The Truth About Corporate Videos and Kickstarter Campaigns

Ever wondered what it really takes to get Kickstarter campaigns to fly? If you guessed a strong video message, you just might be right.

Crowdfunding is never an easy task for anyone. Whether you’re a large brand or a new product company, it can be difficult conjuring up the funds for a specific cause. Crowdfunding, at its core, is asking for donations on the internet from people you both know and don’t know. You have a goal with a time-sensitive deadline. If it’s not met, it can be taken down. And sometimes it can be tough getting the word out in the first place. Cue Kickstarter campaigns.

Photo credit: tobias feltus via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Kickstarter campaigns are designed to raise funds for various reasons. Sometimes, they are used for (PSAs) public service announcements by larger companies, creative projects, business ventures, or good causes by the community at large. Now, when it really comes to driving home a message, Kickstarter videos play a significant role in grabbing people’s attention. There is a significantly higher chance of receiving funding when a campaign introduces video. They function as most corporate videos do: they let people know who you are, they explain or explore the idea (or story behind it), and they give back to the audience a chance to feel they are contributors to the future of your brand, cause, or initiative. They want to connect to something before the commit to it. They want to feel as though their hard-earned money is being well spent. Believe it or not, people actually do want to invest themselves into something – whether it is time, money, or supporting something positive.

When it comes to creating conceptual ideas for Kickstarter video campaigns, really think critically about who you are. How passionate are you about this project or initiative, and what is the best way to convey this passion to the masses?

Your Kickstarter should also be transparent; clue people in on what you’re doing, why you’re doing it (or why it’s necessary), and the exact steps you intend on taking in order to achieve that very tangible goal. Back up your content with facts and statistics. Use still images if you have to. Create a compelling script for on camera or voiceover that will prompt people to take action.

Speaking of action, don’t forget to make a call-to-action. This is essential to your video and needs to be done as soon as possible. While not preachy, you must create a sense of urgency that will lead others to want to help you within a tight timeframe.

Here at Key West Video, we work with all types of clients to create strong, effective, successful, and compelling Kickstarter videos. For more information about the services we provide, visit our website today.

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How You Can Improve Your Video Marketing Campaign

When was the last time you invested into a proper video marketing campaign? Did you know what was ahead of you?

So you’ve made an attention-grabbing corporate video campaign that speaks directly to your audience.

You’ve done all the research, brought on the best possible team, and have shot your best footage.

You did all the work you thought was necessary for a great campaign, but for some reason, it doesn’t go as expected. So you reassessed.

And after you swept through all that could have gone wrong, the problem was there, staring back directly at you in the face.

You were missing five key components that could have made the world of difference had you recognized them the first time around.

They were:

Script

People often underestimate the importance of having a strong, air-tight script. In the corporate video world, not only do most corporate videos require an adequate amount of information, but they also require poignancy, brevity, and an enticing way to keep an audience engaged.

Graphics

Of equal importance are graphics. You’re most likely a corporate company striving to expand and maintain a professional image. It only makes sense that you want your  video marketing campaign to reflect as such. With that being said, graphics play an instrumental role in adding overall professionalism to your video content.

Footage

No matter how dry you may think your content is, any good corporate video production company (like us) should be able to pinpoint and identify the strongest, most compelling shots to go along with your video’s message.

Call to Action

Arguably the most forgotten-about segment of a video marketing campaign is the call to action. And by forgotten, we mean there is a significantly less amount of emphasis placed on a call to action when video marketers are trying to persuade their audiences to purchase their service or product.

Here at Key West Video, we specialize in customizing our video marketing strategies to suit our clients’ needs. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!

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The Best Types of Cameras For The #Rio2016 Olympics

With the Olympics upon us, it might be difficult picking out a camera for major sporting events. For those wondering about the best types of cameras to use for when athletes are in motion, look no further.

For major sporting events, it’s important to have the right camera. Otherwise, you run the risk of capturing blurry images or footage. Here we’ve compiled a short list of some of our favourite cameras that we’d use at the Olympics:

Canon EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR

With a 20.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor and ability to deliver imagery at 16 frames per second when in live view (and 14 fps in viewfinder), the Canon EOS-1D gives great footage for live sporting events. Though not necessarily the fastest shutter speed, the 1D gets the job done.

Nikon D5 DSLR

The Nikon 5 DSLR is also another excellent choice for moving imagery. For fast-paced sports programs or moving animals, the Nikon’s 14 fps maximum continuous frame rate comes with a fixed focus and mirror lock-up. For full auto-exposure and precise focus lovers, the Nikon is also known for its ability to drop to 12 fps.

