Are you familiar with the term “imposter syndrome?”
It summarizes feelings of being a fraud, and it most often affects creative people.
Basically, at some point in your career, you’ll be overwhelmed with this idea that you don’t belong; that you’re a fake and at any moment you’ll be found out for who you are (or rather who you aren’t) and be cast out. In like 99% of instances, these feelings are totally unwarranted.
Yet, they’re powerful. So powerful that you might even begin to believe it, which inevitably leads to self-sabotage…
Well, for starters, you’re free — free to think wildly, create what you dream, act on any passion that comes to mind no matter how big or small. You’re free to tell your story without dulling the details and to stretch your creative spirit in all directions.
And, you know what, you’ll begin to understand that everything you create doesn’t need a deeper meaning to be meaningful or that every publication needs to make you money.
Maybe…they’re resonating because you’ve endured the cycle and came out better than before.
Either way, it doesn’t really change things, does it?
#Uncreative
To say that we’re fanboys would be putting it lightly. Early on we put our chips in the RED basket and never looked back. We’ve built up quite an arsenal over the years and are beyond thrilled to say that the RED Komodo 6k is our latest addition.
For those who don’t know, the RED Komodo is a compact digital cinema camera. It has all of the power one would expect from RED but in super sexy, super tight package.
This little guy has is outfitted with unreal dynamic range giving us unbelievable image capture potential at further distances. At least, that’s what we were sold on. Naturally, once this baby arrived at the studio, we put it to the test. As you can see, the Komodo lives up to the hype.
Remember those sitcoms when someone’s childhood self basically assaults their adult self because they’ve lost their way? We don’t feel that way. Our childhood self would give us a high-five and crack open a cold bottle of yoo-hoo because we did exactly what we set out to do… We’re directing films.
Here’s to you and me, ten-year-old self!
The films we direct mean a lot to us. They’re films that we’ve dreamed of, written, produced… the whole nine yards. And they have a deeper meaning — that parts very important. The films we produce and direct aren’t simply tools of entertainment. They’re a looking glass into another world to help our audience broaden their perspectives. We’re not saying they’ll make you sell all your crap and live as a nomad — nothing that drastic. But (we hope) they will make you think deeply, differently, and more compassionately. The world could use a major dose of empathy, after all.
Aside from our lifelong ambitions and unrelenting dreams, our truest motivator for directing films is the fact that we love to create art. Heck, we exist to create art! And though we immerse in many disciplines, filmmaking is what speaks to us on the most intimate level. It’s filmmaking that started us on this path. We’re not talking about when we were kids filming with our parent’s camcorder shooting movies with our brothers (even though that did happen). We’re talking professionally. Video production was the heartbeat of C&I Studios at the very very beginning — it still is the heartbeat, but it’s pumping blood through a ton more arteries!
It’s video production that opened us up to new worlds — both figuratively and literally. And so, we’ve followed our passions without question, regret, or hesitation.
What’s pushing you forward?
We’ve been discovering the truth since day one. And the answer has been changing since day one. Over the years, C&I has been a content agency. It’s been a movement. It’s been a career for many, and a place of belonging for even more. It’s been a place where you come to get lost in stories. It’s been a place where you’ve come to create stories of your own. It’s been many things. It’s still all of these things. And we’re adding to it.
Let’s break it down for you.
We are constantly thinking of that next thing, dreaming up new stories and inventing better ways of telling them. We’re contemplating life inside and outside of our industry, always. And thinking of how we can unite the two so that work never feels like work and life is never mundane or ordinary.
That’s the dream part.
The factory part means that we’re not just thinking about all of these things. We’re acting on them. That’s a really important distinction. We never want to do this or that, or try to do this or that. We just — in the words of the great Shia LaBeouf — DO IT. If we fail, we learn from those lessons, apply them and succeed the next time… or the next time… or the next time. It doesn’t matter how many attempts it takes. In the end, we always get it done.
Today, C&I is very much like we were last year and the year before that and the year before that, even. The sole difference is that we’re putting so much more of our energy into producing original works of art from C&I Films. And this… this is our Director’s Reel.
Money doesn’t make the man just as gear does not define the studio. But it sure does help make our ability to execute top-quality professional work that much easier! And like any good fanboy, you can bet that we have our favorites…
Last year, Blackmagic Design invited us to Editfest 2019 in Los Angeles to address other filmmakers on how their amazing editing software, DaVinci Resolve, plays a pivotal role in the production side of our creative agency. This year, we’re going one-deeper with a full-on, in-depth video presentation by filmmaker and CEO Joshua Miller to showcase their software’s ease-of-use and how we use their program unlike most any creative agency out there.
Before we dive into the specifics, you can watch our presentation for Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve online at Editfest Global 2020. Check it. If you’re interested in delving deeper into Editfest, you can find additional insightful presentations by fellow filmmakers and seasoned editors here.
Tattoos are awesome. They look stunning. They’re dope to photograph and film. Many people we work with sport some serious ink. If you have a tattoo you want a new one ALWAYS. Yup, tattoos are great. Even our client thinks so. But once we got into the editing room to work on their latest video, they decided they didn’t want to see the model’s tattoo — a minor detail that would make all the difference in the quality of the final product.
So, what did we do?
Well, we didn’t just say “oh well, nothing we can do about it.” We also didn’t say it needed to be reshot. Come on! That means rebooking the location and rehiring talent. It’s just not an option. Instead, we said no problem and used our skills in the editing room to make the shot perfect. That’s the only true workaround.
We used DaVinci Resolve and After Effects to remove the model’s visible wrist tattoo from every scene then blended the editing to make the sequence flawless.
Self-Projection was a transformative art exhibit that we conceptualized and executed live in front of the Fort Lauderdale community during Artwalk in July of 2018. The idea for this exhibit involved melding live modeling with live illustrations drawn digitally and projected onto our cyc wall.
The entire display was done in freehand with no planning. Our team of graphic designers took turns on the drawing tablet, pulling inspiration from their surroundings. We wanted the energy of the audience and the approach of the models to inspire the illustrations. This organic meshing elevated the performance and inspired fantastic imagery that practically transformed the personality of the models.
Overall, we were inspired to show how art impacts perception and identity. The models had no idea what was being illustrated on the cyc wall, which made their movements all the more natural and seductive.
It was not long until our models were replaced by audience members who wanted to take over the stage. This was an exciting turn of events that we didn’t plan for or encourage. And that just made the outcome that much more fantastic.
Developing your brand requires an effective guideline to utilize. Knowing your audience and what they are attracted to is critical to each guideline during brand development. It is time to review the PERETTI brand and how developers created such an attractive brand for their customers. Below are six essential brand guidelines to review during your brand development.
One of the first things to consider when building a brand is the exact logo specifications. Logo specifications refer to the overall measurements associated with your brand’s logo. Considering the type of publishing materials where your brand will be advertised, begin developing your grey striped area. This area should be free from any additional texts or images that could destruct your brand image.
In the PERETTI logo specifications, the grey striped area is consistent between each letter of the brand. The specifications between the P and the E in the brand is equal to space before the P, and after the I. Each letter also has a radius of this around the name that eliminates room for other text or images to disrupt the brand. Ensuring that your logo is simple, yet effective, is the first step in brand development.
Each brand has different typeface preferences. Typefaces refer to lettering design and can come in a variety of options. They are a family of fonts that depict a certain style. Depending on the audience that you are seeking, you can choose typefaces that attract and related to that customer base. The typeface in each of these areas is critical to capture the attention of your customers. Keeping the same typeface in each area will wash out your information and cause your customers to lose interest. After you have decided on the typefaces for your brand, focus on three parts during your brand development :
Your headline portion of the brand will be the most reflected in advertisements and various materials. That is why it is so important for brand development. The most preferred typeface should be used in the headline. It will be used in all representations of the brand. For subheadlines, you want to use a similar typeface, but the size will be smaller. Maintain a bold or italicized style on the subheadings to capture the attention of your audience.
With body copy, you can remove all additional style modifications such as bold and italicized. This typeface is similar to the headline but less bold and bright. It is much lighter and is used to fulfill the necessary information. With PERETTI, Avenir Light is used for the body copy while Avenir Medium is left for subheadings. The same font exists, but the weight of it varies because the medium is bold. Following font suggestions like these will significantly aid in your brand development.
Once you know the specifications of your brand and the typeface, your brand’s essential color scheme comes into play. In fact, color is one of the most important parts of brand development. For PERETTI, their color scheme is a dark contemporary, but the right shade of white, black, and gray was needed. The way the color is perceived by your customers can be bright, flat, or a mix of the two. There are hundreds of shades of each color, so knowing exactly which shade you chose of blue or green is required to represent your brand exactly the same way each time.
Logos are extremely crucial for brand development. Every brand will generate a number of logos over the course of its marketing. Each brand will develop a series of these logos that are categorized as primary and secondary. The primary logos are made available on any product from the business. In large publications, this is the logo that is utilized. It is the most recognized and usually found on any newsletters, emails, or other distribution that comes directly from your headquarters. Because it is the most recognized, it is necessary that time is put into your logo styling process of brand development.
For PERETTI, the primary logo spells out the brand name entirely, matching the proper space specifications for each letter. However, PERETTI also has a secondary logo that is used for social media thumbnails and other areas online where space is limited. This secondary logo maintains the same color specifications as the primary logo, but it includes an enlarged P instead of the entire brand name. Because it maintains color specifications and typeface of the primary logo, it is easily recognizable by customers.
The digital age and use of social media have created a new market that requires smaller logos that are used for social media and online representation. The best practice is not to alter your primary logo for smaller spaces. Because these platforms dictate the size of the logo, many brands find that they need to alter their logo to fit in these areas and have their customers recognize them during a search. Per the PERETTI guidelines, there are a few things you should not do because they will hinder your brand development:
Although a similar font may fit better in the thumbnail, it is not recommended to use a different font. Loyal customers will recognize the difference and may find this as a misrepresentation of the brand.
If the primary logo will not fit in the required space, then do attempt to shrink it or stretch it. Also, this will appear as a misrepresentation to your customers and could keep them away.
The final guideline for brand development is the application. Once your logos are properly designed, they need to apply to the right area. For a brick and mortar brand, the primary logo should be found at the entrance to the business. Most products or communication between you and customers should also reflect this logo. Your secondary logos are to be utilized for social media and mobile windows, making you recognizable and accessible through all mobile devices. A look at the PERETTI case study will reflect that their primary logo is found at the entrance to their store and full-page advertisements, while their secondary logo is found as the profile picture for their social media presence.
Your brand is the focal point to your business and is a constant for public patrons and customers. Ensuring that it is a solid reflection of your business is critical to remember when you are following these brand guidelines. At C&I Studios, we have representatives ready to assist you with your advertising and brand development needs. Contact us today for more information regarding our services. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
There’s just one problem. While you’ve listened to podcasts and attended marketing seminars that discussed the importance of inbound and outbound marketing, you’re still not sure how to go about creating the type of marketing tools needed to probably leverage your business and reach your target market.
That’s okay. We ready and willing to help. Our team has a deep understanding of what it takes to help a promising business take off. We’ve come up with five ways to help you leverage your inbound marketing and outbound marketing. Best of all, we’ve made the process simple, fun, and effective!
It’s common knowledge that your website is a key component of both your inbound marketing and outbound marketing strategy. The problem we see happening over and over again is that too many businesses try to cut corners and reduce their costs by trying to create their own website. While we understand that times are tough and that you’re trying to reduce costs wherever possible, we strongly urge you to not sacrifice your website. Your website is your business’s virtual storefront. You deserve a beautifully designed site that is full of useful content your customer will respond to.
The better your website is, the better response your inbound links will generate.
Design aspects all high-quality websites share include:
When the website is complete, your visitors should have no trouble navigating the pages so that they can quickly and easily access the information they’re interested in.
The better your website is designed, the easier it will be to leverage both the inbound and outbound links you have incorporated into your marketing program.
Curious as to what an outstanding, website looks like? Check out the Fresh First website. We feel that it is a gorgeous simplistic design that resonates with customers.
There’s an old saying about a picture being worth a thousand words, but when it comes to using inbound and outbound links to leverage your marketing photos are worth much more. A good photo has the potential to add up to a massive amount of revenue.
Most business owners understand the need to add photos to their website, but they make the mistake of choosing commonly used stock photos that do little to represent their brand or that tell the business’s story. The photos fail to connect with the business’s customers. It’s a mistake you don’t want to make.
Unique, high-quality photos help leverage your inbound and outbound marketing efforts, but what really draws customers in are images that tell your business’s story. We work closely with each of our clients, learning about their products/services/brand. We take that knowledge to our creative photography team who utilizes an entire team of artists who create stunning, in-depth images that are completely unique to your business.
Our professional photos aren’t just for your website, they’re also designed to attract attention to your preferred social media platforms. When you pair a good photo and a relevant link on social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook, you’ll enjoy the benefits of the image (and link) going viral, which drives a great deal of traffic to your website, which in turn leads to a lovely surge in sales.
One of the biggest changes to inbound marketing and outbound marketing is the sudden importance of videos.
Incorporating videos into your inbound and outbound marketing efforts has become increasingly important. A recent study indicates that approximately 54% of your target market uses videos to determine which business they choose to make purchases from.
Marketing experts predict that the number of consumers who rely on videos to make their purchasing decisions will increase in upcoming years. It shouldn’t take long for you to discover just how much videos help you leverage your inbound and outbound marketing. Businesses who have already incorporated high-quality videos are reaping some impressive marketing rewards.
Businesses report that:
There are multiple ways you can use videos to help you leverage your inbound and outbound marketing:
When using videos to help leverage your inbound and outbound marketing efforts, it’s important to have a goal in mind for each video you create, to make sure the video is concise, useful, and high-quality, and to make sure it’s properly incorporated into your website and social media platforms.
The last thing you want to do is use videos that look just like the videos your competition uses. Videos provide you with a unique way to really showcase every single aspect of your business. Good videos, the ones that really help leverage inbound and outbound marketing, don’t just show a short clip of a product. A good video, the type we create, shows every stage the product goes through before it reaches your customers’ hands.
We feel video marketing shouldn’t simply tell your business’s story, but that it should show your business’s heart and soul. For example, if you’re a musician, we don’t think you should just post a few music videos, we want to capture each drop of heartache, love, hope, happiness, and fear that goes into writing each song you perform. If you own a pet shop, we want to showcase how much you love pets and the care that goes into choosing the food and supplies you decide to sell.
We have an entire creative team that includes directors, actors,
Just a few short years ago, drones became the new must-have technology. People all over the world were getting their very own drone and using it for things like photography, videos, checking up on their neighbors, and getting a bird’s eye view of their favorite parks and monuments. Businesses and multiple government agencies quickly started using drones for delivering goods, construction, etc. Recently, it became apparent that drone footage could be used to help leverage both inbound and outbound marketing efforts.
Different ways you can use drone footage to improve your marketing include:
Just like with using photos and videos in your inbound and outbound marketing program, it’s vital that any drone footage you decide to use for marketing is high-quality and to the point.
Don’t want to post any video that puts your customers in a position where they are trying to guess what you’re doing. If you don’t have experience taking, editing, and turning drone footage into a story that helps promote your business, it’s in your best interest to work with an agency that has the experience and resources needed to take drone footage and turn it into marketing gold.
If you don’t have a strong brand, your inbound and outbound marketing efforts won’t garner the results you’re hoping for. It doesn’t matter how strong your links are or how good a product you’re promoting, you need a solid brand image and graphic design plays a huge role in helping you create a strong brand image that resonates with your target market.
From your business logo to the images and graphics that you post on your website and social media platforms, the images need to bolster your brand and also tell your business’s story. We have a large and experienced team of design experts standing by who will provide you with the unique images you need that will resonate with your customer and help you generate high revenues.
Here at C&I Studios, we provide a wide range of inbound and outbound marketing services that help you sell your brand and boost your sales. We’re dedicated to creating marketing material that beautifully showcases your business.
Contact us to learn how we can help boost your business’s visibility so that you reach more customers.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2018/06/23/4-tips-to-help-cmos-successfully-leverage-video-marketing/#659016802611
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/04/06/how-to-make-video-an-effective-part-of-your-digital-marketing-strategy/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/06/30/how-to-leverage-inbound-and-outbound-marketing/#60a57cc46bb3\
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajagrawal/2017/06/10/5-ways-marketers-can-take-advantage-of-drone-technology/#781fd9c858cc
Whatever your gig is, an aesthetically appealing website will bring attraction running towards you and your brand. That’s why you need to be up to date on the newest web design trends.
With that being said, our team here at C & I Studios wants to help you catch the wave by showcasing 5 of Florida’s top web design trends this year. From picture-perfect to using color patterns to psychologically pull in consumers, we’ll help you make it happen.
So, how can we help you make your brand reach your marketing dreams? Read below for our take on these 2020 web design trends and how we’ve already provided amazing services for some of our clients.
You’ve heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, but what if that picture could catch the attention of ten thousand viewers online? How about 10 million viewers? With custom photography, you’re adding hints of your custom ‘flavor’ to your site, and that gives it a sense of personality. Are you ready to go viral? How about reaching that breakthrough to all of your goals?
Custom photography is one of the best web design trends right now. It will open the door for those friendly, trustworthy, and inviting kind of feelings with anyone that views your website. This is perfect for highlighting specific aspects of your business, perfect for launching a brand, and really shows off the tone of your business.
Say you’re selling swimsuits, by utilizing custom swimsuit photography you’re optimizing the quality of the pictures. This helps with showcasing your products and captures the details that make it stand out. Plus, it provides you with plenty of options to use that really show the angles of your products as well as gives you the material you can use as marketing material on social media.
Our custom videography can assist in highlighting products through professional filming, lighting, editing and more. Do you need a cast & crew with makeup and hair? We can make that happen. If you need a model to help make your brand’s fashion pop, we can put that together, too! Every aspect showing off your brand in a movie-like scenario, we’ll customize it and make it help you stand out. We’ll help you share your voice and your ideas!
For years, colors and how we react to them have been studied to comprehend how each color impacts us. Which is why color usage is one the most effective web design trends Blue has made waves with social media platforms and major websites, taking over move major designs. It’s shown to be calming, more preferred by men, and known to pull people in and keep them awake and on a website for hours on end.
However, in 2020 Orange is the new blue. Psychologically, it’s been proven that the color orange makes people feel a variety of emotions. Most often it’s used to reflect excitement and show warmth. Many people reflect on it as a color that entices balance and makes them feel rejuvenated. So no wonder its one of the best web design trends right now! Businesses have been using it as a marketing tactic to represent how friendly and inviting they are, drawing in consumers based off of that positive energy that comes with the color.
Using orange in-text lettering and your call to action buttons is a great way to grab attention for those important must-see links. It helps highlight products and services, encouraging people to purchase your service or product.
Vibrant colors, summer scenes, and sunlit images scroll across the screen – people will be captivated by your set up! Palm trees are one of the most photographed backgrounds worldwide. They’re often used to evoke a peaceful yet happy emotion, showing off a bright atmosphere and offering a clean yet gorgeous setting. So of course, they are one of the best web design trends to utilize.
Whether you’re in the business of hosting the next big event or you want to attract people to stay at your hotel, show off those Florida palm trees to drive a little excitement. We recently used them to showcase the gorgeous architecture of the Glavovic Studio in Fort Lauderdale. They offered an artistic outline to really boost the architecture of Glavovic’s layout.
In terms of web design trends, drones are becoming increasingly prominent. They have been on the rise for popularity in the last few years, and through constant advances in their development, they’ve become an incredible tool for photographers to use. Imagine hosting that all too craved event of the year and capturing the large crowds from the sky. Maybe you’d like to record the sunrise or sunset as it ascends and descends in time with your skyrise apartment building. The opportunities are limitless.
We’ve captured some of the most astonishing views with drones, like the Dalmar Hotel, and the outcome has been mindblowing. Not only does it capture the city life below, the hustle and bustle on the ground, but it also produces this quality scene that highlights your business in all the right angles as it stands tall and proud. Talk about leaving an imprint on your consumers.
Last on our list of web design trends, but just as important as the others, is sharing the intoxicating design of the beach life. We recently filmed a surplus of material for Montce Swim’s website and brand to provide them with the highest opportunity to showcase their swimwear. The reason highlighting ideas like this are so popular is because of how exciting it is to hear about the summer. Web design trends revolving around the beach bring goods vibes, high moods, and the happiness of warm weather with adventure.
By using our custom photography services, Montce’s received a unique advantage for its marketing team. We used multiple locations to shoot some incredible footage and even had enough leftover footage to create six additional edits they could use for social media. From the beach to showing off the city, we captured as many aspects of how beautiful the beach life is. We even hit up an artist’s walkway of graffiti and beautiful colors to add in some extra attraction.
Think your dream is too big? Dream bigger! Use these Florida web design trends to create content that is out of this world!
Businesses focusing on the summer seasons, the excitement of vacation, or anything related to the beach and all it offers should definitely direct their web design to showcase just that. It’s authentic, adventurous, and it motivates people to prepare for the next trip.
So now that you know the hottest Florida web design trends of 2020, what’s your next step? If designing your own website sounds challenging or you’re not sure where to start, reach out to us at C&I Studios. We’re an idea agency that focuses on content creation to bring you top of the line web design, branding, film and photography content for marketing and a surplus of other services. We will help you incorporate the hottest web design trends into your content.
Our team specializes in doing the impossible, making your brand stand out above the others and capturing what makes you unique. No matter how big or small your brand is, we want to work with you to create something magical. Don’t hesitate to dream big with us, because we will help make your biggest goals a reality.
The real estate market is one of the most lucrative industries today. It is also one of the most competitive. It takes a smart and creative marketing campaign to persuade potential buyers and get ahead of the competition. But what does a smart and creative real estate marketing campaign entail?
Of all the creative marketing ideas that real estate agents are applying, videography has turned out to be one of the most effective. Real estate video listings attract about 400% more inquiries than ordinary listings. They also leave a positive impression that wins clients over, which means more closed deals!
If done right, real estate videography has the potential to push your sales through the roof. But what is the right way to use videography for real estate marketing?
Let’s explore how you can use real estate videography to drive your sales through the roof!
You love your home; safe, comfortable, warm, peaceful, and everything nice, ideally. Home is where everyone retreats to at the end of a long day. It is one of the biggest investments that anyone can make. To this end, buyers want to know what exactly they will be getting.
In South Florida, everyone shopping for a house or apartment wants it to be perfect.
In which part of town is their next home going to be? How is the neighborhood? Is it close to the beach? Are there palm trees, public pools, parks, and other good infrastructure?
These are just some of the questions on your potential buyers’ minds, wherever they may be.
Your clients will not simply take your word for it. Pictures of the house simply don’t cut it anymore. Many people also don’t have enough time to attend house openings. However, they will believe it if they see it on video – especially if the video is good enough for the big screens.
One of the best things about videography is that it is incredibly versatile! Your audience sees what you want them to see. You can bring your creativity to life, close more deals, make more money, and have your name at the top of the list of go-to real estate agents!
There is no limit to what you can do with real estate videography, but there are distinct styles and ideas currently trending.
You may think of a listing video as a quick preview of your portfolio. It should show everything you have to offer at a glance. It essentially lays out the cards on the table for the customer to pick. Your listing video must be good, or else the customer will not bite.
So, what should your listing video show?
Answer: a little bit of everything, with a touch of a little style and glamour to entice the clients enough to pick their curiosity.
Start by introducing yourself at the start of the video – be fun and witty to gain their trust! You can also blow your horn and show off some of the houses you have sold and the happy couples living in their dream houses. The main part of your video, however, should be dedicated to showing the currently available listings. Be sure to use a persuasive marketing approach.
Nowadays, it seems that everyone is in a rush to get somewhere. Many people don’t have the time to attend house openings.
So, how do you sell to customers who cannot show up? Answer: live-stream Q&A sessions.
Live-streaming Q&A sessions are like virtual house opening tours. You give your audience a tour of the house in real-time. You move from room to room, filming every corner and making the same presentation you would if the customers were there with you – of which they are, but via video link. You can also take questions from your audience and interact in other ways – think of TV shows such as Cribs!
Meerkat and Periscope are two of the most popular real estate live-streaming apps. They integrate easily with Twitter, so any of your potential buyers on the platform (which is most, if not all, of them) can tune in.
Information is the most valuable currency in marketing. People want answers to their questions, and they will only come if you have the right answers. Interview videos make for an excellent platform to market your listings, educate potential buyers, and help build trust between you and them.
Haven’t you always wanted to feature in an interview where you determine the course of the conversation? This is your chance!
You can base your real estate interview videos on any subject that raises questions among your potential buyers. You can interview mortgage lenders to answer all questions to do with financing. You can also interview construction company executives for the benefit of buyers interested in building from scratch of making renovations. There is no end to the types of interview videos you can make – just make sure that each one of them is informative and engaging.
No one can stand a bad neighborhood. In fact, when most people move, it usually is because they have found a better neighborhood. As such, it is important to give potential buyers a glimpse of the neighborhood. The best way to do so is through real estate videography.
What makes a neighborhood? Answer: the community, houses, businesses, infrastructure, and everything it takes to turn life’s wheels. As such, try to cover all these factors in your videos. For instance, try to get an interview with notable figures in the community. You should also take aerial footage of the area to get an overview of the layout and infrastructure.
Try to capture the brighter part of the neighborhood when making these videos. However, don’t do anything that will try to deceive your potential buyers, as this will eventually create mistrust. The idea is to give the buyers positive things that will compensate for any shortcomings in the neighborhood.
A real estate marketing video should have a positive impression on potential buyers. However, it may have the opposite effect if the quality is poor. Poor lighting, design, production, and other aspects that go into making a video will reflect poorly on the listings, no matter how good they may be in person.
Making the perfect real estate marketing video takes more than just a camera. The competition is stiff! Everyone in real estate is turning to videography in a bid to get ahead of the competition, so you should invest in professional services if you want to stand out.
C&I is an idea and advertising agency. We come up with innovative and creative videography marketing ideas for our clients. We would like to do the same for you!
How can we help?
For starters, we offer a variety of real estate videography and production services. We will develop the perfect videos for your listings, interviews, neighborhood surveys, and live Q&A sessions. Videography is our passion, and we invest in the best equipment, so you are assured of top-quality videos!
Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can help!
It is no longer enough to simply have a website; instead, your brand’s cohesive online presence needs to be created by carefully selecting colors and other elements of web design and graphic design that best represent your brand and appeal to your target audience.
Color theory goes beyond choosing colors purely for their appearance and seeks to identify ways that brands can use specific colors to shift viewers’ moods and feelings. Fresh First, South Florida Sinus & Allergy Center, Ball Cap Liner, and EDSA are four examples of companies that have effectively used C&I Studios’ web design services and techniques, particularly our color expertise, to create websites that showcase their brand’s personality.
Color theory is the psychological idea that certain colors and color schemes have the ability to affect our mood. When this information is used to select colors for a website or other digital content, web and graphic designers take advantage of the associations our minds make with certain colors to subconsciously alter viewers’ thoughts about the product or brand being marketed.
Color theory digs deeper into consumers’ preferences for certain colors and looks at the various emotions and personality traits that consumers tend to associate with products of specific colors. Having a solid understanding of the moods and feelings that can be associated with certain colors is an effective way for brands to select colors that subconsciously convey the feelings they would like consumers to have about certain products.
Fresh First is a gluten-free restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Like many specialty restaurants, the brand focuses on marketing toward a specific target audience, rather than the general population. The restaurant primarily targets individuals who enjoy searching for healthier options than the high-calorie meals that are found at average restaurants.
With this idea in mind, Fresh First designed its website to draw viewers’ attention to the bright colors of the fruits and vegetables that make up many of its menu items. Much of the website consists of colorful, natural foods that are placed on a simple gray or white background. Many nutrition experts recommend eating fruits and vegetables of a variety of colors, and this web design choice allows the foods to “pop” from the background and show off the restaurant’s nutritious options much more than they would on a colored background. The site also uses minimal green and orange accents, which blend in with the foods nicely to avoid distracting the viewer.
South Florida Sinus & Allergy Center’s website utilizes deep blue and gold accent text against a clean, white background. Like many medical practices, South Florida Sinus & Allergy Center has strategically selected colors that can help to calm their patients and reduce anxiety. Blue, a color that is typically associated with stability and safety, is a common choice among medical professionals across a variety of fields. Because it can convey a sense of safety, blue branding can also help increase patients’ trust in their medical professionals.
Using a minimal amount of color on a simple background increases the professional appearance of the site over using too much color, and the clean appearance of the white background can also help viewers feel more secure than colors that invoke strong feelings. The site also uses one simple, sans serif font, which creates a website that is neater and easier to read than using several different types of fonts.
Ball Cap Liner is an innovative company that provides head protection gear for baseball and softball pitchers. Although batters and umpires typically wear head, face, and mouth protection, the safety of the pitcher is often overlooked. Ball Cap Liner’s products protect pitchers from balls that may be hit directly back toward them.
Ball Cap Liner’s website features sleek, modern color choices based on color theory that support the brand’s position as a leader in new safety equipment for athletes. The site utilizes bold, red accents that grab the viewer’s attention, and many headings are typed in bold capital letters. These web design choices help to create a larger impact than pale colors and simple fonts, and they fit the intense tone that is conveyed by many other athletic brands.
The site’s moving graphic elements and dark, blurred photos of baseball and softball players in the background set a casual, yet professional, tone that is a good fit for the brand’s target audience of elite athletes. The shades of gray that are used in the background create a more modern look than using a solid white background would.
EDSA is an architecture and landscape design company that plans buildings, amusement parks, and other properties that work well with nearby natural features. Modern buildings that are near oceans, mountains, and other elements of nature can be designed to complement the beauty of these resources, rather than work against them.
EDSA’s website makes use of the color blue in a different way than South Florida Sinus & Allergy Center’s. The site engages readers by using blue accent text, which blends well with the images of lakes and oceans that are featured. Many of the images on the site move, which is a modern web design decision that showcases more of EDSA’s creations than still photographs can. This web design choice, which is similar to our own, appeals to an audience that constantly pushes the limits to find the most modern trends in their chosen fields.
Effective web design starts with choosing the right colors. Designing your brand’s new website using colors that carry subconscious psychological benefits can be a simple way to help the members of your target audience see your brand the way you want them to. At C&I Studios, we value creating websites that capture our clients’ unique personalities. Visit our website to read more about how we integrate color theory, fonts, and other graphic design elements to match your desired tone or contact us to learn about how we can help you create a top-notch website!
We get it; you are a business owner who wants a little shove down the success runway. But how do you do it? You’ve tried to market your products in all ways feasibly possible.
However, it feels like all you do is take L’s. Calm down. Breathe in and out. Maybe all you need is an idea hub to spark Jack Ma in you. You’re certainly on the right platform!
So you’ve heard about 3D product animation, huh? Thumbs up, you’re just about to discover the necessities that come with 3D animation.
It’s as simple as it sounds. With a 3D presentation, you can seamlessly show off your product and its features in unique ways. It also allows you to launch your products and services on different platforms at the same time. Fascinating, right?
3D animation can help inform, entertain, and captivate customers in ways that poster you smeared outside your stall can’t. This method ultimately revamps your business in alluring ways you didn’t think possible. Hold on a bit…
We know what’s on your mind… but why 3D animations?
There are countless ways to market and showcase your products, but as competitors would be doing similar things, it wouldn’t offer you with that robust competitive advantage. Instead, a professional animation firm would be your tight-lipped secret to make a killing in the already stuffed marketplace. Wouldn’t you want to break away from clutter? The emphatic answer to such a question is YES; you need an expert videography firm to make boxes tick.
As an idea hub, C&I Studios helps businesses actualize their marketing concepts with the aid of top-notch video production and professionals. Here are our top 7 ways that 3D Animations can help you boost your marketing strategy and raise your sales.
Congratulations, you’ve just bought a new batch of products, and you can’t wait to show them off ASAP. Do you have professional videography to set you up for the job at hand?
A professional, colorful, eye-catching page having your customized 3D animations is one way to attract customers these days. Would you instead read an article detailing your product and its features, or watch an animation which shows the nuts and bolts of your product? Which sounds better, huh? Probably the second option.
You’re not alone on this one. Potential customers are four times more likely to view an animation or photos about a product than they are to skim an article about it. Therefore naturally, when you have a 3D product animation on your company website, it’s more likely to attract new customers and retain their attention.
We dare say that video is the crème del a crème of advertisement and marketing, so don’t forget to pitch it into your promotional strategy.
It takes a lot to set the sales ball in any organization rolling. Like, you are elevating your brand image, for example.
The final appearance and feel of a 3D product animation video are simply impressive! When the design of the video is done in the right manner, it makes your product exclusively appealing, thus setting a tone of positivity to your business.
Who wouldn’t want to create a lasting impression about their products? Well, you could kick things off by utilizing one of our creative masterpieces for your next big product shoot.
Okay, you want to display your products attractively and raise the image of your brand. We agree with you — that’s awesome. But what could beat round-the-clock product sales? Your answer is as good as ours!
3D animations allow you to market and sell your product 24 hours a day, all year round. Once you’ve crafted your animation, it can advertise on-sale products to your customers in different time zones whenever they want to view them. That’s pretty cool folks (wink!)
With animation, you can describe your products explicitly, making it perfect for displaying their features. Convenient, right?
Yup, that’s true, there is an exceptional videography studio in your backyard to help you polish product readability. Now that you know one or two things about boosting your sales, here’s a bit more insight.
Concise guidance or how-to video serves as the ideal way for the customers to be introduced to the product.
You can use the 3D animation video to display the product’s helpful features, narrow down on its benefits, and show the simplicity in using it. Wouldn’t you want to captivate and retain customers who’ve already invested in your firm?
Going the extra mile and providing your clients with all useful info states better than a thousand words that you care about them genuinely. Loyalty does come with a lot of demands, but it couldn’t get any easier than sourcing for quality 3D animation content.
Are you ready to showcase your products’ features in less than a minute? We get it, product statements matter. Just take American Airlines, for example, and how its video adverts are short and precise. You can pull that off too!
One of the unique benefits of marketing products via 3D animations is that it helps you explain essential features within a blink of an eye. In this dynamic world, where time is a necessity, you must portray your motive and messages to your customers within the shortest possible period.
Customers can’t sweat to make ends meet and still struggle to view your products’ descriptions. Leave that hassle behind with state-of-the-art 3D product videography.
What did you hear about customer engagement? But before you grumble, let’s face a few facts…
Gaps between what customers expect and what enterprises deliver are there. They’re not fiction. You should be quick-thinking about ways to bridge such gaps if you want to achieve business success. Fortunately, 3D product animation is no fluke when it comes to ultimate customer engagement.
Intuitive 3D animations help you to engage with your customers on a whole new level. An interactive 3D product animation not only lets your customers engage with the products but also helps entice prospective customers.
When you display features in 360 degrees view, you give people a chance to experience your products in real-time. A virtual presentation will teach customers one or two things about your products and elevate their experience.
Here is the cherry on the cake: you can still be in the prototype, manufacturing, or testing stages of a product offering and still present an animated explainer to get your customers revving about it. The combination of captivating voice-over and heavy visuals really drives the point home. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
Share-ability is limitless. If you really want your sales to skyrocket, a shareable product video is the best way to get started.
Did you know that 93% of brands gained new followers because of a video on social media? So why are you still reluctant? Get your idea in the public eye and watch it become a sensation. To some extent, online marketing solutions can attribute their success to the presence of a wide range of social platforms. Facebook, Snap Chat, and YouTube are indeed the best media to promote your 3D product animations.
Most businesses are fully aware of the importance of advertising their videos on social media, as 90% of their target audiences are present on such platforms. With the help of social media, you can seamlessly create your product video to look more professional and easy to understand, hence making a significant impact on your target audience. If your content is unique enough, it will amass shares and likes too, which will raise the visibility of your business. So, come equipped with unique content and let the videography experts do the magic.
