4 Ways to Improve the Quality of Your Next Marketing Video

When it comes to content marketing, the role of video is becoming increasingly clear. Today, more than ever, companies are realizing that marketing video has a key role to play in the content marketing strategy. It is a tool for capturing your preferred audience’s attention and delivering a brand message in a memorable and meaningful way.

Because marketing video is essential for driving brand awareness, lead generation and online engagement, we’ve put together 4 ways to improve the quality of your next marketing video.

Pre-Production

Being well-prepared and organized for your video shoots is essential for the outcome and quality of your video. If you show up to your shoot unorganized and decide to “wing it,” your final product will look unprofessional and sloppy. On the other hand, if you’re prepared, you’ll be able to focus your efforts on directing your talent rather than figuring out last-minute logistics. Time is of the essence, so don’t waste hours trying to figure out which angle you want, or what line needs to be delivered next. Know exactly what you want before filming.

Hire actors instead of using your employees

Sometimes, poor acting can take away from fully enjoying a movie, right? That’s why choosing to hire actors for a believable cast is critical to connecting with prospects. Not all employees are confident with their acting skills, no matter how much you think they would be a “natural” on camera. Actors are in that profession for a reason – they like to be in front of a camera! Hiring professional talent also allows you to select the right “look” for your video. By conducting auditions, you can identify the person that meets the needs for your project. Professional talent provides a confident on-camera presence, has the ability to take direction and possesses experience to help build a company’s brand.

Overall, the obvious advantage to hiring a professional is that they have the experience and skill to deliver the results you desire. They will convey your message to your audience in the way you want. Most actors have done this sort of thing before and will need very little instruction, having already worked with scriptwriters and video production companies. Because of this expertise, the production is likely to move quicker which results in less production time. Messing up lines and excessive re-takes can increase costs by lengthening the shoot and requiring additional editing. Professional talent will know how to read and memorize scripts and know how to deliver your vision for your corporate video.

Get a professional hair and makeup artist

Many companies will seek high production value, but stop just short of making the most important elements looks their best—the people on camera. Production companies may know light and camera gear, but no one knows makeup like the professionals. These professionals will make your on-screen talent look their best for filming because they understand the effects of lighting on a person’s skin and hair. Many of our faces lack a smooth and clear complexion sometimes resulting in blotchy or uneven skin color. Similarly, our skin produces natural oils that can reflect studio lights in an unflattering way. Makeup helps solve many of those issues.
The better your talent’s makeup looks, the less retouching you’ll have to do after the shoot.

Hiring professional hair and makeup artists will ensure that the audience is concentrating on your message during the video, not getting distracted by imperfections like shiny skin or “flyaway” hairs.

Check out this blog we previously posted with before and after photos to demonstrate the difference makeup can make on camera.

Hire a video production company rather than DIY

Hiring a video production company is an alternative to making videos in-house and sometimes the better option, if you have room in your budget. If you don’t already have a video production team in-house, your employees, for example, may not have the equipment, talent, or the necessary time to maneuver the process for a marketing video. The cost of hiring a production company will be the primary consideration, so shop around, and find the best quality your money can buy. The best way to choose a production company is to watch its video products, review its budgets, and speak to its clients about their collaborative experiences. Overall, video production companies are experienced and have a process and team in place that creates a larger impact in conjunction with your current marketing efforts. They are on top of storytelling trends, have crews that work well together and will help ensure your brand ends up looking great.
Online video is a great way to reach large audiences and attract potential prospects, but if it’s not done right it can actually harm the reputation of your company, or organization. With as much time and effort you put into a project, make sure you get the best out of it and you don’t waste any resources in the process.

Are there any tips or tricks your company used to create the best quality marketing video? Let us know in the comment section below!