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Why Ecommerce brands should start creating TikTok content

Why Ecommerce brands should start creating TikTok content

If you’re an eCommerce brand looking for ways to boost your marketing, you should really consider creating TikTok content. TikTok is a social media app that is mainly used for sharing short videos. It’s a great platform for eCommerce brands because it allows you to reach a large number of people quickly and easily.

Video marketing is a great way to engage with your audience and TikTok is the perfect platform for doing this. The app has over 500 million active users, so you can be sure that your content will reach a large number of people. Additionally, the videos are short and easy to watch, so people are more likely to stick around and watch them.

eCommerce brands that create TikTok content will be seen as innovative and trendsetting. The app is growing in popularity, so by being one of the first eCommerce brands to start using it, you’ll stand out from the competition. Additionally, TikTok is a great way to build brand awareness. When people see your videos, they’ll be more likely to remember your brand and to consider buying from you.

Let’s take a look at a few different reasons TikTok content will help your eCommerce brand become and stay successful.

Create engaging content

TikTok is a great way to create engaging content. The app is all about sharing short videos, so you need to be creative if you want to stand out. There are a number of ways that you can create engaging content for TikTok. You can create videos that are funny, interesting, or inspiring. You can also make use of hashtags and trends to create content that is relevant to your target audience.

If you’re not sure what kind of content to create, you can take a look at what other eCommerce brands are doing on TikTok. By doing this, you’ll get a sense of what works and what doesn’t. You can also get ideas for content that you may not have thought of before.

Be creative

The best thing about TikTok is that it allows you to be creative. There are no rules when it comes to creating videos, so you can experiment and see what works best for you. You can try out different styles and formats to see what resonates with your audience.

When it comes to creating videos for eCommerce brands, creativity is key. If you can come up with creative content that people will want to watch, you’ll be well on your way to success.

Creativity also promotes a happier workplace for your employees, if you include them in your video-making process.

Show off your products

TikTok is a great way to show off your products. If you have a new product that you’re promoting, or if you want to show off a sale, TikTok is the perfect platform for doing this. You can create short videos that show off your products in a fun and creative way. This will help to engage with your audience and to get them excited about your products.

If you make your own products, your videos will already contain original content just by showing them off. Handcrafted products are always popular on social media, so by showcasing them on TikTok, you’ll be sure to get attention. Handcrafted products are always unique and interesting.

If you carry other kinds of products that are widely available from other eCommerce stores, too, you’ll still want to be present on TikTok with videos about the products you sell. A lot of consumers look to videos to learn about products, whether they’re new on the market or they’re in need of something specific, so making videos for each of your products is certainly not a waste of time.

In eCommerce, there’s always something new to promote, so it makes sense to document these things in video form as they come up. If you don’t have a blog or some other outlet for your traditional eCommerce promotion plus product videos, then you need to start making videos. Not everything knows how to start when it comes to making videos. Using a professional production team with experience creating social video content can guarantee your videos to come out the way you want them to be.

Show off your process

Are you an eCommerce brand that makes all of your own products? Showing off your process on how your products are created is a huge trend on TikTok right now!

Potential customers love to see how products are made, especially if they’re customized or made-to-order. Right now you’ll find a lot of videos showing how shops create resin art, custom drink tumblers, and so many other custom products. Show the world how you paint, how you create, how you come up with your cool ideas that you’re selling to your audience! If you have a unique process or a cool shop setup, make a TikTok video about it! Better yet, make a whole series of TikTok videos about it!

Process videos can also be ASMR videos that show your order packing process. There are many of these videos on TikTok as the idea behind ASMR videos is meant to be relaxing and meditative and people engage with them a lot, even if it’s just watching the video all the way through. Relaxed and happy viewers are more likely to make a purchase, too, so that’s something to keep in mind when coming up with video ideas!

Be relatable

One of the best things about TikTok is that it allows you to be relatable. eCommerce brands can be seen as cold and unapproachable, but by creating videos for TikTok, you can change this. You can create anything from comedy sketches, to product reviews, to a simple walkthrough of your store’s physical space whether it’s in your basement or an office space or a warehouse, people want to know what your company looks like!. Keep your videos humble but professional in order to be relatable, but still present yourselves as a company people want to do business with.

Your videos don’t need to be serious all the time. You can create videos that are funny or quirky, and this will help people to see you as a relatable brand. Additionally, using humor is a great way to connect with your audience. People love to laugh, and if you can make them laugh with your videos, they’ll be more likely to consider buying from you.

Brand awareness

As mentioned earlier, TikTok is a great way to build brand awareness. When people see your videos, they’ll be more likely to remember your brand and to consider buying from you. You want your audience to automatically think of your eCommerce brand when they’re thinking about purchasing any products that you sell, so making sure that your TikTok videos help you to stand out against your competition and really show your audience who you are as a company will do amazing things for your brand awareness.

Brand awareness is key for eCommerce brands. If you can create videos that are interesting and engaging, you’ll be well on your way to increasing awareness for your brand. TikTok is a great platform for eCommerce brands. By creating creative, engaging content, you’ll be able to connect with your audience and stand out from the competition.

Make use of hashtags

TikTok is a great platform for using hashtags. When you use hashtags in your videos, you’ll help to reach a larger audience. Additionally, people who are looking for content on specific topics will be able to find your videos by using relevant hashtags.

There are a number of ways that you can use hashtags on TikTok. You can add them to your videos as text, or you can use them as part of a hashtag challenge. You can also create branded hashtags that will help to promote your eCommerce brand.

Hashtags also help with brand awareness, if used correctly. If you use hashtags that are relevant to your eCommerce brand and to the videos that you’re uploading, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience. Additionally, people who are looking for content on specific topics will be able to find your videos by using relevant hashtags.

Be sure to keep track of which hashtags are performing well for you and continue to use those that are most relevant.

Pay attention to trends

Another great thing about TikTok is that it’s constantly changing and evolving. This means that you need to be sure to pay attention to trends if you want your eCommerce brand to succeed on the platform, but you’ll have plenty of opportunities to really be able to get your brand to shine on the app, too, with how often the algorithm changes.

Keep an eye on what’s popular on TikTok right now and try to create content that aligns with those trends. This could be anything from using specific hashtags, to creating videos that are in line with current trends. You don’t want to be too trendy and risk your videos seeming out of date, but if you can find a way to tap into current trends, you’ll be able to engage more with your audience.

 

In Conclusion,

eCommerce brands should start creating TikTok content if they want to be successful. TikTok is a powerful tool for building brand awareness and engaging with your audience. Additionally, the app is a great way to show off your products and to get people excited about what you have to offer. So what are you waiting for? Start creating some amazing TikTok content!

So if you’re looking for ways to boost your marketing sales, start creating video content for TikTok. It’s a great way to reach a large number of people quickly and easily, and it can help you build brand awareness and engage with your audience. TikTok is a powerful tool for eCommerce brands, and if you start using it now, you’ll be well on your way to success. So what are you waiting for? Start creating some amazing TikTok content!

If you’re not sure how to begin, or you don’t have the means to create your own video content, it’s important to consider hiring outside help from a video production company. C&I Studios is one of those companies and we love what we do.

We can’t wait to help you and your eCommerce brand create amazing content that will boost your sales and customer engagement. Contact us today and we’ll get started on your new video marketing journey together!

Why Your Event Will Benefit from Streaming

Why Your Event Will Benefit from Streaming

When you are planning an event, live streaming should be one of your top priorities. Live streaming can help to boost an event’s success in a number of ways, and it is becoming an increasingly important tool for marketing events.

Live streaming has become popular on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and more. In fact, live streaming on social media is growing at a rate of 112% each year. That means that if you’re not live streaming your event, you’re missing out on a major opportunity.

Live streaming is a powerful marketing tool, and when it comes to events, it should be one of your top priorities. By live streaming your event, you’re opening up your event to a larger audience, generating buzz and excitement, and giving people a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on.

There are many reasons why live streaming is such an important tool for marketing events. Let’s take a look at some of them!

Boosts Views and Reach

First and foremost, live streaming allows people who can’t attend your event in person to still see what’s happening. This is especially important for larger events that might have a limited number of tickets available. They’ll be able to tune in as they please, so if they’re physically unable to attend, they can still check out the bits of your event they really wanted to experience.

The general public may not know about your event until it actually happens, so having a live stream allows them to still interact with your event and be able to see if the event is something they’ll want to attend in the future if you continue hosting events of the same nature.

The more views you get, the farther you’re reaching, and the farther you reach, the more success you’ll have with not only the current event but with future events, future sales, and gaining more followers.

Provides Behind-the-Scenes Footage

Another great benefit of live streaming an event is that it allows people to see what goes on behind the scenes. This can be really helpful in giving people a better idea of what to expect from your event.

Behind-the-scenes footage can easily be repurposed into future marketing as well as provides your viewers with fun information, too. Everyone loves being able to see what happens behind the scenes, and live streaming provides that opportunity. People will be able to see what happens throughout the event so that they can know what to expect from any future event.

It can also help to create excitement and anticipation for the event, live streaming event set-up for a truly exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek. People love getting a sneak peek of what’s going on, and live streaming allows you to do just that.

Generates Buzz and Excitement

Streaming an event live helps to generate buzz and excitement among potential attendees. It also encourages people who might not have been planning to attend to reconsider. If you’re going to continue to host events like the one you’re live streaming, you’ll be showing your audience exactly what they can expect from a future event, luring them into buying tickets for any future event that you host.

If your event has someone famous, being able to live stream their segments of the event, such as a speech or book-reading, their social media platforms can share your live stream, thus giving you their entire audience on social media. It will create buzz, maybe even get you to trend and reach even more of an audience organically.

Creating excitement around an event will only help you in the future. When people are looking forward to something, they’re more likely to attend and even tell others about it. This is the perfect way to create a lasting impression on your viewers.

Helps with Sponsorship Opportunities

Live streaming an event can help you to snag some sponsorship opportunities. When potential sponsors see that your event is being live-streamed, they’ll be more likely to want to get involved. They’ll be able to see how many people you have tuned in to your event, how many people are engaging with the live stream, and so on. The more engagement you have, the more likely sponsors are going to agree to work together.

If your event is reaching thousands or millions of viewers, your event is likely being seen by other companies, celebrities, and other people who may be willing to sponsor the event in the future or willing to collaborate in other events with you.

