Category: Uncategorized

You don’t need a degree in marketing to promote your video production; just the right tools and some solid tactics.

Starting a video production company or career in film is hard work. Growing your portfolio and clientele might be even more difficult. The trick is knowing how to market your brand. As an artist or entrepreneur, marketing doesn’t always come easy. The odds are that your area of expertise is in something other than marketing and you’d rather be crafting your next video shoot rather than crafting marketing tactics.

However, the truth is that you really don’t have to have a degree in marketing to know how to promote your video production skills and services. All you need are a few, niche-specific marketing ideas. With that in mind, what follows are some underrated tactics you can use to promote your video production endeavors.

Know Your Market

This is pretty basic, but you’d be surprised how often it’s overlooked. If you’re introducing your services to a new market, spend time getting to know who your competition is, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and what you could implement to set your company apart from the rest.

Never make the mistake of undercutting your competition. Why? This could put you at a competitive disadvantage. Low rates could signal potential clients that your services are sub-par and you may end up losing a connection with other companies in your area.

Also, consider where your interests lie and find out if there’s a gap in the market. For example, if you find there are many wedding videographers in your area, your chances of succeeding in that field are minimal. Consider other areas such as real estate marketing, entertainment, or corporate video services.

Network

Networking online or in person is almost always the best way to promote your video production skills. You can always take the initiative to message a potential client or collaborator via social media or email, but don’t be afraid to physically put yourself out there.

On all those same platforms where you might digitally interact, you can also research upcoming networking events, mixers, and other social meet-ups where you can make more personal, memorable connections. These personal connections make it easier for people to feel confident sending some work your way. Be authentic and approachable. Let potential partners feel special by engaging with them and learning more about their product, service, or other specialty. And don’t forget your business cards!

Use Social Media

Social media also provides you with one of the easiest ways to promote and market your company. However, do not expect immediate results. Social media marketing takes time and effort.

The great thing about social media is that it allows you to connect with current and potential fans and partners, get feedback, and engage in conversation. While you don’t want your accounts to come across as being solely a promotional vehicle from the onset, you still need to make sure to strategically place marketing ads and promotions.

Ask For Referrals

In the video production industry, whether you’re doing big budget film work or commercial work, it’s all about who can vouch for your services. It’s therefore important to seriously consider referrals.

If you have an amazing connection with clients or collaborators and they’re happy with the results, ask them to provide you with a few words about their experience. These could be put up on your website as testimonials, on LinkedIn as endorsements, or on Facebook as reviews.

To establish credibility, be sure to provide the name of the references or their company name. You want to make sure that interested parties can confirm your references’ reliability by contacting them if they so choose.

Offer Live Streaming

There’s a huge demand for live streaming content, especially among businesses looking to market their products and services.

According to Business Insider, 88% of advertisers have stated they might or definitely will invest in live stream video advertising sometime in the future. By adding this to your services, you are not only making yourself more marketable, you are also differentiating yourself from the crowd.

Let Your Work Speak For Itself

Quality work speaks for itself. Once clients and coworkers see the quality of your service, they’ll tell others about your skills and professionalism.

When working with a client, ensure that you plan and develop the strategy for your film carefully. Clients easily notice a rush job and may choose not to use your services again. Take your time to exceed their expectations and this will open more doors for you in the future.

These are some of the best tactics you can use to promote your video production skills and services. Remember to focus on achieving your clients’ or partners’ visions while still incorporating your unique style and skill. In time, you will not only establish credibility but get invaluable referrals from those you’ve worked with.

We’re in an age where we have the power of cinema and broadcast in the palm of our hand. Anyone can create a video, publish it, and lay claim to being a producer. The power of media is now accessible to the masses. 

This means that now more than ever, it’s necessary to stay ahead of the pack by staying on top of the latest video production trends. It’s essential to execute your video production with a solid plan that integrates the right equipment and applications. Whether you’re a newbie or an old-hand when it comes to creating video, an upgrade to your toolset might be in order.

