Creating a Shot List for Original HVAC Marketing Images.

When it comes to marketing a service-based business, an authentic approach is always best. When you think about it, nothing is more nurturing than media that paints an accurate picture of your culture, capabilities, and (of course) the experience. Potential customers love a good preview of what they might pay for. Even though sound pictures and quality videography can be easily developed internally, working with a professional to create a shot list presents many advantages. Here’s an example of an original HVAC marketing project I worked on a few years back.

Understanding the Branding.

Although the development of a media shoot may seem like a simple process, all things must be considered. After a few discovery sessions, I was able to get a good feel for what the company wanted to accomplish as well as what their capabilities were. Meeting all of the technicians also gave me an opportunity to determine who was best suited to be in front of the camera.

Since the family-owned business had been around for more than 30 years, I wanted to incorporate their traditional values as much as I could. While this usually has more to do with the editing (and content development) process, it’s still a good idea to know what you’re aiming for when writing a shot list.

Presenting a Plan to Leadership.

After gathering my thoughts, I drafted up a plan to present to the owners and management team. This included my core objectives and a pre-shoot checklist to review. After revising (and adding) a few things, everyone was happy with the direction of the brand’s original HVAC marketing efforts. Sitting down with everyone really gives us an opportunity to come up with some really good ideas.

As you can see below, we wanted to be sure to deliver a quality product and experience.

A smooth-running shoot takes a lot of work on the front end. While there is most certainly a lot for me to manage, an efficient process relies heavily on the participation of the business. Providing direction and making sure they’re prepared is usually appreciated by all parties.

Mapping Out the HVAC Media Session.

While a shot list is crucial to a successful shoot, structuring the flow is just as important. Since this original HVAC marketing project involved a lot of people, I wanted to give everyone a visual of where we were starting and ending the session. This allowed us to create overflow areas for participants when they weren’t needed

As you can see, we started at in the back lot (where the morning sun was best) and worked our way into the team meeting before capturing a team picture and the vehicles (in brighter light). We ended at the front of the building for a virtual tour and headshots inside the showroom (to avoid direct sunlight). All of this was purposed.

Shot List for Original HVAC Marketing.

Once the structure and outline was final, filling in the shot list was a piece of cake. Having extensive conversations gave everyone clarity on what we would be capturing and when. Nonetheless, it’s not uncommon for corporate photo shoots to get a little hectic. So I wanted to make sure we kept things simple during the first hour.

Upon arrival, there was definitely some maneuvering to do. So, I’m glad we structured the itinerary this way. As I briefed the entire company at 8am, my photographer was able to get some really good shots of team leadership in a meeting setting. The rest of the team had plenty to do to make sure the media session stayed on track. Without a plan, this could have thrown us off an hour or two – which then would have affected our lighting. 

As you can see, there was a lot of different angles and scenarios that we wanted to capture in a short window of time. The settings, placement and preparedness made it all possible. Since we had two shooters, we were able to produce tons of original HVAC marketing content for the client. 

During the last hour of the media session, I wanted to create a conveyer belt like experience for individual and department photos. As one photographer captured some of the equipment, tools and office space – the other managed the headshots. We had each team member walk through a series of different poses so there would be a variety of imagery for their about page and social media posts. You never know when you’ll want to highlight the personality of someone at the office!

Concluding the HVAC Media Session.

Once technicians were done with their individual portraits, they were able to head to work for the day. We then spent an hour or two interviewing the owners and helping them create some videos for form submissions and process overviews. All of the media from this project was implemented immediately across multiple channels.

Developing a Shot List for Your Brand.

If you live in the Memphis area and you’re looking for some help with your media, you can never go wrong with a PreFocus! Whether you hire me or not, I take pride in offering detailed feedback and direction that benefits any acquisition attempt. The more authentic your tactics are, the better they will perform. Nonetheless, I hope reading about my original HVAC marketing strategy blesses your efforts!

8 + 11 =

The Keys to Maximizing Video Content Strategies

Maximizing Video Content with a Strategy

Creating killer videos that showcase your culture and value can drastically improve the way consumers perceive and recognize your brand. But, producing a video just to have one doesn't necessarily mean it's worth your while. In this article, I discuss a few ways to enhance the purpose of your video content while maximizing the corresponding reach.

