Business : How to create online promotional videos

Tamara Baranova
Partner - TJConsulting Virtual Assistance
Tel: 0784 1677968
Email: tamara@tjconsulting.co.uk
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The web is now bursting with video content. Videos are increasingly appearing on your customers' and your suppliers' websites: the corporate video, the product promo, the customer testimonial and many others.

So if you have decided you need one for your website too - what will you do, where do you start and who or what are you going to put into it? The following is a brief guide to getting your video made and put on-line.

Why are you making the video? You need to communicate your idea clearly, have a story behind the video. The main purpose of any video created by an organisation is communication - of your ideas and your offering to others (customers, partners, staff). Define a goal, create a story for the video and decide on the narrative.

Does it pass the test? Before you invest a lot of money and time into producing the video - ask yourself "So what?". You don't even need the video to do this test - get a few customers or staff (representatives of your target audience) and tell them your story. Be open to their feedback.

Commission a video - once you are clear about your target audience, your story and your message you need to find a professional company that will create a video for you. A professionally filmed and edited video will enhance your brand and reputation.

Streaming and hosting - once the film is made it needs to be put on the web. Check from the start the arrangements for hosting and streaming. Professional companies can offer you the service of hosting the video which you will be able to embed into your website. Alternatively you can use YouTube, Vimeo or similar services - check their requirements first to ensure that your finished video will comply.

How much? - the clearer you are about what you want (and don't want), the easier it will be for the production company to prepare a budget for your project and stick to it.

Value is in content - what is the real value of video on the web? It can keep people on your site longer and it can be a very efficient way of presenting information. However, you must tell a story and you must aim at your target audience. The real value of your video will be in its content.