All posts by Ron Harper

What's Wrong With This Picture? part one

DIY ?

Today someone sent me a link to a website that produces video. I have to confess, I’ve had the site up for hours now, looking at it, trying to figure out its appeal, marveling at the technical gaffes.
It is a site which gives instruction on how to photograph yourself with your video camera. Then you’re supposed to upload the video to them and they will edit it for you and host it on their site.

They have 11 steps for the customer to complete before he even turns on the camera. Eleven Steps! Imagine doing that yourself. With everything else you have to be aware of, then you have to be your own director! If you’re familiar with the phrase about the man who was his own lawyer, it’s the same punchline. A director will give you advice, tell you how you look, suggest and cajole, and make you do it again until it’s the best you can do.
Do you know what aspect ratio means? That’s basically the size of the screen. Most websites are using the standard 16:9 wide screen ratio. They want their customers to use the older 4:3 ratio. Then the customer has to write his script, a chore for many even with the “catchy phrases” they suggest, and either memorize it, or hold it in his lap. Oh, but we’re not through, you have to upload it so they can edit it. There’s no other way to say it : video takes a hell of a long time to upload.

There are a few websites popping up which purport to produce video for anywhere in the country. Either they have to use actors that are local to them, and consequently do not represent you and your business, or they rely on someone else to get the right shots so that they can edit them, with no thought to telling the story, or showing your business in the best light. It scares me more than a little, because the cheap looking results that come from those kinds of folks further cheapens the concept you are trying to achieve with a video on your website.

Easy to understand now why we do it all, and we do it all right here in Cincinnati.

Later this week, part two: Video and audio quality.

—That’s a wrap

Know When To Say No

Who Uses Video

If you spend more than a couple of minutes on my website, it should be apparent. If you’ve ever met me at a networking or other event, you’ve probably heard me say it:

We do videos for small business.

We don’t design websites. We’re not Facebook gurus, and we can’t do your email marketing lists for you. I would be most happy to refer you to some very skilled folks who will do that. We concentrate on just one thing:

We do videos for small businesses to put on their website. Engagement objects to grab the attention of website visitors and make the website owner look like an expert.

That’s it. Just that one thing.

WHY?

Because as multimedia becomes more ubiquitous than text, it is crucial that you have the right message, presented in a clean clear vehicle that tells your prospects what you do and why you love to do it. That’s what we specialize in. We know how to talk to your audience. And we have more experience presenting those messages than most of the other video producers out there.

We’re going to keep concentrating on making videos that get results.

Your business deserves it.

–That’s a wrap.

Dentists Need A Nice, Bright . . . Video

Who Uses Video

I just mentioned dentists briefly in the last blog post. But, the fact is, this is one category than can really take advantage of video marketing. There is a lot of competition in dentistry. Actually, I don’t want to run up the superlative meter, but any word you can find in the thesaurus than means a great volume can describe the amount of competition in dentistry.

Why? Well, there has been remarkable advances in the field, especially where aesthetics and cosmetic dentistry is concerned. These procedures have created a big demand, and everyone’s trying to get their share of the business. Any dentist who has been practicing for more than a few months can tell you, it takes time to build a name and gain the trust and confidence of patients.

If you’re a dentist, step one is to make sure that you are marketing yourself as well as your services. And if you want to get the edge on your competition, a well-produced, professional video is perfect.

Not only can you show before and after shots, but viewers are able to hear YOUR success stories straight from the gorgeous smiles you’ve helped create – your own patients. Happy patients are more than willing to help out with testimonials. And a well-produced testimonial with a special call-to-action can make all the difference in that new patient booking an appointment.

After you have that stunning new video, we’ll help you upload it to all the video sharing sites that will help you push your way up in the search engine rankings. For more strategies to market your practice with Videos On Your Website, just give us a call.

— That’s a wrap.

Doctor Up Your Website With Professional Video

Uncategorized, Who Uses Video

Medical Professionals, and that includes everyone from Dentists to Chiropractors, are honing in on the message that putting VIDEOS ON YOUR WEBSITE is a smart thing to do.

You may be the friendliest, smartest, most talented professional in your area, but how will anyone know if you don’t show them!

Studies show over 80% of the American population heads straight for the internet. This is a fact. Whether you or your office is referred by another practitioner or a friend, people go straight to the internet to check you out.

Now, here is the next best thing to a face to face meeting. You. On a video, introducing yourself and your specialties. Show off your offices. Interview the staff. Use testimonials. People like recommendations. They feel more comfortable going to a provider when someone else holds that provider in esteem.

It’s the best value for your marketing dollar.
—-That’s a wrap.

Quality Videos Reflect The Quality Of Your Business

DIY ?, Uncategorized

New blog.  First Post.  I was going to hold off on this until my site redesign, but after what I saw tonight, I think it’s an important thing to note: Don’t shoot amateur quality videos and sell them as professional productions.

Tonight, a friend passed a referral to me.  I went to look at the company website – we’ll call them “LLC.com”.  Their web design firm has posted some videos about what a great place this company is to work for.  Now, defining your corporate culture is an excellent use of video in today’s climate.  Google has done it with the Life At Google series on YouTube.  The Google series is shot well, and has compelling themes.

The videos I watched tonight on  the LLC site were (a) Grainy – if I didn’t know better, I’d think they were shot with someone’s camera phone.  (b) used the on camera microphone – a very big no no.  Sound is as important as picture, and since all of these shots were extreme closeups, to have the voice sound like it was coming from a barrel is quite rude from the position of a viewer. (c) one of the persons were shot sitting in front of a window. The light coming from behind washes the subject out.  It looks cheap.  I can’t hear what they are saying, so even if it IS a wonderful place to work, no one will know.

Truthfully, I don’t know if their web designer is also the video producer, but since the design firm touts multimedia production on their website, I could make a pretty good case for it. “LLC” has a nice website.  The designers did a good job.  Was this thrown in at the last minute?  Was it made to be a “value added” component ? At this point, I don’t know.  Maybe I can find out.

Producing videos for businesses is a lot more than Point And Shoot.   Some folks just love to do things like that for themselves, and that’s okay.  BUT
** You have to have an external microphone.  No discussion.
**The basics of 3 point lighting are simple.  So use  room lamps, and buy some Perfect Daylight bulbs so at least your colors come out right, and your subjects look like somebody you would want to watch.

And if you find that you’re in over your head, ask for help.   Your business and the image you convey can be seriously harmed by thoughtless multimedia.
———- That’s a wrap.