Sugar Productions - Blog

Is There ROI (Return On Investment) With Video?

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:11:55 GMT

In this day and age video certainly provides a method for the business owner to broadcast their ideas, explanations, demonstrations but does video production actually give you value for your money. Here are a few points to ponder and I'll let you decided if it is worthy of your hard earned cash.

Use Video to Replace Manpower
Scenario ~ Corporate employee travels to satellite offices presenting and training. What is the cost? Travel/Food/Salary.
What if video training modules could be created for a fraction of the cost of flying this employee across the country/province/state? Not only is there ROI, it's just become easier and more dependable for the training to occur. If a question and answer period were necessary with a distant certified professional, remote connections could be set up and it would still negate travel costs.

Bump Up Your Credibility
Releasing clear, crisp video gives you instant credibility. Have you ever heard people say "it must be true if it's on TV" This is real! A well but together short clip can give you the extra oomph that even full articles cannot.
Less effort with more value = ROI.

Less effort with more value = ROI.

Demonstrations of Products or Services.
It's almost impossible to demonstrate how something works based on a series of pictures. If you've ever had to follow the instructional pics to build an IKEA bookshelf, you'll know what I mean. Add the video element with different angles and closeups and you'll be able to figure out both products and services in a jiffy. Clarify the process and customers will be more confident purchasing a product or service.

Promote on Social Media Platforms
Lets say you have something awesome to promote. Perhaps it's your expertise, your talent, your product or your service. Social media platforms are built perfectly to share video. They let you use live link's, host a thumbnail picture and even calculate the impact your video has made. YouTube not only hosts millions of videos, it's the second largest search engine out there. Linked-IN and Facebook even give you the ability to track progress. The more video (as content) you have gives you the ability to promote effectively and frequently using these marketing platforms. You can use other methods but they are much more time consuming and less engaging.

Attract the Right Customers
We all want customers/clients but, more than that, we want the right ones. I'm speaking about people that really, really like us and our products or services. It's so much easier to match values when you can create video that reflects what you are passionate about. Video familiarizes our client with us and inspires brand loyalty even before they buy for anything. When a customer loves you, not only will they return time and time again but will make sure all their friends do too. Who doesn't want free ambassadors to aid your sales team.

So does video have a ROI? The multimillion dollar industry suggests that Yes! It does indeed!

Til next time~

C~

Special Report ~ Is YouTube Set to Charge?

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:35:12 GMT

Recent reports suggest that YouTube (acquired by big biz Google) is set to charge for premium channels. Is it true? Will YouTube finally be setting itself up to compete with the big boys.
A small charge for only a select amount of premium channels?
Uh oh! Where have we heard this before? Oh Yes! Everyone phone , cable and internet company started out charging a minimal fee for slightly improved services and then *Whammo* ...Hook line and sinker!

So the question remains...
Is there anything *you* would pay to watch on YouTube?
The Financial Times report gives us the bigger picture....check it out below.

According to the Financial Times
By Robert Cookson, Tim Bradshaw and Matthew Garrahan, FT.com January 30, 2013

Story Highlights

YouTube plans to start selling subscriptions to some channels on its video platform
Google-owned site will compete with cable TV and streaming services such as Netflix
The paid-for channels would be launched as soon as the second quarter this year
Asked content producers to submit proposals for channels that would charge $1-$5 per month

(Financial Times) -- YouTube plans to start selling subscriptions to some channels on its video platform, throwing the Google-owned site into direct competition with cable television and streaming services such as Netflix.

The company has invited a small number of content producers to submit proposals for channels that would charge $1-$5 per month, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The paid-for channels would be launched as soon as the second quarter this year, the person said. YouTube, which has until now relied entirely on advertising, plans to take about 45 per cent of subscription revenues for itself and give the rest to the channel producer.

"We have long maintained that different content requires different types of payment models," said a YouTube spokesperson. "There are a lot of our content creators that think they would benefit from subscriptions, so we're looking at that."

YouTube has in recent years pushed to make the content on its platform more professional and therefore more attractive to advertisers.

To do so, YouTube allowed companies to create dedicated channels and split the advertising revenues, working with the likes of All3Media, Endemol and BBC Worldwide. MondoMedia, a group that produces off-beat adult cartoons, was the most popular channel on YouTube last week with 6m views and has been seen 1.4bn times since inception.

