UNDERSTANDING THE STAGES OF VIDEO PRODUCTION

UNDERSTANDING THE STAGES OF VIDEO PRODUCTION

by | Mar 22, 2023 | Production Tips

What does it all mean? – Understanding the stages of video production

Watching the credits of a TV programme or film, the number of different roles involved in the production can seem baffling. Working on a video for a business or other organisation means far fewer people are involved, but to successfully capture your subject you need to cover the same four basic stages of production as a big budget movie. These will make sure that nothing is left to chance and that we produce something that you can be proud to show to potential customers.

Pre-Production

This is the planning phase, where the concept for the video is developed. This involves determining the goals of the video and the message it needs to convey. It includes brainstorming ideas, developing a storyline or script, and defining the tone and style of the video. This is also when a budget for the video production is agreed, including costs for equipment, personnel, and other expenses. Creating a timeline or schedule for the shoot needs to be decided now. This should consider the availability of personnel and resources, and the weather. By investing time and effort into pre-production planning, we can create a video that effectively communicates your message and achieves the goals you have for it.

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Production

The production stage of a video shoot is when the actual filming takes place. Setting up the lights, camera, and audio equipment, as well as rehearsing and executing the shots with the
people (or animals) appearing in the video. During this stage, we will work together to create
the final shots and sequences that will be edited together to form the finished product.

Post-Production:

This is the editing phase, where the footage is organised. Editing, selecting the best takes, cutting out any mistakes or irrelevant material will create a cohesive, video. Animations, music, and sound design are also added during this stage. Transitions and effects can also be added between shots to create a seamless and engaging viewing experience. Post- production is a crucial step in creating a video that will connect with its target audience.

Distribution

Once your video is complete, it can be exported in the desired format and resolution for distribution or broadcast. This can include uploading the video to a website, sharing it on social media, or broadcasting it on a podcast, or YouTube channel.

Why so much planning?

You will notice that the pre-production stage has the most items to consider in it. It’s important because this is where you can manage the timeline for each of the following stages the allow for the
the complexity of the project and the resources available. It’s also where you can plan for the unforeseen.

Conclusion

The Super Motion process covers these stages in detail, so that you are clear about how your video will be delivered. From the deep dive of our discovery call to understand what you want from your video, through to providing you with tailored recommendations on how best to roll out your video, in order to achieve the greatest return on investment. It all starts with a 30-minute strategy call, which you can book here or by calling 01225 970242.

5 WAYS VIDEO CONTENT CAN IMPROVE YOUR SEO

5 WAYS VIDEO CONTENT CAN IMPROVE YOUR SEO

by | Mar 8, 2022 | Agri-Food, Production Tips

68% of online experiences begin with a search engine.
So, ensure you get seen by improving your SEO.

Search engines are utilised by millions of people worldwide to find information on the web, with Google being the most popular. Yet, the outcome of these searches can be, quite literally, millions. Googling the word ‘video’ brings up 25.2 billion results alone. How then do you get your business seen amongst the masses? Three letters, SEO. 
Search Engine Optimisation or SEO essentially stands for your visibility on search engines. The higher you rank, the easier it is for customers to find your business when searching Google. Bear in mind that the first five (*organic) results on Google receive over 67% of **clicks. 

Optimising the content on your website will increase the value of SEO and drive traffic from Google to your website. One way of increasing your SEO value is video content. Listed below are five ways in which video content can improve SEO.

GOOGLE RANKING

Google is one of the top search engines used by internet users. It has over 4 billion users daily. So, it’s important to ensure you have a high ranking on Google. According to Lemonlight (2021), marketers’ SEO results suggest that Google prioritises search results with video content. Thus, creating video content on your website will rank you higher with Google.  

ENGAGEMENT

Video content keeps the audience engaged for longer. 9 out of 10 viewers actually want to see more videos from brands and businesses. The longer you can keep an audience member on your website, the higher the rank you will receive from Google. What’s more, viewers retain 95% of a video’s message in comparison to 10% when reading text.

SOCIAL MEDIA SHARES

Social media can have an indirect result on SEO. For example, you upload a video to your website which viewers circulate on social media platforms for others to watch. This then causes a reaction whereby you see an increase in visits to your website as more and more people see your video and become interested in the brand. The more visits to your website, the higher your website ranks on Google. Hence the reason social media can have an indirect result on SEO.

EMOTIONAL CONNECTION

Ever heard the saying; people buy from people? Including emotions within a message can make you and your business seem personable. In addition, emotion in videos can increase shares on social media and inspire customer loyalty. Think of campaigns you have watched recently that sparked an emotional connection? Then ask yourself why? Emotion is what sparks the decision or urge to act. Likewise, the stronger the impact the video has on the viewer’s emotions, the higher the level of entertainment. Remember, social media has an indirect result on SEO.

