• Learn more about your business (history, products, process, etc.)
• Hear testimonials from your customers about how great your product/service is
• See step-by step how your product works, so customers will buy it themselves
• Follow how-to instructions for accomplishing a certain task
• Be inspired and empowered to donate to your cause
• Be entertained by a different type of advertising
• Advertise for you by sharing your video across their social media networks
• And the list goes on....

Corporate video production techniques have changed.  Let's face it.  Businesses are no longer hiring production companies to produce the token "Eight to Ten Minute Corporate Video."

In this new digital age of Internet marketing and fast-paced "get in and get out" media delivery, corporate video production is being looked at in a very different way.

Don't get me wrong, corporate video production is still VERY important to a company's marketing strategy, but now, media can be delivered in a whole new way.

Here are some pointers to remember when looking in to what makes a good corporate video.

1. Cut, cut, cut.
To be a good (aka successful) corporate video, we're looking at no more than three minutes of total running time.  And recently, the trend has been even shorter.

2. Conversion is key.
The old standby has always been to have a closing billboard or graphic on your video that includes your business' website address and phone number, but that doesn't help determine how successful your corporate video was for you. 

Now, you have got to put in some sort of point of conversion. In other words, the video should end with "Go to our website, and sign up for our seminar, using our VID3O discount code." This is completely measurable and will definitely let you in on how many people saw your video AND then were compelled to do something -- which is the whole point of creating the video in the first place.

3. Take advantage of the medium.
Video is still a viable marketing tool because it does something that print, stills and websites cannot do.  It brings images and graphics to life through animation and image movement.  Wouldn't you appreciate a client testimonial much more if you saw and heard a person delivering kind words instead of just reading those same words on a page? The impact of Audio/Visual is still very good.

If you're looking for an Indiana video production company to produce a corporate video, make sure this company is discussing these three points with you.  This will ensure that your corporate video strategy is "in sync" with the rest of your marketing objectives.
 

Preproduction (This is all the work you do before the actual wedding day.)

Research: Doing research about the client or a potential wedding vendor is always key to a successful shoot/wedding day.
 

Script Writing: If you want to write your own vows, go for it!

Full-Service Coordination: You can hire a wedding planner, or you can do it all yourself. 

Client Meeting Facilitation: This goes hand in hand with full-service coordination.  It's nice to have someone else doing all of your scheduling for you.

Location Scouting: Doing due diligence on location scouting will ensure you pick just the right place (the one that's best suited) for your big day.

Studio Rental Facilitation: Once you've found the perfect location (aka church and/or reception venue), you've got to book it.

Additional Gear Acquisition: This job can be applied to buying flowers, additional lighting, extra decorations, etc.

Extra Crew Hiring: You're more than likely going to need a caterer, florist, photographer, videographer, makeup artist, and DJ/Band, and the list can get big with all the extra "crew" you need to hire.
 

Talent Search and Auditioning: You may choose to hire some entertainment during the ceremony or reception, and that requires searching and/or auditioning.

Wardrobe Selection and Fitting: This is obvious. Hello, wedding dress.
 

Production (This is all the stuff that happens on the big day.)

Expert Directing: This is where a wedding coordinator is so important on the day of your wedding.  You give up the details to someone who knows your vision and who will make sure it's orchestrated.
 

On-Location Producing: Sure, a good wedding coordinator is important, but so is a good banquet captain.

Shooting: You have to have a photographer and a videographer capturing the day's events.  Period.
 

Lighting Direction: Some people may not realize it, but the lighting at a wedding or shoot is crucial.  It sets the mood and creates a tone for the event.  Besides, people are more likely to dance their butts off if the lights have been dimmed.
 

Audio Engineering: This is my baby.  Sound is oh so important to any event.  I went to a wedding once when the pastor's wireless mic keep cutting out and giving loud bursts of static.  It was horrible.  And, don't underestimate the power of a DJ to make or break your reception.
 

Gripping Assistance: A grip in the video industry is someone who, quite simply, moves gear around but is also completely in the know about what needs to go where and when.  This person, on your wedding day, is the person who makes sure all of your gifts go to the right place after the reception, for example.  A grip is very important.

Makeup Application: This is obvious, too.  Good makeup makes everyone feel fabulous.
 

Craft Services: What's a wedding without good food and drink?
 

Additional Technical Offerings: In video production, this could mean the addition of a dolly, steadicam or jib, however, for a wedding, this could mean, your monogram shining down on the dance floor.

Bottom line, there is a lot of work that goes in to a video shoot, and there certainly is a lot of work that goes in to a wedding.  A wedding is a "production" after all, and there will still be, despite the best preproduction in the world, things that go wrong. 

But when it's all said and done, what you'll have "in the can" (video speak for "on tape") is unforgettable memories from the day you became husband and wife.  And that's a wrap.

• Locate and send a friend request to the people with whom you currently do business.  Keeping up to speed on your clients' personal lives and commenting from time to time can help keep you top of mind when they need work done.
   
• Post positive news about your clients and the work that they are doing.  When you promote your clients, it goes without saying that they appreciate that and will continue to do business with you.
   
• Along the same lines, you should look for opportunities to become a fan of certain friends' or clients' businesses.  That's easy and quick networking from the comfort of your office or home.
   
• Look at the friends of friends.  It might give you an idea of people to contact about doing business.
   
• Update your status.  I admit that I am still in the school of thought that "no one wants to hear about what's on my mind," but I have been floored to see how certain status updates can foster new and interesting touch points between people.

