Last year, a few of my colleagues and I took advantage of a start up local video production company's awesome offer to create introduction videos. We got all gussied up, practiced our lines, got really nervous and went for it. We joked with the camera man and asked him to use that special lens that would make us look good on camera.
The results were wonderful and we each ended up with a professional video that allowed prospective clients a chance to get to know us before we even met.
This year our agency changed companies and we realized we needed to update our videos. The same great company, Praxis Production Studios, no longer just a start up, came to our rescue and helped us create new videos. (posted to the right side of my blog here)
Interestingly, no one else from our office has jumped into video yet (you know who you are!) We have talked about it a lot and while most of my colleagues think they should make videos, the general consensus seems to be that somehow the three of us who made them are "naturals" at being in front of the camera, and the rest just can't do it.
My response...that is just moose pucky!
I know this because I am not a "natural." I'm what you would call a shy extrovert. When I am in familiar surroundings, talking about things I know well, I feel at ease and don't get nervous. Put me in an unfamiliar situation and I become a silent wall flower.
You don't have to be a natural performer to make a great video, you just need to be natural and talk about what you know. Stick to the truth and topics you are passionate about. You will have a great video, and everyone will tell YOU what a "natural" you are on camera.
People have asked me if I have received any business due to the videos. I can honestly answer yes. One of my most recent buyers made a point of telling me that they found me online due to my blog, but they chose me due to my video. You can't just stick it up on YouTube however and hope people will find it. You need to blog it, post it to facebook, tweet it, send it out to your sphere, and include it in your email signature.
Within 24 hours of unleashing the new video, I had received many email responses from my sphere, a call from a local business, a call from an old high school friend, a call from a prospective seller, and an unsolicited recomendation on Social Bio from a client. In my book, that is an awesome return on the initial investment.
So, bite the bullet, loose the excuses and cozy up to the camera.
If you are here in Maine, I highly recommend a call to Praxis Studios. Chad and Colby are great to work with and yes, they seem to actually have that magic lens that makes you look good on camera.
Comments(19)