What is the 3-word essence of your story? Everyone is familiar with the 30-second elevator speech. You’ve likely developed one for your personal, “Who am I and why am I here?” story. And you probably know your company’s 30-second, “Who are we and what do we do?” story by heart. But, can you market yourself with just three words? Let’s look at how to refine a story by using a 3-word Brand Mantra. Continue reading
Video Production
In 1911, Tess Flanders told us, “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.”
To update the expression, consider this: If a picture is worth 1,000 words, and there are 1,000 pictures in a five-minute video, then a well-crafted video equals a good story. Continue reading
Video Production
The creative brief is a document with answers. If you create one before starting any type of production process, and use it to inform your actions, then you will produce better video. Continue reading
Video Production WANTED: Blogger seeks your input: 2 minutes of your time will lead to valuable, relevant, and interesting video production content. Big thanks @ the end.
So you are looking for ways to “improve” your company’s marketing or training videos. If your video skills consist of capturing candle-burning birthday songs and the occasional pet trick on your cell phone, check out the Ask a Video Producer post on the 4-step process for producing video content. In the meantime, here are three Pro-Tips to get you started on improving your corporate video productions. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
I went through a fairly long period of not feeling successful, though in hindsight it’s more accurate to say that I didn’t really know what success was.
Joe Pullizzi, Content Inc. from Chapter 1: Beginning with the End in Mind.
When I launched the content marketing initiative at my current workplace, I used Pulizzi’s Content Inc. as my roadmap, I made PNR: This Old Marketing my weekly podcast, and I circled CM World on my editorial calendar as my midyear check-in.
So here I am, the Monday after my first CM World, and I feel energized and enthused! Continue reading
Video Production
Here are four steps to make video testimonials that increase engagement and boost sales. Looking for more reasons to use video testimonials? Check out the other 19 statistics that support the use of testimonials in marketing today. As a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner, these four steps will help you create great corporate video content to grow your business. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
In corporate video production, the call sheet is an agenda for the day. It includes report times, location addresses, plans for meals, and relevant contact information for everyone involved that day, and it can include shot and prop lists.
Whether you are a marketing manager, training 
professional, or business owner, the call sheet will help you plan out an entire day of video production. To make use of this tool, download and customize my simplified call sheet template and use this five-step infographic to guide you as you create your first call sheet.
“How about if I just get someone to shoot some cell phone video?”
It’s a fair question. Every day, millions of people consume cell phone video on Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit. At first glance, it’s easy to think cell phones can be used to produce a professional video. Here are three technical limitations of cell phone video that can cheapen your brand. Continue reading
Video Production
“Does his forehead look a little shiny?” Jenn says, pointing at the monitor.
I nod in agreement and look at Dave, who looks back at me and nods. Dave, my Key-Grip-value-add-go-to-guy, walks over to the gear cart, unzips a small black pouch, and pulls out an oil-absorbing sheet. He deftly maneuvers to the on-camera talent and kindly explains what we saw on the monitor.
Problem solved! No more shiny skin thanks to a single oil-absorbing sheet, and Dave of course!
In this “Ask a producer” post, I offer Pro-Tips for creating and using a small makeup kit to elevate the look of your corporate video. As a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner you can use this post to create a makeup kit to ensure your on-camera talent looks great! Continue reading
Video Production
Scout locations for your next corporate video shoot with these eight Pro-Tips, especially if you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner. Searching for the right place to record video is vital to a successful production. Even though Scout Locations is #11 on my pre-production checklist, it’s just as valuable as the other items and should not be overlooked in the interest of time or budget. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
Over the past 20 weeks, I’ve focused on answering questions related to corporate or business video. In each post, I try to provide professional advice for marketing managers, training professionals, and business owners. My goal each week is to be your go-to knowledge source for corporate and business video production. Every ten weeks, I create an index of the previous posts. If you are a CRAFT subscriber, consider this an index to weeks 11 through 20. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
Number 5 on my pre-production checklist is CREATE A SHOT LIST. After the script is written, I work with the client and the DP (Director of Photography, AKA camera operator) to make a list of all of the different video clips I will need to make a great video.
eLearning, Video Production
While sitting in Nano Brew on West 25th Street, sipping a Gose the Gosarian, a producer friend of mine said, “We wasted so much time today. You should write a blog that tells people how to get the most out of us.”
“Mmmm. Mr. Gosarian is delicious.” I said out loud. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
If you are a voice actor looking for B2B jobs, this post offers you an insider’s perspective on creating a professional B2B demo that will reach the client. If you are a marketing or training professional, consider these Pro-Tips as background information to aid you in the process of choosing the “right” voice for your upcoming video or training course. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
If you are in a marketing or training role, have you ever had a conversation like this?
