Its become abundantly clear I need a video demonstration of how the bag works. Where your laptop goes, etc. But the question is, what kind of video? And, of course, can I afford it?
Camera bag designer Kelly Moore does the demonstration herself. I’m not sure I want to be the spokesperson or hire a spokesperson, but you can see it really gets the job done.
Another style is this stop-gap animation video for Creative Inc. – it feels a little more my speed. Even though there are people in this particular example, you could also create a video without people. But I wonder if this treatment is too arts and crafts for what I’m doing.
What do you think? Any video experts out there who have some ideas for me? Really need to hear them.
Hey Aleysa, here’s my 2 cents.
I think the 1st video works well, but it’s waaaay too long. If you go this route keep it to a minute, 1:30 tops. Even if your user is really interested in your bag, they’ll be tuning out by 1:30 no matter how engaging you are on camera. The upside to this video is it’s basically free. Grab a Flip camera and you could do it yourself. If you wanted to step it up a notch, hire a pro so you capture good audio and it’s well-lit. But even then it should be pretty affordable.
I really like the style of the second video, but you’re going to have to pay for it and it’s more risky, or at least has a higher chance to fail. In my opinion, this style of video really needs a strong concept/script and storyboard. It needs to be well thought out beforehand with the user in mind. What do they need to know about your bag? What is superfluous? How do you convey the features in a fun way, but still make it easy for the consumer to “get it”?
Personally, I’d go for the 2nd option because it’s a chance to not only sell the features of your bag, but also the personality of your brand. Just be sure to put the work in up front to get the creative right.
Good Luck!
Hi Nick – Thanks so much for weighing in! Your points are all very well heard and taken. A great script and/or creative idea seems to be the only reason I’d invest in the second option. Any idea how much something like that would be? Also, is there some idea in video I’m missing?
I agree with Nick on the time issue, but I have two points to add; audio is critical to selling and you need to cut to tight shots of the action. Your prospective customer needs to see the action and have an understanding of how their items will fit.
As for video 2…that’s overkill.
Spokesperson…script and practice. The more someone stumbles the less it appears they know what they’re talking about and it wastes time…while shooting and during the editing process.
Have fun
Greg – Thanks for all your points. The “tight shot” is not something I’d considered, but given the subject of the video it is clearly needed!
From a budget perspective, I’m certainly happy to to know you think video #2 is overkill. Perhaps when I have a whole line of products etc, its a better idea.
So then…are you saying hire a spokesperson? Or just practice myself? I wonder if someone from QVC could just pop over and help me out.
Thanks again!
Here’s a good example to work from, but don’t use a push/zoom in…rely on good framing and editing to move from wide/med/cu.
It’s always good to have the designer talk about the item…she’s the “expert” when it comes to the product.
As long as the designer sticks to a script, practices and avoids excessive hand gestures…you’ll have the perfect video.
This is great! Thank you for a prefect video example – and so relevant too.
“The expert”…well that does make sense. Now if I could just keep my hands from doing the talking.
Agree with the statements of everyone here. The video should — I think — match with the rest of your marketing/branding. Whatever choices you’ve applied there — simplicity, style, function, and unyielding quality — you should definitely ensure come out in this video.
The first video style *might* work there, but the second will definitely not. If you don’t want to be the face of the bag along with its name, then you might consider a friend who exudes the kind of person you think would buy this. Script it out so when you watch it, you think of those marketing/branding choices and they come out loud and clear.
One different thought I had was a combination of still-shot marketing — some kind of simple, elegant sound track against some slow changing, high quality shots of the bag’s functions and style (with perfect lighting, of course) — mixed in with some very simple demonstrations of the movement of the bag — a few seconds of video showing an elegant hand opening the main clasp and the bag, then more stills, then some video showing a smartly dressed woman turning with the bag on her shoulder… keep the real motion video very, very short with no audio. You could put in some simple, elegant text to narrate where necessary. Fading in, out, or sliding elegantly to one side. Someone with great type sense and some knowledge of video editing could do wonders here.
$0.02. Yours for free.
All of these are great points here. Nice work team!
I’d say go with #1… as much as I like the 2nd video, it’s a more intense process that you’d need to hire someone for and you’re looking into the couple thousand dollar range.
If I were you, I’d use a flip, good lighting, plan out what you’re going to say and film it 1 time through talking about the bag. Then, as Greg pointed out, film tight shots of the things you talked about… using iMovie you can easily lay out the video. The long vid of you speaking is your base, and then you lay the tight shots over it as you’re talking about those things.
But the single most important aspect of this whole thing… is to just START. The law of inertia applies to video, once moving, it’s much easier to keep it moving. You can always do more, tweak, create new stuff… you can only start once, yet it’s the most difficult step.