 

CONVERSION RATE

Embedding links to your website in video content, especially when showcasing products and services, improves SEO. 73% of consumers claim that they have been influenced by a brand’s video content on social media when making a purchasing decision. Viewers can then use these links to visit your website and make purchases, increasing your rank on Google.    

FINAL THOUGHTS

In summary, utilising video content can improve your SEO as Google priorities with video content. Google also ranks websites higher with video content that keeps a viewer engaged which can be done via creating an emotional connection in the video. Lastly, social media can have an indirect result on SEO by the number of shares your video receives that convert into visits to your website. 

Now that you are aware of how video content can improve your SEO, the next thing to remember is to utilise your video content. One way is by ensuring high-quality videos. High-quality videos keep the viewer engaged for longer. Google can tell when viewers do not remain engaged. This is known as a bounce rate, which Google monitors and scores you down on. Secondly is that videos should have a purpose, a context. Viewers have been known to disengage quickly when videos have no purpose. Remember, the goal is to keep the viewer engaged for the full length of the video to be ranked highly by Google. 

Click the button to book in a strategy call and let’s have an obligation free conversation about your business, your message and how to convey this to your audience.

*Organic simply means those who have not paid for their website to appear on the first page of Google results. 
**A click is a term used for when an internet user clicks the link to take them through to the website. 

WHY YOU NEED TO COMMUNICATE YOUR CARBON REDUCTION PROGRESS

WHY YOU NEED TO COMMUNICATE YOUR CARBON REDUCTION PROGRESS

by | Feb 28, 2022 | Agri-Food, Production Tips

When thinking about generating publicity, many companies tend to focus on the quality of their products, their level of service, and their affordable pricing. These are certainly important things to highlight in your video marketing and other PR efforts. However, many companies fail to understand the importance of highlighting sustainable practices, which means your company may be missing out on a huge source of positive publicity. 

 

WHY IS HIGHLIGHTING GREEN CREDENTIALS IMPORTANT?

Sustainability is increasingly prevalent in many company’s video marketing efforts, and the results show that it is paying off. The reality is that a majority of consumers now care greatly about environmentally friendly practices. In fact, research has continually found that customers are happy to spend a few extra pounds to buy quality products from companies that enact sustainable practices.

 

 

If you look around at the companies you interact with on a daily basis, you are likely to see lots of examples of those highlighting sustainability. From signs in a restaurant to videos on a social media feed, the reason many companies are highlighting their green credentials is because it resonates with customers, helps effectively position their brand, and creates positive publicity.

HOW CAN I HIGHLIGHT MY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES?

One of the best ways to highlight your sustainable practices is to utilise video marketing. Sustainability fits well into a story format, which is perfect for video marketing. Consider detailing the reasons why you chose specific practices and the benefits of them. Pair this with video of the practices being integrated. This tells a compelling, personal story that highlights some of the commitments of your company and helps with branding. 

Another benefit of using video marketing to promote your green credentials is that it allows you to get the most bang for your production buck. Existing and prospective customers will be drawn to the same video through a myriad of different mediums. You’ll generate positive publicity through sharing your video marketing on your YouTube channel, embedding the video in a blog on your website, and posting it on your social media channels. 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Customers have been clear that they prefer to purchase from companies that have environmentally friendly practices. It helps the environment and makes them feel good. If you are engaging in sustainable practices, make an effort to tell your customers about it. This is a great way to enhance your image with some positive publicity and position your brand as one that cares about the environment. 

We at Super Motion provide access to seamless, obstacle-free film-making, so please do reach out for out expert help. In this country we’re not the best at shouting about the good things we’re doing but it’s so important to communicate your jounrey! Book a strategy call by clicking the button below.

HOW INDUCTION VIDEOS HELP IN NEW EMPLOYEE RETENTION

HOW INDUCTION VIDEOS HELP IN NEW EMPLOYEE RETENTION

by | Feb 25, 2022 | Agri-Food, Production Tips

An onboarding process is essential when inducting new employees into the company. It provides the foundations for what the employee can expect: from procedures and systems to the values and culture of the business. An effective onboarding process can add value to the employee’s journey. By nurturing the employee right from the beginning, you promote a culture of belonging and passion for employees to contribute towards the company’s goals.

 

THE BENEFIT OF DIGITAL ONBOARDING

Traditionally, onboarding requires an individual from the company to be on hand to walk the new employee through the procedures: meet the new employee on the first day and begin the walk around the building. A checklist of training requirements and paperwork then follows. 

