Cheers to 12 Years - Happy Birthday Tabrizi Productions

Thank you, LinkedIn, for reminding me that it's been 12 years since I founded Tabrizi Productions. It's funny because just last week, I stumbled upon my reel from precisely 12 years ago, which reminded me of some of the people and opportunities that truly shaped my storytelling abilities.

Some of you may/may not know, but I spent years in public safety telling stories of survival, which challenged me to expand my perspective on a world I knew very little about. It taught me to be open-minded, ask the right questions and just be willing to listen. Little did I know that these skills would be fundamental to my storytelling ability and would lay the foundation as I ventured out to work for myself.

🏅So in honor of 12 years, here are 12 accomplishments I've made as a business owner:

1) Produced over 900 videos from start to finish

2) Created 1 feature-length documentary

3) Produced numerous philanthropic videos that have raised money for homelessness and hunger (causes that are extremely important to me and my community)

4) Earned the title of "mom-prenuer" 👶🏼 (5 years ago)

5) Became a 6-figure business

6) Overhauled my website, logo and invested in my first official rebrand

7) Traveled the world meeting other female bosses that have helped me grow and expand both personally and professionally

8) Created my first IPO video, which assisted one of my longest-standing clients to go public

9) Survived the pandemic as a business

10) Created a video course in my downtime

11) Earned the title of "mom-prenuer" again 👶🏼 (3 years ago)

12) Told the stories of over 2 dozen female founders and continue to focus my efforts there.

LASTLY, I want to leave you with the reel that started it all. Some parts are kind of cringey to watch back, but it's an awesome reflection of where I was and who I've become. To all my clients, colleagues, and supporters: thank you for being a part of this journey. I couldn't have done it without you! Here's to the next 12 years of crushing it!

How To Make A Testimonial Video

How to make a testimonial video and which kind is right for you?

One of the many ways to connect with our audience is through testimonial videos. Testimonials have a multitude of benefits, like building trust and converting leads. And once you incorporate video, you start sharing your business's authenticity.

Don't take it from me - Here are the numbers:

• 9 out of 10 people say they trust what a customer says about a business more than what that business says about itself.

• 77% of people who have watched a brand testimonial video say it has played a part in convincing them to buy their product or service.

• 2 out of 3 people say they'd be more likely to purchase after watching a testimonial video demonstrating how a business, product, or service had helped another person like them.

Testimonial videos are a powerful tool to share insight into your business and gain your team's and potential customers' trust.

The Types of Testimonial Videos 

For years, Tabrizi Production has worked with clients to create all sorts of video content, including testimonial videos. Here are a few of our favorite testimonial formats!

1. DIY Interview Style

2. Case Study

3. Compilation

DIY Interview Style

In this testimonial example, I worked with Rachelle, a money coach. I helped her prepare a set of questions to interview her client with. I also helped with her technology setup from Zoom settings to ring light and microphone used for the interview.

 DIY Interview style testimonial videos are very hands-on. She conducted a 30 minute interview with her client and sent it to me to make multiple shorter videos that she could use for her website and social media platforms.

 The goal was to highlight the business and showcase the benefits of working with Rachelle. In the video, you can understand how her client, Katie, struggled with her money story and how Rachelle’s coaching program helped her with that.

Benefits to DIY Style

• This is a budget-friendly solution since you are producing the content yourself.

• Produce videos convenient to you and your client’s schedule

Case Study

This case study testimonial was with my client, Solution Now Law Firm. We interviewed a past client about their automotive accident. Rain (the client) shares their experience in the accident, the physical impact, the pain, and how Solution Now helped her get the settlement she deserved.

In this video, I conducted the interview, shot b-roll of her working with Solution Now Law Firm working, worked in some tasteful stock footage to help build the story and used dynamic text to for added impact.

This was a vulnerable case study, and the story and client's experience bring attention to the trust they have with Solution Now Law Firm.

Benefits to Case Study Testimonials

• It’s an opportunity to get more detailed and personal to how a particular customer can use your product /service.

• It allows people to see exactly how your product/service works and how it could work for them.

Compilation (my personal favorite)

In this compilation video example, I worked with Lia Pinelli. I accompanied her at one of her retreats. During the retreat, I was able to shoot a lot of quality b-roll with her in action with her clients. It was also an amazing opportunity to interview her and all of her clients attending.

It's an impactful testimonial video that has the power to build so much trust with an outside audience.

Benefits to Compilation Testimonials

• A dynamic video that takes multiple subjects and brings them together for a very strong and compelling story.

• In 1-2 days you can capture enough video to use for a whole year of content.

How to Use Testimonial Videos

Once you decide on a testimonial video type and have the final product created - what do you do with it? How do you start effectively sharing it and incorporating a testimonial video into your marketing strategy?

Here are three ways you can share customer testimonials

1. Share it on the homepage of your website

2. Create a customer testimonial page on your website

3. Incorporate it into your email strategy and paid marketing strategy

Once you have the content, the possibilities are truly endless. Testimonials are a great way to build brand equity, trust, and social proof with potential customers.

 Testimonial videos help establish strong brand recognition and improve a business's reputation. Of course, businesses can share written testimonials on their website, social media, etc. However, there's a level of intimacy and connection that comes with video content.

Get In Touch

If you're ready to work with a video production company to create professional video content - Tabrizi Productions can help!

Tabrizi Productions is a boutique video production company that aims to make video accessible for all. We offer authentic, affordable video storytelling for companies large and small.

We are locally serving Oakland, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, and the surrounding Silicon Valley area.

If you're not ready, or you'd like to try video content on your own, check out my #DoItOnCamera courses to help you show up better online!

Five Ways to Stand Out on Camera

We are shifting from a more curated photo-focused era to authentic videos, which can be intimidating for many businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Being on camera is not a natural skill. It takes time and practice. However, there are actions we can take to help us stand out on camera, and it all starts with being more comfortable and knowing what to look for. 

Whether or not you hire a video production company or DIY your videos, there are several small shifts you can make to help yourself stand out from the crowd and shine! 

Choose the Right Outfit

As you and your team will be front and center, you want to consider what you're wearing. First, you don't want to wear anything too distracting. You want your viewers to listen to you and focus on what you're showing them, for example, a presentation or your product. 

Secondly, you want to wear something you feel confident in. We all have those staple pieces in our closets that we feel our best in and love to wear. So keep those outfits in mind for any upcoming photoshoots! 

Thirdly, you want to feel comfortable in those clothes. You want to avoid anything that requires you to adjust and move fabric constantly. Also, it'll be HOT under all those lights, so make sure your clothes are breathable. 

Lastly, the colors you wear can really impact your video and the emotions you provoke from your viewers. Ensure that whatever you wear relates to your brand, so like a company t-shirt or complementing colors! 

✨ Tabrizi Tip #1 ✨

There are so many ways to use color to your advantage, so in addition to the tips I just gave, I encourage you to read my blog on the psychology of color. 

Your Background 

So, what's behind you? Are you recording at home? In your office? Outside? 

Wherever you record your next video, ask yourself: 

1. Is it distracting? 

2. Do the colors clash? 

3. Is it relevant to your brand? 

Just like your outfit, you don't want to take away attention from what you're saying, the presentation, or the product. 

One way to ensure you have an optimized background is to rent out studio space, but it's possible to create professional videos with a clever background in your home. 

Once you set your camera up, look at your space. What's going on behind you? From there, you can take steps to make your background match your business's colors, personality, and aesthetic.  

If you're looking for more information on how to optimize your video background, check out my Backgrounds on a Budget blog. 

Lighting and Framing

Another way to stand out is to ensure that your videos are framed and appropriately lit. Not only will your videos look professional, but you'll also feel more confident knowing that you are showing up in the best possible way. 

For lighting, you can invest in a ring light. Ring lights help create lighting around the face to bring attention to you. Ring lights are fantastic for up-close shots! 

Ring lights are relatively affordable and easy to use. Please remember they're not perfect, but there are ways to use your ring light to get the most out of it.

Next, let's talk about framing your shot. Framing is essentially how you set up your camera for specific scenes. A simple adjustment to your camera angle could make the difference between a well-shot video and one that is distracting to the viewer. There are a few ways to optimize how you frame your videos, and I dive into each one here. 

Be Prepared 

One of the best ways to stand out on camera is by having confidence on camera. 