The more sponsorships you get for an event, the better quality your event can be. You’ll be able to hire more help, popular talent, rent a bigger or fancier venue, even provide a better quality of refreshments and anything else you can think of that goes into planning an event.

Sponsors are important. As a company, you might not have it in your budget to host an event on your own, so making sure that you’re appealing to future sponsors is crucial. Live streaming can show future sponsors how your event runs in real-time, and you can use the footage from your live stream and repurpose it for future event promotions.

Boosts Engagement

One of the biggest benefits of live streaming is that it allows people who cannot attend the event to still participate, even a little bit. This is especially important for larger events that have a limited number of tickets. By live-streaming the event, you are opening it up to a larger audience and increasing the chances of reaching your target market. Engagement can be anything from simply watching the live stream to sharing the video with others, to commenting and interacting with the people who are streaming the video.

Live streaming also allows you to create a more personal connection with your audience. By live streaming an event, you are giving people the opportunity to see and hear from the people who are involved in the event. This can help to create a more engaged and interested audience.

The more engagement you have, the more successful your event will be.

Provides an Interactive Experience

Another advantage of live streaming is that it provides a more interactive experience for viewers. They can not only see what is happening on stage but they can also interact with other viewers and the event organizers. This creates a more engaging experience that can help to build loyalty among your audience.

With live streaming, you can host interactive polls, get questions live as people ask them, and so much more! People appreciate knowing that they’re being paid attention to, so including them throughout the event, even if they aren’t there in person, is a good way to boost your company’s reputation among your audience and customers.

If you have a popular speaker or guest, allowing your viewers to ask questions even if they’re not in attendance physically, you’re going to get more interaction. Interaction on a live stream usually translates to interaction outside of the event, too.

If you live stream your event, you can reach a larger audience to poll interaction from, create excitement among potential future attendees, and increase engagement. This will help to make your event more successful. Live streaming can also be used as a marketing tool for future events.

Promotion

Live streaming can also help to promote your event. By posting live videos of the event on social media, you can reach a larger audience and generate excitement about the event.

Additionally, live streaming can be used to create a teaser video for the event that can be used to promote it online. If you plan on hosting similar events in the future, using footage from the previous event can really create more hype for future events. It gives your audience a sneak peek at what happens at your events. If you’re hosting a conference and you had a Q&A with a popular speaker, you’ll want to be able to show prospective attendees that you’re able to provide them with interactions with the people they want to hear from and interact with. They want to know that your event is worth the time and money they’ll invest in your event.

In addition, live streaming can help to create a sense of urgency among potential attendees. By letting people know that the event is live streaming, you are encouraging them to take action and purchase tickets sooner rather than later.

Ok, but I need help with live-streaming

That’s ok! Not everyone has the expertise to create an amazing live stream for your event. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and video production and live streaming are some of C&I Studios’ strengths!

Not only can we help you with the live stream, but we are able to take the footage from it and turn it into more marketing opportunities, too! In post-production, we can take any video footage and recycle it into something amazing that’s bound to create more success for you in the future.

Whether it’s a simple one-camera set up, or multi-camera set ups that require live switching, Zoom integration, and live mixing, C&I Studios has packages to meet your event live streaming needs.

 

As you can see, live streaming is a powerful tool that can help to boost the success of your event. If you’re not live streaming your event, you’re missing out on a major opportunity. Make sure to consider live streaming as part of your event marketing strategy!

If you are planning an event, live streaming should be one of your top priorities. Live streaming can help to boost an event’s success in a number of ways, and it is becoming an increasingly important tool for marketing events. By live-streaming the event, you are opening it up to a larger audience and increasing the chances of reaching your target market. Additionally, live streaming can be used to create a teaser video for the event that can be used to promote it online.

 

So, if you’re looking to give your event the best chance of success, live streaming is definitely a tool you should consider using.

How to Repurpose your Video Content

How to Repurpose your Video Content

Creating video content can be time-consuming and tedious. You’ve spent days shooting video footage for different productions, you’ve spent the money on hiring talent and renting the location of the set. It’s a lot of work. But did you know that you can easily repurpose old footage from your previous productions into new marketing content?

Repurposing video content is a great way to get more mileage out of your investment. By reworking old footage into new videos, you can create fresh and engaging content for your marketing efforts without spending too much time or money. It’s not lazy, it’s ingenious!

You can create new videos by compiling footage from different productions, or you can edit old footage to create new and interesting stories. You can also use video content for other marketing purposes, such as website design or social media campaigns.

There are a few ways to repurpose that video content for other projects. Some of them are as easy as reposting, others require a little bit more skill, usually in post-production editing software. Repurposing old video footage is a fantastic use of your resources. You’ll save time and money by not having to host another day of shooting or paying for the talent, and you’ll still be reaching new audiences with the video footage you already had on hand!

Reposting

First, you can post your video on other social media platforms. For example, if you create a video for Facebook, you can also post it on YouTube and Twitter. This will help to reach a wider audience and get more engagement on content that did well previously.

This is an incredibly simple way of recycling old video content. You don’t have to do anything extra other than copy and paste the link or upload the video itself to the new platform. If something did well on Twitter, it might be a good idea to try it on Instagram to reach a totally different audience demographic.

However, keep in mind that you’ll likely want to tailor the video for each platform. The dimensions and length of videos can vary greatly from site to site. TikTok has a different amount of time alotted than say a video posted on Facebook. So, take some time to make sure your video looks good on all of the channels you’re using.

Editing Videos

If you want to go a step further, you can also edit your old video footage to create new content. This usually takes a bit more work, but it can be worth it if you have a good idea for a new video. You can use editing software to create short videos, social media posts, or even entire new videos. Making minimal changes to old videos that you haven’t posted in a while can really do wonders!

You can also use editing software to improve the quality of your old video footage and repost it! If it’s been a while since you’ve posted it, your new followers will love to see it, and if it’s retouched and made to look new, your older audience will enjoy it, too!

You can also cut them down and use snippets of your videos in other marketing materials. If you have a longer video, you can use short excerpts as part of an email campaign or on your website. There’s no wrong place to post these new video creations.

If you’re not comfortable editing video footage yourself, you can always hire a professional editor to help you out. Companies like us here at C&I Studios have expertise in post-production editing. It’s one of our passions, editing video footage to create something you can be proud to share with your customers and followers.

Reuse Footage in Other Videos

If you have some extra time and want to create a more elaborate video, you can also reuse footage from old videos to create something new. This is a great way to create videos on a tight budget. You’ll already have the footage, and all you’ll need to do is add in some new shots and put it all together.

This approach can be a bit more challenging, but it’s a great way to come up with creative ideas for videos. You can also use this technique to create video series. If you have a few old videos that all follow the same theme, you can edit them together to create a longer video.

You can also create montages or mashups with reused footage. This is a great way to show off your skills as a video editor, and it’s a fun way to engage your audience. There’s nothing that you shouldn’t try! You might be surprised how an editing experiment turns out!

It’s important to remember that just because your video content is old, doesn’t mean it’s not worth using! There are a million and one ways to reuse old video footage. So, don’t be afraid to get creative! Whether you want to create new videos, graphics, or motion graphics, there’s something for everyone.

Adding motion graphics to your videos can help them stand out from the crowd. It also makes them more engaging and exciting to watch.

You can even just change the music to get something new. Music helps to get an emotional response from the viewer and by simply changing the music in the video can invoke a completely different response and vibe.

There’s no limit to how much editing you can do or what you can change. So, get creative and have some fun! Editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Sony Vegas can be used to create short videos, social media posts, or even entire new videos. Making minimal changes to old videos that you haven’t posted in a while can really do wonders!

Or, you can completely “Frankenstein” the old footage together to creating something totally new and different. It can also be used to create a portfolio style video that shows off all of your best work together. You can easily piece together old sections of video footage to create something completely new! If you have two videos that you love, but you don’t want to repost them exactly as they are, editing them together creates a new video that people will be excited to engage with. If you want to create a video that’s totally new, editing software can also be used to piece footage together from different sources.

Take Advantage of C&I Studios’ Lifetime Backup

You might not have realized it, but if you have worked with us before, we have all of your video footage backed up for life!  The footage that we capture is important to us, and to you.  That’s why we hold onto it forever.  One of the best ways to get new content if you have worked with C&I before is to just contact us and see if we can cut together something new from what was captured previously.

Sometimes we can integrate new footage, an interview for example, with clips that we have shot previously in order to create a really dynamic video that shows your company’s growth and consistency of vision over time.

Creating Graphics or Motion Graphics

You can also use old video footage to create graphics or motion graphics. This is a great way to add some extra flair to your videos or social media posts. GIFs are still all the rage. They provide more emotion than an emoji or emoticon, and help you convey your reactions with a little bit of humor. They also show off your skills as a video editor.

This is one of the most creative uses for old footage that you can create. With how often people share gifs and short videos, as long as you make them accessible to all, your motion graphics will spread far and wide! You should always make everything you put out shareable. If people can share, they will spread your content far and wide! (Just make sure to put your company name on it so they come back to your company!)

If you’re not comfortable creating graphics or motion graphics yourself, you can always outsource the work to other companies. There are plenty of great graphic designers and motion graphic artists out there who would be happy to help you out. This is another service that companies like C&I Studios can do for you! We love creating new content, even if that means recycling old footage to create something new and fun and shareable.

In Conclusion…

When it comes to repurposing video content, the sky is the limit! You can post old videos on other social media platforms, edit them to create new content, or reuse footage in other videos. By using these simple techniques, you can breathe new life into old video content and create engaging and exciting video marketing materials.

Repurposing old content is a great way to save time and money. If you have footage that’s no longer relevant, don’t worry! You can still find ways to reuse it. There are a million and one ways to do it, so get creative! Whether you want to create new videos, graphics, or motion graphics, there’s something for everyone. Just take a little time to brainstorm some ideas and get started!

If you’re wanting to get some new content created, or to make your old content feel new, give us a shout! We can’t wait to work with you and your company to create amazing video marketing content together! We make everything easier for you and your company.

How does video improve conversion rates?

How does video improve conversion rates?

There’s no doubt about it – video marketing is becoming an increasingly important tool for businesses of all sizes. In fact, according to recent studies, including video on a website can increase conversion rates by up to 80%. That means more clicks to your website and more purchases being made simply by using more videos in your marketing strategy. It can be as easy as posting a video on TikTok or any other social media platform.

