DIY vs. Pro Video: Part-3 - Quality

Part-3 in this series of posts concludes our discussion on how to effectively implement video marketing. Today we discuss the quality of DIY Video vs. Pro Video. I’ll bet you couldn’t wait for me to go here! I also list three common formulas for determining which balance of Time, Budget, and Quality will work best for your marketing videos.

FACTOR-3: QUALITY

We’ve all heard that “Content Is King” a million times and of course it’s true. However, this is not your blog. Video content is more than mere words. Creative, or at least competent videography, lighting, sound, and editing are all major contributors to your content. Remember, these videos represent you in front of potential and existing clients...so ask yourself the following questions.

-When you meet with clients in person, do you make sure you look your best?

-During your meeting, do you speak so low they can barely hear you or do you project confidently?

-Do you stutter and ramble on or is your presentation smooth and organized?

-Are you boring or do you show your enthusiasm for your product or service?

-Does how you personally look and sound during a sales meeting affect your success? You bet it does!

That being said, “Broadcast Television Quality” is way beyond what most small businesses need to aspire to. At the same time, don’t be fooled by studying the “YouTubers” of the world. Most businesses can’t get away with that level of DIY production quality. Take the time to research your competitor’s videos. You’ll need to be at their level or beyond it.

When you produce video, as this series of posts suggests, you will essentially have to balance time, budget, and quality on a per project basis. Unfortunately, you will need to prioritize two of those factors…since achieving the best of all three is fruitless. To assist you, I've listed the three basic formulas all professional video producers are bound by. These are the “laws of physics” for video production.

*VIDEO PRODUCTION FORMULAS:

1: Fast + Low Budget = Lower Quality.  If you want it produced quickly and inexpensively, there’s no way to provide superior production quality at the same time. You’ll have to limit your creative and push a small crew to work fast with lesser quality gear.

2: Fast + High Quality = High Budget.  You want it fast and beautiful? You’ll need to hire a team of specialists that can collaborate and multi-task to meet your tight deadline.

3: High Quality + High Budget = More Time.  Let’s say you want high quality and you’re willing to pay for it.  I’m talking about National Commercial Advertising or Broadcast TV Series quality. I can tell you from experience that those productions don’t happen in a hurry. It’s safe to say that true “Artists” who are capable of delivering exceptional quality can't rush through anything. Sorry, you can’t have it produced quickly in this case.

This concludes my series on how to effectively implement video marketing. At this point, you may find it useful to re-read “Part-1: Time” and “Part-2: Budget”. I wish you much success in all of your marketing efforts!

Thank you for your time.

Precision Post specializes in creating video for websites and social media. Please visit our YouTube Channel to learn more about video marketing and see samples of our work. You can also visit PrecisionPostMedia.com to receive a free production or training estimate.

DIY vs. Pro Video: Part-2 - Budget

Part-2 in this series continues to explore how to effectively implement video marketing. Today we deal with the budgets of DIY Video vs. Pro Video and I do not shy away from calling out prices.

 FACTOR-2: BUDGET

Hiring a pro has its merits, but can come with a heavy price tag. Most traditional production companies will charge you a minimum of $2,500 just to shoot for one 10-hour day at your location and an additional $3,500 to edit the average 3-minute video.  Further, those prices don't include scripting or content development. You’ll get a team of specialists working on your project: a director, videographer, audio engineer, make-up artist, and editor who will do a great job…maybe too good, more on that later. Unfortunately, this budget is out of reach for most small businesses. A better approach may be to connect with a talented freelancer who has proven experience doing everything themselves. These talented video professionals are used to making anywhere from $400 to $750 per day. If you hire them directly, that’s a huge savings over a traditional production company, but be warned…don’t just hire any videographer/editor. You’ll need someone who is a marketer, writer, videographer, and editor all in one…not easy to find, but not impossible. Nearly everyone has samples of their work online, so just hop on YouTube and LinkedIn and starting researching production companies or freelancers in your area.

Sorry to let you down, but the DIY approach is not free. It does require an investment in equipment. If you already own a fast computer and a consumer-level HD video camera or cell phone, you still need to purchase a tripod, microphone, some lights, and editing software. Let’s be conservative and say you’ll need to spend $1,000 to complete your set-up. If you’re starting from scratch, you may need to spend an additional $3,500 for a computer and a reasonably priced camera.  The upside is that if all you need are videos of you talking directly to the camera with a few simple graphics, your $4,500 equipment investment will pay itself off very quickly. Of course, your $4,500 may be better spent on a professional to produce a dynamic marketing video for your website, create a customized/branded YouTube Channel, and produce a handful of content marketing videos with scripting and SEO services included. Keep in mind, you don’t have to spend $4,500 on a pro all at once. You could start with your website video and then upload content marketing videos monthly to spread out the expense. Tough call.