I mentioned that it's not natural for many of us to be in front of a camera. However, one way to get comfortable is by adequately preparing. For example, prepare a script beforehand. It's difficult enough being on camera, and if you're new to it, it's a steep learning curve. So the last thing you want to do is worry about what to say. 

While you don't have to read the script verbatim, at least you'll have your thoughts on paper, and you can ensure you highlight everything you NEED to say. 

✨ Tabrizi Tip #2 ✨

Practice reading your script aloud in a mirror or in front of a camera (no need to turn it on!). Make sure everything rolls off your tongue effortlessly. 

By preparing and practicing what you want to say, you'll look more comfortable on camera.

Share Your Personality 

Lastly, be yourself! Viewers know when you're not being authentic. If you can't be yourself or allow your personality to shine through, your content will feel stiff. 

Creating video content can be challenging, but there are small ways to stand out on camera. From your outfit to your camera angles to even what you say. 

Whether creating content at home or working with a video production company, being on camera is still intimidating. 

If you're ready to take the plunge and work with a production company to start creating professional video content - Tabrizi Productions can help! 

Tabrizi Productions is a boutique video production company that aims to make video accessible for all. We offer authentic, affordable video storytelling for companies large and small.

We are locally serving Oakland, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, and the surroundings of the Silicon Valley area. 

If you're not ready, or you'd like to try video content on your own, check out my #DoItOnCamera courses to help you show up better online! 

How to Network Yourself or Your Business with Video

Traditionally, video has been used for advertising efforts. Still, as social media grows, we see an influx of businesses, industry leaders, and more shift their focus from traditional networking to video networking. 

Video is now a tried and true method for businesses to connect with their audience and network within their industry.

Benefits to Video Content Creation 

When YouTube launched in 2005, it caused a ripple effect on how brands and businesses connect with their audience. 

As video creation becomes more manageable and accessible, it's now increasingly popular for marketers, coaches, and industry leaders to create videos to speak to, educate, or entertain their audience. 

Video is one of the dominant forms of communication today, with "people watch an average of 16 hours of video every week (Wyzowl)." So it's no surprise that video content creation is important. 

In addition to the hours of video content consumed, here are five reasons why video content creation is beneficial: 

1. Encourages social shares 

2. Increases engagement 

3. Improves SEO 

4. Educational tool 

5. Available to any company of any size 

Benefits to Networking 

Did you know that "the closing rate for customers obtained through business networking is 40%? (Apollo Technical)" Networking is critical to our business development and growth. 

It truly does not matter what size your business is - networking is essential!

While sales is one benefit (a big benefit) to networking, there are so many more advantages to networking your business. 

Through networking, you can: 

• Share knowledge 

• Ask for Feedback 

• Discuss ideas 

• Learn about different perspectives 

• Earned opportunities (referrals, partnership requests, etc.)

Through networking, so many businesses can build a reputation as a knowledgable and reliable asset. It's a natural way to build connections with people in your industry and gain exposure for yourself and your business. 

Now that we know the importance of video content and networking, how do we mix the two? I'm sure we all noticed an inflow of businesses using video networking, specifically in 2020 when we all had to pivot how we connect with our industry and customers, but so many people have been using video networking for years. 

Here are five ways you can use video content creation to network your business: 

The Tried and True - Long-Form Video Content

Long-form content is always a great strategy; YouTube is one way to create long-form content online. Of course, there are other long-form video types (even TikTok is testing 10-minute videos!)- I prefer YouTube for networking. 

YouTube videos open you and your business to a new audience and community. With YouTube, you can optimize your videos for SEO, allowing you to reach a more targeted and relevant audience. 

Additionally, the people watching YouTube are actively looking for videos to watch. They're interested in longer video content instead of short content that's faster to consume, like Instagram Reels or TikTok.  

Tabrizi Tip #1: Ensure you take the time or optimize your videos for SEO when creating YouTube content. You can:

• Rename your video file using target keywords

• Insert keywords into the video title

• Optimize your description 

• Use a custom thumbnail 

• Add subtitles 

Repurpose Your Long-Form Content

Once you have a long-form video, you can pull valuable snippets of that video and repurpose them for other social media platforms. 

By creating engaging and shareable video content, you can connect with your audience and even their audience if they share your content! 

Social media accounts are pushing video content, so creating videos on Instagram Reels, TikTok, etc., will help you reach new people and network digitally. 

Go LIVE! 

In the same vein as social media, definitely go LIVE. Social media loves live videos. It's a non-formal, more authentic way to reach your audience. 

Potential customers love seeing a business's personality and Instagram Live, LinkedIn Live, or even TikTok Live shows that. You can create quick educational content with live videos, communicate with your audience, introduce yourself or your team, talk about your industry, and build deeper connections. 

Backlinks, Backlinks, Backlinks 

Backlinks are hyperlinks that link from one webpage or site to another. If you're in marketing, you know the benefit of backlinks and their importance for our digital presence. But did you know that your video content can also be backlinked? 

By creating YouTube videos that are educational or relevant to your industry, people within your industry may reference that content on their website or YouTube account and link back to you. 

Backlinks are essential for SEO because they indicate to Google that your website is a good resource. For example, when your YouTube video is backlinked, it shows that your video has credibility, especially for search engines.

Tabrizi Tip #2: If you're trying to gain video backlinks, start sharing educational content. Additionally, when you share snippets on social media, reference back to the long-form content. You want to get as many eyes on it as possible so that people remember you when creating similar written or video content! :) 

Stitching on TikTok

Lastly, start stitching on TikTok. This is different from going Live or creating short-form content. Stitching is unique to TikTok, and it's essentially new content. A stitch is essentially a response video. 

For example, if you are a restaurant specializing in vegan food, and you see someone talking about how they're looking for vegan restaurants, you can stitch that video and respond with your content. A stitch will show a few seconds of the original post and then your response. 

Video has changed how businesses share, advertise, and connect. According to Hubspot, 68% of video marketers plan to use LinkedIn video this year, and that's because video networking is one of the main ways to connect now. 

If you want to start creating video content and network online - Tabrizi Productions can help! 

Tabrizi Productions is a boutique video production company that aims to make video accessible for all. We offer authentic, affordable video storytelling for companies large and small.

We are locally serving Oakland, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, and the surroundings of the Silicon Valley area. 

If you're not ready, or you'd like to try video content on your own, check out my #DoItOnCamera courses to help you show up better online! 

Brand Storytelling in Video Marketing… And Why It’s Everything (Part 2)

Brand Video Storytelling: Testimonials, Company Histories, and Beyond

Last week, we looked at why brand storytelling is such a big deal, exploring everything from the psychology behind it to what it actually looks like when brands use this in their video content. At the heart of it, we learned that it’s all about adding humanity and connection into your brand’s video content.

This week, we’re going to expand on that, breaking down some of my favorite strategies of brand storytelling.

Brand storytelling uses emotion to connect more deeply with your audience and gives your brand a face

Strategy #1 - Lean into Emotion

Hopefully from last week’s post, I’ve already convinced you of the power of emotion as a marketing tool (if you haven’t checked it out yet, * learn about how emotionally-driven advertising campaigns are twice as effective as purely logical ones and other statistics here *).

…But what does that actually look like played out in your branding videos?

Music is one method that works like a charm. Its why any movie you watch in the theater has a soundtrack! Horror movies use minor chords and dissonant sounds to unsettle you. Grand overtures in dramas make touching moments that much more heartwarming. If you know the exact emotion you want your audience to experience, there’s absolutely a song that captures that feeling.

People want to know your success story… so share about your journey!

If you are a for-profit company, you will also tap into the emotional part of branding by showing you support good causes. If viewers believe an organization is only out to make money, they’re going to take their business elsewhere. Interestingly, brands with high rankings in the Global Empathy Index (like Apple, Tesla and Google) also were among the most financially profitable, suggesting the two go hand-in-hand. But please don’t do this just for clout… find a cause you really do care about or your audience will sense if your actions are insincere or done as an afterthought.

Strategy #2 - Tell Your Company History

Another way to bring emotion into your videos is by telling your brand’s personal story. There can be dozens of similar companies out there… but only you have your story. It makes you one-of-a-kind. So celebrate that!

Sharing how you started and how you’ve grown humanizes your brand. It might seem counterintuitive, but also consider sharing about the hurdles you’ve overcome along the way. Easy success can come off as inauthentic and besides, everyone loves an underdog.

