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When Is It Time To Add Video to Your Marketing Plan?

image of video camera with words

Websites used to be just a way for people to find you. And it still is. But it has become even more than that. For example, when done correctly, your website should be interactive, solution driven, and easy to navigate. The website world is changing quickly. Websites used to be pretty static, unchanging, and a place for people to get basic contact information. Not anymore!

Today, people are researching companies, people, and groups via Google, Bing, or other search resources. It’s time to manage your online identity. One way to manage your identity is provide good information about what you do and how you do it. This can be accomplished through video. But, when is it time to add video? Here are some perfect times to add video to your repertoire:

When You Are Rebuilding or Re-Launching Your Website

Video is a critical part of new websites. If you make the video the showpiece of your site, you’ll find people spend more time on your site, improving your stats and, possibly, your SEO metrics. In less than 2 minutes, you can describe what you do, how you do it, and why a potential customer should contact you.

New Product or Service Offering

If you’re providing a new product or service, this is usually a good time to add video to your site. A video will allow you to describe the new product or service quickly and even provide a demonstration. Highly powerful. Always effective. Additionally, if you have a product that must be assembled and are having some difficulty getting your customers to assemble the product correctly, a video might be just the solution.

Re-Branding

If you’re in a position of re-branding your business, think about how you might add video to your site to describe why the re-branding has happened, what is the benefit of the new brand, or, if applicable, why the re-brand won’t affect your current level of service. Just make sure the video launch coincides with the entire branding strategy so that you can lengthen the shelf-life of the video.

An Event

If you have a tradeshow, a fundraising event, or you’re unveiling a new product, people love a video presentation. A video always does better than a PowerPoint presentation or speech. No matter the size of your business, a video supporting an event is highly productive.

The best way to stand out and apart from your competition is a video. When you invest in a high-quality video, your business stands out. Let us know if we can help!

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Predictions About Video in 2014

crystal ball for fortune telling

We at Plum Productions may not have a crystal ball, but we can see the trends that are both affecting our business and driving our business. Here are a couple of trends that we think you’d like to know about in 2014.

  1. Mobile. Video on mobile devices has grown extremely fast in the last couple of years, but we think it will grow exponentially in 2014. We believe the larger number of smart phones in the marketplace and the addition of a much faster 4G infrastructure has increased the ability for video to be an option. Cisco predicts that mobile video will increase 25-fold between 2011 and 2016, making video the largest consumer of data traffic.
  2. Short Videos. Although we’re not a proponent of short videos, the trend is on the rise. We believe this to be a great tool to tease a product or service, but not as a promotional piece by itself.
  3. Elections. We believe nothing tells a story better than a video. During the 2014 midterm elections for the U.S. Senate, House, and the state and local government roles, we believe we’ll see video endorsements from groups and families promoting one candidate or another. While not different from other years, this year we believe there will be more of them. Layer on the comment system built into YouTube and we should see a full fledged political war online.
  4. Testimonials. We see testimonial videos as continuing to rise and continuing to be successful for business. Nothing tells a story better about how good a business is than hearing directly from their customer. The trend is to shift from paid actors/actresses to customer testimonials.

We think 2014 should be a great year for video. Whether it’s corporate video, web video, or both, we can help you make the right choices about what do and how to do it correctly. Give us a call to help!

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When Video Speaks for Itself

Let’s face it: It’s not often that we get to create a piece on a subject matter so visually amazing that we can let the video speak for itself.  Here’s the story of Robert Wick, a bronze sculptor who draws inspiration from his surroundings in the remote desert of Arizona. This video features classic editing: virtually no graphics, no fancy tricks, just the sights and sounds of Robert at work.  Imaging being there, in the desert viewing his artwork. The attention to detail and the intricate work he does to put his masterpiece to the test of time. This included an interview and some voice over to capture the story of why he works with bronze and how he finds it’s flexibility easier to work with.

If you’re an artist and want to highlight your work, what better way than via a video that tells your story. What makes an artist good enough to warrant a video? Several things. For starters, having work on display for the public provides viewers a sense of awe. When you visit this location, you’ll find you’re in nature.

Sit back and take a break from your busy workday with this one!

OR Click here: Robert Wick, Plum Productions

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New Ideas for Generating Revenue with Video

At Plum Productions, we always pride ourselves on being able to show our clients how videos can help them gain visibility and enhance their marketing strategy.  However, once in a while, one of our clients will surprise us with a new concept.  Recently, a particularly inventive entreprenuer had an idea to help generate revenue, but he needed our help. This man’s business is a consulting firm, and he his clientele is spread across the country. He “meets” with them over the phone, but wanted to also offer an added service.  That’s where Plum Productions came in. We’re shooting ten minute educational and motivational videos that he distributes to his clients every week.  So, while he still gives them personalized weekly consultations, they’re also getting the added value of the educational videos and corresponding exercises.   It’s as if he’s spending more time with every client every week, but without actually having to work longer hours. We love this idea!  How can you use video to give your existing clients added value without stretching your own schedule?  Food for thought. The Plum Productions Team  

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Welcome to Our New Website!

You may have noticed our website has undergone a big makeover!  Our new new site does more than just show you samples of our work:  we want you to be inspired and excited to add video to your marketing plan. Let us point out a few new site features that are specifically designed for you:

First, visit our Solutions page, specially designed to help you identify the type of project that will meet your needs, and shows your examples to get your creative juices flowing.

Next, click on “Why Video” under the Solutions tab.  Learn how video can help potential customers find you, and help you convert them into clients.

Last, but not least, keep checking back to this Blog for more creative ideas, updated information and recent Plum Projects. Do you like the new site?  We’d love to hear from you.

Cheers,
The Plum Productions Team