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Video presentation is becoming more and more popular in the marketing and branding realm. Not only can it summarize written content, but it sheds light on the culture and competence of a brand. Finding ways to take advantage of different forms of content to can shed more light in areas of opportunity for businesses and personal brands. In this article, I want to touch on a few ways I’ve been maximizing video content in hopes to inspire you to harness your own originality.

As I mentioned in the first article of this series on blogging, I love giving away free advice. It gives me a chance to prove my worth and helps me build trust. At the end of the day, there are tons of ways to improve video views. But the simple tweaks and extra work on every production is far more fruitful. So give this strategy a try and let me know how it plays out for you and your brand!

Key 1. Harnessing Value and Differentiation.

When it comes to maximizing video content, starting with genuine purpose is essential. Forget the fluff already. One of the most common fails I see in video production is: too much information and zero personal connection. We’ve surpassed the persuasive talking head era. Creators need to understand that perception is everything now. But this doesn’t give you a reason to be cheesy, fake or lie. Talking about yourself, what you do or how you’re better isn’t impactful either.

call-to-action-camera-image-for-maximizing-video-content-blog-post-in-surprise-arizonaDon’t get me wrong – every video has it’s place. Sometimes you have to explain things. But purposing every video is key. TV commercials and video ads are a completely different spectrum. Even on-site, youtube or social media video campaigns should involve unique messaging. A strategy helps you take advantage of organic search traffic, consumer intent and relevant viewing. The more original you are, the easier it is to stand out within your industry.

There are plenty of things to consider when it comes to videography. Spending a lot of money on a stiff production script (or a predetermined talk-track) can be counterproductive when a vision or identity isn’t involved. Engaging your audience with an authentic presentation makes it easier to tap into emotions and develop trust.

Don’t Rush the Idea Process and Maximize Your Reach.

Before creating individual videos for sales, promos, insight and processes – try to focus squarely on your definitive value. When building a house, you don’t start with the roof. Take the time to uncover your brand identity so you can establish clarity and speak with intention. In my opinion, who a company is and “why they are” should always navigate marketing movements.

When brands waiver from their purpose and value, it confuses consumers while altering credibility. Consistency matters. You don’t always need a $5000 budget to curate an effective video. With mobile technology advancing, anyone can record at any time. Take advantage of this and don’t be afraid to be a little vulnerable.

In case you’re not sure where to start, let me dive into a few ideas..

Key 2. Capturing Purposeful Topics.

Video content doesn’t always need to follow a certain set of deliverables. When you think about it, videos are rarely the last step of the conversion cycle. They tend to be viewed during the awareness phase. In other words, hard selling via video can create a negative first impression from the jump. PreFocusing on topics that nurture your audience is a great way to encourage them to buy in – whether they intend to buy now or down the road. This is where my passion lies in maximizing video content.

maximizing-video-content-with-an-original-and-authentic-focus-in-arizonaWhat I’ve learned over the last decade is that consumers are beginning to value who they give their money to. Deals, promises or ego-boosting-media has created purchase hesitancy. This is why I encourage clients to avoid popular topics and consider the power of your origin story. Most consumers want to know why you launched and how you came to be! They want to see where you’re committed to them! Video topics that don’t tie into a brand’s value propositions is strictly informative or entertaining. Do you want attention or company growth? 

Although competitive corporations often invest in smear tactics, losing sight of the customer can cause you to tarnish the sale altogether. There are a number of ways to position your product or service without seeming pushy. Instead of telling people why they should buy in, discuss 3-5 ways they benefit from you. Instead of shoving features down consumer’s throats, talk about why you developed them. Instead of promoting a general testimonial, sit down with the customer and talk with them about their experience.

Walking Through All of These Video Details is a PreFocus.

I recently completed a video series for Green Zone Health and Fitness in Glendale, Arizona. They wanted to promote their online vegan meal plans and custom workout regimens. Instead of piecing together a commercial-like production – we focused on why they started, how they’re competent and who they’re serving. We were able to come up with 10 different topics by simply hashing out these foundational elements of their brand. The best part is, they should all be unique!