But what makes video so effective? And how can you make sure that your videos are helping to improve your conversion rates?

Here are just a few of the ways that video can help to improve conversion rates:

1. Video is engaging.

Think about the last video you watched, whether it was on Facebook, TikTok, or in an e-mail. Have you found yourself just watching a video as it plays in the middle of your scrolling through your social media timelines on your phone or computer? That’s because the video was engaging and reeled you in.

People are more likely to engage with video than with other forms of content. In fact, research shows that people are two times more likely to watch a video than to read a blog post. And when people are engaged, they’re more likely to take action, whether that’s clicking through to a landing page or making a purchase.

Even when your followers just watch the video and like it, they’re making it so that their followers are more likely to see the video. And once they see it, they’ll be likely to like it or send it to someone they know, and the cycle keeps going on. So, if you’re not using video marketing, you’re missing out on a huge audience.

And there are a lot of ways people can engage with videos! Views are engagement. Likes are engagement. Shares and comments are engagement! It doesn’t take a lot of work to engage with a company’s video, which makes it the perfect type of media to use in marketing your business.

2. Video is persuasive.

Video is also highly persuasive, which makes it a great tool for conversion rate optimization. In fact, studies have shown that video can increase conversion rates by up to 86%. That’s because video content is able to communicate messages and ideas in a way that text and images can’t.

That’s because video can quickly and easily communicate a message. And, when done correctly, video can help to build trust with potential customers. Trust is essential for conversion rates; after all, if customers don’t trust your brand or your product, they’re not going to buy from you.

It’s also persuasive because it can show how a product works, how it actually looks, how a service is provided, and any end results from either the use of a product or the service. People love seeing before and after content, and this is the perfect medium to show not only that, but the process as well!

3. Video is versatile.

Video can be used in a variety of ways to improve conversion rates. It can be used to introduce new products or services, to demonstrate the features and benefits of those products or services, or to create customer testimonials.

You can make a traditional commercial. You could make a series of comedy sketches that show off your products or services. You can use previous customers’ testimonials to build a rapport with your viewers. You can even host a live sale online to boost sales immediately. There are so many different options of what you can do with video content in order to market your company in a positive way.

4. Video is mobile-friendly.

With more and more people using their smartphones and tablets to access the internet, it’s important that your videos are mobile-friendly. Fortunately, most video formats are compatible with a wide range of devices, so you don’t need to worry about your viewers not being able to see your videos.

Mobile-friendly videos get more traction because they’re able to be viewed anywhere, any time of day. If someone takes their commute on public transit as their time to scroll through their social media or personal e-mail account and catch up on the day’s posts and messages, then they’re able to see your video then. Or, say someone is out and about with a group of friends and they think about a video they saw earlier- they might want to share the video instantly with said group, and being able to do that via mobile means they won’t forget plus those new viewers will watch the video right away.

There’s no wrong answer as to why your videos, or any marketing content your put out, should be mobile-friendly.

5. Video is a great way to build trust.

Video can also be used to build trust with potential customers. By showing them who you are, what you do, and what your company stands for, you can help to create a connection with viewers that can lead to increased conversion rates.

Videos like testimonials and reviews show the rest of the world how trustworthy your company can be. Nowadays, conversion rates are key to a business’ success and with video marketing you can help increase these rates. Hearing that someone had a wonderful experience and to have them talk about it in detail really puts prospective customers at ease when they’re thinking about hiring your company or making a purchase. By putting out testimonials that detail a past customer’s experience, you’re allowing new customers to see the whole process before they purchase. They can imagine how the job would be done if they decide to hire you or purchase from you. Seeing everything that you have to offer in a video is one of the best conversion rate increasers.

6. Video can improve website SEO.

Video can also help to improve your website’s SEO. In fact, including a video on your homepage can increase your website’s chances of ranking in the search engines by up to 53%. That’s because videos are able to provide keyword-rich content that can help to improve your website’s ranking in the search engines.

SEO is incredibly important in today’s world that’s basically run by search engines. What do you do when you need to find a product and don’t know where to begin? You Google it. So, when someone is searching for a product that you sell or a service you provide, you want your company’s website to pop up first, or at least close to the top, so that they’re more likely to click on the link leading them to your website.

7. Video is great for branding.

Video is also a great way to build your brand. By creating engaging and interesting video content, you can help to create a strong connection with your target audience. That connection can lead to increased brand awareness and loyalty, which can result in increased conversion rates.

Brand awareness is key to any business’ success. By creating video content that’s interesting and engaging, you can help to increase awareness of your brand and its products and services. And, as we all know, once a customer becomes aware of your brand, they’re more likely to do business with you in the future.

8. Video is a great way to humanize your brand.

Video can also help to humanize your brand. By showing your viewers what goes on behind the scenes at your company, you can help them to connect with your brand in a more personal way. This can lead to increased loyalty and conversion rates.

When a customer feels like they know your company on a personal level, they’re more likely to do business with you. After all, nobody wants to do business with a faceless corporation. By using video, you can help your customers to see the people behind the brand and connect with them on a more personal level. This can lead to increased conversion rates and a more successful business.

9. Video can be used to create a sense of urgency.

Video can also be used to create a sense of urgency with potential customers. By showing them what they’re missing out on if they don’t buy or hire your company now, you can help to increase conversion rates.

We all know that people are more likely to take action when they feel like they’re running out of time. That’s why salespeople often use the phrase “act now, before it’s too late.” By creating a sense of urgency with your video content, you can help to increase conversion rates.

When it comes to conversion rates, urgency is key. If you can create a sense of urgency with potential customers, you’re more likely to get them to take the action that you want them to take, whether that’s hiring your company or making a purchase. And, what better way to create urgency than with video? By showing viewers what they’re missing out on if they don’t take action now, you can help to increase conversion rates.

10. Video can be used to show off your company culture.

Video can also be used to show off your company culture. By showcasing the work environment at your company, you can help potential employees or customers get a feel for what it would be like to work or do business with you.

Company culture is becoming more and more important in today’s world. Potential employees want to know what the company culture is like before they take a job, and potential customers want to know what it’s like to do business with you. By showcasing your company culture through video, you can help to attract more employees and customers.

 

So..

If you’re looking to improve your conversion rates, it’s a good idea to start using video marketing. With its ability to engage and persuade viewers, video content is a powerful tool that can help you to achieve your conversion goals. It’s an effective, engaging, and versatile way to reach more potential customers and boost your business’ bottom line.

If you’re not sure how to go about adding video into your marketing strategy plan, you’re not alone. It’s a type of marketing that many businesses have skimped on as it’s more expensive and time consuming to create, but it’s all worth it!

It can be a great asset to look for a video production company to do the hard work for you. That way you don’t have to be savvy with a camera or computer in order to get amazing videos to share with your customer base! Companies like C&I Studios can do as much or little to create video marketing content for your business. We have experience creating all sorts of video types for our clients including, but certainly not limited to, animation and live streamed events!

If you’re not using video marketing, you’re missing out on a huge audience. Video is an essential part of any good marketing strategy, and it can be used in a variety of ways to improve conversion rates. So, what are you waiting for? Start using video today! Or better yet, give us at C&I Studios a call and we’ll create amazing video marketing content together!

What You Need to Know Before Choosing an Animation Company

What You Need to Know Before Choosing an Animation Company

It can be a daunting task choosing the right animation company to help you with your video marketing strategy. After all, animation is a very versatile and powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of purposes – from explaining complex concepts to making a product or service more engaging.

But if you have the chance to add the element of animation to your marketing strategy, do it! It really adds the perfect touch to your marketing efforts and shows your customer base how polished you are as a business. And in order to really put that great impression out there, you should make sure to employ people that have expertise in animation.

However, before you make your final decision, there are a few things you need to take into account. Here are the most important factors to consider:

1. Experience and expertise

Animation is a complex process, and it takes a lot of skill and experience to do it well. Hiring a company that has the expertise to create amazing animations is crucial. If you hire a company that doesn’t know what they’re doing, you can end up with subpar work that you don’t want to share with your customer base.

It’s important to put your best foot forward when it comes to any marketing efforts. Make sure the animation company you choose has a team of professionals with a proven track record in creating high-quality animation.

2. Style and approach

Animation style is very important – it needs to reflect your brand and be appropriate for your target audience. Make sure the animation company you choose has a style that you like and that is aligned with your marketing goals.

When it comes to animation, there are three types of animation styles:

  • Traditional animation – This type of animation is created by drawing each frame of animation on paper.
  • Stop motion animation – This type of animation is created by moving physical objects (usually puppets or dolls) a little bit between each frame to create the illusion of movement.
  • Computer animation – This type of animation is created by using software to create the animation frame-by-frame.

Animation companies use different animation styles depending on the needs of the project. So, before you choose an animation company, it’s important to understand the different types of animation and which one would be the best fit for your project.

If you know what type of animation you’re looking for (which, is more than likely computer animation), you can rule out animation companies that don’t work with the style of animation you’re looking for.

3. Quality and attention to detail

Animation is only effective if it’s done well. Make sure the animation company you choose has a reputation for producing high-quality work, with attention to detail down to the smallest detail.

This can go along with expertise. An experienced animation company has more practice when it comes to paying attention to detail. They’ll produce higher quality work as a result.

4. Cost

Animation can be expensive, so it’s important to get quotes from a few different companies and compare prices. However, don’t compromise on quality just to save a few bucks. The animation company you choose should be able to provide good value for money.

It’s also important to remember that animation takes time and effort, so the cost of the animation will depend on how long it takes to produce.

5. Turnaround time

Animation can take a while to produce, so it’s important to factor in the turnaround time when choosing a company. Make sure you choose one that can meet your deadline without compromising on quality.

Whichever animation company you hire should be able to give you a realistic timeline for the project and they should also be able to adhere to that timeline. Delays can cause big problems, so it’s important to make sure the animation company you choose can meet your deadlines.

On the other hand, you shouldn’t be giving them unattainable deadlines and expecting amazing results. Make sure you’re giving the company you hire enough time to create their animation magic. A rush job rarely ends up with great animation, and it’s more likely to end up with a company that isn’t too keen on working with you again. Giving them ample time to create your marketing content is not just a courtesy, but a necessity.

6. Communication and coordination

Animation is a collaborative process, so it’s important that the animation company you choose has good communication and coordination skills. They should be able to effectively collaborate with you and other team members to ensure that the final product meets your expectations.