Still, creators can benefit from the current decentralization of the content industry in many ways. Traditional large-scale productions are no longer necessary for you to capture an audience for you or your client’s brand. What are clients looking for? At the top of the current wave is direct and targeted video marketing in lieu of branded content or traditional advertising. One of the most influential forces on video production trends is the output device. With video use on mobile devices increasing rapidly worldwide, producers need to create content with the delivery device in mind.

Video Production Trends: Onward and Upward

The world today is connected and moving. People are accessing video content on tablets and cell phones more than any other device. This doesn’t necessarily mean a change in production techniques, but it does mean creating content that’s catered to a mobile audience.

According to YouTube, mobile video consumption grows by 100% every year. A total of 80% of all web traffic is expected to be video content by 2019. One format for production and delivery of content that’s capturing audiences worldwide is live streaming.

The Show Must Go [Live]

Live streaming has captivated online audiences and viewership has increased significantly. YouTube has over 1 billion users worldwide with 300 hours of video being uploaded every minute and almost 5 billion videos watched every day. That’s a lot of potential business. Between January and May 2016, Facebook saw a 300% increase in live videos produced by production companies.

It’s not about jumping on every trend, but being on top of them. There are many streaming apps out there to get you started in the live video game. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Periscope all offer services. Software like the Cinamaker Studio apps even make multi-camera live broadcasts possible via these platforms. Because Cinamaker is mobile-native, it inherently caters to use with smartphones, tablets, and smart cameras. It permits full control of the cameras, live switching and real-time graphics and transitions. Streamed footage can also be saved for further editing later. As companies are looking at different ways to capitalize on the market share live streaming presents, high quality live broadcasts will carry a significant portion of that.

The 4K Revolution

It’s what’s on TV. Consumers are quickly starting to accept 4K as the standard. If you haven’t already, it’s time to take that step. All of the major brands offer cameras that capture at 4K or HDR (High Dynamic Range) resolution and the camera on your smartphone is either there or not far off.

Significant consideration must be taken when working with 4K footage. Point blank, 4K footage takes up a lot of space. G-Technology and Atomos are leaders in the field. The H.265 video format is fast replacing H.264. This will allow for the use of compression techniques which can help editors and producers publish high-quality videos in substantially smaller sizes, without significant loss in image quality. The H.265 video format offers much more flexibility, including better prediction size and transforming, as well as more customization when it comes to utilizing motion estimation blocks, etc.

Drones

Drones are undoubtedly a hot topic in video production, and the technology behind them is getting considerably better. Plus they can give you huge filming flexibility. But, we’re still in the relatively early days of drones’ mainstream existence. As a result, you should check with your local aviation authorities for regulations regarding drone use in your area.

360-Degree Video

360-degree video capture is another “cool,” up-and-comer. 360 degree or immersive videos are filmed through either an omnidirectional camera that contains multiple camera lenses attached, filming overlapping angles concurrently or with multiple cameras, which film views in all directions of the subject. The uses for 360-degree video are endless, from real-estate and construction to immersive experiences in brand or entertainment storytelling from a unique single-point perspective. More and more companies are beginning to delve into this new range of cameras, and with VR and AR experiences in higher demand, it’s clear that consumers are ready for more.

Video production trends are always changing. Mobile technology has surpassed the dreams of yesteryear’s science-fiction buffs or dystopian dreamers. It has affected the way people view and interact with content; it’s changed the way businesses communicate with their customers, and it’s even changed content itself. As consumer demand sways the direction of technology, so, too, does technology influence consumer demand. Video producers are in an interesting position. After all, new technology begets new techniques. We encourage you to explore, experiment, expand — and let’s see what tomorrow brings.

Out with the old and in with the new…

Happy New Year, filmmakers! As 2017 finally comes to an end, it’s time to start planning for the year ahead. Some of you are charging into 2018 with plans for rewarding resolutions, or maybe just some much needed change. If your new year goals include amping up your video production game, get a fresh start with fresh gear — we’ve got some suggestions right here!

