5 Video Editing Tips

5 Video Editing Tips

Every story can’t be a masterpiece, but we can find shortcuts to keep an edit moving and make sure we deliver excellent videos on time, every time. This is narrative storytelling from an editor’s point of view.
  1. Be clear with your message. If you’ve got lots of great material to work with, decide on the best central theme and build your edit around that message. You may even already have an idea of what this would be from the client.
  2. Cut the fluff. The more clear and concise something can be said, the better. Not only does this engage your audience more by getting to the point, but your subject will appreciate how articulate you will make them sound! We’re going for quick, bite-sized, memorable sound bytes here.
  3. When in doubt, cut it out. If you, as an editor, are needing to go back back to re-listen to something over and over to make sense of it… it’s likely your audience will need clarification too. Edit out smaller details that get too “in the weeds” and stick to bigger points that keep things flowing, and move your narrative forward.
  4. Music is your secret weapon. Choose tracks that enhance and don’t distract from your narrative. This will require you to know your client and audience to choose songs that are on-brand and appropriate. I love using music as a subtle audible cue when starting or wrapping a new “chapter” of a video.
  5. Always keep the client in mind. The narrative you’re crafting could be your best work, but at the end of the day, if it isn’t communicating the needs of your client, it’s not going to lead to a follow-up project. Always try to find a balance between your creativity and your client’s wishes…collaboration should be the ultimate goal!

by Nate

Get Back to Business Fast

How to get your business back to business

As the “new now” of business sets in, many companies are in need of marketing, but don’t have the ability to shoot right now or are unable to pay a huge production cost. In this new era, marketing budgets are scrutinized more closely than ever before. Content marketing can span your budget to provide more effective results than traditional marketing techniques. Although content marketing isn’t free, it is a more affordable way to generate positive outcomes. 

In these confusing times, consumers have more questions than ever and considering that many of them have to stay in their homes as well, they’re looking for guidance and information online. Content marketing allows brands to become storytellers and provide important information especially during times of crisis. Your customers and prospects seek out content that entertains, inspires, educates, and informs. Content marketing tactics will help you create an on-going relationship during, and even after, the coronavirus pandemic. Among the fear of attending and sponsoring live events, businesses are turning to content marketing delivered directly to consumers online to stay engaged.

Even brands hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic can find brand assets that lend themselves to compelling content marketing campaigns. A great example is DoubleTree, an American hotel chain famous for the chocolate chip cookies it serves guests at check-in. The recipe had been a corporate secret, with lovers of the cookies forced to try to replicate them using unofficial copycat recipes. But extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and with its regular guests stuck at home, DoubleTree decided to reveal its chocolate chip cookie recipe to the world. A video containing the recipe has been viewed nearly 250,000 times, fans have been posting the cookies they baked using the recipe on social media. The warm response has been a rewarding outcome for a hotel chain that has seen the environment for its business turn cold, as it allows DoubleTree to  maintain a connection to consumers at a time when they’re not thinking about hotels.

GoPro, is another example of brand success through content marketing. The action video camera company has had massive business success with a tiny marketing budget because of user-generated content. GoPro doubled its income between 2010 and 2011 to $24.6 million with a marketing budget of only $50,000.

Join the millions of other companies using content marketing to generate positive outcomes for their brand. It’s time to take action to shift your business goals to the “new now” and conserve your budget through content marketing. This is NOT an option and will result in greater ROI. 

For years our team has been overcoming unique market conditions, and using content marketing to move the needle. Whether it’s custom videos, updated photos, or our  proprietary “New Normal” video campaign, let us know how we can help you get your business back to business.

Content Titan serves as a content production and strategy company with offices in Little Rock, Arkansas and Nashville, TN. We cover the mid south and travel nation wide. We are a video production company and photography studio working to make your life easier.

by Nate

Home Video Tips

Tips to improve your in-home videos

We have all seen the rapid rise in video over the last few weeks. From Zoom calls in the living room to corporate messages recorded on your cell phone, we are all increasing the use of user generated video.

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If you find yourself using more video to communicate right now, from vlogs, to social media, to internal communications, this video is for you.

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As a producer and director, I want to offer a few simple tips to ensure you are making the best use of your in-home video capabilities.

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Tip #1 – Preparation
Prepare at the very least, an outline of what you want to say before you sit down in front of the camera. Don’t feel the need to script every word, but we have all seen the videos that turn into a rambling mess because most of the
time, people don’t have a clear direction of where to go. So jot down some notes, and stick to them. Once you have the notes on paper, I highly recommend running through them a couple of times, out loud. It won’t take long, but it will add incredible value to your delivery when you hit record. If you are using the camera on your computer, keep your outline on the screen for easy reference. If not, make a few que cards or take advantage of the big screen TV hanging on the living room wall to add your notes to.

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Tip #2- Setup
Once you know the general message, it’s time to set up for the video. Chances are, you have been recoding at the kitchen table, on the couch, or if you’re lucky, in your home office. Any of those options can work, but here are the key things to consider:
  • Find a quiet space. If you are recording without professional audio equipment, you want the surrounding area to be as quiet as possible. Bad audio is often more distracting than bad video.
  • Find a background that is not distracting. Solid is better than too busy. Book cases are nice, outside on the back porch, just keep it clean.
  • Whatever camera you are using to shoot with (phone, tablet, computer), make sure it is eye level and landscape (or horizontal), unless you are intending it to be used for Facebook or Instagram Stories.
  • Check your headroom and framing. You don’t want to be too low in the frame, but you also don’t want to cut off the top of your head. The framing of this video is a good representation of what works well.
  • Lighting is vitally important. Since you are likely not using professional equipment, the camera is going to automatically adjust for the brightest part of the shot. That should be your face. So find a window, or sit near a lamp. Try not to let overhead lights be the main source of lighting, and don’t have a window directly behind you unless the blinds are closed. Ring lights from amazon are a great inexpensive investment if you plan to do this often. Tripods work great too, but if you don’t have one to hold your phone, use a stack of books to get the camera high enough and have something to lean it against.
  • Audio on your phone works best from roughly 3 feet away. Any more than that, it will start to sound like you are in another room. Just think about it, these devices are designed to hold no more than an arms length away. Or, order an inexpensive lav mic that can plug in to your device. Make sure you turn off the TV, try not to be in an echo chamber, and wait to record until the kids are outside or taking a nap.

