A Quick Look At Facebook’s Difficult Relationship with Video Advertising

Gone are the days when advertising could be determined by a number of buys from a newspaper, magazine or even TV set.

Now in the 21st century, advertising has become that much more difficult to measure.

Add in modern technologies (for video in film and television), and you’re left with a cluster of extra, uncurated data and an immeasurable amount of potential eyes viewing your ad.

For social media (Facebook in particular), this poses a specific problem – especially when it comes to video ads.

Photo credit: clasesdeperiodismo via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

With such a wide scale, narrowing down who is watching what and for how long can be extremely difficult when it comes to Facebook video advertisements. What constitutes an actual view on Facebook is difficult to determine. Facebook admitted that it miscalculated average video viewing times (by inflating performance numbers) when it failed to factor in those who watch videos for less than 3 seconds. Mashable pointed out that “an average that doesn’t account for the total number of viewers, whether they’re engaged or not, is probably not much of an average” and that Facebook had set 3 seconds or less as the benchmark for audience engagement.

Clearly, this wasn’t the case.

With the rise of social media, engagement is equated with success. Often pitted against each other are YouTube and Facebook, which, when you really break it down, have entirely different ways of measuring audience engagement. For example, YouTube is able to know when a video plays, how long it plays for, and whether or not it is stopped. Though it doesn’t know (and probably never will) whether or not you are physically tuned in behind your screen, it is able to offer some helpful metrics to better determine viewership and engagement.

Another thing worth noting is that YouTube opens up a separate page for videos, whereas Facebook’s videos are embedded on the main page. This makes it difficult to really determine who is watching what and why. It’s especially difficult considering Facebook’s recent video feature that rolls viewer onto other related videos without their consent. Autoplay then becomes a weak indicator of actual audience engagement, further affecting tangible Facebook video ad results.

As a corporate company struggling to find a home for your video, it might be best to consider what sort of impact you want to have on your viewers.  Are you in it for the tangible, easier-to-understand results YouTube brings? Or do you want your video(s) to autoplay onto your viewers’ feeds? Do you care about your content being grouped with a potential competitor?

If the latter, consider the ways in which Facebook can better improve its video advertising strategy. For more information on how Facebook can improve, visit here.

Here at Key West Video, we strive to create the best in corporate video production. For more information on the services we provide, visit our website today!

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The post A Quick Look At Facebook’s Difficult Relationship with Video Advertising appeared first on Corporate Video Blog.

Corporate Video and the Future of Online Marketing

A lot of people in the marketing industry spend endless hours pouring over online articles on video marketing. In a world that is constantly outdoing itself, it’s getting harder and harder to compete with changing trends and online buzz.

We’ve reached the point where the internet has become our primary source for information, entertainment (or as some would affectionately call “infotainment”), and connection with others.

The level of online users has rapidly increased over the past few years. According to tech company, Cisco, Global IP (Internet Protocol) traffic has increased more than fivefold in the past 5 years, and will increase nearly threefold over the next 5 years. This means an annual growth rate of 23% from the years 2014 to 2019.

We’ve mentioned before how important it is to turn consumers into brand evangelists (don’t know what that is? See our previous post). Companies create content curated for mass consumption in hopes that their videos will go viral. Ultimately, an engaged viewer is a sharing viewer, and our internet culture has made it all the more easier to accomplish this.

If you peruse viral videos, you will find certain common threads. Most online videos are easy to digest, tug on our emotional strings in some way, or are provocatively advertised to pique our interest on an otherwise mundane topic.

Research has shown that humans react better to visual stimuli. Images, graphics, and, of course, video play a huge role in drawing our attention and evoking emotion. According to the American Psychological Association, our brains are hardwired to read facial expressions that convey emotion.

That’s probably why the internet has blown up massively since the early 90s. We’ve been introduced to, bombarded with, and socialized to accept online content as our way of life. It has even become so normalized that we now unconsciously retain unsolicited advertisements from paying companies (but that’s a topic for another day)

That’s where we come in.

Here at Key West Video, we specialize in helping companies tap into their huge digital market. By offering exceptional video content, we work directly with our clients to ensure that their brand is reaching its highest potential. Contact us for a quote today!

 

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Website: New Content & Features

Our New Website is Finally Here! Check Out Some of The Great New Content & Things We Have to Offer

Websites are a representation of your brand. They allow potential customers to get a feel for who you are, and what you have to offer. Here at Key West Video we understand the importance of online marketing, so wanted to update our site to showcase all of our great offerings, and the recent work we had produced.

In April of this year we officially launched the website, just in time for Google’s new update. We not only re-branded much of the website, but also added in a lot more interesting content which will aid our viewers in deciding what style of video is right for them.

In this post I want to outline some of the key elements of our new website which will be helpful to both prospective and current clients. First we will go over some of the new items that deserve a mention, and then we will delve into the variety of services we offer.

WHAT’S NEW

Main Page – Check it Out!

The first thing you will notice on our new site is our demo reel. It has been updated to incorporate some of the work we have produced in the past year, including some of our award winning work.

About Page – Check it Out!

This is the first time we have had an employee bio page. We think it’s important for our potential clients to put a face to a name. Learn a bit about each of us and see who makes up the dynamic Key West Video team.

How to Make a Corporate Video Page – Check it Out!

Here is where we break down the different elements that go into making a corporate video. If it’s your first time getting a video produced this page will be very helpful in understanding the different stages involved in video production.

Corporate Video Portfolio Page – Check it Out!

Get a sense of all the different styles of work we produce on this page. From testimonials, to training videos, promotional spots and event videos, there’s something for everyone.

Specialty Packages – Check it Out!

Something brand new on our website is our specialty packages offering. Need a video that doesn’t fit in any of the normal boxes? Submit a form and find out what we have to offer.

SERVICES

Here are a list of services that you will find on our website. But don’t worry, just because it isn’t listed on our website doesn’t mean we don’t provide that service!

Video Production Crew – Check it Out!

Our professional crew arrives ready to roll! The Key West Video production crew has extensive experience to make you look and sound your best.

Training Videos – Check it Out!

Corporate training videos should inform, inspire, and motivate. Professionally executed training videos can set your company on the right path to success!