Smartphones & Tablets

You no longer need to spend thousands on heavy, traditional cameras and other videography equipment to produce polished, professional video. With mobile-native software like Cinamaker, you can upgrade your film gear just by upgrading your everyday tech devices. Just download the Cinamaker apps, Director Pad and Cinamaker Capture, to begin recording, streaming, editing, and switching from multiple phones by using your tablet as the control center.

Want the latest and greatest tech this new year? Check out the links below:

Tech Advisor: Best New Phones Coming In 2018

CNET: Best Tablets For 2018

Smartphone Accessories

Even with the most recent phone, there’s room for improvement. But no worries, you can easily enhance your phone’s performance as a camera or audio assistant with a few choice accessories.

Find out which accessories can transform your smartphone into a director’s camera in Cinamaker’s 10 best accessories article  that was shared earlier this year.

Want a second opinion? Read up on more essential smartphone filmmaking accessories in this blog by Shutterstock.

Lighting Equipment

There can’t be any “camera” or “action” without “lights!” Start your production year off right with some best value lighting. Our blog on the best budget studio lights is the perfect guide to help you round out your at-home or in-house production studio, so you can start live streaming and sharing high quality video content as soon as possible.

Cables, Dongles, and More

If you find that your mobile studio could benefit from some hard-wired connection options, get yourself setup with a secure router, ethernet cables, and the right adapters.

Find out which gizmos to buy and how to use them in Cinamaker’s wired ethernet configuration blog. Still have questions? Take a look at the Cinamaker helpshift page or submit a support ticket on our website.

For more filmmaking tips and tricks, head to the Cinamaker blog and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We can’t wait to see what you create.

Happy New Year, and Happy Cinamaking!

‘Tis the season for unboxing videos!

Whatever your reason for celebration, chances are you have a gift or two coming your way this winter — or at least some serious post-holiday sales shopping. That means it’s the perfect time for you to stretch your vlogging muscles with unboxing videos for your favorite (or least favorite) new toys.

The concept of an unboxing video is all in the name. You unbox, or act like you’re unboxing a product for the first time, and review it for all your followers or other potential consumers to see. Maybe you’re just doing this as a fun clip for your friends and family to start with, but if you do it right, you could build your brand with a unique series of unboxing videos that speaks to your lifestyle, profession, or passion.

People have created incredibly imaginative and helpful content build upon the basic framework of the unboxing video. Take Dylan Marron from YouTube’s Seriously.TV for example. He actually began “unboxing” intangible concepts and ideas to create awareness around important social issues and other controversial subjects. He has over 103 thousand likes now on Facebook alone. Another popular unboxing channel focuses solely on opening Kinder Surprise eggs! This channel has over 4 million followers on YouTube. Just for opening candy egg! Read more about the toy unboxing phenomena in these articles by Thrillest and Mental Floss.

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned vet of unboxing videos, there’s always more you can do to make your latest review stand out from the crowd. So before you start tearing at those ribbons and bow, read over these three key guidelines for unboxing video success.

Get Up Close & Personal

Be personal with your audience! People who watch unboxing videos are looking for one – or two – things: insight and entertainment. And nobody likes insight from a stick-in-the-mud or pretentious voice in the sky; so be real with your viewers. Talk to them like they’re your real-life friends. Give them your most honest thoughts and opinions in an open but kind way that helps them out, but also encourages them to have thought for themselves a little. That being said, if part of your personality is biting wit or a penchant for all things wacky and wild — don’t hold back. The information you present might be valuable but your personality will keep viewers coming back.

In a more literal sense, let your viewers get up close and personal with the item you’re reviewing. Make sure they can see every little feature, especially if it’s part of your review. This might mean holding your objects up to the camera when necessary or creating a multi-camera setup with some stationary tight-shots on your object of focus.

Keep it Quick

Part of your personality may be that you have a lot of opinions. That’s great for making unboxing videos! Just be sure to be thoughtful about which opinions you share. Review and rehearse your ideas before filming to decide which comments should have priority over others. Your unboxing video should be thorough, but not epic (in the long sense, not the awesome sense).