Here is where a digital onboarding experience can be invaluable. You can utilise video to tailor the onboarding experience for the new employee whilst streamlining the onboarding process, saving the company time and resources.

What’s more, videos are an excellent way of providing valuable knowledge to inspire, inform and captivate your new employee. Ensuring your employee has the best experience during the onboarding experience can increase the retention rate in the long term. 

ONBOARDING PROCESS

A powerful story inspires, informs and captivates audiences. Combine this with video, and a company has an effective tool to express its values and cultures – increasing employee retention. The benefit of videos is the ability to upload to various platforms, in several formats, and across numerous devices.

There are no set standards for the type and number of videos you can create for the onboarding process. Businesses can tailor to their specific values and cultures. But next you’ll find a few ideas that you could adapt.

• Welcome video from CEO
Opportunity to portray the values and culture of the company. Use this opportunity to tell the story behind the business.

• Team introductions
Provide insight for the new employee on the various departments or team members.

• Office Tours
Provides the opportunity for new employees to visualise the layout of the office (if applicable). It can also prevent employees from feeling alienated if choosing to, permanently, work from home.

• How-to videos and Training Videos
Visual information is recalled more effectively than using just plain text. Incorporate the use of videos when providing introductory training to your new employees.

• Advice from members of the team
What advice would your current employees give to support new employees when settling in the company? Provides an opportunity to further build upon the values and culture of the company.

• What can the new employee expect in the following weeks
Vital for preparing the new employee and providing them with the confidence of the expectations.

EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Utilising videos supports the delivery of a valuable employee onboarding experience, increasing the retention rate. Not only does it add value for the employee, but it also streamlines processes for the company via digital means. 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Did you know that employee turnover costs are estimated to be between 100% and 300% of the replaced employee’s salary? Click the link below, book a strategy call and let us show you how we can demonstrate outstanding ROI.

We at Super Motion provide access to seamless, obstacle-free film-making, delivering powerful stories that inspire, inform and captivate audiences. We know how to help you tell your story in the best way. 

HOW TO REMAIN CALM & SMASH THE INTERVIEW

HOW TO REMAIN CALM & SMASH THE INTERVIEW

by | Feb 9, 2022 | Production Tips

For many of us, being interviewed for a media appearance may create even more nervousness than usual. It is normal to be nervous before being interviewed; however, there are tactics you can use to calm your nerves and increase your likelihood of doing well. Let’s take a look at some important strategies. 

BREATHING IS THE KEY FOR STRESS

If you are particularly anxious about an interview, you may find that breathing exercises help to calm the nerves. You’ll want to breathe through your nose gently and deeply, inhaling for six seconds and exhaling for six seconds. Your breathing should be controlled and purposeful. Breathing exercise are particularly useful because they can be done without bring attention, meaning you can even do them whenever you like! When the camera people are fiddling around just remain calm and breeeeeaaaaaattthhhhh.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Preparation is incredibly important when you want to ace an interview. Researching and therefore being confident about your subject is an important part of your preparation process. This enables you to better answer the questions that you get asked. We usually advise that interviews are conducted without a teleprompter but feel free to jot points down you’d like to address. Ask for the questions from us in advance and we’ll make sure you have time to rehearse your answers. For all media interviews, understanding the potential angle being taken is vital but as with most things, this is discussed in pre-production. Don’t worry, it’s not live – we can always do a retake!

GET TO KNOW YOUR INTERVIEWER

Another important part of preparation is to get to know the interviewer. If you can cultivate a relationship of trust and mutual understanding, this will come across in the interview and you’ll SHINE! If you can relax, knowing the interviewer is there to look after you and make you look good, that’s half the battle. Then you can relax and enjoy yourself. Also remember, at Super Motion our interviewers will always have the pre-prepared questions AND any key points we need to draw out of the answers so you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything, we’ll just ask you again. 🙂

TELL A STORY

Regardless of the subject, you want to tell stories if at all possible. The reality is that stories are compelling, and people naturally gravitate to them. Highlight ones that illustrate the points you’re trying to make by giving examples and diving into back stories. It is much easier for people to relate to these than obscure facts or statistics and just as importantly, once you start telling a story, instead of worrying about forgetting something, you’ll be far more natural and therefore trusted by the viewer. Practicing telling these short, engaging stories can be great preparation for success. 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

So please take these little gems of advice and try not to worry. Probably the most important thing to remember though is… (usually) this is not live TV! Nor do cameras steal your souls like the Pennsylvania Amish tribe believe! I’m often staggered how natural people can be before before the cameras roll only to freeze up when we hit record! Whats the difference really? Having a good interviewer who you like and is patient is a huge step in the right direction so click the link below to book your strategy call now. I have a feeling we’ll get on well. 🙂