The animation company you choose should be good at communicating with you. They should keep you updated on the progress of the project and be available to answer any questions you have.

Projects can go wrong if there is a lack of communication. Make sure the animation company you choose has a good communication strategy in place.

You should also be making sure that you and your company are also able to communicate with the animation company you’re planning to hire. Being able to communicate your wants and needs from a specific project is absolutely crucial to making sure your project comes out exactly as you need it to.

7. Ability to work with different file formats

Not all animation companies are able to work with different file formats. Make sure the company you choose is able to produce videos in the format you need, whether it’s MP4, MOV, AVI, or something else.  Knowledge of a variety of professional animation programs can be important, as well, especially if you are looking for a team to put the finishing touches on a working concept.

8. References

When choosing an animation company, it’s important to ask for references. This will give you a good idea of the quality of work they produce and how satisfied their previous clients have been.

Make sure to get references from the animation company you’re considering working with. talking to past clients is a great way to get an idea of the quality of work they produce and how satisfied those clients were with the final product. References should be from companies in the same industry as you or something adjacent. They should be able to provide first-hand experience with the company and be able to give you a realistic view of how the job went.

Don’t discount companies someone had a few bumps in the road with, so long as the final outcome was just fine. Remember that we all make mistakes, but as long as the wrongs were righted the company learned something, and having that kind of experience means that you’ll be in good, honest hands.

9. Satisfaction guarantee

Animation companies should be able to offer a satisfaction guarantee. This means that if you’re not happy with the final product, they will work with you to fix the problem.

They should offer revisions as you need them, within reason. They should always be wanting to make sure the work you pay them for is to your liking and specifications. A guarantee is necessary in case they misinterpreted what you were looking for, something didn’t get communicated correctly, or it just doesn’t live up to expectations. Even through perfect vetting, things happen, so having the guarantee adds a bit of insurance in case anything comes out wrong.

10. Creative input

Animation companies should be willing to let you provide creative input throughout the animation process. You are paying them to create something for your company after all. They shouldn’t just produce the video and hand it over to you – they should be willing to work with you to create a video that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.

Make sure you’re communicating your wants and needs to them. They should be willing to let you see the project at different stages to be sure that they’re creating exactly what you’re looking for.

11. Creative flexibility

Animation companies can be very creative, so make sure the animation company you choose has the flexibility to adapt to your ideas and suggestions. They should be open to your feedback and be able to work with you to create a video that’s perfect for your needs.

Creative flexibility is key when it comes to animation companies. They should be willing to work with you to create the perfect video, regardless of your ideas or suggestions, and provide the ability to revise work when they miss the mark, within reason.

12. A team of professionals

The animation company you ultimately hire should have a team of skilled professionals who can produce high-quality animation, not just a one-person operation. The team should be able to work together to create a cohesive and professional product.

Make sure the animation company you choose has a team of skilled professionals who can produce high-quality animation. The team should be cohesive and professional, and be able to produce a high-quality product.

A team ensures that you have multiple eyes and brains on the work they’re creating for you. A team ensures that quality control is more seamless and creativity flows more freely!

13. Experience in your industry

This is one point that a lot of people don’t always think about when hiring outside help.

The animation company you choose should have experience in your company’s industry. You want to make sure they’ve worked with similar companies. And understand the challenges and needs of companies in your industry.

They should understand the challenges and needs of companies in your field. This will help them create a video that is tailored to your specific needs and ensure that they understand the needs of your business and can create a video that’s relevant to your target audience.

 

Are you in the market for an animation company? Why not check out C&I Studios and our large portfolio of animation work, both 2D animation and 3D animation. We have a large team of animators and crew that have a passion and great expertise in animation and can’t wait to keep creating and producing more animation and other marketing content. We’re confident that we can exceed your expectations and create a video that you’ll be proud to share with the world. Contact us today to get started!

When should I start using video for my business?

When should I start using video for my business?

When should you start using video in your business’s marketing?

The short answer? Now. Any time, but the sooner the better.

The slightly longer answer? It’s never too early to incorporate videos into your marketing strategy and company branding. It can be the first impression you give your potential customers or it can be something you slowly build up over time.

There is no magic 1-year, 5-year, or 10-year point where video can be thrown into your marketing mix and you will immediately see results (especially if video clients haven’t been part of your video marketing strategies). There are many companies that have spent years building up their video experience and still lack noteworthy returns on investment. Even video marketing veterans have to continue working towards video marketing success – there is no ‘set it and forget it’ video strategy.

You want to make sure you’re putting out good content that customers will engage with and share. But, it’s ok to swing and miss with your videos. Every failed video is a learning moment and you’ll figure out what your customers want through posting more content and reevaluating after each video is posted.

So, how do you decide when to incorporate video into your marketing strategy?

The decision is ultimately up to you and your company. But before you get into the exact “when” the video will be live on either your site or social media, you need to figure out what your budget and timeline should be.

You should be asking yourself and your crew a few questions:

  • What budget do I have for video marketing?
  • What kind of time can I devote to video production?
  • What video experience do I have?
  • How will I approach producing videos?
  • What kind of videos do I want to be associated with my company?
  • Am I hiring outside of my current employees to create video marketing content?

Video marketing is more complex than just “point and shoot”. There is video production, video distribution, and video marketing that all need to be considered when you decide to use video.

If you want to take a more passive approach, then videos can be added to your strategy in the form of video search engine optimization (video SEO), which means using video for your title tags and meta descriptions so you can show up in video search results.

Video marketing can also be incorporated into your social networks, including video posting on Twitter and Facebook, as well as placing videos on relevant video distribution sites such as YouTube.

For a more hands-on approach, you could hire video producers to create video content for relevant video distribution sites or have someone create a video for video SEO purposes. C&I Studios is a company that’s ready and excited to create video marketing content, as well as any other marketing content you need, that’s tailored to your business and customers.

The list of options is endless, but the decision belongs to you and your business, which is why video marketing isn’t so much a ‘when to video’ decision, but it’s always video marketing.

What else should I consider when deciding my video marketing timeline?

In order to know when to post your video content to get the most out of it, you should have an idea of what kinds of videos you want to create and how you’re going to incorporate them into your marketing strategy.

Once you’ve decided how video marketing fits into your overall strategy, you can compare video production timelines to video distribution timelines. It’s important to choose video content that is relevant to your business and customers. Think about what times of the year are most successful for your business (holidays, anniversaries, etc.) and start there.

For video SEO and video distribution, you’ll want to create video content that’s engaging and shareworthy.

What does your audience like? Are they business buyers or consumers? Do they love funny videos or do they prefer company testimonials? What kind of video content will get them excited about your products and services? How can you get your followers and customers to engage in your video content?

What kind of video content do you want to create? Do you know what kind of videos will perform the best for your industry? If you want a quick list of video content ideas that are appropriate for different industries, check out this blog post here. It’s important that you know that you’re not limited to this list by any means, it’s meant to be a jumping off point of videos that have performed the best in different industries. Feel free to get creative and think outside the box, but it’s ok if creativity isn’t your strong suit, too.

When deciding where to begin with your video marketing, including when and what, it’s important to consider videos that have evergreen content. Not every video needs to be evergreen, but evergreen content will really work in your favor to consistently bring in new viewers and potential customers, and help you to retain them if it’s a video they’ll want to refer back to over and over again. They’ll even want to share it with their friends and families if they think they’ll enjoy it or learn from it as well.

But, what does “Evergreen Content” mean? It’s simply content that will either never be considered out of date, or will age very slowly and can stay up for years to come. It does not expire, it doesn’t hibernate. It stays evergreen like a pine tree!

For example, if a pet store were to put out a video about interpreting cat behaviors, that video will still be relevant for years to come. But, if that same pet store were to post a video about the best cat litter on the market, that will soon be considered out of date as soon as the next best cat litter becomes available for purchase and the pet store will have to recreate that video to include the new product.

It’s also important to know where you’ll be sharing your video content. Different video hosting platforms have different algorithms and video lengths that work better than others. You’ll also want to consider the demographics of each platform’s viewers and how video marketing can work best for reaching your target market on those platforms.

For example, video marketing on Snapchat or TikTok is a great way to target a young, hip audience. LinkedIn is better for more business-oriented videos, and YouTube still reigns king for video content.

Knowing where you’ll be posting your videos will give you any and all limitations for your videos. You’ll know the maximum length, anything that might get reported and would get your video taken down, and you’ll know what kinds of editing tools the apps will offer you, too!

So, when would be the best time to post my first video?

There are a few key video marketing periods throughout the year that businesses should be aware of and capitalize on!

The first video marketing period is during the holidays. Around Christmas time, buyers are already in the shopping mindset and are looking for video content to help them make informed decisions about what gifts to buy for their loved ones.

The second video marketing period is during the summer. During the summer, people have more free time and are looking for video content that can help keep them entertained.

The third video marketing period is during the back-to-school season. During this time, parents are looking for video content that can help them prepare their children for going back to school.

In order to make sure that you’re using video marketing to its fullest potential, be sure to create video content that is both interesting and informative! Viewers will lose interest quickly if the video isn’t providing them with new or valuable information. So mix things up a bit by including videos that are both entertaining and educational.

Above all, have fun with video marketing! It can be a great way to connect with your viewers and create lasting relationships with them. Just remember to keep your videos short, informative, and entertaining!

In Conclusion…

Video is growing more and more every day, so rather than asking ‘when to video’, you should video marketing video content as soon as possible so it can reach your target audience and help achieve video marketing success.

While you decide “when”, it’s important to figure out the “where”, “why”, “how”, and “what” of the video as well. You also want to pay attention to important marketing times throughout the year and line up your strategy with them.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start video marketing, but having a general plan will help you get started on the right foot and increase your chances of video marketing success.

So, when should you start video marketing for your business? The answer is as soon as possible! Get creative with your video content and find the video hosting platform that will work best for you and your target market. And don’t forget, evergreen content is key to a successful video marketing strategy.

How to Find the Best Filming Locations in South Florida

How to Find the Best Filming Locations in South Florida

We’ve already covered finding filming locations in New York City and Los Angeles, so we’re now off to… South Florida!