Tomorrow I’ll post “Part-3: Quality” and give you a whole new way of thinking about the ever popular “Content Is King” assumption. Don’t miss it!  Thank you for your time.

Precision Post specializes in creating video for websites and social media. Please visit our YouTube Channel to learn more about video marketing and see samples of our work. You can also visit PrecisionPostMedia.com to receive a free production or training estimate.

DIY vs. Pro Video: Part-1 - Time

By now, there’s no need to write a blog about the benefits of video marketing and how much is uploaded to the internet every single day.  The real question is how will you implement video into your marketing campaign?  Will you produce a “do it yourself” Vlog, hire a professional…or a little of both?  The main considerations are: Time, Budget, and Quality. This is a series of three short posts that will be uploaded daily. Part-1 discusses “Time”, Part-2 will consider "Budget", and Part-3 will talk about "Quality".

FACTOR-1:  TIME

If you’re already an owner, manager, or employee of an established business, time is something you have very little of.  If you think writing a blog is time-consuming, try setting up a camera, lights, and a microphone…then writing content, speaking into the camera, editing the video, creating graphics, and adding music.  Of course, it’s not online yet, so all you have to do now is upload the video and handle all the SEO.  If you feeling discouraged at this point, then the DIY approach is not for you.  A professional producer will maximize your time by assisting you with content and taking care of all of the technical details.

If you’re just starting your company or you’re a consultant, you may have pockets of time when business is slow. You could use that time to produce videos on your own.  For you, the DIY approach could be very effective, but let’s not forget that you’ll have to spend time learning Video Production & SEO techniques.  Most of the information is out there on YouTube for free.  You just have to take the time to watch, learn, and practice.  In the beginning, your best bet may be to hire a professional who is willing to teach you on a consultation basis.  They can advise you on equipment purchases and provide in-person or online training at your pace.  This will shrink your learning curve and get you up and running in no time.  Once you're up to speed, you can crank out as many videos as you have time for.

Tomorrow we consider Factor-2:  Budget.  Thank you for your time…pun intended!

Precision Post specializes in creating video for websites and social media.  Please visit our YouTube Channel to learn more about video marketing and see samples of our work. You can also visit PrecisionPostMedia.com to receive a free production or training estimate.  

YouTube Trailers for Business!

NARRATOR (with dramatic movie trailer voice):  “In a world where consumers with smart phones make buying decisions at will, one small but passionate company seeks to make an advertising impression online, convert leads into sales, and earn customer loyalty…forever!”

Okay enough fun.  Wouldn’t it be awesome to watch the movie trailer of your business?  Well that’s exactly what a YouTube Trailer is. The trailer plays for new visitors to your channel and inspires them to subscribe.  In my experience with Direct Response Television, most TV viewers need to see a commercial 3 to 4 times before they respond to the call-to-action. Translating that knowledge to YouTube means online viewers need to subscribe, so that they return and eventually respond to your CTA.  This makes a trailer a vital component of any YouTube Channel.

Below I’ve listed some great examples of YouTube Trailers, as well as my own new trailer…in the number-1 slot of course.  If you’re already a subscriber of mine, click here to see my trailer….hang out for the ending bloopers!  I’ve also included my Top-5 Tips for creating effective trailers.

SAMPLE YOUTUBE TRAILERS:

If you subscribe to these channels, log out of your Google Account first

Tom Kartelias, Precision Post (Video Production Company) YouTube Link

Derek Halpern, Social Triggers (Online Business Entrepreneur) YouTube Link

Good Mythical Morning (YouTube, Comedy Sketches) YouTube Link

Jimmy Kimmel Live (Broadcast TV Talk Show) YouTube Link

TOP-5 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE TRAILERS:

1:  Keep your trailer short and entertaining (90-seconds or less).

2:  Let people know what makes you, your business, and your channel unique.

3:  Let people know what type of videos you will upload. (Tutorials, Music Videos, Movie Reviews, Comedy Sketches, etc.)

4:  If you’re creating a series of regular videos, list the days you upload.

5:  Ask visitors to subscribe and make it easy for them to do so by providing a subscribe button.

Good luck!

Precision Post specializes in creating video for websites and social media.  Please visit our YouTube Channel to learn more about video marketing and see samples of our work. You can also visit PrecisionPostMedia.com to receive a free production or training estimate.