Before I explain how I maximized their videos, let’s talk more about breaking down topics.

Key 3. Breaking Down Videos to Expand Topics.

Video content is a lot different that blogging. In most cases, on site copy requires an introduction, body and closing. With video, you only have a few seconds to engage and attract. Not everyone is going to get through the entire video because the initial point won’t always be interesting. That doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t an element of the video that won’t speak to them.

Earlier this summer, I did a live podcast on purposeful social media posting. To kick off the recording, I spoke about a few things I was working on and how I was planning to expanding my services. Although some people viewed the entire video, I’m sure most could care less about my endeavors. I’m sure a lot of them stopped watching. Throughout the video I discussed chasing likes, popularity, imagery, competition, perspective and hashtag use. I could have blasted this video across all channels in hopes that a quantitative method worked – But, I knew that would be ignorant and lazy.

Increasing Views on Long Videos With High Drop Off Rates.

So, I created separate videos (with titles) for every idea within the topic. To date, my 60 second “hashtag video” is one of the highest performing posts on my Instagram feed. It’s not amazing but it was worthwhile. Breaking down the video garnered more views on the podcast and improved organic search traffic for my business. Leveraging the credibility of one key point allowed me to engage users with something that interested them.

In turn, people wanted to see what else I had to say about different areas of marketing. Maximizing video content isn’t always about the topic. It’s about strategically presenting the information you’re capturing and repurposing it with value statements.  Let’s look at another example..

When I was working with Green Zone, we used a similar strategy. The initial proposal called for one video discussing their three online fitness packages. During the shoot, I had them explain what types of people benefitted from each option. I quickly realized that they created separate packages because a meal and workout plan isn’t for everyone. Duh!

I ended up talking them into breaking this video down so they could target certain people with a relevant option. They would have essentially limited their reach by bucketing everything into one video. Not only were we able to create additional video content with original answers, but more traffic to their membership page. The results gave them confidence to continue hiring me for other projects. 

Key 4. Sharing Your Videos Wisely.

heaven-shot-of-maximizing-video-content-strategies-in-west-phoenix-arizona-with-a-prefocusThe last step in maximizing video content pertains to publishing. The easiest way for most of you to share video content is through Youtube. But don’t overlook the little details. Things like the featured image (the picture that previews your video) can play a big role in click through rates. Using a screen shot or standard header image is better than nothing. But creating a video graphic with the title is worth the extra time.

Without “sharing” too much detail, I wanted to revisit something I’ve reiterated throughout this article. Don’t force feed your followers or overwhelm them with information. Avoid spammy lingo and nurture them with intrigue. This creates more comfort in pressing play. Just keep it simple and make sure your channel is cohesive. Themed title images, consistent tags, detailed descriptions and correct links go a long way. 

Some Last Second Reminders for Video Strategies.

If you’re going to take the time to maximize the reach of video content then it better look professional. And don’t forget to link all of the videos together and point to the full feature. This ensures the experience is sound and it’ll enhance your SEO.

Lastly, when you solidify your brand identity, you should also know exactly who your customers are. If your audience doesn’t log into social media until 6pm at night, don’t post your videos at 10am. You can automate the process for certain times of day so you’re not manually posting everything. Make sure there is a rhyme and reason for everything. The results will reward you!

Want to Learn More?

I’m passionate about helping businesses and professionals improve the way they present themselves. Video content is just another opportunity to do so. If you’d like to discuss possibilities with me, I’d love to learn more about your story how I can help.

Why Script Writing is Essential to Video Production

Why Script Writing is Essential to Video Production

Strategizing before producing a new company video not only expedites the process, but provides clarity for everyone involved. In this article, I discuss the important aspects of a production script and why a quality video strategy is important for any business near Memphis, Tennessee .
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What is Script Writing?

