Creating videos may seem like a daunting task, so here is a quick guide to creating 21 amazing videos for less than a grand. Businesses get stuck on the misconception that videos should either be produced by an expensive production team or that they need to be part of a large marketing plan.
Even if you are nervous about being in front of the camera or worried about memorizing a script, this is a simple strategy that video marketing expert Mike Koenigs teaches about leveraging videos online will make this process easy:
1) One video is going to be a short (fewer than 90 seconds) video that is about you/your business.
2) Ten videos are frequently asked questions that you hear from either prospects or current customers.
3) The next 10 videos will be questions that you should be getting asked, but aren't.
The concept is simple: Create 20 videos each fewer than 10 minutes in length. They are easy to produce and record because you are speaking on topics that relate to your business and your customers.
Write down the 20 questions and a brief summary of your intro video at least one week ahead of the shoot. This will give your mind enough time to get comfortable and creative with what to say.
Finding a video crew
You only need one person for this job. Use craigslist’s creative section to post your ad. Your requirements are simple: an HD camera with external lapel microphone, lights and tripod, a 90-minute shoot and a location.
You will get quotes for $3,000 and for $50. ignore them and focus on something in the $300-$500 range.
Ask for post-production costs upfront. Then offer $300 for them to produce the 90-second introduction video and then cut up the remaining clips.
The day of the shoot
First record the intro video. This should include who you are, where you are located, what benefits (not features) customers get when they work with you and why you love what you do and/or love your community. Mess up at will, just keep going until you record everything you need to say.
The second part is to have someone sit off camera and ask you the list of 20 questions you prepared. Make sure to repeat the question before you answer it. The most important piece to this part is not pitching or selling. This is supposed to be a content series not an infomercial. Give real, usable, valuable advice and answers.
Post editing
This is something you should give clear simple instructions to the video production person: Edit this video so anytime there is a break or mistake in the recording you zoom in and zoom out. Please add my name and business with location to a banner on the bottom of the video and on a graphic at the end. Also add royalty-free music in the background.
If they return a video that you don’t like, ask them to re-do the post edit until you're happy.
Here is an example of what the final product should look like:
Jabez LeBret is the author of the Amazon No. 1 bestselling law office marketing book How to Turn Clicks Into Clients. As a partner at Get Noticed Get Found, a legal marketing agency, over the last nine years he has delivered over 800 keynote addresses in six countries. His main area of expertise is managing Gen Y in the workplace, advanced Facebook strategies, LinkedIn strategies, Google+, SEO, local directory optimization, and online marketing.