If you review all your comments and critiques and think each one is necessary, go for it. Some products or ideas are just more complex than others. Just make every second count. The most effective videos on the internet are usually under five minutes, but once you have a following, people will be more willing to spend time listening to you.

Keep ‘Em Coming

Don’t wait too long between publishing videos! Give the people what they want!

But seriously, if you have something worth sharing, keep sharing it. When you finish one video, announce when viewers can expect to see the next, and stick to it. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask for follows and likes at the end of your videos either, but if you do, you gotta hold up your end of the bargain. Make more videos! It’s good for you as a creator, too. With each new unboxing will come new experiences and vlogging savvy that will make you a better videographer with a bigger audience.

Now that you have the tips, just get the gifts! After the holidays is the perfect time to get going with your own unboxing series, and maybe even make a resolution to publish more in the new year!

Need video creation software or more filming tips? Download Cinamaker for iOS today and take a look at our Cinamaker blog.

Happy holidays and happy Cinamaking!

The time has come. You’ve finally realized that video marketing is essential to your social media strategy and search engine marketing. Today, choosing the right video formats and appropriate social media platforms is the key to increasing brand exposure and lead generation. The question is: are you savvy enough to get started? Do you even know where to begin?

The truth is that video formats vary and this can cause confusion and frustration for people without the knowledge of how videos work on different social media platforms. Video formats can also vary depending on the equipment you’re using to film and the platform on which you want to distribute them. So which types of video should you create to connect with your social media audience? The following are the various formats you need to consider.

Live Video

Live video has become increasingly popular in our current digital world. According to  eMarketer, the most popular platform for watching live video is Facebook Live with YouTube live streaming coming in second.

Instagram and Twitter are also burgeoning platforms for live stream video. Whichever platform you choose, make sure to really utilize commenting or any other engaging features that allow you to authentically and directly interact with your fans and clients.

360 Video

360 video is a video format that allows viewers to virtually rotate the camera, in essence totally changing their perspective at will. With this, viewers can interact with the content you offer in a more personal and comprehensive way.

Although this video format is fairly new, many people already feel as though it’s better than your standard 2D video. And you can already start sharing 360 video recordings with your followers and fans on Facebook and Youtube. Of course, to film from all angles you’ll need a 360-degree camera. You’ll also need to conform to a maximum file size of 5 GB and a length of 30 minutes.

Disappearing Video

In some cases, you may want to record a series of experiences to give your audience the feeling they’re right there with you — but just like life, sometimes you have to embrace the here and now, and forget about tomorrow. When the time comes for such an ephemeral form of video, you can head to Instagram or Snapchat to create a “story.”

These video stories – available for just 24 hours –  are intended for mobile phone viewing, and so it’s generally believed that the ideal way to film them is vertically. Each video usually lasts up to 10 seconds. All you need is a smartphone and some imagination and you’re good to go!

High Quality Video

If you are looking to create a high quality, high definition video in a long format, you’ll need to do some serious prep. Make sure you have a reliable multi-cam setup, good lighting, a killer storyboard, and a master editor. And don’t forget to rehearse. This type of video is best received on Vimeo and YouTube as these platforms support ultra HD 4K and HD videos in 1080p. Once you’ve published there though, share them everywhere!

Such a production may seem daunting — not everyone has a full scale studio at their disposal. But with mobile-native, multi-cam solutions like Cinamaker, you can create incredible video with tablets and smartphones you already own.

Live 360 Video

A combination of 360 video and live video comes together to create live 360 video. This video format combines virtual reality elements and the interactivity of 360 video with live streaming. Although Twitter and Facebook have both launched live 360 platforms, they’re not really convenient for widespread use yet.

Twitter is preparing for a live Periscope 360 program, which will be made available first to iOS users. But for now, this integration is only supported using an Insta360 Nano camera.

Each of these social media video formats has its pros and cons. To know which one works best for you, reflect on your goals and take a look at your current analytics and feedback to see what your audience appears to be most receptive to. From there, determine your budget and dive into the vibrant world of video!

For more video creation and sharing tips, check out our blog. Ready to start filming? Download Cinamaker today!