Strategy #3 - Give Your Brand a Face

To go along with that last point, I highly recommend owners (and employees) make an appearance in their brand’s videos. Because what’s more humanizing than giving your brand a face?

Ads with faces get 11 times the engagement when compared to ads that don’t! We are biologically and socially conditioned to make eye contact with those who look directly at us.

Tabrizi Productions films a documentary style brand video with a business owner client

But even more than that, introducing yourself on-screen lets your audience get to know you. Which in turn, builds trust and a stronger connection with them.

Tabrizi Productions specializes in documentary-style video content for this very reason. I find that sitting owners down for conversational interviews allows for genuine content that gets rid of the stiffness of a pre-planned script with a bunch of unappealing PR-lingo. It will do wonders for your video’s authenticity! To find out more about this particular style of filmmaking * check out my other blog post on the topic. *

Strategy # 4 - Invite Your Audience into The Story (Testimonials and beyond)

Happily-ever-afters shouldn’t be exclusive to fantasy movies. You can (and should) channel those warm fuzzies for your own brand by inviting happy clients to share about their experiences through video testimonials. First off, there are people out there whose lives are a little better because of your service/product—so why not find ways to make them brand advocates?

“Outsider” stories give your brand more credibility. If you sing your own praises too loud, it’s going to come off as cringey—but if you let others compliment you, that’s a whole different story. It also strengthens the sense of community behind your brand.

Brand storytelling idea: show your customers using your product or service

Videos of people interacting with your product or service also taps into one of the most essential rules of marketing: making your brand feel like a lifestyle. People express their individuality by surrounding themselves with brands that mirror their own vision and values. Its most obvious through fashion, but video ads for companies like Apple and Coca-Cola also show you a lifestyle.

If you can reflect back to your target audience their priorities and problems through a scene, then depict how your brand either solves or helps with that, you’re going to get a positive response.

(For more about that, you’ll have to * check out the power of testimonials and good questions to ask your testimonials in this post. * )

Strategy #5 - Don’t Gloss Over Details With “Big Picture” Videos

Capturing the Big Picture of your company through video is important… but don’t stay there! Get up close and personal.

We’ve already touched on this somewhat in the other strategies, but this comes back to showing the humans behind your brand. Overviews of an organization and its services are Big Picture—but for a more personal connection, you’ll need to human-scale your videos by showing individuals (like owners, employees, customers).

Intimacy can also be captured through the distance from the camera. What feels more like a conversation? A zoomed out shot of someone a few yards from the camera? Or a closeup of that person’s head-and-shoulders? There’s something about being close enough to look someone squarely in the eyes, close enough to read their mannerisms, that makes us feel like we’re actually getting to know that person.

Brand storytelling videos humanize your business

Capturing closeups of objects also makes someone feel closer to the story because it’s as if they’re leaning in for a closer inspection of their environment. It’s in the details we find what truly makes your brand unique.

Strategy #6 - Narrative Storytelling Can Also Do The Trick

Last but not least, if you want to get extra creative with it, you might consider a narrative short film with made-up characters and scenarios. This can let you show your ideal client or employee without needing to hunt them down. It also lets you flex your imagination, taking possible scenarios that relate to your brand and making them larger-than-life in an unforgettable way. Finally, eliciting memorability or shock value in your ad can leave a lasting impression.

Take Lyft’s touching animated short film of a lonely old lady who becomes a driver for the community—if it doesn’t make you tear up just a little, I don’t know what will. There’s also this video GE shared of a quirky young inventor who grows up to be an engineer at their company. Both show problems their brands solve and exciting opportunities.

We would love to create brand storytelling videos for your brand. Whether that be through documentary-style interviews with you as the owner, testimonials with your clients, or footage of your services… let Tabrizi Productions help!

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Youtube, then don't leave without signing up for more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Brand Storytelling in Video Marketing… And Why It’s Everything (Part 1)

Here’s How Brand Video Storytelling Builds a Deeper Connection with Your Audience

“Storytelling” is a term many of us associate with novels or television shows… but did you know this term also applies to branding and video?

When people refer to “brand-driven storytelling” they aren’t necessarily referring to imagined scenarios with made-up characters. Branded video storytelling is still narrative, but it’s more about connection and finding ways to add the human-element back into your brand videos.

Brand storytelling gives story elements (setting, character, plot)—then gives them a marketing twist

It takes story elements like setting, character, plot—then gives them a marketing twist. By setting scenes in which we meet people and watch them solve their problems (with the help of your brand’s services/products, of course), your audience engagement will flourish.

How? The cold hard facts aren’t enough to connect you with viewers. Brand storytelling in videos gains audience loyalty. It influences them to buy your product or participate in your service. And it makes your videos much more shareable on social media. So let’s unpack how to actually bring marketable storytelling to your brand’s videos.

Emotion-driven Content and Brand Storytelling in Videos

Did you know emotion impacts buying decisions far more than logic does? Emotional responses and decision-making processes are housed in the same part of your brain and there are a ton of revealing stats and studies to show the connection.

For starters, emotional responses and decision-making processes happen in similar parts of the brain and scientists believe there are links between the two (meaning you can improve the chances of the desired outcome in your audience if you make them feel something.)

Emotion and decision-making need to go hand-in-hand in your brand videos

Fast Company analyzed 1,400 case studies of successful advertising campaigns and found that “campaigns with purely emotional content performed about twice as well (31% vs. 16%) as those with only rational content (and did a little better than those that mixed emotional and rational content).” What’s more, cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner suggests that when messages are delivered through the lens of a story, they are 22 times more memorable than simply dishing out fact after fact. Now I’m not saying to drop the statistics altogether, but obviously there’s something highly effective to a two-pronged approach that engages the head and the heart.

And there’s more! The Center for Neuroeconomics Studies found that showing people videos with character-driven stories (as opposed to face-to-face interactions) were much more effective in motivating people to react with cooperative behaviors, resulting in oxytocin synthesis. They also found that when viewers engaged with a storyline (in this case, movies), they would start mimicking the feelings and behaviors of the characters (even after the credits rolled).

You know that empowered feeling you get after a good action film? Or that charitable mindset you have after a drama about generosity? You can evoke those feelings through video branding! As I mentioned above, when I talk about “characters” for branding, I don’t mean made-up beings—I simply mean showing people in your videos (i.e. introducing yourself as the owner or sharing client testimonials, but I’ll go into this more in next week’s post.)

For video branding, make sure to follow the golden rule: “Show don’t tell”

“Show Don’t Tell”

At one point or another, most authors have been told by their editors “Show don’t tell,” but this advice also applies to storytelling in marketing and will absolutely strengthen your brand message! Put simply, this phrase means that rather than telling us a situation or character has a certain emotion attached to it, show us what that emotion actually physically looks like. Rather than telling us your customers are “happy,” show an example of how your product or service has changed their life.

Which is more impactful? Having someone tell you that they care about their clients or having them show you how they live out that value by capturing an employee-client interaction? Words lose their meaning without concrete actions to back them up.

How about some brand examples? Disney doesn’t just tell us it’s the “happiest place on earth,” it shows us clips of starry-eyed kids interacting with the park’s actors, the fantastic rides, and the end-of-the-night fireworks show. Nike doesn’t just tell us to “Just do it,” it celebrates athletes who have lived out that moto by showing them out on the track or the basketball court.

Hire Tabrizi Productions to tell your brand story

That’s a Wrap

Learning to apply them to brand videos takes a lot of practice so if you’re looking for assistance, Tabrizi Productions would love to come alongside you and your brand and bring your story to life!

Next week, I’ll also break down a number of different strategies and techniques I use to storytell… so stay tuned!

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Youtube, then don't leave without signing up for more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Crowdfunding Videos… Why? And Where?

You’re a new entrepreneur. You’ve got a hot new business concept and you’re confident it’s going to change lives… all you need is the cash to make that happen.

Great! Let’s get you there!

Crowdfunding is a powerful tool for launching your new endeavor—and including an influential video pitch could make all the difference in making your dream happen. In the next post, I’ll talk about tips to strengthen your video, but today let’s explore why crowdfunding videos are effective. I’ll also throw in some insights on how to choose between Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Ready? Here we go…

Why Use a Crowdfunding Video?

There are a few reasons to include a video with your crowdfunding campaign. First off, they not only help you find your tribe, they also get them excited. Because how would you rather learn about something new… a video or a lecture? When we can actually *see* what you’re up to with your business, that’s engaging! Pitch videos can also update your loyal fans and letting them know how they can further support you.