A production script is a word document that outlines and describes your video project. In other words, it helps establish the purpose and process of your upcoming video. For a more official definition, Wikipedia describes script writing as a document that outlines every aural, visual, behavioral, and lingual element required to tell a story. Planning and preparing for a production project is a lot more work than many realize. This is why an effective script that outlines your project will inevitably help you produce a quality video. In order to understand this process a little further, I’ve broken script writing down into two elements

The Story Structure.

The structure pertains to the actual story itself. No matter what channel you’re using, if you want to promote an effective video, it needs to incorporate a storyline. Some questions you can ask are: What happens in the beginning and what is the plot or purpose? How is the plot relevant to brand objectives or consumer needs? What type of conflict do you want to portray and how do you plan on overcoming it?

Organizing actors, happenings, expressions and outcomes also play a large part in the clarity of your production. Similar to a box office hit, short videos need to make sense. Also known as a “screenwriting,” this process forces you to organize your media presentation in story form so that it causes an emotional response or reaction by the audience. Once you solidify the storyline, you”ll want to expand on the action within.

The Visual Action.

A production’s visual action overview is one of the most overlooked aspects of script writing. Although most video projects incorporate a script, some wait to determine the video’s elements until the day of the shoot. There is no right or wrong way, but if you’re just starting off, then I’d recommend mapping out every scene beforehand. This is where you literally narrate movement, attitudes, actions, and dialogues.

You’ll want to describe interactions in detail to reassure your message is getting across. Furthermore, this is where you go into detail about, camera angles, lighting, scene moods, locations, and other varying factors. Meshing all of these variables together forms an effective script writing process. As you can tell, this is completely different from any other form of content – and far more complex. Instead of telling a story like a blog, you’re now showing your audience the story by using an effective script. Expanding on the visual shots beforehand will definitely give you an advantage.

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What Goes into the Script Writing Process?

  1. Attention Headline. First and foremost, you’re going to want to focus on the video’s opening statement. When writing your script, you must understand that the initial communication is what hooks your audience. A failure to execute during this portion of the writing process can create boredom or disinterest overall. In most cases, the best way to start off your script is with the problem you’ve set out to solve. This is the most important element of production as you should want viewers to continue watching the video.
  2. Characterization. Second, you’re going to want to solidify actor’s lines and their corresponding actions. The sooner you’re able to solidify this, the better. In this step, you’ll want to thoroughly define the look and feel of each character. Not only does this come in handy when executing casting calls, but it allows the characters to practice their lines and learn the purpose and personality of their respected role.
  3. Scene Messaging. Similar to any form of content, it’s important that you relay your concept, or the value your story brings. Don’t just piece the production together to reach 30 seconds or 1 minute – as every form of communication matters. This is especially true when developing a video with humor. You must consider that way the joke will be perceived. Take time to carefully craft out each line so that it resonates well and doesn’t offend anyone involved.
  4. Scene Transitions. Once you’ve outlined the dialogue, emotion, and viewpoint – it’s time to start identifying the way you’d like to transition each scene. Most movies, even short ads, have a number of transitions. Planning these out beforehand can save a lot of time and frustration. A simple misstep in this aspect can throw your entire story off. Poor transitions can create confusion or misinterpretation of what just happened.
  5. Solidified Viewpoints. Lastly, you’re going to want to highlight the details of every scene. Experienced production writers, like myself, generally have an improved understanding of this. In order to incorporate the mood of every scene, I like to map out the visual representation of every scene through illustrations or box drawings. This enhances the way everyone understands camera angles, lighting, emotional reactions, surroundings, props, and additional features. Detailing the scene with a written description is OK – but imagery tends to resonate better.

Finalizing Your Written Script.

After you’ve completed the general production script, take additional time to look over the dialogues to see if anything else can be expanded on. I even recommend going as far as referencing voiceovers, natural noises, the cuing of music, and video animation. The more cohesive you are with your script, the more efficient the entire process will be.

Once you finalize the script, it’s time to start sharing it with and explaining it to your team. Depending on the extent of your production capability, this can vary. Let’s pretend, you hired me to design the video project and it’s now my job to relay the next steps. First I’m going to want to review everything with stakeholders and those vested in the project. Once I’ve received a green light, I’m going to email copies to my technical team to begin equipment preparation. It’s always best to confirm capabilities before anyone else is involved. If you don’t possess a production team, this is where you begin to garner quotes from equipment contractors and establish your budget.

