Author: mvpbethklepper

One of the biggest reasons more brands aren’t using video is the fear of not looking good on camera. But the secret to looking confident and natural on video is simple—it’s practice. More specifically, it’s the skill of watching yourself on screen, just like you would in a mirror, without being able to make any immediate adjustments. It can be tough at first, but the more you do it, the better you get.

And here’s the good news: once you push through that initial discomfort, the benefits are huge—more conversions, more social shares, and more online sales. At Mainstream, we go through this process every time we shoot. We review what worked, what didn’t, and make improvements from one project to the next. This week, we’re taking a look at our process and discussing what we adjusted from our last shoot to this one—new content, a new setup, and brand-new shirts.

The more you practice and adjust, the better your videos will perform. Check it out!

A great shot in the video world starts long (and I mean LONG) before you ever turn on a camera. What makes video such a powerful marketing tool (social media posts with video get 1,200% more shares than text and images combined) is that it tells a story.

When planning your next video, think about the story you want to tell, and then plan out what visuals would best communicate that message. This is the storyboarding process, and it gives you all the practical information you need to create a production schedule—a plan for getting those perfect shots.

One client who does this VERY well is the Colorado League of Charter Schools. Last week, in our #BehindTheStream video series we talked about the purpose of their video. This week, we cover how we chose to shoot just a few hours of their multi-day conference. A little planning saves a lot of time and money!

One of the most powerful principles in marketing is audience analysis. Knowing exactly who you’re trying to reach, what their pain points are, and how to speak to them gives brands a major advantage. You’ve heard the elusive term “The Algorithm”— it’s the social media mega data machine crunching the numbers to figure out who you are and what you like to see on your feed. That’s what makes it so powerful (and sometimes addictive).

While mastering communication can keep us glued to our phones, it can also benefit business owners and organizations trying to get their message in front of the right audience. A great example of this was done by the Colorado League of Charter Schools. They’ve been creating promos for their conference for years, but this year, they changed their target audience. Instead of focusing on attendees, they wanted the video to speak to sponsors.

If you’ve got a phone and a social media account, you already have access to more tools for creating broadcast-quality video than it takes to bake a cake. But just because we can bake a cake doesn’t mean we don’t value having the pros step in when it really counts. And when you don’t have an unlimited budget for professionally made cakes, learning how to whip one up yourself can be a game changer.

This is a metaphor for video production (obviously). Last week, we shared how Michele Ashby with Ace Consulting ensures her message gets out there, no matter the circumstances. In this week’s Behind the Stream, we dive deeper into the smart production choices she made for her latest video—a personal meet-and-greet designed to connect with her website visitors. See how Michelle leveraged DIY with professional touches to elevate her brand presence.

Remember the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? I sure do. Did you know it raised over $115 million and generated around 17 MILLION videos, most of them just a single shot? If you’re aiming to make a big impact, good luck doing it without video.

One of our clients, Michelle Ashby from Ace Consulting, knows this better than anyone. Her mission is to get more women on corporate boards, and video has been a key part of her strategy. While she’s worked with us on full-service video production, she also understands something crucial: DIY video is better than no video at all. Thanks to this mindset, she’s been able to create a wealth of content that truly connects with her audience.

But just because we CAN bake a cake doesn’t mean we don’t like for the pros to do it from time to time. AND if you never made a cake yourself you might never get to reap the benefits of delicious homemade cake and the same is true for video. 

If you have a message, and a digital strategy (meaning a place to put that message) and you have a phone you can record it yourself. If you want a little extra polish, that’s cool too. We can provide that!

Ever wonder how to keep your marketing strong while you’re on the move? Video travel might just be the answer you’ve been looking for! 

When you’re out there closing deals, attending conferences, or just soaking in some well-deserved vacation time, your marketing efforts shouldn’t take a back seat. With the right team and strategy, you can create dynamic, impactful videos that keep your brand visible—no matter where you are.

When it comes to making great videos more money and more crew don’t always equate to better videos. Instead, we recommend having a team that knows the right questions to ask and the tools needed to get you where you’re going. 
 
This week we take on the very exciting topic of managing a budget and the things to be considered to get the most bang for your buck.

Got a bunch of branding assets and pictures for your online marketing needs? Do you have a story that could bring those assets together into a compelling video that supercharges your current marketing strategies? If so, let’s get it done!

To stay competitive in digital marketing, you need to start using video for your business ASAP! Watch this part 2 with Beecher Development to see how you might need just one or two key elements to create a powerful visual video—especially with an experienced video team to bring it to life.

Do you have any competition? If they are cheaper, why shouldn’t I just go with them?

The answer to this question is your value proposition. In layman’s terms, it’s why you’re worth the money and how you are different from other companies that claim to do the same thing as you. Your target market likely isn’t an expert in your industry, so it’s your job to make it clear to them why you are the best choice. You know a great way to do this? A video! (you knew it was coming).

If you create a video that explains your value proposition and use it in emails, on LinkedIn, and on your website, you could end up with a lot more sales meetings without having to personally attend them. Sounds pretty great, right? Well, Beecher Development thought so, and in this week’s Behind the Stream, we show you how we told the story of what makes them stand out among all the developers in the field.