What’s more, a crowdfunding video gains your brand credibility and therefore trust. When you show your concept in action, people can see without a shadow of a doubt that you can make this a reality. And once they’re convinced you’re the real deal, they’re going to take note of what you have to say.

Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo

Many innovative fundraisers choose to bring their crowdfunding projects to one of two popular platforms: Kickstarter or Indiegogo. These platforms allow them to rally support as well as offer rewards for different levels of pledges. But which platform to pick?

First ask yourself whether your brand is more creative or more commercial. It’s said that Kickstarter tends to prioritize design, while Indiegogo highlights functionality. Both platforms cover a number of categories, but they also have their own niches (meaning they tend to draw different backers). A few of Kickstarter’s most popular categories are tabletop games, film/video, music, photography, travel, and wearables. On the other hand, Indiegogo leads in the categories of laptops, home automation, and gadgets.

Another difference between the two is that Kickstarter only releases funds once you reach your goal--meaning if you don't get to that number, all the money will be returned to backers. That sense of urgency can rise emotional stakes for your backers and result in further giving. That said, the stakes are obviously higher.

On the flip side, Indiegogo allows you the option to receive funds as you go (or opt for that “all or nothing” approach). Indiegogo’s campaign success rate is about half of Kickstarter’s… although it one-ups Kickstarter in that it’s non-refundable (meaning that backers can’t change their mind and cancel their pledges at the very last minute).

Find Your Niche

On the set of Black N Brown in the Middle Crowdfunding Video

Though Kickstarter and Indiegogo are the most widely known sites, you’ve also got some great niche platforms to consider. They will have a smaller online audience, but they cater to a very specific group of people with very specific interests (meaning your chance of strong engagement is going to be much higher).

For instance, Slated helps aspiring filmmakers, while Experiment supports scientific researchers. My client Black and Brown In The Middle decided to launch a fundraiser on IFundWomen because it rallies around supporting female entrepreneurs

A Final Word of Advice:

I highly recommend researching successful campaigns similar to your own for inspiration! Learn from them… What did you like about their strategy? What could they have done better? This mindful strategy will do wonders for your crowdfunding venture. Want to book a discovery call to make your next crowdfunding video? Contact us today!

Let’s Talk Credibility: Why Video Testimonials Help Boost your Brand

Film Testimonials for Authentic Brand Videos

Are you utilizing all the marketing resources at your fingertips? If you haven’t already created video testimonials for your brand, you’re missing out on a powerful source for quality content!

Testimonials invite happy customers and clients to share about their experiences with your brand

By inviting happy customers and clients to share about their experiences with your brand, you enjoy a number of benefits. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few insights on the topic while creating video testimonials for my clients at Tabrizi Productions. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Why should I invest in testimonial videos?

One reason to invest in testimonial videos is for their emotional appeal. That’s a big deal for your marketing campaign because emotional brand content is approximately 22 times as engaging as purely logical ads. You can dish out pie charts and graphs all day, but nothing can replace the enthusiasm of a good testimonial!

Another reason testimonials are so effective is that “outsider” stories give your brand more credibility. Praising your own brand doesn’t count for much and, honestly, looks self-congratulatory. Plus if we’re totally honest with ourselves, we’re all pretty biased in thinking our businesses are the best.

…But when you let others share their positive experiences with your brand (as well as how you’ve either helped them solve or handle their problems) they become ambassadors for your brand. Considering that 92% of customers report reading online reviews before buying (Big Commerce) and 72% only take action after reading a positive review (Search Engine Watch), that’s a big deal.

Testimonials also help strengthen the sense of community surrounding your brand. When you feature a client, you’re telling your audience that you value what they have to say. What’s more, video testimonials humanize your brand… and ads with faces get 11 times more engagement then ads that don’t.

Video testimonials lead to more brand credibility than text testimonials

Sitting down and having these kinds of conversations with your clients comes with a bonus benefit: honest feedback. Your clients will share insights about what they’d like to see in the future, giving you ideas to make your brand even stronger. If you take the time to reflect on any patterns you see in your clients’ needs and priorities, you’re going to get a clearer picture of who you are addressing in your brand videos.

Why should I invest in video testimonials rather than text testimonials?

Why choose video testimonials over text testimonials? Believability. As we’ve learned in the modern world of computers and social media, people can (and do) say anything behind a screen. Enough people have gotten catfished to know a profile photo doesn’t mean anything. So if you want to increase the likelihood of convincing the skeptics, video is the way to go.

A speaking, smiling human being is much harder to fake. Giving yourself this credibility boost with videos convinces perspective clients of your value, resulting in higher conversion rates.

Who should I recruit for my testimonial video?

Okay… but where do you find these good brand advocates? And what do they look like? This may go without saying, but spotlight people whose lives are a little better because of the service/product you offer. You’re looking for someone who genuinely believes you have helped them out and will share their contagious enthusiasm with others.

You’re also going to want to find someone who is comfortable with the idea of being on camera. They don’t need to be actor or public speaker, but you want someone who looks relaxed and happy rather than tense and fidgety. It’s easier said than done because most people have a deer-in-the-headlights moment when they stare down the lens of a professional camera. This is one reason to hire a professional. The right production company will ask the right questions to open someone up and knows how to help people feel comfortable and confident.

As for reaching out to clients about testimonials, it’s as simple as asking. Put out a call on your email newsletter or post a video about it on your social media pages. You can also reach out directly to those who have sent you thank you notes and compliments over the years.

Testimonial Video for Tabrizi Productions Client: Second Harvest Silicon Valley

How to Give Your Video Testimonial a Boost

Rather than a typical client recommendation, don’t forget to have fun with your testimonial videos.

Including both closeups and action shots in your testimonial videos is important. Closeups (or “talking heads” as we call them in the production world) create connection, but if you only include those stationary shots, you’re brand videos will look less engaging and static. At Tabrizi Productions, I always liven up videos with footage of my clients interacting with their brand in some kind of relevant environment.

How about a few examples? If you sell hiking boots, it would be appropriate to show your testimonial trekking along a mountain trail. If you’re a nonprofit that provides healthy meals and fights food insecurity (like my client Second Harvest of Silicon Valley), then show your testimonial cooking or sharing a meal with their family.

Come with prepared testimonial questions when you interview a client

Another technique, especially if the testimonial is a longer one, is to include text in your videos. Because let’s face it—the modern attention span is short. Studies report the average listener retaining only about 50% of a 10-minute oral presentation… not great. By including key words and phrases on-screen when your testimonial says something important, you let your customer know what to pay close attention to.

5 Questions To Ask Your Testimonial Customer

Make sure to prioritize good questions in your testimonial interviews. Here are a few I like to start with:

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what difficulty we helped you to solve?... How has our brand improved your situation/lifestyle?

2. How did you initially find us? And how long have you been using our product/service?

3. Why did you choose our brand over all others in our industry? (What strengths, values, or unique characteristics have you noticed?)

4. How do you use our product/service and what are some of the results you’ve seen?

5. Would you recommend us to your friends and family? What would you tell them?

 Asking the right follow-up questions is also key to the interview process. Rather than asking one question then jumping straight into the next, I make sure to take my time. When I sense I haven’t gotten the whole picture or I want to push past vague/cliche statements, I ask for more details.

San Francisco Bay Area production company Tabrizi Productions is ready to bring your testimonial videos to life!

Know When to Hire a Professional

 As you can tell from the length of this article, quality videos testimonials are an intricate and intentional process. With years of experience on these kinds of projects, I’d love to help your company do them with excellence. Check out one of my previous testimonials and if you think we’d be a good fit, don’t hesitate to reach out!

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Youtube, then don't leave without signing up for more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Give Your Brand A Face – Docu-style Videos and How They Benefit Your Brand

Take The Documentary Approach to Humanize Your Brand

Strengthening your brand’s videos is a big deal—especially if you hope to put your best foot forward and outdo the competition. So here’s a piece of advice I picked up from marketing 101: give your brand a face.

What I mean by that is include people in your brand videos (especially yourself). It’s an effective way to humanize your business and studies back this up. It’s been reported that ads with faces gain 11 times more engagement than ads that don’t.

When you (and your employees) interact with your audience through video, you build a deeper connection with them. You establish a deeper sense of trust and authenticity in their eyes.