Are you ready to get started with top-of-the-line 3D product animations? We get it… your business is dear to your heart. And what superior way to boost sales and grow your entity than to reach out to your customers with captivating, memorable content?
3D animation is an easy and quick way to make enriching video content and at competitive rates too. 3D animations put life into perspective as no texts or live videos can. From automobiles to home designs to architecture, 3D animations can help you shoot your shot.
C&I produces innovative 3D animation concepts intending to make a difference in the marketing world. We’ve worked with mega-brands, like Magic Leap and GhostBed, to name a few! Check out our portfolio today, and let us help you create a game-changing idea.
Whether you work in traditional real estate in Miami Beach or are marketing an apartment complex or hotel, you know that seeing is believing. Much of the appeal of your Miami Beach real estate comes from viewers seeing the photographs and envisioning themselves there. They begin to believe in the luxury, relaxation, or fun of the Miami area the moment they see your photographs. However, as smartphone cameras get better and better, it has gotten harder to distinguish your business marketing from the photography assets available to all the other businesses in your area. Beating the competition at this point requires taking a new approach, and we believe that drone footage is the way to go.
Drone footage may be new to you as a marketer, so here are some of the reasons we see drone footage as the next big thing in real estate marketing of all kinds. It’s a key component of really sharing everything your real estate properties have to offer.
Even very high-resolution, crisp straight-on shots of a particular real estate property are not going to be as eye-catching on a listings website as the only photos that have an aerial angle, showing they were definitely taken by a drone. Most real estate marketers are looking for an ‘it factor’, something that distinguishes them.
As drone footage becomes more common, you don’t want to be the only one that doesn’t have this perspective on the world. Instead, be the front-runner in your market for having excellent, crisp drone-based photography.
With the buzz that drones have currently among the average population, just having this footage may draw in interested buyers or other potential customers. People have seen drone racing and other drone-based news stories and want to know what the fuss is about.
They’ll want to know what it was like getting this footage and will want to know more about the process. As a marketer, you know that any point of interest that starts a conversation or gets people sharing a video or photo is great exposure for you.
Be the first in your market, for instance, with a high-quality drone footage video that makes your real estate offerings look amazing, and you’ll be surprised how much more people share and like that video on social media than they’d share a traditional real estate listing.
Speaking of video, the video possibilities are so much stronger with drones.
Standard Earth-bound videography can only capture so many angles of your real estate property, while flying a compact drone both above, around, and even inside the property at eye-level can really make your viewer feel like they are actually present.
If your goal is to help your viewers go from big-picture interest to granular details, drone footage is the way to go. The angles that were previously only possible with helicopters and major-motion-picture budgets are now available to a variety of brands who want their real estate marketing to really pop.
So you’ve opted to upgrade your marketing with drone footage? Here are some tips to get you started on the right path with your professional drone camera and video team.
If you’re choosing to fly drones, absolutely make sure that video and still shots are both included. The angles you’ll get should be able to be used in still-photo listings and advertisements, but you’ll also want the clickable intrigue of a video to draw more people in over time.
While drone images from afar can take in the expansive nature of your property, you want to use drones close-up too.
Drones offer excellent angles that human photographers would have to twist themselves into knots to get.
Whether you’re looking at a Miami Beach real estate property’s beachfront access or the large balconies on an apartment complex, make sure you get up close and personal and use photos that convince people that they know exactly what they’re buying into.
One factor that many real estate marketers don’t factor in enough is the location of your property. Use high-level drone images to showcase how close your property is to important nearby areas, including popular roads and interesting nearby attractions.
Anything that puts your property in a great light should be included in your shots that establish location.
Seeing is believing, so many viewers will internalize your great location more with photos and video fly-overs than they’d get from reading a quick blurb about how well located your property is.
Make sure that your shot list for the drone footage is comprehensive.
Cover everything, since even if you can’t use every single angle you shoot, you might discover a hidden gem that looks totally different and way better than the competition’s best photo assets.
Make sure that you take the time and invest the energy in finding a company to craft a vision for your photos and video, especially as your real estate marketing first ventures into drone footage. After all, you want to be able to stitch together these valuable assets into something cinema-worthy, not just a few slightly-better versions of your old style. Let a great idea agency use drone footage to level up your branding overall.
Especially when you want to cultivate a brand voice and persona throughout a variety of distinct properties, having someone craft your marketing into a narrative-driven advertising campaign is key.
Still not convinced? Drone footage, as we’ve said, is one of those things that, once you see what it does, will completely convince you.
Let us show you what drone footage can do for your marketing; contact us today.
It serves as the face of your company. Thus, finding the right web design company is a must. When representatives of your target market look at your website they should quickly:
Top-performing websites share the same traits which include:
Considering how important your website is to your business, you can’t afford to cut corners when it comes to hiring a web design company. To ensure you get a good deal, there are several things to look for when weighing the pros and cons of each web design company you consult.
Mood boards are an important aspect of designing a website that a surprising number of web design companies haven’t yet incorporated into their design process. An effective web design mood board bears an uncanny resemblance to the Wall of Suspects that are often featured on police procedural shows. The difference is that instead of a bunch of photos of bad guys, the web design mood board is a collection of images and visual assets the design team feels represents your business and could potentially be incorporated into your website. The mood board serves as an early representation of the overall mood and direction the finished website takes.
A good web design team will encourage your feedback during the mood board portion of the design process. They will want to make sure that you and they agree that the images used on the board accurately reflect your brand. The more input you provide about the mood board, the happier you’ll be with the final website.
Once the moodboard is starting to come together, the design process should start to evolve into the creation of a sitemap. At this point, an experienced web design team takes the various aspects of the mood board uses them to start structuring your website. This part of the process goes much smoother if you already have a solid idea of the different types of pages/elements you want to be incorporated into your website.
It’s important to make sure that you’re working with a design team that knows how to create a sitemap that allows each element of your website to flow seamlessly into the next. A well-executed sitemap results in a final website that subtly directs it’s visitors to each page until they make a purchase.
One of the biggest mistakes newer, inexperienced web design companies are making is trying to skip the wireframe process. These novice designers feel that creating a wireframe simply slows the design process and since they’re eager to work with as many customers as they can, they skip this vital step.
We don’t. We understand the value of a solid wireframe.
The purpose of a wireframe in website design is to define your website’s design hierarchy. The wireframe is vital for ensuring that the final web design provides a high-quality user experience.
This aids in defining the information hierarchy of your site’s design to ensure the layout is planned around the desired user experience. Benefits of a good wireframe include:
The wireframe serves as a kind of outline or blueprint for the final website.
The next stage of a highly-effective web design process is creating mock-up PDF displays. This is another step novice web design teams try to skip because they don’t understand that the static creations provide both the design team and yourself to determine if the visual aspects of the design truly work. The elements you want to look at when presented with the mock-up of your website include:
If the answer to any of these questions is no, the design team tweaks the project until everyone is happy.
For many business owners, the next stage, developing the live preview of your website is when things start to get exciting. This is the stage when it finally starts to feel like you’re about to establish your online presence.
The live preview stages is when you and the design team create an active version of the website. It’s still not accessible to your customers, but you and the team are able to see how it interacts with web browsers, confirm that the various aspects are fully functional, testing the SEO optimization and meta tags, and that it includes all the necessary features and content you require. This is your last opportunity to tweak things. This is the best time to let your inner perfectionist run loose. If you’re not 100% happy with the live preview, let the design team know sot that they can tweak the design until you’re as excited about the website as they are.
Now, the only thing that is left is making some final tweaks to the responsive elements and maybe a few placement changes. Once that’s done and everyone is happy with the results your website is ready to launch. This is a big day. Throw a huge website launch party and invite all of your customers to take part.
C & I is an agency that has a long and respectful history of creating high-performing websites. This list of clients who have been delighted with our web development and creative marketing services includes:
There is nothing we enjoy more than taking our experience and combining it with your ideas until we’ve created a beautiful and fully functional website that perfectly showcases your business while also attracting members of your target market. The sooner you contact us about our web design services, the sooner we can help you build your internet presence.
Crew Call: The Tattoo Project was originally scheduled for March 21, 2020. However, the coronavirus events forced us to reschedule. From March 21st, we pushed the date back to April 18th. We’re staying optimistic, but with no foreseeable end in sight, we may have to move our date yet again.
It’s only natural that a new date should be accompanied by new promotional material. So, we harnessed the creative energy from our promotional shoot with Jaquelyn Puma — a local model and tattoo artist with Borrowed Time Tattoos in Fort Lauderdale — and reenvisioned Crew Call: the Tattoo Project with a male model.
Luke Adams was a perfect fit for this production. In a way, his mannerisms summarize how everyone in the world is feeling right about now… a little fed up, a little isolated… trapped in their thoughts. Yeah, we can relate.
We’re living in a boring dystopia right now and most of us can’t wait to get out of the house and socialize again. It’s only been 4 weeks of quarantine. How many more we’ll be forced to endure, we cannot say. But at least we have Crew Call: The Tattoo Project to look forward to once life returns to a state of normalcy.
We hope this promotion makes you want to get of the house; we hope this excites you for what’s to come. We’re all in this together. We just have to wait it out.
A lot of brands won’t work with models that have tattoos. They either hire talent whose body is a blank slate or force the model to cover their artwork. That way, they can modify their image to reflect their brand. We don’t do that…
We prefer to work with people with personality; people who embrace their artistic senses; people who wear their art on their sleeve (literally)… Because real artwork doesn’t compromise. And it most certainly doesn’t restrict the artist or the subject. Instead, it rallies the charisma of the outcast and encourages expression in its most wild and untamed fashion.
That’s one of the reasons we use live models at Crew Call. It’s why we invite everyone and anyone to join in and do their thing…whatever that may be. If you want to model, no one will stop you. Seriously, at our first Crew Call event, many of the guests attending the event (who happened to be models by trade) joined in and activated some of our stages. Who are we to stop them? Our industry deserves more freedom like this. Rules are boring. You don’t have to follow them.
We felt it was important to start Crew Call 2020 with a theme that defies the industry standard. What better way to do that than invite the black sheep of the modeling industry to the studio.
Tattoos are one of the most unique forms of storytelling. They’re abstract, vague, extremely direct, and deeply personal. They tell of moments passed and those we yearn to bring to life.
Each time someone adds a tattoo to their body, they’re adding a new chapter to their story. But the really cool thing is that the story isn’t linear like we’re accustomed to. It’s cyclical. It can be read in any direction. Front to back; side to side; top to bottom; and on and on. And with each reading, the message evolves…
Tattoos are stories you can read to your own beat. And that’s how we hope you will treat Crew Call on April 18th. We hope you will make it your own and move at your own pace. We hope you will use your art to transform someone else’s tattoos into your own story.
Because of this, we house a full creative suite of editing and post-production software. One of our most powerful editing software, which we used to put the final touches on Gio Henao’s artist profile, is DaVinci Resolve. This is a color correction and non-linear video editing application for macOS by Blackmagic Design.
Since editing is one of the most critical steps in our process, nothing is overlooked. DaVinci Resolve helps us zone-in on key points of interest to create maximum clarity and outstanding color harmony. In this phase, we take all the footage, audio, and additional assets and lay them on a timeline to arrange the absolute best narrative flow. This process is extremely time-consuming. According to the industry standard, every minute of shooting translates to an hour of editing, which makes sense since this is where true storytelling comes together.
After editing, the project moves to color correction and audio mixing. This is where we balance the footage for proper exposure and grade the footage to give it a look that improves the overall story. Audio mixing is similar to video editing. While video editing pertains to video only, audio mixing has to take all of the audio sources and blend them to broadcast quality sound. All of this is done by our very strong and talented post-production team, who work around the clock to meet our client’s deadlines.
When we were searching for talent for this promotion, we decided that we wanted to work with someone in the tattoo industry. For us, it was more important that we had a model who was more than a model — someone whose life and career was firmly cemented in tattoo art. Turns out, our search was much closer to home than we expected…
Jaquelyn Puma is a tattoo artist at Borrowed Time Tattoos in Flagler Village, just a few blocks from our studio headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. She was trained in art in New York City at many prestigious schools, such as Pratt, FIT, and Pace University. This is where her unique style was born — a style that blends provocative imagery with twisting shapes and psychedelic energy. You can check out her gallery of art here.
In addition to being an artist, Jaquelyn is also a model, hence why she was selected for this shoot. Her style was perfect for this production. She emitted a strong, cavalier aura and mixed that boldness with shy, bashful postures, which really set this off. Her demeanor is almost inviting, yet so intimidating. It’s the ability to blend emotions like this that separates decent models from the talented ones.
DO NOT READ
Well, everyone is officially freaking out.
The coronavirus is spreading and businesses, events, restaurants, you name it are shutting down and closing. Needless to say, most, if not all small business owners, have the same fear in their gut: “What the hell am I going to do for money?”
This is something that we are all facing. But the entertainment industry is usually the market that is hit first. People cancel events, shoots, projects, and go into panic and freeze mode. It reminds me a lot of how the holidays are. Around Christmas time people just stop working. Even when they get an email, a simple response is out of the question. This situation is a lot like that business-wise. People are scared for their business, and they should be.
Since I’m in the same boat I wanted to share what we are doing at C&I Studios to combat this.
First, we have to practice what we preach. So, we increased our marketing spend on our business, our advertising budget, our SEO budget up, and content budget. You name it, we are putting more money into it.
Why?
Because a massive amount of consumers are just sitting at home on the internet browsing their phones. When they are tired of reading news articles about this coronavirus they are looking at products and brands online that interest them. This is where your marketing comes into play.
We aren’t just spending more because we are a marketing company and that sounds good. No, we actually need it to work. We still have projects in the works and are expecting more contracts to be signed. Business will ramp back up in time, and when it does and the economy rebounds you’ll want your business to be ready for the uptick. Ours will be.
Change is good for brand growth, which means this is a great time to adapt and modernize your brand.
I was thinking about the restaurant industry… If you are a restaurant owner, you’re probably freaking out. The lunch rush is gone; the dinner rush is gone. So, what can you do? Well, Uber Eats and Postmates are skyrocketing right now. Everyone is at home ordering in because they have limited options.
Now more than ever, your video content, photo content and social media are THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR BUSINESS. How you present your business online is why people will Postmates from you rather than another restaurant. You have to continue working on building and marketing your brand if you want to stand out and profit. Run some sales, promote discounts, create specials and market them to people in your area. This is the time.
Life goes on. People are still spending money. If you don’t think they are, check out grocery stores, Target, and Walmart. And, yes, people are scared, but a lot of people are also shopping online. So why aren’t they shopping at your store? This is when your digital presence matters more than anything. If you aren’t selling then it’s time to make some moves.
Finally, work on YOUR BUSINESS. You have been so focused on your company’s operations that you are now being forced to think outside the box. Now is the best time to do all those web changes you’ve wanted to do, or setup that campaign, or make that video production project happen. This is the time to plan. Will it all cost money? Yes, but if you don’t get ahead, you will be left behind. Some restaurants and business will remain in business because they will adapt. Others will die because they didn’t want to do anything. That’s the biggest difference right now.
Thankfully all of this can be done from your home communicating with your Advertising and Marketing Agency. Products and commercials can be shot without getting 10 people together. Web projects can be done remotely. Things can happen, you just have reset your mindset from fearful and reactionary to proactive.
Don’t just think about how you can make your business survive; think about how you can make it kick ass. Set yourself up for when the coronavirus is done. When life returns to normal you should be in a position to implement the projects that you created during this lull in business. Not picking up the pieces once it passes.
We will get through this. Do you remember what it was like when you started your company? Good. Stay scrappy, get strategic, and spend money where you know you need to. It doesn’t matter what you sell and who you sell to. If no one knows about your business, then no one cares.
So you’re a fashionista, huh?
Congratulations, you’ve just produced a fashion-line and it’s about to hit social media like a storm across the runway.
Do you have professional videography to show off the way your fashion line fits the body of every god or goddess who tries on your clothing? Video is everything these days, especially for a fashion brand, so don’t forget to weave it into your promotional strategy.
Do you have a video plan for your fashion line?
If you don’t have this figured out, how will you promote the way your fabric sways as she walks down the street?
Video can help capture those subtle yet vibrant details that traditional photography just can’t.
Let’s explore how professional videography can transform your fashion-line by getting your message and tone in front of the right customers.
You put your needles, thread, and imagination into every garment you made, and they represent your pure child’s play, fashion is your expertise.
But videography? Most designers are overwhelmed with such an undertaking and have no idea where to begin. Can I use my iPhone? Do I need to purchase complex lighting and cameras? These are common questions that run through most people’s minds when they decide to take on an endeavor like this.
The resounding answer to all of those questions is NO you can’t use your iphone, and you don’t need to invest heavily in sophisticated videography equipment in order to promote your fashion line, you just need an idea agency. Although we do agree that iPhones are awesome, there is a lot more that goes into a film than just holding a camera.
We get it, Tangerine is a hit film and the videography was done completely with an iPhone. But what they didn’t tell you about was the extensive audio equipment, professional lenses, and advanced lighting that brought the whole story together.
It takes a lot to bring high-quality videography into action.
Like, Models for example.
So you have the clothes, and they are stitched to perfection. Maybe even mass-produced, yup, that is your vision brought to life.
But who do you hire to highlight this vision in your fashion line promotional video?
Where will you find the right models?
You could gather all your friends as Grimes did for her first music video, but they might not be right for the job.
Luckily there are plenty of awesome model profiles that will fit your fashion vision, and if date Elon Musk he might help out with your next big shoot.
Okay, okay, we get it not all heads are up in space, but maybe your fashion vision shoots for the galaxies.
Great, you have your threads, your models, your aspirations, and still… your iPhone.
Esto no es bueno, necesitas un camarógrafo.
Did you know that South Florida has a best-kept secret?
Yup, that’s right, there is an incredible studio in South Florida, right in your backyard.
You can rent out the studio, hire a model, and get professional lighting, cameras (not iPhones), production services.
Your Problems are solved. Are you excited yet?
Probably not, because why would you work with a studio if you haven’t seen their portfolio?
It is so important to do your research before hiring someone for a project that literally cradles your baby in their hands.
So what kind of research should you be doing before hiring the right company?
Remember that if it doesn’t feel like a good fit, then it’s probably the wrong shoe Cinderella.
So sweep up the dust and get back to work, here is what you should check out before investing in any kind of videography for your fashion line:
Check out the portfolio section of the company you are thinking about hiring. Have they worked with a big-name company that you have heard of before?
Coca Cola, Nike, and American Apparel?
If so, look no further, the company is definitely legit if they have worked with big brands.
Is the studio big enough to show off your style? If not, make sure the studio is willing to travel anywhere to get to you.
Maybe they know a sweet cove or beautiful sand dune that will give way to your space-galaxy style.
Does the company have a good reputation for working with others? Make sure you are in the right hand.
You should feel like you can express all of your ideas and help make the entire process of shooting your fashion line photography come to life.
No matter what kind of vision you have, the goal of videography should be straightforward.
Video and film production is the only art form that can almost communicate the emotional values that a real-life interaction with your threads and fashion can have.
You want your customers to feel, learn, understand, change and take action from watching your clip.
That is powerful. And when you create powerful imagery, you share a contagious smile across the world with your idea.
That’s why you should hire an idea agency, you’ll find them to be the most creative.
Storytelling is paramount.
Did you know that 93% of brands gained new customers because of a video on social media? So what are you waiting for, get your idea out there and go big?
You need a company that is equipped with:
Storytelling is limitless, it can transform your vision and play it the world with an inviting melody. Consumers are more demanding than ever when it comes to making a purchase, and video content is the solution.
Are you ready to get started, and skyrocket your threads into the public eye? We get, fashion statements matter, just take Cleopatra for example, her fashion statements wage wars between Egypt and the Roman Empire.
Women are awesome.
And so is your fashion-line! So give it the go-ahead and show it off to the world through professional videography with C& Studios.
Check out our portfolio, we have worked with big named brands like Nike, Montce Swim, and many more. No matter where you are in the world, let’s create the idea together, and shoot.
Contact us today!
Not many people know that we write and produce our own music for use in original television and film productions, as well as our client’s video work. But we do.
We’re not telling you anything new by saying that we’re most known for our video production work. It’s our bread and butter, sure, but it doesn’t capture everything that we do.
It’s strange… when you become so well known in a particular craft or discipline, people tend to confine you to that line of work. But the prism of creativity beams in all directions. It cannot be contained. That’s how we feel, so that’s exactly how we conduct ourselves. If we want to create something, we create. If we don’t know the skill, we learn it. If we don’t have a platform to use it, we build one. That’s how it’s always been.
The Delorean is our musical personality. It’s the cadence we walk to and the rhythm we think to. We branded our music identity differently because of you. If we named this side of our creativity “Uncreative Music” or “C&I Studios” music, then you’d say, “Hey, wait a minute, aren’t these guys pros at video and film production? What do they know about producing music?”
Short answer: A lot.
We have well over 500 tracks ready for publication. Our team has been working tirelessly to create music that is suitable for any style of production. You can choose between reggae, hip-hop, classical, blues, jazz, symphonic, a broad range of genre-bending vibes, and a whole lot more.
If you want to add lyrics to a track for use in your next video production, then we will mix it for you. If you want to replace the drop with heavier bass, then we will reconstruct the climax of the song. If you want to rearrange the buildup, then we will do that, too. Anything goes when you work with us.
We want you to feel connected to the songs you purchase. To us, music is personal. We believe that if you’re going to use one of our tracks, then you should have the privilege of making it your own. So, get excited about customizing the sounds to your next feature film, company profile video, or social media soundtrack. The Delorean is at your service.
The best part about customizing one of our tracks is that it is completely unique to your brand. No other business will have the same track as you. Check out this video we created for OneUnited Bank. We produced this soundtrack specifically for this video. It doesn’t exist anywhere else.
Brands thrive through storytelling. If you expect to become an authority in your industry then you must be present, original, and engaging. There is no in-between. You either commit to your narrative and tell it how it should be told, or fall short of your business goals.
When you subscribe to The Delorean music library, you gain access to unlimited tracks. We offer various subscription plans that allow our clients to select and customize tracks; to use their personalized soundtracks in whatever capacity they need; to adopt a musical database unique to their brand and their brand alone; and much more.
We created The Delorean music library because we understand the value of originality in branding. In our experience, music is integral to storytelling. Where dialogue falls short, music keeps the user engaged; where visual cues need excitement, music adds to the intensity. If you limit your creativity you essentially limit your storytelling. That’s how we see it. If your brand is going to rise in your industry, then you must engage your consumer base. Having a collection of original music at your disposal will give you a significant upper-hand.
Next Door has been a staple of FATVillage for years, however, the community knew it by a different name. Despite being known as BREW, we always guided the vision for the space Next Door. It started with books (an entire wall of them) and matured from there.
Recently, we felt that the aesthetic of Next Door was failing to keep pace with our vision. We had outgrown our branding. Next Door is moody, sexy, and romantic. But we weren’t presenting it that way online. There was a disconnect. But not anymore.
If you’re interested in seeing Next Door’s new branding, you have to check out our portfolio. We’d love to hear what you think.
Video captures emotion more accurately than any other visual medium. It plays with the memories of the viewer, reaching them through nostalgia. Even with a soundtrack masking the chatter at the bar, the viewer can hear the indistinct converstations; they can hear the ice clinking against glasses; they can smell the aroma of citrus and mint wafting in the air; they can taste that first sip and feel warm liquor coat their lips.
These visual cues inspire real sensations — real memories. And that has the power to sell.
This is the video for our newest cocktail addition, The Parker. It was inspired by Valentine’s Day but is here to stay for a while. This is the first of many new drink menus you will see on our TVs. We hope you’ll watch them, feel them, and see if the final product tastes as good as your memories.
They differ from businesses in that they are more personal (duh). They are naturally conversational. They can connect with audiences in ways that companies often struggle. Their words, their artwork, their passions, philosophies, business interests, likes and dislikes are either shared or often adopted by the audiences who follow them. This gives social media influencers a stark advantage on consumer conversions.
The social media influencer’s ability to sway decision-making is unrivaled by most businesses that engage consumers online and on social media. They can sell products to their audiences successfully because it seems like they aren’t pushing a sale. It seems like they are doing their friends (their audience) a favor by sharing a product that benefits their lifestyle.
An influencer’s jobs is to influence. They win their audience’s trust by sharing intimate, personal details about their life. In most cases, this is the art they create and their reasons for creating it.
The greatest motivator in the history of mankind has always been art. It is the voice of the age and generations past. It is our most intimate and credible link to history and the present day. It is how we connect with people we have never met and likely will never meet. Art is truth. It shapes our understanding of the world and opens windows for us to connect with others.
But… art is not easy to create. It takes time. It takes planning. It must be refined and it must communicate a message that lives inside the artist. Moreover, it must be authentic.
We know full well that a social media influencer’s job is not just taking fancy pictures, filming wild videos, or sharing personal details about their life. They are business people. Their brand is their business. Anyone who has ever run their own business or managed an establishment understands that it’s a fulltime job.
Setting aside time to create outstanding content becomes increasingly challenging the more popular an influencer becomes. It is hard to justify spending hours a day planning a video shoot or scouting locations for your next photoshoot when you have products to market, a website to maintain, investors to meet, and a whole world of people expecting you to communicate with them every single day.
Daily job duties become integral to the survival and expansion of the business and, therefore, eventually push content creation to the background. This is the kiss of death. And many influencers don’t realize this until it’s too late.
Some compensate for their lack of time to create quality content by creating mediocre content. They jeopardize their art to stay relevant, which is detrimental to a brand whose values are linked to authenticity. There’s nothing authentic about creating crappy art for the sake of likes on social media. Most audiences will see through the visage and turn to a social media personality with more gumption.
But what if we told you that social media influencers don’t need to devalue their art in order to stay relevant and keep their business competitive.
We have a tight-knit, dedicated crew of craftsmen and industry professionals who have made art their career. Our team is constantly imagining new ways to engage audiences around the world whether it’s for our studio, the Uncreative brand, or our clients. We understand what audiences connect with and we do our research to ensure that our message — our art — is received by the right people at the right time.
We work with various types of public-facing personalities, from Youtube influencers like Willie Morris, radio personalities like Stichiz on 103.5 The Beat, up and coming musical artists like Sabela, actresses like Mary Herman, and iconic brands like Montce Swim, Triumph Motorcycles, and Hard Rock.
There is nothing too lavish that we haven’t already imagined and pursued. And no distance too far to travel. Our passion is bringing people’s visions to life. We don’t make excuses because we don’t believe in them.
We especially enjoy working with social media influencers who have built their brands on a foundation of artwork. Regardless if they are ensnared by business needs, they are creative spirits through and through. Regardless if they have the time to imagine the inner workings of their next photoshoot or video production, they have a vision for what they want to accomplish. Regardless if they have the time to scout far-off locations, they have the desire to travel there. These are the types of professional creatives we work best with.
We would happily bring your vision to life so that your brand’s guiding principles remain linked to authentic art. Yes, we can conceptualize and produce a branded campaign for you. But, more so, we are prepared to listen to your needs, rally behind your vision, and create art that radiates with your voice.
To master the elements one must learn to bend water. Rain is not easily illuminated on film. An artist must understand their model as much as the element itself if they wish to turn their union into beautiful art. To focus on only one of the two would produce lifeless art; art devoid of passion and reason. Do you possess the will to create an ally out of water and rain; to see past the curtain and into the soul of your model?
There are over 30.2 million small businesses in the United States. That number encompasses over 99% of companies nationwide.
If you have ever considered starting your own fashion line, now is a great time to get started.
You will have a wonderful outlet for your creative concepts and the freedom of working for a fantastic boss(Me, Myself, & I).
Concepts and garments take time, energy, and patience to create. It is critical to present your product to potential customers in the most flattering light possible when you are ready for your brand to take off.
Why should you invest in a professional photographer?
Let’s shed some lights.
If your gift is fashion, you probably already have a firm idea of how you want your brand to be eyed up.
Bold.
Hipster.
Revolutionary.
The right photographer can help you convey your concept through location and posing. They may, for example, know about a nearby beach cove that would work perfectly for your summer shoot.
They will have a working knowledge of what times work best with lighting.
A professional photographer will also be able to help you choose if a model, mannequin, or product view is the best way to showcase your product.
The right model will have a personality that matches your brand and a rate that will fit your budget.
There may also be several elements they want to showcase at different angles, such as buttons, zippers, and embroidery.
A professional photographer can choose unique shots, including new perspectives and action photos that will make your website stand out.
Folks who visit a physical store have the advantage of trying on clothes in fitting rooms.
If your product is only available online, potential customers will be relying on quality photos to give them an idea of the drape and fit of your garments.
The work of a professional photographer can be critical to getting them to place the garments in the cart and proceed click at checkout.
Preparing a garment for display on your website is not the same as snapping a pic to send to a friend.
Displayed garments need to be examined from top to bottom and inside and out. They should be ironed and steamed. You will need lint rollers and tape.
A professional photographer can help you properly prepare a garment for your photo.
When photographing clothes for potential buyers, dim lighting can make them look dingy.
Lots of bright light gives less grain and more sharpness to your garments.
Bright lights, however, can also wash out your models’ faces. An experienced photographer will know how to apply makeup and balance lighting for a professional finished product.
DSLR cameras can produce high-quality photos, but incorrect settings can damage their quality.
The aperture is the opening of the lens through which light passes. It gets calibrated through numbers.
A good photographer will know how to correct the depth of field and lighting of a photo through the aperture, which will control its focus.
ISO is a camera setting that can either brighten or darken your photo. The lower the number, the less sensitive your camera will be to light and grain. An ISO setting that is too high can make your photo look grayish.
Good photographers have lots of experience with the roles that aperture and ISO play in various types of images. They can apply their knowledge to photos of your models, products, and colors.
Color space is the specific range of colors that can be present in an image. Without the correct color space, colors will look different on each computer, browser, or website.
SRGB is a color space that defines a ray of colors that can be defined onscreen and in print.
They will keep your colors vibrant and consistent between screens.
SRGB gives you a narrower range of color but will keep your photos vibrant. An experienced photographer will know when to add SRGB for maximum effectiveness.
White balance is the color cast of an image.
Orange and red are warmer colors, and blue and green are cooler.
A good photographer can adjust your camera’s white balance to best capture various colors.
They can also help illuminate your style. Some colors are difficult to photograph correctly, but with the right eye and experience, everything will look grand.
Often, images need to be cropped and aligned in programs like Photoshop after they are taken.
It takes some experience with the program to learn how to best use it since all edits compromise image quality.
Cropping, alignment, and colors vary from image to image. A good photographer will know which edits are essential and will not waste time figuring out how to make them.
They will size images properly and boost the appeal of products.
An experienced photographer will have an established set of rules for shooting and editing.
Work with someone who has a paradigm for maximum effectiveness.
Gifted fashion designers will want to work with professionals who can market their products for maximum boost.
A highly-recommended photographer won’t leave you wondering how your brand is being perceived, or if customers will like your images.
Your fashion line represents your vision, creativity, and hard work.
A great photographer will see this in your products and present them beautifully.
For professional assistance with your photos, contact us today.
Or if you’re curious check out what we did for All Saints Fashion Line.
When you’re starting a non-profit, there are so many things to consider that photography might be at the bottom of your non-profit business plan.
Even worse, you could completely overlook it. Your non-profit is nothing without its supporters, though, and photography is a key way to bring in more donations.
Now that everyone has a good camera, it’s easy to think that anybody can take the photographs you need.
Maybe that intern you hired or your colleague who takes lovely vacation photos can handle it?
It might save precious budget funds, but it won’t help your cause.
Professional photography is more than the quality of the camera. Great photography that connects with the audience requires years of experience and talent.
Your images need to convey a message and capture the attention of a diverse audience. It would help if you had a photographer who understands how to do it.
Keep reading to find out why professional photography is essential to the success of your non-profit and why it should have a secure place in your business plan.
We process visuals more quickly than any other type of data and 60,000 times quicker than words.
That’s essential information for every business, especially non-profits that might want to keep spending to a minimum.
If you’re prioritizing your copy to the detriment of your photographs, your audience might scroll past it.
Us homo sapiens also judge images for quality and meaning.
If your photographs don’t make an instant, eye-catching impression, the viewer won’t receive your message.
Photographs aren’t just lovely to look at; they invoke emotion.
This is crucial if you want people to learn more about your non-profit and to take action for your cause.
Using a professional photographer is essential for non-profits because professionals understand how to capture more than an image. They can capture emotions, meaning, and stories.
Photography might look like it only involves pressing the shutter button, but it’s a lot more than that.
Your non-profit will rely on people donating their time and money to your cause. People don’t give these things away randomly, though.
They need to feel emotions that cause them to want to help.
A professional photographer can use emotion to great effect.
They will both capture the emotions of the people or animals in their photographs and produce images that generate feelings in the viewer.
Images that bring out our compassion can push us to want to help the cause. These emotions are vital to getting support and creating change for the betterment of society.
Emotions are powerful, but only targeting them might cause you to lose your audience. Instead, you can use professional photographs to create a relationship with your audience.
This connection might be a shared theme or location that people can relate to. We all have unique and diverse lives, but it is universal issues that keep us connected.
From childhood disease and animal cruelty to environmental disasters and water shortages, we all have some experience with many non-profit causes.
Finding these areas of shared experience allows you to curate photographs that form a deep connection with your audience and show the world how they can help you make a difference.
Storytelling has huge importance for how we live our lives. It helps us remember things, connect with others, and find meaning all around us.
Storytelling is also an essential factor in successful marketing. It allows you to show others why they should support your non-profit.
Professional photography helps you tell the story of your cause and how you’re doing good in the world. You can use it at the start of your non-profit business and throughout your projects to form a greater connection with your supporters and audience.
They say images speak a thousand words, and it’s true. Using photography to tell stories is a powerful way to show your audience how they can help your cause.
Stock imagery is the enemy of authenticity, even in a world where there are fantastic stock images available.
By using a professional photographer, you can make sure each photograph is personal to your non-profit and its cause.
When you use photographs specific to your non-profit and your cause, your business will come across as authentic and create a bond with your supporters.
Word-of-mouth marketing is the most powerful way to spread the news about your non-profit.
Today, word of mouth means that you need a social media presence. Twitter posts, for instance, see a significant increase in retweets if an image accompanies them.
With engaging images that capture imaginations, users are more likely to share your social media posts, increasing audience exposure.
Your social following can do a lot of marketing on your behalf, as long as you provide high-quality content like professional photographs.
By choosing a professional photographer with experience in non-profit photography, you’ll get shareable photographs for use across all platforms.
Unlike advertising, PR can help build brand reputation in a less sales-based way.
By sharing your goals and messages in print and online, you can begin building brand awareness and stick in readers’ minds.
Many publications will search for print-quality images to help them tell the story of your non-profit. Having these on hand is essential, as low-quality photographs might dissuade journalists from writing about your business.
Outstanding photographs will help you draw more attention to your cause and assist in PR efforts.
When you’re creating your non-profit business plan, marketing will be a top priority.
Professional photography is a vital part of marketing. It allows you to build authenticity, tell your story, and capture your audience’s emotions.
Amateur photography is easy to spot and can do more harm to your non-profit than good. Professionally taken photographs go further than being beautiful to look at.
Instead, they tell stories and convey a much deeper meaning.
To make your non-profit stand out with professional photography, get in touch with us today.
At our studio, we go beyond great photographs. We create powerful images unique to your cause.
Does it feel like there’s a new swimsuit line popping up every other day?
You’re not imagining things!
The global swimwear market has turned into a big business. It generates more than $18 billion every year, and it’s expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
As a result, there is a steady stream of new swimsuit brands making waves.