From here, we can begin to execute casting calls and educate the selected talent once they’ve been hired. Leading up to the shoot, it’s imperative to review all production aspects with everyone involved. I would even suggest choreographing a morning meeting the day of the shoot in order to reiterate goals and workflow. This ensures your script goes as planned, all questions are answered, and general mistakes are eliminated.

quality-production-script-writing-services-in-west-phoenix-that-focus-on-visual-appeal-and-a-genuine-purposefor-you-to-promote-as-online-media-or-as-a-television-advertisement-surprise-az

The Benefits of Script Writing for Video Production.

As aforementioned, your production script is essentially the blueprint of your video. Planning ahead reassures your ability to get your vision across in an effective manner. Aside from a thorough strategy, a professional script writer also makes sure the cast feels and acts out the script instead of just reading their lines. They have a keen ability to communicate with the cast and understand how certain viewpoints and angles improve audience perception.

Having solid leadership that ensures cohesion will eliminate excuses or error on production day. A strong process also allows directors to be more direct and critical throughout filming. The main benefit of a good script writer, is that they’re able to guide you through the process while paying attention to the fine details that can inevitably distract viewers from the video’s purpose.

Writing Out a Video Script is Bigger Than Producing Something “Cool”.

Here are some of the main advantages of hiring a creative director to write your production script.

  1. Strategic Writing. Hopefully this blog has helped you understand the amount of strategic detail that goes into video production. When media is speaking to a specific audience or relaying a certain brand, this is essential. Not only is a story needed, but it needs to tie into the brand or audience’s values. Most script writers have advertising and marketing experience, so this comes natural to them and they’re able to communicate in a number of ways effectively. Let’s remember that a script isn’t written to be read, it’s written to be performed.
  2. Less Time Filming. As most projects, improved planning creates a better process. This is even more true in the production realm. Preparing contingencies for weather help avoid setbacks while a thorough projection establishes cohesion. A script writer understands all of the things that can go wrong as well as every scenario that needs to be planned for. Quality production creates a seamless process with less stress and more action throughout filming day. This gives the business owner more time to focus on other aspects of the company that require their attention.
  3. Creative Outcome. Experienced copywriters tend to have a knack for telling good stories. After all, this is their profession. Hiring someone to write your script not only saves you time, but creates a peace of mind that everything is under control. An understanding of the process increases one’s ability to be more creative and produce something that’ll engage, or catch the eye of ideal consumers.
  4. Less Money Spent. When filming a video, you not only have to consider the time it takes, but the amount of money you pay everyone involved. Investing a little more on the front end to establish an outline projection sets the parameters of the project and ensures you don’t go over them.
  5. More Money Earned. This is border line common sense. A professional production script will allow you to develop and promote a higher quality video with a more substantial message. The better your storyline resonates, the more trust you generate towards your brand. Entertaining users creates a sense of intrigue that leads to store visits and potential loyalty.
  6. Production Satisfaction. Not only will a written script improve the video quality, but it creates a positive experience for everyone involved. A poorly planned video project can create a lot of stress or frustration quickly. Taking the time to ensure everyone is on the same page and everything is mapped out relays a sense of professionalism that’s appreciated. Not only will participants look forward to working with you again, but they’ll respect the amount of preparation you placed in the project so they could experience a peace of mind.

Concluding the Script Writing Process.

Content and copywriters have a passion for what they do. Not only do they understand how to position brands so their audience is reached, but they understand all of the work that goes into an effective presentation. If you’re on the fence with hiring a production script writer then consider the ramifications of avoiding one. Creating a video is an expensive project, but promoting low quality media can be brand damaging. Either way, good luck with your process and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Requesting Copywriting Services

Finding a professional to manage your copy can be a stressful and even frustrating experience. This is why I attempt to provide as much clarity as I can through my blog strategy. If you’re currently looking for help producing content that aligns with brand values and customer interests, let’s schedule a call to see if we’re a good fit.