Skeleton Productions Blog
Why Online Video? – 4 Great Reasons
More and more small businesses, global brands, and major websites are using online video in their marketing mix. Through our client work and research, Skeleton Productions can provide four great reasons:
1. Online video is a powerful conversion tool.
Online video engages website visitors, increasing the likelyhood of a transaction. When embedded on a webpage in close proximity to actionable links, these odds improve dramatically.
2. Online video is great at communicating brand messages
Online video communicates brand messages in ways plain text and pictures simply can’t. The most effective video campaigns generate an emotional response from their viewers.
Getting your video played
Once your content has been embedded on a website, there are a number of things you can do to get it played:
1. Clarity of content
Set viewers’ expectations as to what’s in the video, what its purpose is, and why they should spend their time watching it. Convey the essence by providing videos with descriptive titles that contain keywords. These keywords will help you with search engine optimisation (SEO) as well as usability.
2. Thumbnail Images
The thumbnail image for your video should be attractive and related to the content. Choose your video thumbnail images carefully, it makes a big difference.
3. Length of video
A video is a way to whet the appetite of a viewer, to inspire them to find out more. In internet video time, two minutes can seem like an eternity if the content is dull and lifeless. We recommend that you say in two minutes what others are taking ten to cover.
8 things you should know before hiring a video production company
1. Get a quote
You should be given a detailed quote for free, its that simple. If not, go elsewhere!
2. Production & editing equipment
Your video production partner should be using equipment good enough for TV. Regardless of whether you see TV advertising as an option, in this day and age you should be receiving an online video of ‘broadcast-quality’.
3. Define everything
What’s the intent of your video? Who is your target audience? What specific messages are you looking to get across? Where is the video going to be shown? You and your marketing team must be clear on these before you meet potential video production suppliers. Only with clarity on these key matters can a truly compelling and resonant video be produced. If you don’t know what you want, how can your video production company?
Read more: 8 things you should know before hiring a video production company
Top 8 Tips For Stretching Your Video Production Budget
It has never been more important to stretch every pound of your marketing budget to the very limit. In no particular order here are our Top 8 Tips for stretching your budget for online video to the very max…
1. Minimise filming locations and the distance between them
Filming in a small number of locations closely situated will drastically reduce the cost of your video.
2. Use footage you already have.
Any archive footage you already own can potentially be re-used/ utilised in your current video.
3. Decide how many versions you want and get them all done at the same time
You’ll save loads by creating and re-editing all needed versions in the same editing session.
4. Think hard about your script.
Keep your video fresh by avoiding time or date sensitive references.
5. Film at your own premises
This makes for a more authentic video and avoids the cost of expensive filming studios.
6. Maximise your filming time
Think about any up coming events and use that spare half hour in the filming schedule to record extra content for future use.
7. Save on non-filming costs
Make the most of online publishing channels and platforms such as Youtube, they are free to use. If you using physical methods such as DVD or USB, make sure you use their full potential.
8. You don’t have to be there
Unless you are appearing in the video, you don’t need to attend the filming, and with ‘online client approval’ you certainly don’t need to spend any of your valuable time attending editing sessions.
Further information
Do you want to learn how Skeleton's video production services can help you win more business?
Call us on 0845 003 7720 or email us to to learn how video can generate and convert more leads.
2000 filmmakers and counting!
This morning the Skeleton Productions team celebrated the vetting of our 2000th filmmaker.
It is a very exciting milestone for us. Our filmmaker network enables us to produce high quality low cost content locally like no other. John O’Groats or Lands End, we can produce video content for a very low cost.
Our team are now focusing their efforts to recruit filmmakers in Europe and further afield. Skeleton Productions are establishing a global network of filmmakers. Our goal is to recruit 5000 from around world by the end of 2009.
Top 6 tips for generating results using online video
Skeleton Productions is a Midland based video production company, producing high quality low cost video content for small businesses and major brands. Through extensive client work and research we have discovered what we believe to believe the six key ingredients to making video content that generates results:
1) Authenticity
It is easier to do business with someone once you’ve met them. If you want to connect with customers, you have got to communicate with them on a personal level. No one can speak more candidly or passionately about your organisation than you can. The real life stories that you tell, the body language that you show, it all helps.
People want real life connections. Paid actors or spokespeople can’t provide that. You have a much better chance of convincing people if you have built up trust and confidence by showing your customers who you really are.
2) Relevance
Time is precious these days. Ensure any videos that you use are relevant and add value to the existing site content. Shorter is often better.
Bring context to the videos to make them more compelling. Place the video in surroundings of relevant information and/or product promotion. For example a video demonstrating a new gadget and its scale is best placed on the product page.
3) Engagement
To attract and hold attention, your website content must be engaging. On the web, there are millions of distractions accessible at the click of a button.
Video content can give you the edge here. It engages customers in ways plain text and pictures simply can’t. It helps you to stand out head and shoulders above the competition.
Read more: Top 6 tips for generating results using online video
Differentiate yourself from the competition using online video
In challenging economic times, standing out from the competition has never been more important, particularly for small businesses. Differentiation can help drive sales.
Online video is a great way to convey key points of differentiation. It levels the playing field for small businesses, by providing an affordable and engaging way to showcase points of differentiation from bigger competitors.
1. Landing pages
Online video can be used to enhance website landing pages. Landing pages that feature targeted online video content typically generate more click throughs and sales conversions from their website visitors.
Read more: Differentiate yourself from the competition using online video
3 Key Questions Your Hotel Video Must Answer
Hotel video is set to become a pre-requisite to sell online. Right now, hotels big and small are producing video content for their websites. They are also reusing this video content on booking & review websites.
So what’s all the fuss about?
Hotel Videos convey personality and value to prospective customers in ways plain text and pictures simply can’t. They increase the lead conversion rate of hotel websites. When uploaded to social media websites such as Youtube, Hotel video can also improve search engine rankings.
Small Business Video Production – Incorrect Assumptions
Small business video production services result in fantastic business video profiles. Video does a great job at converting website visitors into customers. Fact.
Despite this, many small business marketing managers and business owners are yet to produce business video profiles for their website. In our experience, there are three (incorrect) assumptions that have held them back:
Assumption 1: “My customers don’t want to see video on my website”
If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine what a video is worth.
Out of the five senses, sight and sound account for 85% of the information we take in. Video can convey key messages about your business in ways plain text and audio simply can’t.
A video enables potential clients to get to know you better. They can connect with your business and visualize what it would be like to work with you. Video has become an essential part of the web browsing experience.
Read more: Small Business Video Production – Incorrect Assumptions
Generate results using a "call to action"
A "call to action" is a marketing message that directs viewers to act in a specific manner. The most effective videos have one. A well-designed call to action can dramatically increase a video’s rate of conversion to its goal.
What do you want viewers to do once they’ve watched your video? If they’re interested in what you have to say, what can they do about it? Your goal may be to generate leads, buy products, click on ads or even just subscribe to an RSS feed on your website.
A well-designed call to action should:
1. Create Urgency
Use discrete measurements of time in your call to action. Phrases like “click now” or “try our software today” give the user an understanding of how easy and immediate the action will be.
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