos. These dynamic tools are not just about showcasing products or services; they are a strategic medium to tell your brand’s story, evoke emotions, and engage potential clients in a crowded tradeshow environment.

The power of video content at tradeshows cannot be understated. It combines visuals, sound, and narrative to capture attention in a way that static displays or printed materials cannot. An effective tradeshow video goes beyond  promotion; it creates an immersive experience, inviting attendees to learn about your business in a compelling and memorable way. From highlighting product features and benefits to sharing customer testimonials and company values, they can significantly impact your tradeshow success.

However, creating a video that resonates with your audience and achieves your business objectives requires more than just hitting the record button. It demands a thoughtful approach to content creation, from understanding your audience and defining clear objectives to crafting a message that stands out. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of planning, creating, promoting, and measuring the success of your tradeshow videos to ensure you’re not just participating in the tradeshow but winning it.

Planning Your Tradeshow Video

The planning stage is critical in creating a tradeshow video that not only captures attention but also conveys your message effectively to your target audience. This phase lays the foundation for success by aligning your content with your business goals and audience needs. Here’s how to plan your for maximum impact:

1. Define Your Objectives: Start by defining what you want to achieve with your tradeshow content. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, showcase a new product, generate leads, or educate your audience about your services? Your objectives will guide the content, style, and messaging of your video.

2. Know Your Audience: Understanding who your audience is and what they care about is essential. Research the demographics and interests of tradeshow attendees and tailor your content to meet their needs and preferences. This ensures your message resonates and engages the right people.

3. Craft a Compelling Message: Your video should tell a story that connects with your audience. Focus on the benefits of your products or services, not just the features. Use emotional and relatable elements to create a narrative that viewers will remember long after the tradeshow ends.

4. Decide on the Video Format: There are several formats to choose from, including product demonstrations, customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes looks, or company overviews. The format should complement your objectives and be suitable for the tradeshow environment, where noise and distractions are common.

5. Logistics and Technical Considerations: Plan for the logistical aspects of displaying your video at the tradeshow. Consider the equipment you’ll need, such as screens and sound systems, and ensure it is optimized for viewing in a busy, often noisy, environment. This might mean focusing more on visual elements and using subtitles if necessary.

6. Budget and Resources: Allocate a budget for your production, keeping in mind costs for scripting, filming, editing, and equipment rental. Consider what resources you have in-house versus what you may need to outsource to professionals.

Through proper planning, you set the stage for a piece of content that not only draws attention but also effectively communicates your message and achieves your business objectives.

 

Creating Compelling Tradeshow Video Content

After laying the groundwork with thorough planning, the next step is to create content that not only draws attention but also leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Engaging tradeshow content can significantly enhance your booth’s appeal and effectively communicate your message. Here’s how to create compelling content for your tradeshow:

1. Focus on Storytelling: Humans are naturally drawn to stories. Structure your video around a narrative that showcases your product or service in action, highlights success stories, or conveys your brand’s journey. A well-told story can evoke emotions and create a memorable connection with your audience.

2. Keep It Short and Sweet: Attention spans are limited, especially in a bustling tradeshow environment. Aim for a video length of 1-2 minutes to convey your key messages without losing viewer interest. Every second counts, so make sure each moment is impactful.

3. High-Quality Production: Invest in a high-quality production to ensure your content looks professional and is engaging. This includes clear visuals, crisp audio (with subtitles for noisy environments), and a seamless flow of information. Quality production values can significantly impact how your brand is perceived.

4. Make It Visually Engaging: Use dynamic visuals, animations, and text overlays to make it stand out. Visual elements can help explain complex information in an easy-to-understand way and keep your audience engaged from start to finish.

5. Include a Call to Action: Your video should not only inform and entertain but also inspire viewers to take the next step. Whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for a demo, or simply learning more about your products, a clear call to action (CTA) is crucial for converting interest into action.

Creating compelling content that involves a blend of creativity, strategy, and technical execution. By focusing on storytelling, high production values, and keeping your message is clear and concise, you can captivate tradeshow attendees and elevate your brand presence.

Effective Promotion and Engagement Strategies

Creating a compelling tradeshow video is just the first step; promoting it effectively to reach your audience is crucial for maximizing its impact. Here are strategies to ensure it engages attendees before, during, and after the tradeshow:

1. Leverage Social Media: Utilize your company’s social media channels to tease your content prior to the tradeshow. Post snippets or trailers to build anticipation and drive traffic to your booth. Continue to share your snippets on social media during and after the event to reach those who couldn’t attend in person. Get viewers engaged. Have them tag themselves at the event.

2. Email Marketing: Incorporate your content into email campaigns targeted at tradeshow attendees and your broader audience. A well-crafted email can pique interest and encourage recipients to seek out your booth or learn more about your offerings.

3. Utilize QR Codes: Make your video easily accessible at the tradeshow by incorporating QR codes in your booth design. Attendees can scan the code to watch it on their mobile devices, providing them with an immediate and interactive way to engage with your content.

4. Engage with Live Demonstrations: If possible, integrate live demonstrations of your product or service with your video content. This combination can significantly enhance attendee engagement, providing a tactile experience that complements the visual and narrative elements of your content.

5. Follow-up After the Event: Use your tradeshow video as a follow-up tool after the event. Sending a thank-you email to booth visitors and including the video can reinforce your message and maintain interest in your brand. Take it a step further and personalize the email by mentioning things you spoke directly with them about and incorporate a short personal video message.