Nikon D500 DSLR

Equipped with a compact DX-format hardbody, the Nikon D500 is a slightly cheaper alternative to the D5, with much of the same 153-point Multi-CAM 20K phase-detect autofocusing. Shooting at 10 fps, the continuous shooting rate is up to 200 frames in a single burst. One other thing worth noting is it features 4K UHD video recording at 30 frames per second, and has multiple sharing options built-in such as SnapBridge Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, and Near Field Communication (NFC).

Canon 7D Mark II DSLR

A Key West Video favourite, the 7D features a fast-action capture that relies heavily upon the 65-point all cross type phase-detection AF system, making it an excellent choice for sports like the Olympics. Operating at full HD 1080p video recording, it is supported at up to 60 frames per second and uses Dual Pixel CMOS AF for fast focusing for video and live view.

 

Here at Key West Video, we strive to give our clients the best camera quality money can buy. For more on our portfolio or services, visit us at our website today!

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Why YouTube And Vimeo’s Emmy Awards Are Important

History was made at this year’s Emmy Awards when it decided to recognize and include digital content among its awards.

The Emmy Awards have a long tradition of awarding great television. For over 60 years, they’ve made it their duty to hunt down the best in premium content.

This year, the Emmy’s expanded its categories to include the short-form series, spanning over multiple digital streaming platforms.

The following categories (as seen on Mashable.com) are listed below:

• Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama
• Outstanding Short-Form Series – Variety
• Outstanding Short-Form Series – Reality/Non-Fiction
• Outstanding Actor in a Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama
• Outstanding Actress in a Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama

Among those will most likely include wins from digital streaming platforms such as YouTube Red, Vimeo, Crackle, AOL and much more. YouTube and Crackle quickly snatched up three nominations this week – a monumental feat in light of this new precedent.

Among YouTube’s nominations was HerStory and Honest Trailers feat. Deadpool.

Crackle, a division of Sony Pictures Television, also got a nod from the Emmy’s for its work on Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012).

And now that these platforms are gaining mainstream recognition, what does this say about the awards show?

Well, it gives emerging, existing networks and distribution platforms the opportunity to have a seat at the table. This year’s Emmy changes mark the shift that mainstream television is experiencing. More and more people are viewing their content digitally, and it would only make sense that this means better online content curated based on public interest. In a world where newer and better content always pushes creative limits, it would almost be a lost opportunity NOT to recognize these platforms’ content.

It also means that these platforms have now been ordained into the mainstream world. The question then becomes: will their content change? Now these online communities are taking home esteemed statuettes. But will the academy have a say in the type of content created?

Judging by the consistency in previously Emmy-nominated shows (such as House of Cards, for example), it’s easy to say no. If anything, this will probably boost viewership and have viewers flocking to these forums for their now-officiated premium content.

Here at Key West Video, we consider ourselves superior content viewers. We appreciate great video and aim to emulate high-quality content for our clients. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!

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Twitter and Facebook Fight for TV Spots

In a quest for more visual representation, Facebook and Twitter have set their eyes on the big screen – television.

Facebook Live, Facebook’s newest feature, is set to deliver live stream video for its users – on TV. According to the New York Post, both Facebook and Twitter have begun approaching television execs and programmers to implement this live stream service.

Facebook Live, operating similarly to YouTube, stream and share live video on one’s feed.

Though much is still being discussed behind closed doors, it’s clear that there are a lot of possibilities for Facebook Live. One may be that Facebook, like YouTube, is working on a system to monetize its content. Another is that it’s possible Facebook may even provide a bundle of programming to its users.

The motivation? Well, some might argue that both Facebook and Twitter bring a more youthful, user-friendly demographic to TV. This is an obvious incentive for television programmers. Since the rise of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Shomi and Amazon, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to reach younger, targeted demographics.

When it comes to the ad world, this could be especially good news. We all know how much time and effort is spent on social media online – if there is a larger platform, this could be a “holy grail” for television programmers and advertisers alike to reach desired audiences.

But is the incentive high enough for those behind TV? Neither Facebook or Twitter heavily rely on monetization, making it difficult to determine whether TV execs would want to take that risk. Nevertheless, Zuckerberg has publicly made it known that Facebook is focused on creating its own content for monetized consumption.

Another interesting thing to note is that Facebook is also not interested in the rights for existing or new television programs. That means creating, generating and sharing entirely new and organic content, specific to its brand.

Likewise with Twitter (which used Meerkat to broadcast its live content to Twitter followers and now Periscope to stream live events), it is also interested in widening its scope to the new forum.

At Key West Video, we view ourselves as avid consumers of all things media – both online and onscreen. For more information on some of the services we provide, visit our website.

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