Event Videos – Check it Out!

Capture the highlights of your corporate event with an exciting video! We’ll make sure your corporate event video is one to be remembered!

Product & Service Videos – Check it Out!

Key West Video will capture the features and effectiveness of your product to help translate your viewing audience into customers.

Company Promotional Videos – Check it Out!

Promote your business with a company profile video that tells your corporate story and showcases what makes you the best in your field.

Commercials & Videos for Broadcast – Check it Out!

Commercial video production for broadcast can cost a small fortune. Key West Video will produce a highly polished video without breaking the bank.

Testimonials & Interviews – Check it Out!

Harness the power of interview videos to promote on your website and social media. Utilize that personal connection testimonials convey to draw in new clients.

Green Screen – Check it Out!

Don’t have a great location to shoot your video? Our green screen studio can provide a more dynamic backdrop, providing ultimate control and visually stunning graphics and animation.

Aerial Videography – Check it Out!

Create intrigue with eye-catching aerial drone videography. Showcase your facilities, signage, and locations with the creative flair of a different point of view.

Actor Services – Check it Out!

From actor self tape auditions, demo reel editing, acting classes, workshops, and private coaching, Key West Video offers professional actor services that make you the star!

Non-Local Video Production – Check it Out!

Need a video partner in Toronto or abroad? The Key West Video production crew works across Canada, the USA, and the rest of the world!

Industry Specific Videos – Check it Out!

Creating a video for a specific industry? No problem. We produce videos for all markets; from real estate to manufacturing – we’ve got you covered.

Contact us via email – info@keywestvideo.com

By Phone – 416-675-0751

Or go to our website and fill out one of our forms to get in touch and learn more today!

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Kickstarter Do"s & Don"ts

We’ve had the pleasure to work on a Kickstarter campaign in recent months, and wanted to share the top Do’s and Don’ts we have discovered for creating an attention grabbing video

Kickstarter is an awesome way to make a great idea come to fruition. There have been numerous products which have gone from small start up companies to having millions of dollars in backing money donated from individuals across the globe. However, Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler reported that 56 percent of the site’s projects fail to meet their funding goals. Why is this we wondered?

When taking on the challenge of producing a Kickstarter video for one of our amazing clients, we looked into what others had to say about what to do, and what to avoid when putting together a great Kickstarter video, and overall campaign.

DO:

Have Confidence

In an article on fastcolabs.com Jennifer Elias quotes a source which emphasizes the need to be confident about what you are saying in your video. Even the minute wording differences can have an impact on how viewers perceive you and your product.

“Mitra says confidence is key. Researchers found that even the slightest hint of desperation is backer repellent. Don’t use these three words: “even a dollar.” Researchers found that phrases “even a dollar short” and “even a dollar can” resulted in a failed project. They team said it reads as “groveling” for money, which is a big turnoff.”

Look Professional

Todd Anderson on 99U.com explains why a professional looking video is so important for your Kickstarter campaign.

“If you look at the videos that do well on Kickstarter, almost all are professional, or near-professional, quality. This is no time to give a speech to your webcam. Designer Frank Chimero, stresses the importance creating a “stand-alone” video, that’s fun to watch outside of its connection to the project. Whatever your approach, don’t overlook the importance of showing yourself as someone others can relate to and support.”

Keep it Personal

The whole point of Kickstarter is individuals deciding to invest in a person. Not a flashy brand, or a world renowned company. Just you, and your great idea. So give them what they want. Be genuine, be personable, and show them the face behind the genius that is the next big product to hit shelves. Kickstarter itself lets us know on their blog,

“And don’t be afraid to put your face in front of the camera and let people see who they’re giving money to. We’ve watched thousands of these things, and you’d be surprised what a difference this makes.”

DON’T

Forget About the Basics

You don’t want to spend all your time creating a fancy looking video and forget that you need to tell your viewers about what really matters. The video should be a way to highlight and showcase you and your product, not just your production skills or budget. On Kickstarters own blog they too reinforce this point by listing off the basic things you can’t forget to mention in your video:

No matter how bare-bones or creative you want to get, don’t forget to:

• Introduce yourself


• Tell your story


• Ask for people’s support and explain why you need it


• Tell people what they’ll get for their money (i.e., your rewards)


• Say thank you!

Good luck! And don’t forget to contact Keywest Video if you are interested in learning how we can help bring your Kickstarter video to the next level.

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Kickstarter Do"s & Don"ts

Online Video Stats That Will Impress

Video is important. But just how important and influential? Take a look at the list of online video stats below to gauge the impact online video is having on our world, and subsequently, on the advertising industry.

When #consumers latch onto something #advertisers take notice. The power and persuasion of #OnlineVideo is insurmountable and nonnegotiable. There is no other medium out there that has as great of an impact on viewers. Therefore, Reel SEO compiled this impressive list of the top 15 online video stats that #brands should know.

With global ad spending set to double in 2014 (ViralBlog), big business will continue to spend their money on the best methods to get their message out to the public. And although most companies utilize online video in some capacity, brands need to continue to find better and more efficient ways to harness this great tool. Check out these online video stats below to find out why.

15 Online Video Stats To Take Notice Of:

89 million people in the United States are going to watch 1.2 billion online videos today. (ComScore)

Online video users are expected to double to 1.5 billion in 2016. (Cisco)

Only about 24 percent of national brands are using online video to market to consumers. (Kantar Media)

Online video now accounts for 50 percent of all mobile traffic and up to 69 percent of traffic on certain networks. (Bytemobile Mobile Analytics Report)

Consumers give up on an online video if it doesn’t load in two seconds. (University of Massachusetts Amherst and Akamai Technologies)

Users sharing video on retail and brand sites chose Facebook 46 percent of the time, with email accounting for 40 percent and Twitter capturing 14 percent of shares. (Invodo)

Globally, online video traffic will be 55 percent of all consumer Internet traffic in 2016. (Cisco)

52 percent of consumers say that watching product videos makes them more confident in online purchase decisions. (Invodo)

Mobile and tablet shoppers are three times as likely to view a video as laptop or desktop users. (NPD)

Mobile video ads that include social media buttons drive 36 percent higher engagement. (Rhythm NewMedia).

