This month's PepperMill

 

Tim Wants to Do Some Shootin’

Can you hear that? I think it’s the recession calling and letting you know that it’s time to charge ahead. But what does that mean? Well, first off, you have a chance to get out in front of the competition—they’re probably still waiting things out. Wouldn’t it be nice to be making noise while they sit cowering in the shadows?

Have you considered video? I know, it used to be very expensive and perhaps not within your budget. Things change. Now there is better equipment with a lower price tag and there are more outlets for viewing your video. And most of all, the clients and prospects want information fed to them in video format. Let me count the ways video can help you…

1. Edutainment videos for lead generation. Can you inspire the audience with clever approaches to the benefits of working with your company? Of course you can, and people are, very successfully. Let’s be honest--what you do, make or distribute might not be all that unique, but the way in which you market yourself has no boundaries.

2. Knowledge has value. You are probably making speeches or presentations all the time. Why not videotape and package that information as a saleable product or an incentive for people to share their contact information? “Watch this streaming presentation from our own Joe Smart for free by just signing up for our monthly newsletter.” Again, this is working time and again on the Internet. Are you taking advantage?

3. Video in your email campaigns. Delivering emails combined with multimedia files can be a challenge. But marketers who’ve overcome the technical hurdles (we might know someone…) report strong results—up to 47% higher open rates!

4. . Recruiting videos attract top candidates. Sure, there are tons of people out there looking for jobs, but you want the best. Why not make sure your story is told effectively and consistently each and every time? And who can sell you better than those presently on your team? They can’t be in every interview. Ask us about this one—we have some great samples.
5. Video tours and demonstrations of products and services. We have done these many times with live presentations and narrated on-screen walkthroughs of software products. Have an amazing facility? Not everyone knows it—you have to show it!
6. Self-promotion of your company. These come in many variations, as you well know. First and foremost, who tells your story best? We can help you write the script—which always finishes with a happy ending! Who is the most powerful member of your sales team? A satisfied customer. They can out-sell, out-brag, and out-prove anyone in your company including the CEO. Wouldn’t you like to take them with you on every sales call?

“What’s a video cost?” The better question might be, “What’s a video worth?” Maybe the answer becomes self-evident when you ask these questions:

1. How much is your image worth?
2. What’s one new customer worth?
3. What’s a consistent sales message worth?
4. How much is the best recruit worth?

You owe it to your company to explore video. It’s too important to leave out of your marketing arsenal.

Tim Padgett



“ Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts.”
—Rita Mae Brown
“ You always second guess yourself. Just think of all the time you'd save if you just trusted yourself.”
—Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005


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