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Tip #3 – Delivery
We all know this is a DIY production, so don’t try to fool anyone into thinking it has to be perfect. Looking at notes if fine, just try not to read and make as much eye contact with the camera as possible. Because this is a unique time, it’s ok to be casual and conversational. When this is all over, we can go back to being stiff and formal, but for now, relax and just be yourself. People love you no matter what.
Every time you see a new bullet point or finish a sentence, remind yourself to smile. You might feel awkward, but your audience will appreciate it. I promise, it’s more awkward if you never smile, even if it’s a difficult message, it shows sincerity.
Imperfections make it more perfect. If you absolutely screw it up, then go ahead and start over. But don’t feel the need to get it perfect.

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Tip # 4- Appearance
Again, we all know you’re at home, but try not to look like it. Your audience typically knows you as a professional in your field. A suit and tie or formal blouse isn’t necessary, but pay attention to what you are wearing. Be yourself, but represent your organization the right way.
Try not to represent your favorite sports team or brand unless that’s what you want to discuss in the video.
Simple always wins. Minimize patterns, busy prints and please no ball caps. It’s really hard to see those big beautiful eyes under that hat. And the eyes are what we pay attention to the most. A little hairspray and powder can work wonders, but likely not necessary, unless you haven’t showered in a week.

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Tip # 5 – Hitting record
Once you take care of everything above, hit record.. a few times. It’s ok to not be a one-take-wonder. Besides, who will know other than you?
On the first couple of takes, keep pushing through your mistakes. Don’t stop after one little thing or you will never get through it. Chances are, you will end up rambling a bit early on, but with each take, you will realize what you can trim back on. Most people have no problem sitting through something up to 2:00, so if you have a lot to cover, try to break it down into shorter videos.

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This might sound like a lot, but take it step by step and you will greatly improve your in-home videos.

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If you have any trouble or have specific questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my team and we can hop on a quick video chat to get you set up for success. Once this is all over, we will be ready to come take care of all of this
for you, live and in person.

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Be safe, and happy shooting!

by Nate

A Better Future for Content Marketing

How Companies like Planet Fitness Build Customer Loyalty through Content Marketing

Smart brands are recognizing the value of content marketing in the short AND long term. Though your audience might not be looking to buy now, they are looking for information or even entertainment – and you can provide that in a way that complements your brand. Then, when your audience is looking to buy down the road, it will already see your company as a trusted resource.

Treat content marketing as a bridge in the short and long term to stay connected with your audience. 

According to the Content Marketing Institute – 84% of the most successful content marketing programs build customer loyalty with their content marketing.

Planet Fitness is a great example. With stay-at-home orders dominating the country, all Planet Fitness facilities are being forced to close. But that shouldn’t stop people from exercising – or connecting with Planet Fitness. That’s why the company launched United We Move: Home Work-Ins, a daily Facebook livestream class taught from the homes of its instructors. This not only promotes the brand and potentially engages more customers, but it also shows their ‘good will’ in the sense that they are willing to provide a service free-of-charge that can benefit their customers.

Right now is the time to be maximizing your efforts to stay in front of your audience. If you need help figuring out your next step, call us for a free consultation to determine the most effective content you can be putting out.

If you feel stuck and need a jump start to move in the right direction, reach out for a free consultation or to set up a plan to get your content marketing efforts in high gear. Clear messaging and consistent content are what will help your brand thrive as we move forward in the new normal.

by Content Titan

Content Marketing Doesn't Demand Big Investments

How Companies like GoPro Increase Revenue with Content Marketing

We are entering the new now, an era in which marketing budgets will be scrutinized more closely than ever before. Content marketing can span your budget to provide more effective results than traditional marketing techniques. Although content marketing isn’t free, it is a more affordable way to generate positive outcomes. 

Content marketing efforts can incorporate user-generated content, publish guest articles at no cost on reputable third-party sites, and grow the brand’s community through strictly digital means. This is a smart strategy at any time, but especially now.

One essential lesson can be learned here:  Elevate content marketing’s role in your company’s overall marketing and advertising mix.

Don’t hesitate if content marketing is right for you. All types of companies are using content marketing and having substantial success. Over half of all businesses with less than 1,000 employees have a small or one-person content marketing team, while 12% of companies with over 1,000 employees do.

GoPro, is an example of brand success through content marketing. the action video camera company has had massive business success with a tiny marketing budget because of user-generated content. GoPro doubled its income between 2010 and 2011 to $24.6 million with a marketing budget of only $50,000. In 2013, it made $28 million more in net income by only adding $41,000 to the marketing budget.

It’s time to take action to shift your business goals to the “new now” and conserve your budget through content marketing. 

If you would like to talk through your company’s content marketing strategy, call, email or text us for a free consultation. Don’t be late to the game. Now is the time to get started on your new approach, and Content Titan is here to help.

For more info. visit, https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/

by Content Titan