Online video production will account for more than one-third of all online advertising spending within the next five years. (Borrell Associates)

76 percent of marketers plan to add video to their sites, making it a higher priority than Facebook, Twitter and blog integration. (Social Media Examiner)

92 percent of mobile video viewers share videos with others. (Invodo)

More than 1 billion unique users visit YouTube each month, spending more than 4 billion hours watching videos (YouTube).

2 billion video views per week are monetized on YouTube, and every auto-shared tweet results in six new YouTube browsing sessions (ReelSEO).

These online video stats are quite impressive! What do you think?

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Online Video Stats That Will Impress

YouTube Stats: It"s Presence & Impact

Before YouTube life was just an emotionless rut, right? Well maybe not quite so dramatic. But it has dramatically altered our existence and has shaped the way numerous industries do business. Read these mind numbing YouTube Stats to put things into perspective!

http://www.viralblog.com/viral-social-videos/youtube-300-million-hours-watch-time-a-day-is-under-par/

This infographic above gives a nice illustration of the way the world has been shaped by the #internet over the past several decades. Today it seems we think of #YouTube much in the same way we think of running water… it has always been there. For younger generations this may be true, but for the large majority of earths inhabitants it has only been around for a fraction of their lives. Yet it feels so substantial and omnipotent. The YouTube Stats below will give you something to wrap your head around, and show just how present it really is in our lives.

YouTube stats directly from their website:

• More than 1 billion unique users visit YouTube each month


• Over 6 billion hours of video are watched each month on YouTube—that’s almost an hour for every person on Earth


• 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute


• 80% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US


• YouTube is localized in 61 countries and across 61 languages


• According to Nielsen, YouTube reaches more US adults ages 18-34 than any cable network


• Millions of subscriptions happen each day. The number of people subscribing daily is up more than 3x since last year, and the number of daily subscriptions is up more than 4x since last year

The following was found at Jeffbullas.com:

• More video is uploaded to YouTube in one month than the 3 major US networks created in 60 years


• 70% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US


• In 2011, YouTube already had more than 1 trillion views


• And in 2011 there were almost 140 views for every person on Earth

That’s a lot to wrap your head around! It’s no wonder why we feel like nothing existed before YouTube. It engulfs many of our lives because video is a powerful medium. It has the ability to teach us, shock us, and make us laugh.

What do you think you would do without YouTube (or a similar site)? Would your life go on without it or would you feel a void? Let us know your thoughts!

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YouTube Stats: It"s Presence & Impact

#LikeAGirl : Viral Video of the Week

With over 20 million views in one week, Always #LikeAGirl campaign is challenging what the ‘like a girl’ phrase means, and how young girls see themselves.

A powerful video, an intriguing concept, and an embarrassing realization for many. Feminine care brand Always is changing the way we use the phrase #LikeAGirl. The video showcases several young women, from pre-teens to young adults, in studio, in front of a panel of producers, and being asked to act out various actions – run, fight and throw – #LikeAGirl.

Inevitably, and unfortunately as you see from the video, the young adults play out the actions with over-exaggerated movements, pouty faces, and a lot of arm flailing. While the pre-teens perform just as they would out on the field, in the gym, or playing with their friends. They run across the set, and don’t ever second guess the assumption that performing an action #LikeAGirl has any meaning beyond doing it exactly as you normally would.

The video is quite inspiring, and as Skeleton Productions puts it in their posts about the Always #LikeAGirl campaign, in their Videos Worth Sharing list, “It’s an inspiring piece that really asks the question – when did ‘like a girl’ become a bad thing?”

Skeleton Productions also references the fact that this video and subsequent #LikeAGirl campaign is based on “a recent study that found more than half of the girls surveyed claimed to experience a drop in confidence at puberty.” So the message is clear. There seems to be this underlying message in society, even today in the 21st century, that girls are fundamentally different than boys. And while our genders do have their uniqueness, so do humans in general. Being of a certain gender does not define us. Nor does it dictate what we can or cannot do, or even how we do certain things.

This video and overall campaign is meant to empower young women. And get them thinking about the ways we might limit ourselves based on these views in society, that after we take a second to think about they do seem quite silly. Always #LikeAGirl video is a great piece of branded marketing, but above that it is a great video with a solid concept and a clear message. Their competitors better watch out!

If you haven’t already seen it take a look at the video below.

And here is just a bit about how the campaign is kicking off:

Using #LikeAGirl as an insult is a hard knock against any adolescent girl. And since the rest of puberty’s really no picnic either, it’s easy to see what a huge impact it can have on a girl’s self-confidence.

We’re kicking off an epic battle to make sure that girls everywhere keep their confidence throughout puberty and beyond, and making a start by showing them that doing it #LikeAGirl is an awesome thing.

Tweet all the amazing things that you do #LikeAGirl to us @Always!

 

 

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#LikeAGirl : Viral Video of the Week

Video Editing Apps: Top 5

Social media services like YouTube, Instagram, & Twitter have made quick, mobile video editing and sharing commonplace. Now people can share their vacation videos as its happening, or post videos directly from live sporting events or concerts.

As with photos, the raw videos that come from your cell phone often leave something to be desired when it comes to video editing & stylistic modifications.

Below we have assembled our top 5 favourite video editing mobile apps.

5. Videoshop – Video Editor

Videoshop provides one of the simplest functions that you can’t easily perform on your phone. If you want to combine multiple clips for an Instagram or twitter post, this app will let you do that with an extremely streamlined interface. You can also add titles and modify the aspect ratio.

4. Videohance

For those who want to take mobile video editing a step farther, Videohance allows you to add motion to still photos, and save them as videos. This can add that extra bit of interest to your photo post, or allow you to make a dynamic slideshow.

3. Square Video for Instagram

Anyone who posts videos on instagram knows that you are forced to crop your video to instagram’s 1:1 square aspect ratio. Square Video For Instagram allows your to save your widescreen videos into a square frame, allowing the whole image to be presented in your Instagram post.