By implementing these promotion and engagement strategies, you can extend the reach of your video beyond the event itself, fostering ongoing engagement with your target audience and maximizing the return on your investment.

Measuring Successful Tradeshow Video

After investing time and resources into creating and promoting your tradeshow video, it’s essential to measure its success to understand the return on your investment and gather insights for future projects. Here are key metrics and methods to evaluate the effectiveness of your content:

1. Engagement Metrics: Track how many people viewed your video during the tradeshow and afterwards online. Look at engagement metrics such as likes, shares, comments, and watch time to gauge how your content resonated with the audience. You might track how many people visited your booth or how many watched the content as part of the sales process.

2. Lead Generation: Measure the number of leads generated directly from your video. This can include QR code scans, website visits, unique phone numbers, unique emails, sign-ups for more information, or direct inquiries about your products or services.

3. Conversion Rates: Evaluate how many of the leads generated from your video turned into actual sales or business opportunities. This will help you understand it’s effectiveness in driving tangible business results.

4. Audience Feedback: Collect feedback from tradeshow attendees and online viewers about your video. This qualitative data can provide valuable insights into what worked well and what could be improved for future video content. Be sure to ask specific questions about what they learned after watching rather than, “What did you think?”

5. Social Media Reach: Analyze the reach and impact of your content on social media platforms. Metrics such as shares, views, and engagement on these platforms can indicate it’s broader appeal and effectiveness in extending your brand’s visibility beyond the show.

Carefully analyzing these metrics can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the video’s performance. This not only helps justify the investment but also informs your strategy for future content, ensuring continuous improvement and greater success in your marketing efforts.

Conclusion

Tradeshows provide a unique opportunity for businesses to showcase their offerings and connect with potential customers in a dynamic environment. In this competitive landscape, videos emerge as powerful tools to capture attention, convey messages, and engage audiences effectively. Through careful planning, creating compelling content, employing strategic promotion and engagement tactics, and measuring success, businesses can elevate their tradeshow presence and achieve remarkable results.

“Winning with Tradeshow Videos” is more than just about having a video play at your booth. It’s about crafting a narrative that resonates with your audience, stands out in a crowded space, and ultimately drives your business objectives. By following the guidelines and strategies outlined in this article, you’re not just participating in the tradeshow; you’re setting the stage for success.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the role of video at tradeshows will only grow more significant. Investing in high-quality, engaging video content is an investment in your brand’s visibility and impact. Remember, the goal is not only to attract attention during the tradeshow but to leave a lasting impression that continues well beyond the event.

 

Related Articles: 

Manufacturer Product Videos & Increased Sales

Why Your Trade Show Booth Needs a Video

Secret Weapon To a Successful Trade Show Exhibit

Walk Through of Good and Bad Trade Show Booths

 

Keywords: tradeshow video, video marketing, tradeshow success, engaging video content, tradeshow promotion, video engagement strategies, tradeshow planning, video content creation, tradeshow ROI, business networking

Free Guide to Improve SEO With Video On Any Business Website

Video helps website SEO

Yes, Video On Your Website Improves SEO

Can video improve your SEO ranking in search? We find that it helps in an indirect way. Having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses to reach their target audience and stay competitive.  Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a vital role in ensuring that your website ranks high on search engine results pages (SERPs). While there are many strategies to boost your website’s SEO, one often overlooked method is incorporating video content into your business website.

The Power of Website Video

Video has become an incredibly popular form of content consumption and an effective means to promote or convey a message. According to recent studies, 85% of internet users in the United States watch online videos regularly. Additionally, over half of consumers want to see more video content from the brands they support. We’ve even seen a rise in introduction videos.

From product demonstrations and customer testimonials to behind-the-scenes footage and educational tutorials, video allows businesses to communicate their message effectively and engage with their audience in such a way that builds trust and creates a connection between the business and the viewer. By adding videos to your website, you provide visitors with diverse media options that cater to different learning styles while keeping them on your site longer…leading to improved SEO.

The Impact on Website SEO

It’s no secret that search engines love rich media content like images and videos. When it comes to ranking websites, search algorithms take various factors into account – including user engagement metrics such as time spent on site and bounce rates. Video easily adds time spent on your site while they view your content.

A well-optimized video embedded within your webpages can significantly enhance these metrics by increasing dwell time – the amount of time users spend actively engaging with a webpage before returning back or navigating elsewhere. As visitors stay longer on your site watching informative or entertaining videos related to their interests or needs, it signals search engines that you have valuable content worth promoting.

Title Tags: Incorporating Keywords

Title tags play an essential role in helping both users and search engines understand what a webpage is about. Including relevant keywords in your video’s title tag can improve your website’s visibility on SERPs for those specific terms.

For example, if you have a video tutorial on “how to bake a cake,” incorporating the keyword “cake baking tutorial” into the title tag will increase the chances of your video appearing in search results when someone searches for that particular topic. This increases organic traffic to your site and boosts SEO rankings.

Video Transcriptions On Your Website: Boosting Keyword Density

In order for search engines to understand what a video is about, it’s crucial to include transcriptions or captions. Not only do they provide accessibility benefits for users with hearing impairments, but they also contribute to SEO by enhancing keyword density within the page itself. While YouTube usually generates a transcript automatically, the transcript typically does not embed into your site; therefore, you should embed one yourself.

Crafting accurate transcriptions that capture key phrases and industry-specific terms directly related to your content helps search engines recognize the relevance of your videos and webpages more effectively.