YouTube's shift into premium paid-for channels raises the stakes in the fast-evolving online video sector, which is beginning to resemble the early days of cable television before it grew into a multibillion-dollar business. The YouTube plans were first reported by Advertising Age.

The site will face competition from a plethora of subscription services that already exist online. Hulu, which is jointly owned by Walt Disney, News Corporation and Comcast, has 3m subscribers and offers a range of TV programming from US TV networks such as ABC and Fox.

Netflix, the world's biggest online video service, has more than 30m subscribers and will this week premiere its $100m adaptation of the BBC series "House of Cards".

Directed by David Fincher and starring Kevin Spacey, the series represents the biggest bet yet on original content made by Netflix or any of its competitors: Hulu and Amazon, which also has a subscription video service, are also producing original content to lure subscribers and differentiate themselves from TV networks and rival online operators.

Google started to make a $100m investment in original content commissions for YouTube in late 2011. The funds are provided to film makers in the form of an advance against future advertising revenues.

According to eMarketer, a research firm, advertising spending on digital video in the US grew by 47 per cent to $2.9bn last year but is still dwarfed by the $65bn spent on TV ads.

Television made up about 40 per cent of total media spending in the US in 2012, according to eMarketer, compared with less than 2 per cent from online video.

Need Content for your Video? Look No Further!

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:19:46 GMT

So many people agonize over what content to include in their video. So much so they will avoid it completely. I hear from clients that they feel that this is their one chance to get it right and they don't want to blow it. So where does one get content? here a a few suggestions that might just get your creative juices a'flowin'.

~ Content can be Inspired by Anything that Matters to You or your Business ~

A Product
Do you have products for sale? Rather than have a sales video, speak to the audience about the problem that your product will solve. Is there something unique that your product does that no others do?

Demonstration
Do you have a service that is hard to explain just what goes into it? A gentleman came to me to assemble before & after shots in video of thermal imaging for home inspections. He wanted a little more drama than just posting pics so we added audio and transitions. And Voila! A dramatic before and after video with just his simple pictures.

Content From Existing Clients
Poll your customers and ask them 10 questions. More recently a friend told me he asks his customers 10 questions designed to extract what they want to know about his business. This is *invaluable* information as they already have a professional relationship with you. Use what they reveal to target others just like them.

The best way for people to be drawn to you is if you have answers that they will need to solve a problem.

Be the Expert
The best way for people to be drawn to you is if you have answers that they will need to solve a problem. Giving tips and tricks for free in several well-placed video clips and touted throughout social media can catapult your popularity in a relatively short time.

Tell Your Story
There's nothing better than when others can relate to you. If you can make that connection in a video on your front page of your site it can sometimes be the difference between someone staying or leaving your page. Your goal? To keep them there for as long as possible.

Show Where You Work
People like to feel comfortable and familiar with a store, workshop or office space before they get there. Maybe your space is luxurious, comfortable, colourful or full of wonderful looking food. Show them and they will come.

Other Engaging Content...
    ***Introduce you and your staff
    ***Client Testimonials
    ***Silly and entertaining skits
    ***Demo Reel
    ***Showcase your talents

There are tons of places to draw content from. Look around you at what works in your business and what people have asked for. It's all fair game so happy shooting! :)

Til next time...

C~

~~ We'd love to hear your feedback!
Feel free to comment and share with your friends :) ~~

5 Tips to Dissolve your Client's Camera Fright

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:56:10 GMT

Preparing to be in front of the lens can be a nail biting experience...especially if you've never faced it before. Commonly I hear people say "But I knew everything in my script on the car ride over" or "I don't know what's wrong with me today...I can't seem to get it right". It can be nerve-wracking for even the most seasoned professional but for first timers it can be downright paralyzing.

To combat this phenomenon here are 5 of my top techniques that I find help my clients feel more like themselves when face to face with the camera.

Before the shoot, sit down with them for at least 1/2 hour and ask them questions about unrelated topics. I naturally love to hear about people's stories so this is a chance for me to hear how they chat in a non-stressed situation. Listen carefully as most will tell you their fears of being in front of the camera. If you can pin point a definitive reason...sometimes you can work around it. For instance if someone feels 'singled out' speaking directly into the camera...either stand and look at them at lens level or turn them to the side and have them look directly at you as you would be conversing.

