Lights, Camera, Action! Put Your Best Face & Message Forward

by | Sep 10, 2024 | Media Productions Blog | 0 comments

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As of September 2024, 87% of customers have purchased a product or service after watching a video. Additionally, sales “prospecting” that includes a product demo or another type of video closes deals 26% faster than prospecting without. 

If you aren’t using video in your sales, marketing, or fundraising, you are wasting time and money.

With year-end events, sales, and fundraisers quickly approaching, NOW is the time to budget and develop your video production plan. 

What Makes a Great Video?

High-quality videos that convert to sales and donations can get expensive—especially if you don’t understand what makes a video great.

The three (3) elements of a great video are Story, Sound, and Movement.

Story:

  • Message: What are you trying to say?
  • Emotion: How do you want people to feel?
  • Call-To-Action (“CTA”): What action do you want people to take after watching your video/film?
  • Know your “Comps”: Research comparable media (genre, tone, mood, voice) for inspiration.

Sound:

  • Record your “A-roll”: Record the interviews and/or voiceover first to get the story.
  • “Quiet on the Set!” Record in a quiet location.
  • Don’t Drop the Mic: Use the best microphone you can afford.

Movement:

  • Record your “B-roll”: These are the action shots that show what your audio (“A-roll”) described.
  • Power Poses: Talk with our hands, but don’t fidget. Clear, controlled movements convey trust and authority.
  • Editing Tip: Cut on the action to build energy and avoid “jump cuts”.

A woman with long dark hair wears a red blazer over a black shirt. Behind her is a white background. In the foreground you can see her image in the video monitor.

Put Your Best Face Forward

Put your best face forward by following these wardrobe, hair, and makeup tips.

Wardrobe: 

  • Wear solid colors, long sleeves, and a belt or jacket for your wireless microphone.
  • Use color or a print to stand out from the background.

Hair: 

  • Keep hair soft and out of your eyes

Makeup: 

  • It’s easier to add more, than to wash off too much. Start with a light touch.

A woman in a gold dress sits in front of a white backdrop. She is surrounded by cameras and lights. In the foreground, a female director and male cinematographer prepare for the video interview.

Equipment to DIY Like a Pro

Whether you’re a beginner with a smartphone or ready to invest in professional equipment, your production value increases with some essential equipment.

Beginners

  • Smartphone
  • Airpods
  • Ring Light
  • Stabilizer
  • Editing Apps: Clips, Video Maker (Reels), etc.
    • Tip: Many apps offer free versions

Advanced

  • Camera
  • Microphone
  • Lighting Kit
  • Tripod
  • Editing Software: iMovie, Adobe Photoshop and Premiere, Final Cut
Director Windy Borman smiles with a happy client, Jennifer Whetzel, on the set of the Women in Cannabis Study video series.

Tips to Save Money on Professional Videos

In major media markets, professional headshots start at USD $5,000, and professional video productions start at USD $25,000 for 3-5 minutes of content (data as of 2024).

You can save time and money by knowing these three (3) things before you seek professional help:

  1. Goals: What are you trying to achieve?
  2. Branding: What are your colors, fonts, logo, voice, and target audience?
  3. Deliverables: What file sizes and formats, aspect ratios, frames per second (fps), etc., do your delivery platforms require?