A successful inbound marketing strategy should include targeted web videos that show rather than tell a targeted audience about the features and benefits of a product or service. Videos are effective marketing tools because visual content is proven to be more effective than text alone. Inbound marketing videos are focused on attracting the ideal consumer by providing them with content that appeals to their wants and needs, and answers questions. Quality content will attract audiences to a website and create a personalized brand experience that can be appreciated by new and existing consumers, especially if the content is consistently updated.

As stated in earlier blogs, adding video content to a website can increase its Google ranking by 50% according to Google Analytics, which is indicative of the effectiveness of inbound marketing and visuals. Web videos are optimal because the content is shared across multi-media platforms that consumers frequent like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. Furthermore, videos provide clients with real-time service that can be accessed at their convenience, which also allows a business to track and research the success of existing content. SEO is created in part to the process of people searching for specific video content using keywords then a video with related keywords is more li that relate to a business orThe process of inbound marketing like other strategies, works to attract, convert, and close a prospective client.

Stay tuned for more McElroy Films blog posts that break down the keys to successful inbound marketing.

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An FTP transfer or File Transfer Protocol is what we, in the video production world, use to transfer files from one host to another host through the Internet.  Clients of McElroy Films often ask us what our preferred method of delivery is for files and completed videos.  Often times, there is no singular answer to this question because the method is  dependent on the client’s time frame and technical capabilities, not to mention the size of the files. As a video production company with a far reaching list of clientele, we are accustomed to sending files and products quickly and effectively throughout the country and overseas. This blog works to translate a hardy technological term into a comprehensible explanation of the FTP Transfer process.

FTP transfers occur when the client and the server connect through the Internet to share files.  Unlike a tangible hard drive, the FTP transfer is an ideal method of delivery if the client is not interested in paying for the storage drive, sales tax, and the shipping fees. Despite the shipping cost of hard drives, they are still the best and fastest way to send a large quantity of files, not to mention, they provide timeless data storage. FTP transfers are ideal for sending files remotely, however the process is timely as it takes equal loading and uploading time, from client to the server, therefore a strong and safe Internet connection is recommended for a successful transfer.

FTP transfers can require a login and username in order to allow access whereas other FTP transfers require no login or username.  Be sure to ask your client or vendor if they have a login or username for FTP transfers.  Once the client or vendor has access to the login or files then the files are ready to be transferred. Be sure to monitor the transfer throughout the process. Trust us, we enjoy helping our clients to understand the entire production process, including the delivery process.

If you have any questions regarding various methods of delivery or other facets of the production process then submit your questions to info@mcelroyfilms.com and we will dedicate our next blog post to answering your question.

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Youtube, the number 2 search engine on the web, continues to make creating and leveraging SEO driving content accessible for all users. In the past, Google algorithms relied on tags, descriptions, and video titles to track and rank popularity. Though this is still very much the case, SEO viewers and consumers also drive what makes topics popular. Do your research. Find out which companies are successfully marketing and trending online.

When planning out what to include in a video write-up consider using words that will draw in a specific target audience in addition to drive SEO. Consider the following information. What are you sharing with your audience that is unique? Who is your audience? Is this content timely? How many people are you sharing your video content? Where are people sharing and viewing? Are you engaging with your audience? What type of following do you have on existing Youtube and media channels? What are common words, questions, and side topics that people could also relate to your brand or product?

Many people believe that effective SEO tagging is centered on the words tagged in the write-up rather than the content itself. This is a common misconception, albeit the wording may initially attract viewers and search engines, the content and quality re-affirms the competency of your business. Luring in audiences with misleading tag words and phrases will not foster brand loyalty. Give your audience a reason to come back for more. Be seen as the authority in your field. Whether you’re selling a service or product, make sure your content is valuable and innovative.

Additionally as important, frequently update your content. Google indexes the relevancy of content based on dates published in real time. There is a reason why blog sites and news outlets are the most frequently indexed sites on the first page of Google. Remember to upload your videos in a timely manner. Try to shoot for one video a week, and then gradually increase to two or three. I know this sounds crazy but you’ll start to see results in a matter of weeks!

Our company can help you achieve your video SEO goals. We’ve done it for many companies in the past. Please check out our full gallery of video content or give us a call.

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In a few days, I’ll have the distinct, but sobering, honor of blowing out 30 candles on my birthday cake. Don’t get me wrong: That doesn’t mean I’m old! Yet, it reminds me of how quickly and how much you can accomplish when you’re focusing on the things you love. Yes, that means my wife and two boys, but also working everyday to produce and shoot videos for dozens of companies and non-profits continues to fulfill me. I’m working for myself, with a great team, and I’m having fun all the while. It was thirteen years ago that I decided on a video production career; a decision made while attending a program at the New York Film Academy.

In my high school years in Groton, MA, I had the opportunity to help shoot some documentary-style videos for non-profits connected to my church. They were amateur, to be sure, but I was having fun: It was work, especially for an untrained kid, but it didn’t feel like work. That’s when I decided to see if this hobby was worth pursuing and signed up for an intensive program at the NYFA.

Even before ‘small class size’ was the mantra of every educational institution, the NYFA made sure to limit the number of students so we all could get the individual attention we needed to excel. Then, almost immediately, the instructors threw us right into the thick of things and we learned by ‘doing’. I remember marveling at the 16mm Arri cameras they brought out. These were real ‘movie’ cameras compared to what I was used to. We were taught to load and unload the film, focus, determine exposure . . . it was so much information, but it stuck as we held the camera in our hands as each function of the camera was described.

We learned basics like composition, perspective, and depth of field: All things I had never thought about before. Later, we were given courses in lighting and editing what we shot. Before you think too hard, there was non-linear editing back then, but the NYFA had us cut our films on flatbeds with tape and scissors. Archaic? Maybe by today’s standards, but that experience really helped me appreciate the edit and helped me understand workflows, both manual and digital, that I would run into in the future.

Before I knew it, the program came to a close. I went home and picked up my camcorder, but now I didn’t just see a box with a lens, batteries, and DV tapes: I saw a tool. A tool that I could create just about anything I could dream up: An extension of my imagination. And so, I continued working for the non-profits, but this time paid attention to composition, lighting, and so forth and by the time high school ended, my calling in life was clear. Thirteen years later, I have the New York Film Academy to thank for helping me find my passion.

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According to census information this year, E-commerce has increased almost 5% from the first quarter of 2013 to the second quarter and accounted for over $60 billion in retail transactions in the second quarter. As the retail environment becomes safer and more robust, those numbers will only increase. A quality product video can help tap into online shoppers with clear and concise explanations of product features and professional quality cinematography that shows every angle of product. In 2010, 96% of shoppers online viewed videos and of those who watched product videos, 85% had a greater likelihood to buy than online shoppers that didn’t view video. As such, over 50% of marketing professionals claim that video, over print and other content, has the best return on investment (Emarketer).

Think about it: Aren’t you drawn to products with video when you shop online?

Quality product videos require two important aspects: Clarity and conciseness. Video retention online is abysmal because the user has complete control to stop watching the video and move on whenever he/she wants. That means a great product video has to draw them in right away and keep them watching. Professional videos do a much better job at this, performing 30% better than regular old user-generated content. It makes sense: Everybody knows a good video when they see one and professional videos have the quality visual and audio to really show potential purchasers every aspect of a product. That’s why video professionals are invaluable: They know what makes a great video a great video and how to make your business a video that will represent your brand and maximize the return on your investment.

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