Example of a Documentary Style Video… Give Your Brand a Face!

How can you apply this in your branded content? One of my favorite ways to accomplish this is through documentary style videos that introduce you on-screen as the owner of your business. In fact, docu-style content happens to be a specialty of mine!

When clients request this kind of video from me, I sit with them and ask them questions about their origin story, their values, and other aspects of their brand’s story. I like that these answers can be woven into brand overview videos, adding another layer.

Video footage of Tabrizi Productions client: Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor and Just Work: Get Shit Done Fast and Fair

As former Fortune 500 executive and business coach James A. Autry wisely puts it: “There is no business, there are only people. Business exists only among people and for people.

Why let me interview you instead of reading off a pre-planned script?

Some brand owners come to me requesting a pre-planned script, but there are a few reasons I tend to suggest starting with an outline and then expanding into conversational interviews instead.

Most importantly, scripted lines can be hard to remember and can come off a bit stiff (often, we don’t write in the same conversational way we speak). However, when I sit down with owners and ask them questions about their business, it comes off much more naturally. As my conversation with my client continues, they forget about the camera and grow more comfortable. That’s when the information really starts to flow. Some of the best footage I record comes from the last few minutes of those interviews.

Documentary style interview with Candice of gaming startup Cat Duo

Interviews help me guide my clients in stepping beyond any PR-lingo. It’s natural to want to put your best foot forward, but your audience will tune out when they hear cliches like “Our brand is special because we are like a family” or “We pursue excellence in everything we do.” They’ve heard the statement so many times, it no longer carries much significance.

So instead, let’s explore how your brand excels and what that tangibly looks like. Let’s discuss what family looks like to you and how it connects to the atmosphere surrounding your brand. As we explore these ideas together, you’ll also get to view your own brand from a different angle and perspective. Sometimes the right question can get you considering your company, your business decisions, and your values in interesting new ways.

Ready to give your brand a face? Reach out and let’s start fleshing out your new video!

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Don’t Get Lost in Translation: Why Your Video Benefits from Language Voiceovers

Video Translations… Dubbing? Subtitles? Text-to-Speech (TTS) Systems?

Chances are, you’ve come to this blog post wondering whether video translations are the right choice for you and your company. And if the answer to that is “yes,” whether you should use voiceover translations (the practice of replacing the original audio file with one in a different language) or subtitles (captions at the bottom of the screen).

Video translations in different languages can be applied to all kinds of videos—from client-facing product/service videos to internal ones (like training or company culture videos)—and there are a number of reasons why I recommend them to my clients. There is also a specific rationale behind my suggestion to use dubbing rather than subtitles). Let’s unpack those reasons so you can see exactly why this is a worthwhile investment for you and your audience.

Video translations… because your brand’s audience is multilingual

Your Audience Is Multilingual

The most straightforward reason for language voiceovers and subtitles is that, chances are, you’re trying to reach a multilingual audience.

If you’re planning to go global, this should be a given—but it also applies to brands with a nation-wide strategy as well. Afterall, in nine states, one in four residents speak another language besides English at home. That’s not the kind of numbers we should ignore!

If you don’t speak to your perspective audience in the language they are most comfortable with, you risk alienating them. Your video can be an aesthetically pleasing masterpiece, but if you don’t get your message across to your diverse audience… what’s the point?

This is particularly relevant if you want to reach urban dwellers because immigrants are statistically much more concentrated in cities and suburban areas. This is a really big deal for me (and many of my clients) living in the Silicon Valley, one of the most culturally diverse areas in America. As of 2019, 72.6% of San Jose’s residents were born outside the United States… we’re talking 742,000 people here!

Inclusion

But let’s take a minute to look beyond the stats.

When I use video translations at Tabrizi Productions, I prefer dubbing over subtitles

Now, more than ever, we understand the importance of improving our inclusivity efforts. Video translations show your viewers that you’re willing to make an effort to communicate with them rather than discount them. Creating accessible video content is a gesture of respect and good will. I promise you it won’t go unnoticed by your perspective audience.

A Note on Nonprofits

If you’re a nonprofit seeking to support underserved communities (a chunk of which are foreign language speakers), video translations should be a top priority. What’s the point of a resource if you don’t know it’s available to you?

Take one of my clients, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. This organization supports 500,000 people each month, fighting hunger with free healthy food. In California, where 10.4 million of our state’s inhabitants speak Spanish, the decision to add Spanish voiceovers to their videos was a no-brainer. They also included Vietnamese options. I love that they are intentionally engaging their local community in conversation.

Example of video voiceover translations with Tabrizi Productions client: Second Harvest Silicon Valley

Okay… But why choose voiceover recordings over subtitles?

Though my nonprofit partners have been leading the charge in switching from subtitled videos to ones with human voiceovers—requesting videos dubbed in Vietnamese, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese—I think this should be something that everyone should be getting on board with!

Recording a Chinese Translation for my Client Second Harvest Silicon Valley

First off, it shows you’re going the extra mile to care for your audience’s needs. Furthermore, the auditory component engages your audience more conversationally (whereas subtitles can seem like an afterthought). Transcriptions also show their limitations when you have more than one speaker on-screen at a time… and you don’t necessarily know whose saying what (and when).

To play devil’s advocate, I will say that one benefit of transcriptions is that they can give your brand a boost in SEO (key words and phrases in your writing that let search engines know you are an “expert” in your field and therefore boost you higher in search results online).

A Note on Text-to-Speech (TTS) Systems

Text-to-speech technology takes your written text and automatically produces a verbal audio. It might be tempting to simply throw your entire script into Google Translate before using a TTS system, but there are two reasons I advise against it.

Google Translations doesn’t navigate language like a translator who understands the nuances of that language… so avoid the grammatical errors!

The first, is that, because the software is still developing, it still sounds pretty robotic and it will inevitably mispronounce names, places, and products. Despite it’s shortcomings, it’s actually readily accepted by TikTok makers (so if you’re audience is Gen Z, go for it)… But I also know a number of older folks who find TTS voiceovers grating. So tread with caution.

Secondly, relying on Google Translations for an accurate is going to give you a number of grammatical errors. That’s because phrases don’t always have direct correlations or words have multiple meanings—but of which can result in poor translations.

So do yourself a favor and allow a production company to help you with those needs… Your audience will thank you for it! When you collaborate with Tabrizi Productions, we’ll make sure your message comes across to your audience with accurate close captions and human voiceovers.

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Ready to Learn How to Create the Perfect Video Hook?

Hook Your Viewer in the First Three Seconds Of Your DIY Video

Did you know three to five seconds is all it takes before someone clicks away from your video content? 

When it comes to video creation, you’ve got to jump right in there with a memorable hook!

Don’t give them the chance to change the channel and never look back. If you don’t want to miss out on the engagement or the conversions you're hoping to gain from your video marketing, you’ll need to be intentional about video engagement and hooking your audience in this narrow window of time.

There are a number of ways you can hook your audience with those DIY videos, but before you hit record, I'm going to give you four quick tips that you can use today.

Tip #1: Strong Video Engagement Means Not Wasting Time

First off, don't waste time telling them who you are. Save that for the title and description. 

If I started my video content with "Hi, my name's Farran Tabrizi, owner of Tabrizi Productions and creator of 30 Minutes to Better Quality Video,” I’ve just spent five seconds on info you probably already knew when you clicked on that DIY video. So don't waste time with the small-talk and niceties, and just get straight to the point. 

Strong visuals are great… But you’re not going to inspire viewers without a strong script to support it.

Tip #2: Strong Video Engagement Means Asking Good Questions

Ready for the second thing you should know about how to create an online video that nails engagement? Understand the power of a good question.

For example, because I want to reach people who are looking for ways to up their video marketing game, I might start with, "Do you ever wonder why your videos don't convert into newsletter signups on your website? That might be why you're here watching this video today." The reason this works is because when we hear a question, we can’t help but want to know the answer. You’ve just stoked your viewer’s curiosity.

Starting your video with a line like the one above will also confirm to the viewers of your DIY video that they're in the right place from the very beginning. That’s going to improve the chances that they stick around for the rest of the content.

Tip #3: Strong Video Engagement Means Appealing To Emotions

Third, find and address a pain point your viewer deals with in order to evoke some sort of emotion. You can do this with your video content creation by painting the picture of an obstacle that your audience can relate to and then offering them some sort of solution.

