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How Long Should My Video Be On My Website?

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Length of Video

Did you know that 50% more people will complete a 1 minute video than a 2 minute video? That’s significant considering most businesses want to post longer videos. We tend to recommend that if you want to post a video, that it be under 1 minute…and if you have more to say, let’s find a way to break it into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This allows the viewer to continue to click through the important portions of your videos (education) while also identifying what is important to potential customers…or what is not said efficiently somewhere else on the website.

So, I Shouldn’t Post A Long Video?

Not necessarily. It really depends on the type of video.

  1. Commercials. Many companies need to education potential customers about what they do or the benefits of the product. This can usually be done within 30 seconds.
  2. How To. Some companies need to educate current customers about how to use a product, such as how to assemble it or how to use it safely. In these cases, the length of the video is less important; however, it is important that the video get to the point quickly or the viewer will think the video will be a waste of their time.
  3. Testimonials. Testimonial videos can be up to 2 minutes. People like to watch other people give testimonials before they buy to help them determine if they are making a good choice. By providing sufficient time for multiple testimonials, the potential customer can watch as many or as few testimonials as needed to help them make a decision.

We hope this helps you make an educated decision on how long your video should be. Whether we produce it for you or someone else, make sure the length of the video is correct for it’s use. Contact us if you have any questions.

 

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Video Testimonials – Do You Know the Secret? Video Improves Website Presence

While word of mouth is an excellent way to build your business, did you know that capturing a testimonial on video of your clients so that potential clients who research your company is highly effective? Ponder this: a client is searching via Google for your services. They want to know some more information about what your company offers. They don’t necessarily want to hire you, but they find you because you have a video on your website. Your website has the keywords required to capture Google’s attention and your video convinces them to buy.

Your video is only 2 minutes and it is filled with your clients bragging about how they have benefited from your product or service. They learn about how you took the time to learn what they needed and provided exactly the right service and as expected.

This type of video is known as the testimonial video and it accomplishes two things: (1) bonus points for the video (Google owns YouTube, therefore the algorithm pays special attention to your site with the embedded video); and (2) it shows the potential customer/client that you know what you are doing. It illustrates, from a satisfied customer, how you do business and that they are so satisfied they feel comfortable explaining to the world how you’ve helped them. Powerful! Here’s an example:

The best way to approach a client about doing a testimonial video is by letting them know that you are shooting a video for your website. Many people would love to brag about someone they know can and will do the job. Select those clients that have referred you business from others as the priority individuals. Also, consider the mix of messages that they each can provide. For example, if one can provide insight into two facets of your business and another client can offer two different facets, that might just be the right mix.

As always, you can use us to help you create the plan, organize the shoot day, and complete the project on time. Let us know how we can help!

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6 Questions To Ask a Production Company BEFORE Hiring Them

What Should You Ask a Video Production Company?

There are several questions you should ask a production company before proceeding and these are important because not all corporate video production companies are created equally. Sounds cliché, but when you hire someone to create a professional video, you expect high-quality output…and you should get it. Here are some questions to ask before deciding on whom to hire:Questions, ask a production company, video

  1. Can you show me a sample (or 4)?  If you’re shooting a corporate video, whether for a website or for television, you’ll want to see samples of their work. In fact, you should ask to see a portfolio of their work so you can get a feeling for their style and skill level.
  2. Would you describe the personality of our business? Because your company has a personality and culture, you’ll want to find a production company that fits into that culture and personality. In fact, they should be able to identify and describe the culture and personality of your company during your first meeting. If they can’t, they are not paying attention to the details, and will not when you hire them.
  3. What ideas can you provide for this video? When meeting with them, they should be able to give you a couple of creative thoughts of what they visualize in the video they want to shoot for you. Additionally, if you have some ideas of what you want the video to look and feel like, that can be both a help and a hindrance. This can be a dream or a nightmare for the producer. Regardless of whether the vision is right or not, a good producer should provide some insightful feedback about why the vision will work, will not work, and how to improve it.
  4. Do you stay in budget? And, what happens if it goes over budget? If you are focused on the budget prior to calling the meeting, you may be considering the wrong factor. Budget should be a factor, but not the deciding factor. Because a poorly planned and executed shoot creates a subpar video; therefore, a little bit extra can make a big difference. Weigh and balance the budget accordingly.
  5. Can you deliver on quality that matches my expectations? Remember the creative is always subjective, but the quality of the video should be in line with your expectations. Quality also means having the proper sound equipment, the proper lighting, the proper framing, and an attention to detail (such as the background) can all make an impact on the final product. Look at the samples to determine if they have what it takes.
  6. What happens if you miss the deadline? A good producer can describe the timeline associated with the shoot. If he or she cannot map this out for you, your follow up question should be, ‘how many deadlines do you miss?’ A good producer can miss a few, but a great producer rarely misses. When you ask this question, look for their reaction. You’ll know if they can hit a deadline by their answer.

These six questions are a good start to helping you decide on the proper corporate or web video production company. By asking these questions, you’ll begin to get a feel for the quality of their work and their ability to perform.

 

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