Tips for Creating Impressive Video Content

A marketer knows that he or she gets only one chance to make a good impression. That bit of knowledge should be applied to the area of video marketing. The images filmed and posted on a company’s website ought to tell a story. By hiring professionals, a business can make sure that the filmed story strikes consumers as something that is authentic and meaningful.

One of those professionals should be a content editor. He or she specializes in learning about the audience and formulating a way to reach it.  That editor knows how to put-together an attention-getting story. He or she can make certain that such a tale touches on the key points and manages to do that in a natural fashion.

Avoid using a recited script. Consider having the content editor coordinate an off-camera interview. That should provide him or her with some useful story-based ideas. That ought to result in footage that seems spontaneous, and can thus do a better job of convincing any consumer. Some footage may be unacceptable, but it can be throw-out during the editing procedures.

There is no point in wasting time by constantly filming the same scene over and over again. A producer understands that; that is why a company should hire a producer. He or she makes sure that the filming project gets completed on time. By the same token, he or she is responsible for seeing that any finished footage satisfies the requirements set by the desires of the consuming public.

Of course it does not pay to hire some expensive professionals, if their equipment is out-of-date or fails to work properly. Do not try to save money by obtaining a single camera; plan to use two or more.  Even if someone will be filmed seated and talking about a product or service, the background behind that individual ought to be changing. At the same time, a second camera can be used to shoot that seated subject from different angles.

Do not think that only the camera people must be professionals. Those in charge of lighting and audio should also have a respectable level of expertise. After all, you do not want to post on your company’s website something with washed-out lighting or sharp and unpleasant sounds.

Do not feel that you can dispense with what is known as b-roll footage. It may seem like superfluous material, but it helps a scene appear more authentic. That is important, when a business hopes to market a product or a service. For example, it would not make much sense to film a chef in an empty kitchen. He or she should be in a kitchen that bustles with activity, as food gets prepared and is taken out to various guests.

Yes, it can be expensive to assemble and pay the crew that is capable of creating a winning video. However, it can be disastrous to cut corners, in order to avoid that expense. The resulting presentation will not please customers, and it will not encourage them to buy the featured product or service. Do not hesitate to invest in some quality videos.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

Scenarios a Presenter Should Avoid

During the days before a scheduled presentation, a presenter has lots to think about. He or she may find it difficult to set-aside time for practicing a prepared talk. But failure to practice really represents an unwillingness to prepare fully. It can lead to the witnessing of a sad scenario.

The man or woman who has failed to prepare for a presentation often gives a speech that is full of junk words.  He or she keeps repeating phrases such as this: “you know” and “I think.” That can sidetrack a listener. That listener is apt to lose track of the direction in which the speaker’s talk has been headed.

A paid speaker should never use such useless words. He or she is being paid to share useful information with the audience. If those who have agreed to pay a certain amount for the scheduled talk hear such words, those same men and women are not apt to consider paying for that same presenter to return, in order to offer more useless phrases.

If you are going to be a presenter, then read-up on the subject before standing at a podium and addressing that same topic. Those presenters who fail to do that usually offer-up another word that has little value. That word is just.
During a power-point presentation, a speaker should not say this: “I just want to show you a couple pictures.” During the course of a speech, members of the audience should not hear this: “I just want to cite a few examples.” That reflects a lack of preparation, the absence of a desirable level of experience or training in the area of a speaker’s supposed expertise.

Another scenario that ought to be avoided concerns a third “j” word, a term that starts with the letter “j.” That term is jokes. It always pays to have a good sense of humor, but a paid speaker is not expected to be a comedian. A joke should never be used as a talk’s opening line. That line does have to grab the audience’s attention, but a joking line does not facilitate the act of initiating a presentation.

So, if you are going to be a presenter, plan to stay clear of junk words, just-filled statements and jokes. Do take the time to prepare; do read-up on your subject. That way you will manage to hold your listeners attention; you might even get asked to return and share more of your knowledge.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

How a Business Owner Can Earn Some Extra Cash

Obviously, a business owner can make more money by getting more people to buy the product or service that he or she has chosen to offer. However, there is another way that the same entrepreneur can gain some extra cash. He or she can agree to teach an extension course at a community college.

That entrepreneur has already learned how to start a business. There are certainly other men and women who dream about following that same route. Any one of them would probably be only too happy to pay someone who can share details on “learning the ropes.”

Maybe the same entrepreneur has been asked to give a presentation. In that case, he or she has learned a few presentation skills. Those skills can be shared with students in an extension class. Business owners often have other skills or knowledge that people are ready to discover, while in a classroom situation.

For instance, it could be that an entrepreneur has been forced to seek a source of energy savings in his or her shop or office. Lots of consumers would welcome the chance to learn about the different ways to save energy. An entrepreneur usually reads lots of resumes. He or she should be able to help others develop a great resume.
Maybe a marketing specialist has pushed the head of an enterprise to try some video marketing. In that case, that executive may have some performance experience. That indicates the executive’s possession of another skill, one that can be shared at an extension class.