If you want to make sure your swimsuit line stands out in the crowd, one way to do it is by hiring a professional photographer to help promote your brand.
It’ll allow you to get your hands on high-quality images that you can use to market your swimsuits.
You don’t have to look any further than a company like Montce Swim to see what a difference professional photography can make for a swimsuit line.
Their swimsuits debuted after being designed in a Fort Lauderdale, Florida apartment, and today, they’re worn by major celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Kendall Jenner, thanks in part to the professional photos and videos taken of them at the very beginning.
Here are six reasons why your swimsuit brand should take advantage of professional photography.
The very first swimsuits showed up back in the 1850s. They included bloomers and stockings and looked nothing like modern-day swimsuits.
Since then, swimsuits have come a long way. Because the swimsuit industry has transformed into such a big business over time, swimsuit designers have made a creative splash in society. Experimentation gives way to the gorgeous styles created from unique minds.
Professional photography has also evolved and is now able to capture the intricate details of a designer’s work. Capturing these details in a photograph leaves an imprint on all the women looking to show off their beach bods.
A professional photographer can bring these details to light and make sure that people notice them when they’re looking at your swimsuits.
Outside of packing all kinds of intricate details into their swimsuits, many swimsuit brands also use bold colors to stand out. From bright reds to deep purples, they play around with different colors when designing their swimsuits.
We find that the most successful companies use their creative liberty to light an industry on fire. Work with a photography company that will work side by side with your vision.
Lighting is essential, and good lighting will show off the glow of your swimsuit brand as the centerpiece.
The right lighting will evoke emotion when people see photos of your swimsuits and imagine themselves at Miami Beach wearing your line.
When you photograph swimsuits that are a part of your brand’s next swimsuit collection, you’ll want to start by shooting them in a studio.
The studio is the best way to capture the intricate details included in your swimsuits, along with their colors.
But you don’t want to stop there. You also want to shoot your swimsuits on models out in the wild.
If you’re operating out of a state like Florida, you’ll want to take a trip down to the beach and photograph models wearing your swimsuits to showcase what they’ll look like in real life.
This will require the services of a professional photographer. They’ll be able to help you:
Having photographs of your swimsuits both in a studio and out in the wild will work wonders for your swimsuit brand.
You’ll be able to use these photos in many different ways when promoting your swimsuit line.
One of the first ways you’ll be able to use the photos that you receive of your swimsuits from a professional photographer is on your website.
Assuming you sell your swimsuits online, you’ll be able to put up plenty of photos along with your product listings.
Customers will be able to check out what your swimsuits look like—both up close and on a model—so that they can determine if they want to buy them from you.
You’ll have a better chance of selling swimsuits when you have great photos of them to show to people.
When you have professional photos taken of your swimsuit line, you can use them on more than your website.
You can also utilize them on your different social media accounts to promote your swimsuit brand as a whole.
Recent studies have shown that social media has turned into an excellent tool when it comes to convincing people to buy products.
About 75% of people admit to purchasing a product after seeing photos and/or videos of it posted on social media.
If you’re not taking advantage of social media and posting original photographs of your swimsuits on Facebook, Instagram, and more, you could be missing out on a big opportunity. Using social media can allow you to build up brand recognition and make sales.
Let’s say that a publication like Vogue, Elle, or Cosmopolitan learns about your swimsuits and wants to feature them, either in their magazine or online.
They email you and ask you to provide them with some photos to run along with an article they’re putting together about your brand.
Don’t you want to have the most professional photos possible to send back to them?
In some cases, a publication might arrange to photograph your swimsuits on their own when featuring them.
But in others, they might decide against covering your brand altogether if you don’t have professional photos handy.
It’s yet another reason why swimsuit brands should invest in professional photography. It could end up being the difference between getting covered by a major publication and getting ignored by the media.
Do you want to make sure that your swimsuit line stands out?
Using professional photography will shine a spotlight on your swimsuit line and put it into the best possible light. It’ll set a spark off in the eyes of all who see their vibrancy.
We would love to talk to you more about how we can help you and your swimsuit line stand out by providing you with professional photography services.
We’ve helped swimsuit brands like Montce Swim in the past, let’s take your swimsuit line to the next level.
Contact us today for more information on the services available through us.
Some of the world’s biggest companies were birthed from a garage. But this doesn’t mean your product photography should be.
When it comes to product photography, there are many important reasons why you need to go pro. If you don’t, you could hurt the success of your business and lose market share.
Want to know why this is? Well, beauty is big. And your beauty line needs professional, flawless photos.
Good images sell.
Crisp, professional, and compelling imagery will move your product like nothing else.
As humans, we’re naturally attracted to imagery. The most significant component of the human brain is the visual cortex.
Stats state that 90 percent of all information processed by the brain is visual, and we absorb images 60,000 times faster than text.
What is more, almost 75 percent of consumers search for visual content before making a purchase, and only 13 percent do not.
So what does this mean? That the images you create for your lines are critical to the success of your beauty business.
If you are not convinced yet, consider this.
According to consumer research, 47 percent of U.S. online shoppers stated product image quality as the number one most influential factor in purchasing decisions.
Not only will high-quality media move your beauty line in a way that at-home photography will not—it will also form the face of your brand.
Imagery is an integral part of branding. If your brand’s imaging and media are blurry, flat, or even a little bit uncompelling, this will tell consumers that your brand is dull, flat, or uncompelling.
Worse yet, bad quality images can also give buyers the impression that your products are of low quality.
Low-quality media will inevitably make consumers wonder what other aspects of your brand are less than outstanding.
With consumer distrust in brands on the rise, you want to avoid this impression at all costs.
Having professional product images taken can feel like a pricey venture if you have not done this before.
However, professional images are an investment in sales generation and your brand itself. They’re also something that you can ‘repurpose’ and leverage across multiple platforms.
These include:
Armed with powerful and compelling images on social media, you can attract increased likes and follows.
These will build your brand and work to boost sales. On sales pages, crisp and tempting imagery will dramatically help to convert leads.
If you are starting out with selling beauty products, you might not know that each product in your range needs not one, but multiple types of images.
These include:
White background shots are usually used for the main image for a product listing.
However, to showcase the products, it’s also important to show products from multiple angles.
For beauty lines, multiple angle images aren’t as crucial as for things like apparel and household wares. However, they still help to show the buyer exactly what they are purchasing.
Lifestyle shoots are also important. The key is to let the buyer imagine themselves using your product at home.
Picturing one of your beautifully designed homemade beauty products on their vanity might be the push a consumer needs to hit “buy now.”
Lastly, grouping images are essential for showcasing your full range. This can inspire buyers to look at other items in your line.
A huge perk of utilizing professional photography services is that you can tap into industry knowledge.
Product photography is a specialized field. Every product type requires different lighting and staging.
For example, a bottle of perfume will be photographed entirely differently than a T-shirt.
This is thanks to variations in the way that light reflects off the surfaces of these two products.
Most DIY guides to product photography don’t go into this level of detail.
Instead, they will give you a one-size-fits-all set of guidelines on how to shoot products.
Professionals, on the other hand, have a solid understanding of how to show your product off to its best.
Subtle adjustments in lighting, contrast, reflection, and lens settings are essential for highlighting your beauty business’s products to perfection.
What is more, professional photographers who are rich in experience will also be able to leverage their accumulated trend knowledge.
As with any sector, product photography goes through trends. Building from these trends will give your images that of-the-moment and on-the-forefront feel.
As both an art and a science, the product photography is an involved field.
To master it, you need to invest a significant amount of time, practice, research, trial and error, and money for equipment.
Most entrepreneurs do not have time to learn one specialized skill. Let alone head that up for years to come as you grow your business. For this reason, business-wise, it makes the savvy sense to outsource product photography.
At the least, it takes two years to become a pro-level photographer. Squeezing this learning curve in between the demands of running a beauty business isn’t feasible for most.
Instead, you can use that time more effectively to grow your beauty lines and take your homemade beauty products successfully to market.
We are pretty sure that you have put a lot into your beauty line. Don’t shortchange your brand where it matters most.
If you are selling homemade beauty products online, the product imagery is going to be a huge player in the success of your lines.
Have we convinced you that professional product photography is the way to go? (Ask any brand—it is!)
If so, we would be thrilled to work on your products with you.
With locations in London, LA, New York, DC, and Fort Lauderdale, we are up for any challenge and are addicted to making our clients’ marketing campaigns a stunning success.
Take a look at our portfolio or contact us for further information.
Nothing grabs attention like a stunning visual. It’s the very thing that many social media channels are based on.
Creative photography will set you apart from your competition and get your brand noticed…and remembered.
Professional photography that captures a moment in time almost as if by secret, has the ability to see through the surface, and make people laugh, cry, imagine, and create.
Here’s why it works and how you can start using photography to transform your business today.
Great visuals make your content more shareable and help your social media accounts really stand out.
Social media channels, like Instagram, rely primarily on visual content. Instagram has become heavily used in businesses, and most have an Instagram account. In fact, there are more than 25 million business users.
For businesses to reach consumers and other companies, good quality, engaging content is key.
To stand out on social media, you’ll need to go beyond just providing snapshots.
Come up with a creative strategy for your social media channels, where you outline your posts and determine the timing and the best type of content for each social media channel.
Buyer personas are essential here because they enable you to get to know your ideal customer, and give you the insight needed to create visuals that will get their attention.
Visual content that makes an impact is more likely to get shared, meaning more people will hear about your company. This drives brand awareness and helps your company get noticed.
Creative photography will showcase your products in a new light- they’ll look good and get the type of attention you want.
When selling products or services online, you need to spark an emotion between your audience and whatever you’re selling.
Creative photography can help you convey the mood that you’re going for, can evoke emotion between you and your audience and can help entice your prospects to make a purchase.
Have you ever purchased a product that looked nothing like the photograph online? Good photography enables the customer to see the product true to life, meaning fewer chances of them being surprised after the fact.
By using photography to convey your brand and evoke emotion from your audience, you’ll be better able to tell a story. Particularly in social media, where storytelling relies more heavily on imagery rather than text, you’ll be able to connect better with your audience.
For storytelling, make a connection with your audience through meaningful messages, and create ideas that spark change. For example, we used photography to explore the idea that Natural Beauty is Under Attack.
The beauty industry is enormous. But so is the impact of photography, which can capture the hearts and minds of entire nations as history foretells.
We know content is essential for SEO, but did you know that images can also help you improve your search engine rankings?
Optimized photos can help you get found in a web search. The more images you use, the better your chances of getting noticed. Regularly posting on your website, blog, and social media will help your brand increase your organic ranking.
To optimize your images for SEO, use an image that’s relevant to the text, add a caption, and use alt text.
Your business has a mere 7 seconds to make an impression on a potential customer. This makes creative photography crucial for your business.
A lackluster photo is not likely to make an impression on your customer. This is where the buyer persona research comes into play again.
By knowing your target audience’s preferences, you’ll be able to come up with photos that will make an immediate impact on your target customer and get them to stick around longer on your website.
Now you know the reasons behind using great photographs in business, let’s talk about tips for creating incredible photographs that stand out for your business.
Photography is essentially painting with light. If you can learn how to manipulate the light or use the natural light you have to your advantage, then you’ll be ahead of the curve.
One of the most basic photography skills to learn is the exposure triangle. This is ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. All three of these tools work together to create the perfect exposure in-camera, reducing the need for filters or other post-processing.
Bad lighting will do nothing for your products and could turn potential customers off from your brand because it risks making you look like a novice.
To produce perfectly exposed images, you can use your DSLR’s “auto” mode. But to get more creative control over the final product, use the basics of the exposure triangle.
To make your subject stand out, you’ll want to use uncluttered backgrounds for your images. If you’re using your desk as a backdrop, get rid of any wires, pens, or clutter and anything else that will take the attention of your main subject.
You can also purchase a lightbox or make your own to use for your photoshoots.
Also, avoid any busy backgrounds, and when shooting for social media, keep consistency in mind. You don’t want to have various experiences on your social media feed that will not provide a cohesive feel to your feed or website.
Before you even start taking photos, you should know the look and feel that you want for your images. This will come from your market research as well as your buyer persona research.
For a clean and modern look, you’ll want to stick with light backgrounds, with minimal props and natural lighting. For a more traditional look, you can go with warmer colors and more subdued lighting.
Whatever look you choose, make sure it reflects your brand and is backed by your research. This way, there are fewer chances of having to redo your brand feel in the near future.
By taking your imagery to the next level and by providing creative photography for your business, you’ll be able to set yourself apart from your competition.
You’ll also establish a consistent look and feel for your brand and form deeper connections with your audience.
Need help in making this a reality? Get in touch and learn how our photography and marketing services can help you take your brand to the next level.
Did you know that 500 million hours of videos are watched on YouTube every day?
As a performing musician, capturing the best photos and videos free to post on your website, as well as your social media platforms, is the best way to get noticed by potential fans.
Whether you use a mixture of concert videography or live photography to post on your platforms, finding ways to tell a story that your viewers will understand and engage with the best way for you to keep growing the name of your band.
However, live performances can be tricky to catch on film. Not only are the majority of concerts in poor lighting, but they’re crowded, un-predictable, and you only have one chance to get a shot.
That’s why today, we created a complete guide with six tips to help you perfect your concert videography and photography skills. Turn up the music and get ready for action!
While other contributing factors go into the quality of the photographs that you capture at a live event, choosing your best low light camera will allow you to achieve the perfect shots in otherwise complicated lighting setups.
Cheese their camera that has a higher megapixel count will allow you to capture moments in much more precise detail and cameras with lower megapixels.
Just make sure that you know that the higher the megapixel you choose, the larger the file size is for the photographs that you capture. Always be sure to keep a couple of SD cards in your camera bag.
Whether you’re planning on shooting a video or capturing a couple of photos, make sure that you shoot with your lens wide open. By shooting at your lowest aperture settings, you’ll allow for more light to enter into your camera.
Investing in a lens that’ll allow you to reach an aperture of F1.4, F1.8, or F2.8 will be what works best for concert photography.
Adjusting your aperture (or buying a new lens with lower aperture settings) will allow you to shoot and capture moments that would otherwise be too dark to show up in a crisp, high-quality photo.
When you’re filming a live video, the audio quality that your sound equipment and your camera pick up maybe too distorted for you to be able to upload to social media channels.
That’s why you should film a pre-recorded track overlay on top of the visuals that you record at the live concert.
One of the most significant drawbacks to using this approach is if the audio doesn’t line up with the timing of the live concert, the final product you create to look ingenuine.
Just make sure that you take extra time to go over the audio that you recorded, as well as the live footage that you recorded from the concert, to make sure that they line up with each other to create a genuine-looking session.
ISO is the setting that adjusts the sensitivity your camera has to light. With a lower ISO setting, the less sensitive your camera will be to light. With a higher ISO setting, your camera will have an increased sensitivity to light.
During low light situations, such as at a concert, adjusting your ISO settings will allow the sensor in your camera to respond faster to any light that it can find.
Start with an ISO of 1600 during your first photography session at a concert. If you notice of the images are coming out blurred, you can adjust your ISO by increasing the levels until you find that you aren’t having any problems with your photographs come out blurred.
However, you should be mindful that when your ISO is at a higher setting, you can expect to find more noise in your photographs. With concert photography, it’s always better to have an image that has a bit of graininess to it rather than I have a bunch of images that are blurred.
When finding the perfect spot for you to stand at when taking videography or live photography for a concert, you should be mindful of the location that you’re standing at.
For example, if you’re attempting to film a video with quality audio content, you should ensure that you don’t stand in front of the speakers. If you do stand in front of the speakers, you’ll likely pick up distorted audio.
Depending on the type of content that you’re looking to produce with your live video filming and live photography, finding multiple locations and different angles to take is an absolute necessity to make your content enter other realms.
Even if you believe that you have tons of concert videography and photography skills, finding ways to make small improvements in the content you that you’re producing is a great way to reach a new potential audience.
Finding ways to create refreshing shots will keep your current audience captivated under spell with your work and help you to stand out from the rest of your competition.
Are you interested in learning more about how to improve your concert videography skills or finding ways to improve the content you’re creating? Click here to contact us today for content creation and ideas with a higher purpose and a magical twist.
And while you’re thinking about it, ponder this lovely quote:
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.”
-Albert Einstein
You’re offering an excellent product or service. Shouldn’t it speak for itself?
Not quite.
We’re visual creatures by nature, and unless we see something that piques our interest, we’ll walk right by a storefront or click our way out of a website in seconds.
This is where excellent product photography can make a world of difference.
Investing in professional, high-quality images of your products and designs significantly widens your reach and grows your brand. Plus, it could be the nudge that turns a prospect into a paying customer.
Today, we’re sharing why professional product photography is so important in the retail sphere and how you can optimize your business approach today.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
If you operate a brick-and-mortar store, great! While many people shop online, consumers still love to come in and check out products in person. They can smell the soap, feel how soft a sweater is, listen to the speaker quality and more.
This sensory-rich experience is, for the most part, absent in e-commerce.
That’s why if you run an online store, it’s absolutely critical that your photo title and meta tags are as descriptive as possible. This helps them get found in search results. But, the online consumer doesn’t see this technical SEO behind the photo. So, while you always want your product images to load quickly – be careful not to compress them too much. Because, if they’re blurry, off-centered or grainy, online shoppers won’t give them the time of day.
Why? Well, for one, they can’t tell whether or not it’s something they want to buy. With competitor products only a click away, they don’t have to spend time wondering.
They’ll also remember that experience when they contemplate buying from your shop in the future. Studies reveal that we remember 80% of what we see, 20% of what we read and only 10% of what we hear.
If customers find your website and like what they see, they’re more likely to stick around longer, and become a repeat customer. That’s why it’s important to grab their attention at the onset with photography that captivates.
Your website is only one part of your brand identity. Other important parts include your marketing collateral, social media feeds, taglines, store design and more.
All of these disparate elements should work together to form a seamless user experience.
If you’re pouring tens of thousands of dollars into your print advertising campaign while leaving tiny, outdated pictures on your website, what message does that send to your target audience?
As a business owner, you can leverage your brand voice and personality to engage with your customers and generate new interest. If your images resonate with them, you’ll add value to their lives, which they’ll repay with their patronage.
When strategizing your photography approach, consider how every image you snap and upload can further convey your brand. A few of the most important elements to consider are as follows:
As time goes by, these images will become congruent with your brand name. From Coca-Cola’s white polar bear to the Nike swoosh, it’s hard to recall top brands without thinking of the imagery that defines them.
Which factor do buyers weigh as more important than price when making a purchasing decision?
Turns out, 94% of them will abandon your site if your product descriptions, both visually and textually aren’t answering their questions or wonders about your products.
In fact, pricing comes in third on their list of important factors, with ratings and reviews taking the number-two spot. You could price your goods as competitively as possible and still be misplacing your attention.
When they visit your site, shoppers are most interested in finding the exact information they’re looking for, and quickly. They aren’t interested in playing a cat-and-mouse game, clicking through pages of data before they find the details they need.
Your merchandise photography can help meet their needs – when addressed correctly.
The same study reveals that consumers typically want to see at least three product images before they make a purchase. And, not just any pictures will do.
These must be professional-grade photographs that show your product from a variety of angles. They should also allow users to zoom in for more detail (even better if you have interactive 3d images of your products). If you’re still uploading static, fuzzy images that leave to too much to the imagination, you’re not tapping into your full retail potential.
In today’s digital age, the internet is replete with copycat retailers and malicious scammers that don’t have buyer security on the top of their minds.
This explains why more than 70% of people still have concerns about online shopping.
What’s one simple way you can help quell their anxieties?
Deliver your website visitors top-notch e-commerce product photography that leaves no detail out. By taking the time to reveal every facet of the product you’re selling, you can help build your brand’s trustworthiness (and bottom line).
A brand that’s hesitant to shoot a close-up or reveal a certain angle could appear to be hiding something, even if yours isn’t. You can’t afford to lose business because you took a half-hearted approach to this activity.
Where you invest your money, time and resources reveals what’s most important to you and your company. This is true in both business and life. What do your pictures say about you and your brand?
Your buyers will be able to tell if you’re still using your low-budget photographers or sub-par gear to handle your photography needs. You simply cannot put a price on the value of professional product photography. Sometimes, it’s as simple as taking your items to a product photo studio to get the images you need.
You know that exceptional product photography is essential to standing out in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape. Yet, you also know it can be a challenge to procure the tools you need, along with the expertise required behind the lens.
That’s where we come in.
We provide professional video production and photography services designed to take your brand to the next level. We also provide other brand-growth resources to help your corner of the internet shine, from web design to social media marketing.
Contact us today to learn more and let’s create something great together.
According to Forbes, one of the biggest reasons people decide not to buy a product is that they feel like they can’t trust it or don’t understand it.
In other words, you may need to be more transparent about your product, or service if you want them to sell better. How do you do that?
By creating easy-to-follow tutorials-duh, highlight how your products generate solutions, not problems. Whether you are teaching someone how to jam out on the latest electric guitar or showcasing a Pillsbury mixing bowl, people like to know what they are buying and how it works.
Studies have shown that 72% of consumers prefer video marketing to text marketing. But you should offer both because everyone learns differently. Plus, if you create a video, you can automatically convert it to text with sonix.
If you want to make the most significant pop on your customers’ buying decisions, you’ll need to create video tutorials.
Its time to show off your creations in a new light!
If you’re not tech-savvy, this may seem a little bit daunting. The good news is that video tutorials should always be simple, short, and to the point.
However, they should also have good production value and good quality, or your viewers may stray away before the video is over.
Let’s uncover all the allures that will keep your customers coming back for more.
Before you get into the nitty-gritty details, decide what you want to achieve with your video tutorial.
It’s important to note that tutorials are different from general marketing videos and will accomplish different goals, like selling “the sauce you never knew you needed.”
A tutorial does more than show off the features of your product. In fact, you need to keep it short, so you can’t spend a ton of time talking about all of the great features your product comes with.
Instead, consider your tutorial a trouble-shooting video that will address the most pressing issues your customers may encounter.
A great way to determine what your tutorial needs to cover is by reviewing the reviews and feedback left by previous customers. If you notice a recurring issue that customers have with a particular function of your product, spend some time in the tutorial showing them how to get past the issue.
Potential customers will read the reviews before making their decision, and you can use your video tutorial to answer any questions raised by your negative or mixed reviews.
Now that you know what your video tutorial needs to accomplish, it’s time to figure out how to make that goal come to life. Begin with a storyboard so that you can plan your video shot by shot. These don’t have to be complicated!
If you’re recording a live video, think of your storyboard as the comic book version.
Nine to twelve panels should be enough for a shorter video and will allow you to draw out (as crudely or intricately as you like) the steps in your video. If you’re recording a computer screen, use a series of screenshots rather than cartoon panels.
Now you’ve got a tangible image of what your final video is going to look like; It’s time to figure out what needs to be said!
As you’re writing your script, keep a few things in mind. First, you want to explain your product as clearly as possible without losing any crucial information.
Second, you want to make sure you’re not just telling, but showing and telling at the same time.
One way to achieve a seamless showing-and-telling video is by scripting out actions that accompany each line. For example, if your line is, “To achieve an XYZ effect, you need to hold down the 123 button,” your action might be, “Zoom in on 123 button.” For every question your lines might raise, your actions should answer them.
Believe it or not, you don’t need expensive equipment to produce a high-quality tutorial.
Even some of the newer smartphones will do the trick as long as you have the right tripod adapter and can get the phone’s camera to focus.
Most importantly, make sure the camera is capturing the speaker and product directly, and not at an angle or distance that will obscure the speaker’s actions.
Whether you have a massive budget for equipment or not, there are a few steps you should always take to guarantee high-quality footage.
Find a space where background noise and distracting clutter are at a minimum.
If necessary, add extra lighting that will draw the viewer’s eye straight to the product and the person conducting the tutorial.
As you’re recording, you may fumble some of your lines or actions. When this happens, don’t start from the very beginning. Pause, regroup, and say the line and complete the action again. You can remove these errors during the editing process.
When it’s time to edit your video tutorial, don’t get caught up on perfection. You’re not trying to win any awards; you’re just providing your customers with efficient solutions to problems that arise from their lack of understanding.
The most important thing is that the video is easy to watch, easy to follow and effectively conveys your message.
The most important part of editing a video tutorial is cutting out all of the unnecessary bits.
Get rid of all of the fumbles we mentioned earlier as well as any moments where the speaker went off script or spent too much time discussing features that aren’t relevant to the question being answered.
In the end, you want to end up with a finished product that is somewhere between two and ten minutes long.
Once you create video tutorials, you need to decide where to post them.
Consider posting them somewhere on the product page where people will have easy access to them upon viewing the product. Alternatively (or in addition), create an FAQ section and use the video tutorial to answer a question you know your customers often ask.
If you have a blog or use your social media to promote your products, consider posting your video tutorial there, as well.
Make it shareable so that your viewers can pass it along to their friends or family who have questions about how your product works!
If you’re still not convinced that you have the skills to create video tutorials that your customers will love, consider hiring professionals!
This can be an excellent investment for your business as a quality video tutorial is sure to increase your sales.
Wondering what we can do for you? Check out our video and film production services! We just might be the solution to your business’s problems.
Do you want to get Internet famous?
In the mid-’00s, video sharing platforms like YouTube gave birth to a brand new type of artist and celebrity: Vloggers.
A few short years later, and these video bloggers have gone from niche online novelties to mainstream acclaim.
Nowadays, it seems like vloggers are a dime a dozen. So, those looking to tap into this world need to make sure they have the right tools in their corner to set themselves above the competition.
Interested in creating a channel, but aren’t sure what kind of vlogging equipment you’ll need to get started? We’ve got you covered.
Here are the seven essential pieces of vlogging equipment every successful video blogger needs.
This one may seem like a no brainer. But, a vlogger’s camera is the most valuable tool in their content generating arsenal.
After all, you can’t have a video-blog without any video!
That said, before you run out and buy the best camera money can buy, you need to take a moment to decide what kind of content you’re going to be creating. For example, if you want to vlog about your love of extreme water sports, you may not want to invest in a top of the line, but not waterproof, Canon Powershot.
You also need to take some time to think about what you want your overall style to be.
If you’re going for an ultra-sleek, film expert look, you may want to invest in an industry-standard camera.
But, most modern smartphones, like the iPhone, feature a camera powerful enough to handle any video project you throw its way.
If video is the lifeblood of vlogging, then audio is the heart.
While it can be easy to get wrapped up in video quality, if your videos have bad audio, your audience isn’t going to stick around long. So, if you want to be successful in your new career as a vlogger, you’re going to need to invest in a suitable mic.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy the most expensive microphone on the market. You can start with something cheap, and work your way up as you become more comfortable with audio editing.
That said, there’s one aspect to choosing a mic you’ll need to keep in mind.
Have you ever tried to talk to someone on the phone on a windy day?
Unless you want your audio to sound like you’re always on the set of *Twister, you’ll want to invest in a wind or puff guard as well.
You may also want to consider investing in some sound dampening material to make sure your auto comes out sounding crisp and clear.
Whether you’re recording at a desk or wandering around outside, you’re going to need a way to support your camera.
While tripods are a bit of a standard when it comes to recording, they aren’t always the best option. When it comes to choosing camera support, the name of the game is keeping everything in frame and focus, and your shot nice and steady.
One favorite of many successful vloggers is the GorillaPod by JOBY. This nifty tabletop tripod has fully posable legs, so you can mount it just about anywhere to ensure a perfect shot.
If you only invest in one type of lighting to cover you for the entirety of your vlogging career, make it a ring light.
Ring lights are the perfect way to evenly light objects in front of a camera.
Because the light comes from all angles, by using a ring light, you can ensure you won’t have any awkward shadows or shading on your face.
That said, there is a little more to lighting than what’s in the foreground of your shot.
While you can technically balance the lighting in a shot with regular house lamps, or even natural light fro a window, nothing beats the softbox.
Softbox lights are the best way to ensure even, gentle lighting throughout your shot. Because of their standard light-dispersing film, you won’t have to worry about any direct rays or awkward glares.
Say you’re recording a vlog, and you need to take a short break, what do you do?
While you could leave your camera rolling and wind up with an obscenely long piece of footage to edit down, it makes much more sense to stop recording.
But, if you hit the record button on your camera, you could risk tilting or moving it. And, that might end up throwing off the rest of your recording.
And that’s where the remote shutter comes in.
With a remote shutter, you can start and stop your camera whenever you want, without the risk of throwing off your setup mid-session.
While this particular tool is especially popular with the Let’s Play crowd, the green screen is an essential tool in the vlogger’s arsenal as well.
If you’re planning on being a little more daring with your editing, or are looking for a way to jazz-up a reaction video, the green screen can help.
And, if you don’t have a decent space to use as a backdrop to your videos, a green screen can help create the ideal background to fit your aesthetic.
Finally, once you have everything recorded, you’re going to need a way to pull everything together.
Tools like Adobe Premiere and After Effects are industry standard for a reason. That said, they can be pretty daunting if you’re new to the world of video editing.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of editing software out there that’s just as good and a bit more user-friendly.
Programs like Apple’s iMovie, are perfect for new vloggers looking for a way to cut together their video footage and audio recordings. Many of today’s most popular YouTube stars got their start using software like this, and a few still do.
Your goal as a vlogger should be to generate content consistently. And, one of the best ways to do that is by using the tools your most comfortable using. You can always learn new skills as your career progresses.
Now that you know what kind of vlogging equipment you’ll need to kickstart your career, it’s time to start shopping.
Need a little help finding the right tools or learning the skills you need to become a successful vlogger? We’re here to help.
Contact us for more information about our available services, or to kickstart your online career today.
Given that 80% of Millennials take video content into consideration when buying a product or service, it’s hardly surprising that more companies are developing a video marketing strategy.
But is video marketing right for your industry? Will the cost and effort of producing video pay off or should you stick with more traditional content instead?
Personally, we think it’s all about having a creative edge.
Going down the video marketing route requires a big change in your business strategy. You’ll have to learn what works, what doesn’t, and how much budget you can assign your videos.
But if you want to get your company on YouTube and take advantage of its 2 billion users, you’ll need to embrace the video marketing realms. We’ve put together this list of 5 industries that are already seeing huge benefits from the live-action.
Keep your mind open and discover how creativity and artist video marketing can launch you into the iPhone screens of all those Millenials.
White sand, clear water…blah blah blah. We’ve heard it all before. To sell travel these days, you need to hook your audience in a split second. The best way to do that? Through a creative, thought-provoking lense.
The travel industry is perfect for video marketing, as you can immediately get your audience picturing themselves at the destination. Visualization is far more powerful than reading text as the brain processes visuals around 60,000 times faster.
Impressive, right?
With video, your audience is getting more information, faster, than if they were reading a description of a destination or activity. With travel video marketing, you can shoot locations, hotels, activities, and actors having the time of their lives.
These powerful and engaging images allow your audience to picture themselves doing and seeing all those things in real life. They can see how much fun they’ll be having if they book that trip.
Parents want to know that their children will be getting the best possible education, and students might benefit from getting a preview of campus life. Video marketing is an ideal way to show off the best sides of a school or college and attract more applicants.
Video marketing is a hugely growing industry, but it’s still seen as high end if done well. An educational establishment with quality video marketing appears far better when compared to one without.
You can use video marketing for interviewing current students, and showcase how you include art and logic to help both sides of the brain develope — screen in on sports team stories and a well-rounded view of a day in your school. With happy, creative high-achieving students in videos, parents can imagine the same for their children.
Showcase how your school is difference-maker.
Did you know the American healthcare industry is worth $1 trillion? That’s big. Competition is fierce among both B2B healthcare companies and B2C providers. So how do you set yourself apart from competitors?
For patients, there’s a lot of emotion tied up in their health, and if they’re looking for a doctor or hospital, they need to feel trust. Professional video marketing is an excellent way of generating authority, confidence, and an emotional connection with the viewer.
You can create video interviews with doctors and patients, explanatory videos of procedures or conditions, and show how friendly your practice is. You’ll be providing the viewer with all the information they need.
For B2B companies, video marketing is also an excellent method of attracting new business. If hospitals are looking for new IT services, medical suppliers, or even staff, you can create video content that reflects your expertise.
In many legal situations, a client is putting their life into the hands of a lawyer. Lawsuits are immensely expensive, and clients need to absolutely trust a legal team if they’re going to engage their services.
Just like with healthcare, there’s usually a lot of emotion tied to legal services from bankruptcy and divorce, to medical negligence and accidents. Many clients might view lawyers as cold and superior, making it even harder for legal professionals to get business.
A solid video marketing strategy can be created to break down these invisible walls and show the human side of your legal practice. Featuring real lawyers from your firm in action or interviews can help show how friendly, approachable, and capable they are.
You can also use video content to explain how seemingly complex legal processes work. From will writing and probates to court cases and mediation, you can show viewers what they can expect and explain it in layman’s terms.
Connecting with viewers in this way helps to show that your firm is highly qualified, won’t drown them in legal jargon, and is on their side.
The competition for marketing agencies is bigger than ever, so it’s crucial you stand out. But in an industry full of marketing experts, how can you do that?
Video marketing brings the viewer into your agency right from their screen. You can show how campaigns are created, introduce the staff they’ll be working with, and provide examples of previous client work.
For marketing agencies, previous results, innovation, and creativity are of utmost importance. Few people want to read a page outlining this, but an artistically shot video can show the creative process in action and prove your skills by default.
Even if your audience is located nationally or internationally, giving a video tour of your offices can show that you’re a serious business. The more a prospective client can see how you work, the better they’ll feel they know and trust you.
More and more businesses are implementing a video marketing strategy. More people will come to expect video content from companies. Video is one of the most instantly powerful content marketing tools thanks to its information and visual-rich format.
Showing your business, products, or processes on video helps give viewers the transparency they want and builds trust in a way that the written word can’t. In short, video marketing is fast becoming essential.
How will you target the next generation? We know what tickles their fancy, makes them cry and has them ROFL.
For creatively thought-out videos that will capture the light of your audience, contact us today. A single shot can transform the business you receive and work to deliver phenomenal results.
Did you know that 72% of consumers prefer to consume marketing videos rather than text?
Who doesn’t want to take a visual journey through the eyes of another? Stories transform our realities into creative ideas and inspirations.
That—along with the fact that Cisco predicts 82% of all internet traffic will be video by 2022—makes for an absolutely rock-solid reason to start producing video asap.
If you run a business and do any kind of online marketing, video content is a powerful tool to add to your arsenal.
However, before you invest time and resources into creating video content for your marketing plan, you need to know how to go about creating not merely video but a high-impact video for your brand.
Fortunately, you are in the perfect place to do just that. We are about to share with you the nine comprehensive steps it takes to start creating impactful marketing videos.
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The first step to take when embarking on your video journey is to create content for your digital marketing plan. Get a head start by taking the time to research a couple of key areas.
The golden keys:
Out of all these areas, be sure not to skip researching your target audience. It can be easy for brands and businesses to assume they have a good idea of their target audience and customers, but you will only know for sure if you put in the research.
To effectively gain a clear picture of your target audience, you can utilize Google Analytics to gather demographic information such as the ages and gender of your site visitors. In Google Analytics, you will also be able to see data on some of your visitors’ interests by viewing the ‘affinity categories’ and ‘in-market segments.’
To gain further insight into your target audience, you can also analyze your existing content (keeping an eye out for top-performing areas) as well as social media posts.
Primarily, how do people engage with you, laugh with you, and use your product or service as a puzzle piece that completes their unique life experience?
The next step is to decide whether you are going to produce video in-house, or whether you would like to outsource.
In-house video production usually works for large businesses that are focused on producing high volumes of video content, as in-house creation can sometimes be more cost-effective for this.
To produce video in-house, you need to invest in equipment and video software and hire somebody to handle the production process if you don’t already have good videography and editing skills.