For instance, to reach my specific audience I could start a video with, "Do you spend too much time planning and creating a DIY video only to put it out to the masses... and receive one comment from your mom?” If that's happened to my viewers before (and it’s certainly happened to me!) it makes them want to stick around and find out how I’m going to help them solve this.

Tip #4:  Strong Video Engagement Means Entertaining and Educating

On to point number four: start with an interesting or shocking fact that relates to the video topic.

Rather than burying the lead by spending time on fluff, start strong. People want to be entertained or educated as they're scrolling through Instagram or watching videos on their other media accounts--and this is a great way to do it!

Create video content ideas that pack a punch & leave a memorable impression!

If I’m trying to convince someone they need to take their video content marketing more seriously, for instance, I might start with the fact that in 2020, Instagram users spent an average of 30 minutes per day on the platform--four more minutes than they did in 2019. This manages to peak my viewers’ interest while also showing them I’m a knowledgeable resource. And that’s going to keep them listening!

Alright... now it’s go time. Start putting these techniques to the test and watch as you start gaining more engaged viewers. You’ve got this!

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Youtube, then don't leave without signing up for more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

DIY Video Hacks: Backgrounds on A Budget

No need to rent a studio space… create professional backgrounds at home instead!

How many of you are shooting out of a home office? Or if not an office, maybe a spare bedroom or a quiet corner of your house?

There’s no shame in that. In fact, I do it all the time. You can absolutely create professional videos with pro backdrops from your own home.

Plus you can take some of the money you’ve just saved on not renting a studio space and invest it toward items that will help dress your set and represent your brand. We’ll get back to decorations in a sec, but first let’s talk setup so you can really start utilizing that background space well.

You don’t need to film in a studio to create professional video content.

Setting Up

First things first. More space is not necessarily better. Aim for no more than eight to ten feet of space behind you. More than that opens you up to more distractions in your background… like your dog speeding by.... or your kids chasing after the dog... or your husband chasing the kids chasing the dog. You get the picture.

Now that you have your place, position your camera. I have a whole video on framing and composition you can reference for this so make sure to check that out.

Also pay attention to the windows behind you. This is my biggest pet peeve, and I see it happen all the time. Never have a window behind you… unless you want to become a silhouette. In which case, go right ahead.

Lastly, tidy up your space. No one wants to look at your dirty coffee cups, lunch plates, and crumpled laundry. Avoid hanging cords too.

Embrace Colors

We've all seen enough zoom calls with the classic bookshelf background. Yes, it’s impressive you have lots of books--and I'm sure you've read all of them--but we're a little bit more creative than that. So let's add some personality and life to your backdrop!

Here’s a backdrop I worked on with one my clients… I just love how it came out!

Let’s start with color. When you're using a phone or webcam as your camera, that's fine, but it's hard to make a white wall behind you look pure white. 

Why? Essentially the white balance gets messed up and makes it look yellowish, bluish, or creates a burst of light, like a halo behind you, if you’re using an extra light source, like a ring light.

For this reason, avoiding a plain white wall is best. Consider slapping some paint on an accent wall in your house that matches your brand. (As you can see, that's what I did here.)

I realize not all of you can paint your walls. No worries. Maybe you add just a nice large piece of art to your background. 

Feng Shui that Setup

Which leads us to another facet of interior design… all the fun little decorations!

Shelves with a few objects creates that perfect amount of minimalist chic.

Do you have a door in the background or a window you can’t avoid? Then consider hanging a curtain. Having one over the door will give the illusion of a window--as long as it’s not sheer.

I’m also a big advocate for floating shelves. They're clean, minimalistic, and you can add and subtract decorative items with ease. When placing these shelves, make sure they're not so high up that they're going to be out of your shot (especially if you're sitting down). 

Once you have those shelves, it's nice to have things on them that are at varying heights. If you already have a bookshelf behind you, consider subtracting some of the books and replacing them with intriguing pieces like a candle or an air plant.

But before you start enthusiastically throwing a bunch of decorations or props in the background, think about something that ties back into you and your brand. 

Here’s my personal backdrop!

As you can see behind me, I've styled my space to incorporate the colors of my brand’s palette. That was no coincidence! 

Maybe you want to display some awards or diplomas. Add some life to your background with plants. Even fake plants add life. (On camera, you won’t be close enough to tell they’re not real.)

So get creative! Infuse your personality! It'll make all the difference and people will notice.

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Lit Videos: How To Get The Most Out of Your Ring Light

DIY Video Lighting Terms To Know: Fill Light, Natural Light, Ring Light

All right, so you bought this ring light because it's all the craze for creating videos. You set it up and you're wondering why it doesn't look as great as you thought it would.

There’s a wrong way to use a ring light… Do you know how to work your angles and environment to achieve that studio lighting?

Ring lights, also commonly known as glamour lights, are meant for up-close shots to help remove any lines or shadows when you create video content. They've become increasingly popular to the general public for video conference calls, influencer videos, and people just like you. 

Why? For starters, they're inexpensive. They also happen to come with this handy dandy tripod that you can pop your phone into the middle of--but they’re not perfect. Most affordable ring lights emit a pretty small amount of light in terms of filling up a room. So relying on it solely to achieve that studio look just isn’t going to happen. 

But hold up, don’t chuck your ring light in the nearest trash can just yet. To achieve the best lighting for video content, all you have to do is learn how to use a ring light in correlation with other factors, such as your environment. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:

Ring Light + Fill Light = Studio Look

I want to introduce you to the concept of a fill light. In studio production, we always use a fill light to compliment our primary light (or key light). But you don't necessarily need to go out and buy another light to do this. Simply use natural light.

How to create an online video with ideal lighting: ring light + fill light

If you're shooting video content in the daytime and have a window in your space, use it to your advantage. This will fill out everything else the ring light can't quite reach.

Why is this important? It will eliminate unwanted shadows and prevent you from looking like you're undergoing questioning in an interrogation room... Unless you’re going for the mobster movie look. In that case, go right ahead.

For the rest of us, I recommend making sure the window isn’t directly behind you. Your ring light is simply not powerful enough to counter that stronger light source, meaning you will be silhouetted.

A Few More Video Lighting Thoughts

Now I hear some of you saying, “But Farran, we’ve seen some of your recent videos and in some of them, you have your window behind you.” Fair point. But that’s because I'm using studio lights, so I can get away with it.

In your case, however, I recommend having the window either to the front or side of you. If it's not in the shot, it shouldn’t overpower your ring. 

… But if your window gets a lot of direct sunlight, and you’re still getting washed out, block the window with a sheer cloth or light-filtering curtain. 

One last thing: if you’re going to use natural light, be mindful of the time of day you're shooting. The last thing you want is to achieve the perfect lighting… only to have the light change noticeably as the sun sets. Because then, your shots aren’t going to match when you’re editing video footage later.

In summary, never rely solely on a ring light for video, use a fill light, and avoid shooting against a window. Look awesome and make that paper.

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

DIY Video Hacks: The Laptop Teleprompter Trick

How To Read Lines For Video With Your Own DIY Teleprompter

Reluctant to invest a bunch of money in a pricey teleprompter for your video content creation, but intimidated by memorizing all your lines? Not to worry, you already have your own DIY teleprompter!

There’s a nifty little setup hack that will help you navigate this bottleneck and have you running through your script so smooth the local TV network will want to poach you. This simple and savvy trick requires a little bit more setup and tweaking to get it dialed in, but once you’re good to go, creating video and reading those lines will be smooth sailing.

Keep forgetting your lines? Video content marketing on a budget? Try out this DIY teleprompter before you go out and buy new equipment.

Right. To get started, you’re going to need a camera (hopefully you knew that already), plus a tripod, a stool, a stand or tabletop (to prop your laptop on), and a wireless mouse. Ready? Let’s start setting up.

The Setup

When you’ve got everything you need, you'll want to set up your camera so the lens is slightly above your eyeline, almost tilting down. 

Next, line up your prompter (aka your laptop) below your camera lens. You'll want this pretty darn close, so that it's almost in the shot… but don't let it be in the shot. Use a stool to prop it up, then pull out those old textbooks or encyclopedias you have lying around to adjust it to that perfect height. If you're doing this often, you may want to invest in one of these cool laptop stands.