If you’re looking for great filming locations in South Florida, you’re in luck. There are plenty of amazing spots to choose from, and with a little bit of planning, you can find the perfect location for your next video marketing project.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Do your research

Before you start scouting locations, it’s important to do your research and figure out what type of setting you need. Are you looking for a beachfront property for a video that shows off the bathing suits your company sells? A lush garden to frame the luxury products available on your eCommerce website? A quiet suburban neighborhood? Or maybe a comfortable but classy living room set to film an interview? Knowing what you’re looking for will make it easier to find the right location.

It can be as simple as searching online, asking for recommendations from your network, or even going out into the world to scout out the perfect place. There is really no wrong way to research, except relying on only one form of research. You never know when you could be getting outdated or just straight up wrong information, so doing a thorough job and using multiple sources is the best route.

Use online resources

When beginning your research, online is the first place you might try. There are a number of online resources that can help you find South Florida filming locations. Sites like Filming in Miami and South Florida Locations offer detailed listings of properties that are available for film shoots, and they’re a great place to start your search.

Honestly, just typing “filming locations South Florida” into Google will bring up A LOT of information for you to work with. Try doing a few searches for different types of locations and see what pops up. You may be surprised at the variety of properties that are available for video or photoshoots.

One of the easiest ways to find great filming locations is to use social media. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are filled with pictures of amazing South Florida locations that are perfect for filming. Social media is also a great way to communicate with the people who either run or own the property you’re looking at renting or using. Some social media also hosts a lot of information about the property such as hours of operation, phone number, and upcoming events. Sometimes you can even find a calendar to see if they have open availability!

Online sources are the easiest to access in today’s technology-run society. They’re likely updated regularly and offer easy communication with the people you’ll need to talk to in order to gain access to the property you want to film on.

Ask around

Another great way to find South Florida filming locations is by asking around. Your family, friends, and co-workers may know of a great location that you never even thought of. Miami is a huge city with lots of different neighborhoods, so it’s likely that someone you know has had some experience filming in one of South Florida’s many amazing locations.

Don’t be afraid to ask around–you may be surprised at what the people around you know! You might just stumble upon something amazing just by kicking around a few ideas with an old acquaintance.

Get in touch with local businesses

If you’re looking for a specific type of location, don’t be afraid to get in touch with local businesses. Restaurants, stores, and other businesses often have great spaces that are perfect for filming. Not only will your video benefit your company, but another local business will receive some recognition and new business.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to send off an e-mail or make a quick phone call to a local business, either. Nor will you have to travel very far to get to your filming location. You may already know the owners or employees and have an easy rapport with them, so you don’t have to worry about building a new working relationship, either.

You should always be looking for ways to collaborate with local businesses, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so! Local businesses helping each other out and collaborating will benefit your entire community by marketing not only your business but theirs as well.

Scout the area yourself

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential locations, it’s important to scout the areas yourself and get a feel for them. This will help you make sure that the location is right for your project in every aspect.

You never want to book a location blindly. You should always scout out the place before you make a final decision.

Scouting the location will allow you to make sure it can handle the number of people your production requires, the equipment you need, and anything else you need to bring. You also get the chance to meet the people you could be working with and find out how they operate in their natural habitat.

The earlier you start scouting locations, the better. South Florida is a popular filming destination, so many spots can get booked up quickly. It’s also a good idea to revisit potential locations more than once; the lighting and scenery can change dramatically depending on the time of day, weather conditions, and time of year.

Scouting is also a fantastic way to network for future productions. If you’re scouting one place for specific video production but it isn’t perfect, it might be perfect for a different production in the future. You should be constantly scouting out new filming locations so that you have an updated list of possible spots.

Consider your budget

It’s always important to be mindful of your budget and find locations that fit within your constraints. There are plenty of great filming locations in South Florida that won’t break the bank, but you may need to get creative and think outside the box a bit.

If you’re filming a more budget-friendly project, South Florida has plenty of parks, beaches, and other outdoor locations that are perfect for filming. Just be sure to check with local officials before you start filming to make sure you’re following all of the necessary rules and regulations.

If you have a bigger budget, South Florida offers a variety of unique indoor locations that are perfect for filming. From mansions to museums, South Florida has something for everyone. Just be sure to book your location in advance, as these spaces often fill up quickly.

No matter what your budget is, South Florida has plenty of great filming locations to offer. With a little bit of planning and research, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next project. South Florida is a popular destination for filmmakers, and for good reason! There are endless possibilities for filming locations, both inside and outside. You just need to know where to look.

Have a backup plan

No matter how carefully you plan, sometimes things don’t go as expected. It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case you need to find another location last minute.

When you’re filming outside, it’s important to remember that Florida weather can be… well, unpredictable. Having backup plans for an indoor option for the same time or having another date or two set aside in case you need to reschedule is always a good idea, no matter where you’re filming.

Of course, outdoor filming in inclement weather issues aside, there are many other reasons to need a backup plan. People can back out, budgets could be blown completely and you need to relocate to a cheaper location, anything can happen, so having options and flexibility can really save the day, your time, and your company’s money.

Get in touch with local film commissions

If you’re looking for something specific, like a particular type of property or a certain type of environment, it’s worth getting in touch with the local film commission. Film commissions are usually very knowledgeable about what’s available in the area and can help you find the perfect location for your project.

South Florida is home to a number of film commissions, including the Miami-Dade County Film and Entertainment Office, Palm Beach County Film and Television, and more! A quick search online will bring up the closest film commissions to your business or the filming location you have your eye on.

Film commissions can supply you with a lot of information that you might not be thinking about. They can help you with permits and other logistics, and they can often put you in touch with people who own the perfect property for your project.

Hire a studio to help

Asking for help is not a weakness, and hiring a video production studio like C&I Studios can really make the job of not only finding a location in the area easier, it really makes the entire video production process easier. We know South Florida like the back of our hand and can help you find not only the perfect filming location, but can help with casting, crew, equipment, and so much more.

We also have an actual studio that we use for some indoor filming opportunities, so you may have your filming location already locked down without having to go any further!

Video production is not the only service we offer, and we can’t wait to work with your company to create amazing marketing content!

Have fun!

Filming can be stressful, but it should also be enjoyable! South Florida is a beautiful location with plenty to offer, so take advantage of it and have some fun while you’re filming. South Florida is home to a variety of interesting and unique locations, so be sure to take advantage of them. Take advantage of a day of scouting to enjoy a day of getting out of the office. Make lasting relationships with local business owners. There’s no wrong way to enjoy your work.

No matter what your project is, South Florida is the perfect place to film it! With a little bit of planning and research, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next project. South Florida is a popular destination for filmmakers, and for good reason! There are endless possibilities for filming locations, both inside and outside. You just need to know where to look. South Florida is a beautiful place, so take advantage of it and have some fun while you’re filming!

How to brainstorm ideas for your next video project

How to brainstorm ideas for your next video project

Ideas for your next video project are usually the hardest to come up with. Whether you’re just starting out with video marketing or you’ve utilized this form of media before but you’ve just run out of ideas, it’s hard to brainstorm new video ideas!

The first thing you should understand is that it’s okay to do something similar to what you’ve done in the past. It’s also ok to do something similar to what your industry competition has created as well, so long as you aren’t copying it exactly. If you feel like doing something new, by all means, go ahead… But if your tried and true video idea still works well for you, there’s nothing wrong with using it again!

If you’re really struggling to come up with video ideas, here are some ways you can get your creative juices flowing!

Figure out what videos are appropriate for your industry

If you’re new to video marketing, your first step in preparing ideas is to know what should and shouldn’t be in videos for the industry your company is in. Previously, we’ve listed out a few different video types for different industries here.

You don’t want to make it a habit to post videos that have nothing to do with your business. That’s how you’ll lose not only followers but also customers both current and prospective. If people follow your social media platforms, they want to see content about your business, not just some comedy sketches that make fun of unreasonable customers.

Keep it classy and keep it relevant!

Research the Competition

One of the best ways to come up with ideas for your next video is to look at what other companies are doing! Taking a peek into your competitors’ Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feeds can give you inspiration for not only content ideas but co-marketing opportunities.

The reason that searching social media is a good way for video marketing content is because social networks are all about being up to date on what’s currently happening. Many people use the “trending topics” section of Facebook to find out what’s going on in various areas. You can bet that if your competition is creating a video involving one of those trending topics, you should take notice!

By watching videos of other companies in your field, you’ll be able to get new ideas for what’s possible with video marketing. You can also find out what works and doesn’t work by simply watching the competition… And possibly even gain some insight into their customers, which is information you can use to create better videos for your brand’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, etc.

Make notes about what you see in the videos you watch. What are they doing? How are they doing it? What is it that their customers love or hate about what they’re doing?

By reading comments on these marketing channels, you may also be able to find out what fans and followers want.

Keep a notebook or a word document with you and keep notes as you go through this process. Sometimes it takes a few times watching their videos for something to really hit you… And if it doesn’t, maybe your next video idea will!

Make it a team effort

Some of our best ideas are the ones we get when brainstorming them with others! If you’re able to understand what works and what doesn’t work in video marketing by having an open discussion with other people you work with. They can be employees, coworkers, clients, or anyone you have a professional working relationship with. Even someone who doesn’t work a “creative” job for you might have amazing ideas for video content!

People who aren’t always looking for the next video idea can have some of the most genius ideas, even if they aren’t all the way fleshed out. A great idea is the beginning of something amazing! If you have a good team around you, chances are they’ll be able to help take your video ideas and turn them into amazing pieces of promotional content.

Not only will you get a range of ideas to work with, but you’ll also be boosting company morale by including your employees in creative work. Creating company videos for marketing is something employees can get excited about because it’s often their work or product that’s being featured.

Ask your customers what they want to see

A simple survey posted anywhere you digitally market can do wonders to help you and your company learn what your customer base is looking for in video content. This is especially helpful if you’re still getting your feet wet with video marketing, so you’ll have an idea of what types of videos are best for engaging your audience.

The keyword here is engagement… Video marketing helps build relationships with the people who buy from you. So ask them questions about why they plan on buying from you in the future, what video content they want to see and try to get a better understanding of their lifestyles.

Customers love feeling like they’re being heard, and asking them about what they want to see from your marketing is one way they can continue to be excited about your business and the products you sell or the services you provide.

Go back and look at your analytics

Are there certain videos of yours that have well exceeded all of your expectations? Those are the types of things you should focus on for future video production. Look at data such as what time the video was posted, how many views or likes it got. Try to brainstorm ideas based on those trends so you’ll be able to make videos that successfully hit those numbers again. Never underestimate the power of a video series!