On the other hand, smaller businesses that need to remain lean and keep their operations scalable often choose to outsource video content creation to professional video production services. For smaller companies, this can be more efficient as well as cost-effective and hassle-free.
If you are worried about the overall cost of video for digital marketing, be aware that video is famous for having a good ROI. According to research, 61% of small business owners are happy with the ROI on their video production.
Although the purpose of your video marketing content is to promote your brand, all good content puts the viewer first.
By providing your viewers with high levels of value, you will heighten the chances of your videos watched and shared. Always a spectacular thing.
To provide value, ask yourself these questions:
In this stage, it is a good idea to get very specific about what customers/viewers you are talking to so that you can target them with the right information. For example, potential customers need to get to know your brand and product, while old customers might need explainer videos.
To fully capitalize on the video content you create, and to achieve cohesion, it is essential to stay on brand.
You can do this by:
By carrying out these things, your marketing videos will become distinctively on brand. This enhances customer trust and furthers to market your brand as a whole.
As with other types of digital content such as blog posts, titles are highly valuable. Be sure to create a compelling title that draws viewers in and, best case scenario, makes them itch to watch your video.
Great titles are also highly shareable.
Once you have a viewer’s attention, it’s time to make them stick around. Do this by planning catchy intros that get them hooked.
Most people have limited time, and a lot of content they would like to look at. Therefore, try to keep your intro short. Long, drawn-out, slow, or tedious intros can easily lead to viewers clicking away out of fear of wasting time.
Just like in blog posts, it is a good practice to include a call-to-action at the end of your marketing videos.
Think about what action you would like viewers to take when they have finished watching your video. Then craft this into a tempting call-to-action.
One of the most efficient and effective online marketing strategies is the repurposing of popular content. This saves time and resources and gives audiences more of what they already like.
You can do the same with video content by repurposing segments and footage in other materials. Keep this in mind when shooting and editing.
Creating a marketing video is an exciting way to break the waters, engage with your brand, and ultimately increase exposure and your bottom line as a result.
Now that you know about the nine essential steps to creating an impactful marketing video, nothing is stopping you from leveraging video to boost your brand to new heights.
If you are looking to outsource the production stage, be sure to explore our services or contact us. We stride past ideas of logic to define creativity. That’s why we work with the best. We have proudly produced for brands such as Allsaints, Monster, and Nike because we’re not afraid to stand out.
Are you?
According to survey results, 83% of buyers rank images as the #1 deciding factor when making a purchase decision. Product images also outranked all other decision-swaying factors such as product reviews, star ratings, and even specs.
This means that taking crisp, compelling, and powerful product images is absolutely key to e-commerce success.
How does one take high quality, seamless product images that look 100% professional and will be able to compete with other products?
If you want to learn how to how to take professional photos of your products, keep reading. We are about to share with you everything you need to know about professional-grade product photography.
The first essential step for product photography for beginners is to assemble the necessary equipment.
For professional grade product photography, use a DSLR camera. You can start with a medium to entry-level camera, however, if you are planning on doing product photography long term, you can also opt to invest in a good DSLR.
Additionally, you will need a tripod in order to take steady, sharp shots.
Two very handy camera accessories to have are a shutter release remote and a tether cable. The remote shutter release can further reduce blurring.
A tether cable allows you to see images in a larger format, in real-time as you take them, on a monitor or laptop. This allows you to fix small issues you wouldn’t spot on the small DSLR screen.
For lighting, you can utilize natural light or softbox lights.
If you do not have a good source of natural light available (soft diffused light, generally found by large windows) you might also want to invest in a lightbox. This acts as a portable lighting setup for small products.
You will need a white infinity backdrop to shoot your products against.
To manipulate lighting, you can also invest in or make some simple reflector cards, which can either bounce light or absorb it to enhance or soften shadows.
If acquiring the necessary gear and finding space for shooting is an issue, you can also consider renting a studio.
Both buying gear or hiring space and equipment can seem like a costly venture. However, it is important to remember that e-commerce consumers make almost all of their buying decisions from your product images. Therefore investing in high-quality images is critical.
To achieve professional product images you will also need good editing software, and become familiar with how to use it.
For customers to be able to zoom in on your products you need to take high-resolution images. To do this, make sure that the quality setting on your DSLR is set to the RAW format.
You can later resize the images if need be to reduce file sizes.
According to published research on the popularity of images on Facebook, brightness is one of the four essential elements of photos with the highest engagement. The other elements are clarity, liveliness, and ingenuity.
To get customers to engage with the product image you need to create bright images. However, do not be tempted to use your camera’s flash, as most flashes will produce harsh, washed-out photos.
By utilizing adequate lighting and the right aperture settings on your camera you can achieve bright photos without the need for a flash.
As consumers are attracted to images that feature liveliness and ingenuity, you might want to incorporate creative, attention-drawing elements in your product photography.
At the same time, you also need to ensure you do not in any way mislead the customer into thinking that props or additional items are included in the product.
Also, be sure not to let props overwhelm or draw attention away from the products.
As e-commerce buyers have only the product photos to go by, make sure you capture all angles of a product, even the bottom in some cases.
Survey results reveal that most shoppers expect to see at least 6 images of a product when shopping online, so do not worry if this creates a lot of images, as this is a good thing.
23% of e-commerce returns are thanks to products looking different in real life than in the product images.
To avoid returns, one of the best product photography tips is to show scale. You can do this by placing a ruler next to the product in one image.
A great way to add appeal to your product images is to shoot them in situ. This gives buyers an idea of what the item will look like in their home, worn, used, etc.
A crucial component of product photography is to effectively brand your product images. To do this you will need to create a cohesive look and feel across all of your brand’s product images.
In order to achieve successful image branding and consistent quality, start building a set of photography guidelines for your shoots.
These can include things like:
You can also create templates in your photo editing software to control the size and the scale of products within images.
Now that you know about these tips on how to take professional photos, all that is left is to get set-up, and get shooting!
Remember that product photography, like anything, takes time and practice, so don’t be disheartened if it takes a little time to achieve the results that you want.
If you feel in any way daunted by the process—and you feel you want to call in the pros for your products—you can also browse our services or contact us to see how we can help you. And if you want more value-driven content like this, be sure to sign up for our newsletter.
Ahhh Fyre Festival. By now everyone’s heard of the greatest festival that never was. The event promised a celebrity experience with food from celebrity chefs at Pablo Escobar’s private island. Sounds cool and all. To everyones surprise, none of that ever happened.
But we all heard about it.
We know what Fyre Festival did was wrong. There’s no if, ands, or buts about that. But there’s one thing it did right…and it did it really well.
Marketing.
If there’s one lesson that businesses should take away from Fyre Festival, it’s that marketing is everything.
Here are 8 ways to do it right.
The creators of Fyre Festival, Billy McFarland and Ja Rule knew exactly who their audience was. Rich millennials with major fear of missing out (FOMO). People who were willing to spend thousands of dollars on tickets just so they could be part of it.
The first step for successful marketing is to define your target market. Then you’ll be able to align your marketing efforts with your activities and get them in front of the people who you want to convert to customers.
To do this effectively, you’ll need to create buyer personas for each of your ideal customers. Once you have those identified, you can plan marketing activities that will make an impact on your target audience.
Promoters for Fyre Festival used celebrity events and parties to get everyone amped up about the event. The did a lot of word of mouth, with the founders promoting the festival on various media outlets.
This shows the power of multifaceted marketing. Digital marketing is highly effective…but don’t underestimate the power of print and word of mouth. Attend industry events that your target audience frequents and hand out brochures. Print is also part of an effective marketing strategy–and it’ll help you stand out since it’s not as frequently used these days.
Find events where you can be a featured speaker. The more you attend, the more your audience will get to know and trust you and your brand.
The founders of Fyre Festival certainly knew how to use channels like Instagram to their benefit. Their social media strategy was well thought out and aesthetically pleasing.
It left everyone wanting to know more and the event spread like fire. However, no social strategy can make up for a bad product.
Fyre Festival’s social strategy worked because of the visual interest it created.
Use social media to your brand’s advantage by coming up with a unique way to promote your next event and tease the audience with little snippets of what’s to come.
Tell a story. Tell a great, compelling story that makes people want to know you and use your products or services. Just make sure it’s true.
Fyre Festival told an excellent story. The problem was that it was in fact just a story. Your audience wants to know about you and your brand. They want to see the authentic you.
Use content marketing and social media to provide insight into what goes on behind the “scenes” at your company. Whether it’s preparing for an event or live blogging during an event, let your audience see you and the people behind your brand.
Fyre Festival’s marketing worked so well because it tapped into the audience’s FOMO. They wanted to be a part of everything they were seeing promoted on social media, by their favorite influencers.
This tactic works in the real world too. If you want to get someone interested in what you’re offering, put an expiration date on it. It creates urgency and instills that fear of missing out in your audience.
To really get them interested, put together a promotional video and show what your product or service can do for them.
You shouldn’t just sell products… to really grab attention you need to sell an experience. Fyre Festival did this really well.
It sold promotional experiences like jet-skiing with models and the opportunity to participate in a treasure hunt (imagine the treasures they promised).
You can do the same. For example, partner with another company to provide concert tickets or some other incentive that will make them choose you over a competitor. This way they’re not just getting the end product, they’re getting an experience as well.
You shouldn’t just sell products… to really grab attention you need to sell an experience. Fyre Festival did this really well.
It sold promotional experiences like jet-skiing with models and the opportunity to participate in a treasure hunt (imagine the treasures they promised).
You can do the same. For example, partner with another company to provide concert tickets or some other incentive that will make them choose you over a competitor. This way they’re not just getting the end product, they’re getting an experience as well.
When things went (visibly) wrong, rather than own up to their mistakes, the creators of Fyre Festival maintained that they did nothing wrong.
This is never a good approach.
Make sure you have a crisis management plan already in place. It should outline the key people who are in charge of various aspects–such as public relations and legal matters. You should also have a press release ready to go.
Ideally, you won’t ever have to use your plan. But if you do, you’ll be able to address any issues quickly and start getting back on your feet.
If Fyre Festival founders had taken their event and the promises behind it as seriously as they took their marketing, the outcome would have been drastically different.
However, you can take these lessons learned and apply them the right way to see success in your marketing efforts.
Contact us today for creative ideas that will make your brand stand out.
Blackmagic Design, the gold sponsor of Editfest 2019, invited us to speak at the annual editing fair after finding our studio on social media. Josh Miller, our CEO, presented on the subject of creativity and how Blackmagic’s software creates avenues for artists to personalize and elevate their artwork in real-time.
We revamped our social media game this year to showcase more of the work we do inside the studio. A lot of our social media promotes ongoing video series we’re producing. Most of the productions spotlight artists in the communities we work in. Primarily South Florida, Los Angeles, and NYC.
For example, we created a cool series that links South Florida rappers and hip hop artists in an ongoing freestyle. It’s called Freestyle Friday and it’s all about putting the South Florida rap and hip hop scene on the international map.
Another cool series we produce weekly is #UncreativeRadio. This is a video podcast featuring guests from all walks of life. They all have one thing in common: that they are some of the brightest, most determined and outgoing creative professionals in their industries. The video podcasts run from about 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the episode, and touch upon crucial topics, like the US presidency, harnessing creativity, self-promotion and the messengers of our generation.
You can check out all of the Freestyle Friday episodes on our Youtube Channel. You can join us on Uncreative Radio every Thursday at 6 PM. If you want to see what we have been discussing the past few weeks, head to our website.
One of our video editors, JT Niemeyer, is a pro with Blackmagic Design’s post-production editing software, Resolve. We posted a video of him editing a video for one of our clients and that caught Blackmagic’s attention. Apparently, they like the work we do in the studio, because they invited our video production team to Editfest 2019 and asked Josh if he would present.
Below is the video of JT Niemeyer at work, which is what encouraged Blackmagic Design to reach out to us! The video above is a recap of our time at Editfest 2019 sponsored by Blackmagic Design.
It’s really awesome being able to connect with other professionals who share a passion for creativity. When we were invited to Editfest 2019 sponsored by Blackmagic Design, one of our favorite companies, we were thrilled! It proved a few things to us:
We all know the power of social media; how it is a direct line of communication to consumers, businesses, and brand ambassadors. We know this, but that does not always mean that social media yields the results we expect from it. You can have the coolest content and the dopest copy, but that does not guarantee your audience (or even viewers outside your audience) will pay attention to you.
One the reasons it is so hard to be heard on social media platforms is because they are flooded with content — oversaturated to the point of consumer fatigue. So, the fact the Blackmagic Design saw our video, paused, watched it, and agreed with our message to the point that they reached out to our team and asked that we would present at Editfest 2019 on their behalf, well that’s pretty amazing.
Below is some BTS of our team at Editfest 2019 sponsored by Blackmagic Design. The production value isn’t as great as the videos above. But, then again, they were filmed on iPhones. Even still, check it out!
Have you ever thought about how powerful a story is? How stories have been around since the beginning? But what makes a good story? If you’re looking for some advice, we’ve put together an article that features our top 5 Ted Talks on storytelling.
If that sounds like something that might help you, keep reading.
Don’t just read about storytelling, take some time to actually listen to these phenomenal storytellers tell you about storytelling.
Learn from their craft, pick up on their ques, and jot down some pointers as you prepare to tell your own stories!
If you enjoyed movies like, “StarWars: The Force Awakens” or “Star Trek” or “Super 8” or shows like “Lost” why not take a few notes from the guy who created them?
In this Ted Talk, legendary filmmaker J.J. Abrams shares how the concept of a mysteryhas served as a catalyst in his creative endeavors.
He works the audience through his early childhood and has a few props from a magic store he used to visit, landing on the final: a mysterious box.
Have you considered the element of mystery in your stories? True storytellers are able to implement this element early on and know when to reveal the mystery versus keep it bottled up.
Abram’s uses his mystery box to springboard into the conversation about how a blank page serves as a mystery box. And that as creative storyteller, the blank page offers endless opportunities. It itself is begging questions.
The idea of a Teaser also comes up in how, as creative storytellers, you must balance mystery with reveal to keep your audience hooked. A true teaser creates a balance between suspense and reveal. Too much revelation will feel unnatural, whereas too many questions can tire your audience out.
Check out J.J. Abrams’ Ted Talk on storytelling if this sounds like an area of the storytelling craft you’re interested in learning more about.
In addition to an interesting story, a true story is a must.
And we don’t mean truth as in a factual, or real-life story. We mean believable and flushed out.
But what does flushed out really mean?
Chimamanda Adichie talks her audience through one of the most profound Ted Talks we’ve heard explaining how stories are a way to tell of a people, but not define a people.
A danger early storytellers often face is in only showing one side of a demographic, and that one side becomes susceptible to stereotypes or racisms.
An example is how when people write about characters from other countries they often rely on stereotypes such as people from England enjoy tea and people from third-world countries are all desperate. This, as Adichie explains, is false and makes for poor stories.
A well-rounded, engaging story gives people the chance to continue exploring beyond the story-realm. It means that characters are multi-dimensional and exist beyond the page. This concept helps keep the narrative alive even after the final sentence.
It’s important for people to experience diverse stories, with characters that challenge stereotypes. Stories that look like us, sound like us, and act like us are not genuine and they don’t push readers or viewers to grow, thus making the experience feel boring or dull.
A single-story is one where you group a people under a defining umbrella rather than listen to who they are as unique people.
Having a story that pushes people to consider others in multidimensional ways is far more engaging than a story with flat, one-sided characters.
For more on this conversation, check out Chimamanda Adichie’s Ted Talk on “The Danger of a Single Story.”
Warning: Strong Language
This Ted Talk is sure to get you a laugh, and hopefully, you’ll learn a thing or two about storytelling.
An understanding of the Human Condition is something storytellers spend a lot of time working into their crafts.
The Human Condition is about what it means to be alive. It’s often what people are trying to talk about when they call a story “relatable.”
Stories bring us together, they unite us, and they give us something to bond over, as Andrew Stanton explains. But understanding how all of those mechanics work together can get a little abstract.
Spend some time with the man that helped bring us “Toy Story” and “Wall-E” to learn more about the Human Condition. How stories give people purpose, recognition, and interconnectivity in ways that nothing else can.
If that sounds like an area of storytelling you need to work on, check out Andrew Stanton’s Ted Talk: “The Clues to a Great Story.”
Have you ever wondered about the sciences behind storytelling?
What exactly goes on in the brain? How do images and relationships work within the mind and how does the brain chemically respond?
Storytellers interested in multimodal storytelling should check this video out as it might help forge ideas on how to reshape a story. Have you considered presenting your story in a different genre such as digital, or interactive, or as a website?
If this conversation sounds like something you’d value learning about, David JP. Phillips’s Ted Talk might be right up your alley.
David runs his audience through an example of how stories have raised the value of objects by significant margins. Like making them worth x10 or more what they were original.
This Ted Talk is perfect if you want a crash course on how we got to the stories we have today.
We’re not talking about how classics became cannon or where original epics originated from, but how our means of telling a story has evolved from the written word to what we have in the digital age.
We recommend Joe Sabia’s “The Technology of Storytelling” as a way to view the layers of a story and better understand sensory detail.
In storytelling, the five senses are key.
Everything from sound, juxtaposition, appearance, and timing all come up in this Ted Talk. Have you considered these elements in your own stories?
By watching this Ted Talk we hope you’ll develop a better understanding of sensory detail because with better understanding comes a better implementation of these elements in your own stories!
If you’re looking for how to work every little component of a story this Ted Talk is for you!
We hope these Top 5 Ted Talks on storytelling have inspired you, challenged you, perked your interest, and made you want to go out and tell amazing tales. If you’re looking for more information on how to create an audience through video production, check out some of our services.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for on our blog page, or want to know a little more about our story, or if you have a story idea you want to bring to life, feel free to reach out and contact us! We’re always happy to chat!
Every day more than 100 billion hours of videos are watched through Facebook. More than five billion videos are watched on YouTube each day.
As you can see, video is not only a smart marketing move; it’s essential when it comes to reaching customers. Are you using video marketing efforts? If not, you are missing out on a significant amount of traffic to your site, which could lead to more conversions and more profits.
Are you still wondering if video marketing is right for your business? After all, it represents a new and potentially significant marketing investment. However, it’s well worth it.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits offered by video marketing and why you need to start using it today.
It’s important to view video marketing as an investment. When you add a video on your landing page, it can increase conversions by up to 80 percent.
Viewing a compelling presenter video can be a huge influence on buying behavior and persuade a visitor to convert into a lead, rather than having them re-read the same information. By conveying the right emotions through video, you are harnessing the power of a powerful selling tool.
The right message in your video can also serve as a tutorial or a testimonial. It all depends on the angle you are trying to achieve.
Producing a video takes time, money, and effort. Not all businesses have the resources to do this successfully.
What you may wonder is – is it worth the investment? The answer is a resounding, “yes.”
Videos generate more trust in consumers than content – every time. A shocking 79 percent of consumers would rather spend their time watching a video to learn about a service or product than reading written content. Additionally, 84 percent are more likely to make a purchase after watching the brand’s video.
Think about how this can make a difference in your conversion rate, and you can begin to understand why video is becoming more of an indispensable tool in your bigger marketing arsenal.
Videos also help to increase customer attention – more so than any other medium. Since the internet is a place where information overload is a huge factor, your brand won’t succeed if you aren’t able to stand out from the crowd by presenting your unique story.
The good news is, with video marketing, you can create a compelling pitch much faster than reading would. It also helps you easily get your message three, and when done properly, it can grab a customer’s attention without much issue.
Everyone gets inundated with emails, and getting a potential customer to open it is a bigger challenge than ever before. By adding “video” to your subject line can help to increase open rates while decreasing unsubscribe rates.
The fact of the matter is, it’s much easier to watch a well-produced video than to sit and read something, right? This is especially effective if you are showing how to use a specific product or to express something you’re unable to get across using text.
To help you get even more excited about video marketing, a large number of businesses say that video provides a great return on investment. While video production isn’t the cheapest or easiest task, it can pay off big time.
Also, online video editing tools are evolving all the time and becoming more and more affordable. You can even use your smartphone to make decent videos.
Another bit of good news is that your videos don’t have to be perfect. It’s what they showcase that matters. New research shows that users are usually put off by a video that doesn’t fully explain a service or product clearly and concisely.
Search engines love content that engages viewers. Nothing can entice more views and longer views than a video. Additionally, YouTube is the second largest search engine, coming in behind Google.
If you decide to put your video on YouTube and your website, your overall visibility and the opportunity you have to appear in search engines is increased significantly. If you take it a step further and promote your video on social media, the chances you will be found are increased significantly.
Mobile and video go hand in hand. A large number of people watch video from their mobile devices. Mobile video consumption is going up by more than 100 percent each year.
Because people enjoy watching videos while on the go, the total number of smartphone users is increasing significantly. As a result, your audience is going to continue getting bigger and bigger.
This is the age of the viral video. People love videos, and people share videos.
What does this mean for your business?
It’s your chance to have a bit of fun and show what your company is all about. Plus, people love transparency in a company.
As you can see, video marketing has quite a bit to offer. If you haven’t yet implemented this in your marketing plan, now is the time to try it. You can see a significant increase in traffic and conversions by using this strategy.
If you aren’t sure how to get started, then contact us today. Our team can help you develop a strong video marketing campaign that will help you achieve the goals you have for your brand.
South Florida is indeed a melting pot. Talented people arrive from all over the country and the world to tell their story through art. Among some of the most talented creatives are South Florida models, like Jasmine.
We have studio offices all around the world, from Fort Lauderdale (our headquarters), to Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C., and London. Our work takes us even further than that. There is no place beyond our limits. Over the course of our careers, we have had the pleasure of creating beautiful media with talented models from all walks of life. But what has always remained consistent is the quality of work we find among models in South Florida.
Once we work with a talented model, whether they live in South Florida, L.A., Columbia or whatever… we include them in our talent pool. We have been building up our database of the best models in the industry to guarantee we nail every project–whether it is for a client or one of our passion projects.
If you like this content and want to see more talented South Florida models in action, then check out our Sabela Artist Profile, Mercedes Guittierez Model Profile, Roya Zangoui Model Profile all on #UNCREATIVE–the best source for original content and valuable industry info!
In addition to the beautiful models we works with, we also collaborate with the best rappers and hip hop artists in South Florida, which you can check out on our Freestyle Friday video series. We also relaunched #UNCREATIVE Radio, which features famous guests with a knack for setting trends. On #UNCREATIVE Radio, we talk about the latest industry happenings, news, ambitions, and how to build a successful career (no matter the industry).
If you know Jasmine, give her a shoutout on our social media by clicking the social icons below!
Fremont, CA – August 21, 2019 – Blackmagic Design today announced that C&I Studios, a global content creation agency, is using DaVinci Resolve 16 Studio’s new cut page for faster than ever editing. Relying on DaVinci Resolve 16 Studio for end to end post production, including editing, color grading, visual effects (VFX) and Fairlight audio, C&I Studios created a video for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts showcasing one of its signature programs, Turnaround Arts, a school reform effort that transforms priority schools through the strategic use of the arts.
Having worked with clients such as Coca-Cola, P&G and Polaroid, C&I Studios is an international idea agency headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, with additional studios in Los Angeles, New York City and London. Working from concept to completion, C&I Studios offers video and film production, social media, branding, photography and more. In addition to relying on DaVinci Resolve 16 Studio in a collaborative server environment, the agency also shoots in Blackmagic RAW with the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K and Pocket Cinema Camera 4K digital film cameras.
“We’ve been testing out the public beta of version 16 since it was announced at NAB 2019, and we immediately knew the cut page would be invaluable when it came to our social media deliverables,” said Joshua Miller, CEO, C&I Studios. “We put out videos for Instagram and YouTube every single day, and the only way we can cut that fast is with DaVinci Resolve 16 Studio’s new cut page. Since it’s so streamlined, we can really fly with quick edits, and the new quick export also lets us deliver directly to YouTube.”
Miller also cited the ability to change the resolution of different timelines in the same project as helpful with social media deliverables. “Version 16 allows each timeline to have its own resolution, so say we have five people working collaboratively. Projects one through four are all 16:9, but the last timeline is for an Instagram story, so it’s 9:16,” noted Miller. “Whereas before changing the aspect ratio of one timeline would change them all, now version 16 allows each timeline to have its own resolution even when working collaboratively.”
“Also, having adjustment clips with effects right in the timeline and image stabilization in the cut and edit pages are huge advantages. These really thoughtful features show that DaVinci Resolve Studio is here to support editors through and through. We can speed through edits so quickly now,” he added.
C&I Studios also relies on version 16’s new DaVinci Neural Engine to streamline its workflow. “We have a person whose entire job is metatagging footage, going through and listing everything in keywords: studios, locations, and most importantly, people,” explained Miller. “The DaVinci Neural Engine detects faces and automatically makes bins for the people in the footage. This is a huge help in never missing shots of important people and being able to quickly deliver when the client asks, ‘Do you have any more shots of this person?’ We can pull them up in a snap.”
While C&I Studios has always relied on DaVinci Resolve Studio for color grading, it moved its editors over to the post production application in 2016. “There were several factors that prompted the switch,” noted Miller. “Our editing software at the time was getting stale with no real innovation; we didn’t have the ability to collaborate or work on anything as a team; and we spent so much time relinking and moving in and out of four or five different applications in order to finish a project, among other things.”
“Now that we’ve standardized on DaVinci Resolve Studio, not only is everything we need in one program, but with collaboration, we can all work on the same project at the same time regardless of location,” he added. “We were recently working on a commercial that we had to turn around in one day. I had my editor working nonstop in Florida, while my audio editor in Los Angeles was cranking away in the Fairlight page. My colorist in New York City started to jump in, but we were running out of time and our east coast staff needed to leave. It wasn’t a problem though because our Los Angeles office picked up color, and it was finished in our London studio. Location is no longer an issue as everyone can remotely jump into the system, even rendering to computers in one office from across the country or from another country entirely.”
“With DaVinci Resolve Studio’s collaboration features, we can provide our clients with near around the clock service, and we can almost achieve any deadline when we work like this. It’s unreal, but that’s the power of DaVinci Resolve Studio,” Miller concluded.
Product photos of DaVinci Resolve Studio, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and all other Blackmagic Design products are available at www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/images
Blackmagic Design creates the world’s highest quality video editing products, digital film cameras, color correctors, video converters, video monitoring, routers, live production switchers, disk recorders, waveform monitors and real time film scanners for the feature film, post production and television broadcast industries. Blackmagic Design’s DeckLink capture cards launched a revolution in quality and affordability in post production, while the company’s Emmy™ award winning DaVinci color correction products have dominated the television and film industry since 1984. Blackmagic Design continues ground breaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows. Founded by world leading post production editors and engineers, Blackmagic Design has offices in the USA, UK, Japan, Singapore and Australia. For more information, please go to www.blackmagicdesign.com.
Getting that perfect bit of advertising is a struggle between medium, creative content, and pinpoint information.
The balance of creative content and pinpoint information will always be a matter of taste and timing, but finding that perfect medium can be elusive.
That perfect medium may already be here. Video advertising has many strengths and using them can be easy with some advice.
Curious how you can make the most out of video advertising? Let us show you the ropes.
Video content is everywhere, in case you hadn’t noticed. Smartphones stream hours and hours of video content every day. Big websites like YouTube are overflowing with popular content and laced with good advertising.
The market is there, but what makes video advertising so potent?
A big reason is that our brain absorbs visual content easier than any other content.
This combination of market and science has made video advertising a powerhouse. The trick comes from finding the right balance that fits your business and strikes out a successful campaign.
Taking the video advertising market by storm isn’t a simple matter of posting video advertising content. There are millions of competitors doing the same thing.
You need to stand out, and that means understanding what makes video advertising successful. Taking these tips to heart can put you over the edge when it comes to advertising.
Optimization is a very important idea in any business venture. This becomes even more important with something so technical.
When you optimize, you need to think about three major things. They are bandwidth, video quality, and the major streaming platforms.
First, we talk about bandwidth.
No video is helpful or fun if it never loads. Optimizing for bandwidth requires a bit of technical knowledge, but the most important aspect is video design.
Shorter videos have two qualities. They are easier to load, but a large majority of the younger audience has grown up to short and to-the-point commercials. Getting your point across before your video has a chance to be boring is big.
Second, we have video quality.
A lot of this comes from technology. Several advances in streaming can help you get the best quality video out without tanking bandwidth or other resources.
The last optimization issue comes from major platforms.
There is a pile of different social media platforms, and each of them comes with different methods that work best. What works on YouTube might not be the best case on Facebook.
Make sure you review the technical basics of every platform, too. Aspect ratios and maximum video lengths will mean you may need multiple videos to cover all of the social media platforms.
Bringing value to marketing can come with any medium, but video advertising takes it even farther.
You need to know what you want your video to do. Figure out what it is advertising. After that, though, you need to know to not drown your audience in an outpouring of forced advertisement.
Incorporate things that connect with your audience on a personal level. You want something memorable that a customer would find positive with or without the advertisement involved.
This requires a heavy understanding of what your target audience wants and likes. Combine market research and creativity to focus on the customers instead of the product.
If the customers find your advertising appealing, their love for your product can follow suit.
When your videos are succinct and target who you want to target, sometimes you may find it hard to push your own brand. A lot of that has to come from marketing style instead of marketing content.
Think about the content that people remember. The Old Spice commercials are a great example. They were bizarre, fast-paced, and witty. People remembered them.
Getting your advertisements to make an impression means finding a unique voice to broadcast out there.
Can your brand be comedic? Would it excel with potent drama? Do you have or need a mascot of some kind.
Figure out what uniqueness you can offer, and make sure that comes across throughout your campaign. You want people to recognize your advertising the moment it comes on.
A clear call to action drives the customer to buy into your product using the interest driven by your advertising. They need to be clear, concise, but not too demanding.
A call to action can be at the beginning, to make sure they hear it no matter if they finish the video. It can come at the end after they have full investment, or anywhere in between.
Somewhere in the middle may end up being the best option, where they are already invested but you haven’t risked droning on.
Keeping call to actions subtle can be hard. If you get that right nudge though, either through a sincere bond of interest or clever product placement, you will be golden.
People watch videos in a massive number of ways. In addition to people closing the video before it completes, they may also opt out of other details.
Sound is a big thing that can often get left out. Many platforms have an autoplay feature that does not trigger audio. Some people may also turn off the sound. Some of your target audience could be deaf!
If any one part of your video fails, then it has to rely on its other parts to succeed. A good video advertisement can get the point across no matter what is missing.
Incorporate your message straight into the videos. Pique people’s curiosity with visuals. Make your brand name and product recognizable without a single mention in sound.
If you can get all of this to work without the full video, imagine what a full video could do!
Video advertising has a lot of nuances to it, and it will be rare that any one company makes a perfect campaign in one shot.
We here at C&I aim to make advertising a brilliant experience. If you wish to learn more about what we can do to help get you moving, contact us today.
90% of people affirm that product videos are useful in their decision-making process.
With stakes this high, it has never been more pertinent for businesses and brands to seek every advantage in video marketing. One wrong move and your revenue taps could run dry.
In a bid to stand out, video content creators are focusing not just on the quality of production but also the content. No matter how good the cameras and editing are, if the material itself isn’t compelling, then it will be a dud.
Consequently, firms are investing heavily in high-value storytelling videos. But what are the keys to excellent video storytelling? Read on as we outline three essential pillars for your next great video.
No matter what medium is used to tell a story, there is one thing that stands true. Every story has a hero, and that hero ultimately plays a critical role in helping to build brands and communities.
When your audience is watching your video, the hero is more than a reflection of themselves. The hero is actually an expression of themselves in different contexts, and as such, they relate with their character.
Since the audience connects to the hero on a deeper level, the connection stimulates an emotional response in the viewers.
In light of this, you need to put a great deal of thought into your hero early on as you develop the story.
The kind of hero you bring to life will have the power to define both the audience you want to address and the problems the viewers face.
Your hero will also directly influence the tone your storytelling video will take as it reaches its point of resolution.
When you are thinking through your hero, you have to understand your viewers. A lot of targeted research has to go into understanding what issues concerning your audience the hero will reflect to connect with them.
In today’s world, you can use social media to gain insights into your audience and what motivates them. Through their online activities, you can accurately determine the aspirations of your target audience and build your hero on that.
Do not feel the pressure to create an extensive background on your hero. Instead, try to make it as easy for your audience to fill in the gaps about the hero’s background by using obvious character traits and signals.
There is no great story if there is no problem to overcome. If your customer or product is the hero, then the problem becomes the villain.
Once the audience connects with the hero, they will pay attention to the problem at hand.
The driving force for them will be to avoid whatever issue you are portraying from befalling them like it has the character in the video.
To your audience, the particular pain point is an enemy to their happiness. When you set the ground using this tool, you are in essence, getting the audience in shape to be receptive to the solution that your video just so happens to have.
Just like with the hero you do not need to go into the deep background on the villain or problem.
You can also use obvious signals and character traits to help the audience instinctively understand them.
For example, a video advocating for bug spray will tend to use insects and pests that the audience does not like to personify the problem.
If the video uses a talking fly, it can add stink visuals to signal filth and dirt before serving up the solution.
One reason why having a clearly articulated pain point is critical is that it helps you place yourself in the audience’s decision-making process. You can point them to your solution.
As you craft, your problem remember that it has to be easy to understand. Plan to introduce it in the early stages of the video. If you’re doing a short form video, for example, introduce it within the first 30 seconds.
Do not overdo the problem so as to not overwhelm your audience. Use it as a hook to your pitch but leave some room to reel them in.
So far you have introduced a hero who evokes strong emotions in your audience and you have set up the problem as well. Now the fun part begins for your video storytelling strategy.
The third piece in the storytelling puzzle is to deliver the solution with as much pomp as is practical.
When your audience began watching your video they endured the harder parts so that they could finally experience the desired outcome. Here is where you get to make your service or product stand out from the pack.
It is advisable for you to try and combine the problem you want to solve and the solution your product or service gives as close together as possible.
That way the audience is able to intuitively connect the two in their minds without having to struggle too much thinking through it.
In fact, if the arch in your story can focus on the bigger picture that is your audience’s problem you will strike a chord with them.
An example of this is when a payroll company decided to create a video on their software that chose to focus on real-life situations their customers face.
By showcasing relatable moments in their audience’s lives and seamlessly adding their solution, they hit home. The amazing bit is that they did not even have to talk explicitly about their product.
Remember that your goal is to influence the audience’s decision in favor of your product or service.
If you reel them in right they will talk about your story and even share it.
Video is now firmly entrenched as king in the content marketing space. In the race for customer attention, many brands and businesses are investing in developing storytelling videos relevant to their mission.
A good story will hook your customers and reel them in ultimately growing your bottom line.
C&I Studios is an idea agency that thrives on creating media to educate, empower, and inspire greatness. Contact us today to find out how we can help you develop a compelling story for your business.
Are you running a business? How do you plan on hyping it up, and getting the buzz around? We recommend using a North American Rainmaking ritual if you are going through a dry spell.
Okay, okay- this may help call upon the skies and make it rain, but what will really make it rein is creating artistic video content.
Creative engaging video content for your audience is essential if you’re running a business.
Whether you’re aiming to create a product spotlight or an informational series, a video agency will take your concept and pour it across what we like to call the internet clouds.
With the help of a video agency, all of your best creative ideas can get the technology and expertise they deserve.
Bringing art to life for your business has never been so easy- put on those dancing shoes.
It has also never been so important (don’t forget your hat). Creativity utilizes a different part of the brain, enhances intrigue, and sends sparks of pizzaz deep into your consumer’s mind.
However, that doesn’t mean you have all the information you need to work with a video agency right away.
If you’ve never worked with a video production company before, there are a few things you need to know.
Here are the key points any beginner should know before jumping in with cold feet.