2. MoviePro: Video Recorder & Editor

MoviePro: Video Recorder & Editor is a useful “all in one” solution for those who want to use a single app from start to finish for mobile video production. You can record videos through this app, and edit multiple clips together. When you are finished you can save edited files, optimized for your favourite social media provider.

1. FiLMic Pro

We saved the best for last with FiLMic Pro. This app turns your cellphone into a professional video camera that (under the right circumstances) can visually compete with several high end camera systems. It essentially unlocks all the camera functions like white balance and focus, which are normally automatic, and makes them manual. This allows you to have complete control over the camera, and take full advantage of its functionality.

 

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Video Editing Apps: Top 5

Product Videos: Why They Work

Have an amazing and unique product but no video? Here is the scoop on why product videos should be an integral part of your marketing campaign.

Studies have shown that online users who watch product videos are generally 85% more likely to purchase something than visitors who do not. (Internet Retailer, April 2010)

The proof is in the numbers. Numerous research groups have shown that video does have a large impact when it comes to the sale of #products and services, and especially when coupled with an online retail site. Customers today need to be wowed. There are so many different products on the market, and with fierce competition comes the need for companies to stand out from the pack. Oh, and you better do it quickly because our attention spans are forever shrinking. Here is why product videos can be so lucrative.

#Videos are a simple, quick and effective way to showcase your products. In a 30 second to two minute spot you can highlight its features, talk about its benefits, and find an interesting way to target your key #consumer. And if you are able to do that in a great package with a little pizzazz, you can truly impress and turn online visitors into purchasers.

Companies large and small have known about the power of video for decades, but within the past few years, and with all the studies being done, it seems that no organization wants to get left in the dark. The success of many of these video campaigns is evident.  Zappos, the online fashion site for example, reported a jump in sales of their products between 6% to 30% with the use of video. (ReelSEO, December 2009.)

Beyond the Traditional Benefits

The benefits of product videos go beyond the traditional as well. We all know that product videos can attract attention, increase awareness of a product, and even turn eyeballs into sales. Adam Hayes from Wyzowl Blog tells us, product videos are also useful in reducing customer queries.

“Product videos give customers a great amount of information at the earliest opportunity, giving you the chance to proactively answer many questions that may otherwise have ended up in your support team’s inbox.”

There are numerous other benefits as well. Andrew Follett, Founder and CEO of Video Brewery says,

“Explainer videos keep track of what product or service potential customers are interested in by displaying the number of views on each video”

This is an important asset when deciding on which products should stay, which should go, what ones would be good to promote, put on sale, sell to a specific market etc. Video stats are an amazing analytics tool, which can help you track the excitement for your products.

Over the years Keywest Video has been privileged to aid numerous companies in the production of their product videos. A recent client we have worked with, Ryan Design (click on the link to check out the video), contacted us to create an informative and promotional video for their latest innovative product “Touch Film”. The goal of this video was to not only promote the product, but also showcase its functionality and usability in the appropriate setting. The final video was not only an excellent illustration of the product’s capabilities and functionality, but also its ease-of-use and sleek design.

Contact us today if you’re interested in getting a quote for your product video!

 

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Product Videos: Why They Work

Google Analytics: Innovative Marketing

Google Analytics has recently created a humorous marketing campaign to raise awareness about the online shopping experience.

The series of videos illustrates what a consumer’s everyday shopping experience in real life would look like if it were handled in the same way that we shop online. #GoogleAnalytics created the innovative campaign in order to illustrate to businesses exactly where they were losing/deterring their very own customers within the online shopping experience. The campaign is designed to help businesses realize that their website and digital marketing may not be up to par, thereby costing them greatly in the long run.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics came up with an innovative and especially humorous way to demonstrate exactly how missteps on the digital shelf would play out in real-life scenarios. The campaign not only clearly illustrates the errors being made, it also entertains the viewers by depicting highly relatable scenarios that almost all of us have been a part of. Take a look at the three videos below.

Optimizing your website’s landing page is key since you always want to make sure that your ad text leads to a matching page. Google Analytics suggests that many consumers are being led astray by other pages or products when searching for what they want. Ultimately, they’ll end up not finding what it is they came for and leave your site completely. In this video, Nick is distracted by other (unrelated) products on his quest for olives, only to find out that the olives weren’t even where he thought they’d be in the first place.

Shopping online is meant to be easy. Find out where your customers are being led astray.

Optimizing your website’s search functionality can be especially helpful when customers are looking for a specific product or service. Google Analytics suggests that it is important to categorize your products accordingly so that consumers are able to find what they are looking for quickly, easily, and in a logical manner. In this video, Oli is forced to jump through hoops in his search for semi-skimmed milk only to find out that he should have been searching for “milk, semi-skimmed” to avoid all of the hassle.

Shopping online is meant to be easy. Discover what your customers are looking for.

When optimizing a website where purchases are made, it is important to find out when it is your customers are “checking out” – not in the literal sense, but more in terms of where are your customers getting fed up and leaving your site. Google Analytics helps you understand your website flow process and identifies ways in which to better optimize your customer’s buying process.

Shopping online is meant to be easy. Find out where your customers are checking out.

Tell Keywest what you thought of the Google Analytics in Real Life campaign.

Key West Video Inc. — Corporate Video Production Toronto

Google Analytics: Innovative Marketing

Old Spice Commercial: Behind the Scenes

Ever Wonder, How Do They Do That? Let’s Take a Look Behind The Scenes Footage From an Old Spice Commercial to Find Out!

Old Spice rocked back into the modern age, with their now infamous “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” commercials in 2010. The ad agency Wieden+Kennedy were the masterminds behind this devilishly clever advertisement. The ads targeted female purchasers, who were shown to be the decision makers when it came to buying hygiene products for their male counterparts.

The initial commercial was an instant success. As the title implies, the copy poked at the fact that anything is possible… just as long as your man smells like Old Spice. The concept was simple, clever, and reached into every woman’s fantasy. If you have been living under a rock and have yet to see it, check it out below.

Senior social media and marketing manager for Cisco Systems, Tim Washer once stated,

“Humor, when executed properly, helps cut through the noise and helps you stand out. If you can make someone laugh, there is an emotional connection with them. And anything you say beyond that is going to be more meaningful.”

