When it comes to video production / videography, getting started can feel daunting, and understanding the purpose behind it is key. Some view video as a daunting and unpredictable endeavour, while others consider it merely a box to tick on their marketing checklist. Then there are those who see it as the cornerstone of their marketing strategy, capturing attention and earning the trust of their target audience. While video is often seen as a one-time, impactful piece of temporary content for a specific project or campaign, it may not always be the ideal starting point for building a long-term audience.

Video is more than just a fleeting form of content; it's about forging connections, evoking emotions, building trust, showcasing humanity and personality, and standing out in a sea of content to combat diminishing attention spans. Taking a short-term approach to video production can often overlook its potential for long-term success. From a practical standpoint, video engages both the visual and auditory senses, offering a more immersive and personal experience compared to text or audio alone. This engagement often leads to a deeper emotional connection with the content, as videos have a unique ability to convey stories and evoke feelings.

Moreover, videos excel at demonstrating and explaining complex concepts, making information easier to grasp and remember. Additionally, videos are highly accessible and shareable, allowing them to reach a broad audience across various platforms. In essence, the combination of visual engagement, emotional impact, demonstration capabilities, accessibility, and shareability makes video a potent tool for communication.

When it comes to introducing video to a business, whether it's their first time or they're seasoned veterans, the topic of promotional videos usually takes center stage. That's because, in our view, a promotional video serves as the quintessential digital portrayal of a business or brand. It addresses crucial questions: Who is this business? What do they offer? Why should I choose them over competitors? What sets them apart? What values do they uphold? Potential customers have these inquiries, and they prefer not to scour the internet for answers. Ideally, a compelling and concise promotional video can seize their attention, spur action, and leave a lasting impression on their minds and hearts.

However, a promotional video doesn't entail a stiff individual in a suit speaking directly (or indirectly) to the camera, inundated with industry jargon. It can be vibrant, emotive, relatable, and narrative-driven, or it can adopt a more formal and direct approach, all while avoiding the off-putting feel of a traditional sales pitch. These videos aid businesses and organizations in effectively conveying their value, piquing interest, and boosting conversions, rendering them vital tools for marketing and promotion. Their duration can vary from 30 seconds to 2 minutes or more, dependant upon the target audience and message.

Typically, promotional videos are the pillar of corporate video production, and find a home on a company's homepage, are shared across social media platforms, showcased at events, and the like. To witness visual examples, you can click here to our video production page and filter by 'promotional.' Additionally, here are three past examples of promotional videos we've crafted: one for a law firm (University Law Solicitors), another for a luxury getaway (Tanylan Farm), and a third for event promotion (The Success Seminar).

In recent years, highlighting company culture has emerged as a significant trend, extending beyond recruitment efforts to encompass the portrayal of a brand's values and ethos in marketing endeavours. While the adage “people buy from people" holds true, its implications run deeper, particularly for large brands where the human element may become obscured. It's a stark reality: if a business claims certain values while its employees appear unhappy, consumers will quickly pick up on the insincerity behind such attempts to earn their trust. Few individuals aspire to work for a business rife with unhappy and unproductive staff; they gravitate toward environments characterized by positivity and productivity.

Enter “meet the team" videos, offering multifaceted benefits for businesses. These videos inject a personal touch into a company's online presence, humanizing the brand and fostering trust with customers. Moreover, they serve as a platform to showcase the team's expertise, diversity, and professionalism, thereby bolstering the company's reputation and nurturing customer relationships.

Similarly, in the realm of recruitment, prospective employees seek more than just salary and perks like gym memberships. They aspire to join organizations where they can forge meaningful connections, create lasting memories, evade workplace toxicity, pursue career advancement, and fulfil other fundamental human needs. Here are two examples of recruitment videos we produced, featuring Aisha and Clare in the legal sector. These videos exemplify the power of storytelling in attracting potential hires, offering insight into the workplace culture and inviting individuals to envision themselves as valued contributors to the team.

In today's digital landscape, traditional written testimonials are everywhere, all across companies websites and social media feeds. However, their overuse may have led to a saturation point where they no longer stand out or elicit the same level of trust and emotional connection as they once did. Written testimonials, while informative, lack the emotional depth and authenticity that video testimonials inherently offer. Written words can be easily fabricated or manipulated, leaving audiences sceptical of their credibility.

Additionally, without the visual and auditory cues that video production provides, written testimonials often fail to establish a genuine emotional connection with viewers. The sheer volume of written testimonials can be overwhelming, making it difficult for businesses to differentiate themselves and capture the attention of their audience. In contrast, video testimonials offer a more engaging and impactful way to convey customer experiences, allowing viewers to see and hear the genuine enthusiasm and satisfaction of previous customers first-hand. By leveraging video testimonials, businesses can break through the noise, establish credibility, and forge meaningful connections with their audience, ultimately driving increased brand recognition and customer loyalty.

Now, in the context of the examples we've discussed previously—such as videos produced for a business networking group (Zokit), a software development agency (D3 Digital), and a cleaning company (Optimo)—the incorporation of video testimonials elevates their promotional efforts to new heights. These videos not only showcase the unique offerings and achievements of each business but also provide authentic endorsements that resonate with audiences on a deeper level. Through the power of video, these businesses can effectively differentiate themselves in a crowded market, foster trust, and cultivate lasting relationships with their customers.