Anyone can take a video on their smartphone, and billions of people put it right up on youtube.
What separates video production is that it means much more than an average video among the Youtube plethora, both from a technical and artistic standpoint.
At its most basic, video production refers to capturing video and then editing it to tell a story.
Think graphics, think engagement, think real planning and execution, think magic. Anything is possible in video production.
When you work with a video production company, there’s much more artistic liberty involved.
Creating an effective video involves both artistic and strategic planning in pre-production and a video crew who fully understands the vision.
But of course, the editing and production magic doesn’t happen until post-production when everything starts really coming together.
A legitimate video production company will clue you in on every step of the process.
They will know what’s hip, what works, and what will catch the eye of a human mind.
These two terms are used synonymously. They both represent a company whose major role is to work collaboratively with clients and create high-quality videos.
Whether a company calls itself a video production company or a video agency, they will both use the same process of video production to deliver the product you need.
The key to selecting one company over the other is whether or not they align with your values and your vision.
But more importantly, look into what they have created for other companies in the past. Is it compelling? Engaging? Artistic?
Lights. Camera. Action- duh. Okay, so there is much more.
Once you submit a concept to a video production agency, it is used to start formulating a tangible idea for your video.
It takes technical knowledge and creativity combined with excellent video quality. Keep calm and rest easy knowing that video production agencies have an abundance of both.
Most importantly, you’ll be kept in the loop during every step of the process.
Once the script has been locked (approved by you and the director), shooting will begin. During this phase, the director will be in charge of production and direct the rest of the members involved.
In some instances, video companies will also incorporate photography services to capture behind the scenes and other memorable moments.
You can use some of these photos on your social media as a teaser for your customers.
When it comes to visuals like video, lead-up marketing is just as important as the premiere of the video itself.
The entire experience is quite exhilarating, so posting on social feeds should be a breeze. It’ll grasp attention and brace viewers for the excitement to come.
This type of video marketing strategy is highly effective in creating a rein of rhythm around your brand just before its launch.
At least 86% of businesses use video on their website as a marketing tool.
Considering that, it’s safe to say that working with a video agency has its fair share of advantages. Namely, getting your idea out there!
You may not have enough time and resources to produce a high-quality video on your own.
And among all the iPhone videos on youtube alone, yours may be lost among the abyss and drown in the never to be shown.
Fortunately, video production agencies have the equipment and expertise to help you put stellar video content into the globe and send the word spinning.
Video content is no longer about shooting for the sake of having videos on your website, but a way to create awareness, gather more leads and show people why your message can make a difference in their world.
In this case, you need an agency that knows how to use video content as a means of communicating above the sea of content that trickles down through the technology clouds.
Whether you want to shoot a video to sell products or one that tells your company’s story, you need an agency that uses creativity to breathe concepts to life.
You may not have the time or resources to produce your own videos to the level of quality you need.
But working with a video production agency ensures that you have the shaman of creativity and innovation at your side.
Contact C&I Studios today, we are an idea agency that defines creativity- let’s make it rein.
You need to pick media that users will want, and fill it with people that they can relate to. Your media needs to fit your platform. If you have a high-energy, innovative SEO techniques on your website, your video should have the same energy.
If your site’s classy, stay classy.
Also, know where your audience is in the journey. If you have a cold prospect that clicked your link, an image may be the hook they need. Or the frame displayed in the video window should catch their attention. A short video probably makes sense. If a user is revisiting your site maybe a longer video would convince them to work with you.
Wyzowl’s State of Video Marketing survey says 81% of businesses that added video content to their marketing saw a sales increase. And 94% of businesses felt that video content is an effective tool. Find out how video storytelling marketing can help build your brand.
Have you ever done a Google search, found a post with a great title, just what you were looking for? You start reading. Wow! This is great content.
But as you scroll, it seems to be a never-ending sea of text. It’s some great writing, but your eyes start to glaze over. Staring at paragraph after paragraph almost hypnotizes you.
Is your content boring your visitors? You don’t want your users tediously scrolling. Groaning as they try to extract the information. Find out how visuals can make your content exciting!
Visuals can break it up and really grab your audience’s attention. Images also evoke an emotional response. Video storytelling marketing basically involves adding a video to your content. But there’s a reason why it’s effective.
Our brains are really good at processing images. In fact, when reading, your brain interprets known words as tiny pictures. Because brains hunger for visuals, you need to satisfy them.
Hubspot recently posted a survey, where the video was identified as the most desired form of content from a brand or business. 54% of respondents said they want to see videos from a company they support.
Your video doesn’t even need an amazing soundtrack or script. Many people watch videos on mobile with the sound off. Include interlude screens or text overlays so your audience knows what’s going on.
Humor can be rare in business marketing, but it can be effective. Sometimes visitors expect a boring video. But if they find something funny instead, you’ve created a memorable and positive association for your brand.
Ask: What’s the main point of my content? Then think of unusual ways to get your point across. If you surprise yourself with an idea, chances are you’ll surprise your audience too.
We’ll have more on this in a bit. But the point is to actually write it out on paper. Create a storyboard. Doing so will help you write a script and help you film it.
Think about how you can use your video to share your story. Don’t just start a narration. Can angles, colors, or sound effects tell the story? Videos like this will create more emotional investment.
Figure out how to condense the story (and emotion) into a short video. You don’t need a long time to tell your story. You know that funny five-second GIF you’ve watched over and over? It doesn’t take much time to tell a story.
A buyer’s persona will give you a lot of the info you need about motivating your audience. Typically potential customers come to you because they need you to help them solve a problem.
Their problem is creating an emotional response within them. Emotions influence who we trust. They connect our past by bringing up feelings of nostalgia. And they help us make sense of complex information. As a result, clever stories can be quite persuasive.
Some motivators might include feelings like:
Keep these things in mind when coming up with your videos. How can you build around those themes?
You don’t have to (and probably shouldn’t) make something up. Tell the story of your company. Or maybe you have a customer story that you could follow. It doesn’t have to be a long video. But it needs to tell a complete story.
What makes a story? Start with the hook. This needs to catch attention fast. Then ramp up the action. Until you reach a climax. Now show the resolution. The last part and the most important part of your brand is a call to action. Tell the viewer what to do next.
You need to pick media that users will want. Fill it with people that they can relate to. Your media needs to fit your platform. If you have a high-energy, innovative SEO techniques or website, your video should have the same energy. If your site’s classy, stay classy.
Also, know where your audience is in the journey. If you have a cold prospect that clicked your link, an image may be the hook they need. Or the frame displayed in the video window should catch their attention. A short video probably makes sense. If a user is revisiting, your site, maybe a longer video would convince them to work with you.
Nothing’s forever. Adjust your video storytelling marketing like you change any other marketing. Find out what works by staying dynamic with the times.
Often you probably come across videos that only discuss a company’s products and services. But these aren’t the most compelling videos. Your video shouldn’t be able you, but what you do for others. Find your company’s “why.” Market that.
If you sell telecommunications hardware, don’t focus on the hardware, all the features, how great it is. Talk about how it helps people connect. With those they love. How they can reach customers. How it can save lives.
Tell compelling stories. Not that your hardware is online 0.09% more than the competition.
Emotion has a way of making people take notice. And act. If they take notice, they might remember your story. If they remember, they might be moved to buy.
Specific emotions result in specific actions. If your video makes someone happy, maybe they’ll share it with someone else. If your video makes them feel sad, maybe they’ll give.
Think about those sad-faced puppies with Sarah McLachlan playing in the background. If your video elicits anger, maybe it will lead to it going viral. That’s more like: EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS! IT MAKES ME SO MAD!
Don’t be that boring website with an ocean of text. Or worse, don’t waste time on great writing to have your visitors go numb scrolling the text. Energize your content. Dazzle potential customers with eye-catching visuals.
Add video storytelling marketing to your site. Get quality video and film production services from C&I that will engage your audience. We’ve worked with some of the world’s biggest brands. Contact us today!
Utilizing video is a powerful strategy that you can implement as an entrepreneur. Not only will it provide a way for you to showcase your products and services, but it will also give your audience insight into your brand’s personality.
But, video storytelling formats are just as important as the content itself, and you’ll need to optimize both if you want the best results.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we got you covered.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know.
One of the most common reasons brands use video is to show their audience who they are. And, telling your brand’s personal story is a solid method to connect with your audience.
Common concepts for this type of video include brand origin stories, information about the early days of the company, and background about the founder(s). The aim here is to remind your audience that your company is run by actual people and isn’t a faceless business that exists solely to generate revenue.
If your company’s story is particularly inspiring, dedicating the video to how you got things up and running is a solid option. At the very least, you can give a brief synopsis of who created the company, why, and what your brand currently aims to do.
Your personal story can go a long way when it comes to building an audience, and it can also serve as a driving force for other people to turn their dreams into a reality.
Then, your photography agency will design the creativity behind the story and burst it into- lights, camera, buyer action.
Showcasing what your past customers have to say is a great way to get more people interested in what you have to offer.
But, this type of storytelling format isn’t limited to how much your audience likes your product or service.
Instead, it can be an opportunity for your consumers to tell their own personal stories while also providing insight into how your brand has impacted them. This is especially common for companies that offer clothing like athletic apparel.
You could also offer some sort of reward for the best customer submission, such as discounts, exclusive products, or even cash.
Giving your customers a platform to express yourself will show that you care about the people who make your business a success. This type of positivity will serve to draw in even more consumers.
How-to videos are some of the most watched types of content on the Internet. So, it’s only natural that you should take this into consideration when making a video for your brand.
Particularly useful things to teach your audience about include cooking, equipment repair or maintenance, and grooming. In general, the easier it is for your audience to follow along with your guide (in terms of complexity, tools, etc.), the better results you’ll get from making it.
It’s also a good idea to consider turning your guide videos into a series. For example, you could offer new how-to content once per week, a few times per month, etc.
Over time, you’ll build a huge catalog of how-to videos and guides that people will be likely to find on their own through Google. This, of course, is great for brand awareness and can serve as a stepping stone to new heights for your company.
Depending on the industry you’re involved in, there may be some changes going on that your audience needs someone to explain to them. Or, there may be something controversial that somebody needs to openly talk about.
Regardless of what it may be, you can make a video to discuss it and offer your take. You can also encourage feedback from your viewers and have a discussion with them.
If there isn’t anything noteworthy occurring in your industry at the moment, you could use the opportunity to show off your company’s culture instead.
Things like employee testimonials, a virtual company tour, and the highlights of working at your firm all fit well in this category. People love transparency, so give them a look at anything that isn’t confidential.
But, you can even take this one step further.
This is a storytelling framework that gets a lot of people’s attention as a result of the behind-the-scenes glimpses views will get.
People will often have no idea how your company is run. They might not be aware of the size of your team, the day-to-day operations, or the intricacies involved in managing and completing projects.
If your company has anything unique about it that you wouldn’t find at a conventional firm, take a moment to showcase it.
For example, Google has a room dedicated to providing employees with access to showers, coffee, and even a place to nap. Needless to say, this information caught a lot of attention when it was made public!
This form of storytelling can also be very entertaining to create, as it will offer a look at your employees’ personalities, how they interact with each other, and how the overall atmosphere is at your company.
But it doesn’t have to be.
With the above information about video storytelling formats in mind, you’ll be well on your way to providing the best experience possible to your audience.
Want to learn more about creative thinking can benefit your business? Make sure to check out the rest of our blog!
I usually craft my own introduction when announcing a new host for Respek the Mic. But, if I am being honest, I don’t have the right to chime in here. Devonte’s poem has too much feeling; too much sadness; too much truth; too much despair; too much pride; too much passion; too much shame, warmth and compassion… I think I’ll just keep my mouth shut and let Devonte tell it how it is.
We change up our hosts from week to week. Many of our hosts are a part of the Arts Prevails Project right here in South Florida, like Darius Daughtry. You can check out Darius’s artwork on #UNCREATIVE. He shares a poem you’ll definitely want to listen to.
If you want to attend our next open mic night, check out the event details on Next Door’s Facebook. You can also catch the vibe on this video recap.
When you think of a soft drink, what’s the first brand that you think of? Most of us will think of dominating big brand names, such as Coca-Cola.
As we know, brand identity leaves a long-lasting impression in the minds of consumers. So, brand building is a vital part of any company’s marketing strategy.
Successful brand building increases the odds that a customer will think of your company when they need problem solving. So, customers are more likely to go to you to find a solution.
But how exactly does brand-building work to improve your marketing strategy? Read on to discover all.
The more consumers are aware of your brand’s presence, ethos, mission, and values, the more they will gain your trust.
Retaining customer loyalty deems as one of the most important goals of marketing. But, loyalty cannot exist without the growth of trust in a brand.
Purchasing decisions are usually made subconsciously, with consumers using mental shortcuts to skip the process and to avoid being overwhelmed with the amount of choice on the market. So, if a customer has a brand they recognize and trust, they’re more likely to choose them.
With successful brand development, you can narrow in on your target audience and influence them to feel connected to your brand. After all, positive brand awareness makes repeat purchases more likely.
Then, your photography agency will design the creativity behind the story and burst it into- lights, camera, buyer action.
Companies who have developed a strong branding strategy among their target audience find it easier to dominate their niche. As mentioned earlier, think of all the soft drink brands you drink or clothing shops you buy from.
They’re likely to be popular brands ruling their industry at the top of their branding game.
In a 2010 cross-industry study, German researchers determined that brand awareness drives market performance while controlling for technical product quality, service quality, and several other constructs.
By building branding, you’re increasing your market share. After all, if you’re one of the first in the competition to fuse your brand in customers minds, you’re raising the stakes for the competition. While brand awareness doesn’t have financial value on its own, it’s crucial as part of the collective marketing strategy to drive sales.
If consumers aren’t aware of your brand, how else will they know that your company can offer them something new and different on the market?
Promoting brand awareness means you can position your brand to stand out and be different than the competition.
Once consumers know there’s a new, exciting, and improved product to help them fix their woes, there will be increased lead acquisition and sales.
When someone mentions the “Nike tick,” what first springs to mind? Most of us will picture the familiar logo in our minds.
Logos have an incredible effect on brand awareness. After all, it’s usually the first thing we think of when considering a familiar company product.
The combination of shape, color, and font are all integral to crafting a design that not only lingers in people’s memories but also creates a positive association with the brand.
Many companies will consult psychologists when they have the budget and drive to create a powerful and memorable logo. This is because psychologists can tell which shapes and colors create a positive association with a particular industry product.
A strong and successful logo will convey what potential clients can gain from a business.
Now we know the importance of brand building, let’s go through some ways to work on it.
Today, a strong social media strategy is crucial to building brand awareness for a company.
Brands can build a relationship with customers with the use of social media platforms. These include Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and more.
Not only can brand awareness grow with the use of advertising across the platforms, but companies can also interact with their existing market base. They can, for example, create a content marketing strategy and craft relevant blog posts, or they can even hold competitions for customers.
By nurturing the market base and providing them with interesting content and fun competitions, companies can build trust by offering customers something back for their loyalty.
Brand awareness driven via social media is a great way to maintain existing customers, while also drawing in new ones that may not have heard of the brand or product. For example, a useful piece of content may be shared by a current customer, which will draw the attention of similarly minded friends of theirs.
Let’s not forget about traditional brand awareness strategies, though.
Targeting relevant audiences via more traditional marketing efforts isn’t to be sniffed at. For example, featuring an advert in a relevant industry-based magazine, or having the brand mentioned as a radio ad jingle.
Such methods are still very much important, as not everyone uses social media and the internet, such as the older generation, for example. And remember, this age group is usually one that has money to spend!
The best idea is to distribute the budget between various marketing strategies to build strong brand awareness.
There are many ways to go about brand building, but it’s important to make the effort to do so. While your marketing strategies and campaigns may vary year-to-year, a consistent brand message will help keep your company top-of-mind among existing and new customers.
Need help building a strong brand awareness strategy? Let us help you plan and create the right look and feel for your product and company.
From branding and design to assisting with your social media strategy, we’ve got you covered. Check out the services we offer here.
Did you know that people watch over one billion hours of video every day? And that’s on YouTube alone. That figure doesn’t account for the video content watched across platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or company websites.
As we’re all aware, video production is booming and shows no sign of stopping. Video content represents nearly three-quarters of all internet traffic today!
With so much competition, your brand needs to jump on the bandwagon to impress and influence potential customers and clients.
If you need further convincing, let’s learn how and why video marketing is so influential to viewers.
Today, the world-wide-web is chock full of misinformation and doctored photos. With impressive editing software available that’s easy for most to use, nowadays the credibility of information and images online is questioned.
With video, the credibility is more reliable. After all, photo-shopping a video is more difficult and takes more work than it does with an image. Thanks to this more authentic feel, consumers are more influenced and trusting of video content.
Many customers are afraid to buy from a brand they’re not familiar with based on pictures, due to fear they may be cheated. By watching a company video, they’ll feel more comfortable with the authenticity of the product.
People appreciate that human interaction, even if it is on a screen. They want to see to believe, rather than just to read and look at imagery. By creating a video for your brand online, it’s the closest thing to eye contact as possible. Video allows you to authentically reflect the company ethos of the brand and puts a face and a voice behind the company for consumers to ‘meet’.
In this way, the audience can build a bond with your brand and subconsciously develop a relationship with you. Never underestimate the power and importance of eye contact. Even if it’s just virtual!
What could be a better way to influence a customer than by evoking an emotional response? While written content and imagery can spark up feelings, it’s in no way comparable to the way video can elicit emotion.
Consider some of the television commercials that you can remember. They’ll be adverts that triggered an emotional response in you, whether it was humor, anger, distress, love, sadness, hope, fear, friendship, or any other strong sensation. Perhaps watching it was an emotional roller coaster!
While you don’t need to leave your customers in fits of tears (or who knows, maybe you do?), it’s worth creating powerful content that will stir certain emotions you feel will influence them in the buying process.
Not only can video provoke such strong emotion, but it can also do so in a short period. This is important when in today’s media-saturated world people are scrolling through video content like no tomorrow.
Within seconds, you can capture the entirety of the browser’s attention, eyes, and ears. If your video is engaging enough, that means you’ve captured the concentration of a potential customer whereby their focus is on your business and the message you’re trying to convey.
Likewise, video production companies appeal to the viewer’s emotions by using audio and visual cues. Light background music can blend any ambient sound and incorporate tone and emotion to the video that words and images can’t.
As with conveying emotion, video content allows you to craft a story for your brand. Depending on the purpose of your content, you can tell stories about your employees, company mission, products available, or how your goods can improve customer’s lives.
With video storytelling, you can tell the tale of your company in many ways to align with your brand ethos. Perhaps there will be no speaking parts and only background music, or maybe you’ll use several different actors. The sky’s the limit!
A popular way to influence customers with video storytelling is to convince them that they have a problem that your company can solve. If you engagingly convey the story, you’re more likely to convert viewers into buyers.
The tone, structure, actors, and pacing of the video will, of course, have a huge influence on the effectiveness of the video.
Ideally, you’ll provide a tasteful blend of telling an engaging story while also providing information on your company and its ethos.
While videos are usually made for company websites, they can also be posted on to YouTube. This is the world’s second-largest engine, owned by the world’s biggest search engine – Google.
So, when you upload your video content to YouTube, it means your brand visibility increases significantly.
Likewise, video content can be shared via social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, plus more. The potential video content has of distributing your company’s name out there and increase visibility is limitless.
When potential customers see great visibility of a brand across the world-wide-web, they’re then more likely to be influenced by the message you convey in your video content. This is because higher-visibility breeds trust among browsers, especially if all your platforms and content align together.
Video production is one of the most effective ways to influence customers to buy your product or service. When done well, a video can reach a broader audience and connect with them in a meaningful and emotional way.
Not yet jumped on the bandwagon? Now’s the time to get involved. If you’re looking to hire a professional video production company to help you film creative, engaging, and high-quality video content for your company, then look no further.
Learn about our video and film production services here.
You can imagine our surprise then when we came across the sauce that literally no one (not even our mothers) have ever even heard of. A rare unicorn of sauces — The Original Banana Pepper Sauce by Hyattsville Sauce Company.
When we discovered this hidden gem our tastebuds sang with the angels. This is not an over-exaggeration. We loved The Original Banana Pepper Sauce so much that we created a spec ad campaign for the brand. And the heavenly creators of our new favorite sauce don’t even know we’re doing it.
That’s where you come in. We want to get this in front of Hyattsville Sauce Company. Their sauce is so tasty — so perfectly spicy — that we felt they deserved a little free exposure for giving our tastebuds a much-needed break from mundane snackage.
Call it love at first dish but, yes, we officially — deeply — care about The Original Banana Pepper Sauce. We were so completely shocked that this had been missing in our life for so long that we created an ad campaign promptly titled “The Only Thing Missing…”
The power of this spec ad campaign is the negative space. It draws the consumer’s eye. They immediately think, “something is missing.” And they are 100% right! The Original Banana Pepper Sauce is missing. So what are you going to do about it? Go buy the friggin’ sauce!
What’s at stake? Well, boring food, that’s what.
You must be thinking, “Wait, no, not all food. That can’t be…”
Smarten up! Yes, all food! Your hotdogs are boring; your chicken is flavorless; your burger is generic; your salad is too green; your chicken wings too mild; your rice bowls too dry; your sandwich… don’t even get us started on your sandwich.
You’ve been leading a dull diet. The Original Banana Pepper Sauce has been missing for too long!
If you’re having a cookout tomorrow for the 4th of July and you’re missing this glorious condiment then forget it. Just cancel the party. Otherwise, open your world up to the sauce you never knew you needed and overnight this bottle of goodness from Amazon pronto!
On behalf of Hyattsville Sauce Company, you’re welcome.
When it comes to selling your products and services, your customers are likely to look at the price first before anything else.
But visuals can make people’s mouths water, and minds wonder- forgetting all about that price tag.
You shouldn’t ignore the visual representation of the product as catching an eye can reel in the buy.
In the world we live in, companies have started prioritizing and creating visual assets as a fundamental focus of their content marketing strategy, with 51% of Business-to-business companies joining the bandwagon.
Hiring a photography company is a decision you should take seriously. Photography has become a cliché today with so many people picking up a camera and calling themselves photographers.
If you are not careful, you will find yourself working with an inexperienced photographer, which could cost your business a significant amount of money. Here is how to avoid such a mistake:
Before you hire someone to portray your brand, you must first be sure of what your brand looks like and feels like. The creative idea agency you choose will need this information to understand what they need to put out there on display.
Most people tend to think that a photographer will telepathically understand and portray their brand image as they would want.
This is misguided information and should be avoided. As a client, you hold the responsibility to help the video agency understand your brand.
Visualize it, and let it be envisioned.
Then, your photography agency will design the creativity behind the story and burst it into- lights, camera, buyer action.
When you’re thinking about hiring a photographer, there are a few signs that you’ll be getting what you paid for.
Keep an eye out for any red flags, and know what to look for before you hire them.
A real photography company should have a full range of equipment used to create high-quality images.
This includes high-quality, professional cameras and matching lenses, lighting, props, and staging.
If they show up with themselves and a $1,000 Best Buy Camera, or even worse, an android phone, you’re in for trouble.
A company that uses a poor-quality camera will produce poor quality images which will, in turn, produce a poor representation of your brand.
You may not know the equipment photographers use, but you can ask around and grasp an idea of what type of camera will produce the kind of images you need.
Just head to youtube and watch a quick video on photography camera equipment.
It’s true, video and photo content defines and defies all other forms of content.
With so many people branding themselves as photographers, it can sure be difficult to identify who is a qualified professional and who is not.
The goal is to ride on the safe side.
Look for a photography studio that has a strong portfolio and possibly one with the kind of images you are targeting.
Are they diverse? Unique? One of a kind?
You want your brand to be exemplified.
Portfolios also come with references. If the company did a job for a certain company, you expect to see the images online when you look at the said company’s gallery.
This will give you the confidence you need to hire a creative agency studio.
This is more or less asking what you should expect to receive for the investment you are making.
The right answer is not straightforward but depends on the task at hand.
If the photos you have in mind use a black and white background, and there are no models involved, you may get more images in your gallery.
When models are involved, however, the images you get may be fewer but worth every dollar. Believe it or not, more time goes into post-production than the time spent taking the actual photos.
After all, Marilyn Monroe captivated millions with just one look in her famous white dress photograph.
Images can last beyond their time, and carry on for generations in the human mind.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
— Aaron Siskind
Depending on the photography company, you may get a few unedited photos to use as teasers on your social media pages.
Ooh la la! Everyone loves a good teaser!
Some companies need a specific time to deliver the edited version, so be sure to ask about this.
As you wait for the photographer to edit and deliver the photos, talk to your team so they can prepare for the mass upload of photos.
You should also be working on a calendar that will guide you and your team on which photos should be prioritized.
Then get excited at the posts come to life before your eyes!
A professional photography company will have back up staff just in case their main team isn’t available for the shoot.
This ensures that the clients still get their photos done on time.
Also, your photos will be secure in the event of a piece of equipment malfunctioning.
It is not surprising for the computer to crash just when you are almost done with your work.
Having a backup ensures that your work won’t be late.
Ask your photography company about what kind of back up measures the use in case of an emergency.
If you want to learn more about the importance of finding and hiring the right photography service provider that fits your brands’ needs and goals, get in touch with us here at C&I Studios!
We’ll take you for a visionary jaunt through time and place with an artistic vision that goes beyond the commonplace.
With the right video strategy, you will discover possibly one of the best mediums marketing has to offer. Especially if you want to powerfully deliver a message or sell a product. Viewers can retain as much as 95% of the message when watching a video. The text format can’t even compare – the audience will only be able to retain 10% of the message on average.
The statistics paint the two sides in video brand development. Businesses benefit more from creating a video, and the consumers enjoy and prefer it over other forms of marketing.
With that in mind, how do you make the perfect film for your business? Keep on reading and learn how you can use it to boost your brand.
Whether it’s a short film or a video business ad, it must have some goal to fulfill. This will become the basis of your strategy.
Is your goal to introduce a new product? To earn big bucks? To increase brand awareness?
It’s recommended to focus on one goal so as not to overwhelm your viewers with your message. You can, however, set multiple goals as long as they won’t clash with each other. You should also prioritize them so that one stands out and the rest support your main goal.
This will depend on your main goal; how do you want to accomplish it?
Observe how other business video strategies perform and the steps taken to achieve their goals. For example, let’s take a look at Dove’s campaign targeting men. The brand chose to incorporate a father’s love and reuniting families into their theme, which ties into their goal of painting their soap as familial and healing.
Once you’ve decided on a theme, it’s time to then decide how you want to explore it. There are many questions to ensure you have the answer to when creating the perfect video strategy. For instance, do you want to tell a story, like Dove, to deliver the message? Or do you want to deliver it in an informative manner?
Short videos deliver the message better because you don’t have to go against the viewer’s short attention span. They will be able to watch your video while on the bus, in the bathroom, or on a break.
This will present a challenge on how you can deliver everything you want to show in a few minutes or so. This is why you should stick to one goal and one theme.
This will also play into how deep you can explore your theme. For shorter videos, avoid big complications without solutions, focus on one storyline, and make sure to wrap up the video in a manner satisfying to the viewers. Otherwise, it will look unfinished.
Whom are you showing the film to? This will depend on your film’s message, complexity, and in some instances, the visuals.
You have to identify which demographic group or interest group will watch your videos. If you have an outer space theme, your audience will be sci-fi fans. If you want to analyze bullying in high schools, your audience will be high school students.
This is also important to keep in mind when creating the film and setting goals. A video targeted toward children should avoid certain themes, like violence and sensuality.
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You then need to figure out how much you will need for your short film. This will determine which talents you can hire, including the actors, the production company, and more.
The factors you need to consider when crunching the numbers include your vision for the film. The kind of equipment will matter the most, especially for aerial cinematography and animations.
How long you need to shoot it will also factor into the budget. If you want some big names, as an A-list actor or director, you’ll have to shell out more.
If you’re in a pinch, look back at your goal and reassess your budget from there. If your goal is to increase awareness of your brand names, getting a known actor may be worth it. If it’s to deliver a message, you may be able to do this without hiring expensive actors.
The script, music, and the talent will all determine the quality of your video.
The storytelling style should help you reach your goal in spite of the time and budgeting restrictions. If you’re presenting a story, pay more attention to the script. For music-driven styles, incorporating the right music should be the priority.
Even the voice actors should be well-thought of. Their voice alone should fit the message they’re trying to send. Any on-screen talents should have the ability to act out the style of your video.
Above all, these elements should tie in with your brand to create the perfect film for your business.
In brand marketing and video strategy, all elements of your campaign must contain your brand’s voice.
In the example of voice actors, you should choose one depending on the kind of feelings they invoke. Does it suit your message? But more important than that – does it also suit your brand image?
If your answer to one of the questions is no, you may want to reconsider the voice actor or your theme itself. It may be in line with your brand. Dove, for example, would best avoid exploring the violent side of a war.
Staying true to your brand will allow your film to exude authenticity, which is the key to building trust.
Although it’s low on this list, it’s one factor you need to consider during the setting goals phase. You can, for example, set a goal to distribute your film on social media or a film festival, even.
You have a lot of factors to consider when setting up your strategy. This includes your audience, your message, and your budget.
Then, once you have a distribution strategy, you have to make sure the film itself is appropriate for the platform you chose.
Most importantly, creating the perfect video strategy relies upon execution. For that step, it’s always a good idea to work with professionals. Sure, you could DIY through it but experts have the best equipment, software, and training to get the marketing aspect of everything executed properly.
We’d love to be a part of fulfilling that role for you. Contact us today and let’s talk about how we can help you bring your marketing ideas to life.
Did you know that articles featuring images receive 94% more views than those without?
Such statistics show how crucial it is for businesses to incorporate photography into their website and marketing strategy in today’s media-saturated world.
Professional photography is often crossed off as an item on the budget list that’s expensive and expendable. But, without it, you’re likely losing out on profit.
Taking photographs or using stock imagery can help the situation. Yet it’s in no way comparable to using professional, clear, and inviting imagery to depict your brand.
Need further convincing? Here’s why photography matters for your business.
We’ve all heard the saying before, and yes, it’s cheesy but there’s truth behind the motto.
Professional photos convey a message to your customers quicker than any text can. While written content is important, it takes a lot longer for people to read a caption or an article than to look at a photo. Browsers can process images in milliseconds in comparison to scrolling and reading text for a couple of minutes.
This is especially important in a world where people are scrolling from page to page without concentrating and reading the full text from the screen.
By using professional imagery, customers can see exactly what your business has to offer, rather than what they’re being told about a product. As we can all agree, it’s a lot better to see something for yourself before buying, rather than relying on words. That means whatever your business is, the use of photos and videos of your offerings are valuable.
As mentioned, many companies find it tempting to take business photography themselves, choose stock imagery, or take a cheap hire. If the thought crosses your mind, remember that the images you use on your website and in your marketing strategy represent your brand.
Does your website feature low quality, unprofessional, or blurry imagery? If so, this will communicate a negative message about your brand and the products you offer to potential customers.
Think about it – if you were planning to buy a product and a brand only offered poor quality imagery, what would you think? Let’s be honest, most of us would click off the website and head to a competitor featuring more trustworthy imagery.
While high-quality imagery provides fantastic value for your brand, poor quality imagery can create the opposite effect and it will be more difficult to earn loyalty and trust. While it may sound superficial, when browsing customers only have online and print content to go on, it’s the reality of the game.
Another way the use of professional photography helps build your brand is that as a business you’re given complete freedom to create images that align with your brand ethos and convey the message you wish to convey.
How do you want your customers to feel when they view your images? For example, if you’re a company selling baby toys and clothes you might use photography that incorporates lots of light, bright, pastel colors. This helps convey happiness and tranquillity.
Shooting for a nightclub? Use darker, moodier, and contrasting light to create atmosphere.
Your company imagery is important when it comes to making a first impression on clients so don’t skimp on them!
If you run a website for your brand, the chances are you’re aware of SEO practices to help your website perform better in search engine ranking results.
While there are many elements to SEO, one of them involves imagery. High-quality, optimized imagery can help your website in image results such in Google Images. It also helps your website perform better in the search results.
What do you think a potential customer will do if they spot a quality image in the search engine results? Of course, they’re more likely to click on it rather than a competitors’ which is of worse quality.
What many don’t realize is that professional imagery is versatile and works for a variety of different mediums.
While professional photos are crucial for a successful business website, they can work to build your brand across social media too. Use them on different outlets including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and more.
Powerful, strong imagery is especially beneficial for a brand’s Instagram account. For customers seeking imagery from a business, it’s one of the first places they’ll head.
Professional imagery isn’t just useful to convey your brand across the world-wide-web either. Use images offline too and incorporate them in brochures and promotional materials of all kinds.
Beautiful photography that is consistent across all your platforms, including your website, social media outlets and print helps your brand build trust and recognition.
By biting the bullet and choosing a photography business to help you produce high-quality imagery, you’re making an investment that will be worth its while in the long run.
When it comes to marketing and promoting any business, in today’s content-rich world of the media, the use of professional photography is a must. This is no matter what industry you work in!
Now you can understand why photography matters for your business. So, you might want to find the time and budget to hire a professional photographer to help you build your brand and create stunning, high-quality imagery to wow customers.
That’s where we come in to help. Learn more about our creative photography services and how we can help your company here.
Wyzowl’s State of Video Marketing survey says 81% of businesses that added video content to their marketing saw a sales increase. And 94% of companies felt that video content is a useful tool. Find out how video content can help build your brand.
All of that is great, and it’s true. But what makes a story compelling?
What hypnotizes you?
What causes you scroll down the page?
What takes you on a trip and engages your mind, diving it into other realms?
There is a lot of “meh” content out there on the internet. You can search the hallways and closets deep in the far depths of Google, and it goes on forever. So what sets you apart from the content that gets lost in ’Google’s seemingly-infinite wardrobe?
How visuals are displayed and understood is pretty valuable. Aesthetics, pretty colors, strange, engaging, and unique images that resonate with the mind are powerfully effective and thought-provoking in video content.
Visuals break up content and hold your audience within a scene for a moment in time. They captivate attention, evoke an emotional response, create ideas, dreams, and even fantasies. Video marketing through storytelling, in its essence, captures the attention of your crowd.
This involves adding video to your content marketing strategy, effectively.
Our minds want to process images, and they’re pretty good at it.
When reading, your brain interprets known words as small pictures designed by the imagination. Brains hunger for visuals; what your business needs to do is ensure these visuals come to life and satisfy the thirst and curiosity of the mind.
Hubspot recently posted a survey which revealed video as the most desired form of content from a brand. Did you know that over half of your customers want to see videos from and about you?
Yup, A whopping 54% of respondents said they want to see videos from a company they support.
People watch all kinds of videos online. What makes your video content stand out? It may not be a massive production with intense music playing in the background. But that doesn’t matter; what matters is the feeling and the impact you make, visually.
Laughter is contagious; you have heard this a million times throughout your life. When it comes to business and marketing, it can be powerful for growth. With the amount of “meh” content all over the place, visitors usually hit play expecting a boring video – don’t fall into that “meh” category. Create joy and laughter. Give them something that throws them for a loop, laughs them to tears, and maybe even disrupts the office. Now, you’ve created a memorable and positive association for your brand.
Ask: What’s the main point of my content? Then think outside the box, dig for that inner child that is within and let your ideas play.
Get weird with it, surprise yourself with an out-of-the-box idea. Chances are, you’ll surprise your audience too.
More on this in a bit, but the point is to actually write it out on paper. Doodle it up, create a storyboard. Doing so will help you write a script and then you can film it.
Think about how you can use your video to share your story. Don’t just start a narration. Can angles, colors, or sound effects tell the story? Videos like this will create an emotional response. We are, after all, emotional beings.