Social Sharing: Increasing Backlinks & SEO

One major factor that affects SEO is backlinking – when other websites link back to yours. By having engaging videos on your business website, you increase their shareability across social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. When viewers find value in these videos and share them with their network, it generates more exposure for your brand while creating valuable backlinks – ultimately contributing positively towards improving SEO rankings.

Here’s an interesting video that helped one nonprofit understand what they do with their 5k Race in raising funds to help those in need. This video lived on a website that kept people engaged because it was fun to watch, entertaining, informative, and visually appealing.

(Did that entertain you? Did you watch some of the video? You just spent a little more time on our blog post, didn’t you?)

The Mobile Advantage

In recent years, mobile usage has skyrocketed globally. Over 50% of online searches now come from mobile devices rather than desktop computers. Websites with embedded videos are proven to be more mobile-friendly compared to pages filled solely with text-based content or heavy images since they tend not only load faster but also offer an interactive experience without overwhelming small screens or draining data plans excessively. This mobile advantage further enhances user experience, which search engines prioritize when determining SERP rankings. A seamless mobile experience that incorporates engaging video content will help your website rank higher in searches conducted on smartphones or tablets.

With mobile use increasing so dramatically over the past decade and the ability to stream video increasing at the same time, any business can catch the potential customer when they want information. The new SEO is really about being the solution to their problem (search) when they need it.

Conclusion

We believe that integrating videos into your business website is a powerful SEO strategy that can significantly improve both user engagement and organic search rankings. When you optimize your video’s title tags, include transcriptions for improved keyword density, and leverage the shareability of videos across social media platforms to increase backlinks, you create an online environment that can captivate visitors while boosting the visibility of your brand on search engine results pages.

Incorporating video content is not just optional – it’s an essential component of any successful digital marketing campaign. Start harnessing the power of video today to enhance your SEO efforts and connect with your target audience. If you don’t, your competitors will.

 

Related Content: 

8 Important Reasons Businesses Should Have a YouTube Channel

What Is An Instructional Video?

The Case for Video Content Marketing and SEO Results

Rising Role of Video Content in SEO

Time To Make a Video?

Graphic of time and factors impacting video production process.

How Much Time Does It Take to Make a Video?

You’re asking this question because you want to plan based on the time it takes to make a corporate video. We also know that navigating the world of professional video production can often feel like a journey, especially when it comes to understanding how long the process takes. Don’t worry. We’ll help you along the way.

Whether you’re a business looking to tell your story, a brand aiming to launch a new product, or a corporation seeking to train your staff, knowing the time it takes for your video project is crucial.

This blog post aims to demystify the video production time, providing you with a clear understanding of what to expect and how to efficiently plan your next video project. From pre-production planning to the final edits, several factors play a pivotal role in determining how long it will take to turn your vision into a visual masterpiece.

Factors Affecting Video Production Time

When embarking on a professional video project, it’s important to recognize that several factors can significantly influence the production time. Understanding these elements helps in setting realistic expectations and aids in efficient project planning.

  1. Project Complexity: The scope and complexity of your video is a major determinant of production time. A simple interview-style video might require fewer resources and less time compared to a high-end commercial with multiple locations, actors, and special effects.
  2. Pre-Production Planning: This initial stage lays the groundwork for your video. It involves scriptwriting, storyboarding, location scouting, casting, and scheduling. The depth and detail of pre-production can vary greatly, thus impacting the overall time. But planning is the key to a successful completed video project.
  3. Shooting Schedule: The actual filming of your video can range from a single day to several weeks, depending on the project’s requirements. Factors like the number of locations, availability of talent, and weather conditions can all affect the shooting schedule.
  4. Post-Production Requirements: After shooting wraps up, post-production begins. This phase includes editing, color correction, sound design, and adding special effects or animations. The complexity of these elements can greatly extend the time needed to finalize the video.
  5. Revisions and Feedback: Incorporating feedback and making revisions is a normal part of the video production process. The number of revision rounds and the extent of changes requested can impact the timeline.
  6. External Factors: Sometimes, external factors such as client availability for feedback, holidays, complications in schedules, and other unforeseen circumstances can also affect the production time.

Typical Timelines for Different Types of Videos

The amount of time it takes to make a video can vary greatly depending on the type of video being produced. Here’s are some common types of corporate videos and their typical production timelines:

  1. Explainer Videos: These are short, engaging videos that explain your product or service. Production can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the complexity of the animation and the length of the video.
  2. Corporate Training Videos: The production of these videos can range from 4 to 8 weeks. Factors such as the length of the video, the number of shooting locations, and the complexity of the content play a significant role in determining the time. More locations and more complex may even exceed these times.
  3. Promotional Videos: Designed to promote a product, service, or brand, a standard promotional video can take 3 to 7 weeks to produce. This timeframe includes scripting, shooting, and post-production. Planning is key for these types of videos.
  4. Event Videos: Capturing and producing event videos, like conferences or seminars, can be a quick process, usually taking about 2 to 4 weeks. The timeline depends on the length of the event and the complexity of the editing required. No editing means almost immediate turnaround. Editing in presentation slides may require the additional time.
  5. Testimonial Videos: These videos typically require less production time, often completed within 1 to 3 weeks. The simplicity of shooting and minimal post-production needs can contribute to the shorter timeline.