There are many elements that made this commercial, and all the others made in a similar vein to come, as popular as they are. Arguably, in addition to the handsome actor who stars in all of the ad spots, the great direction provided by Tom Kuntz, and of course the concept itself which can make even the most cold-hearted grinch laugh, it is most importantly the way it was flawlessly executed, which make the advertisement such a masterpiece.

After the success of the original spot, and the subsequent ones to follow, the team who created these ads allowed us to go behind the scenes in one of their shoots. In another stroke of genius, they allowed viewers to really understand just how they were able to pull off their hilarious, and very technical commercial. In the video below you will be given a behind the scenes glimpse into the set, the crew, and the way that it was all pulled together.

http://www.wimp.com/behindscenes/

This was a great technique to allow viewers behind the scenes, to see how it was all created. It gives audiences a sense of importance and privilege in order to be allowed to view their secret formula for success. In addition, Old Spice went even further asking viewers to provide questions for the star of these commercials, in which he then responded with a series of youtube videos furthering the brands reach. Stan Schroeder from Mashable wrote,

“His answers were a key mix of coolness and the stuff Internet memes are made of. The actual brand — Old Spice — was never shoved down viewers’ throats. Most importantly, all of it was incredibly fun to watch.”

And that is the key to the success of these videos, and the brands overall marketing strategy.

Old Spice Commercial: Behind the Scenes

Promotion Techniques for Your Corporate Video

Top 10 Online Promotion Techniques For Your Corporate Video

Having video at your disposal is a great way to get your company noticed, and share the great work that you do. However, if few people are actually watching the video then its purpose is lost. We want to share with you some interesting, and some very straightforward, techniques on how to promote your corporate video online.

 

1. Optimize for SEO                                                                                                                       Once your video is created and your are about to put it out for the world to see, you need to focus on ensuring that it is easy for individuals to find. An important tool to aid in this process, is optimizing your video for search engine marketing purposes. Everything from the title of the video, to the little description underneath the video needs to be scrutinized. Use keywords which relate to your video’s content and audience. Adding a link to your website or blog at the top of the description is beneficial as it ushers the viewers to more relevant content of your company’s. Another important aspect in regards to SEO is closed captioning. It provided content for Google’s spiders to crawl in order to figure out search rankings, and can thus aid in providing you with more relevant searches of your video. Lastly, you should include several targeted tags for your video. Jenny Dean of Problogger explains,

“Tags are your keywords, and they are critically important to being found. Include any relevant tags. Then, check back in a month or two to see how that particular video is being found—and change out some of the tags that are insignificant.”

2. Promote it on your website

It may seem like common knowledge, but many business owners think a promotional video is only for social media purposes or to be put on a certain page on their website. Depending on the content of the video, it can be placed in numerous spots on your website in order to gain more viewers, as well as to promote the content within it. If it is a testimonial video for example, it can be under your ‘clients’ section of your website, as well as on your home page. Every view helps spread your message further, so why not use all of the resources at your disposal.

3. Email it to your clients

There is no harm or foul in actively pursuing audiences who may be interested in your video. Your clients, family & friends, and even potential clients you are in contact with are all viable and potentially interested parties. If your video is highlighting your company in general, a new product or service, or the great work that your team has been up to, it is always nice to share with those who have been along for the ride, and those that are interested in learning more. An email blast can provide lots of great views and potentially more work/new customers.

4. Share it everywhere

Just like with an email blast, there is no shame in finding innovative, or alternatively very common places, where you can gain a new audience for your video. In Gareth Davies ebook Videotastic, he outlines 17 ways to market your video online. In it he states,

“One of the great benefits of video is that it’s possible to share your creation with an audience that may never have heard of you before – by using video-sharing websites.”

This statement can’t be more true. That is why video is so powerful and can draw attention to your company in such a rapid and fantastic way. Because if the video is well produced, and the content is rich with information that people are looking for, then it can explode and a viral video may be formed. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but it’s always best to set yourself up so your video at least has the potential to reach that goal. Some examples of great places to share your video include; Youtube, Vimeo, Pintrest, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, DailyMotion, and really any other social or niche site that allows for the upload and sharing of video.

5. Contact Bloggers

Bloggers, especially those with a significant following, can be a great thought leader in which certain communities listen to, and take advice from. Getting in touch with a blogger from your company’s niche field, is a great way to get help promoting your product or service. Reach out to them, share your video with them, and explain why you believe their audience would find it interesting or informative.

6. Write your own blog post about it

Instead of waiting for someone else to promote your video through their blog, make sure you also write about it yourself. Think about what you believe your readers would find interesting. Maybe discuss the process you took to create the video, or discuss what happened behind the scenes. You can relate your video back to other blog posts you have written, and discuss why it was important for you to create the video in order to highlight a new aspect of your company or focus more on your marketing efforts.

7. Share with your affiliates

Another great way to get your video out to viewers who you don’t have direct contact to, is by encouraging your vendors or affiliates to utilize your video for their own means. As a video highlighting your product/service may be beneficial for others to showcase their own work as well. Gareth Davies again shares his wisdom by saying,

“If your promotional videos are good quality and easy to embed, there’s a good chance your affiliates will want to use them [on their website]. Videos can boost web conversions, which is good news for both you and your affiliates.”

 

8. Link to your video in your email signature

By linking to your video in your email signature you are able to simply and easily promote your video, without pressuring anyone to watch it, or shoving it down someone’s throat. It is also enticing as no one is telling your email contacts to watch the video, it is just there for viewing if they choose so. In market research it has been proven that if you give individuals the choice to watch a video instead of just starting the video for them, they will always pay more attention and watch longer when they make the active decision to watch the video themselves.

9. Write a press release about it 

In an article in Entrepreneur, Jason R. Rich expresses his tip for online video promotion.

“Use public relations techniques, such as using press releases to contact bloggers, editors, reporters and producers in order to generate free media coverage for your videos in mainstream media, as well as in blogs that cater to your target audience.”

This technique is good for a variety of purposes. Not only are press releases a great way to draw attention to your video, but they are very useful for SEO purposes as well. They help create links to your website, and provide an authority approved source for information about your company.

