CNET recently published an online article about the state of internet video based on a ComScore report earlier this month. Â The study indicates 83% of internet users reported watching online video during the month of January. Â And, as you might expect, Google/YouTube had the most viewers.
You can read the article here at: Â http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20032169-17.html
Previous studies have shown that video on your website can help with search engine rankings and ultimately drive more traffic to your site. Â And with lower costs of equipment and technology, the cost of production and distribution of web video is affordable for most any business or organization.
Are you using video on your website.  Has it produced more business opportunities for you?  What type of video have you used… business introduction, product demonstration, how-to? Share your thoughts with us below about why you have or have not used video on your website. We would love to hear your thoughts!
Is there a place along your daily travels that you wonder what it’s like inside that place? I can think of several that I wonder about. I know new (or recently found) restaurants are a great example. If you’ve never been there you might want to know if the people are friendly, is the service above average and, of course, how’s the food? Obviously a great web video would answer many of those questions even before you go there for dinner.
But, restaurants are not the only businesses or organizations that would benefit from sharing their story with video on their website. How about medical offices, fitness facilities, retail stores, even churches! The list goes on and on. Recently, Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville wanted to tell their story and chose us to prepare a video for them. Thousands of people pass their campus on Oak Ridge Highway every day and I’m sure many of them wonder about what goes on inside those walls. By interviewing administrators, teachers, parents and students, we were able to help them tell their story in the words of those who are there everyday. Why should parents consider sending their kids to a Christian School and especially to Grace Christian in Knoxville? Those answers are in the video.
You can watch the video here: http://bit.ly/eIYRT1
Check it out and let us know what you think. Does it answer the questions that you would have? Do you know of other businesses or organizations that could benefit from the use of web video? Share your thoughts below. We look forward to hearing from you.
To be perfectly honest, there are times when the cost of a professional videographer may not be justified. But then sometimes, it’s the best decision you can make. Everyone is concerned about costs these days and with cheaper video equipment and software available, it is sometimes tempting to try to take a cheaper route. In fact, by learning just a few basic rules about videography, you can make any video look a whole lot better (except for the fact that many of the most popular videos today break a lot of the traditional “rules”)! But there is a lot more to making your video effective than have the latest and greatest equipment and software.
Really the measure of the success of any video is “Did the video tell the story that we wanted told?” and “Did we get the desired results?”. So, storytelling (in other words, your content) is much more important than what camera it was shot with or if the final output is Standard Def or High Def 1080p. In the most effective videos, you really don’t see the production. You get involved in the story and don’t notice the “effects” that are in it. We always tell our customers that our goal is to produce a professional video that is not “slick”. We want their audience to hear the story, not see how cool our shooters and editors are. The same could be said about using amateurs or non-professionals. You want you video to look professional, not home-made or bear the most definitive mark of an amateur – way too many special effects, transitions, etc. These things too can get in the way of telling your story!
The best part is that professional video services are now available prices that are affordable for most businesses and organizations. And video is a great way to drive traffic to your website.Â
What has your experience been in producing video for your company or organization? When do you see the need to hire a professional? Share your thoughts below!
We recently received a call from the folks at Bevel-Edge.com about the possibility of adding video to their website. Located just outside of Jamestown, Tennessee, their website is a primary source of business and communication with their customers.  After spending considerable time and effort in developing an attractive, but more importantly, functional website, they decided it was time to add web video to the mix. We talked over their needs and discussed a price. They were surprised at how inexpensive web video is now and said their web designer had been after them almost a year to get one done.
It was a cold day when we made the trip to Jamestown for the shoot. Thankfully, they had a heater running that knocked the chill off during the shoot. They were well prepared and had a rundown already made up of the sequence of events it would take to complete the shoot. It was interesting to watch as he built a counter top from raw materials and finished it to be a beautiful laminate counter top with under-counter mounter sink.
The video is up on their website and you can view it by going to http://www.bevel-edge.com/home/bev/smartlist_104/how_to_videos.html or link from their home page at www.bevel-edge.com. Of course, it is also available on YouTube (certainly a wise marketing strategy).
The folks at BevelEdge.com hope to accomplish a couple of things. One is to help their customers understand the process of building a counter top and second to let prospects know the materials which they sell that can be used in building these counter tops. And, of course, used properly, web video can be a great asset to your search engine optimization strategy (SEO). We are anxious to get the feedback about how it is working for them!
Are you using web video in your business yet? If so, tell us about what is working for your business. We want to hear from you.
Have you heard of web video and wondered how it could help your business? Does a web video have to go viral to be successful? Actually, a video on your websites (as well as YouTube, Google Video, Facebook, etc.) can be a big boost to getting desired exposure for your business. Web video is very cost effective, even when you bring in a professional to insure the video properly presents your business to your customers and prospects.
So what would you make your video about in order to attract the attention of your potential customers or clients? Obviously, one option would be to make an introductory marketing video where you and possibly your staff talk about your business and what makes it unique from your competitor’s while showing your business and/or products in action.
But what about the second video and the third video… ? Consider product demonstrations or instructional videos. If you own a auto repair business, show your mechanics actually doing repairs. In fact, you might even show step by step repairs that people could do on their own. In many cases, they will see how fast and professionally you do the repair and decide to hire you instead. Or, if you own a restaurant, show your chef preparing come of your dishes. In most cases, your viewers will probably decide to come in and purchase the meal from you rather than trying to duplicate it at home. Either way, chances are they will be a regular visitor your website and hopefully your business.
The great thing about web videos is that it gives your prospects and opportunity to get to know you, your staff and your business deciding whether to use you or your competition. Video on your website gives viewers and “inside look” that will bring them into your business.Â
What’s your thoughts? Have you used video on your website? What were your results?
Interstate Mechanical Contractors in Knoxville recently employed us to update their website and provide video production services to make their website more dynamic and search engine friendly. One of the most popular features of their website are the videos that introduce visitors to their company. The sales department really appreciates how video supports their job.
About three years ago, the folks at Interstate celebrated their 25th anniversary and we prepared 3 videos which were shown during the banquet. The videos detailed the past, the present and the future of Interstate Mechanical. It gave an inside look at the people who have made Interstate what it is today. (I thought my wife was going to quit working with me and go to work for them!) Those videos are now available for viewing by everyone who visits their website.
There are presently 3 more videos that further describe the services available at Interstate. One gives details of the company’s abilities and experience in LEED certified construction. A second video shares their “Service” capabilities, which has been very valuable in the current state of the construction industry. The final video is a presentation of testimonials from some of their customers. Any one needing commercial HVAC or plumbing construction or services can learn a whole lot of about Interstate Mechanical Contractors by watching the videos, even before they make the first phone call. You can view the videos at: http://www.interstatemechanical.com
More and more companies are starting to see the value of video on their website. How about your company? Are you using video to welcome prospects, explain how your company works or to demonstrate your products or services? Tell us about what works for you!