If you don’t have any data to look at, this is another good time to turn to your customers. If you haven’t already, ask them what type of video they would like to see from you in the future. Also check out who else they follow and what kind of content those companies and influencers are putting out.

Attend Industry Related Conferences/Trade Shows

These types of events offer tons of new information that you can include in your video. What’s even better is that oftentimes there are several other companies at the trade show that use video marketing for their own company too. You can ask those companies’ employees what they would like to see from your company as a video. And of course, you’ll be able to gather lots of new ideas for future videos by simply talking with other marketers who are exhibiting at the trade show!

Even if you don’t have time to attend an actual conference or trade show, there are always news articles that come out about them that you can use for your video marketing content. You’ll also be able to follow along with the conference with people who are attending and posting their experiences on their social media platforms.

Also, your experience at conferences and trade shows itself can provide amazing video content! Your followers love to see what you and the company are up to when you’re out working with similar companies and learning the latest about your industry. For example, consider a cosmetologist attending a hair show. They’re going to be around new products that are available for them to purchase and use in their salons. So, making a video that introduces the new products while at the tradeshow can really get your clients excited about the new products right away! Booksellers at literary conferences can also make videos showing their customers the newest books coming out that year will create some excitement and possibly get the booksellers a bunch of pre-orders for those books.

If you have the chance to attend an industry conference or tradeshow, take it!

Take a Class

If you’re not able to come up with any video ideas on your own, take a video production class! Classes are an easy way for people who are creative thinkers to find fresh ideas. Going back to school may be for some people but if you aren’t one of them, small workshops are available in most cities that focus on video marketing.

Even taking classes that aren’t directly related to video production or marketing can be helpful in getting the creative juices flowing. If you’re thinking about sketch videos (scripted comedic videos that do well on TikTok), think about taking an improv acting class!

It’s ok to think outside the box on how to come up with ideas. There are infinite ideas out there for video marketing content. But remember, brainstorming is about gathering ideas, not about making decisions on what to do next with the ideas you have! You’ll be able to narrow it down once you’ve gathered your thoughts.

Read Industry Related Articles/Blogs

Traditional avenues of research should always be considered when thinking about your business, not just looking at another company’s social media presence. By reading articles and blogs that have to do with either your industry or marketing-specific blogs, you’re getting the information from a reputable source. You can get ideas off of blogs just like this one!

By reading this blog, in particular, you’re doing a great job in coming up with new ideas for your video project! Blogs like C&I Studio’s can keep you informed on the latest video and marketing trends as well as new technology and techniques you can utilize to create amazing content for your business!

 

You don’t have to be confined to just one type of brainstorming tactic. You can mix and match these different ways of finding video inspiration to come up with content for your own video marketing needs.

So, now that you know how to come up with ideas for your next video production as marketing content… Get out there and brainstorm!

Take a look at C&I Studio’s portfolio to see the amazing video content we’ve created for our clients. You might get a few extra ideas!

If you’re still having difficulty coming up with video ideas but you really want to break into or continue video production for marketing content, reach out to C&I Studios today!

8 Important tips to grow your Shopify store

8 Important tips to grow your Shopify store

As a Shopify store owner, it is your responsibility to quickly generate sales and get shopify store conversions with little stress. You’re wanting to boost your sales and expand your customer base.

But how does one go about doing that? Other than setting up the Shopify store, what should you be doing to increase your visibility and drive traffic to your store? There’s a lot you can be doing!

The tips below will help your Shopify shop to grow, and help you to be a successful business overall.

Build a customer mailing list

E-mailed newsletters are a great way to keep your current customers updated on any sales, discount codes, new products, or events that your store will be hosting. They can even alert your customers to new blog posts, videos, or giveaways on your social media platforms. The only downside to e-mailed newsletters is that sometimes they end up in the spam folder, or hidden in Gmail’s Promotion Folder. But they generally bring in a lot of sales from both new and returning customers.

But how do you get people to sign up for e-mail marketing? Well, people love discounts and promotions. By offering your customers a coupon once they sign up to your mailing list, you will gain more shopify traffic and shopify sales. Or, you can offer them another type of incentive such as a free download in the confirmation e-mail they receive right after signing up. Anything inexpensive or free will grab the attention of new potential subscribers.

A shopify store is not like other stores, it’s 100% online. Therefore, marketing online is essential for shopify store marketing. Once someone subscribes to your customer mailing list, you can then market to them on shopify through Facebook shop-related ads, sponsored Pins on Pinterest, or shop-specific ads on Google Adwords.

Having a customer mailing list will help your shopify store to grow in sales and turn into something more successful than you ever imagined!

Make it Mobile-Friendly

Another Shopify growth hack that you should implement is to make your shop mobile-friendly. Make sure customers can shop with ease whether they are on a phone or a tablet and their experience will be positive. This way, customers will enjoy using your shop and any product research they do will lead to sales.

It’s rare that a website or online store doesn’t have a mobile-friendly version of the website. If you don’t make sure that your Shopify store is able to be viewed on mobile devices, you’re missing out on a huge chunk of income.

Right now, most people do their online shopping on their phones or tablets, and if customers can’t easily use your Shopify site, they’re going to click away without making a purchase, and may never click on your links again if they remember that your site wasn’t neat and tidy. And that’s something you truly want to avoid.

Have Amazing Product Photos

To put it simply, you’re not going to sell anything if you don’t have pictures of the products you’re trying to sell that are appealing. The product photography you post on your Shopify store should be top notch if you ever want to see shopify store growth.

There are many pictures that can lead to shopify sales – your main product image, images of the products in use, close-up shots of individual products, and any other photos you think would sell your shopify shop for you!

Product photography isn’t black and white, hit or miss. It’s something you can be creative with, to an extent. But you want to make sure it’s not too over the top that people are not buying because they think it’s fake or believe that the props you’re using are included with the product. You also don’t want to have photos of bad quality that won’t maximize shopify store conversions.

For tips on product photography, check out our previous blog post on the subject here. We’ve also written about product on white photography, too, so be sure to check that out if that’s the direction you want to take with your own product photography.

Create A Blog and Keep Up with It

If your Shopify store does not have a blog, try creating one! Your Shopify blog is another opportunity for customer engagement. Customers enjoy reading blogs filled with informative content and are more likely to shop if they know that you can offer them great deals or fun content that they will enjoy.

Blogs should be relevant to the industry in which your Shopify falls into. If your shop sells craft supplies, having a blog that takes you through patterns and tutorials will give people ideas on how to use the products you sell. Fashion blogs that teach people how to style the clothing you’re selling will have a similar effect. You want your blog to grab peoples’ attentions, so don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box!

You don’t even have to do all of the writing for your blog. If you have the chance to talk to your industry influencers, you can hire them to write guest blogs for your site. And they’ll share it with their followers who will, if they like the content you’ve been putting out, follow your blog, your social media profiles, sign up for your newsletter, and make purchases!

You’ll want to make sure that you’re posting regularly to your blog. Regular posting, whether it’s twice a week, every weekday, or anything in between, regular postings will keep current readers engaged because they know when to expect new content, but also bring in new readers by boosting your blog’s searchability with every search engine (we call this Search Engine Optimization, or SEO). You need to make sure you’re using proper keywords, too. Doing a little bit of research on best SEO practices would be incredibly beneficial to boosting your company’s visibility.

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Shoppers use social media platforms every day so it is not wise to ignore them. Implement Shopify growth hacks by using platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram to share deals, shop updates, or anything that will catch their attention. You can also create an event on Facebook to advertise a Shopify sale or to promote a shop update.

YouTube will be one of your best assets as far as social media platforms. It might be overlooked due to its age, but YouTube videos are shareable on almost every other social media platform. YouTube also helps to make your videos easy to find via Google and other search engines, as it’s well established. You just want to make sure to follow these guidelines to make your business YouTube videos successful.

TikTok can also do wonders when it comes to driving traffic to your Shopify store. You’ll be more limited as to what you can post on TikTok compared to YouTube, but you’ll be putting your store in front of millions of new potential customers! For the best practices in growing your business using TikTok, check out this blog post!

Listen To Your Customers

Something that every business should do is listen to your customers. They have a lot to say about your store, your customer service, and might have useful ideas on how to improve any part of your business.

Use analytics from Shopify to find out what products are being viewed the most, how people found your shop, and what their online purchases were. By looking at this data, you can make improvements to your shop and marketing campaigns to attract more customers.

Customers always want their voice to be heard, so make sure that you’re paying attention to their comments and messages across social media, too!

Use Conversions To Build Your Audience

In any business, the key to customer loyalty is engagement. Engaged customers are more likely to shop with you again and tell their friends about your shop.

In order to engage a customer, try sending a survey asking them questions regarding what they were looking for when visiting your shop. Then use that information in your future marketing campaigns to attract similar people who will shop your shop.

Conversions are vital to any Shopify business. They enable you to track more than just sales; they allow you to see how many people click, add to carts, and view products. This information is crucial in the improvement of your shop and will give you better insight on who your shop’s target audience is, what kinds of products they want to shop, and what marketing strategies you should implement.

Keep an Eye on the Competition

Keeping up with your shop’s competition will help to boost sales for your shop. You can do this by looking at their listings to see which products they’re selling that you aren’t and then look into improving those parts of your shop. This will also give you more ideas on how to grow your shop.

Only sell products that are trending, even if they’re not ones you’d usually shop for. Retailers that have a shop full of items everyone shops for tend to see higher conversions than stores with an itemized shop with just one of each item. It’s not always easy to predict what will become popular or not, so you can shop at other stores like yours to find products that are selling well and shopify growth hacks them into your shop.

In Conclusion…

There are a lot of different things you can and should be doing to boost your Shopify store’s success. From bringing in new customers to retaining retuning customers, these tips will help you to get the sales rolling in to your Shopify store!

If you’re looking at creating content to boost sales, be it product photography or marketing content for YouTube, TikTok, or any other social media site, C&I Studios is here to help!

C&I Studios is a content production company that specializes in video production as well as photography and many other services. We’ve created many amazing marketing campaigns for businesses big and small, online and brick and mortar. And we can’t wait to create amazing content together that will help to boost your company’s visibility and sales!

10 ways to make your Ecommerce Brand Stand Out on Social Media

10 ways to make your Ecommerce Brand Stand Out on Social Media

Social media marketing is still one of the fastest-growing places to advertise your eCommerce endeavors. But social media is only as effective as it is influential; if you haven’t found a way to stand out during your social media marketing efforts, then you aren’t getting the social returns that eCommerce businesses need.