Manager: “We need a video that will appeal to everyone (employees, customers, and shareholders).”
You: “OK. Have you considered making three videos that target each of those audiences?”
Manager: “Yes, but we only have the budget for one video.” Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you are in the middle of making a corporate video, or you just completed a video, then this post is for you. In this post, I offer some tips on distribution, measuring success, and blogging. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are NEW to a marketing or training role and you need to make a professional video, then this blog post is for you. This is part four in a four-part series designed to help you make your first video production. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are NEW to a marketing or training role and you need to make a professional video, then this blog post is for you. This is part three in a four-part series designed to help you make your first video production. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are NEW to a marketing or training role and you need to make a professional video, then this blog post is for you. This is part two in a four part series designed to help you make your first video production. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are NEW to a marketing or training role and you need to make a professional video, then this blog post is for you. This is part one in a four-part series designed to help you make your first video production.
Video Production
The purpose of this post is to provide you with links to 10 separate blog posts that answer 10 specific questions about making professional video. If you are a CRAFT subscriber, consider this an index to the past 10 weeks.
Ever since I made my first video in high school, I’ve been teaching people about video production. I love teaching and I love video. So, it has been Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you need to make a video, then “The CRAFT: Video Production Blog” is for you. The purpose of this post is to explain the difference between vector and raster graphics and give you pro-tips for using both types in a video production. So, please comment and let me know your experience. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you need to make a video, then “The CRAFT: Video Production Blog” is for you. The purpose of this post is to explain how long it takes to make a professional one-minute business video. Continue reading
Video Production
Storytelling is NOT rocket science, but telling a story with a purpose IS a form of brain surgery. You need to get inside the target audience’s brain, leave a lasting impression, and change behaviors. Story can do that.
Now how do you get inside your audience’s heads and change their minds, soften their hearts, or move them to action? Continue reading
Video Production
The purpose of this post is to provide you with consumer wisdom on the Time:Talents Ratio, which may help you determine how much a business video will cost. If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog is for you. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog is for you.
In this “Ask a Producer” post, I offer my comparisons between YouTube and Vimeo as it relates to business video. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you need to make a video, and you want to explore video types, then this blog is for you.
Are you planning to make a video for your business? Simply stated, you need a video that satisfies your business need. Refer to the 12 business video types below to aid you during your planning process. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog is for you.
The purpose of this post is to provide you with advice on how to conduct a video interview, The purpose of this post is to provide you with advice on how to conduct a video interview, and generate a conversation about technique. So, please comment and let me know your experience. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog post is for you.
Yes. You can reduce your overall budget by writing the script yourself. Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional, or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog post is for you.
“Wardrobe” is a performing arts term that refers to costumes, shoes, undergarments, hats, and personal props such as gloves, jewelry, etc. (wiki). In our business video production world, we are generally talking about the clothing that you wear on camera. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog post is for you.
I always suggest using professional voice actors, also known as voice talent, voiceover artists, or VO talent. A seasoned pro brings years of practice and mastery that leads to a smooth, articulate recording that will elevate the perception of your brand. Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
If you are a marketing manager or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog post is for you.
The simple answer is yes. If you want to make a professional video, you will need to write a script. Don’t freak out! If you work with a video vendor that acts like a business partner, Continue reading
Video Production
If you are a marketing manager, training professional or business owner and you need to make a video, then this blog post is for you.
Gear, script, audio, lighting, and distribution are the top five things that determine the level of professionalism in a video product. Sometimes a homemade cell phone video can get Continue reading
eLearning, Video Production
Everyone’s heard the old saying that you should never put all of your eggs in one basket. Whether you have relationship eggs, money eggs or real eggs, you want to put them in different places to minimize your risk of losing all of them at the same time.
As a non-risk-taker, this makes sense to me, and I usually follow this advice. However, this past spring I didn’t, and I ended up getting pied in the face, sitting in a cell block, and collecting brains.
eLearning, Video Production
Begin with this premise:
Video is one of many assets available to instructional designers.
By 2018, per Cisco Systems, 84% of internet traffic will be video content. What does this mean for training professionals? We need to establish a training video lexicon. It is a proven fact that a firm grasp of word meanings is a strong predictor of successful writing. That being said, designers and clients that share a common language will be more effective and efficient in satisfying business objectives. Furthermore, choosing the type of videos for your eLearning course should be based on your learning objectives.
eLearning, Video Production
When is it the right time to marry eLearning and video? We get this question all the time from clients. As technology has advanced and internet bandwidth has increased, training professionals are eager to enhance their offerings with more engaging, multimedia rich content.
So when is the right time to use video in your eLearning projects? Simply put, when you want your audience to learn a particular behavior, otherwise known as behavioral modeling. And, when you use it in an eLearning course it can be quite effective.
eLearning, Video Production