Tag Archives: marketing

You don’t need a big production to create good videos. You don’t even need a big budget, and T60 is ready to prove it.

$500. That’s the price-point for our latest service. We’re calling them “Elevator Pitch Videos.”

I don’t typically write about the services we offer. This blog isn’t meant to be a sales vehicle. It’s a platform to discuss our passion… storytelling.

I decided, however, to write about this particular service because I run into so many business owners with the same problem. They understand the power of video, and they would love something for their company’s website and social media… but they don’t have the cash.

I’m a small business owner myself, so trust me, I get it. That’s why we developed this service.

Clients get a 1-hour shoot. During that time we conduct an interview of sorts where they give us their elevator pitch. What they do, what sets them apart, and how they want their clients to feel after working with them. We shoot a little raw video, then take it all back and put together a short video.

It’s basic but professional. It’s high-quality but budget friendly. It’s just what a lot of small businesses need.

–Tony Gnau

Okay… I think I’ve recovered enough to blog about last week’s day-trip to New York City. If you missed it, I posted about my extended stay. The short story is storms pass through, flights cancel, hotels fill-up… equals a long night at LaGuardia.

I have never been awake for a longer time… 41-hours.

Now you know why it took me a while to be ready to blog about it.

Today’s post isn’t about storytelling. It isn’t about shooting or editing techniques. It’s about being able to do a lot with just a little.

When you’re shooting somewhere close to home, you can bring everything and the kitchen sink. When you’re traveling, you can’t do that. You have to pick your gear carefully and know how to make things work.

I went on the New York trip solo. That meant I could only take what I could carry, and it also played a big role while getting around the city. I shot in Brooklyn and the Bronx and took the train from location to location.

Take a look at the photo. The only thing I had with me that it’s seen is a small bag that carried my DSLR. Otherwise, I had a backpack carrying a video camera and audio equipment, a hard case for my light kit, and finally, a baseball bat bag on wheels I use for my tripod and miscellaneous other things.

That’s it. Funny thing is I didn’t even use the light kit. We shot the interview outside and the indoor b-roll was fine with the room’s existing lights.

You don’t need the kitchen sink to create good videos. Minimal gear will never be a problem when you know how to use what you have with you.

–Tony Gnau

I’m changing my title. You can do that sort of thing when you own your own business. The tough thing is choosing one.

I’m the founder, president and CEO, but I’m also a videographer, writer and editor. I don’t like any of those.

What I really am is the Chief Storytelling Officer. It’s a good title for a couple of reasons. First, it accurately describes what I do for our clients. I help tell their stories.

Second, I’m T60’s storyteller. I’m in charge of telling T60’s story. It’s not so much about when we started, the type of equipment we use, or listing our clients. Our story is all about our passion for video and storytelling. I’m in charge of getting that message out.

I hope your company has a Chief Storytelling Office… even if they don’t have the title.

–Tony Gnau

Ground Zero: September 13, 2010

We have a New York City shoot this week. I’m sure we’ll have more in the future, but I think all of them combined will have a tough time competing with our first.

We walked on Ground Zero.

There it is. Top that. It was about as powerful a shoot as I think we’ll ever have.

We produced a story on a former Chicagoland cop who walked from the Windy City to the Big Apple to raise money for fallen first responders and military families.

The shoot at Ground Zero happened by chance. While we were shooting outside the site, one of the Port Authority cops patrolling the area asked what we were up to. After telling her about the walk, she escorted us inside and introduced us to her boss. He then led us onto the site.

Talk about a video that shifted gears.

That’s a good lesson for everyone producing videos. Don’t get married to your plans. A great opportunity presented itself to us, and within 5-minutes we completely shifted the story we were telling.

Powerful, spontaneous moments will almost always trump a good plan.

–Tony Gnau

We have a shoot for a new client this week, and I knew I liked them when they gave us sample videos of the type of stories they like… from Starbucks.

Flat-out… Starbucks produces some great videos. I’ve blogged about them in the past, and they clearly understand the power of storytelling.

They also understand that featuring their own people is a great way to highlight  their company. Your team makes your business work, and they’re also your secret salespeople. They’re great subjects for videos because they’re real… authentic.

Real audiences relate to real people.

–Tony Gnau

Even a little video is better than no video at all. Research tells us people LOVE watching online videos. A short video might be all you need to get prospects to explore your website further.

It’s all about creating a good first impression, and these days you can get professional expertise at a minimal expense. T60’s Elevator Pitch videos are just $500, and we’re not the only ones creating quality low-cost videos.

The point is you can get expert help at a reasonable price. You don’t have to figure out how to do it on your own and risk looking like an amateur. Find a video professional to give you business a polished look.

–Tony Gnau

Music is a great thing to add to a video. It’s important however to pick the right music.

If you’re producing a business video for PR or marketing purposes, make sure to choose royalty-free music. We run into a lot of clients who have a popular song in mind for their videos, not thinking about needing the rights to use that music.

Royalty-free music allows you to set a mood and do it on a budget.

–Tony Gnau

Video is a great way to take people behind-the-scenes of your company, and I have a terrific example for you today.

American Airlines sent this video out yesterday via Facebook… Where does a bag go after it’s checked?

It’s exactly what a behind-the-scenes video should be. American takes something they do everyday that we never get to see… move and transport luggage… and show us exactly how it’s done.

What do you do at your business that goes unseen? It doesn’t have to be something as technically complicated as moving bags. Even something simple can be elevated with quality storytelling.

Take people behind-the-scenes and show them the great things you do when they’re not looking.

–Tony Gnau

Every company is different. Every company has its own culture, procedures, ways of doing things. When you go looking for a video producer, do your best to make sure they can fit in with your team.

We just started working with a new client and they did something I’ve never seen before. They provided us with a calendar, not only detailing what they expect from us, but what they would be adding to the project themselves.

I loved it. It’s clearly an insight into their company culture, and I have to say it worked for me. I took one look at the calendar and it was incredibly helpful, but I can tell you it might have freaked out other video professionals.

We’re a creative industry… right-brained, not left. Fortunately, I appreciate details, as long as people remain flexible, but if they had chosen the wrong production company… it could have been a doomed business relationship from the start.

Keep culture in mind when you start interviewing creative professionals.

–Tony Gnau

As the election draws closer, I’m sure I’ll be blogging more and more about the candidates’ web videos. The good, the bad… the pointless. Today, we take a look at the latest Obama video.

I have to say, it’s a letdown. President Obama’s videos during the 2008 election were pretty darn good. Okay, they were great. He clearly has some talented storytellers working for him. I think that’s why this one surprised me.

It’s titled, America the Beautiful. The White House rolled it out for Independence Day, but it’s just a hodgepodge of clips set to music. It’s like they couldn’t decide if it should be a campaign video or just something patriotic for the holiday.

It’s a good lesson though. You should have a clear vision for your story. Once you do… commit to it. You might have some great raw video, but if it doesn’t support your story it doesn’t belong in the final product.

Commit to the story and stay away from the hodgepodge.

–Tony Gnau