Figure out how to condense the story (and emotion) into a video snippet that captures the overall meaning. You don’t need a whole lot to tell your story. You know that funny five-second GIF you’ve watched over and over? Sometimes, pictures do speak a thousand words.
A buyer’s persona will give you a lot of the info you need about motivating your audience. Typically potential customers come to you because they need you to help them solve a problem.
Let’s face it; we all have problems to solve in life. Creating an emotional response within them can encourage excitement and growth. Emotions influence who we trust. They connect our past by bringing up feelings of nostalgia. And they help us make sense of complex information. As a result, original stories can be quite inspiring.
Some motivators might include feelings like:
Keep elements of encouragement in mind when coming up with your videos. How can you build around those themes?
You don’t have to make something up, but creativity is always encouraged. Make it relevant! Or tell the story of your company. Maybe you have a customer story that you could follow.
Maybe your story is told through an imaginative tale; it might leave people on the edge of their seats, wondering about the future. Whatever it is- inspire.
J.K. Rowling says that “there is always room for a story that can transport people to another place.” We believe that your story, every story, is unique and should be told. That it has the ability to capture attention, transport your audience, reach a climax, and resolve the mind to act.
The last part and the most crucial part of your brand is a call to action. Tell the viewer what to do next without saying it outright. Guide them.
Choosing the right media that users will want can be tricky. Fill your videos with images and sounds that people can relate to. Create ideas around images that fit your platform. If you have a high-energy website, your video should pop with vibrancy. If your site’s classy, give your audience a class act.
Also, know where your audience is in the journey. If you have a cold prospect that clicked your link, an image may be the hook they need. Get the frame displayed in the video window to catch user attention. A short video probably makes sense. If a user is revisiting, your site, maybe a time extended video might convince them to work with you. Strategic placement is also vital.
Everything Changes, reinvents, expands. Adjust your video storytelling marketing like you would with any other strategy. Find out what works by embracing your own dynamic nature.
You’ve probably come across videos that only discuss a company’s products and services. We’re guessing these are not the most compelling videos you’ve seen. Your video shouldn’t be about you, but what you do for others. Find your company’s “why.” Market that. If you sell telecommunications hardware, don’t focus on the equipment, all the features, and how great it is.
Talk about how it helps people connect with those they need it to, driving home how it can enhance lives. Share compelling stories, share unique ideas. Not that your hardware is better than the competition, but that it’s sustainable, it’s the next big idea, it’s the missing puzzle piece that brings everything together.
Emotion has a way of paralyzing someone into a moment, stopping them in time. To take action, to feel, to notice the way the shirt feels against their back. If they press pause on their day to take notice, they will remember your story. If they remember, they are moved to invest.
Specific emotions result in peculiar actions. If your video makes someone happy, they’ll share it with someone else. If your video makes them feel sad, they’ll search for a way to make things better.
Think about those sad-faced puppies with Sarah McLachlan playing in the background. If your video elicits heightened emotions, let’s just say- it’s going viral. That’s more like: EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS! IT MAKES ME SO SAD!
Go viral with content that tugs at the hearts and minds of your viewers. Give your audience something to laugh, smile, and share. Energize, ignite passion, give way to action. Dazzle potential customers with content that catches their eye and captivates their brain cells.
Add video storytelling to your marketing strategy. Get the video and film production services that launch your brand, from us here at C&I. We’ve worked on empowering some of the smallest mom & pop shops to the world’s biggest brands through video. We’ll create the right video which speaks to your audience the way they want and the way you need it to. Let’s get in touch today.
Every business venture leads to one eventuality: the need for content. When a business owner reaches this juncture they have to decide on whether they should hire a freelancer or a creative agency.
This decision is one of the most essential choices on the timeline to placing a product on the market or advertising services. It will effectively dictate the immediate and long term successes of your business. Not to mention, how much money is spent on marketing and distribution before the return on investment for these services is realized.
If you are a business owner currently in need of creative content, marketing, or distribution then your decision to work with a freelancer or a creative agency will decide how quickly your business thrives.
Before you make this important hiring decision, you should know the most definitive differences between working with a freelancer and a creative agency.
Below, we’ll take you through the entire process, detailing the difference in cost, teamwork, availability, skill, gear, facility, speed, and data storage; as well as the reason why one relationship has the building blocks to grow and prosper while the other has hidden risks.
First, are you asking the right question?
The first question you need to ask yourself before hiring is: what does my business need to succeed?
This typically involves any service between content creation, web development, SEO/SEM, marketing, distribution, and analytical measurement. Your short and longterm business goals will determine which menu of services will provide the most profitable results.
Is your business in need of a logo for your product packaging? Perhaps you want a company profile video to support your overarching brand story? Where will all of this live… a website most likely? How do you get this beautiful new content in front of an engaged audience? What happens if they don’t respond; how will you tailor your messaging going forward? What business goals does this serve?
These are just a few challenges in an ever-changing list of complex marketing issues that businesses face every day. Depending on which services are necessary for your business will likely decide whether you choose to hire a freelancer or work with a creative agency.
A big factor that leads businesses to hire freelancers is budget.
At face value, a freelancer seems more affordable than a creative agency. Freelancers tend to accept payments in different formats, such as hourly or on a project-by-project basis, which can attract business owners who are hesitant to spend more money than they believe is necessary. This leads business owners to make a regular (and shared) mistake: hiring a freelancer on the spot to complete a one-off job in the hopes of cutting cost.
However, this could be more expensive in the long run.
First, in the complex scheme of marketing, everything that a business creates and distributes to engage an audience is interconnected. Content rarely stands alone. So, in reality, a one-off project isn’t isolated.
Sure, a freelancer can be the viable (and affordable) option for projects like newsletter templates or infographics to support a recently published blog article (so long as you have a professional regularly creating content for these purposes). These are fairly easy to create, do not require complete attention on brand guidelines, and can be repurposed for regular use. It makes sense to want to save money on these assets.
On the other hand, more essential business needs, like the creation of a logo, should never go to the lowest bidder. Though a logo appears to be in the category of a one-off project, it is actually one of the most vital signifiers of your business and is associated with anything your business distributes. Your logo is the first visual representation of your brand. If it doesn’t say enough in one quick glance — or says something that doesn’t fully represent your brand — then your debut in the marketplace will suffer.
Think about it… you’ve spent years of your life starting a business. It is your great passion. It is likely one of the biggest parts of your life. You want to see it grow and prosper because you have already spent a lot of money creating it. So, why would you skimp on this next crucial step? All that hard work, all that time spent getting your product or service to market, can suffer because of a poorly made graphic.
We have seen it happen before. In fact, we’ve corrected weak logo representations for brand’s who first sought out a freelancer because they were the cheaper option. Notice how we did not say more affordable in this instance because the client has to pay to redo the work. They have to hire twice. And that is not an affordable business decision. Time is money. And this was a waste of both.
There are many other services that seem as if they would be more cost effective by hiring a freelancer. Perhaps they are given the right freelancer. But don’t allow cost and budget to force your mindset into the short term. Decide exactly what your business needs and hire accordingly.
When working with a creative agency, like us, we will connect all the different pieces of your marketing plan into a cohesive narrative in order to generate maximum results. We house a creative team of professionals specialized in their respective disciplines, so you won’t need to shop around for different freelancers to complete different tasks in the hopes that these scattered pieces fit together.
Who would you rather have working on the essentials for your business: a single person with a single perspective, or 40 plus minds from unique backgrounds that know how to effectively collaborate in order to stimulate creative output?
Before you answer. There is an extremely important consideration you should know…
There is a common misconception that larger agencies produce better quality work, but that is not always the truth. Larger agencies are more inclined to outsource smaller projects — or projects for less notable clients — because it increases their profit margins. More often than not, the team that these large creative agencies showoff in the meeting — the talent they keep in-house — are dedicated to the best paying, most recognizable clients. That’s how they cut costs. It’s more affordable to pay salaries to the best people in their talent pool and then outsource the rest of their client work to freelancers or part-time contractors. More often than you know, when you hire a large creative agency, you are actually hiring a freelancer to get the job done.
This is why we advise you to meet in-person whether you are hiring a creative agency or a freelancer. You should be confident that the team you choose to work with has your best interests in mind. For starters, an in-person meeting reveals how thoughtfully marketers comprehend and respect the emotional value of your brand, and how well they will be able to articulate that to consumers. (This is huge.)
If you are going for a freelancer, sure chat with them over Skype or meet at their usual booth at Panera Bread. Otherwise, you can meet with our team at one of our studios and experience first-hand the personalities that will make your business shine; how the relationship between our designers, project managers, and leadership connect; how we band together to achieve the same goal: your goal.
The professionals you meet in our studio are the ones actually working on your project.
Even if we encounter an obstacle, like a time-crunch or an unexpected deadline, we don’t pause and seek outside help. We band together and put our collective thinking into action to create original and effective solutions to complex challenges. That is why we are known as ‘An Idea Agency.’
A freelancer, on the other hand, would likely need to enlist help from their friends — people who aren’t even in the industry; people you’ve never even met or vetted — to work on your very important project.
From a fully invested team of creative professionals comes the next big difference between working with a freelancer vs. a creative agency…
Don’t get us wrong…the freelancer you’re interviewing may be an expert in their craft. We started as freelancers, too. There nothing wrong with it. At a certain point, however, after working with our friends on this project and that, we realized that the strengths of the team outweigh that of the individual.
Here’s an example why this is true…
Let’s say you need killer graphic design work for your upcoming product promotion. You hire a freelance graphic designer with a stellar portfolio to take on the task. The freelancer delivers on exactly what you need… Now, what do you do with it? Does the freelancer you hired understand how to generate successful google ads; how to geo-target this ad for maximum results in your area; how to measure how effective this ad was so you know whether it is valuable to pay for a similar initiative in the future? Or, do you have to hire more freelancers to fully see this promotion through?
Whereas a freelancer’s skillset is very focused, a creative agency’s skillset varies depending on each member of the team…
What’s even more powerful? None of our professionals go about it alone. Our team of content creators and marketing professionals understand how to work together to get the job done quickly and efficiently. This level of adaptability across an entire team is a serious asset for any brand or business that needs to create outstanding, emotive content and get it in front of the right audience in a timely fashion.
Given our diverse backgrounds in content creation, marketing, digital analysis and more, our team won’t stop at creating and distributing your brand’s message; we will work to grow your message — to tell your brand’s story in the best way possible to expand your audience base. We will never give you a shiny piece of new content for you to stick on a shelf and collect dust for a year.
That’s pointless.
However… depending on who you choose to work with can lead to your content being abandoned more often than you think…
If you think a freelancer owes your business any loyalty after the completion of a project, think again.
Freelancers are not as stable as a creative agency. If the going gets tough, if clients become scarce, or if the work no longer satisfies, it’s easy for a freelancer to change careers or location. Suddenly, when you need to get in touch with the freelancer you hired, they are unavailable. But not just unavailable… no, they are unreachable having changed their careers to a chef or a writer or moved out of the country to pursue wanderlust Instagram fame with their friends.
What do you do then? What happens if changes need to be made to an old file, but don’t have access to the file? Do you start over? You really have no choice, even though it’s just another unnecessary expenditure on the same project.
With us, this will never happen. Our team of craftsmen and marketers are always at your disposal. We don’t slow down and we never give up. It’s just not in our nature. And with offices in Los Angeles, London, New York, and Fort Lauderdale we will be able to shoot whenever and wherever the job takes us. Recently, we sent our video team to Ghana to film for a product showcase for a longstanding client of ours. We do this all the time. Whereas a freelancer is one person and can only be in one place at one time, we can be in hundreds of places to help build your vision.
With availability comes another stark difference between hiring a freelancer and working with a creative agency…
Freelancers typically work solo. They are the only member of their team and are, therefore, fulfilling multiple business roles, such as sales, project management, and content creation. This can tend to overburden freelancers who are juggling more than one project. The result: work takes longer to complete.
With a creative agency, these roles are distributed. This allows us to be more maneuverable, versatile and efficient. If a project needs to be carried out quickly, we have the resources to do so without postponing the delivery for another client.
In short, our team has adapted to marketing’s fast-paced environment.
If you need a project created and distributed within days — even hours — then we are eager to rise to the challenge.
Recently, we completed an entire branding spreadsheet for a new client who wanted to launch a new product, website, and social media account within a month. In just two weeks, our team was able to conduct all the necessary market research and competitive analysis, produce stellar brand guidelines and mood boards, draft monthly marketing strategies, tone of voice guidelines, and narrative pillars, and develop multiple landing pages all while keeping pace with other client deadlines. If we weren’t fast and effective, we wouldn’t be in this line of work.
Efficiency and speed are largely decided by organization, which brings us to the next difference between working with a freelancer vs. a creative agency…
When you pay top dollar for marketing and branding materials, you want to know your product is secure. In some cases, there is sensitive personal information and data that needs to be protected. Would you rather this be secured and backed up on multiple servers or saved to a flash drive and tossed in a desk drawer for a year?
We store every project we’ve ever created. We have backups of our backups to safeguard against any eventuality because we care about our clients and their business.
To us, this is one of the most defining differences between working with a freelancer and a creative agency.
This ties into availability in a way…
Let’s say you need to access a software file to convert an old project or modernize the design. Or perhaps you need an old video file because your streaming provider suspended your account… What do you do? Contact the person who fulfilled the original assignment to provide the original files, naturally.
With us, providing the original file is super easy. We house everything and are always prepared to revisit an old project to cut new edits, update logos, change contact information and so on.
With a freelancer, however, their storage space may be limited or they may be unavailable to provide these services because they are no longer freelancing.
Before hiring a freelancer or a creative agency, you should ask yourself if losing what you paid for is worth the risk.
Freelancers have what they can afford. We have what you need: real high-quality production equipment and a fully stocked post-production suite ready to tell your story the way it needs to be told.
If you have a creative vision that is way over the top, we have the means to bring that to life. You won’t hear that your vision is impossible due to a lack of resources. Because here, we do the impossible every day.
Let’s say you do hire a freelancer because they appear to be more affordable. Before signing a contract be sure to account for production expenditures. Depending on your production, you may need to acquire permits, hire talent, rent a studio space, and so on. All of this costs money. This can bring the total cost of an otherwise affordable project into an unreasonable range.
With us, you won’t run into that problem because it will all be discussed prior to signing a contract. We also maintain a database of reliable talent, which expedites the hiring process; have a versatile studio with dynamic backdrops available for you; and a production specialist with tons of connections in the industry to locate the best sites within your budget.
Having a proper facility to work from also makes the experience much nicer. For instance, what happens when you are working with a group of people and need to meet to discuss changes in the project. Do you do the Panera thing again? It would be much nicer to have a professional space at your disposal.
We believe in building relationships. Sure, we can complete stand-alone projects for your business, but we can produce even better results with an ongoing collaboration. And that is the greatest difference between hiring a freelancer vs. working with a creative agency, right? The relationship that comes from it. And whoever said that had to start and end at marketing? We have helped guide business interests and provide detailed consultations for startups and corporations alike. We are here to help your business succeed. That is our bottom line. What’s yours?
If you have any questions or want to discuss a future project with us, email us via our contact form below.
There are many different joys of working with models who are dedicated to their craft. Obviously, the greatest joy is helping them secure a foothold in the industry, but behind the scenes the pleasantries are different. Every model carries themselves with their own air; has something unique to prove (to the world and themselves); reveals their body and personality like no one else before them; and interacts with our team on various levels of intimacy.
Take this model profile on Alessia Andrade. She moves effortlessly; naturally; beautifully. There is no sense of apprehension in her body language. She knows who she is and how she wants to present herself to her audience. Her posture is intoxicating in this way. She has this ability to lock-in the viewer and show them a side of herself that only they can see.
To our fellow artists, if you’re watching this, share with your friends and follow Alessisa Andrade on Instagram. We’re always on the lookout for talented models worthy of highlighting in our Artist Profiles. If that’s you, hit us up on Facebook or contact us here.
If you’re on the lookout for original video content subscribe to our Youtube Channel! Every week, we release Freestyle Friday, Dailies, Uncreative Radio and more.
Utilizing video is a dynamic strategy that you can implement as a business owner. Not only will it provide a way for you to showcase your products and services, but it will also give your audience insight into your brand’s charisma.
Video storytelling formats are just as important as the content itself, and you’ll need to optimize both if you want to get in tune with the best results.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know.
One of the most common reasons brands use video is to show their audience who they are. And, telling your brand’s personal story is the foundation for connecting with your audience.
Common concepts with creative insights include your unique brand origins, information about the good ‘ol days of the company, and how you impact your community. The aim here is to remind your audience that your company is run by actual people, not people who hide behind computers and are impossible to get ahold of.
It’s your time, time to put a face to the name, a concept to the project, the peanut butter to your jelly time.
If your company’s story reaches for the stars and beyond, dedicating the video to how you got the business up and running is a powerful option as it shows both your low points and your high points in the company. It shows that you’re human. At the very least, you can brief the crowd about who created the company, why it is so great, and how your brand currently makes an impact in the world.
Your personal story can go a long way when it comes to building an audience. You’ve got to allow it to be the driving force behind turning dreams into reality, ideas into concepts.
Showcasing your past victories through the eyes of your customers allows for stories to come to play in the lives of real people. Thus, gathering others to the screen to press play and get started by integrating your ideas in their life as well.
This type of storytelling format reaches beyond the limits of how much your audience engages with your products or services.
It provides an opportunity for your consumers to express their true nature of feeling while providing insight into how your brand has positively collided into their lives. Take, for example, a company that provides athletic apparel and sportswear.
Their sweat proof, comfortable, hip clothes encourage people to get into shape, feel and look good while hitting the mountains for a bike ride, backpacking the Alps, or even just hitting the local gym. You name it- that apparel has been there through the roughest of terrains and the sweatiest of desserts, free, adapted.
What is it that makes your offer exclusive? Show it off.
Giving your customers a platform to express themselves, show that you care about the success of people who make your business a success. This type of positive reciprocation will serve to draw in even more consumers.
Youtube is the second most popular search engine in the world behind Google. And how-to videos are some of the most watched types of content around the globe. Let’s get real; it’s only natural that you consider this when making a video for your brand.
What can your product teach others about, and how can it improve their lives?
Engage your audience, crack a couple of jokes, get them to share and rewatch your video not just because it is informational, but because it’s engaging, inspirational, exciting and maybe even funny. It is awkward to be a human, tap into the basic humor that defines all of our lives. Follow up with an easy-to-use guide (in terms of complexity, tools, etc.), and the results the audience will get from using it.
It’s also a good idea to consider turning your guide videos into a series. For example, you could offer new how-to content once per week, a few times per month, etc. If you follow up, you get followers, basic algorithms here.
Over time, you’ll build a mountain of how-to videos and guides that people will be likely to find on their own through Google, Youtube, Vimeo, whatever. This, of course, is great for brand awareness and can serve as a stepping stone to new heights for your company.
Depending on the industry you’re involved in, there may be some changes going on that require some explaining. Whether it be something controversial that somebody needs to talk about openly or just a couple of clarifications- lets clean it up.
If a problem arises, make a video to discuss it. Offer various opinions along with valid options and solutions going forward. Remember to encourage feedback from your viewers, have real discussions with them, and take their responses to heart. This way, they’ll know you really care.
If there isn’t anything noteworthy occurring in your industry at the moment, you could use the opportunity to show off your company’s pizzaz instead.
Things like employee testimonials, a virtual company tour, and the highlights that make your firm progressive and unique. People love transparency, so give them a look into the life of your world.
Next, we recommend going just a step further up that mountain.
Humans are curious creatures, and we can all admit to this. Play into curiosity, hook people’s attention by delivering a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what makes your company the ingenious design it’s become (or in the process of becoming).
People often have no idea how your company operates. But trust us on this, if they are thinking of spending money with you, they want to know what lies on the inside. They can’t help but press play and click into your world for a moment. They put themselves in your shoes in a very exciting way. Show off the size of your team, the day-to-day operations, or the intricacies involved in managing and completing the amazing results you deliver.
Your company has something unique and unconventional about it. The people who run the show every day give it its jazz and sprinkle. Take a moment to showcase that, and have fun doing it!
Did you know that Google has a room dedicated to providing employees with access to showers, coffee, and even a place to nap? Needless to say, this information caught a lot of publicity when it was shown off to the world.
Storytell to entertain, to create, and to make new things possible. Expand your outreach by dipping into the very uniqueness of the personalities and ambitions of the team members that define your company every day. Express how each action creates interaction building teh success and the overall atmosphere that defines your company.
But it really isn’t. The key is to be YOU.
With the above information about video storytelling formats in mind, you’ll be well on your way to climbing and creating a mountain of experience and a river of the possibility that enables your audience as well as your company. Want to ensure your efforts don’t go unnoticed? Discover how we can help with your videos and get in touch with us today.
Want to learn more about creative thinking can benefit your business? Make sure to check out the rest of our blog!
Lastly, don’t forget to grab that peanut butter and get jelly with it!
Creating powerful bonds with the people we work with is one of the most important connections we can hope to establish in this industry. That’s sort of why we became our own creative talent agency. Early on, we learned how important it is to embrace the people in our community and the landscape where our art exists. That’s why community is so deeply ingrained in our company culture; it’s why you will see familiar faces in our artwork; it’s one of the reasons we choose to collaborate with artist like Mercedes Gutierrez whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Mercedes Gutierrez is an extremely talented model/actress who we work with on anything from creative profiles, studio rental promotions, client productions, live creative exhibits and more. Not only is Mercedes beautiful, but she also has a unique perspective on life, which resonates positively in her art. She possesses a natural ability to captivate audiences — to draw in the viewer and hold their attention until the credits roll. We hope that shows in this artist profile on Mercedes Gutierrez.
Below are some awesome videos we produced with Mercedes along with a behind-the-scenes look into one of our productions that she starred in. You can contact Mercedes on Instagram to hire her for your next project or work with us to bring your vision to life.
Mercedes came to us with a desire to elevate her career as a professional model/actress before moving to Atlanta. Even though she didn’t have the resources for a new talent reel, we were happy to play a significant role in this production. She wasn’t a jerk, so that really worked out. 🙂 Though we’re most known for working with big brands, we have a special place in our hearts for artists trying to make it in the industry.
We chose to give Mercedes a strong role in the creative process of her new talent reel. Though our team was heavily involved in the conception and artistic direction, Mercedes took ownership of this project. She had a vision for what she wanted. As artists, we fully respect that.
We live behind the scenes. That’s our domain. But showing the behind the scenes isn’t always about our team and our work ethic. This behind the scenes artist profile on Mercedes Gutierrez shows what it’s like to work with her…
It all happened in the moment. When we were filming Mercedes Gutierrez’ talent reel, we just so happened to have this spectacular car parked inside the studio. We were having such a great time filming with Mercedes that we asked her to mess around and pose with the car. It wasn’t planned and that’s why it feels so natural and attractive. That’s the power of great talent. A strong model — an intoxicating presence — can really elevate a production.
When we wanted to promote our studio rental space — to show how dynamic and expansive our space is — we had this idea of bringing a super nice car inside. We wanted to infuse the production with a sultry, seductive, yet powerfully feminine vibe. After filming Mercedes’ artist profile we knew she would be perfect for the role. So, naturally, we invited her back to the studio.
Mercedes was the perfect star for this studio rental promotion. The video demonstrates how dynamic our studio space is, yes. But after the video was filmed and edited it was clear that it had evolved into something far more vivacious.
But, what is visual storytelling, exactly?
In a nutshell, it’s narrative-based content marketing that uses photographs, video, illustrations, and other images to inform consumers about a product, service, or company as a whole.
Video is arguably the most powerful medium for storytelling marketing.
In fact, about 60% of executives say they’d much rather watch a video about a product/service than reading text-based content about it. Plus, including a video on a landing page can increase your conversions by more than 80%.
The takeaway?
Storytelling video benefits both you and your consumers, in no small part because it creates an emotional response within your target market.
But why exactly is video storytelling so important, and how can you use storytelling in marketing to your advantage?
Read on to find out.
What makes the video storytelling format so effective?
Well right off the bat, creativity, the ability to see past structures and institutions and dig deep into the playground of the mind.
While creating an immediate sense of empathy and recognition in the viewer is important and encourages them to keep on watching, what’s more important is the raw artistic vision behind your next production.
Yes, receiving practical information about a product, service, or brand is crucial. But hearing the technical side of things isn’t usually what “hooks” the consumer into wanting to learn more.
You need to tick into the melodies of the unconscious realms through creative nature and vision.
The greatest artists of all time have stunned the world with their abilities to relate to humanity as a whole through their unique endeavors.
“All too often, it is audacity and not talent that moves an artist to center stage.”
– Julia Cameron
The viewer should be able to see a part of themselves in the video storytelling campaign, relate to it emotionally, burst into laughter, tears, joy, or sorrow.
Storytelling allows you and your brand to be audaciously creative. It enables you to relate to your audience in a big way; after all, video content is the way of the future.
Let’s say you’re trying to sell a tea that promotes a better night’s sleep.
What would you be the most likely to respond to, a video ad that begins by talking about how a specific ingredient in the tea can help you to fall asleep faster?
Or, would you prefer a video that starts by showing a scene of a bride sleeping in past her wedding after relaxing to a smooth sip of chamomile?
Lights, camera, action, aesthetics, emotion.
We think we know the answer.
Remember, you can always include the more detailed/technical information later — that’s important, too. But the main focus should be the creative connection you make with the world.
There’s a scientific side to storytelling in advertising, as well.
In fact, studies show that listening to a story sparks activity in the auditory and visual cortices of the brain, its olfactory areas, and even the motor cortex.
Most importantly of all, these emotional responses promote a release of oxytocin, which makes consumers feel happier, more secure, and more likely to cooperate (AKA, more likely to buy your product.)
Now that you know why creating an emotional connection with your consumers is so essential, let’s talk about some of the best ways to create effective and impactful video storytelling campaigns.
To make an emotional connection with your viewers, you need to show that you understand precisely what they are going through — in short, empathize with them.
“The heart of creativity is an experience of the mystical union; the heart of the mystical union is an experience of creativity.”
-Julia Cameron
If you know your products, you know your market so make sure you understand how to connect with your audience — AKA how it will ease their path in life — and what problems your consumers would like to solve.
Then, tell a story that shows how your product or service can provide the solution they’ve been looking for, maybe even how it could help them laugh more.
For example, maybe you’re an AI company with a strong focus on call forwarding virtual receptionists.
TAKE ONE: The introduction of a robotic future has set the office aflame with dance, excitement, and the ability to do more of what they love.
Afterall when you do what you love, you are more productive. Trust us, we would know.
TAKE TWO: Your robots all the sudden have human emotion, they want to go on dates, dance with friends, cry all night, but they don’t have legs-hilarious.
An illusion to the worries you won’t have as an office investing in AI- the future is so bright.
Afterward, introduce your product, and then show how the ability to relax with friends, go on a date, or just leave the desk as the phone rings creates a more productive life for everyone.
Use Music
Get jazzy with it!
Don’t forget about the power of music when it comes to making emotional connections in storytelling marketing.
Fast music can create a sense of urgency, while sweeping strings evoke a sense of passion and romance.
Classic rock songs can make people feel free, while classical music often creates a fright!
Choose music that strengthens the kind of emotional connection you want to make.
Perhaps one of the best ways to make an emotional connection with your target market is to put them in the shoes of your image, brand, or product.
In addition to effectively promoting brand loyalty, (everyone loves getting a shout-out) this also shows new customers that you have helped “real people” get solutions to their problems.
You could follow the story of an individual customer and their journey with your brand. Or, you could create a video that features several of your customers talking about how what you offer has made a positive difference in their lives.
This is also an excellent way to communicate a sense of transparency and trust.
By hearing “success stories” from past customers — and not from your brand directly — consumers are much more likely to open themselves up to what the video is telling them.
Finally, remember that one of the most important parts of video storytelling is your overall production quality.
You don’t want to harm your brand’s reputation or fail to effectively deliver your message because of poor lighting, shoddy editing, problems with audio, or lack of creativity.
Working with storytelling marketing experts helps to provide you with the best possible production quality, but it can also do much more than that.
At C&I Studios, we can help you come up with storytelling marketing ideas that evoke powerful emotional responses in viewers while also reinforcing your branding strategy.
Our creative dreams and visions hit every part of the marketing process, from web design and social media to video marketing and photography.
Reach out to us, and unlock the creative potential behind your company today.
The colors, the graphics, the smooth lines that create one cohesive image of emotion.
We’re willing to bet that one of the biggest reasons why you still remember it so well (and found it persuasive and impactful) is because you had some kind of response which was set ablaze within.
In some way, the ad reminded you of an experience you’ve been through, a person that touched you, or even a mountain you climbed for a time.
Great ads tell stories. They are much more than just a cold pitch. They draw you in from the depths of the unconscious.
Welcome to the world of visual storytelling marketing, where things like videos, photographs, GIFs, and other graphics bring emotions to life.
Let’s talk about the next big thing in storytelling marketing.
Then, we’ll tell you where you can go to bring the visual storytelling trends to life in the mind’s eye of your audience.
Online reviews have hit the internet like a massive web, connecting people from around the world to products and services.
About 84% of consumers feel that online reviews from strangers are just as reputable and helpful as buying advice and brand recommendations from their friends and family.
Perhaps that’s why one of the biggest visual storytelling trends of the moment is user-generated narrative content.
Today’s consumer wants to feel like they’re getting the “real story.” the story which exists from hearts and minds of your best clients.
People want to buy lifestyles and belief systems that are similar to their own.
The key is to show them what they need through the eyes of the consumer. Let them hear about your product or service from people just like them.
This theory speaks for itself.
Go ahead and take a look at the incredible impact of influencer marketing to see how well it works.
Feature snippets of photos and videos your customers have shared on social media, make it personal, make it real.
Create story-based ads where a client speaks directly about how your products/services have made a positive impact on their lives.
These are just a few ideas, now let’s explore what’s rising on the horizon.
There’s a reason why sequels and remakes of famous films fizz in the minds of movie lovers begging them to head back for a fresh glance.
Why else do you think movie franchises are so popular? — because today’s consumer wants the story to continue, just like our own lives continue on ever-changing.
Serial marketing, or stories that stretch out over the course of several ad campaigns, are an especially big part of current video storytelling trends.
Consumers feel like they “know” and “root for” the characters in your marketing campaigns when their story stretches out.
They want to see what happens next, and they even form an emotional connection to the stars of your ads.
This method of video marketing shouldn’t be limited to just one type of medium, either.
Have the characters (or real customers) from your ads take over your brand’s social media accounts for a day while you also run a video ad or even print campaign telling a part of their story.
Consumers will get attached to these characters — and to your brand — as a result.
Who is your audience? Are they mainly female? Male?
Do you know their age range?
Data-driven storytelling is yet another one of today’s biggest communication trends.
This shouldn’t come as much of a shock, as there is more data available than ever before (we’re talking over 40,000 Google searches in a single second.)
Yes, part of data-driven storytelling is understanding how to look at your data and create content that you know your market is the most likely to respond to.
But it’s also about sharing the data you’ve uncovered with them — and making them a part of the story as a result.
Think of including an illustrated or animated infographic in your next video campaign. This is a great way to increase your brand’s authority and prove the points you’re making at the same time.
It might sound a bit silly at first, but large swaths of data also show customers that they’re not the only one experiencing these issues or looking for a specific solution.
People follow the crowd.
It’s official: the human attention span is even shorter than a goldfish’s.
Can you capture it?
In the blink of an eye, can you grasp it?
That’s why you are here on this blog, to figure out how.
The key is to instantaneously spark curiosity within your market, and allow them to see themselves in the subjects of your ad campaigns.
Colorful images that ignite emotional response, playful graphics, unique ideas.
What has a view never thought of before that will spark their minds and light it aflame with passion?
Any way you slice it, however, you have to create content that can grab a consumer’s attention instantly — and keep it until you’re able to get your message across.
To make this happen, you need to shorten your ads and keep content digestible.
Think about how your ad will stand out and make your market stop and engage with your content when they’re scrolling through their social media feeds. Rely on images more than text, and video more than written content.
You can thank an influx of content, an increase in the number of ways we consume media and even a boost to the number of specific outlets we have to choose from to get this message out.
In today’s world, consumers aren’t just looking for background noise when it comes to advertisements.
Think about it. There is background noise lighting up every home across the world from Bangkok to New York.
How will your voice immerse and break through the sea?
With a transformative experience that improves on their reality or transports them to a different one altogether.
Thanks to both augmented and virtual reality, this is now more possible than ever.
Customers don’t just get to watch someone else’s story. Now, they get to live it for themselves.
Use augmented reality to let them digitally try on clothing, or rely on virtual reality to let them get behind the wheel of the car you’re selling.
Introduce virtual characters that reveal clues and teach them more about your products and services at the same time.
You should even gamify the situation and let them connect with other users to further enrich the story.
Connecting online is, after all, a web. Trickling down the network and connecting back to you.
Whether you want to give immersive storytelling a try, or if you’re ready directly involved with your consumers in the marketing process, we hope this post on the latest visual storytelling trends has left you inspired.
Of course, you may not have the time, the equipment, or the expertise to pull off the marketing techniques we’ve covered here on your own.
Don’t worry — we’re here to make it happen for you.
To dig into the depths of the unconscious mind of your clients and set it ablaze.
Check out more of our work to get more of an idea of what we’re able to create.
We’re here to take your web design strategy, video marketing plan, and much more to the next level.
If I sing am I purely a singer?
If I dance am I purely a dancer?
If I write am I purely a writer?
If I paint am I purely a painter?
If I immerse in my art am I confined to that outlet of expression?
This begs the question of exploration. That’s what art is after all, right? Exploring the unknown — the hidden aspects of the self; the untold mysteries of mankind.
Artists are, therefore, not confined to a box.
That would be a contradiction of art itself.
To be a singer does not mean to limit oneself to singing. A singer may explore the passions of their life wherever that may lead them.
So what if a songwriter chooses to convert their sensory experiences into a song? That does not (and should not) limit how they express themselves in the future.
An artist —whether they be a singer or rapper or anything — can also be a model, an athlete, a fashionista, a painter, a banker, a politician and anything else they put their mind to.
Because, an artist is one who uses every outlet of expression at their disposal to change perspectives, to elevate the meaning of their lives, to connect with society, to discover their inner-most self. To live.
Sabela understands what it means to be an artist.
She follows her passions and expresses herself the way she chooses to.
Sabela is a singer, but she is not solely a singer.
Sabela is a dancer, but she is not solely a dancer.
Sabela is a model, but she is not solely a model.
Sabela is an artist, and she is not confined to a box.
To our fellow artists, if you’re reading this share with your friends and follow Sabela on Instagram. We’re always on the lookout for talented artist worthy of highlighting in our Artist Profiles. If that’s you, hit us up on Facebook or contact us here.
The 1997 baby born into notoriety and privilege, Kylie Kristen Jenner, has captivated households across America since her family’s reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, first lit tv screens. With thousands of fans obsessing over each Jenner-Kardashian plot twist and turn, baby, surgery, fashion style, and trend, breakup, makeup, and marriage, along with several spin-offs series, including Life of Kylie — it’s no wonder the world was ready when Kylie Cosmetics hit the shelves at Ulta.
Since the infamous E! series debuted on Oct. 14, 2007, though it has continually bombed in the critic’s eye, it has soared with top ratings and remained as the longest running reality-show series thanks to the two camps; the adoring fashionistas who follow Jenner-Kardashian fashion cues and those with guilty-pleasure find their own curiosity entangled in the narratives of the rich and famous. Whether you love the show or abhor it, its success has banked the green and secured an international fan base for each of the family members including, Kylie.
Being born into a family at home in the spotlight coupled with growing up on reality-show that provided a cult following well into the millions was the recipe for Kylie Cosmetic’s ‘overnight’ success.
