How to make engaging videos in a short amount of time
Challenge: Record a massive Synthetic Biology competition during a 2-day conference and create a 2 minute recap video to play on the last day. PLUS: Adapt shooting to display on a giant, double-wide, projected image. AND: The presentation rooms will be really dark because teams will be projecting from laptops. The IGEM conference features students from around the world coming to present their synthetic biology research. Each team has 20 minutes to share highly technical information through PowerPoint slides and posters set up throughout a convention center. My job for the past three...
read moreMy BEST YouTube Trick!
The goal of any business video is to motivate people to act after watching your content, otherwise known as a call-to-action (CTA). The good news is I have a free tip to drive call to action activity. Are you ready? Leave your CTA end graphic up for 30 to 60 seconds! Here’s why: All too often content creators end videos with a 1 second logo and a homepage URL which doesn’t drive the desired behavior. – It’s a passive suggestion vs. an active directive – Chances are the homepage isn’t where you should send people – If you have a long URL or a non-traditional...
read moreBad customer testimonials or poor interviewing techniques?
Over the years I’ve recorded countless customer video testimonials. I’ve witnessed gut wrenching, tear jerking stories but also the polar opposite where people begrudgingly spit back yes and no answers. Clients are sometimes quick to blame the interviewee but in some cases, it’s the interviewer’s fault. Before pointing fingers, keep in mind that interviewing people isn’t always easy and being the person in the hot seat is no picnic either. Many people feel doing a testimonial is like interviewing for a job. There’s lots of pressure, you want to give correct answers and you...
read moreEvery store needs salespeople but what about your corporate website?
We’ve all been there. You go in to a great shop, find what you want but then struggle to find a cashier where you can pay? Is your corporate website guilty of the same offense? It doesn’t matter if you’re selling a million dollar box or a $2 desk tchatcke, the transaction should be easy, intuitive and smooth. All too often marketing and sales is too focused on how things look at the expense of an easy purchase process. At the same time, we have to be careful not to be the over-the-top sales person who jumps on top of you the second you walk in. Car dealerships and furniture stores are...
read moreGet more people reading and watching your content
Did this headline push you to learn more? The secret comes from the days of print journalism. Think back to some big news headlines over the years; – The War is Over – The Berlin Wall Falls – Kim and Kanye Have a Baby (maybe not this one…) News outlets didn’t lead with the name of the paper or boast about circulation rates. They led with the “Why.” Every second is precious when your audience is ready to listen. Think back to those old movies with the kid on the corner yelling “EXTRA,EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT…” followed by the big story of the day. He wasn’t yelling “READ...
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