So what the heck is a "YouTube video?"

Beats me.

And my film crew. And editors. And writers.

But as filmmakers we hear this more and more. Hmmm. So I got to thinking....

When someone wants a "YouTube video," what does that mean from a producer's point of view?

Is a "YouTube video:"
Professionally created?
Consumer created?
Expensive?
Cheap?

Does a "YouTube video" include:
Actors?
Non-actors?
A call to action?
A great story?
No story?
A weak story?
Interviews?

Does a "YouTube video" look:
Slick?
Beautiful?
Home-made?
Hollywood?
Campy?
Mysterious?

Does a "YouTube video" feel:
Funny?
Serious?
Sad?
Optimistic?
Negative?
Surprising?
Joyful?
Scary?

Is a "YouTube video:"
Musical?
Poetic?
Educational?
Inspirational?
Thought-provoking?
Staged?
Captured live?

Phew! I'm just starting. But I think you get the idea.

The next time your producer looks confused when you ask for a "YouTube video," remember...

YouTube is a distribution channel...not your video story.

---Tom

Huh? A "YouTube Video?" What's That?

"Our product is peace," John Lennon riffed. "Let's sell it like soap!"

That was almost 40 years ago, folks.

Imagine. Just imagine.

---Tom

Selling Peace Like Soap

Part 2 of my Ask(?)Away conversation with Valeria Maltoni at Conversation Agent is now up.

Dive in. Get wet. Leave a comment. Feel free to Ask(?)Away on questions you might have about the interview.

The payoff? Valeria includes your comments along with the entire interview when she produces a beautifully designed, free PDF e-book for you to download. Cool.

Go ahead. Ignite the conversation. Ask(?)Away!

---Tom

Ask Away Part 2

If you have a minute, cruise on over to Conversation Agent Valeria Maltoni's site and check out the conversation we recently had.

Better yet...jump into the dialogue and add your thoughts to the discussion. Part 1 is up now. Part 2 appears on Wednesday. There should be some neat ideas coming out of this. I'll chime in when I can.

Here's a few things we covered in Ask(?)Away:

1. Why corporate videos have historically had a bad rap.
2. I share an example of how an energetic and compelling corporate video can help a company communicate a message with real meaning and, dare I say, heart and soul.
3. The power of creating a new "reality" an audience can identify with through a memorable story.
4. The role of employee interviews "heroes" in telling corporate stories.
5. The role of corporate communication departments in discovering those "heroes."

Hope to see you there :-)

---Tom

Commodity to Community

What does it mean to “brand your story” using corporate video?

Recently, I noticed something interesting going on in the area of language: corporate clients are combining “story” and “brand” in the same sentence.


For example, just this week while meeting with a new client, unexpectedly came, “We want our story branded through video.”

Now imagine this for a moment. Imagine telling your unique video story with some “off-the-shelf” stock footage. You are forcing generic video images to tell your custom video story.

Chances are, you will be disappointed. Your culture, energy, passion and vision will hardly be captured in a way that emotionally connects you to your audience. It would be like going to McDonald’s and expecting to receive a custom meal.

Your corporate story is not a commodity. Neither is your video story. Treat it well and it will serve you well.

On the train ride home from New York this week, I thought about it a bit more. What exactly does someone mean when they say, “We want our story branded with video?”

Here are some common themes, as I see it, connecting “brand,” “story” using corporate video.

Four Simple Ways to Brand Your Story Using Corporate Video

1. Identify Your Emotions

Every living organization has relationships. Your organization is no different. Who are you? Why are you different? What’s your ZAG? Your answers are tied to specific emotions that people have towards you. Creating an emotional connection back to your audience through your video implies understanding the emotions that make you unique to begin with.

2. Share Your Dream

Strong brands create strong dreams. A dream is a journey from one state of mind to another. What is your company’s dream? What journey are you on? Where are you taking your viewers? Transporting your viewers to another state of mind in your video allows your audience to imagine new possibilities and opportunities and apply them to their world.

3. Make Meaning

Assume for a moment that your purpose in business is not about yourself, but about others. Why does your company matter? Are you “making meaning”? How are you so different, that dare I say, I have actually fallen in love with your brand? Corporate video can be as powerful or boring as you make it. Capturing your “Why We Matter” factor through video is a powerful way to show what would happen if your company did not exist, and why it exists in the first place.

4. Dip Into Your Past

Your present moment is a reflection of your past. Sharing your past provides a framework and context for your viewers to care even more about you. Your company’s history and experience is as unique as your own. Capitalize on the traditions and values that brought the company to where it is today. Sharing with your viewers where you have been helps them align their personal values with your corporate values.

Does your corporate video incorporate any of these themes in authentic, personal and emotional ways? Don’t let your video fall into the trap of being indistinguishable from the pack.

Your brand deserves better, yes?

---Tom

4 Simple Ways to Brand Your Story

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