Note that these are general estimates for time and each video project is unique and can vary based on specific requirements and unforeseen factors. Early and clear communication can help in setting a more accurate timelines for your specific project.

planning time to make video

Planning for Efficiency: Tips to Speed Up the Process

Efficient planning is key to speeding up the video production process without compromising quality. Here are some actionable tips to streamline your video project:

  1. Clear Objective / Message: Before starting, have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and the message you want to convey. This clarity helps in making decisive choices throughout the production process.
  2. Detailed Pre-Production: Spend ample time in the pre-production phase. This involves finalizing the script, storyboarding, and planning the shoot meticulously. The more detailed your preparation, the smoother the subsequent stages will be.
  3. Assemble the Right Team: Having the right talent and crew is crucial. Ensure that your team is aligned with the project’s vision and has the necessary skills to execute it efficiently. Also, it helps to have those who are going to be providing revision feedback to be involved early in the process. New ideas after the fact will only slow things down.
  4. Efficient Scheduling: We’ll work with you to plan your shoot schedule wisely. We’ll group scenes that can be shot in the same location together to save time. Also, consider the availability of key personnel and locations when scheduling.
  5. Prepare for Contingencies: Expect and plan for potential delays. Having contingency plans for bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances can keep your project on track.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Understanding and setting a realistic timeline is crucial for the success of any project. As we’ve shared, various factors influence the production time, from the complexity of the project to the efficiency of the planning and execution stages. Whether it’s a quick-turnaround explainer video or an extensive corporate training series, each project requires a tailored approach to meet its unique demands.

Remember, effective communication with your video production team is key to setting realistic expectations. It’s important to be clear about your vision, goals, and deadlines from the outset. A professional video production company, like Plum Productions, will guide you through the process, helping to manage time efficiently while ensuring the final product meets your standards.

Ultimately, the time invested in creating a professional video is an investment in your brand’s message and reach. By understanding the intricacies of video production time, you can plan better and achieve a final product that resonates with your audience and fulfills your business objectives.

 

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How to Make a Corporate Video Production Successful

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How Long to Produce a Video?

 

Images created by CHATGPT

How to Make a Corporate Video Production Successful

Successful Corporate Video Production Blog Post Image

How To Create a Successful Corporate Video Production

Creating a successful corporate video production requires careful planning, scripting, filming, and editing. Here are some tips from Plum Productions that will help you plan and execute a successful corporate video production:

  1. Define Your Goals & Objective. Before beginning, have a clear understanding of what your goals are for your video. In order for it to be a success, you need to know what is the benchmark for success. Do you want the viewer to take action, like call you or make a purchase? Do you want them to learn about what you do and move on? Your goals and objectives should include specific, measurable actions that you want them to take before ever trying to create a successful corporate video production.
  2. Identify and Define Target Audience. This is one of the most underrated activities most companies do. By defining who your target audience is, you can speak to them in the terms they need. If you do not have a clear idea of who your target audience is, we can help with that, but most people have an idea of who they want to talk to. One thing to keep in mind, if it includes the phrase, “anyone,” or ‘anybody,” you are not being specific enough. By clarifying and fine-tuning this, you’ll be able to create impactful content that will resonate with them.
  3. Select The Video Production Company. You have many to pick from. Choose wisely. They should be someone who understands your target audience and how to present the information you want to present so they understand and know what to do. You can spend a lot or a little on video, but if you don’t have the right company who can do it correctly, you won’t have a successful video to show. It’s not always about having the prettiest reels either. They should be able to show you a video they did for a client that matches the objectives you want to achieve. It doesn’t have to match visually what you’re thinking, rather, it needs to match the objective. Also, know that reels only show their best work…not their normal work.
  4.  Scripting. You likely are not sure how to craft the perfect script and you shouldn’t need to either. That’s the production company’s job. Your job is to approve the script they provide. Let them craft the message and the visuals so you know what you’re getting. A well-written script or carefully planned list of questions are essential to making a successful corporate video production. Make sure the messaging and branding match your needs. The script and video should be concise, easy to understand, and engaging.
  5. Preproduction. This phase is the most important phase of the entire process. Most people like to skip it and move right into the production, but that’s a surefire way to not create a successful video production. This is where the details are worked out, the plans are made, and the schedule is confirmed. All the moving parts need to be mapped out at this point and finalized before the shoot. Anything short of that and you should move the shoot date back. Keep in mind, whatever is recorded during the shoot is what you have to work with in the edit. Make it count.
  6. Production. This is the easy part. It’s very important to have the right equipment, the right team, and all the supporting people; however, this part is simply working the plan created during the preproduction. The best video producers are simply executing what was planned at this point. It makes the shoot day go by quickly and efficiently, and everyone can have fun.
  7. Post-Production. In this phase, the video is simply being put together; however, we also like to think this is where the magic happens. The video is cut together, color-corrected, white-balanced, sound mixing, and any other items that need to be added to the video are completed here. Many times we add some 2D graphics to make the video even more interesting. Once this phase is done, you should have a video that closely resembles the preproduction plan.

 

Successful AND Fun

Remember, you’ll want to pay attention to any details along the way. The more you plan, the better the outcome. Sometimes we get a job that needs to be rushed. We always work to make things as perfect as possible, but when anyone is rushing, small details can be missed. It’s always smart to allow a little breathing time to get things perfect.

That’s how you have a successful video production… from start to finish. A successful video production is not only about creating visually attractive content but also about delivering the right message. It’s important to communicate with your video production team what you need to get out of the video and target the right audience.

If we can help you in any way, we’re here to help make your next corporate video production a success!