Okay, so now you've got your camera on your tripod with the prompter right below… Next, you'll want to open up the document with the text you’ll be reading from. Size it up so your text is easily readable, but not so much so that you're having to scan five lines just to read one sentence. If you do that, it’s going to force your eyes to dart up and down as you scan (which will be pretty noticeable to your audience).

To give yourself more space on your screen, also make sure to minimize or remove any toolbars up top.

Lastly, get that wireless mouse set up next to you (but out of the shot). This will work best if you're shooting mid-bust and up. I like to keep my mouse right by my side, so I can scroll along through the text at my own speed.

Practice and Make Adjustments

Now try out a few test runs by reading the first paragraph or two. How’d you do? If you can tell that you're reading or if you’re looking too far down, make some adjustments to the positioning of your prompter or size of your font. Afterall, you want to create video content with as much ease as possible. 

Here’s what my setup looks like!

Now I'm not going to lie, this setup is going to take a little bit of time and tweaking to get just right. Video creation should be a painless process so easing your way with some preparation, will benefit you in the long run.  

And once it's all set up, it's done! You'll be able to get through scripts with little to no cuts, which will mean little to no editing… which we like because it saves us tons of time so we can work on more scripts and create more quality videos!

X Marks the Spot

I assume most of you won't be shooting from a studio space, so here’s one more trick that will save you quite a lot of time in the long run.

Take some masking tape and mark off the spots where your equipment has been set up (and snap a few reference photos while you’re at it). That way, when you set up the next time, you’ll know exactly where to put everything. Not only does this speed up your setup process, but it’s good for the continuity of your videos, streamlining the look and angles so one looks the same as the next.

You’re All Good to Go!

And that's it! With a little bit of positioning and practice, you'll be churning out those scripts in no time. Now go out there and wow your friends with your video marketing prowess.

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

4 Ways To Frame a Flattering Shot

Nail Your Video Composition with These Techniques

The classic centered, straight on shot… not too close, not too far away!

Both cinematographers and photographers will tell you the importance of framing your shot well. A simple adjustment to your camera angle could make the difference between video content that distracts viewers and video content that focuses your audience on what’s most important: You!

To ace that composition and create video content that shines, it’s good to have a few camera framing techniques in your back pocket. Here's four pointers on dialing in your perfect shot.

Framing Your Shot

Frame your shot too low and you’ll end up with a double chin. You can do better!

Framing your shot is the first and most basic technique you can learn to frame and create videos like a pro. And since we're focusing on you, the talking head, we're going to start with a centered, straight on shot (much like the screenshot I’ve included on the left).

First, you’ll want to place your camera lens at or slightly above your eyeline. Many people have the habit of setting up their camera too low especially if they're using a laptop on their desk. This can give you an unflattering double chin… We definitely don't want that.

High shots will make you seem small and vulnerable.

That said, if your shot is too high and pointing downward, you'll look small and vulnerable. Think of the camera lens as the eye of your viewer. Really high angles will give them the impression that they’re considerably taller than you and, as a result, make you seem less authoritative.

So play around with your camera a bit until you find that perfect eyeline shot for your DIY video.

Headroom

Let's move on to another important element of aesthetic composition: headroom. This refers to the space between your head and the top of the screen frame.

Too much headroom makes you seem like you’re sinking out of the frame… Where are you trying to go?

If you have too much headroom in your DIY video, it’s going to look like you're sinking out of the frame. And just like high camera angles, it’s going to make you appear much shorter.

However, if you have too little headroom in your video, then you risk cutting off the top of your head. For professional video marketing or any other kind of quality video content creation, that’s not going to make your brand look poised and polished.

But before you place yourself right at the center of your screen, go ahead and read this next technique...

The Rule of Thirds

… Just don’t cut off the top of your head either.

If you take away anything from this blog post, this video composition strategy is the technique to put to use. To apply the Rule of Thirds, you need to figuratively divide your screen into a grid of nine imaginary squares.

Okay… now avoid placing the main subject of the frame within that center square.

Why do we do this? It sounds odd, but for whatever reason we find it aesthetically pleasing. Our eye is naturally drawn to “power points” along the lines of the squares. This also creates a well-balanced amount of negative space (those places in the frame left intentionally blank).

For talking-head style videos, the trick is to center yourself, while making sure your eyeline is on or near the line of the upper third section.

Applying the Rule of Thirds to the horizontal lines

The Rule of Thirds applies to both the vertical as well as the horizontal. So if you're planning to edit and show text on screen, shift yourself over to the right (or your viewer’s left) to make room for that info.

Distance From The Camera

Okay, but how close do you want to be from your camera when creating videos? 

I'm going to say somewhere between a medium to a closeup shot. I’m not talking an extreme closeup here. And the reason for that is something I learned from researchers studying Zoom fatigue.

So recently I found out that when we see a face that is overly close to the screen, it triggers a fight-or-flight response in our brains. That’s because it doesn’t match up with our typical personal space boundaries. If you were standing that close to a person on the street, you're either about to hug them, kiss them, or punch them.

Extreme closeups will make your viewers uncomfortable… Avoid getting up in their faces!

With that in mind, respect your viewers’ personal bubble and aim instead for a conversation distance. Ask yourself how close you would stand to a friend in a conversation.

An artificial light source (like a ring light) should also impact camera distance. Be sure you're not so far away from the camera or the light that it's ineffective… but don’t get so close you completely wash yourself out.

Finally, if you're shooting in a room in your house that has a lot of stuff in the background, opt for more of a close-up with a tighter shot to crop out those distractions. 

A Final Note on How To Create An Online Video By Framing A Flattering Shot

Let’s end with a comfortable closeup! So much better, right?

With a little practice, these video creation techniques will become second nature to you. However, while you’re getting familiar with framing your shots, it might be a good idea to make a checklist and have it somewhere nearby while you shoot.

Do a couple test runs, see how it looks, and when you like what you see, give it a go. You’ll be creating video content like a pro in no time!

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

The custom Thumbnail: why it matters

Why you really should create custom thumbnails for your video content

We’re told not to judge a book by it’s cover or a film by it’s poster… But let’s be honest, we’ve all done it. Which is why, if you really want to get serious about your video content creation, you need to invest an extra minute into customizing your DIY video’s thumbnail.

Good video content marketing means paying attention to the details… yes, even the thumbnails!

The Thumbnail… And Why It’s Important To Video Creation

You might be asking, what's a video thumbnail? And why should I care about it?

Good question. The thumbnail is that small preview image people see before they click on your video… And if you want them to click on it, you’ve got to make it enticing.

First impressions are important. With attention spans shorter than ever, and people consuming content like cotton candy, you shouldn’t settle for the randomly generated preview thumbnail that YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram suggests after your video uploads.

When media platforms choose your thumbnail, they aren’t making a strategic choice. It’s completely random. And if your video is mostly of you talking, chances are you're gonna end up with this really weird freeze frame.

Ready to learn how to create an online video with intriguing thumbnails? Intentionally choosing an image is your first step.

That picture of you mid-blink with your mouth hanging partially open isn’t exactly your best look, let alone one that establishes you as a video marketing professional in your audience’s mind. On the other hand, when you’re intentional with that thumbnail image, you can inspire curiosity as well as give them a sneak peak of what’s in store.

Seeking inspiration for better thumbnails? I’ve got you covered.

Techniques for Better Video Thumbnails

When you choose your own video thumbnail rather than the one randomly selected by YouTube, you get the chance to put your best foot forward. So tell your prospective viewer as much as possible, pique their curiosity, or evoke some sort of emotion.

There's a few ways you can go about doing this.

If your video is about a dog rescue nonprofit, you might want a screencap of a cute rescue pup rather than, say, the director of the organization. Fuzzy little Fido will tug on your viewer’s heartstrings. 

If it's a product video, you should pick an eye-catching image of your product. You might also opt for a sweet action shot of someone using it.

Here are some graphic and text overlays I was able to create with a nifty platform called Canva!

However, if your product is more an idea rather than an object—think services, education, or coaching—you want to craft an intentional thumbnail. Choose a shot of you with a big smile or another attractive pose. Your face is the brand, so make it count.

If you have a series of videos that all look really similar, I suggest adding graphic or text overlays to distinguish one from the next. There are some helpful (and free!) video thumbnail makers out there with online templates to assist with this process.

Uploading a Custom Thumbnail

Next, you might be asking, how do I upload a custom thumbnail? The technical side of creating video thumbnails is really simple, and it's pretty similar across all platforms.

