This is the first time I’ve answered this particular question on the Video Show, but one that comes up a lot at networking events when people want to know where we’ll be filming. It’s a great question: when we’re filming do you come to me? or do I come to you?
To tell the truth, it’s a mixture of both and depends a lot on the type of video that you’ll be shooting. For example, I’ve just got off the phone with someone who wants to shoot some video testimonials for a product they’ve launched and their customers are based in Oxford. To get a good idea of how they’re using this product I’ll need to go to Oxford to shoot the video to tell the story properly. But if we needed to shoot something simpler, for example, a few FAQ videos (like the Video Show) we’d be able to shoot from the studio here in Andover.
To answer the question, it depends on the videos we’ll need to make, which depends on who and how we’re going to target. And that all starts with a conversation.
This week’s question is very similar to one a few weeks ago, so I’m going to try and put a different spin on it.
Before you get started with video there are a few things you have to consider. Firstly think about what you want to use video for. This will help you quickly work out what kind of video you want to make. You won’t waste any time in making a huge, fantastic looking video for your website that nobody will watch, but you’ll end up making the video (or videos) that are right for your business.
Secondly, think about who you want to see your videos. Far too often I hear people who just want views on their video. In that case, why not buy them online? Just google ‘How to buy YouTube views’. Then when you’ve got thousands of people who have ‘seen’ your video, wait for the phone to ring… and keep waiting. Chances are that none of those ‘people’ who have seen that video will be relevant. So think about WHO you want to see your videos, where they’re based, their position within their company, where they’re likely to watch video content and what problems they have. This will give you an insight into what you should talk about and where you should post your video.
Finally, download these Video Scripting Templates. And look at the Pre-Production Questionnaire, it will give you a really clear idea of what you need to do.
Working in a business that knows that video will work means that you have a fantastic chance to get your business seen, and start building relationships. But often getting staff involved can be a tough. They’re obviously not trained to present, and some of them will be less than keen about the prospect of appearing on camera.
What I’d advise is to get everyone involved, talk about the content you can create, have fun with the idea of making videos. This will make sure that everyone looks forward to creating the videos. If it’s a regular part of their work, it won’t feel like something to be worried about.
When I first started running a business a lot of people would come to me with the idea that one video would be the solution to everything. Obviously you can create one video for your website, and leave it on your homepage, a lot of businesses do. And if all you want video to do is to explain who you are when someone lands on your website… great!
But if you want people to get to know you, if you want them to visit certain pages on your website, basically if you want to build a relationship and have your content do something more, video is brilliant at breaking down those walls.
Answering today’s question is pretty easy on paper. How much does Video Toolkit cost? Quite simply it’s £29.99 per month (you can cancel at any time), or it’s £329 per year.
But aren’t you wondering what you’ll get for your investment? Here’s a few bullet points to explain:
Access to the Video Toolkit website our hub of video knowledge, with everything from scripting, shooting, editing and sharing ideas.
Access to the Video Toolkit members group, where all of our members share their video content for feedback and to get it shared in the wider online community.
Regular live broadcasts from myself (Mark) and interviews with experts.
Weekly email reminders and access to our regular offline workshops.
That’s the main few points I like to talk about, but the main thing is you’ll learn how to get your business noticed. When you sign up you’ll get a 30 minute strategy meeting with me (Mark) so I can find out about your business and tell you exactly what you need to do to succeed with video.
Sound good? Then head over to videotoolkit.co.uk and use the promo code VIDEOSHOW for 50% off your first month’s membership (includes monthly and annual memberships)
This week’s question is probably my most frequently asked question. Where should I start?
It’s still a problem for a lot of businesses, because they know they SHOULD be making regular videos, but they worry about what equipment they need, what they’ll say and how they’ll get their videos seen.
In reality it’s best just to get started, use whatever equipment you have and GET BUSY. Answer the most frequently asked questions about your business, share it in as many places as possible and keep track of what’s working and what isn’t. That way you’ll pick up small improvements each time you make and post a video. Before long you’ll be a video legend!
By the way, if you still need a bit of help, why not come and talk to me about it.
Following on from the last episode of The Video Show, I really struggled to answer the question: ‘What makes Red Book Productions different?’. Today’s question is pretty much the same question, it is ‘What makes Video Toolkit different?’. Again a tough question to answer. But I really try my best to answer it this time.
For me this question isn’t really about what makes us different, but how we try to help. If we can solve the problem that you have at a price that works, then you’re likely to join. So in this video I do my very best to answer it. How do you think I did? Leave a comment below…
I get asked a lot of questions on The Video Show. But there’s one question I hate answering. It’s horrific. That question is: What makes you different?
My feeling behind this is that it’s a really difficult question to answer, and something that a lot of people have insisted on hearing an answer to. The truth is, it’s very hard to be unique, lots of businesses offer the chance to get new customers and grow an audience online.
Can you help me out? What do you think makes us different? Comment below. I need your help!
When you’re making videos it’s hard to know what to do to get the best results. People tell you a mixture of things from ‘you need a video’ to ‘you need to be vlogging ALL THE TIME’. Frankly, it’s bloody confusing.
The most important thing is to know who you’re targeting, how they’ll see your videos and what you want them to do afterwards. This will really help you work out what to do, and when to do it.
I don’t like putting sales pitches into the Video Show, but if you need a hand working out how many videos you should be making and where to post them, feel free to book into a Video Strategy Meeting. This lasts around an hour, and by the end you’ll have a full plan of what you need to do and how you can achieve it.
When I first started making videos, one of the biggest things I worried about was knowing what to say. I had a vague idea, but I couldn’t remember it once the camera started recording. It took anything between 3 and 10 takes to get it right, and then it would often appear disjointed. If only I could get it in one go!!!
Well, luckily all it takes is a bit of practice, either beforehand or merely screwing up a few times in your first few videos.
The biggest lesson I learnt, was having the notes on screen with me, having all my notes on a massive whiteboard and referring to them whenever I could feel a stumble coming. That was an amazing lesson! And it beats having the notes slightly off camera where I couldn’t keep eye contact with the lens (and therefore you, faithful viewer)
Remember to SHARE this video, and comment below with a question that you have about video.