How To Be A Disrupter in Your Industry – Killer Video

How to Be a Disrupter with Video - Plum Productions Blog

If You Want To Be a Disrupter, You Have To Be Different – Use Video

One of the most powerful tools your marketing department can use is video. It can be a disrupter, if used properly. Video does everything you want in a short amount of time. Video quickly shows the viewer they can trust you and create a bond (hey I think they’re nice people) and communicate your value proposition and authority, all at the same time. This typically can be done in 90 seconds or less. It’s actually quite remarkable.

Conversion rates, number of views, length of watch time, and several other statistics can be measured and tracked over time. Keep in mind that some videos perform better than other and that can happen because of the content and where it is placed.

Creating Killer Video

When creating killer video, it’s important to consider where you’ll be placing it and how you’ll be using it. Essentially, what is your goal in creating a or several videos? If you’re are creating the video so you can sell more product, you’ll likely be creating a promotional video or advertisement. These can come in many forms, but typically are viewed as ads. It’s not often people want to watch ads.

You can’t create killer video if you don’t understand who is viewing it and why they need or want to view it. We highly recommend working with your video production company to create a sense of understand who the target market is before you start recording video.

Here are some basic starting points in creating killer video:

  • What is the purpose of the video (increase sales? increase awareness? something else?)
  • Clarity on what you’re trying to promote (is it clear to the viewer?)
  • Clearly defining your target audience and knowing where to find them.
  • Identifying when, in the buying process, they are in. Are they in the just looking phase? Actively browsing/looking? or Ready to purchase, call, or take action?
  • Clearly define what problem your customer has and answering that call. What is their problem and can you solve it? Do they understand that you can?
  • Where is the video going to be placed? This must be where the customer is looking or would normally look. Place the video/ad where they are. Don’t make them come find you.
  • Budget – Do you have a clearly defined budget for your project? If not, things can get out of control if you allow it. At Plum, we price things so you know exactly how much things will be with no surprises.
  • Creativity – Sometimes making a video that is highly creative can be priced higher than you think. OR, it can be created without as much cost as you think. It’s important to talk about that early.
  • How will you measure success? When creating video, getting views can be a number to gauge success. For others, this means nothing, rather, they need to see increased traffic on the site or an increase in product sold.
  • When we know how to measure success, you’ll know what action the viewer should take. It’s important to say that in the video…What do you want them to do?

ORIGIN-GENSLER 2 MINUTE from Plum Productions on Vimeo.

 

Types of Video Used to Disrupt an Industry

Knowing all this is helpful, but how does this help you be a disrupter? It helps you determine which type of video you need to create. Here are several types of video you can create to disrupt your industry:

  • Testimonial Videos (also known as Client Referral Videos) – These are your clients who can say what you can’t say. In reality, you can say it, but will they believe you or your clients? If they’re willing to say it or if they’re raving fans, you need to get that on video. We feel like this is one of the big drivers to get people to trust you.
  • Explainers – Videos that show you know what you’re doing by illustrating how you help others or explaining what you do. It might even be a mock up of what you do. Either way, this is a highly effective video to use to clearly define what you do.
  • Product Demonstrations – Sometimes it helps to show people exactly what the result of your service does. Less effective in some uses, highly effective in others. Ask us about these.
  • Educational Videos – These are typically found on YouTube and help people solve their problem or answer their questions. By educating them, they see you as an expert in the field. For example, you might subscribe to a YouTube channel to learn more about financial markets, accounting, or even cooking. Whichever channel you subscribe to, you’re doing it to be entertained, but also, to be educated. These can also come in the form of an expert interview. Using this can be disrupting to your competition.
  • Direct Messages – These might be a quick recorded message captured via VidYard or something similar. It’s a message that is custom crafted to speak directly to the receiver. You can also create custom messages for a type of client and send those. For example, if you have a service company like a plumbing company and want to send an introduction video of the person who will be coming to the house that afternoon, you could create a message that is generic but specific to the situation. That’s disrupting!

The video industry is growing. Business is using video. But how you use video and creating interesting video becomes more and more important.

 

Related Articles: 

What To Do To Maximize Your Investment In Video Production

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4 Beneficial Videos To Promote a Professional Service

Professional Service Video

What video format is the most suitable for a professional service? This type of question gets asked with production services for what a company is looking to accomplish with using video as a means to support their business.

So what types of videos should you look to create as a production company in order to accomplish the goals set out by businesses in need of content?

Every business is unique in what it offers to its customers and how they interact with the consumers they hope to attract to their products. Depending on the service or product they provide, the styles of videos created can vary greatly from one another. Choosing the right format to create with the clients you intend to work with can impact the video product you eventually end up with producing.

Let’s look at the different types of video formats you can create for professional services!

Product Videos

This video format is based around a company that needs to visually show off a product and the function it provides to its user. These videos typically show the product in use or staged around a backdrop to fully depict its form that the consumer will see used in action.

Videos like this are able to effectively show how a company can properly showcase an object and convey its intended purpose to an audience. Also these videos are a great way to increase exposure to other clients as work made in this type of content is easily transferable to other projects.

Professional Service Tutorial Video

Many uses for video formats revolve around being able to show a process or action completed for its audience. A tutorial video is exactly what it means by showing a product or process throughout its steps to get to the finished result.

These videos can be both informational to employees and existing customers as this can help businesses alleviate an essential process they provide with direct input of the desired experience they wish to create. Either if the video is centered around a physical product or an online based task, the value of showing how something works is beneficial for both the company and the consumer.