It’s that simple. The scene was set. The players positioned. The audience anticipating. And just like that, when Kylie Cosmetics went live on Instagram, millions of fans double-tapped to make their purchase scaling profit off the charts. Although Kylie, was already a household name in showbiz, it was the launch of Kylie Cosmetics that landed her in the history books as the youngest “self-made” billionaire.
Okay, sure, she is the youngest billionaire.
Pretty cool, totally!
Strategic, yes.
‘Self-made’, no.
/ˈˌself ˈmād/
adjective
1. made by oneself.
“his self-made fortune”
2. having become successful or rich by one’s own efforts.
“a self-made millionaire”
Ours aren’t the only eyebrows raised. Across many media outlets, people are starting to question Forbes’ standards. According to Forbes, “Kylie is ‘self-made’ as someone who has built a company or established a fortune on her own, rather than inheriting some or all of it. As long as the list member didn’t inherit a business or money, she is labeled self-made.”
Unified with Forbes definition, Jenner explains that from the age of 15 her parents cut off her inheritance requiring her to generate her own wealth from that point forward. Defending her history-making title, “The self-made thing is true. What I’m trying to say is I did have a platform, but none of my money is inherited.”
Forbes goes on to identify a sliding scale created in which they rank how self-made a business person actually is. The scale ranges from 1-10. For someone who has inherited everything will take their position at 1. Whereas, for someone who grew up impoverished and then overcame substantial obstacles will land at a 10, such as Oprah Winfrey.
On the scale, Forbes placed the plight of Kylie Jenner’s achievements as high as a 7, explaining that although she was born into a famous family, she has leveraged her influence to her own advantage.
Doesn’t that sound like Jenner should be at least at a 1 or 2? Certainly not a 7. Did she not grow up in provision, privilege, and prestige prior to 15 and then go to become a millionaire while living on-screen with her celebrity family? Sure, she became a billionaire, only after her family set her up to become a millionaire.
Let’s put it this way, Jenner cruised to the bank in a Lamborghini with no stop lights, yields, or traffic. All she had to do was hit the pedal. Whereas fellow icons on Forbes’ 400 Self-Made list started from scratch, walking their way to the bank, overcoming pot holes, reckless drivers, and the downpour of rain, followed by the scorching sun on their backs.
Take tv-legend, Oprah Winfrey. The internationally-acclaimed celebrity now was born far away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood when she birthed to a single, teenage mother in the poor rural outskirts of Mississippi. From there, she grew up with her father in the inner-city of Milwaukee. After encountering the unimaginable assault of sexual abuse, Winfrey became pregnant at the age of 14. However, this precious child did not survive its premature birth. With the weight of the world baring down upon her such a young age, she forged forward. While in high school, she landed a job in radio. By the time she was 19, she became a co-anchor on local evening news station which unknowingly became her springboard into her history-making career in day-time tv.
Not quite sure.
The sobering thing is… we are seeing that when society measures success and promotes one’s accomplishments over another it is actually redefining and reshaping our understanding of what it means to be history-makers and culture-shifters. Frankly, the Jenner narrative doesn’t sit well with us.
Yet, we would be amiss to not let her achievements as the youngest billionaire stir us, provoke us, and spur us onward towards our pursuits.
Landing anywhere on the scale 1-10, success is celebrated. Yet, it always comes with a chance, a shot, an open door, an opportunity. No matter how grand, privileged, accessible, or seemingly hidden, small or downright insignificant, we have all needed someone. Whether it’s been a path paved by inheritance or influence or that one long shot to talk to someone who knew a person who knew that one person who would give you 2 min. of their time- we all have someone to be thankful for. It takes a tribe to succeed, even if just one who believes, pulls, and pushes you, uplifts, and even carries you over the line, all the while they applaud.
Likewise, we will do the same, be that someone for someone.
Fortune or poverty, won’t define our future, because we believe nothing is impossible for those who dream and do. How we arrive; how we pursue, press on, forge thru, battle on, conquer above, and greet our dreams face to face will look different, feel different, be rewarded and recorded different, but it will be savored and celebrated. As Eleanor Roosevelt says,
“Self-consciousness is the enemy of all art, be it acting, writing, painting, or living itself, which is the greatest art of all.”
— Ray Bradbury
Art is action.
Art is living.
Darius Daughtry is a man of both.
Darius uses his art to empower those stuck in silence. Empowering them to speak up, speak out, and share their perspectives on life.
It’s not an easy thing to do. It takes a lot of bravery to say your peace without sugar coating the controversy. But art is controversy.
Without opinion we are lifeless. And we are lifeless… some of us — too many of us.
Our generation hides behind our computer screens and mobiles devices. We curate, edit, and carefully refine our every opinion, every photo, every video to optimize for artificial applause.
We tiptoe around syllables. We cast filters on our lives. We hardly share what’s true[ly you].
We don’t say this, we don’t say that for fear that it might lack…not meaning…not authenticity, but likes.
Because that is how we measure our voice today, isn’t it? That is how we grade our perspectives on life, sadly.
We moderate. We moderate. We moderate.
We tone down our lives to appeal to strangers — as many as possible — and hope they toss a “like” in our cup while scrolling by.
But there are those who say their peace — all of it — and listen to yours in return — all of it.
Call them crusaders if you want.
One thing is certain, they are enlightened.
They understand that humanity’s greatest asset is the mind; that no two individuals think identically; that we are all free to say and think, to learn and interpret, to be heard and to listen.
If you agree that our individuality is worth celebrating, spreading, and perpetuating then Respec the Mic!
Dairus Daughtry is a guiding voice from the Art Prevails Project, which seeks to inspire and encourage artistic expression in its most enlightened forms.
The Art Prevails Project is a creative collective of poets, singers, writers, dancers, and performers.
Through art, they strive to teach us that it is alright to embrace our unique perspectives on life and to share those perspectives in the hopes of creating positive change on a local and global scale.
If you too believe in the power of art, first check out Art Prevails Project on Instagram.
Then join us Next Door on the last Thursday of the month for Respec the Mic! a monthly open mic night where we invite local artists to step into the spotlight to share their perspectives.
In their time, STS9 have headlined dozens of music festivals, released eleven albums and ushered forth a brand new musical genre that has produced countless imitators.
STS9’s live-electronica jam culture is a frenzy of psychedelic funk and unbridled improvisation that seems to levitate the listener into a state of bliss—a state that gyrates throughout the crowd from the moment the first note hits the air. Their entire concert experience is spiritual—cleansing even. At the height of their performances when faced with nothing but sound, light, and percussions it feels as if there is stardust in the air. That dynamic, hypnotic state-of-being seems to dissolve musical egos and bring the crowd together as one living, breathing entity. Pretty righteous, eh. 😉
One thing is certain, STS9 is the master of their trade and powerfully original. Their ability to create multi-dimensional sonic soundscapes imbued with deep layers of moody rifts, playful tape-loops, and funkadelic lyrics live in concert is a testament to their cognizance. Whether you are listening to them for the first time or twentieth, it is an experience completely unique to the setting and the people.
The relationship between band members in STS9 resonates in their live performances most of all, which is not a trait every band is capable of honing. At their very core, STS9 is a collective.
There is no star, no single voice, and no domineering presence. Stage and sound are shared equally between Jeffree Lerner [percussions], Hunter Brown [guitar/sequences], David Phipps [keyboard/synths], Zach Velmer [drums], and Alana Rocklin [bass]. Let it be known that former bassist David Murphy deserves his credit all the same.
STS9’s unique style of music can be reminiscent of a Pink Floyd album at times. Where one track ends the next begins without warning or distinction. Everything is connected. Nothing stands alone. And that is the way you have to listen to STS9.
We recommend you dive headfirst into an album, like The Universe Inside or Artifact: Perspective, and listen to it from start to finish. Don’t nit-pick tracks or hit the Spotify top songs. You will sell yourself short. But if you choose to do so, start with “Golden Gate.”
The date is February 16, 2019. A Saturday. The time is 4:30 PM. Nothing is going on. Nothing is planned for the evening. Then the phone rings.
Hello…
Hey, what do you want to do tonight?
Nothing really. Prefer to just relax…
Yeah, me too. I think I need to lay down and take a nap.
Alrighty.
…10 minutes later. Bring!…Bring!…
Hello…
Hey, me again… Soooo, I actually changed my mind and got us tickets to III Points.
Huh… III Points it is then.
We don’t know which musicians are playing at which stage or at what time. Heck, we don’t even know which musicians are playing at the festival. But nonetheless, good music awaited us.
We were treated to an unlikely surprise early into the festivities: Masego. If you have never heard of Masego, there’s plenty of cause to listen to his debut album Lady Lady right here.
More importantly, if you ever have the opportunity to see Masego perform live, take it. He’s a one-of-a-kind performer. Word of warning: one way or another, his music will manage to seduce you. Don’t tell us you weren’t warned. 😉
A few hours into the festival, after performances by Masego and James Blake, we found ourselves following the beat of some distant song. Lured by heavy vibrations, we waded through the shifting current of concert-goers rushing this way and that.
We neared closer.
There is a certain charm to Yaeji that you don’t come across often in the house music scene. Her whispered lyrics are so fragile, yet when contrasted by their meaning and dense instrumentals they are alluring—almost commanding. So, we danced. As if we had a choice.
In an interview with Natalie Barr for Interview, Yaeji goes on to explain “[that] I didn’t look like anyone I was surrounded by in Atlanta. They didn’t know where Korea was. When I lived in Korea, I was way more fluent in English, and couldn’t articulate myself in Korean, even though everyone looked like me, so I was misunderstood. I just felt like anywhere I go, because of my background, that was always a given, even to this day.”
Which may be why certain elements of her music are so secretive—subdued even. From delicately tuned murmurings in English, Yaeji blends Korean lyrics as if paying tribute to her dynamic cultural upbringing.
If you catch dance fever this Spring—much like we did at Yaeji’s III Points performance—check out her 2017 debut album EP2. It’s only 5 songs deep, but it will definitely get you on your feet burning some calories.
In 2017, Crooked Colours released their debut album, Vera. To us, it is a musical escape worth being cherished. Perhaps even listened to on repeat [which we have already been doing].
In that first instant, Crooked Colours—the musical brainchild of Philip Slabber, Leon de Baughn, and Liam Merrett-Park of Perth Australia—dig their claws into you, luring you into a deeply hypnotic dimension.
Before you realize it, you’re succumbing to the seductive language of the jungle. Then something even more unexpected takes place…you start to energetically chase after the next beat.
When you’re on the edge of vanishing—lost in some musical place; unable to recognize when one track ends and the next begins—you snap back to reality.
The tribal hypnotism fades. The third track “I Hope You Get It” hits with some righteous bass and you’re reminded that you’re actually listening to an album on Spotify, not the summoning of the jungle at midnight.
Each track confidently builds on the last, cascading with unlikely tempos and nuggets of head-banging instrumentals sequenced between layers of soothing lyrics.
Time stretches and seemingly dissolves. And all the while you venture deeper into their poetry.
To us, Vera is a semi-distorted stretch of musical genius that will take you elsewhere. After one play-through, we’re sure you’ll agree.
As we listen to their album yet again, we realize there are no vacancies. Every second is thoughtfully planned and executed. Their narrative is robust yet airy, and simultaneously wild.
Vera journeys up to a 6-minute closer, “Perfect Run,” that is dark, hypnotic and cause for starting back at track #1.
This closing track branches outward, upward, and onward—whichever way the jungle chooses to spread its lush canopy…on this play-through.
The arrival of these three musicians through this debut album makes us exceedingly excited to hear more. If we could share one passing phrase with these guys, the words would undoubtedly be a product of the hypnotism they had just cast us in… As we restart their album yet again, we can only say…
Have you been to BREW Urban Cafe? Awesome spot, right! If you’ve been there then you know why the locals call it “The Hidden Gem Of Fort Lauderdale.”
Something you may not know is that BREW Urban Cafe is actually a collaboration with C&I Studios called Next Door at C&I.
During the day, Next Door serves gourmet coffee recipes handcrafted by the baristas at BREW. We also just introduced a brand new food menu created by chef Zachary Mein. Word of advice…try the avocado toast. It’s unreal how good it is. Seriously.
After 5 PM the bar Next Door transitions from handcrafted coffees to artisan cocktails modeled after the most iconic authors in modern literature.
There’s a stark difference between day and night at the bar, Next Door. Daytime is bright and productive. The smell of Wells Coffees fills the air. All sorts of young and established professionals, students, entrepreneurs, moms and dads, and local artist lounge about productively as the craftsmen at C&I buzz around shooting original content for their clients.
Nighttime is seductive and whimsical. For the most part, the same people stick around to hang out after happy hour. The main difference is that the local artists lounging during the day take to the stage to treat us to original live music after 9 PM.
And you know what, we feel the same way, so we created a bar where the most talented local musicians can perform original music live… and where you can listen to it for free.
Next Door at C&I is the only bar in Fort Lauderdale where you can grab a handcrafted coffee in the morning, work throughout the day, stick around for happy hour cocktails from 5 PM – 7 PM then dive headfirst into live music performed by the most talented local artists.
Now, to give you the full story we have to backtrack a bit, so rewind to 2008, when once upon a time, before Next Door was Flagler Village’s neighborhood watering hole, we put together a music festival called For The Love.
For The Love was the biggest celebration of local music in Fort Lauderdale. Even with Riptide Music Festival on the beach today, it still reigns supreme as Fort Lauderdale’s biggest local artist showcase.
Simply put, For The Love was purely for the love of music. This philosophy influenced more and more live musical productions, like Summer Soundtrack in 2014—our second big celebration of local talent.
Entertainers like Forlorn Strangers, KIDS, and BlueBird completely changed Fort Lauderdale’s perspective on local music—who’s creating it, who’s listening to it, what it represents, and, quite frankly, how talented the local scene actually is.
Since For The Love and Summer Soundtrack, we have continued to work with local artists, like rapper Sam Stan in our most recent Summer Series, which featured three months of live music at the bar Next Door.
Since then, we’ve been on a mission to put local music at the forefront of nightlife entertainment in Fort Lauderdale.
At Next Door, no two weekends are the same. Our bar is designed to shake things up [drinks included]. It’s the unexpected that makes an experience most memorable, after all, so that’s what you can expect…the unexpected. 😉
If you’re just out looking for a drink then, sure, any bar will do.
But if you’re looking for an experience—one you won’t find anywhere else—Next Door is the place to wet your whistle, bend your ear, get up to dance and see where the night takes you.
These aren’t cover bands. These guys and gals are the real deal. They’re making moves and their gaining traction. Take Elijah Gee for instance. Not only is he an extremely talented artist, but he’s also completely original. His music, dubbed psychedelic funk is a testament to his authenticity.
Don’t take our word for it. See for yourself…
When Next Door isn’t filled with the sounds of psychedelic funk, you can sit back and listen to indie folk, hip-hop, jazz, and many other genre-bending tracks.
Next Door isn’t just about the unexpected music and unlikely company though…
… the scenery can change on any given day too.
On some nights our head bartender Brandon will be at the main bar stirring up craft cocktails to the sounds of WEX! The Master [Playing this Saturday, January 19 at 9 PM].
Check him out here and RSVP to the event on Facebook.
On other nights, it may seem a bit quiet, but that just means you need to do a little exploring.
We have a second full bar with an emphasis on quality bourbon hidden behind a bookshelf door. Don’t be afraid to try your luck and see who’s chilling on the other side.
Next time you’re looking to dance or listen to live music over the weekend, just head Next Door. It’s as easy as that. Every artist who plays Next Door brings something fresh to the experience.
Boy, do we have a surprise for you — a Rainbow Kitten Surprise to exact.
Yes… that’s the name of the band. 🙂
Funny story, they got their name back in college before an open-mic gig. Two members — frontman Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick “Bozzy” Keller — went to visit a friend in the hospital who had bacterial meningitis and gave him the honor of dubbing their title. In that morphine-drip delirium, three words came together in perfect harmony: Rainbow — Kitten — Surprise. The name stuck.
It’s hard to pinpoint their musical genre. It’s a mix of indie rock, classic folk, hip-hop and a little something we can’t quite put our finger on. Perhaps that’s what Sam Melo, Darrick “Bozzy” Keller, Ethan Goodpaster, Charlie Holt, and Jess Haney intended all along.
The unexpected is what makes Rainbow Kitten Surprise — RKS for short — one of the most exciting bands to listen to. Just when you think you have them all figured out, the next track comes to life with a whirlwind of lyrical word-smithing and a side dish of jarring instrumentals that will have you pressing “repeat” over and over again.
Musical genre aside, if there is one thing for certain, this is the type of music you will be singing along to. To put it plainly, it’s a “ZERO F&%#$ GIVEN” kind of singalong. Whether you’re in the car alone, in the office listening to RKS on your headphones, or watching them live doesn’t matter. You’ll be singing with all the passion your creaky, raspy, untrained vocal cords can muster.
One of our favorite aspects of Rainbow Kitten Surprise is their stage presence. It’s contagious and exciting — a real rock n’ roll show. The last time we saw them was when they played at Revolution Live in downtown Fort Lauderdale. By the way, if you live in South Florida and want to see these guys rock Fort Lauderdale Beach, they’ll be playing live at Riptide Music Festival.
At this time of year, it is only fitting that we cast a deep, hypnotic spell on these long winter nights with music that makes eye-contact. We’re talking about the romance and hypnotism of an unbroken gaze — a sensation of welcome vulnerability. These are the sounds of warmth and comfort, of relaxing moments and bad influences. This is Micah Davis, a.k.a., Masego – a 25-year-old international genre-bending entertainer.
His debut album Lady Lady is love-charged, yet sophisticated – a meditation on women. It is a product of years of hard work, multiple trips around the globe and many passionate encounters with women of the night. Masego refers to his style as “TrapHouse Jazz,” but for the genre-blending neophyte, it is a combination of robust jazz, elegant hip hop, and smooth r&b made smoother by a sultry saxophone and milky lyrics.
Every song tells of a different adventure with a woman. Beginnings, middles, and ends — they are all different moments of different stories. That is the majesty of the album and the sequence of songs. We know the first track starts in the night, but just how far along, we are unaware.
When you reach the end of the album, when the night should conclude, Masego drops this upbeat, energetic song, “Tadow,” that seems to start the experience over. It’s an ending that brings you back to the beginning. Full circle, and on we go to the next encounter, the next moment of romance, the next drink, closer and closer to the mischief that awaits us.
This is music so deep, raw and robust that it can turn your ears the color of beets. And not just any beets… we’re talking about the Jitterbug Perfume sort of beets… the kind that makes you younger, more nimble, and electrified with desire. Where the music takes you adheres to the night, the city and the person at your side. One thing is for certain, once the cadence grabs hold of you, you are…
Indigo
Indigoing
Indigone
Photo Credit
Don’t judge a book by its cover. We’ve heard the phrase since grade school. For most of us, the words have sunk in. Now, we take that valuable lesson to heart every time we go shopping for a new book — for better or for worse.
But when it comes to listening to new music that grade school lesson hardly rings true. We judge bands by their name, their genre, their youtube rating, their top 5 Spotify songs, and yes, their looks. And most of the time when we make these assumptions, we end up selling ourselves short. We dismiss musical genius with shallow judgments — heck, some of us don’t even give them the time of day if they don’t adhere to our aesthetical expectations.
But… in all honesty, some of the best music we’ve ever heard has come from the most unlikely sources.
Seeing lead singer Paul Janeway take the stage was confusing, yes. He pretty much looks like Drew Carey. But when he belted out the first lyrics – coating us with a deep, deep voice that radiated throughout the crowd, and our souls – that grade school lesson was there to say, once again, “I told you so.”
St. Paul and The Broken Bones is an American eight-piece soul band based in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, that formed in 2012. The band is composed of Paul Janeway, Browan Lollar, Jesse Phillips, Andrew Lee, Al Gamble, Allen Branstetter, Amari Ansari, and Chad Fisher.
For us, the heart of the music lies in the rapturous voice of lead singer, Paul Janeway. Paul transitioned from church music to southern soul when breaking into the music scene. Perhaps his musical revelation was what gifted him with a voice that can rattle even the most absent listeners. We call that a deal with the devil.
Mementos from Paul’s church days ring true in the music. His lyrics are like lime and brimstone mixed with sweet mystery. There’s a temptation in every bass note, guitar riff, and blaring trumpet. St. Paul and the Borken Bones embrace a side of heartache that will make you want to fall in love all over again. Though their music is inked with despair, it radiates with uplifting vibes that are so contagious that… well, we’re here sharing our love for this band with you right now, aren’t we?
Give their NPR Tiny Desk Concert a listen. If you vibe with them, as we do, check out their album Half The City.
Do you work hard for the money? For the prestige? Maybe your current position is a building block to a new career. Maybe you’re working hard to retire early and travel the world. For us, it’s all about escaping the mundane to create art we’re passionate about with the brands we value most.
That’s the bottom line. We simply won’t rest until we work with all the brands and organizations that inspire us. And once we’re there, we’ll keep going.
Throughout our ongoing mission, we have learned an extremely valuable lesson — one that we act on whenever we can. It has continually allowed us to get ahead of our competitors, to sign clients that every marketing and branding agency would kill to work with and to create art that would otherwise never exist.
Enlisting global brands like EDSA Architects, W Hotels, HauteHouse Brands, Polaroid, Coca-Cola, Hard Rock and so on doesn’t come easy. But it’s doable… if you follow this piece of advice…
This is the part to pay attention to if you want to learn how we earn new business without going through the hoops and red tape of a standard RFP.
[Estimated Read Time: 3 Minutes, 30 Seconds]
If you wait for job opportunities to find you, they seldom will. Waiting around for your next big break is no way to find work. Not the kind you will be passionate about at least.
Waiting around is like playing a silent game of Marco Polo, in which no one even knows they’re a part of the game. In this scenario, they ignore you while you stumble around with your eyes closed. That’s no way to make introductions!
If you remain silent and closeted, bashfully awaiting an invitation from a prospective client then you’re damaging your potential for success. All you’re doing is putting distance between you and your goals.
If you feel like you’re stuck in a silent game of Marco Polo, working with the same clients without any potential for growth then this next piece of advice is going to be a game changer.
Are you ready? Listen closely.
There are two things in this world you should never underestimate: good manners and initiative. We’re not here to teach you how to be polite, but we will show you what initiative looks like, and how it will elevate your career.
You see, we strive to work with brands we are passionate about. Brands we grew up with. Brands that are now a part of our everyday routine. Brands that we can elevate even further.
So, we show them what their potential would look like with our style of branding leading the way. Once we identify a niche demand in the market that is going unfulfilled we fill that void with creative marketing concepts of our own invention. We show these brands how they can tap into new audiences by injecting a young voice [our voice] into their branding and marketing efforts. Better yet, we prove to them that we can elevate their brand to reach new, untapped markets.
We do this by creating un-commissioned conceptual campaigns situated in real time. You heard us. We create ad campaigns without being paid [or asked] to do so. We do this so they know we exist. So they can see and feel our hunger and passion. So they know what their brand is capable of achieving with our artistic enterprise paving their way.
We’ve always been proud of the work we do for ourselves and for our clients. It’s satisfying creating something we’ve never seen before. At any rate, nothing goes to waste. Even if we do not sign any new clients from this un-commissioned marketing proposal, we add value to our work ethic. And that goes a long way in this industry.
Over the next few months, we will be showcasing a series of graphic design, professional photography, and story-driven videos curated for some really cool brands.
So, take a lesson from us… if you’re ready to make moves don’t be afraid to showcase your adaptability, marketing discipline, industry awareness, and artistic cunning with content and media you were never asked to create in the first place. Challenge yourself. Develop something beautiful – something that has never existed. Explore untraditional concepts and, most of all, show potential clients that you’re ready to take their brand to all new heights.
Do you remember reading George Orwell’s “1984” and Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” back in school, during the days of required summer reading? Hopefully, you do. They are extremely important reflections on freedom and society following the nightmares of World War 2.
To this day they teach us the importance of freedom of expression, speech, and access to information. They show us what could transpire should leaders of society ever violate those [our] essential rights.
We always believed they were lessons on how to ward off dystopia not cause it.
Nations like China, which have long been known for their bans on information and “unpatriotic content” have been using censorship as a tool of control for years.
Take the recent ban on Winnie-the-Poo, which went into effect following the circulation of viral internet memes comparing the fictional (honey-gluttonous) bear to President Xi. If you live in China and are found in possession of contraband like this you could face jail time!
Whereas this new segment of Chinese social media censorship is not shocking in the least, what’s happening elsewhere – and close to home – is seriously alarming.
Last month in Uganda. President Yoweri Museveni passed an unprecedented bill: a tax on users accessing any of 60 social media apps.
Coupled with the social media tax, which was passed without public participation and requires internet users pay 200 Ugandan shillings ($0.05) to access certain apps, is a 1% tax on mobile monetary transactions. The only way Ugandans can pay the social media tax is through an online mobile monetary transaction.
We know it does not sound like a lot of money, but all principles aside, the tax will undoubtedly make it more difficult for low-income and unemployed people to stay connected with friends and family, as well as access important information online.
Already the price for a 1GB mobile broadband plan is 15% of average monthly incomes in Uganda, according to figures from Alliance of Affordable Internet. World Bank figures show that just 22% of the country is online.
With these additional taxes, it is likely that percentage will shrink even further.
This, in effect, labels all social media commentary he disagrees with as opinionated, misinformed rhetoric that is subject to suppression.
At a time when immediate, news-driven platforms like Twitter are essential outlets for civilian coverage on political protests and war, this poses an even greater threat to Uganda’s social liberties.
What’s worse, Uganda isn’t alone.
The Tanzania government recently imposed a $930 annual tax on bloggers who want to publish online.
The Egyptian government passed a law allowing government officials to shut down any social media account with five thousand or more followers, who they believe is spreading false information.
70% of Americans get their news from two sources: Google and Facebook.
On July 31, Politico reported that Facebook was shutting down inauthentic accounts “sought to inflame social and political tension in the United States, and said their activity was similar — in some cases — to the Russian accounts during the 2016 election.”
Most of the accounts removed by Facebook (and other social platforms) were outlets of misinformation, instigating a dialogue that sought to undermine our nation’s political and social values. What they were saying still causes harm and promotes hate with the specific intent to do so.
Take Alex Jone’s Infowars, for instance. His media channels repeatedly violated policies against hate speech and glorifying violence. He was warned multiple times by social platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Spotify ) to end all hate speech that violated their policies, and he refused.
On August 6, Facebook announced they had permanently removed four pages associated with Alex Jone’s media brand, saying, “We believe in giving people a voice, but we also want everyone using Facebook to feel safe. It’s why we have community standards and remove anything that violates them, including hate speech that attacks or dehumanizes others.”
In addition to the removal of Infowars, however, were bans on other accounts — some without any explanation, like the left-leaning Latin American news network Telesur’s English speaking Facebook page, which had no content violations.
You see, Facebook targeted and eliminated these “divisive” content facilitators with the help of Atlantic Council, on whose board you’ll find names like Henry Kissinger, former CIA chief Michael Hayden, former acting CIA head Michael Morell and former Bush-era homeland security chief Michael Chertoff.
Basically, Zuckerberg gave some government officials control over airing and eliminating nationwide media they considered politically and socially hostile to the US.
The First Amendment only addresses the government’s power to eliminate or suppress forms of expression that breach the peace or promote violence. It says nothing about private companies like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. changing their privacy policies to refuse a user from saying something derogatory or misinformed on their network.
“If a corporation chooses to eliminate an account on their own accord then it is not violating the First Amendment rights laid out by the constitution of the United States. If the government does it then its censorship.”
Wait a darn minute…
Do these rules still apply even when members of the United States government are involved in the decision-making process of which accounts a private corporation deletes?
A stunning poll conducted by Ipsos and reported Tuesday, August 7, by the Daily Beast, suggests that a plurality of Republicans would have no problem trashing the First Amendment altogether.
We repeat, 43% of Republicans just said Trump “should have the authority to close news outlets engaged in bad behavior.” Of that 43%, 48% believe news is the enemy of the people.
Take a second to think about that…truly think about it.
What are all the “news outlets” you read and watch on a daily basis? . . . Twitter (we mentioned), Facebook, Worpress, Reddit, NPR, even paperback books can be considered a news source. . . you get where we’re going with this.
There is no distinction between a traditional news outlet and a social information platform anymore. No widely accepted definition of “bad behavior” on social media. No separation of opinionated rhetoric and fact-based news coverage. And no identifier of who is in charge of mediating all of this information: the government, the president, the corporations, or the people.
When the lines are blurred between corporate and government interference, freedom of expression can be taken advantage of far too easily, as we are seeing happening in Uganda, Egypt, Tanzania and here at home.
You would never think censorship portrayed in “1984” could actually happen. Not in today’s free society, at least. But now that men and women in power are flirting with social media censorship it is hard not to fear the worst.
Today, everything is backward…
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is Strength.”
– George Orwell, 1984.
NOTE
While there are some governments limiting our means of expression, there are others reinstating certain freedoms.
On August 10, Germany lifted their ban on censoring swastikas in video games like Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus,” Call of Duty: Black Ops,” and “South Park: The Stick of Truth.”
The Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) said Thursday that games including banned symbols could now be given a rating in Germany if the use of the symbols is considered “socially adequate.”
That means the symbols must serve an artistic or scientific purpose or be used to represent particular events in history.
All of the articles you will read about him cite his troubled teen-life, numerous setbacks, and near death car crash, yet he describes his journey as “The American Dream.”
Lets speed through his timeline really quick:
Raised in a strict Muslim family with 14 siblings, then moved to gang-controlled Oakland where a world built on rich music culture, disobedience, and drug dealing was quickly emerging. He left home at 12 and never came back.
Fast forward two years, Dphrepaulezz’s father dies. He is shuttled between foster homes. He was then entrenched in a life of small-time delinquency.
He snuck into Berkeley music classes to get a formal education — and in 1993 found himself being signed to Interscope for a $1m contract by Jimmy Lovine himself.
If you thought the rest was history, you’d be wrong.
Going by the name of Xavier, his debut album The X Factor was released in ‘96. Neither he nor Interscope was happy with the work and so his next few years were spent in musical purgatory — unable to leave his label but unable to excel under them.
A near-fatal car crash left him in a coma for three weeks, broke all four limbs and maimed his hand, ultimately releasing him from his contract… but also his ability to play the guitar.
Going back to the hustle was only natural. Dphrepaulezz transformed his warehouse home into an illegal nightclub that soon attracted a variety of celebrities due to its exclusive vices. He split his time between managing Club Bingo and performing music in a number of Afropunk/negro rock projects.
He moved back to Oakland and began growing medical marijuana to support his newborn child.
To soothe his son one evening, he picked up a guitar for the first time in 5 years. From there he forced his twisted hands to play again. Freshly inspired, he began churning out blues tunes with black roots–Fantastic Negrito was born.
Fantastic Negrito is firmly rooted in both black experience and black music, including blues, R&B and a variety of roots music.
He created this new persona at 45, and landed a spot on NPR’s Tiny Desk Series a year later, exhibiting that success can come at any point life.
“I thought my story was over. But that was when I realized I finally had a story to tell — and it seems to remind people of their own story,” he said in an interview with The Guardian.
It doesn’t seem right to talk about Fantastic Negrito’s music without personal input. The music is so imbued with Dphrepaulezz’s soul and experiences that no thoughtful conversation can be derived without having him in the room, breaking it all down for you. Even the title of his debut album, The Last Days of Oakland, stands as a testament to that.
With themes such as racial inequality, human rights, police brutality, classism, and poverty permeating each song, it is very clear that there’s a lot more going on here (he even threw in a twist on the Lead Belly classic “In the Pines”). Roots music has been edging into the mainstream over the last few years. The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Mumford & Sons, and Jack White are all examples of this.
Fantastic Negrito stands apart from all of them.
The authenticity of Dphrepaulezz’s trials and triumphs are painfully relatable. He’s a man of many tastes and talents and this project is a true representation of that.
Mainstream content is often associated with viral content. Every brand regardless of industry wants their content to go viral. In some ways, it’s how brand’s measure their social media marketing successes.
Going viral is much easier said than done. Just reaching a niche audience with corporate content that feels authentic rather than forced is difficult. Getting that niche audience to engage is even more challenging. Converting that niche audience into loyal consumers…well, that is an entire multi-media marketing campaign by itself.
Sounds too good to be true, but it is a very real possibility given new information into Facebook’s upcoming Branded Content Matching Search Engine.
Understand that Facebook wants corporate brands to succeed in converting and interacting with users who are actively participating on their social platform. Above that, however, Facebook requires that the content driving participation is adding value to the user experience. Genuine, thoughtful, sincere content that encourages real engagement (comments, shares, video views, click-throughs, etc.) is Facebook’s new baseline.
The updated Facebook algorithm does, in fact, make it harder to promote branded content organically. Especially if it does little to benefit the interests of users.
At this point in social media marketing, it is beneficial for brands to pay to get their content seen by the right groups of people. The amount of money backing an add determines reach and improves the likelihood that it will be circulated to even more people. But dumping money into Facebook ad spend will not always generate a guaranteed outcome.
In all honesty, poorly curated content backed by a big budget will remain poorly curated content. Audiences will pass it by without the slightest consideration.
The same goes for really good content that does not appeal to a target audience. That is like pitching a life-changing product in an empty room.
Don’t waste your time doing either. Tilt the odds in your favor and focus your ad budget on creating good content and publishing it in the right places.
This tool will give corporate brands access to both core and untapped audience groups via influencer marketing.
Imagine a brand like TomboyX, a universal, eco-friendly clothing and underwear brand designed to fit real people comfortably. TomboyX has a well-established culture. Their market is predominantly female and appeals to the rebels of society. However, they also market to men and women who do not fit the TomboyX-esque physique and attitude.
With the new influencer marketing search engine by Facebook, TomboyX will be able to curate target-specific content with the help of an influencer who is knowledgeable and relevant in their community.
If TomboyX wants to switch their Facebook marketing focus to target men — whether they be athletes, beach bodies, or hardcore gamers — they can hire an influencer to collaborate and deliver their messaging to these groups in familiar, trustworthy packaging. That means knowing what type of media they prefer to engage with: video, photo, graphics, illustrations, story ads, live video, etc.
This is going to equip corporate brands with segments of irresistible, organic content, which will lead consumers to associate their brand’s online personalities with the influencers who are promoting their media.
This ongoing relationship will eventually open consumers up to a series of branded messaging that can be refreshed with new influencer participation to keep content in the mainstream longer.
Additionally, the spaces where these influencer collaborations will be promoted (i.e., the influencers’ profiles and sponsored ad space) will guarantee longevity. Good content that lives alongside an influencer, for instance, will generate more impressions, both at the moment of publication and weeks prior. This higher engagement rate will increase the ranking of sponsored ads, which will expand circulation, thus keeping it relevant for longer durations.
Influencers will get paid for the content they help generate and promote. The better the content they deliver in terms of impressions, the more likely a brand will work with that influencer again.
This influencer-brand relationship will also teach marketers what their consumers value most when interacting with their sponsored content. In the long term, this data will help creative marketers to consistently deliver useful information to receptive audiences.
Creators and influencers opt into the search engine. Their portfolio is uploaded, including their audience size, metrics, and their best-branded content.
Marketers can then search for specific audiences based on their advertising needs, narrowing the scope with industry-specific parameters:
The search engine’s results page shows a list of creators with each audience’s match percentage to the search terms, the percentage of their followers they reach, engagement rate, follower count and video views.
Marketers, or brands, hire influencers to collaborate and promote. What they can do from there is only limited by their creativity.
It is important to note that content created from the influencer-brand relationship will have to be a team effort. It will not be as simple as hiring an influencer, giving them creative insights into the ad’s function and having them generate successful media from it.