10. Create a campaign around it

One of the best ways to promote your video in the online sphere is to center your video around a larger campaign. This can mean coming up with a promotional contest, and base it around watching and/or interacting with your video. Or it can mean making the video part of a larger branding campaign, where online ads, social media efforts and the video all correlate to express the same message to your audience. Video is a great tool, but it is even more powerful when used in conjunction with larger efforts that attract viewership and entice your customers to engage with your brand.

I hope some of these promotion techniques for your corporate video are useful for you, and provide you with a starting off point in order to gain a wider base of viewers for your video. If you are interested in getting a corporate video produced, or need help promoting a preexisting video, contact Keywest Video today!

Promotion Techniques for Your Corporate Video

Vlogs: The Power of "Freshness"

What are Vlogs & Why are They Becoming the New Hot Corporate Video Tool

A video blog, or vlog, is a blog expressed through video. Vlogs are a great tool for any corporation, as they are inexpensive and allow companies to be able to provide consistent content to their clientele in a unique and engaging fashion.

Although their popularity has only recently started to excel in the corporate world, the first ever instance of a vlog was way back in the beginning 2000.  A gentleman by the name of Adam Kontras posted a video alongside his formal blog, to inform his friends and family of his move to LA. He continued creating similar posts, marking the longest-running video blog in history.

Vlogs give organizations the ability to put a face to their company. They allow audiences to feel closer to you and the content, and builds a deeper connection. Reading text on a page is one thing, but being able to put words, actions, and a face on the screen, really brings the content to life.

When creating your company’s video blog ensure you keep these things in mind:

1. Good Audio – without good audio you might as well just provide your audience with text, because at least they will be able to read it. Investing in a fairly inexpensive lavalier mic is a big must. Above all else, bad quality audio will distract viewers and make them want to tune out. Be cautious when choosing a space to film in. Things such as overhead fans and refrigerators generate a lot of background noise. Filming in a quite office space is ideal.


2. Lighting – lighting can be very expensive, but if you are planning on investing some money into this project, lighting would be the best place to start. It can really improve the professionalism and overall quality of your vlog. Even with just one key light, and one fill you will be able to get enough coverage. If you are completely dumbfounded in this area, then I suggest going to your local video production store and taking a few minutes to speak with professionals about the most cost effective option for your beginners lighting package.


3. Framing – Find a space that is professional but also explains a bit about your company. If you can have company branding in the background that is always a nice touch. Make sure to tidy up the space as your background is a direct reflection of you and your company.


4. Graphics – to boost the look and feel of your vlog, you can add any graphics or branding material that you have available. Things such as screen captures of your website, company logos, flyers etc. are all useful and can be simply embedded into your video to add an additional element of professionalism.


5. Distribution – the most important aspect of any vlog is getting it out into the right hands, so the right people have access to it. Posting on a site such as YouTube allows for certain usability features, and makes it very accessible. YouTube also gives you the option to then embed your video on external sites, such as your website or blog. The key to distribution is finding places where audiences who would be interested in your content are located and then actively seeking them out and distributing it in those locations.

I hope you found these tips useful. Don’t be scared to put yourself out there, as long as the content is strong and what your customers are interested in, then you will have an audience. You then just need to make sure the production value is at a quality level, so the overall presentation is where you expect it to be. Happy vlogging!

If you are interested in getting package prices to professionally record your next vlog contact Keywest Video!

Vlogs: The Power of "Freshness"

Branded Content: How to do it Right

How to Create Branded Content That Will Attract Eyeballs

Branded content is that which blurs the distinction between conventional advertising techniques, and the entertainment world. It is a way for advertisers to reach out to the public with content that they believe will provide a two-way benefit. Viewers enjoy the leisure/informational aspect of it, while advertisers are able to push their products and services.

With anything though, you need the right tools to be able to properly approach the situation. According to marketingcharts.com, sites with branded content outperform other websites in 41 out of 43 advertising metrics. With stats like those it is no wonder why more and more organizations are turning to this form of advertising in order to promote their brand. Now, onto the ‘how’.

1. 
   Understand Your Audience – branded content is a fairly new and exciting technique, and the idea of it is great if you can get the right eyes on your content. Although there are many upsides to this medium, such as viewers actively seeking out and/or watching it, that in turn is a downside as well. Unlike with broadcast, viewers are not forced to watch, or at least pushed in the right direction. It is much more difficult to find audiences and get them to actively engage with your content. The Key tool in finding audiences is first knowing who you want to target. Make sure to do your homework and figure out what your target market looks like. Once you know, look for the best places to ‘meet and mingle’ online with that sort of people. Maybe it is through blogs and forums, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, or whatever other place you can locate and connect with your niche audience. Target, Understand, Engage.


2. 
   Create Engaging Content – With the over-saturation of the internet, it is difficult to garner the attention required for a campaign to be relevant. Like with most great things though, great content is always at its core. It doesn’t matter how many bells and whistles you have, if you provide viewers with something interesting, exciting, heartwarming, or that which they have never seen before, you are more likely to hit a home run. Other useful angles for your content are the informational approach, where you provide the viewer with a ‘how to’ and then utilize your branded products at the core. Other prominent means of branding content is by finding content that is already engaging and has an audience, and then inserting your brand into the mix – like an updated form of product placement. Just be careful that you give full disclosure, as the online realm really dislikes ‘posers’.


3. 
   Get to the Point – Lets be honest. Audiences have short attention spans. Unless it is something that online fans are begging for, more often then not it is the audience who is pulling the strings with advertisers praying for success. In order to be successful, it has been proven time and again, in order to keep attention, give viewers what they want, and fast. Don’t make them wait until after a long and drawn out intro which doesn’t provide them with entertainment or any other sort of stimulation.


4. 
   Break into Modules – If you do have content which cannot be conveyed in the traditional 30 sec. – 2min viral video, then break it up into sections. You will be much more likely to attract initial views with a shorter video, and then once you have them hooked they are more likely to look for the second part themselves. If they don’t go onto the second part it is either because they simply aren’t interested, or you haven’t provided a clear enough ‘next step’. If you are posting your video on YouTube you can create custom annotations which direct audiences to the next video in the chain.