The following 10 ways will ensure that your social media presence stands out among your competition and drives real results for your eCommerce business.

1. Engage with your audience

A social media presence is nothing if it doesn’t have engagement. You can have the fanciest social media account with the most followers, but without engagement, your social media content isn’t doing much for you.

Remember that social media is a dialogue, not just a monologue, so you have to respond and engage with your audience as well.

Not only will your audience feel included and appreciate your responses to their engagements, but engagement actually makes your content more likely to appear in searches and on feeds since they’ll be considered popular.

And social media engagement is not just about likes and comments – social sharing is an equally important aspect of social media marketing that can’t be ignored. On Instagram, a simple save of a post boosts views, too!

2. Be social!

You can’t truly engage with your social media audiences if you aren’t social yourself! You can share other people’s content, ask for feedback on social media, and share social media content from your social channels as well as other social channels.

By this we mean that social media is not just about sharing social posts; you need to be social on social media! This is especially important since social consumers follow brands that they like and engage with them regularly. Social sharing and social conversations will help your social media presence stand out.

Make sure you’re answering questions, comments, and any messages that your followers are sending. Interaction is the best and easiest way to make your audience happy and willing to purchase from your eCommerce store. (Well, other than making sure the products you’re selling are of good quality and shipped on time, but we’re talking social media specifically.)

Being social with other businesses will also help you gain followers and buyers. Engage with other companies’ social media! It’s a good thing to do! Your competition isn’t always your enemy- heck, they might even consider collaborating with you at some point in order to share followers and customers.

3. Asking social questions

Asking questions are a social media marketing tactic that can be used to gain insight into your social followers, connect with them on social channels, and increase your social influence.

People love filling out short questionnaires and making sure their opinions are heard. Use this to your advantage!

A social question can be anything from “What do you think?” or “Do you have any suggestions?”, all the way to “What social networks do you use?” or “Which social network is your favorite?”. If you’re in the hobby eCommerce business, ask your followers to show off what they’ve made with supplies they purchased from you on their own social media profiles!

You can drop social questions into your social media content that encourages social sharing, such as blog posts and social updates. You can also ask social questions in real-time during a special social media event – this works great for eCommerce businesses that are social eCommerce-oriented.

Every tag and share allows for their followers to see how you and your customer interact, and if you’re interacting in positive ways that show off your amazing products as well as that you value your customers you’ll find that more people are willing to follow and engage with your social media!

4. Keep social statistics updated

Facts and figures are social media marketing gold; social proof can be very influential to social media audiences, especially social shoppers. Social proof comes in many forms, such as testimonials, social shares, social mentions, social ratings, and more – all of which you should display on your social media profiles.

These social statistics are especially important if you have social commerce-specific social media accounts since social consumers are much more likely to buy from eCommerce businesses that have social proof.

It doesn’t hurt that keeping this information around also helps you to decide what works and doesn’t work for your social media presence. Since social media is social, social proof can be a social factor that you rely on.

The more social proofs you have the better- which means it’s time to start asking for testimonials and mentions! It’s an easy task; ask your fans and followers to share how much they love your eCommerce store by putting your social information as a social status update on their social profiles. If you’re looking for proof from social media influencers, use social analytics tools to find where the power is and approach them with an offer that drives social traffic your way!

5. Do the social rounds

Doing the social rounds goes hand in hand with being social on social media! By doing the social rounds, eCommerce businesses can social media market their social media presence and social identities at the same time.

Broadly speaking, social rounds involve regularly visiting social accounts from your competitors as well as social accounts from related businesses. For social shoppers, regularly checking out what your social competition is up to will give you great insight into how to improve your social media marketing.

It’s market research, to put it simply. Knowing what’s working or not working for your competition will help you decide what you can and should try for your own social media presence. You can use some of their ideas to create your own or completely avoid doing what they’re doing.

6. Add social media widgets and badges to your eCommerce website

We’ve talked about social proof in social media marketing in previous points, but social proof can also be very effective on your eCommerce website.

Adding social sharing widgets and social icons to product pages will encourage social shoppers to share your products with their social networks. Social media badges and social widgets can also be added to eCommerce website footers and sidebars, as well as social media profiles.

Being able to direct your followers to and from your social media presence and website will 1- make your website and social media recognizable as belonging to one another and 2- drive traffic to and from both places to gain followers and purchases!

7. Encourage social sharing

Social sharing is another social media marketing tactic that can help your social shares stand out against the competition.

Social sharing takes time and effort on the part of social shoppers – social media marketing that requires social shoppers to take action tends to have a higher social impact. By encouraging social sharing on social media, you can increase social shares and social engagement for your eCommerce business.

There are several ways you can encourage social sharing: through social widgets, providing share incentives such as discounts or exclusive offers via Share It buttons, social media contests, and social media contests as social media marketing tactics. It doesn’t always take a lot of incentive for your customers to share your content.

8. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Sometimes standing out against your competition is as simple as trying something new with the content you’re putting out into the world. Whether you’re social media marketing your social profiles or social media sharing content, social creativity is another social media marketing tactic that can help you stand out.

Creativity can translate into any aspect of social media marketing. You can change up your graphics, make gifs and videos, or even use new, fun music in your media. Creativity is social media marketing gold, so don’t be afraid to jazz it up a bit and try new things!

9. Post social video content

Piggybacking a social media tactic onto another social media tactic is a wonderful way to increase social shares when social sharing is concerned!

Since social shoppers are just as likely to engage with social videos as they are with social posts,

10. Try collaboration

Collaborating with your competition can do wonders for your social media following.

More social media marketing knowledge is more social media marketing power. Collaborating with your competition can help you increase social shares, gain social followers, and make social impact on social media like no other social media marketing tactic can!

It’s common for eCommerce businesses to go up against each other – even the same products are usually sold by multiple competing social media profiles. Collaborating with your social media competition can help you gain social presence, social shares, social followers, social engagement, and social impact – but collaborating doesn’t have to end there!

There are also ways to collaborate with complementary businesses – businesses that provide social media marketing services or products that compliment yours. Businesses who compliment yours will social media marketing your social media presence while social media marketing their own social media presence through social sharing and social engagement.

Collaborating with complementary businesses can help both businesses improve social impact and social reach on social media, while providing the opportunity to increase brand awareness and promote each other’s social assets! Collaboration is a wonderful way to social media marketing social impact and social shares to increase social followers, social engagement, and social presence, so don’t forget to collaborate with your social media competition or complementary businesses!

 

Social media marketing will make or break an eCommerce company. It’s important that you make your presence on social media loud and proud, really make it stand out against the noise of every other eCommerce business on the same platforms as your business.

If you’re in need of help especially in creating new and creative content that your followers will love to interact with, C&I Studios is able to help! We love producing videos, photoshoots, and so much more that will boost your social media presence! We can’t wait to create amazing content with you!

What to Consider with your Livestream Event Production

What to Consider with your Livestream Event Production

As livestreaming continues to grow, more and more people are using livestream events for all kinds of things. Social media has become the driver behind this level of usage, as anything social media-related takes off very fast, or dies out quickly. Livestreaming isn’t going away any time soon, though.

Livestream marketing is not new in any way. It’s been around for years since the early 2000’s. Yet, livestream marketing is still growing and will continue to grow as social media livestreaming sites continue to search for their niche in the livestream market.

With livestream marketing being more popular all of the time, there are things that need to be considered about your livestream events that might not have been taken into consideration before. Here are some of the most important points to consider with livestreaming events.

Make a Plan

The livestream event needs to be planned out ahead of time so that important things can get done before the livestream is scheduled to happen. This includes planning out your livestream content, planning promotion on social media sites, and planning Q&A or chat sessions during the livestream where possible. If you do not plan ahead for livestream events, you may find yourself in a difficult position to get the event done on time and done well.

You should consider making plans for set-up, during, and after. You can’t be too prepared for anything, even livestreaming.

Set the Stage

You don’t want to show your messy bedroom in a livestream. It’s not appealing to anyone watching. You should be treating this production as you would any other video production and make sure that your set is well planned out, appealing, and relevant to the video’s topic.

You want to find an appealing livestream room with good lighting. Setup the equipment on tripods, making sure nothing is blocking any of the livestream camera’s field of view or anything else that will get in the way. You want to avoid trying to use your livestream for more than one thing at a time also. For example, don’t try to livestream while at the same time you are trying to do a video chat or livestreaming with another camera. You don’t want anything to go wrong that incurs extra costs. Be sure everything is setup beforehand and then livestream away!

Have the Proper Equipment

Many livestreams are done with a simple ring light, tripod, and a cell phone. It’s an inexpensive setup that works for some, but it isn’t always the best choice.

You should be considering livestream set up just like you would any other video production. Having the proper equipment is important if livestream events are to go smoothly and people watching on their screens will be able to watch comfortably without straining or moving around too much. It’s also important for livestream quality so that more than just livestream viewers can enjoy the livestream event.

There are many livestream events that don’t go well because viewers cannot enjoy the livestream with the quality of view that is readily available for livestream production.

Get Organized and Use Proper Software

With most livestreams, it’s pretty simple to prepare; put your cell phone on a tripod and press record. While that works for many influencers and MLMers, a well created livestream that’s been produced with proper software will really show the world that you’re a professional business and take your work seriously.

However, there are livestream video production options that are available for livestream viewers. You may want to livestream events with multiple cameras, livestream chats, livestream slideshows, livestream animations… the list goes on and on. There is a lot of potential in livestreams nowadays.

There are many livestream software options out there that can help you to use livestream chat services or other livestream video production features. For livestream events where more than just viewers will be watching, livestream software options can help to organize livestream content so that it’s easier for everyone involved to livestream the event.

Of course, mobile livestreaming apps are available that can let you livestream on your phone. However, these mobile apps aren’t always the best livestreaming software for events that need more livestream video production features.

At the end of the day, livestream video production is just like any other type of video production or livestream event. Get organized, have planned livestream events with proper livestream equipment, and have your livestream content prepared ahead of time so that livestream viewers can enjoy your livestream event.

Do a Test Run

This part doesn’t have to be live unless you’re testing the actual livestreaming process itself. Test runs are meant to make sure you have everything ready and streamlined so that your actual livestream event runs as smoothly as possible without hiccups on your end.

