Top 10 Scripting Tips

Most people know why they’re getting a video made, but many people freeze up because they don’t know what to say with their video.

Here are 10 tips on scripting your video.

1. Start with a paragraph that says who you are, and explains why you’re making your video: “My name is John Kingman. I’m a producer and studio manager for videoBIO. I believe script writing can be demystified, but it takes a top ten list to do it.”

2. Keep your script short: You’ll be tempted to include everything you can think of relating to your video topic, but what you really want to do is make it short and sweet. Write your script once, and then go through and mercilessly cut things out.

3. Write the way you talk: People often make the mistake of writing their script very formally, as if it were a presentation document. Then they start reading from it and stumbling around the words. It’s your voice, so use it when you write. Read what you write out loud to see how it actually sounds coming out.

4. Make broad points, but use detail to back them up: for example, if you’re talking about your past job experience you don’t want to give a chronologic synopsis of your entire life. Hit the big points, and go in for smaller details only when it really helps back up your broader point.

5. Imagine your audience: You’re going to be talking to a camera, but you need to picture who the people watching the final video are, and how they’d like to be talked to. You know your business well enough to figure out who your target audience is. Make sure you’re writing your script for them.

6. Spice it up: You’re not writing a text book here, so make sure to use some imagery and colorful language. You want to engage your audience with information, and to do that you need to make the information delivery interesting.

7. Include an appropriate quote, if possible. A great quote is always a nice way to drive a point home in language better written than we can pull off. Quotes also tell your audience the type of people you admire and look up to. But make sure that you’re quote fits the theme and mood of your script. As Gini Graham Scott said “… you can't fit a square peg in a round hole.”

8. Back up statements you make with statistics and facts: There’s nothing worse than making broad statements with no proof, especially when you’re trying to convince your audience to do business with you. Usually the easiest way to make a statement is through the statement of the statistic in the first place. The audience can piece together the rest.

9. Add a little humor: Adding a joke, or just being a little playful, let’s your audience know that you’re approachable. Certainly there are situations where that’s inappropriate (I’m looking at you, doctors) but for the most part it’s a good rule.

10. Your conclusion should summarize your beginning, and the points you made after: Whatever your opening statement was, this is the point where you justify it. “Script writing is hard, but it really doesn’t have to be. With a few simple tips, say 10 of them, you can be writing effective and compelling scripts in no time."

~ John Kingman

Top 5 Reasons to Add video to your B2B communication

How many people out there work for a company that is on the cusp of adding video, but cannot commit to taking the plunge? Often this hesitancy stems from a lack of consensus from the key decision makers, lack of awareness of what tools exist, or simply that they don’t see the need to bother amongst many other possibilities.

As video shifts from the periphery to center stage, businesses need to know that video isn’t just for weird cat ladies; it has become a commerce powerhouse that separates the industry leaders from the industry would-be-could-be’s. How many times has your business viewed a competitor or a client that has incorporated video into their B2B communication? Often? Sometimes? Never? Regardless of which, each one presents an opportunity for your business. Here are five reasons why your company needs to add video to your B2B communication:

1. Enables you to conduct business with a personal touch

Whether you are working with a local small business or a multinational corporation there is one inescapable commonality with all business: you are doing business with people. Taking the time to create a video and send it as a follow-up rather than a regular email helps to keep you and your company top of mind. This is especially true if you are bidding on a contract or looking to make that initial sale with a business.

2. Shows that your business is innovative & on the cutting edge

Ever since Kindergarten, who hasn’t wanted to be the “cool guy/girl”? Although we have gotten older and wiser that desire doesn’t go away. Using video in your communications adds the cool factor to your business, particularly if your competitors are not using it in their B2B communications!

3. Increase your visibility on the Web

Have you noticed that any time you do a Google search it’s not only websites that pop up, but also videos related to your query? Ensure that you have some of your B2B video communication on your site and in the social media space. That, along with strategic search engine optimization, will increase the likelihood that your business will appear on the first page of a Google Search.

4. Great Way to Demonstrate your Product/Services

If your business cannot meet with potential clients but you need to show them your latest widget or ground breaking doo-dad, video is a simple solution! It would be a good idea to hire a team of seasoned professionals to do this for you (ah-hem, videoBIO provides said services at an amazing price point!).

5. 7/10 People prefer watching video over reading text

Admittedly, that's a random made up statistic. However, it reflects the ever-growing trend of people using video. This is advantageous for your business! Let’s go back to the first point: video allows you to show your product/service, allows you to engage your client, and most importantly it allows you to show your authenticity, something people value greatly so much that it can be the difference between closing the deal or not.

To help your company take its first steps or adopt new methods to keep doing great things be sure to contact videoBIO at info@videobio.com or 416-840-7600

We look forward to helping you add video to your B2B communication strategy!

- Jermaine P.V. Bagnll

Jermaine is an Account Manager at videoBIO and heads up the social media. Don’t forget to follow videoBIO on twitter @videoBIO

How To: Make your videoBIO work HARDER

If you’re thinking of promoting your personal brand with video, you’re already steps ahead of the rest! You’ve recognized the value that video can offer in communicating your vision and increasing your reach. But there are a few additional considerations you can take to make your video work even harder for you!

· Make sure your message is clear and concise. Don’t bog down your audience with heavy details or confusing messages.

· Open your video with a strong statement or question that piques viewers’ interest. You only have 20 seconds or less to grab someone’s attention!

· Ask questions. Posing a question to the audience immediately engages them and heightens their connection to the content.

· Be yourself, and be natural. Viewers will be more apt to pay attention and relate if you are genuine and approachable.

· Leave the viewers wanting more, and then let them know how they can find out more. It is important to maintain a sense of intrigue, giving just enough information to whet the appetite and spark interest. Ensure that you offer an alternative means to continue the conversation by providing a website address, a social media page, or contact information.

By Stephanie Kittell, videoBIO producer

How To Make the Best First Impression

Within the first few moments of meeting you, people have already begun to form their opinions about you. They’re analyzing your appearance, your demeanor, your body language, and any other cues you might be transmitting. This is equally true of your online presence. You need to send the right signals from the get-go in order to make a positive and lasting impression!

Whether you’re presenting communicating through video or in person, here are 5 things you can do today to ensure that you put your best foot forward:

1) Make eye contact

Maintaining eye contact tells others that you are interested in them, and shows that you have nothing to hide.

2) Be genuine and true to yourself

People can sense when you’re trying to be something you’re not. Rather than put on a mask, let the real you shine! After all, you’ve gotten yourself this far, why stop now?

3) Be confident

Having and expressing confidence in yourself tells the world that what you have to contribute is valid and worthwhile. You’ll see others drawn to you, really wanting to hear what you have to say. Just don’t let it go to your head! Over-confidence can turn people away just as fast!

4) Be present

Be fully engaged in whatever it is you are doing at this moment. Try not to think about the pile of “To-Do’s” you have waiting for your attention, or what your next move will be. Whether you’re meeting someone new or addressing your audience with video, being present will allow you to perform at your very best.

5) Smile!

The importance of a smile cannot be understated! When you smile, the world smiles back at you. It shows others that you are happy, and you want them to be happy also. This is one of the most powerful things you can do in your communications.

Stephanie Kittell, videoBIO Producer