5. 
   Don’t Give it up All at Once – Once you have an audience which has discovered your content and is engaged, ensure that you don’t let them go. Providing them with regular and continual content is key. If you do have a series of videos which you have broken up into modules, release one a week. Like with traditional media, it gives viewers something to look forward to, and keeps the buzz going about your brand.

In the end, the ultimate goal is to create a strong consumer base. In order to do that, not only are the above techniques necessary, but continual and persistent promotion is needed as well. You have to actively seek out your target audience and give the content a chance to speak for itself. Ideally, once you have spread your branded content around to all of the right places, the social realm will either chew it up and spit it out, or devour it and ask for more. All the best!

 

Branded Content: How to do it Right

Online Video Trends: Expectations for 2014

 Popular Online Video Trends in 2014

Over the past year Keywest Video has written numerous blog posts, and created video blogs on the subject of online video trends and their importance, and of course produced many online videos for our clients. As countless marketing, technology, and video professionals have noted, “online video is considered to be the fastest growing consumer service offering” (ihub Media). This is a fact that many individuals have been aware of for quite some time, but in 2014 will be undeniable. Online video is something that is not only here to stay, but rapidly growing and expanding to include new elements, including new styles, technology and social components.

 

With the closing of 2013 fast approaching we thought it would be nice to look at how online video is shaping up in the coming year ahead, and expand on what we see as some of the important changes in this market.

Micro Videos

With the introduction of Vine’s 6 second video model, and Instagram’s recent video player addition, short video clips that can be quickly filmed, shared, and devoured are on the rise. Companies are even getting in on the action finding innovative ways to push their brand through these social video platforms. Methods such as ‘how to’ videos, product features, behind the scenes access, and user generated contests, have been featured, as an article on TechVibes points out.

Slo-Mo

Slow motion has been utilized for years in Hollywood actions movies. But now with the addition of a slow-mo feature on the newest iphone, we should be seeing a lot more use of this style in the coming year. Slow motion can be a great feature that adds an interesting element to video, whether it be a shot of a car crashing into a tree, to a beautiful bird flying through the air, the impact it creates is substantial and can be used for a variety of purposes.

Aerial footage

Aerial footage adds a whole other element to a video. It not only creates an air of professionalism, but it provides a viewpoint which we don’t often see in our everyday life. Big budget productions have for years been afforded the privilege to get these wonderful angles, and only in the past few years has it become more accessible. Remote controlled helicopters are allowing smaller productions from corporate to indie films, to be able to get aerial footage in a cost effective manner.

4K video

As with the slow-mo on iphones, and miniature drones, 4k video technology is something that is being put in the hands of casual film makers all around the world. With the introduction of 4K being able to be shot on GoPro’s, this superior quality and video resolution will be something that we will see more of in the coming year.

Mobile Video

Reel SEO states that, “between 2012 and 2013, the average time spent watching videos on smartphones doubled, and on tablets it tripled”. While some of us have been watching videos on our phones for years, in other areas, including older demographics and less tech-heavy parts of the world, smartphones are still being integrated. Therefore it is a growing market which is only going to become more important and integral to an overall branding strategy in 2014.

Interactive video

Interactivity within video is something that has been slowly gaining in popularity over the past decade. In Keywest’s blog Interactive Video: Corporate Video Rebirth we discussed how interactivity has been utilized in broadcast television, such as American Idol getting the audience to phone in and vote, to today YouTube users can embed links directly in their video content. There are so many more possibilities that have yet to be explored, such as more social elements: “like buttons which will allow viewers to pick the content they want” (ihub Media). Targeted content is what every marketer strives for, so being able to allow audiences more autonomy is a key aspect in the future of online video.

There are many other trends out there, but these are a few that we think will be important in the coming year. And while some trends are just that, trends, which will eventually fade away or at least be utilized less often, others are only in the beginning stages and have the potential to become a standard, and be integral for online video in 2014 and beyond.

Online Video Trends: Expectations for 2014

YouTube Optimization: Top 7 Techniques

7 Simple Ways to Optimize & Increase Your Businesses YouTube Presence  

With YouTube being the second largest search engine after Google, it is no wonder why a company’s YouTube channel is an integral part of their overall marketing strategy. As with anything online, the clutter and chaos can be overwhelming, so here are some tips and techniques on how to break through the crowd and get your channel noticed.

1.       Customize Your Channel

Ensure that the branding of your channel is done in a fashion where visitors will be certain whose channel they are viewing. It should be cohesive with your other branding strategies, not only in the look and feel, but throughout the content as well, be it the video itself, the video’s description, or even your comments on others videos. As every point of contact with your audience is another opportunity to convert them into customers.

2.       Engage with your audience

While some may think of YouTube as a place where businesses can simply upload and distribute their content, it is so much more than that. YouTube, just like other popular social platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, is also a place where you can actively engage with your audience. Through the comments section, your playlists, channel subscriptions and ‘favorited’ videos, you will be able to tell the story of who you are as a company, and in return understand who your customers, or potential customers are as well.

3.       Provide awesome video content

On the WebSEO Analytics Blog, Tina outlines her top 10 tips for optimizing YouTube videos. In there, her number one tip is to create original and interesting videos. Along with numerous other lists I checked out, content was always a priority. As it doesn’t matter how many tricks and techniques you can employ, if the content is not engaging there is no reason to attract people to it. You want each video you post to be a positive representation of your company and help your company’s overall marketing goals.

In order to do this your video content needs to be engaging for your audience. At Keywest we suggest that videos going on YouTube or other social media avenues are short and sweet. Another priority is trying to create content that your customers can’t find elsewhere. Whether it is a great tutorial on how to use your product, secrets of behind the scenes at your organization, or simply funny stories from your staff. Think out of the box, and whenever possible think big!

4.       Don’t forget a call to action

Once you have created your preliminary content there are several ways to optimize your video to further encourage viewer engagement. One of those techniques is provided right within YouTube and is called annotations. Annotations are a free and easy way to share additional resources and add an element of interactivity into your video. Annotations allow you to simply embed a link within your video which will then bring viewers to your website, a fundraising campaign, your YouTube channel or other videos you have posted. This is an excellent tool, as if you already have someone’s attention, you might as well steer them towards other content of yours that they may be interested in.