You want to be able to test to see how your setting looks. Making sure the lighting is sufficient, that your cameras are set up correctly, and that you’re not showing anything that will distract your audience are out of the scene. Make sure the equipment is in proper working order and that all of your livestream software features are ready to go.

If you want to test the actual livestream, especially if you’ve never livestreamed before, you can certainly do that, too. Test it out with a smaller announcement so that you’re not wasting the livestream or confusing your followers. You want to be sure that you know all of the controls ahead of time.

Be Ready for Questions

A livestream chatroom can be an amazing thing for your livestream when it is configured correctly. Whenever possible, set up your livestream chatrooms ahead of time so that people can use them during the livestream. You will also want to make sure that anyone involved with livestream chatrooms is present during live events.

Questions of all sorts are going to be asked. You can ignore some of them, but that’s not always wise. People will be curious about what you’re telling them, about the products you’re selling, and about what’s happening in your video presentation. It’s also wise to keep an eye on the chatrooms for any questions that may be directed at you during the livestream event itself. Doing so will ensure that everyone watching is getting everything they need during your video presentation and livestream video production processes.

Be Ready for Craziness

This is always important, but it’s even more important with livestream video production. Livestream video production can be a crazy thing if you’re not prepared.

For professional setups, whether big or small, you need a team that has experience managing live switching between multiple feeds, creating graphic assets on the fly, or knowing where to train cameras in order to capture the most important parts of your stream.

Follow-up with Feedback

Any livestream feedback should be seen as a source of information that can improve your livestream event from then on out. You should take any livestream comments seriously and consider them, especially if there are major concerns brought up by viewers during the livestream itself. This is another reason why having a plan ahead of time is important.

Feedback allows you to see what you can improve upon, what needs to be changed completely. It can also help you to see what is important to your livestream viewers, and it can even give you information about livestream event new ideas. Always keep an open line of communication with your chatrooms!

A Final Note

Livestream video production is a video production style that should be taken seriously as any other video production. Like video editing, video marketing, video animation video production or any other video production style, it is just another way to get your message across to others.

Remember that livestream video production isn’t just about getting your message across in general, but also about understanding how people communicate with each other and find new viewers who can relate to you video marketing video. Getting livestream video production right is just another way to discover new ideas, methods, and ways that your video marketing can be effective in getting the most out of your videos.

Always keep in mind how you can get the most out of livestream video production by understanding what livestream viewers want to see when they come to view your video.

As livestream events continue to grow in popularity on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, you will find livestream events a helpful resource for your business or organization. Consider all of these points when planning livestream events so that they can be done properly and take off well with livestream audiences.

If you’re looking to livestream your event but feel overwhelmed or still don’t know where to begin, consider hiring a professional video marketing company to guide you through he process. Consider hiring a company like C&I Studios to produce your livestream videos. We can help you with every aspect of the production!

Tips for Product Photography

Tips for Product Photography

Think about what you’ve purchased online recently. Did the website have photos of the products you bought? Of course it did. Think about those photos, though. Did they make a good impression? Is that what drew you into making that purchase? Probably, which is why excellent product photography is one of the most important aspects of running a business, especially an eCommerce business.

Product photography allows your customers to see the product for what it is. They should be able to see every feature, every side of the product while also presenting it in an enticing manner, such as on a model built like them so they can imagine themselves wearing or using it or paired with other products that they might already own or are thinking about buying.

But, product photography isn’t black and white. What works for one company might not work for another in their goal to boost sales. It depends on the products you’re selling, who you’re selling them to, and how you present your product photography to your customers.

Here are a few tips to creating product photography that shows off your products while also standing out against your competition who sell similar products.

Consider Product-on-white photography

Putting a product on a white background makes the product stand out. It is simple, clean, and to the point. This product photography works for most eCommerce websites, but it can also be replicated easily by other sellers who will likely want to try to compete with your product as well as make customers think that they might as well purchase from them because they aren’t offering anything different.

A product shot against a white backdrop is designed to draw attention to the product itself, not any of its features or functions, which may mean that potential customers who want to know more about it will have to look elsewhere. For eCommerce websites that sell products that are essentially blank canvases for customers’ imaginations, product-on-white product photography is a great idea.

It’s the most used type of product photography, usually used by most big box stores like Best Buy or Amazon. It’s a basic form of product photography that most companies employ.

If you want to try product-on-white photography for yourself, check out our previous blog that shares tips on this type of product photography.

Others, however, might want to consider product-on-color photography instead.

Consider Product-on-color product photography

Putting a product on a color background allows the product itself to pop out in front of that background color. It draws attention to the product itself, making it stand out more. product-on-color product photography is often used by smaller websites where the competition between eCommerce companies is less fierce and each product stands a better chance of being noticed on its own merits rather than trying to compete with other products offered by other companies that are similar but not quite the same.

It works for product photography where the product itself has a standout feature, such as jewelry or clothing. It can be used for other types of products as well, but it depends on how your product stands out against its background color.

Use Models

Clothing companies use models to show off their products. They showcase everything product photography can do. It can make clothing look good on anyone, no matter what body type they have or how it looks on them.

Models aren’t just for clothing companies, though. Other eCommerce websites that are product-based also need to find models for their product photography as well, especially ones that sell products that look good on anyone.

A product photo may not be enough for that product to stand out. It needs a model or a person who can show that product in use as well as garner interest from potential customers so they know how it could look on them and what they could do with the product.

You’ll want to be sure that you’re hiring the right models, of course. If you’re selling clothes that fit a wide range of body types, hire models of all body types so that your entire customer base feels included.

Use Props, but carefully

Using props in product photography requires a bit of balance. You don’t want your customers buying something and believing that the props are included with the sale and you don’t want them to think that the product you’re trying to sell is the prop instead.

Products should be the focus of product photography, not the product’s surroundings. Taking product-on-prop product shots can help an eCommerce business stand out from other product-on-white photographs by adding a sense of theme and character to the images themselves.

Using props in product photos can help set an eCommerce store apart from its competitors, however. An eCommerce store selling children’s toys, for example, might consider product photos with kids playing with the product. An eCommerce store that sells kites could try product shots of people flying kites or images that include other objects that are related to the product, such as wind and bright sun.

Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Just because you’re taking photographs of products doesn’t mean you have to stick to what’s usually done. Go ahead and get creative with your products! It will help set your product shots apart from the rest.

Be sure to consider product-on-prop product photography for eCommerce websites that sell products that are meant to be used or enjoyed by customers, but don’t forget that product photos of otherwise plain product samples can also stand out by putting them on more interesting backgrounds like contrasting colors or settings.

You can easily find simple backdrops for sale that look realistic, such as posterboard with textures. They’re inexpensive and can easily be stored in sturdy tubes for multiple uses. Or perhaps consider fabric backdrops. Fabric backdrops can be classy and comfortable, depending on the vibe you’re trying to get out of them.

Think outside the studio, too. Outdoor shoots are worth considering for products you’d use outside.

Use product photography for marketing

It can be difficult to entice customers into purchasing a product when all they have is standard product photography that presents no thought or identity to them. It can help your eCommerce business stand out from the product-on-white crowd if you use product photography in marketing so that customers can see how it will relate to their lives, too.

Using product photography in eCommerce marketing is a great way to help your product stand out from your competitors. It can also make it easier for customers to imagine owning and using the product in their lives, which makes them more likely to buy it from you rather than somewhere else.

This is where getting creative can really bring life to your product photography. For example, if your product is a product that’s meant to be used outdoors, such as camping gear or hiking equipment, product photography can help show how it’s used in everyday life. Instead of product shots on white backgrounds, consider setting the product outdoors and showing its use by taking product photos out in nature. If your product is a home decor product, product photos in a home may be the way to go.

Product photography can also help show product identity and purpose when they aren’t used in everyday life. For example, product images set inside of a home that feature product photography can still help customers imagine owning and using the product. However, it’s especially helpful if you add product-on-prop product shots that give the product a personality and highlight its benefits.

How to Edit Product Photos

Outfit your product photos with product image editing software such as Photoshop or Lightroom for product photography that really stands out.

You can even use product photography in marketing without editing the product images themselves. However, product image editing software like Photoshop or Lightroom makes it easy to give product images an edge that shows off their premium quality. For example, product photography in eCommerce marketing is much more premium when you edit product images with product photography software that has the ability to sharpen product images.

Professional product photography is best for eCommerce product marketing. A product can’t stand out if it doesn’t look great. That’s why product photography needs the same amount of attention as product marketing does. After all, product photography is used in product marketing! So make sure your product image editing software uses product photography software to really bring life to product images so that product marketing can stand out with product images.

Product photos are just one part of your product marketing strategy, but they’re an important part. That’s why you need product photography that stands out from the competition, whether it’s product images on white backgrounds or product-on-prop product images.

If you use product photo editing software to give product images an edge, product photography can help your eCommerce business stand out from the product-on-white crowd while also helping customers imagine owning and using the product in their lives.

Consider Product Videography

Why not take it one step further and create a video that shows your products off? Video is the fastest-growing online content type. So product videos are a great way to give product marketing an edge and really catch viewers’ attention when they’re scrolling through their social media feeds.

A product video is also perfect for eCommerce product marketing because it allows you to give product images a voice by creating product videos that explain how to use your product and why it stands out from the product-on-white crowd.

Keep product photography and product videos in mind when creating product marketing materials, such as product images on white backgrounds and product-on-prop product photos, so you can add another element to your product marketing strategy that shows off your products in a way no other eCommerce business does.

Hire a photographer

If you don’t have the ability to take product photos that you and your company can be proud of, consider hiring a company to do it for you! C&I Studios is one of those companies. You can also look for freelance photographers that have the necessary skills and equipment, too.

Not only can they take the product photos for you, but many of them also offer editing services. Just make sure that you’re asking the right questions before signing a contract with them.

By hiring outside of your company, you can be sure to hire someone who knows what they’re doing, who may have ideas that you didn’t think of, and has all the right equipment to make your products really stand out against your competition. Collaboration is one of the best things you can do to keep the creative juices flowing and be able to get the best end product possible!

 

Now that you have a few tips and ideas on how to get a leg up with your product photography, you can go out and make sure that your products are represented realistically and enticingly for your customers. You’ll be able to boost your sales by directly posting these photos on your eCommerce site but also bring in new customers with refreshed marketing content!

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