One of the best ways to monetize video content is through influencer videos.

If you are an expert in your field and share your knowledge with the world – chances are your video content will go viral.

But wisdom alone will not monetize video content. 

For you to build a sizeable audience and consistently achieve thousands to millions of views on your videos, you will need to develop a style for your videos and, more importantly, a style of your own.

These tips are also applicable for a corporate video. If you are interviewing a CEO of an organization, the video needs to make them look presentable, respectable and authoritative. 

Why Worry about Clothes on Camera?

Wearing the wrong thing on camera may take credibility away from your spokesperson, thus diluting your brand credibility. 

Even if you are a Zen master with no cares of how the world perceives you, it’s best for your video to keep a few tips in mind. 

So What Should You Wear on Camera? 

• Colors:

Adding color adds contrast to the picture and actually helps draw attention to your face and your content! 

Both men and women may wear warm colors like purple, light blue, cobalt and similar. 

• Solids > Patterns:

Simple solid colors work better on screen than patterns. Certain patterns get caught in a game of tag with the camera lens and cause loss of focus. This takes away attention from your message and puts it squarely on the clothes. Avoid stripes at all costs. 

Pro Tip: Avoid white, black or bright red altogether. All of these are solid, yes, but they present problems during production and in the editing process. 

• Avoid Wearing Noisy Jewelry:

For women, wearing simple jewelry that doesn’t move too much is a good option. Think a simple bracelet or necklace. Avoid dangling earrings because, again, that distracts from the message. 

That’s it. The rules of being on camera are pretty simple. Now go and monetize videos and accrue those millions of YouTube views for yourself and your brand. 

The marketing and accounting departments of your organization have always been at odds. 

Your marketing team will always come from the angle of “can you truly place a dollar amount on unbridled creativity?” And your accounting team will have a profoundly guttural ‘heck yes!’ response to the question.

So, when it comes to producing marketing videos, does budget matter? 

Of course it does. 

Setting a Marketing Video Budget

The truth is, marketers need to define the goal for every video produced. Doing so is actually in a marketing person’s favor. By clearly outlining the amount you want to spend and aligning it with a business result, your accounting team is more likely to green light future marketing videos and branding spends. 

Setting a budget clears the air. It gives you a sense of what you want to accomplish with the video and also allows you to decide what kind of video you want to produce.

If you prove great results from one marketing video, chances are you will get more budget allotted for your next project. 

Why a Great Video Production Company will Save You Money

Because a major chunk of your video production budget will be spent on hiring a video production company, you should really know the type of marketing video you want produced. 

When you search for a video production company in a place like New York City, you will come across hundreds of options. They will each vary in their specialties, but at the end of the day, you need to pay attention to the quality of their previous videos.

To make an effective marketing video, you need a team that understands your goals and will do so within your budget. 

Some production companies will be excellent at producing guerilla videos or independent film, but their sensibilities for corporate video production will be non-existent. 

A good video production company will also shoot enough material that will yield useful video content for multiple videos. 

Choosing a video production company that puts emphasis on planning, goals and has a state of the art post production facility will save you money and yield greater returns on your spends. 

GoPros are versatile, light and fun cameras. Using them the right way can add exciting footage to your video production.

Under the Sea

One of the most thrilling aspects of GoPro cameras is that they can be used underwater. Whether you’re shooting a film that explores the local lake the coral reef or a backyard swimming pool, a GoPro is the way to go. A pro tip for shooting video underwater with a GoPro is to use the red or orange-colored filters to give a richer visual to your aquatic masterpiece.

POV Shots Galore

On a video production with multiple cameras, a GoPro acts as the POV hidden camera. Due to its lightweight and durable structure, it can be mounted anywhere. You can place it to grab POV shots of activities on set or attach it to a moving object, even a fast-moving car, to capture thrilling footage. 

Helmet or Face Mount

You can put GoPro cameras on a helmet – any helmet. So if you want to grab POV footage of skydiving, bicycling, motorcycles or deep cave diving, you can easily get beautiful shots that will wow the audience. 

But in case you don’t have a mount and you decide to film something on the spot, you can get a steady video shot by placing the GoPro on your face. 

Bicyclists and skiers have found that placing the GoPro on the chest is also an option and provides unique shots.

What Lighting to Use When Filming with a GoPro Camera

Video production is all about visuals. And lighting a set, no matter which camera, is of utmost importance. The GoPro tends to do well when you have ample lighting or natural sunlight. But if you are working in a dark zone, turn the camera’s setting to 24 FPS for the best possible lighting.

Video production is always fun and the GoPro provides a lot of versatility making it an excellent camera to have on your next shoot.

Today, in addition to the celebrities on the big screen and on your favorite video streaming network, social media networks have captivated the world in a major way. 

Vine, Tik Tok, Instastories and Snaps command attention on a grand scale. Millions of views are now standard. 

So how can your corporate video compete in this era of shrinking attention spans? 

How to Grab Decision Makers’ Attention 

The truth is that even though videos are getting shorter, the most successful videos all have one thing in common: a good story.