YouTube / Online Advertisement For A Professional Service

An online advertisement is the most direct way to promote a business product to its intended audience. These videos are meant to have a call to action for its viewer to see a service offered to choose a certain company over the competition.

This type of advertisement can showcase the effectiveness of the product’s company and the production company’s strengths in grabbing the audience’s attention when choosing from alternative options. From a business standpoint companies always have a need to expand interest in what they offer to customers and advertisements are the most direct way to communicate the value they provide.

Live Stream Videos

A long-form way to highlight what a company offers is to create a video that shows a live event or seminar type presentation to an audience. Whether it is a recording of the event or the actual live production of the stream, the facilitation of how this is handled is usually up to a production company through the services they offer.

This means that whether you edit the final product or handle the logistics of the event, businesses will look to companies that are able to ensure their event goes smoothly and professionally captured. Also these types of videos can be an efficient way for companies to increase the amount of work they have with clients as these streams are not usually as demanding from an editing standpoint as most of the work has been already captured.

 

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What Is An Instructional Video?

Instructional Video image, video production

What is an instructional video?

An instructional video is any video that shows the viewer how to do something or gain knowledge. It can be anything from showing a process in the physical world or using a software application to teach soft skills such as leadership, customer service, values, etc.

Instructional videos are the most engaging and cost effective way to implement systems within your organization!

Every business or organization has systems in place that allow their workforce to move the organization forward, and it doesn’t really matter which industry you serve. We all can agree that effective implementation of these systems are what make business or organizations successful. There are several ways systems and tasks can be taught within an organization. The most common way this happens is by learning from one member to another, by text or by Plums Production’s favorite: An instructional video.

Let’s dive into why instructional videos outperform verbal and text as a way of teaching systems within your organization:

Video versus Verbal

Each time a new member joins the team and you have one of your old members, most likely a higher paid employee, teach the new member the systems within your organization it requires the higher end pay employee to take time out of his/her productive day to go over all the systems and information with this new member, and what happens if the new member doesn’t get the message the first time. They have to go over everything one more time…which means more time and money spent not working in your business. Here is the worst case scenario: What happens if this experienced employee leaves? Do you have another team member that knows as much about your systems as they did? If not, will you be able to recover as quickly now without that experienced team member? To overcome this, Instructional videos can be played as many times as you like, they can show visually your work spaces, usage of tools, and most importantly they will live forever.

Video versus Text

There is really no competition when comparing text and video. In this digital landscape, video is shown to generate 1,200%  more shares than images and text combined, and in terms of engagement, the chances of capturing your viewer’s attention is much higher when video is used, as opposed to plain text. This is because video can be more entertaining and engaging, plus it can visually represent the message you are trying to convey.

For example: If you own a restaurant and want to explain to a new server the systems inside your restaurant, an instructional video can show visually how the buttons on the POS system look, can show where everything is, what are the values of your organization and how things should operate. Video just uses the combination of visual aesthetics and audio to represent more clearly the whole picture.

Here are a few tips from your Plum Productions team on how to create a compelling instructional video:

  • Define the goal of your instructional video: Who is it for and what benefits will it bring for your organization or to the individuals watching it?
  • Write everything down: When creating an instructional video, time is critical and it’s important to narrow down the information to exactly what the user needs. Recent studies have shown that the majority of viewers want informational and instructional videos to be less than 20 minutes, with a preference toward the 3-6 minute ranges. (Source). This means that you should make your video as long as it should be to get the job done properly, but as short as possible.
  • Stabilize: Keep your camera on a tripod for stability,
  • Audio: Use an audio recorder to capture audio cleanly.
  • Focus: Check your focus. We don’t want blurry shots!
  • B-Roll: Support what you are saying with animations or B roll. B-roll is simply secondary shots that support what is being said. These can help simplify complicated concepts and show visually what is being said, because there is no better way to explain what you are saying than to show it!

Are you ready to create a compelling instructional video? Here at Plum Productions we do instructional videos often and we are ready to help you! Let us know if you have any questions or want to find out more information.

Possible Instructional Video


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Social Video Generates More Views

Video Length

What Should Be In A Business Video?

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Business Video Defined

A business video is a powerful marketing tool that can help a company to showcase its products or services, educate its audience, and build brand awareness. When creating a business video, we believe you must consider what elements should be included in order to make the video effective and engaging. Here are some of the items we believe are critical to your business video.

What Should Be In A Corporate Video?

  1. Clear & Concise Messaging – First and foremost, a business video should have a clear and concise message. This means that the video should have a specific purpose and objective, and this should be conveyed to the audience in a clear and straightforward manner. The message should be tailored to the target audience and should address their needs and concerns.
  2. Strong, Compelling Story – In addition to a clear message, a business video should also have a strong and compelling story. This means that the video should tell a compelling and engaging story that captures the attention of the audience and keeps them engaged throughout. The story should be relevant to the business and its products or services, and should be able to connect with the audience on an emotional level.
  3. Visually Appealing – Another important element of a business video is visual appeal. This means that the video should be visually appealing and should use high-quality graphics and images to help convey the message. The visual elements should be used to complement the story and the message, and should help to engage the audience and keep them interested in the video.
  4. Good Audio – A key element of business video is the use of audio. This means that the video should have clear and professional audio, with good sound quality and no background noise. The audio should be used to reinforce the message and the story, and should help to engage the audience and keep them interested in the video. In fact, we believe you shouldn’t even notice the audio. It should be good and not distracting. 
  5. Follows Branding Guidelines – A very important element of a business video is the use of branding. This means that the video should incorporate the company’s branding elements, such as its logo, colors, and fonts. This helps to build brand awareness and establish the company’s identity in the minds of the audience.
  6. Call To Action – Most importantly, a business video should have a strong call-to-action (CTA). This means that the video should include a clear and specific call-to-action that encourages the audience to take some sort of action, whether it is to purchase a product or service, sign up for a newsletter, or visit the company’s website. The CTA should be clear and concise, and should be placed at the end of the video in order to maximize its effectiveness. You should also consider tracking your call to action to determine if and what works best for your viewers. You might even think about using an A/B test to determine how to best craft your messaging. 