The videos we've previously discussed—promotional videos, video testimonials, and recruitment videos—are typically grounded in logic and employed for business expansion. They delve into aspects such as a company's offerings, unique selling propositions, and customer achievements, aiming to directly engage potential customers with a clear sales pitch. While this direct approach undoubtedly has its merits, there are instances where a more indirect strategy proves most effective—telling a story rather than delivering a straightforward message.

Enter brand films: narrative-driven, scripted short films that indirectly promote a brand through relatable stories designed to present a spectrum of emotions—be it sadness, joy, rage, laughter, or others. Indifference is not an option; these films must be memorable and prompt immediate action, whether it's rallying support for a brand, purchasing a product line, participating in a campaign, or other forms of engagement. Failure to do so risks losing their impact, given their emphasis on storytelling.

Overall, brand films play a pivotal role in crafting a compelling brand narrative, forging deeper connections with audiences, and setting the brand apart in a competitive market. They foster customer loyalty and enhance brand recognition by resonating with viewers on an emotional level. Take, for instance, the John Lewis TV commercials aired every Christmas—a prime example of brand films designed to tug at heartstrings without overtly selling a product, focusing instead on winning hearts through storytelling. Here's an example of a brand film we produced for a home memorial product, showcasing the power of storytelling in conveying the essence of a brand and leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

Educational marketing has witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. It serves as a foundation for cultivating trust among audiences, elicits reciprocity, and demonstrates expertise. Moreover, the amount of content ensures a continuous flow of insights into specialized subjects, easily disseminated through various mediums such as videos, audio, images, and text. Formats like video podcasts, explainer videos, talking head segments, and others serve as effective channels for educational content delivery.

A notable advantage of educational content through video production lies in its scalability; a single filming session can yield a bundle of material, providing digestible content for months to come. Often showcased via social media platforms, these informative pieces aim to offer valuable insights, impart new skills, or address pertinent topics relevant to the target audience.

Such videos afford businesses the opportunity to exhibit their expertise, position themselves as thought leaders, and foster meaningful engagement with their audience. By sharing knowledge and insights, businesses can fortify trust, enhance credibility, and cultivate loyalty among their followers. Consequently, this facilitates heightened brand awareness, improved customer retention, and potentially augmented conversions or sales. A good example is our video podcasts with Sinclairslaw, gathering them views in the thousands and countless business enquiries and brand trust.

We hope these video tips help spark creative inspiration and get you thinking about how your event could look from a customer perspective. We are always happy to offer a free chat to discuss any potential projects you have in mind and provide a consultation on how videos can elevate your event. This blog was written by Haydn Wakeling, Founder of Black Swan Productions.

In a crowded landscape of events, it can be difficult to not only get people to book your event in the first place, but also to get people to remember and celebrate the occasion once it's over. Likewise, ensuring people can have a fun time whilst you're pushing a camera in their direction. We've worked across all sorts of recognised industry events and we've got some tips to share. For us, we try to figure out what the big picture is, and ensure our filming can make the most of the occasion. Is this event part of a marketing campaign? Designed for profit? Trying to educate a sector? Once we know the key purpose, we can work out the best method for bringing it to life and creating success. 

It’s no secret that when a team of filmmakers is walking around with a large camera, it can be natural for people to feel nervous or unsure of how to act when it’s pointed in their direction. It’s only human for them to become tense and freeze up, leaving a gap of ‘moments’ to capture. In our experience, it’s best to acknowledge the situation openly. Make it clear that you’re there to capture a moment and encourage people to have fun with it. Suggest ideas like laughing with the person next to them, smiling at the camera, doing a little dance, or anything else that comes to mind. Similarly, when people are already enjoying themselves, tell them to pretend you’re not there. You can humorously suggest that you’re a ghost and ask them to act as if you don’t exist.

Filming people having a good time is great, but hearing them talk about their experience is even better. Doing interviews where we ask attendees about the event can catch some really special moments, especially when we show what they're talking about alongside footage from the event. People who are thinking about coming to the next event or are just curious about what it's like usually have some questions. Getting those questions answered by folks who were actually there can make a video that's really memorable.

Of course, the main reason for filming an event is to create one awesome promo video that everyone involved can use to hype up future events and boost ticket sales or attendance. But let's be real, how many times can you share the same video before people start tuning out? That's why during filming, we make sure to capture lots of short clips and photos that can be used for ongoing marketing. And if it's something like an award ceremony, it's smart to also create individual videos for each winner. We did that for the Wales Legal Awards 2023, so every winning firm could share their victory and keep the buzz going after the event.

When you're behind the camera, it's easy to get caught up in two things: making sure the story flows smoothly and ensuring top-notch production quality. After all, nobody wants their audience scratching their heads or noticing inconsistencies in the footage. But here's the thing about filming events – it's all about the emotion. Sure, maybe a shot isn't perfectly framed or it's a tad blurry, but if it packs an emotional punch and gets the audience feeling something, it's golden. And sometimes, you have to ditch the standard beginning-to-end narrative. Forget about your own biases and just focus on creating a video that hits people emotionally.