Assuring your subject that they have plenty of time lessens the fear people have to get it right the first time. More often when the pressure is off, they will automatically become conversational.

Encourage people not to read from a script. I see people become increasingly frustrated when they cannot perform their script verbatim. They only want it to be perfect so generally it works against them. When I see someone struggling with this I gently suggest that they hand me their script and I proceed to ask them a question that their script is answering. This way they are being conversational rather than robotic.

If you are asking questions, have the subject repeat the question before they answer. There are two reasons for this. One, it makes for more comprehensive editing and second, it helps them maintain focus. Often when people are afraid they will forget their own name so by forcing them to repeat brings them back into the game.

Reassure the person that they are doing fine. Make subtle suggestions and above all keep your cool. The last thing you want is for them to see you sweat. It's sort of like watching the stewardess for signs that the plane is going down...if they see you are stressed, likely it's going to be a long arduous shoot for both of you.

It may take a little extra time to incorporate some of these techniques but, trust me, ultimately you and they will appreciate the results.

Til next time

C~

What Should I Wear On Air

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:04:47 GMT

So typically it takes only a few minutes after my clients agree to step in front of the camera to ask the 'age-old' question "What Should I Wear". While it's true that there are more eye pleasing duds to don when stepping up to the lens, personally there are only 10 rules of thumb that I would ask them to consider.

1. Be Comfy or Bust
Puleeaase be comfortable in your clothes. Do wear size appropriate attire! Tiny skirts that you need to tug at during a sit down interview is just ...er, distracting. Same goes for tight! Anything tight! Also, if you've bought your outfit the same day of the shoot, chances are you won't feel at ease.

2. Say No to Tiny Patterns
These little stripes or herringbone prints appear to almost move around on their own in video and drive an editor crazy (not to mention the audience).

3. Be Aware of Green Screen
If you know that there will be a green screen shoot (composite) do not wear anything green or blue (sometimes composites are also done on a blue screen) Why? Anything that is the same colour as the screen behind you will disappear and you might end up looking like a floating head (or worse).

4. Steer Clear of Wild Prints
This is all your audience will see and focus on. Kinda like a train wreck ~ It'll be the only reason they don't look away.

5. Tone Down the Bling
Simple jewelry is best. Who wants to blind 'em with bling with you can dazzle them with your smile.

6. Powder Your Nose
Do wear a light (non greasy) foundation makeup on your face (yes! You too fellas) It smooths out the skin and provides a better tone.

7. Just in Case
Do bring a second set of clothing, a brush and some touch up make up for the gals.

8. Prepare for Perspiration
If you are a sweat~er (and you know who you are) wear an undershirt as the first line of defense. Hopefully it will keep the tides at bay until your shoot is over.

9. Is Your Dress Naked? (Guys, avert your eyes, this tip doesn't involve you...I think. )
Gals, It's always looks nice when you wear a dress but if you've ever tried attaching the wireless mic receiver to the back of someone's neck, you would do it differently. I suggest that if you want to wear a dress, punctuate it with your favourite belt. That way you've become trendy AND provided an anchor for the hardware.

10. Colours Are a Wonderful Thing
I love colour and everyone has their favourites but If I had to give colour suggestions of what to wear to appear bright and crisp it would white, beige, cream, sand, tan or any shade of blue.

There you have it, yet another list of what to wear when you'll be shot. However, since this one is mine...I believe it to be the best.

Til next time

C~

Chasing Ghosts Aboard the Keewatin

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:38:29 GMT

Let me first say that I volunteer with Rogers TV in Barrie and over the summer I often assisted on a show called Ghost Girls of Simcoe County.

Its most awesome cast are Ang & Erin (hosts), Deborah Johnson (the show's notorious psychic) and its crew; Steve McEwon (award winning producer), Mike (Camera) and Taylor (Camera & Editor). I need to give a huge shout out to this cast & crew. In the short time that I've worked with them, they've been incredibly friendly, welcoming and informative.

Taylor sits quietly in the back while Steve & I ramble on. (OK... I ramble)

The steamship Keewatin now sits in the Port McNichol harbour.

Boarding this monster of a ship wasn't as regal as you might imagine; the steel plank was steep and fairly narrow (especially for those who swoon at heights like I do) so I took a breath, looked straight ahead and propelled myself quickly up the ramp so as not to lose momentum (it helped to have strong arms pull you in).