In summary, a business video should have a clear and concise message, a strong and compelling story, visual appeal, good audio quality, branding elements, and a strong call-to-action. These elements, when combined effectively, can help to create a powerful and engaging business video that helps to showcase the company’s products or services, educate its audience, and build brand awareness.

 

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10 Tips for Creating Effective Business Videos – Entrepreneur Magazine

Video Trends of 2021

Video Trends - 2021 Loading Bar image

How To Use Video in Business in 2021

Video Trends of 2021

Video trends seem to be changing rapidly. Remember when videos were only supposed to be 6 seconds long…we were told to keep them very short? Now they say video should be longer, mabye30 to 60 seconds. Or, they can be 3 minutes long. Why does it keep changing?

The answer isn’t as simple as you’d think and that question might not be the right question…in fact, length is almost irrelevant at this point. The goal of this post is to share how to use video to positively impact your business…whether it be sales, leads, branding, or any other metric. We’ll also hit on some trends we see happening now and into 2021.

Let’s start with why your target audience would even want to watch your video. Why should they? You’re just selling to them anyway, right? First, your potential customers are looking for information well before they reach out to you. Before they call you or submit a request via your contact form, they’ve done their research. They look for ways to understand who you are and what you do. They usually do this by viewing your video content.

If you are going to create video, you must consider your potential customers’ needs rather than tell them what you want to say. When you see that law firm video that says, “We’re the best lawyers,” or “We’ve been voted best lawyer in…” does that make you want to call them? No. What makes their clients call them is knowing they can trust them. Knowing that the law firm can do/handle what they say they can. The average person won’t make a call to any business if they feel like they can’t trust them.

Why Do People Watch Videos (of any business)?

There are several factors that go into someone watching a video. Most won’t seek out to watch a video from a brand just because they feel like it. They do it because they have to. Anytime a potential client is doing research the goal is to understand who they might be dealing with when they make the call or submit their information. It reminds me of a time I had to research hurricane shutters for our house.

After several searches, I found a company that wasn’t far away that sounded good. They had several nice reviews, plenty of information online, and it looked like they were the perfect fit. Then, I watched a video. The video was so sales laden and almost pressure filled, it turned me off. I decided to call someone else.

Here are the reasons potential customers and clients do their research. This should make you strive to communicate differently when you create video.

  1. Can You Do It? They want to know, “Can you do what you claim you can do?” Typically, when a business wants to communicate this message, they will create explainer videos that explain what product or service they offer. Having a landing page that speaks to a specific product or service is nice, but if you’re not conveying confidence in your abilities or conveying your personality properly, they’ll never make the call.
  2. Education. They want to know who you are, what is your personality, will we work well together, and do I like you. Sometimes a nice personal video can help with this or an educational video that shows your knowledge, but in a soft manner will do portray the right message. The important part is knowing what your audience is looking for, why they need it, and make them feel comfortable knowing you’re the right person for the job.
  3. Trust. This is probably the top priority, but the last thing they’ll ever tell you. If you get work from your website and videos without working too hard at it, you are probably conveying a good amount of trust. You can have 100 minutes of video on your site, but if you’re not making the viewer feel comfortable, they won’t trust you…and ultimately, they’ll never call. Search engines bring them there and your message must move them to make the call. Video ads can do some of the work getting potential customers to your site, but without the right types of content present, trust can’t be built.
  4. Following the brand. Sometimes people just want to follow a brand and watch their videos. For example, we had someone say they follow and watch all the Dollar Shave Club videos because they think they’re funny. They are but most people aren’t like that. Most people will follow a brand on social media for this reason. They like them, they want to know them, they want to be associate with them somehow. Most small businesses won’t have this type of following no matter how much content marketing they do.
  5. Accidental. And, sometimes people will stumble on a video and watch it because it looks interesting. Most times they’re not the potential customer and not much happens after viewing the video.

As a business, this information should be top of mind when creating a marketing plan or doing any digital marketing. There is already too much content out there that is useless and doesn’t do what it should. Why add to it?

Why Video Helps Business

When it comes to video for business, there are typically four main reasons to create video:

  1. Leads/Sales. A business with no sales is no business at all. The amount of sales is also critical to its success. Businesses use video to share their message and describe who they are. Most businesses use explainer videos, product demo videos, video blogs, tutorials, testimonial or customer reviews, and many others. They key here is being able to convert those leads into sales. It’s a sales/marketing balance that takes work. This includes building an SEO strategy and incorporating it into each video’s message.
  2. Branding. When a business wants to solidify who they are in the marketplace, a branding video is usually where they focus. These are best left for businesses with a substantial customer base and who wish to portray a message consistent with their core competencies.
  3. Relationship Building. In an effort to build their social media following, many businesses will craft shortened messages to be placed on various platforms. Followers can then better understand who the brand is and feel confident in choosing them as a business.
  4. Building Trust. Lastly, businesses will create video to build trust. We find most businesses do this as an afterthought; however, this should be the primary focus of any video being created. Good video marketers know this and push this to the top of any priority when creating content.