• Creating/Redesigning websites using our unique approach to web strategy consulting - Ever heard us talk about the Billion dollar marketing banana?
• Developing a social media and marketing plan with real, results-driven advertising calls to action
• Producing video and flash content using an award-winning story-telling interactive strategy
• Designing print and other supplemental materials to optimize brand awareness
• Managing IT infrastructures so our Indianapolis and Muncie clients are safe and secure

I work for a company that sells, among other things, "Social Media and Marketing" services.

Okay, so I admit.  I'm still learning about all of this.  But aren't we all?  I'm a Project Manager who comes from a world of video and film production.  Luckily, my core job responsibilities do not require me to be an expert in Internet marketing, but I should at least have a handle on what's out there in the big, bad world of Social Media.  Right?!

Here's my story.

MySpace
I never had a MySpace page.  MySpace to me meant stalkerville, and I was not interested.  I was a young professional, and I didn't need the hassle.  Really, I just thought I was above it.

My thoughts changed when I saw how a local Indianapolis friend, who is an up and coming musician, started building an unbelievable (and much deserved) fan base.  Really?!  Maybe this MySpace thing is worth it.

Then, when I started dating my fiance, I realized that he had a page.  When I saw how he reconnected with long lost friends, the social media snake bit me.

Facebook
I took the plunge, with gentle prodding from co-workers, and created a Facebook profile.  Wow!  Wall posts, Friend Finder, Apps, and Status Updates! Oh My! 

At first I was overwhelmed, and I have to confess that I thought I was back in high school for a second, but it really is an amazing social community. 

I still am way behind in responding to all of the messages in my inbox, and I cannot afford to spend hours on Facebook everyday, but the time I do spend is well worth it.

Twitter
Oh Lord.  Tweeting is telling the world what you are thinking, feeling, doing, and/or contemplating at that moment...much like your status updates on Facebook.  I have managed to tweet a couple of times since January.

The biggest hurdle to get over when it comes to Twitter is just putting yourself out there.  It takes a huge leap of faith at the beginning, but like blind dating....you eventually get the hang of it, and hopefully you'll form a lasting and meaningful relationship. 

In my Twitter journey, I'd say I've just jumped off the cliff.  It remains to be seen whether I will journey to the "Twittersphere" and beyond or just belly flop into social media oblivion.  Time will tell.

LinkedIn
To me, LinkedIn is the least intimidating social media community out there.  Maybe it's because I view it more like a Rolodex of business contacts than a social community.  You know what I mean?  It's networking and Internet marketing of yourself, but on a business level.  In LinkedIn, I don't give different permissions to different groups or networks. 

It's wholesome and safe.  Maybe that's why I only log on once a month.  Then again, maybe that's why it's not as popular as Facebook and Twitter.  Hmmm.

Bottom Line
I have since created a couple of other profiles in some other niche social media communities, and I've found them to be, for the most part, all that you make of them.  Put in a little time or a lot.  Who cares?! 

Yes, ultimately, I need to be thinking about really using these sites to conduct some Internet marketing and branding for myself.  I need to get my feet wet and understand more about social media optimization, keywords and my overriding Web strategy. 

I know I need to be doing more advertising of myself and of the company for which I work, and I'm lucky to work with a whole bunch of people who can school me on the ways of social media.  But at least I'm starting somewhere.  That is, after all, the hardest part. 

Just do it!  It's better than doing nothing at all.
 

1. Who is your target audience?
   
   Is it your current customers? Future customers? Business partners? Vendors? Employees? Knowing your target audience is paramount. The answer will drive your message.
    
2. What is your message?
   
   In the small business marketing world, a video can be a great way to introduce people to your business. Is that your message? Or do you need to be more specific about your services and/or capabilities? 
    
3. What do you want the viewers to take away from the video after watching it? What do you hope to accomplish?
   
   The answer should always be the real reason you contemplated making a video in the first place. Is it a better understanding of your business? Is it to demonstrate a new product? Is it damage control? Are you using this video as a fundraiser? See question four.
    
4. What is your call to action? 
   
   Think conversion, conversion, conversion. Complete Internet marketing includes some sort of conversion. If you introduced a new product in the video, your call to action could be to have clients purchase that product directly from your web site. If it's a basic marketing video, your call to action could be a link to a "contact us for more information" form on your web site. Now you've just acquired a qualified business lead. Bottom line, that's good web strategy.
    
5. How long do you want the video to be? 
   
   Ideally, if it's going on the web, you want it to be no longer than three minutes. If it's longer than that, people get bored. Seriously, that's the truth. This length constraint will also help you narrow the focus of your message.
    
6. Who, if anyone, would you like to profile? Who's story would you like to tell? Who's going to represent the company?
   
   Generally, people like to watch a video with a real human interest element.  In other words, give a face to it. Don't always rely on an omnipresent narrator and PowerPoint-type graphics. That being said, it's sometimes best to hire professional talent than to use this video to launch the acting career you've always wanted. But then again, maybe this video could be the perfect platform to show the "real you," and your customers just might dig it.
    
7. When would you like to launch the video on your site? Is there an event or milestone coming up at which you could reveal it?
   
   Create some buzz for the addition of the video to your site. Promote it in an e-newsletter. Tease its addition in all of your marketing efforts. This will give you the biggest bang for your advertising buck.
    
8. In what other ways do you plan to show the video?
   
   The social media community is blowing up, and you need to get on board! Put the video on your company's Facebook page. Consider making a YouTube channel and posting it there. And by all means, don't forget to tweet about it! You would absolutely be remiss if you didn't take advantage of all of the social media Internet marketing options out there.