That's A Wrap!

I have been running across articles and sites focused on the use of video for business marketing and thought that I would share some of the information I have found. As with most things, a wide range of options exist when it comes to the style you want to create and the money you have to spend. If you have the budget to put something together that is Hollywood style, by all means go for it and let me know when you wrap it up so I can grab some popcorn to enjoy the video screening! For those of us working with a slightly tighter budget, there are some options allowing you to achieve your video goals without breaking the bank.

Perhaps the most important factor you need to consider before embarking on your video journey is how the video will be used. Is this something for your Social Media adventures or YouTube? Is it being added as a helpful feature to your website? For these uses, there are budget friendly options to consider. If you are intending to use your video for television spots or as a promotional video for your company, I would suggest speaking with a professional to ensure that you get the appropriate quality level. Do not, however, let someone talk you into hiring the full scale production team for a simple video to post on your blog or other such internet equivalents without really investigating your need. This is one area where you can get talked out of your budget VERY quickly if you have not done your research!

One article I read discussed the necessary ingredients for making a business appropriate video and suggested the emphasis should be on sound and lights rather than the super high definition camera to record your acting debut. A well made point in the article asked the question of how many people use high definition monitors currently – probably not very many. This thought alone should help you talk your way out of that high definition camera the sales person at the gadget store is insisting you need. Get yourself a good quality camera at a fair price, a great microphone and some real studio style lights. Spend some time testing the set up and lighting before making your final take and most of all – have a little fun! There are loads of home style videos floating around the web which seems to indicate that content may carry a bit more weight than style in the demonstration/education video arena. Dry and boring delivery, however, cannot be overlooked as easily as a lack of stylish setting. Smile for the camera and get your 15 minutes of fame!

If your budget is so tight that purchasing new equipment is simply not an option at the moment, you can still put together a product video for basic use. There is an option beyond the PowerPoint slide show – I promise! My most recent discovery is a service called animoto. This service allows you to take product photos and turn them into a video clip. The videos produced are DVD quality, free of service branding and can include music that is already licensed for commercial use. The final product can be used to create DVD’s for your customers, to enhance your website, spruce up your blog content, uploaded to YouTube and more. The cost is very reasonable considering that you do not have to purchase, house, set up or learn to use production equipment. 

For some additional how to assistance, check out this site - they have some great instructional videos!