Video Trends of 2021

Based on why people watch video, why businesses create video, what direction is video heading? What should you be doing now as we come out of COVID?

  1. Live Video (or Live-To-Tape) Video. Recently we’ve seen a significant increase in live video. Whether we record it and they push it as live or it is live, there is significant growth in this category. Here’s what to know: If you do live video, have a purpose. Don’t just create live video to create content. Have a purpose. You must create this content like any other video content…with an objective and a reason; otherwise, there will be very few viewers (or viewers during your next live broadcast). Note: People tend to watch live content a little longer than preproduced videos, but the messaging must be on point.
  2. Training Videos. Believe it or not, it might be time to think about training videos. Training videos should be used right now to train your future team. As we come out of COVID and you begin adding staff, how important is consistent messaging for your new employees? Growth will likely happen quickly and adding staff even faster. Those who have trained staff will outperform those who do; therefore, create a few training videos to garner consistent messaging for each new employee and focus more of your energy on your customers.
  3. Recruiting Videos. Take one step back from above and recruiting videos should be at the top of your list as well. Create short videos that message key elements to potential employees so you recruit faster (and better quality). Each video can be short and on point so the potential recruit know what you need in qualifications prior to them contacting you.
  4. More Refined/Produced Videos. We’re all tired of Zoom, the look and feel of Zoom, and we want high-quality video. If you want to stand out early, get highly-produced marketing videos that speak to trust mentioned earlier. Get them produced now. Have them ready and push them out when you’re staffed and ready to go.
  5. Length. We feel that length is no longer important. If you’re selling, short is good. Get the point across and let the viewer move on to deciding if they want to buy. If you’re educating, longer is better. This not only includes educating about who you are and what you do but also sharing a customer experience. Longer is better here. The message should clear early so those that decide quickly can make their decision AND those who take a little more time and need more information can do so too.

Here’s a live video we did recently.

Let us know if you see any other trends in video that we haven’t mentioned. Do you think we’re on target or are we missing something. Leave us a comment below if you have another thought.

If you need help creating your next video for 2021, give us a call. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

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Image by iXimus from Pixabay

Virtual Marketing – Videography during COVID-19

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Virtual Marketing – Powerful Tools during COVID-19

The issue isn’t so much if you should create video it’s a matter of how. Virtual Marketing has taken off during COVID, so how do you create video during this pandemic? It can be easier than you think, but it will take some extra planning.

During the pandemic, we were all subject to time at home. Time to think about, “What now?” While some took that time and created something new or slightly different, others waited to see what will happen next. One component that was impacted heavily was video marketing. How do you create new stuff? How do you advertise when everyone is home and they don’t want what you’re selling? Do you ramp up social media? Do you create poor quality video content? How do you create video while social distancing? All great questions, but there are answers and there is a silver lining.

It’s tough to do a full-blown video shoot with a large crew, lots of cameras, lots of people on set, etc. How do you create a video when have your staff is still working from home? You don’t. But what you can do is create a planned out shoot that will provide you with the video that shares your message safely. COVID and the lock down has created a huge opportunity for some. Here’s what we’ve been doing to help those who want to use this opportunity to maximize their messaging.

  • Show How You’re Dealing With COVID – This is one way you can use video. Show your potential clients/customers how you are currently using the proper protocols and safety procedures to keep them safe. That’s what they want to know: Can I trust them to keep me safe? Show them how you’re doing things right and how you’ll keep them safe.
  • Capture Virtual Content – We’ve edited several ‘virtual’ events where the client has a Zoom call and has it edited into a concise video featuring interviews and conversations. These videos/calls can be branded and made to look professional, even though it’s just a Zoom call.
  • Small, Short Content – Some clients are asking us to crate videos using stock video, 2D graphics, even Doodly videos. All of these options allow the business to share a story and get it out via social media or via broadcast. Branded and visual makes the message complete.
  • Create a Video Review – Get your current customers to create a video review for you. They can do it with their cell phone or they can come to our studio where they can come in the back door, stand in place (everything is all set up already) and say their few lines, and leave the back door without touching anything. Masks are required, but we’ll be socially distanced as well.
  • Being Human – If you’ve ever wanted to create your own video using your iPhone to send messages to your clients, now is the time. Video, even poor quality image video, is effective. You’ve seen the late night shows do it on television, so can you…and you can do it without the fear of looking foolish or skimping on quality.
  • Last Point – Know that people don’t want to be sold hard right now. That’s a tactic that can work during normal times. Try this instead: “We’re sure you’ve been impacted by COVID, but we have no idea how badly. We also want to say that we’re here for you when you need us. If you don’t need us now, we completely understand. If you need us in a new way, please tell us so we can help.”

Change creates fear. Instead of being fearful, it’s time to embrace it. Know that we’re doing to be dealing with this for a while moving forward. Knowing that, what changes can you make in your business to make you stand out, be compassionate, and highlight your safety mechanisms all at the same time?

Here’s an example a Zoom Call that was converted into a show:

Here’s an example of a Doodly style video we created.

The opportunities are endless. Need help coming up with ideas? Let us know. Have a different idea that you’d like to do, we’d love to talk and see if it’s something that we can do for you.