There are other avenues which will provide similar results. Creating a call to action or next steps can be done right within the video as well. In many of Keywest Video’s video blogs we incorporate a call to action within the video content itself, by getting the host to say things such as ‘tell us your thoughts in the comments section’, or ‘email us at info@keywestvideo.com for more information’. This way, the call to action cannot be ignored as it is just as much part of the video as the rest of the content.

5.       Make sure to cross-promote

Maybe you can write a blog post about a recent video you posted on YouTube. Or you can link to your other social media channels at the end of your YouTube video. There are many ways to integrate your company’s various marketing outlets within one another, so ensure that this is done. It will not only help promote your various content, but it will ensure that your brand is being consistent throughout their different promotional avenues.

Another important avenue, cited by the Search Engine Journal, is by embedding your YouTube videos on your website. Depending on content and relevancy, posting videos on your website can be a great asset for your company, and aid in a variety of ways from simply explaining your product or service, providing an overview of your company or employees, or highlighting event coverage. In return, this will be a great way to gain more views on your videos, which will in turn aid your YouTube profile. So it’s a win-win!

6.       Be SEO Friendly

When uploading your content to YouTube always ensure that you are taking the few extra steps in order to optimize your content for search engines such as Google. Ways to do this include; writing a title that utilizes relevant keywords related to your business, providing a clear and detailed description of the video, including keyword rich tags, making sure the appropriate category is selected, and adding closed captions for the hearing impaired. All of these techniques are beneficial as they make the video more searchable and therefore easier for your audience to discover. Brian Honigman writing for KISSmetrics, clearly lays out why these SEO techniques, or rather the technical term MetaData, are so important. He also provides some in-depth analysis of well-known companies’ channels and their hits and misses in this department.

 7.       Invest in your content

YouTube is a great place for cost-effective promotion, as getting an account set-up and your content online is virtually free, minus your time and investment in the video. However, there are ways to guide those who may be interested in your content directly to it, and that is through paid video advertisements. There are numerous categories you can select from in order to target your key market. Including things as specific as age, race, gender, economic status, and as useful as online habits and likes and dislikes. If you are wondering about how useful online video advertising is, check out Keywest’s recent video blog which discusses some important statistics about the growing marketplace.

As you can see from this list, there are a variety of reasons why YouTube optimization is important,  and now your are equip with some techniques to ensure that you are maximizing its true potential. If you follow these simple steps you are sure to make progress in getting your brand out there, and encourage your audience to engage further with your company. Check out Keywest’s YouTube channel and let us know what you think.

YouTube Optimization: Top 7 Techniques

Facebook Content Policies Under Scrutiny

Facebook bans, allows, and then re-bans graphic beheading video.

Facebook has been under scrutiny this past week regarding their policies on posting violent/graphic/gory videos. The social media giant has been struggling with their video policies following the uproar caused by the video of a masked man beheading a woman in Mexico.

Around May, the social network introduced a temporary ban on any clips that could potentially cause long-term psychological damage. Facebook later lifted the ban citing that “While this video is shocking, our approach is designed to preserve people’s rights to describe, depict and comment on the world in which we live.”  (Source)

Earlier this week, British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke out on Facebook’s content policies. He tweeted, “It’s irresponsible of Facebook to post beheading videos, especially without a warning. They must explain their actions to worried parents.” Facebook then changed their approach and the new policy states, “videos depicting violence must carry a warning and can only be shared with an adult audience, otherwise they will be removed by moderators.” (Source)

Despite all of the controversy surrounding the posting of graphic content, Facebook still maintains that graphic content is in fact acceptable in certain situations. They explained their policy changes:

“People turn to Facebook to share their experiences and to raise awareness about issues important to them.”

“Sometimes, those experiences and issues involve graphic content that is of public interest or concern, such as human rights abuses, acts of terrorism, and other violence.”

“When people share this type of graphic content, it is often to condemn it. If it is being shared for sadistic pleasure or to celebrate violence, Facebook removes it.”

Specifically discussing the beheading of the woman in Mexico, the company states, “Based on these enhanced standards, we have re-examined recent reports of graphic content and have concluded that this content improperly and irresponsibly glorifies violence. For this reason, we have removed it.” (Source)

How do you feel about Facebook’s content policies? Share your thoughts with Keywest!

Keywest Video – Corporate Video Blog – Facebook Content Policies Under Scrutiny

 

Facebook Content Policies Under Scrutiny

Online Ad by Motorola: Lazy Phone

Online Ad “Lazy Phone” – Touchless Control

The new online ad campaign by Motorola “Lazy Phone” – Touchless Control has received a staggering 15 million views over YouTube. Which is almost 15 times more views than what the latest HTC ad received.

Actor and stand up comedian T. J. Miller stars in several of the online ads for Motorola’s new Moto X phone campaign. The latest “Lazy Phone” ad –Touchless Control has gone viral. Check this video out to find out why.

It’s funny. Very amusing. But was it all just humor that garnered that many online views, or was it the fact that it starred someone famous, like T. J. Miller?

There was another ad released recently starring Robert Downey Jr., for the mobile company HTC.

After watching this ad,  I realized that it didn’t mention a mobile phone at all, let alone list any new and innovative features. During the whole video (which had many special effects to keep us entertained), they really only word played HTC, which at one time stood for “High Tech Computer Corporation”.  Thus, having someone famous star in your ad isn’t the only element required to garner millions of views and turn a video viral.

What made the Moto ad excel was the creativity in the script. They had written out a humorous main character, an anthropomorphized lazy smartphone played by T. J. Miller, and used this innovative character to illustrate the Moto X’s new features in comparison with many of the popular devices available. This video wasn’t just humorous, but informative as well.

Their message was clear, any smartphone out there compared to the Moto X is basically a lazy phone.

After watching this Moto ad, I can’t help but see many available smartphones as lazy phones.

After watching these two ads, which phone do you want?

Keywest Video Inc. -Corporate Video Blog – New Online Ad by Motorola: Lazy Phone

Online Ad by Motorola: Lazy Phone