More than 70% of corporate video viewers list an excellent narrative or brand story as being the single most important thing they look for in a good presentation.

When you’re combining data and trying to achieve a business goal in a corporate setting, a good story sets your presentation apart from the rest. 

What Kinds of Videos Drive Results for Corporate Clients?

Throughout the years, one thing has been abundantly clear: man-on-street videos and animation videos have a long-lasting impact on audiences.

Whether you’re trying to introduce a new concept or win new business, both animated videos and man-on-street interviews are always winners. 

Funny Videos 

If you take a look at the most popular videos online today, they are likely to have a touch of humor in them. Wacky videos are easy to consume because they engage the audience in a unique way. Using a funny video during a PowerPoint presentation presents a break from the norm – which is why most people consume videos to begin with. 

Stay True to your Message

Your corporate video can be both fun and effective. 

When you work with a seasoned video production company, they will be able to craft a video that serves your end goal while providing entertainment along the way. 

Man-on-street interviews or in-home sit-down interviews?

Choosing your demographic when creating a video is extremely important. A part of Snippies’ job is to conduct man-on-street interviews, but sometimes these sessions can take place inside of homes, with real-life families. 

Both in-home interviews and man-on-street videos provide much needed authenticity to facts and figures for your presentation.

But, you really need to hone in on two demographics when deciding which the right fit is for you.

Know Your Target Audience + Your Brand’s Target Audience

We often have business development managers, chief marketing officers and other C-level individuals approach us for videos that require a global or national presence. They want interviews conducted in multiple cities, for a certain demographic, on-street and in-homes both. 

But before we go ahead with the production, we always ask, “what is this video going to be used for?”

The video needs to cater to the audience – which may not always be the end consumer. 

Who is your Buying Audience?

The second question you need to ask yourself before hiring a video production company near you for on-street interviews is who your audience is. 

The more specific you are with your niche buying audience, the better quality video you will get. Also, this is the aspect that will determine whether you need an in-home or in-office interview vs. if you require a man-on-street video.

So, for example, if your presentation is to stakeholders of an FMCG product, you may want to reach deep into the impact your product or service is having on families in Asia, the Middle East or India. For this purpose, grabbing an in-home video interview would fare well. 

If you are working for a fast food restaurant that wants to roll out a new item on their menu, a good option would be to interview customers when they’re visiting their local outlets.

If you just want general opinions on a certain demographic which may easily be found in urban and suburban areas, you’re better off heading off to public spaces and grabbing man-on-street interviews.

So, before you call Snippies for your video production needs, be sure you know who your audience is going to be. 

Increase the Wow Factor of your Marketing Videos

If you’ve made a marketing video recently, you already know that it impacts your bottom line in a positive way. 

Based on a recent Facebook study, using marketing videos on social media increases sales by more than 60%. 

Using excellent quality video stock footage has the potential to substantially improve your video.

Stock video footage is created by production companies and sold to single websites where you may purchase it at lower rates. The high quality footage is often generic, but if used properly by your video production team it can improve the overall feel of your video.

Documentary or Historic Stock Video Footage

Recently, Lord of the Rings film director Peter Jackson released a film consisting primarily of stock footage. He took old original black and white World War I footage and made it look as though it was shot on modern cameras. The result was extremely poignant and well-received by historians, audiences and veterans alike. 

If you are based in San Francisco and need an aerial shot of the Brooklyn Bridge you could hire a production company in New York City, or use stock footage of landmarks available online.

Should I use Stock Footage in my Video?

This checklist below will guide you on when it’s valid to use generic B-roll footage.

• Use stock footage when you require generic footage.
• Use stock footage when you have an excellent editor or post-production team.
• Use stock footage as B-roll or supplemental footage to add sentimental, historic or grand visuals to your existing video.

How well received stock footage is depends on what footage you’re using and how talented your post-production team is. 

Using video stock footage can add a touch of authenticity or a cinematic feel but, in some cases, it can also make your video look cheap. Be smart about how you use stock video.

So you want to make a music video? Excellent idea! 

Every aspiring and established musician today knows the value of promoting their music on social media sites. 

YouTube gets nearly 2 billion viewers each month. That’s a lot of music lovers. Grabbing eyeballs through music videos is now one of the best ways to promote yourself as an artist.

Pre-Production, Production & Post-Production

Whether you hire a video production company near you to manage the music video or you shoot it on your own, you will need to be organized. 

Music Video Pre-Production Checklist:

• Write a basic outline of a script to create your narrative or story for the music video.
• If your music video production is more abstract, you can create a shot list to identify the type of visuals you will need. 
• Identify all locations that you will need to shoot at. 
• Prepare a schedule of the shoot and a list of video crew who will need to be present at each part of the production.
• Get legal permission to film on location, if required. 

Music Video Production Checklist:

• Take speakers with you for playback of the song when you film. This will help during editing.
• If the artist is singing, make sure that the lip syncing is aligned.  It won’t be possible to change this in post.
• Take multiple angle shots of the same content. 
• Grab plenty of B-roll or supplemental footage. This is one of the most important aspects of music video production. Today, music videos are often fast-paced and consist of a variety of attention-grabbing visuals that change rapidly. 