Once your video is uploaded, you should see the randomly selected photo in the thumbnail category. In the same area, there should be a menu option to customize.

Customizing thumbnails is the way to go!

This will allow you to either pick a different freeze frame from your video or upload your own. If you have the time, I strongly suggest uploading your own because you'll have the opportunity to brand it. Most of the time, the quality of the image is far superior to the random freeze frame.

Another thing you should keep in mind is that some platforms only allow you to customize your thumbnail when you're uploading video content, and not after it's been published. Though Tiktok and Facebook allow you to change the thumbnail after posting, Instagram won’t!

A Final Note on Video Thumbnails

I hope this post encourages you. Choosing a good thumbnail for your video content doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or time consuming process. A little effort goes a long way. You’ve got this.

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Eye-Catching Videos: 3 Steps To Look Comfortable on Camera

Slay That DIY video content with these confidence boosters

Afraid of not looking like you know what you're doing on camera when making those DIY videos? I get it. It's not natural to talk to a lens, so don't beat yourself up over it.

Create video with confidence with these easy steps ;)

But don’t stop there! That content creation block is definitely something you can overcome with a little practice and preparation. And repeating three little words will make the world of difference when you want to learn how to be comfortable on camera: write, recite, ignite. 

Let’s break those down and what they mean for your video content creation, shall we?

Write: Creating Video with Intentional Content

First, you’re going to want to prepare a script beforehand. I can not stress this enough. Some argue an outline is enough… but in my own experience, it’s really not.

Being on camera and figuring out how to make good videos is already a steep learning curve. Your mind is already processing a bunch of new things simultaneously: framing your shot, checking your sound, hitting record, keeping up your energy from start to finish, even reminding yourself to smile… or breathe. The last thing I want you to worry about is what you're going to say when the light turns red.

Even if you don't recite the script verbatim, putting your full thoughts on paper will help your video marketing material really soak in. And when that happens, it’s going to be so much easier to deliver that content on camera.

Recite: How to Create an Online Video with Confidence

Tip #2 on how to create video content: recite your content until it flows

Now that you've written your video content ideas down, it's time for you to recite them. Practice reading your script out loud—to your mirror, to your pet, to your lamp. Whoever’s on hand really!

This is essential because most of the time our writing style doesn’t sound the way we talk. It almost always requires some fine tuning to take that formal way of wording things and make it sound more... comfortable and lived in. So if you keep stumbling over the same sentence, rewrite it until it rolls off the tongue effortlessly. 

Another surefire way to make sure your video content sounds natural is by reading it to a friend or a family member. If at any point they don’t understand something or they start spacing out, make note and adjust accordingly.

While you're reading, you’ll also want to make note of where you naturally pause. Chunk out your text at these breaks, so that when you start filming your video content, you can easily work on one paragraph at a time per take. Breaking your script into bite-sized pieces will make the whole process less overwhelming. And if you mess up, it’s no big deal to start over at the beginning of that chunk.

Ignite: Warming Up

Now it's time to ignite. And what I mean by this is that you should take the time to warm up.

Have you ever woken up in the morning only to sound like you spent last night smoking an entire pack of cigarettes? Yeah, we don't want that.

I absolutely love watching my clients gain confidence!

So warm up your vocals and body by doing some basic stretches and vocal cord exercises. Heck, go sing in the shower! 

And don’t forget to drink plenty of water before, during and after filming. Professional musicians and athletes warm up before performances, so why wouldn't you?

Final Thoughts on Bold, Natural Video Creation

So don’t forget: write, recite, ignite. If you practice these three things, you’re going to see a noticeable difference in how natural you look (and feel) in your videos. You can learn how . You absolutely can do it on camera!

And one last thing before you go: don't get hung up on perfection. This is a skill like any other that gets easier with time. One quote I’m always repeating to myself is, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice reduces the imperfection." 

So breathe, smile, and create that content with confidence!

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Break the Ice: Why You Need To Start Those DIY Videos

Stuck on content creation? You Have What It Takes To Create an Online Video!

Is it just me or does it feel like everyone and their mother wants to create video content? 

Up your Instagram game with engaging DIY videos

Whether it's YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or the latest TikTok craze, it seems like everyone is upping their video creation. Why? Because people are watching it! In 2021, it's expected that people will watch a hundred minutes per day of online video.

It also resonates with audiences. Video marketing researchers have found that social media posts with video content get 48% more views than posts with just images or text. Viewers also retain 95% of messages in video form, compared to only 10% of messages read in text.

Add to these stats that YouTube is the second most popular website after Google and you’ll start to understand why video content creation is such a huge deal.

Time to learn how to create an online video with pizzaz!

Now, I'm not saying all content is good content… We’ve all come across more than a few sloppy DIY videos. But there's something to be said about the fact that people are taking so much time out of their days to watch video.

Are you one of the many who want to find out how to create an online video for your business or brand, but have felt a bit daunted by the whole process? Maybe you’re intimidated by the expense of equipment or you’re a little camera shy... whatever the case you’ve been dragging your feet a little bit, right?

I get it. I’ve been there countless times before. Even though I've been creating professional video content for over 18 years, it seems so much easier to make video content for other clients. When it comes down to my own personal DIY videos, the thought of rearranging my space, pulling out and setting up the equipment, creating and practicing the content, and even getting into the right mindset is a lot. Like a lot, a lot.

But after hearing so many excuses in my community about DIY video creation, I've decided to take everything I know and distill it down into bite-sized lessons to help you create better video content with ease… Because I want to be the support system and resource I wish I had. 

So let’s make a deal—right here, right now—let’s quit putting it off. Don’t let another year pass by without jumping on the video marketing boat! If you commit to upping your game, I’ll commit to sharing tips so you can do it on camera with confidence.

Whether it’s how to create video for Instagram, Youtube, or any of the other platforms, I hope you’ll allow me to help you get there. Let's do this together. What do you say?

If you like what you’ve heard and you want to learn more about how to create video for Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, or TikTok then don't leave without signing up for my * newsletter * to gain more "quickie" video tips, course content and exclusive video coaching offers that will give you the confidence to do it on camera.

Covid-19 Safe Video Production

September 2019 was an exciting time for me,
I had just come out of a trip to Guatemala with a bunch of fellow Bosses, launched a rebrand on my birthday and was having my biggest year yet as a business. It was such an exhilarating time, I thought 2020 was going to be even better...

This year I spent the eave of my birthday looking out my window at the red sky of impending doom, wondering how my 36th birthday was going to go down. Since Shelter In Place, we had been improving our backyard for our family so that we had more to do at home. A play structure, pool and BBQ setup (thank you Craigslist), all in time to have an AQI of 200, which meant no outside fun. This birthday was looking pretty grim, which I’m sure ALL of you can relate. First the pandemic, now the whole state of CA is on fire. Could this world get any scarier??

Birthday plans may have been canceled but the outpour of love through phone calls, texts and gifts reminded me of all the people that love me. As sh!tty as this pandemic may be, I think being on lockdown has given us a greater appreciation for the people in our lives and we’re reverting back to the “olden days” when people would just pick up the phone to check in with friends or family. I may not have been able to physically see anyone, but I felt the love tenfold because of the extra effort people made to connect with me that day. 

With business slowed down and coming out of my maternity leave, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on how I can help others right now. I’ve been working on some resources to help businesses and teachers during the pandemic and have compiled them on my website, Covid-19 Safe Production. Which is basically a compilation of zero-contact video remedies, ranging from animated video to remote video consulting. 

30 Minutes to Quality VIdeo

And what I’m most excited about is my new course, 30 Minutes to Quality Video: A comprehensive, to the point, no-frills course that will give you a leg up in any video you’re creating; whether it’s for your business, a Zoom call or a lesson plan. This course will break it down from preparing your content, lighting and sound using the technology that you have.

Take a moment to check out these resources, and let me know what you think! I’d love to get your feedback and know how I can help you. Shoot me back an email or schedule a call. We can all use a little face time, right? Work related or not. What have you been up to? What’s new on your Netflix queue? What music have you been listening too? 

---

I just binged The Last Dance, the Michael Jordan series on Netflix.
Super Inspiring! Check out the soundtrack for some major throwback moments.

If you read to the end of this, I hope you found some useful info or at the very least a new show to watch :)

Stay Safe and Be Well,

Farran

Introducing Ace Falcon (left) born July 9th.
One amazing thing that happened to me in 2020.