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Debbi Karpowicz Kickham

Guide to Producing a Business Video

How to craft a winning corporate video for every budget

By Debbi Karpowicz Kickham

Whether you're an innkeeper who wants to get the word out to the media, a florist who wants to show off wedding designs to prospective brides, or an entrepreneur with an exciting new consumer product that's ideal for an infomercial, a well-made video brings your business to life.

These are the keys to business video success:

  1. Focus your message. Ask yourself what you most want to convey to your audience about your product or service. Make a list and you're on your way.
  2. Prioritize. From your list, whittle it down to the five top messages that are most important. The key to producing a successful business video is to keep your messages on target.
  3. Remember your audience. This will help you craft a better message.

After you've determined the subject of your video, consult these sources for more information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Make it a production

Get production company professionals to help you out.
I recommend: Visit Action Video, Ocean Productions and Kontiki. CVP Production has clients nationwide.

Get the write stuff

Not sure how to write your commercial or product demo? Turn to a professional writer who can do the work for you.
I recommend: Media Bistro offers a freelance marketplace of professionals you can consider, or you can find help through the National Writers Union.

Get the info about infomercials

The Electronic Retailing Association represents nearly 400 companies in 45 countries and is the trade association for companies selling on TV and on radio.
I recommend: Visit the ERA for information and resource referrals.

Establish the right personal "look" for your video

If you're appearing in your video, a professional image is important. Don't wear white or black outfits, or those with "busy" patterns. Wear understated accessories and make sure your makeup and grooming are flawless.
I recommend: For further information, or to contact an image consultant in your area, visit the Association of Image Consultants International.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Suggest graphics and music. When you meet with the production company, bring along your ideas for graphics and music that you'd like to include, or examples of other productions that resonate with your business.
  • Bring marketing tools. Show the production company your stationery, brochures and any collateral materials, which will give them a better idea of your business, and may also be used as graphics in your video.
  • Get in the loop. Consider showing your video on a loop in your office or store, to demonstrate your product to new and existing customers.

The official source of Producing a Business Video is
the Film and Video Information Resources page at Business.com

Video Production Company: INTOUCH Interactive®
INTOUCH Promotional Video Solutions. Promotional Trailers, Educational Videos, Character Animation and More. Contact Us for a Free Consultation.
www.intouchkiosk.com
Find Video Production Service Providers Near You
InfoComm iQ has created a comprehensive AV services resource finder. Search for the Video Production Services provider near you!
Find Provider | Find Producer
www.InfoCommIQ.com
Professional Video Production - Sacramento
HD Green Screen studio. Multiple cameras. From commercials to training videos. Multiple edit bays, sound booth and much more!
www.EggheadProductions.com
Video Services in the San Francisco Bay Area
Studio B Films - full service video production company specializing in video for the web, marketing, event and sizzle videos, commercials. HD Crews.
www.studiobfilms.com

Recommended Solution Providers

Video Builder: Full Service Video Production
Works with you to script, produce, and distribute corporate videos to meet your company's needs.

Kontiki: Low-Cost, High-Quality Corporate Video Production
Offers low-cost, high-quality corporate video production services. Kontiki can film, edit and digitize business videos onsite for customers.

Solid Line Media: Video Production Services
A client-focused corporate video production company that helps meet your needs within a tight budget.

db Masters Multimedia: Audio, Video, and Web Production Services for Small Business
Production company that focuses on the needs of small businesses and independent artists.

Best Sites to Learn More

ProductionHub: The Production Search Engine
Browse an extensive directory of production companies that specialize in corporate/training videos, or use the request engine to get free quotes from multiple suppliers.

StreamingMedia: The Small Business of Streaming Media
This site is dedicated to addressing the issues people face when producing videos to be streamed on the internet. From Streaming Media Magazine, site also includes helpful links and resources for those who use online video for business communication and delivery of consumer content.

Best Blogs and Forums

Video University Forums: Master the Art of Videography
Get advice from experts on all aspect of video production. Includes a section on corporate and small business videos. Read messages and responses for free, but you must pay a subscription fee to post.

Video Maker Magazine: Camcorders, Digital Editing, and Reviews
Read news and stories about all aspects of video production, from Video Maker Magazine.

Bob Donlan's Digital Video Blog: Discussion of Digital Video Productions and Techniques
Learn about digital video production from author and video expert Bob Donlan.



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