Music Video Editing and Post-Production Checklist:

• Align the master audio track of your music video with the track played on set during filming. This will help to align the visuals with the music.
• Build a visually rich music video that induces excitement. 

That’s it!  Once your music video is complete and uploaded, you’re on your way to becoming an international superstar.  Just don’t forget Snippies when you get there!

The person representing your brand on camera is your spokesperson, so choosing the right one is very important. 

While some of the most notable spokespeople in television history have been celebrities or recognizable faces – such as model and actor Fabio and basketball superstar and entrepreneur Michael Jordan – they have also included animals like an animated talking gecko and even galloping, majestic Clydesdale horses. When it comes to making a corporate video or producing a marketing video, however, you may not be thinking of a long-term campaign.

A company spokesperson may often be the person who represents your organization to the press, to the stakeholders, or in any public forum. Steve Jobs is one of the most famous spokespeople who also happened to be the CEO of his company.

Based on these examples, you already have a pretty good idea of what a good spokesperson for a brand should be like, but let’s break it down further. 

How to Choose an On-Camera Company Spokesperson

These days, when video content gets posted on social media, and news spreads at light speed, it’s very important to choose carefully. 

• Good On-Camera Presence – Your company spokesperson needs to do more than look presentable on camera – they need to make a lasting impression on the viewer. 

• Charismatic – A charismatic person is convincing and makes you want to emulate them. If you notice yourself mimicking something a person does on screen, you can be assured that you have a charismatic spokesperson. 

• Embody the Product – A brand is an idea – your idea. A good spokesperson for your organization needs to ooze your brand values simply by being themselves. 

• Authentic + Genuine – Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish famously promoted Groupon on talk shows while she was promoting her films. So it didn’t take Groupon long to hire her to be their spokesperson. She wasn’t just a promoter; she was a happy customer too. 

So, before making your next corporate video, go through the characteristics above and pick the perfect spokesperson.

A Pre-Production Checklist 

Shaky shot? We’ll fix it in post.

Color not looking right? We’ll fix it in post.

The fifteen jet fighter planes that buzzed past while you were recording an interview? We’ll fix it post. 

The thing is, you probably won’t be able to fix it in post. 

There is a lot of magic that the editor adds to great videos, but it’s always better to be prepared ahead of time. 

The Importance of Pre-Production

Pre-production is the planning aspect of your marketing video. If you are monetizing your videos today then you need to pay attention.

Pre-production usually includes a list of all the things you need to film and capture before you get to your shooting location. 

Pre-Production Checklist

A great video production company will have a thorough pre-production checklist. It will include some or all of these aspects.

• Audience – Who are you targeting with your video?
• Goal – Where will this video be used? Is it a marketing video? A social media video? A revenue-generating video? 
• Video Crew – Who will absolutely need to be a part of the video production crew on the day of the shoot? 
• Shoot Day Schedule – A breakdown of the day of video shooting.
• Video Shots – A video shot list of all the shots absolutely necessary to get on the day of the shoot.
• Script – A detailed script of all that needs to happen. Scripts don’t just exist for films. A good script guides the video crew on how to shoot the video to achieve the goal.
• Locations – A list of filming locations and notes on obtaining permissions if required.
• Interview Subjects – A list of the type of people who need to be interviewed if you are recording a man-on-street interview.
• B-Roll Footage – A list of all the supplemental footage required on the day of the shoot
• Post–Production Crew – What kind of editing, special effects, voiceover artists, and music will be required to finish the video.

Drone video footage is epic. 

There’s a good reason why more and more weddings have a familiar buzz hovering over you while you’re going for thirds on the hors d’oeuvres. 

Drone videos have changed the video production industry in a major way – you can now acquire extraordinary aerial video footage without requiring a helicopter.  

But when you are about to use drones for your video production needs, there are a couple of do’s and don’ts that will go a long way in ensuring a good quality video.

Do’s of Drone Video Production

• Practice flying drones in an empty field before venturing out into urban landscapes or events. 
• Check local laws concerning drone and aerial video operation. Several national parks and historic landmarks prohibit their usage completely. It’s better to rely on dollies than wind up in jail for illegal use of a drone.
• Check wind direction and speed while filming. 
• Check battery life and carry extra batteries with you. 
• Be aware of birds, flying objects like balloons, or anything out of the ordinary. 
• Be mindful of the height at which you’re flying the drone. Too low and you’ll crash into lowly gravity-based objects. Too high and you might lose control or simply lose tracking.
• Hold video positions for longer than you think are needed. 
• Hire a trained video production company like Snippies to fulfill all your drone video fantasies. 
• Keep your drone away from animals – even if you get hired by a zoo or chimpanzee sanctuary to make a documentary – do it any other way but a drone. 

Drone video footage is amazing, but there are also hundreds of hilarious and tragic drone takedown videos on YouTube that will make you question their usage altogether. 

Stick to the basic Do’s and Don’ts and you’ll go far in this Game of Drones!