Embarking this girl wasn't as easy as I thought.

Vehicle hold as you first embark

A wonderfully preserved original bench.

We travelled through the belly into the grain hold and then climbed to the upper decks. On the first floor was the best little barber shop ever

My picture of the little shop failed...but here's the sign

The crews cabin was quite cramped inside so I would trepidly peek inside the cabins (feeling slightly intrusive but still curious enough). Taylor was barely behind me as we paraded through. As I glanced around one door I saw a foot in one of the crew room bunk beds.
"Holy cr*p!"
I screamed and jumped back. Our guide was giggling like a school girl behind me (cruel man) as he explained how he always sent newbies ahead to see them jump.
"Jeez… man!"
I thought. I had almost trampled poor Taylor.

Imagine bunking here for months at a time.

We're getting the history of the Keewatin on deck.

Erin decided it was time I got my pic taken. It's hard for me to give up the camera.

All in all it was definitely a rewarding experience. Stay tuned to the first episode of Ghost Girls of Simcoe County (airing this fall on Rogers Cable TV) to see if there were more than just us wandering the decks.

Til Next Time~

Carole

Ang & Erin pose for pics on deck.

Steve is "Ghost Girls" mild mannered producer.

That being said, I was lucky to be one of the first visitors invited with them aboard the steamship Keewatin. Now this 350ft cruise ship, although slightly older than the Titanic, has had better luck than most of its counterparts since it's still in tact.

But what a gem it is with the most elaborate trimmings of an Edwardian luxury vessel. Back when electricity wasn't even available in Canada, this liner was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Steve & Taylor establishing exterior shots.

Deb removes her heels to clear the ramp

My first look around was in the vehicle hold. It certainly gave you a taste of the ship's enormity. Before the girls arrived, Taylor, Steve and I were guided briefly through the ship, getting the Coles notes history and a few ghostly stories.

I was completely blown away by the ornate detail and timely elegance of it all. The railings, still polished to a glean, felt silky smooth under your hand and even some of the original furniture had been preserved

I loved this staircase with its gleaming rails.

Belly of the beast: The grain hold has a slightly morbid history.

Descending into the crew's quarters. It was steep and narrow even getting to them.

Who put this dang thing here?

We headed back after touring to meet Ang & Erin as they embarked. Together we had a blast exploring the outside decks and took turns on the bridge standing at the helm for pictures. Although we got the work done, wandering through the old girl was slightly distracting for all of us.

Very befitting that Ang is at the helm since she grew up with large vessels. Her parents own and run Miss Midland.

Erin, Ang & Taylor pose outside of the bridge.

Erin, Ang and Steve high five after the take was a success.

Click Here for more details and history about The Keewatin Steamship

The Story of Them: Wedding Theme

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 22:44:43 GMT

Last weekend I shot my first wedding for the couple (Natalie and Bryan) featured in my last blog post. I met them while doing the promo for *the fab* Vanessa Dewsbury Subsequently, they invited me along to share in their special day.

The prime rib was delicious and the Barrie Country Club is a beautiful venue.

Til next time~

Carole

A Photographer/A Story

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:26:44 GMT

This spring I endevoured to retell the story of an awesome photographer and friend Vanessa Marie through a small business promo for her web site.
We started out, years ago, as business associates working along side each other when I still had my vintage clothing business. I provided clothing for some of Vanessa's high fashion shoots. Soon we became fast friends and easily collaborated on several projects together. In fact, very soon, we'll both be shooting the featured couple's (Natalie & Bryan).
Very recently, Vanessa has agreed to host some of our upcoming video projects and although I won't elaborate quite yet, (stay tuned) it'll be a blast to work with her once again :)

Till next time~

Carole

12 Ladies in a Tent Event: The Parade

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:35:53 GMT

Vanessa Dewsbury and Bob Minhas join me in welcoming the 12 Ladies to the park. This Barrie Food Bank Charity event was held from June 8th - 12th 2012 with oodles of support from the community, local business and media.
I spent time shooting multiple events over the week, which I'll be posting very soon but most of all I got to know some of the most fantastic ladies ever! Their devotion certainly inspired me!
Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this spectacular and helpful event.

Til next time

Carole~