Crowdson & Company

10 Ways to Win with Online Video

Crowdson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:07:30 +0000

Here’s an another article on how videos can help businesses boost sales and stand out from the crowd. You can probably do it on your own, but I’d, of course, be happy to help with any of your video projects. Here’s the list – the article has more details:

Put a “welcome” video on your website

Record and post client video testimonials

Produce a “Quick Tips” series for YouTube

Create video tutorials to demonstrate your products or services

Place a “pitch” video on your sales web page

Launch a live webcast with Ustream.tv or TinyChat.com

Tape your event or speaking engagement

Start Vlogging

Send a Video Press Release

Create an “instant” photo/video montage

Whatever way you choose to use online video, the important thing is to get started. It’s never been easier and – if you want to stay top of mind with your customers – it’s never been more important!

Now Accepting Credit Cards

Crowdson — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:41:04 +0000

I’m happy to announce that we now take Visa, Mastercard and Discover for your convenience. We also accept Paypal, checks, and of course, cash.

GSCC Gala

Crowdson — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:52:03 +0000

We were honored to produce a couple videos for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce’s 141st Annual Dinner. Here’s one of them…

Do Your Videos Command Attention?

Crowdson — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:16:01 +0000

Here’s another article from Entrepreneur Magazine highlighting the use of video for business:

Video can be used for something straightforward such as introducing a new product or service; to increase traffic to your website via a clever video; to provide a product demonstration or tutorial to your customers; to deliver commentary from your CEO to investors; or to convey a message to employees.

Additionally, many small businesses find additional uses for videos by utilizing them for online advertising, or by incorporating them into a Multimedia News Release. An MNR is a great tool that incorporates video, photos, text, links and other information; making it more interactive than standard, text only, press releases.

Enhance It!

Crowdson — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:39:25 +0000

As a video guy, most people think that I would be annoyed by continuity errors in movies and tv shows – you know, when the gun is on the table in one shot, then cut to a different angle and it’s gone. Those type of things don’t bother me much though. I know mistakes get made and I guess I’m not that anal. What REALLY bugs me though, is the laziness of writers who let their characters solve a case by using their computer to zoom in on the killer’s reflection in the victim’s eyeball. This video is a nice example:

I can forgive Star Trek, since they’re in the distant future, but the rest are supposed to be in the “real world”. Here’s a good parody of the technique from Red Dwarf:

Thanks Gizmodo

Using Web Video for Business

Crowdson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:35:28 +0000

Entrepeneur Magazine has an article for business owners about the importance of using video on their web site:

Jama Software, a developer based in Portland, Ore., uses video for everything from product demos to getting customer feedback on work in progress to showcasing its philanthropic work, says John Simpson, partner and director of customer outreach and marketing. The firm’s videos page is the third-most visited on its web site. More than 40 percent of the site’s visitors view a video while they’re there, and 35 percent of video viewers go on to request a trial or demo of the product.

“As a little guy, your best weapon is to differentiate yourself,” Simpson says. “Video lets us do that.”

The numbers back that up. According to online media research firm comScore, in August, 158 million U.S. Internet users viewed a video online–the largest audience ever. That kind of potential viewership is appealing, says Kraig Westfall of Good Fruit Video in East Lansing, Mich. Westfall’s clients typically hire him for video productions between one and five minutes long and budgets of $1,000 to $5,000. He counsels customers to use authentic voices and real people from their companies rather than slick voice-over and acting talent. “That kind of authentic voice builds relationships with the customer or prospect. People are often put off if something seems too slick,” he says.

Video can help customers find you too. Forrester Research recently found that sites with video stood a 50 times better chance of appearing on the first pages of Google results on keywords for which Google offers video results. The key is to integrate video search engine optimization tactics. Much like traditional SEO, the major search sites (Google, Yahoo!, MSN, etc.) each have methods of accepting video submissions in addition to their search algorithms that seek video out.

Of course, we’d love to help you create web videos that work for your business. Just call for a consultation!

Local vs. National

Crowdson — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:46:02 +0000

Ever wonder why local commercials look so different from national commercials, even though we’re using similar equipment? Two things – money and time. Here’s a good example – this commercial (film? mini-doc?) for Johnnie Walker uses one actor (technically two if you count the piper), one camera, and only one shot for the entire 6 minutes – doesn’t seem like you could get much simpler. But stick around for the credits at the end to see how many people it took to make this one-camera shoot happen. They finally got it after 40 takes over two days (most likely 10-hour days). I would guess that it cost over $100,000 for this “simple” one-camera shoot.

Here’s an interview with the director.

Thanks to CJ from Champaign Movie Makers for the link!

United Way

Crowdson — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:38:35 +0000

I recently finished production this campaign video for the United Way of Central Illinois. It’s the first year that they’ve done a local campaign video and so far, they’re getting a good response from it.

Speed Channel

Crowdson — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:54:11 +0000

Worked the Springfield Mile for Speed TV this Labor Day Weekend. The rain Saturday delayed everything and made for a long day on Sunday waiting for the track to dry. Still had a good crowd, though. Saw quite a few familiar faces.

Looking for Lincoln

Crowdson — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 17:23:13 +0000

Spent Wednesday and Thursday with the 3 teenaged winners of the “Looking for your Lincoln Hero” essay contest, sponsored by MyHero.com and the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition. I had a great time documenting their visit to Springfield. We hit the Presidential Library, Lincoln Home, Tomb, and Law office, the Old State Capitol, and new Salem. We were supposed to meet the Governor at the State Fair, but the big storm hit just as we were arriving. We parted ways Thursday evening when they headed to Chicago.
The SJR has a write-up about their visit here.