The brand will need to be involved and directly curate content with the influencer. That is just another clever way Facebook is ensuring that branded content will remain authentic and valuable to their users.
Creating engaging content is every marketer’s goal. Creating engaging content that doesn’t convert, however, is a big waste of time and valuable assets.
The big reason content falls short on conversions? It fails to reach an audience.
It is designed to help marketers publish engaging content that caters to, and connects with, more interactive, thoughtful audiences.
Part of the audience’s favorability for Facebook Live Streaming is the chance to interact with their favorite brands in a raw, unfiltered, unscripted setting. Audiences are responding to this authenticity with regular, genuine engagement, which marketers are converting.
When an audience is a part of the conversation in real time they are more emotionally invested in the subject matter. This personal connection to messaging is highly effective. It levels the playing field and in a way humanizes brand messaging by delivering it casually.
These casual business-consumer interactions open consumers up to a whole new spectrum of messaging.
The setting is the most powerful function here.
These conversations happen in a medium that is significantly more relaxed than threads where ads are strategically inserted. This tends to lower the consumers’ apprehensions — their doubt regarding the corporate persona — which positions them to engage in real-time, click to a landing page, purchase online, or subscribe to an emailing list.
For example:
Consider a business with multiple brand extensions. There is the primary identity — the main chunk of what the business produces. This is the industry persona.
Then there is the non-profit brand extension. This motivates the primary identity because the success of the primary directly affects the effectiveness of this extension. This is the philanthropic persona.
There is the culturally centered spin-off of the primary brand. This could be a community forum, a physical place (like a bar or rental space), or a series of regular programming/events. This is the cultural persona.
Finally, there is the merchandising shop. This is a physical space within the business and also an online shop. This is the consumer-centric persona — a way for your audience to attach their identity to your brand via merchandise.
Each brand extension shares certain audiences. Each brand is also comprised of specific subsets of loyal followers that are not as involved in one extension as they may be with another.
One audience subgroup may visit the cultural persona for updates on local events more than they would the philanthropic persona, which has stronger messaging. Furthermore, each audience member may not even follow Facebook pages for each brand extension.
This is a local event hosted by the non-profit, which is associated with, and established by, the primary brand. The cultural brand persona is an information resource for the community, so the “local event” application suites this brand’s guidelines as well. Take this even further and incorporate the merchandising persona into the live broadcast, because of it’s physical presence and connection to the fundraising application.
The messaging is consistent for all brand extensions. They share elements of branding, tone of voice and intent, which allows marketers to broadcast one message on every page. A single live video now has the potential of reaching four target demographics.
That’s not all!
Marketers are in essence introducing and connecting their audience subgroups with one another by connecting multiple brand extensions with one segment of messaging. This ultimately strengthens the overall company culture.
Marketers (in this example) quantify their reach exponentially because Facebook live videos typically experience 3x more engagement than regular video content.
This is an awesome way for marketers to strengthen a brand’s industry authority. Not only does this attract a new audience, but it attracts an audience that is already loyal to a brand that shares similar values.
Say an architecture firm worked in conjunction with a landscape architecture firm on a large-scale design project. Their industries overlap but don’t conflict. Their messaging follows similar guidelines, as do their core values. By collaborating on a live video broadcast they can consolidate loyal viewers and establish greater authority in their industries without compromising each others status.
That’s a big win.
If you can’t invite your peers to appreciate something you made — something you believe is beautiful — then you’re missing out on an invaluable connection.
That’s one of the reasons we helped establish Artwalk 10 years ago.
For a short time, though, it felt like we were losing out. Artwalk seemed detached. It was lacking a certain emotion — a degree of thoughtfulness that has always been trademark to what we do at C&I.
Fashion shows, live hair cutting performances…they’re good entertainment, but they just aren’t exactly who we are.
If you attended C&I Storm, you may have noticed that the centerpiece was a whirlwind of handwritten notes from our personal journals. Combine that fidelity with the openness of drawing and writing in front of a crowd…well, by the end of the night we had all shed a few layers of apprehension.
The coolest part of the night, though, was that our vulnerability was contagious. While we were changing roles, you all took to the drawing board to share your crafts, your thoughts, and your reflection of the night as it was still forming. It was awesome.
In one night, we had made up for so much lost time. It felt really good. Familiar even. We could tell you all enjoyed it too. 🙂
We had to take Artwalk back by storm to continue along this path of making good art and sharing it too.
So, we’ll see you at the next FATVillage Artwalk on July 28. This month Self-Projection will test your imagination and challenge the depth of your interpretation with living, breathing optical illusions created live.
Facebook is one of the biggest assets in a marketer’s toolbox. If you aren’t using the platform the right way, you’re missing out on their huge interactive market.
Facebook’s social media marketing revolves around storytelling. This is how businesses and brands connect with consumers on a personal level.
Business-consumer relationships created through Facebook are more emotionally charged. These are bonds established by mutual trust and genuine interest. The Facebook algorithm encourages (and, in a way, requires) businesses and consumers to interact with each other in thoughtful ways in order to create this type of relationship.
Facebook is encouraging business-consumer interactions that revolve around authentic, story-driven content.
That is where facebook story ads are making a huge impact on the market.
Their immediate popularity is partly due to the fact that Facebook Story Ads are more artistically focused than standard paid ads. The platform calls for more thoughtful content and when marketers deliver on that their ads become more relevant, reach more people, and show up in Facebook feeds more frequently.
This focus on storytelling marketing is sure to gain more attraction over the years. Already, Instagram announced their newest concept — a video sharing platform comparable to youtube. This will give marketers access to even more potential consumers — roughly 800 million — and will also open the floodgates for a whole new genre of brand marketing via video storytelling.
By capturing the consumer’s attention with artistic content, marketers open consumers up to their messaging. By holding a consumer’s attention long enough, marketers convince those viewers to take action — whether that is a click through to a landing page, a blog, an email subscription or an online purchase is a win by digital marketing standards.
This idea of design-driven content is further reinforced by the fact that 85% of videos are watched without sound. This, therefore, calls for content with text. Copywriting that sells combined with designs that garner attention is valuable messaging for any brand… no matter how established.
You’re going shopping for your first car. You’ve been saving for years. There are two cars in your price range in the car lot. They are the same make and model but have totally different cosmetics. The first car is a deep blue with polished rims and black tint; the second is neon green with red and orange flames painted down the side, and every available inch covered in shiny chrome.
Which car are you most likely to buy?
Just as an overly flashy car is a turn-off for a new car shopper, flashy video content is a turn-off for someone casually viewing cool videos. Never underestimate the consumer’s control, especially considering the new Facebook algorithm. Annoy a consumer and they will make sure you no longer show up in their media stream. Do that and you lose out on a lot of business.
Good storytelling works. Bad storytelling damages. The better your story the more people engage, share and come back for more. If you can drive users on to the next image, the next web page, the next source of branded media then you are using Facebook Ads successfully.
There are many reasons we are a full-service marketing agency, and one of those is because we refuse to limit our storytelling abilities. The more options we have at our disposal — the more creative tools we have to work with — the better the story.
Specifically, regarding Facebook Story Ads, we’ve noticed that shorter video ads and attention-grabbing GIFs are most effective. They’re simple, quick and get the messaging out fast enough to keep pace with the latest trends and conversations.
We know how to stay relevant. Do you?
of Montreal’s music videos don’t show off the artsy cinematographic mirage that every other band in their “genre” is doing. They have been around since 1996, have released 22 full-length albums, and have toured around the world, and yet their recent West Palm Beach show was held on a stage so small, that the band barely all fit on it at one time.
They’ve been on the cusp of the mainstream for years — lurking behind T-Mobile commercials, stock exchange advertisements, and that really catchy Outback Steakhouse jingle. In fact, lead singer and founding member Kevin Barnes recently produced Solange Knowles’ latest album. But they never lost their novelty, they never slowed down, and their creativity was never hindered by big industry.
Putting them into a genre box would be a disservice (as it usually is for most bands) but I’m going to do it anyway: indie rock inspired by psychedelic 60s pop, this band has created something that can be best described as mystical, unexpected, multi-faceted and, honestly, just odd.
Every track is “catchy” in its own right — but not at the expense of losing depth and complexity. It doesn’t follow the formula of a general “good song.” They are an experience, but not experimental. They are able to take vintage conventions and turn them into brand new sounds. Their quirkiness doesn’t feel like a gimmick (even though, by definition, it is).
When we first heard of Montreal’s “The Past is a Grotesque Animal,” an 11 min and 52 second wormhole of a track, we knew that this was what music was supposed to do. If you’re able to sit still and listen to a song without doing anything else, you know that you’ve found something out of this world. While listening, you feel pulled through the vortex of time and space. It’s a whirlwind of emotional genius that doesn’t make you feel happy or sad, but somewhere in between.
It’s not made for this world and you wouldn’t want it to be.
Back in 2008 while releasing their 13th album “Skeletal Lamping,” Barnes decided that the conventional CD and vinyl were obsolete. Instead, the band released the album in 10 different formats ranging from T-shirt’s, wall decals, and tote bags, to paper lanterns. Rather than create another object with a single purpose, the band wanted to create something that was not only beautiful but functional.
And that’s the thing about C&I. We don’t just create art, we create ideas that have purpose. Because ideas with no purpose end up sitting on the shelf, forgotten.
Ultimately, of Montreal’s music has always posed the question “if you’re going to be conventional, then why make anything at all?”
Using stock photography for a branding campaign is like using cliff notes. They’re cheap. They’re boring. And they devalue the integrity of the content.
Sure they sum up the message, but the fact that a marketing agency would even want to “sum up” their client’s brand is odd enough. They’re easy substitutes for good work. And easy is bad.
We strongly discourage taking such a shallow approach. Aside from the fact that stock photography is unoriginal… it’s boring. Way too boring for us to have any part in, at least. Stock imagery is just a generic approach to an idea or project.
Like Leo Burnet said, “Curiosity about life in all its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.”
Couldn’t have said it any better. It’s true, too. Why would we cut our experiences short by eliminating creative vision?
Short answer: we don’t.
Take our recent branding campaign for Visbiome Vet – High Potency Pet Probiotics. This is a really unique frontier, and Visbiome is essentially pioneering this new industry. They’re disrupting standards on pet health in a really positive way.
We felt their branding campaign should do the same. So, we shot original photography to create a unique brand persona for their new line of pet probiotics. Our approach was designed to distance Visbiome Vet from the competitors, just as their product has.
Why?
In certain industries, it is common practice to use stock imagery. It’s an immediate placeholder, and saves a lot of time, money and resources. But really, it’s a substitute for hard work, and original ideas.
It’s an easy, lazy way of branding a product. We repeat, it’s boring!
The medical industry is one of the more obvious examples of this approach. The pet industry is also devalued by rampant stock imagery.
Visbiome Vet — High Potency Pet Probiotics is a combination of the two industries: pets and medicine.
We had our work cut out for us.
We needed to create original imagery that would be the face of this medical food for quite some time. When your product is lined up with 20 others on a store shelf this is really important.
Our challenge was positioning Visbiome Vet as the more advanced, effective solution to pet health. We needed to position their brand above the competitors in a way that was still approachable to consumers, while highlighting their primary brand standards.
So we did some hunting until we found the right pup. Let’s call him Rex.
Rex was unique. From the pattern of his coat, to his personality, to the color of his eyes. He was also very smart so we were able to take a lot of really unique photos for their new campaign. There was no way the competition could replicate the same feels.
And as it would turn out, they didn’t.
When Visbiome Vet showcased their new brand of pet probiotics at a trade fair that was attended by basically all of their competitors, they were the ONLY business with original imagery.
Every other competitor used stock photography (some even used the same stock photo!). It was a big win for their brand. And pretty funny for our team of professional photographers to witness.
The trade fair was a big success for Visbiome Vet.
Their original branding showed consumers that their product was, well, unique.
More importantly, it proved they truly cared about their business, and wanted to offer the consumer an experience that the competition couldn’t match.
In today’s age of rapid, cluttered content it is so important to invest in quality work. Your brand should never compromise on stock imagery because there is no way it will properly capture your brand’s intentions.
Check out our portfolio to see how we can elevate your brand with some cool, original photography.
Community engagement through event planning has become a cornerstone of the C&I Studios experience. That’s one of the reasons we partnered with A2 Events. Our relationships with neighboring businesses, and our bond with the artists and people who come alongside us to further our shared mission is one of our strongest connections to the community.
When we first started this company we knew that the community would keep us honest. And that that connection would always bring us back to reality to keep us grounded. Together with A2 Events, we are able to support and reward our neighbors with cool experiences, like never before.
When we originally opened our doors in FATVillage, we recognized that Fort Lauderdale deserved art and technological districts that branch from Las Olas Boulevard. So we started hosting community-wide events, like the FATVillage Artwalk. And also offered our studio space to be enjoyed by others. But that wasn’t enough.
As our community-wide outreach became more ingrained in our brand, so did the importance that C&I Studios become a venue. It would be pointless for our studio space to exist exclusively for us. So we decided to extend our home for everyone in Fort Lauderdale to enjoy.
Our events are becoming a standard in the community, but maintaining the status quo isn’t really our style. We don’t settle. We strive to push beyond what’s expected of us, because that is what an Idea Agency is purposed to do. If we do not inspire our neighbors to think towards the future then we are not doing our part to better the community. And if we are not bettering the community, we are failing ourselves.
With A2 Events in the equation, we are starting to make the impact we set out to accomplish. With their expertise in event planning we are now able to develop and consistently support the innovative nature of FATVillage as a multifunctional hub of art and culture in Fort Lauderdale. Better yet, we’re able to regularly offer our studio space to companies and artists who want to join in that mission, just as A2 Events has.
With Erin Branham and her team we continue to orchestrate some of the coolest events in Fort Lauderdale. Her ability to cater to brand-crafted experiences that reflect the marketing goals of each client, from the fine details to the overall message, makes her a great fit here.
Our brand pillars are solidifying on multiple levels, too. From our focus towards influencing and shaping the future development of South Florida, especially Fort Lauderdale, to the way we style and maintain a boutique image. Erin said it best, “We want to be lean and able to adapt to our client’s needs. But also good at developing our employees, and flexible in our work environment.”
Take our most recent Taco Tuesday Town Hall event with Big Picture Broward, for instance. We invited our community and city commissioners to take part in an open forum discussion. Together, over free tacos and beer, we had a great political discussion about guiding the future development of Fort Lauderdale. And thanks to Erin Branham, and A2 Events, we made it so the logistics ran smoothly.
A2 Events has really helped us heighten our mission. There’s still a lot that we have to do if we’re going to change the artistic landscape of Fort Lauderdale and FATVillage. But with their involvement we’re seeing progress every week. So, whether you’re joining us for FATVillage Artwalk, First Friday, Culture Club, or taking over our studio space for a company event, know that you’re playing a direct role in creating a new, true downtown.
We’re always finding ways to improve Next Door, and Brew Urban Café, to make our guests more comfortable. We want you to feel right at home. And Next Door is essentially an extension of our home.
For our latest project, we installed sweet glass bay doors by the railroad tracks at Brew Urban Café. We’re pumped about improving the setting with natural light. Not to mention, these new doors will keep you safe (which is actually reason #1).
So, we supplied Brew Urban Café with some natural light.
It used to be like this: you’d immediately be removed from the city once you walked in. You’d arrive in a cozy den surrounded by books. Sometimes the garage door would be open, and the sun would be shining in. Other days they just couldn’t be open. For those non-Floridians out there, just know that regardless of what the radar shows it will randomly rain at least 20 minutes a day.
So, depending on the weather, you’d either be soaking up some vitamin-D sipping on a cup of cold brew. Or listening to the rumbling of the railroad tracks behind closed garage doors. Moral of the story is, your mood will no longer be subject to the bipolar Florida elements.
We also wanted to improve our space without taking away from the familiarity of Brew.
Our General Manager, Joseph Miller, said it best: “Bringing the best parts of the outdoors inside is one of the reasons Brew is so unique.” Emphasis on “best parts of the outside.”
All of these reasons are cool, and all, but the best improvement will be that we keep our guests safe night and day. Read between the lines, now you never have to leave. ?
For those of you who haven’t heard, the future has arrived in the form of a new grocery store concept: Amazon Go. This is a huge development in the world of digital communication. Why? Because you don’t have to communicate.
There are no cash registers, no lines, no wait at the Amazon Go Store. Basically, you install the app on your phone, then scan to enter the building, and it’s on from there. The app adds items to your “cart” when you pick them from the shelf. If you put those items back, the app then removes them. Once you have what you need, you simply walk out of the building and the app charges you and provides a digital receipt. It’s that easy.
But what has been hailed as the best part of the experience (the fact that you don’t have to talk to a single person) could be, we think, the the latest in a downward trend in human interaction.
Let’s take a step back and analyze how this level of convenience can cause a social divide.
While we appear to be the most connected we’ve ever been, are we actually the most disconnected? Nowadays, the majority of people use social media to communicate. But how deep is that level of contact when it revolves more-so around the app from which we are communicating than the people to whom we are communicating? And this notion applies to Amazon Go, too. If this concept gains traction, it is because people value convenience over personal interactions. This is a scary thought.
We are curious about the negative psychological impacts this antisocial behavior may have on the way we build relationships. Today, we live in a digital age (duh), but is our attraction to technology creating antisocial habits?
We can literally go through an entire week interacting with people without actually being around them. And we are pushing this sense of isolation even further by adding Amazon Go to our daily routines,.
Amazon Go is also limiting who we can interact with when visiting their stores (I.e., the neighborhood bag-boy, the girl in the floral department arranging bouquets, the familiar checkout clerk, etc.). By removing these micro interactions from the experience we are, in a way, being limited on the ways in which we can interact with our environment, and this may affect other relationships in various areas of our lives.
Let’s get this conversation started—we want to hear from you. How do you think Amazon Go will disrupt the human experience?
Social media Marketing is changing in 2018. Facebook is returning control to users by empowering their newsfeeds to reflect their unique personality and interests. Basically, Facebook’s user-base is tired of being smothered by business billboards, and hard sells (gross). Now, Facebook marketing will emphasize “interactive content,” and these alterations could actually mean more traffic to groups and official business pages, according to the Facebook Vice President of the NewFeed Adam Mosseri. With these changes business-generated content has almost zero chance of being viewed organically out of the gate, so paid reach and sponsored content will become a critical component going forward. Don’t worry. This is bittersweet news, yes, and content creators will have to pay to play now. But if you are a client of ours, you already have a team of storytellers who strive for authentic reaction from concept to engagement, and who will continue to produce engaging visual and written content that will beat clickbait every time.
Previously, owners of Facebook pages or social media marketing firms were posting more content to the newsfeed because they were profiting off of clicks provided by meaningless traffic. Going forward, genuine engagement will determine visibility on your customers’ timelines, and that is where we come in. Storytelling and authentic content based on lifestyle is the way of the future (not to mention our lifeblood). This is music to our ears! And, if you have our team behind your brand, it should be for you as well!:)
The experience of connection, the ways in which we build our social relationships and the fulfilment we receive in strengthening them, is, fortunately, reverting back to its grassroots: thoughtfulness. A lack of genuine social content has caused users to disconnect from brands who utilize traditional repetitive marketing. But we are soon to experience a crusade of the credible, in which the voice of the business and the voice of the user will be held to identical standards. Businesses are creations of men and women who want to do more for their communities, and this should be representative of how they communicate to the world, regardless of platform.
Personally, we are super confident that we can shape these updates to deepen your dialogue with your consumers now that the value of engagement will be measured by authenticity rather than frequency.
C&I Studios is [ an idea agency ] that solves marketing challenges with innovative concepts, multimedia, and distribution to organizations around the world. We create ideas with a higher purpose and deliver them to a targeted audience for maximum growth.
See some of our work related to this topic here!
4% of consumers make a purchase after they view a socially branded video. 39% of consumers will leave your website if your images don’t load quickly enough.
Images, whether they’re moving or still are essential, especially when you’re trying to reach an online audience. And when done correctly, photography and videography can quickly become a vital part of your brand.
But only if you know how to use brand promotion using images correctly. We want to help you promote your brand.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about building your brand with videography and photography.
A company uses marketing to get a customer to buy their products and/or services. Companies use branding to build customer loyalty and create long-term relationships with them.
When done well, a brand name can become synonymous with a product such as:
Thanks to various marketing strategies such as promotions and commercials, a product can soon become a household name. While your business may never reach that level of brand recognition, it’s still important to brand your business.
There are good reasons why brands incorporate visuals into their brand stories. Visuals do the following for your business:
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. A professional photograph makes a lasting first impression.
Images are powerful when done correctly. Especially since they catch people’s attention much more quickly and powerfully than words containing details can.
Consumers can view as many as 5,000 ads every single day.
That’s a lot of clutter.
A good photograph can not only help capture your target market’s attention but keep it as well.
You can’t just snap a photo of any old thing and hope for the best. Photography is an important part of your marketing strategy, so you should take the time to build up a concept first.
If you’re stuck for ideas, head to sites like Pinterest and Instagram to see what images your competition is using. See what photos capture your attention the most.
Remember that your goal is to communicate a message to your audience through imagery. Make sure that the photos you choose translate your brand’s personality and are consistent.
Pretend you’re a potential customer. You’re not designing and choosing images for yourself. You’re doing it for them.
Use images that your typical consumer will most positively respond to.
Consider the following when sorting through images:
People buy products and services because it triggered an emotion in them. Aim to translate sincere emotions that will encourage people to take the right kind of action.
72% of consumers learn about products and services by watching a video. And 83% of them would consider sharing videos they liked with others.
Sharing videos help with the following:
In 2019, videos account for around 78% of internet traffic around the globe. And with so many people being visual learners, it’s a great way to educate your audience and get them to remember your message.
A great video tells a story. A bad video tries to sell a product or service.
Your goal should be to provide value to your customers while also appealing to their needs and hidden desires.
Keep in mind you’re not making a movie here.
And most consumers have a short attention span. In fact, many viewers will click away from your video within 10 seconds or less.
Make them short and to the point. You can do that by asking questions and/or using teasers to capture and keep their attention.
If you focus on creating a video that immediately shows a consumer why they should watch it, they’re more likely to continue watching it until the end. You can answer that question that in a few ways:
If you’re worried that your type of business shouldn’t be making people laugh, that’s not true. Life is already hard and serious enough.
There are ways any company can use humor, fun, and the energy of playfulness to getting people to relax and enjoy themselves. Meanwhile, a stiff and boring video will have everyone tuning out immediately.
Just like you can optimize your written content for SEO (search engine optimization), you can do the same for both photography and videography.
Before uploading your photos or videos to any social media or sharing sites, host them on your own website.
Enable embedding on your videos to help you receive more inbound marketing links. You should also use video sitemaps.
Do not forget to add SEO descriptions. This helps Google and other search engines determine what your video is about and understand its content.
You can do this by tagging your videos and photos with relevant keywords. Use unique titles and write a description of the image or video, so consumers and search engines understand what they’re viewing.
Performing all of these steps for every video and photo you post will help search engines rank you higher. This will help consumers find your site more easily.
Don’t forget to share your videos on social media. Choose which social media sites your target audience is most likely to spend the most time on such as:
Some social media sites allow you to use the autoplay feature. You may also want to add subtitles for those who prefer to watch your video without the sound on.
It’s best to get help with brand promotion. Poor-quality videos and images do not convey the right message.
A professional videographer and/or photographer knows exactly how to capture your target audience’s attention and hold it.
We can help you build your brand using the right imagery. Contact us, and let’s work together.
Did you know that the first camera-like device was invented almost 1,000 years ago?
Professional photography has come a long way since then, but it’s always important to know the roots from which an art form sprung into being.
To help you get the full picture, we’ve outlined a history of photography timeline just for you. It stretches from the first photograph ever to our modern technology and more.
How did what we see evolve into something we could grasp at our fingertips from anywhere in the world?
To begin our brief history of photography, we’ll start with the first-ever camera, which was the size of a room and not exactly a camera as we know them today.
Called camera obscura, which translates from the Latin as ‘dark chamber,’ the device was simply a large dark room with a hole in it. When light entered the hole, an inverted, slightly whitened image of the scenery outside was cast against the furthest wall.
The earliest remaining description of this device dates all the way back to ancient China in the 4th century BCE.
This ancestor of the camera was eventually used by astronomers to safely observe eclipses. It was also used by artists who wanted to sketch their models on a piece of paper. They held the blank sheet up against the light-receiving wall and sketched away.
As you can see, camera obscuras didn’t use anything we would call the film. Thus, they didn’t actually take photographs.
In the 16th century, portable versions, like miniature rooms, were eventually created, but even those did not use film to permanently capture the image.
It wasn’t until 1826 or 1827 that the French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took what is considered the first photograph.
Using a light-sensitive plate, he took a picture of the Burgundy section of his homeland of France. It’s the same view you would have seen had you been standing all those years ago by the upstairs window of the photographer’s house.
Because the photograph is so old and the method was so primitive, we can now only see vague outlines. If you squint, you can see the buildings’ roofs and perhaps the top of a tree.
If you want to see this singular photograph for yourself, you’ll have to take a trip to the University of Texas-Austin where they keep it in their permanent collection.
Paris Hilton may have tried to take credit for inventing the selfie with Britney Spears in 2006, but Robert Cornelius has her beat by well over 150 years.
The first selfie, or self-portrait, was taken by Cornelius in 1839 after he sat like a statue in front of the camera for around a minute. When he was done sitting still, he quickly covered the lens of the camera and voila, the first selfie was born.
If that sounds like a long time, it still beats sitting for hours to get your self-portrait done by an artist.
Nowadays, it’s so easy to create one that even monkeys can take selfies, all thanks to Cornelius’s pioneering achievement.
The history of digital photography begins with the first digital photo, which was taken in 1957 by the American engineer Russell Kirsch, about 20 years before the invention of the first actual digital camera.
The photograph depicts the face of Kirsch’s baby boy in distant contemplation, perhaps thinking about where he lost his rattle.
So how did Russell Kirsch take a digital photograph without a digital camera? His sly trick involved a film image that he then digitally scanned in order to produce what is called the first digital photograph. We’ll let you decide if it’s cheating.
True digital photography arrived on the scene in 1975. That was when the first digital camera was invented by American inventor Steve Sasson while he was working at the company Eastman Kodak, now known simply as Kodak.
This camera was not like the cameras we have today that can take thousands of photos and keep them all on one tiny storage device or on a cloud in cyberspace. Rather, you could only take about 30 images that were stored on a fragile, bulky cassette.
When Sasson tested the device out for the first time, he took a picture of Joy, a lab technician who worked with him. However, Sasson didn’t save the image so it has been lost to history.
Afterward, the 80s and 90s saw a wide range of point-and-click digital camera being produced by various companies. It wasn’t until 1991 that Kodak created a digital camera that could be used easily by professional photographers. SLR and DSLR cameras were then perfected and updated by other companies, such as Nikon, Pentax, Canon, and others.
Now, digital cameras have a wealth of advanced and amazing features that can be put to use, such as frame rate change, flash type, focusing modes, highlight control, ISO settings, and much more.
And the rest is, as they say, history.
What does the future hold for photography?
Well, for the longest time, black holes were theoretical phenomena described by the late, great Stephen Hawking and other physicists and astronomers, but earlier this year, the first-ever photograph of a black hole was taken.
Although it’s a blurry, misshapen disc of light, it’s still direct evidence of a black hole’s existence. Remember how blurry and indistinct the view from Niépce’s window in France was?
Imagine how much clearer photographs of black holes and other unimaginably distant objects will be. When it comes to photography, the sky is not the limit.
Now that you can picture the history of photography, you can begin to be a part of it.
C&I is an idea agency that can bring your business to life using top of the line video production and professional photography. Who knows, maybe our advertising solutions will be discovered a hundred years into the future as an amazing relic of the past. Contact us to learn more about our highly-rated creative services.
People have been taking landscape photography for well over a hundred years.
In that time, the technology may have changed, but the goal hasn’t: to take landscape pictures that do justice to the incredible scenery they are trying to capture.
There are plenty of things you can do to increase your chances of capturing the perfect landscape photo.
Let’s dive into the secrets captured upon the edges of planet earth.
Taking a great landscape photograph requires a lot of planning.
The chances are that the perfect spot for taking your photo will not be that easy to reach.
You’ll need to factor in exactly how long it’s going to take for you to get there and set up. You’ll also need to take into account exactly when you want to be taking your shots.
The golden hour may not last anywhere near an hour when you have mountain peaks blocking your sunlight.
Plan carefully to ensure that you’re where you want to be in plenty of time to take the perfect shots at the perfect moment.
The most stunning landscape photographs give a real sense of the enormous scale of the view you’re trying to capture.
The best way to do this is to have as much of the scene as you can in sharp focus.
That means opting for a small aperture to ensure that both near and far objects will be equally crisp.
Since a smaller aperture lets in less light, you’ll need to opt for a longer exposure, so make sure you’re using a high-quality tripod.
Another great way to do justice to the panorama you’re trying to capture is to use a wide-angle lens.
Using this kind of lens allows you to take in a much wider area of the landscape that you are trying to capture.
With the ability to capture such a large section of the landscape, it makes composing your image even more critical.
Try to use leading lines to guide the viewer’s eyes through the image, which can create a sense of even more depth.
If you’re going to take a shot in portrait rather than landscape, the distortion of a wide-angle lens can also make tall objects such as trees or mountains seem even taller too.
One issue with taking landscape photographs is that it’s sometimes hard to do justice to the sheer scale of the landscape that you’re trying to capture.
A simple way to give a clear sense of scale is to add some foreground interest to your shots.
If you’re photographing some mountains, for example, you can include some objects in the foreground of your shots that will guide the viewer’s eye towards the mountain peaks. Plants or flowers make perfect choices for a bit of foreground interest.
If you want to give people a true sense of scale, then consider placing a person in the foreground of your shot. This will immediately translate exactly how vast the landscape is.
If you’re planning on taking some landscape photographs, then be sure to bring your filters with you.
A polarizing filter is an essential tool for any professional photographer, especially when it comes to landscapes.
You may find that your unfiltered shots look a little bland and colorless due to all the reflected light that ends up in your camera.
A polarizing filter will cut some of this out, leaving your images looking much more vivid and colorful.
If it’s a particularly bright day, you may also want to consider using a Neutral Density filter.
These filters block out some of the light, allowing you to increase exposure time. They can also be used to make some truly stunning images by allowing you to take a long exposure of flowing water, for example.
If your landscape includes a body of water, then be sure to make use of it.
Capturing the reflection of a stunning landscape can allow you to create even more dramatic images that can almost seem to go on forever.
Feel free to experiment; you could try just capturing the reflection of the landscape rather than the scene itself, or go for a combination of both.
Other water features, such as waterfalls or even smaller rivers or streams, can add real interest to your images too.
With such a wide vista to take in, it can be challenging to find a single exposure that will do justice to every part of the scene.
Capturing a perfect sky might mean sacrificing some of the detail amongst the trees. Exposing a foreground flower perfectly might leave you with overexposed clouds. That’s where exposure bracketing can help.
Using your tripod, take several images at different levels of exposure. Once you are home, you can then combine these images using software to create an HDR image that has far more detail than any of the individual images.
Following these tips should help you to capture the landscape pictures you’ve always dreamed of.
If you’re looking for landscape photos for your business, and don’t have the time to try and capture the perfect image yourself, then we can help.
Our professional photographers can help you create the perfect image, whether it’s a stunning landscape or the ideal portrait of your product.
We work with you in a discovery session to find out precisely what you want your images to achieve, before drafting concepts, creating shot lists, and then taking, editing, and even distributing your images.
We also offer a wide range of other services that go beyond video production and photography. Get in touch today to see how we can help you.
Purposeful video storytelling can get you up to 77% more responses.
Meaningful and out of the box video storytelling is more likely to be shared, liked, and commented on. It is more likely to go viral and be remembered. But it has to have a purpose behind it.
From making life simpler to changing perspectives, it’s time to be purposeful.
Strong storytelling will build trust with prospective clients and show them your commitment to quality goods and services.
If you can build a story tailored to the needs, struggles, and desires that define humanity and what connects us, you will have accomplished marketing at its finest- a way to change the world.
How can you tell an impressive story through video and make a difference too? Let’s take a look at what it means to plant seeds through this incredible technology, artwork, and platform for sharing.
Many videos are designed simply to give clients as much information as they can about the business in a short period.
A video story, however, is more concise; it will awaken the soul and invoke emotional memories. Professional video services can also help you by asking expert questions that will help you find your story.
Our brains love stories as much as our hearts do. They release oxytocin into your body, altering the way your audience thinks and feels.
A traditional plot structure still works beautifully within a minute and a half. Begin by introducing us to your characters, who have a goal or dream.
They can be met with a problem or obstacle that resolves in the end, ideally because of your product or service.
For example, we used our idea of creative videography to film Faithbox, and a way for kids in Honduras to have three healthy meals a day. Because the next generation of children on planet earth will define its outcome, and we care.
What do you care about?
Show the world.
There is no shortage of marketing videos on the internet. If you want your audience to engage with your story and remember what they learned, don’t be afraid to use audio, text, animation, and music.
Any impressive statistics, for example, can be shown as text while you talk about them. Be sure not to bombard your audience with too much information. Highlighting what will interest or impress others will keep them engaged.
You may have to do a little data analysis or conduct surveys within your key demographic. Once you have some interesting facts, present them as infographics or ask a graphic designer to help make them readable.
Video interviews are relatively inexpensive ways to get your message across to prospective customers. You will need to choose subjects with a look and personality that will engage audiences.
Ask around to find happy customers with unique and relatable stories. You might find these folks on your webpage or social media groups.
In a narrative interview, the interviewer asks open-ended questions that invite the interviewee to respond in narrative form. These questions may begin with, “can you tell me about?” or “can you explain your experience with?”
It is essential that customers not overshare.
Your subjects can share some personal details without giving information that folks will not get interested in. Remember that your video story is best limited to around three minutes.
Relatable subjects should share experiences that reveal a problem, but not a lack of character. It is important to create a revelation or an uplifting takeaway that will both educate and inspire your listeners.
We create Our Stories so that others can be inspired.
The power to make a difference is in your hands.
You can be the subject of your inspiring interview. Tell about your vision for your business, any obstacles you may have encountered, and how you emerged with an even more refined and effective product or service. You can also create a montage of smaller interviews with clients who had similar experiences.
It is possible to tell a new video story using stock video. This will also save you money. It will need, however, to present new videos or voiceovers that complement it and offer your product or service in a unique light.
However, many videos or voiceovers you use with stock footage should be united in their mood and purpose. Consider using music videos that spark emotion or advertisements that will indulge nostalgia and attract new customers.
Magnificent scenery automatically makes a video more clickable. If you want people to visit your resort or apartment complex, show them photos they will find elegant and can see themselves in.
For examples of visual inspiration, browse popular social media sites like Instagram or Pinterest.
Consider the types of backdrops or videos you would like to create to best sell your story. And you can even try shooting some gorgeous scenery yourself to make your video unique and engaging.
Before deciding on your story, you will want to have a clearly defined purpose for the video.
You may, for example, want to grow awareness of your product or service. You may want to attract new customers. Or you may want to increase loyalty and trust among your existing client base.
Heck, you may even want to change the climate of the era.
Strategizing will result in a much more effective campaign. If you wish to attract new customers, for example, you can provide information that will help them approach their daily lives better.
If you wish to reach customers, consider letting them know about a new product or service and showing how it could improve their current use of your product.
And If you wish to reach an expansive world, bring people together.
This is the power of purposeful video storytelling.
Video storytelling can give your brand the emotional impact and creative edge that will help you stand out among the competition.
With the right story and personalities, you could see your booming brand, and inspiring ideas take flight.
For more information on professional video services, contact us today.
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