By Barbara Niven, Actress & Speaker
Hollywood, CA USA
Here are some facts and figures for why you need to start using video right now – before you fall any further behind.
According to the Wharton School of Business, a well‐produced video (remember, bad video hurts!) increases information retention by 50% and speeds‐up buying decisions by 72% over a print brochure.
Of the 80% of viewers that have watched a video online, 52% have taken some sort of action.
Prospects are 72% more likely to purchase a product or service when video is used.
Video decreases the time it takes a viewer to reach a buying decision by 70%.
On‐line video advertising will grow 72% by 2012 reaching $61 billion.
(Sources: Focus Creative Group, Wharton website, Facebook.com, Linkedin.com, Forrester Research & Nielsen)
Obviously, video is exploding as a business tool. If you’re not using it yet, your competitors are. It’s the fastest way to rise in search engines and stand out from your competition. Video has leveled the playing field, allowing small business and entrepreneurs to
compete with the Big Dogs!
However, here’s a word of caution. Poor quality video is worse than no video at all, because your image is everything. And once bad video is out on the internet, you can’t completely take it back because it spiders out. It can stay there forever. Don’t chance that someone searching for you in Google would find a link to an old performance that you’re not proud of.
That’s why media training is so important! Learn to be your own professional spokesperson and get it right the first time. Hone your message and performance skills BEFORE you need them! Nobody is born knowing all the ins and outs of speaking to a camera lens. But you can learn and master the technique.
Once you develop your message, video template structure, preparation technique and performance skills, you can use the same “Blueprint” over and over again in every media opportunity. It becomes your branding.
Look at it this way. You probably are very good at what you do in your business niche, but if you’re not good in front of the camera, it’s the first thing people notice. We’re a media savvy society and you will be judged against the professionals on TV.
So even if you’re an expert in your field, poor on‐camera skills or lousy production values may question your credibility, tagging you as unprofessional, amateurish or even “shifty.” It can downgrade the perceived value of your products and services.
A little media training will help your professional image go from “Two Buck Chuck” to a million bucks very quickly. Your confidence level will will soar too, because you’ll know exactly what to say and how to say it every time!
Make sure you’re sending the right message to your potential clients. Learn the basics – it makes all the difference! You can find free resources and tips on my website.
Barbara Niven has been an actress and speaker in Hollywood for over 25 years. She’s also become Hollywood’s Top Business Media Trainer and custom video producer, with a studio in Los Angeles. She helps small business owners, speakers and authors excel in Videos, TV & Radio Interviews & Presentations to be the go-to-authority in their business niche.