While it's crucial not to get too caught up in copying others' work because every event is its own special thing, it doesn't hurt to peek at what's out there and get inspired by different ideas. And it's not just about checking out other event videos either; taking a look at different kinds of experience videos can spark some interesting concepts. For example, mixing in event photography with the video footage can add a whole new layer to the memories captured. And jotting down a bunch of ideas – even something as simple as getting everyone to give a thumbs-up when the camera's on them – can lead to some fun little videos that the organizer can use to hype up the event.

We hope these video tips help spark creative inspiration and get you thinking about how your event could look from a customer perspective. We are always happy to offer a free chat to discuss any potential projects you have in mind and provide a consultation on how videos can elevate your event. This blog was written by Haydn Wakeling, Founder of Black Swan Productions.

In a legal landscape saturated with competition, it's crucial for law firms to distinguish themselves not just through exceptional service but also by injecting personality and transparency into their brand. Captivating videos not only highlight your stellar work but also unravel the distinctive elements that set you apart.

Why: Envision the customer journey navigating firms with similar USPs like stellar reviews and a longstanding reputation. Amidst endless text on websites, a promotional video becomes a powerful tool. It succinctly communicates a firm's personality, services, unique selling points, values, mission, purpose, and client testimonials, providing a captivating and memorable way for clients to connect with your firm.

What: A promotional video is generally a short video that explains who a company is, the services they provide, their unique selling points, values, mission, purpose, and client testimonials. 

Where: To be placed on the homepage of the website, sent to interested clients, pinned to the top of socials, sent in email campaigns, played at events, and used in sales and marketing efforts. This is like a video business card, and can be used as a firm's ultimate creative asset. 

Here’s a link to an example: https://www.blackswanproductions.co.uk/accident-claims-wales/

Why: Video testimonials enable law firms to authentically showcase client satisfaction, fostering trust and credibility. The visual impact surpasses written reviews, providing a dynamic and persuasive tool to emphasize the firm's expertise and client-focused approach, thereby attracting potential clients. Imagine prospects witnessing real customers who willingly go on camera to endorse your firm's excellent services.

What: Video testimonials, or customer success stories, are about having happy clients sit in-front of a camera to discuss the fantastic work a firm did for them and the problems they solved. 

Where: Similar to the promotional video, these can be placed on the website, shared on social media, etc, but they can also be used more strategically in marketing a specific service you're looking to push. 

Here’s a link to an example (non-legal): https://www.blackswanproductions.co.uk/zokit/

Why: Embedding videos on each service's web page provides distinct advantages. It enhances communication, as prospects don’t need to read endless text, whilst building trusts and credibility. The videos showcase expertise, aiding in SEO and increasing engagement on social media. They differentiate the firm from competitors, educate clients, boost conversions, ensure accessibility, and improve client relationships.

What: Service videos are individual promotional videos of specific services like property, education, later life, and more. 

Where: Ideally, these will be placed on the respective web page of each service and landing pages, so when a potential customer lands they can watch a video to explain the service and book a chat right away. 

Here’s a link to an example: https://www.blackswanproductions.co.uk/watkins-and-gunn-platform/

Why: Recruitment videos are vital for law firms, dynamically highlighting the culture, values, and work environment. They offer insight into the firm's ethos and team dynamics. This personalized approach attracts top talent, elevating the recruitment process by standing out from standard job perks and avoiding costly recruiter fees. When deciding to join a firm, do you think the impact of its culture is a crucial factor?

What: Hearing from happy staff members has numerous benefits, as they can be meet the team videos, culture videos, recruitment videos, and all of them in one. They are designed to showcase the happy faces behind a firm, their career journey's, what they like about working at the firm, their future goals, the company culture and things like this.

Where: Ideally, these will be used in recruitment efforts, so can fit nicely on a 'join us' or 'careers' page, and anywhere else suitable such as in social media posts with job opportunities.

Here’s a link to an example: https://www.blackswanproductions.co.uk/watkins-and-gunn-recruitment/

Why: Law firms can greatly benefit from engaging in video podcasts as a dynamic and modern form of communication. A key advantage is the ability to humanize the firm and its solicitors, allowing prospects and clients to connect more personally. They provide a platform for showcasing the expertise and personalities of the legal professionals, fostering trust and transparency, whilst giving back to their audience.

What: Video podcasts are uniquely designed to educate people whilst showcasing expertise and building trust. You often see them in the form of webinars and recorded from computers, but they're most impactful when produced through professional filming. 

Where: Ideally, these will be used on social media and within website blogs to boost Google rankings. They can also be used when acting on behalf of a news outlet by having an expert discuss a topic.

Here’s a link to an example: https://www.blackswanproductions.co.uk/sinclairs-law/

We hope these video ideas help spark creative inspiration and get you thinking about how your firm looks from the outside, looking at things from a customer perspective. We are always happy to offer a free chat to discuss any potential projects you have in mind and provide a consultation on how videos can elevate your firm. This blog was written by Haydn Wakeling, Founder of Black Swan Productions.