Entrepreneurs do not work all day and every day. Each of them spends some time pursuing a hobby or enjoying a recreational activity. That activity might be something like bicycle riding, or it could be something like cooking or crafting wooden furniture. All such activities demand acquisition of a skill, one that can be shared with others.

Maybe a classroom is not the ideal place to teach the basics of bicycle riding. However, it would be a great location for a lesson on bicycle safety. Parents, especially, would appreciate learning how to keep their children free from harm, as each of them wheels-about, while on a bicycle’s small seat. Thus the business owner that can offer such a lesson should contact a local community college and ask about teaching at least a one or two-day course.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

How a Business Owner Should Approach Selection of a Lawyer

No one should start a business without first seeking a source of legal counsel. While preparing to launch a profit-making venture, an aspiring entrepreneur ought to devote a block of time to studying the list of available attorneys. Then he or she should select two or three from that list, those that seem best able to deliver the sort of advice that could prove useful to the owner of a newly-launched enterprise.

The ideal attorney ought to have demonstrated expertise in the area of forming a business organization. That expertise ought to include more than familiarity with those enterprises that have been in operation for some time. It should also guarantee the availability of advice on actually starting a money-making venture.

It helps to go-after a list of the attorney’s past clients. That list needs to be studied; does it include businesses like the one that the prospective client has started? Has the attorney’s past work led to creation of any informational pieces, articles that have been published or posted on the Internet?

The state keeps a record of the lawyers in good standing. An entrepreneur can and should consult that list. At the same time, he or she ought to examine the local papers. Perhaps the lawyer under consideration has received some publicity. That publicity would indicate the sorts of cases that the considered attorney has handled.

It does not pay to waste time contacting lawyers who deal with lawsuits. An entrepreneur needs a transactional lawyer. Each of them focuses on corporate and contract matters.

Some lawyers have an affiliation with certain organizations. Ideally, that organization ought to focus on the legal issues that affect businesses. If that is the case, then the considered attorney may well be just the right person for the man or woman who plans to head a start-up venture.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

What a Business Owner Should Do Before Hiring a Lawyer

A bit of investigating should precede the process of selecting an attorney. Yet even after that selection has been completed, a business owner should not rush to hire the selected legal professional. First, he or she should make an effort to get some references.

He or she should get in touch with the owners of other businesses. Each owner ought to be asked a couple questions. What do any other entrepreneurs know about the lawyer’s skills? What do they know about his or her trustworthiness? Is he or she trusted by other lawyers and by banks?

The aspiring entrepreneur ought to talk with the attorney that he or she is thinking about hiring. In the course of that conversation, he or she should learn whether or not that same lawyer has ever worked with venture capitalists or other financing sources. It also pays to discover whether or not the lawyer’s experience has included work with CPAs. Can he or she name some local CPAs?

It is possible that the lawyer being considered by a business owner has past clients who would be willing to talk to prospective client. However, it can also prove difficult to find such men and women. That is due to the existence of lawyer/client privileges. Clients do not want their lawyers sharing their client’s private information; therefore few of them like to talk about their attorney.

Possible conflicts of interest should be investigated. A start-up venture may well have one or more possible competitors. It would not make sense to seek legal counsel from someone who is already providing the same thing to a competitor.

Lawyers recognize the significance of documents. Anyone who has given thought to hiring a lawyer should ask for a copy of his or her retainer agreement. All aspects of that agreement should be made clear to the prospective client.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

Successful Marketing

As a business owner, you know all about the need to maintain and find new customers. Efficient marketing includes methods that consume relatively little time and are low-cost to the company, but as Phillip Thow says, produce high results. You must have done some marketing by now, but Phillip Thow offers ideas you may not have considered.

Business Website:

The very first thing Phil Thow advises any business owner is to have a current and functional website. If you don't have a website, create it now. If you do, Phil Thow suggests you look it over and see what can be updated or improved.

Affiliate Yourself:

Once your website is established, try affiliating with other websites. This is easy because, according to Phillip Thow, each business owner agrees to link the other to his or her own site. Both businesses benefit, so according to Phil Thow, you should have no trouble finding businesses willing to affiliate.

Emails:

Distribute promotional emails or newsletters to existing customers using a list they opt in to. Some of them will pass it on to their friends and that keeps the customers you have, and adds more! Phil Thow also recommends sending mass emails to your target audience.

Articles:

Phillip Thow strongly believes in the effect of publishing business articles online. As Phil Thow explains, each article increases your business's online visibility which increases the chances of customers finding your website. Hire a writer to compose many emails featuring your products and highlighting your business. Publish them on social network sites, blogs and business article websites.

Business owners can try any of all of these ideas provided by Phillip Thow and then decide which new marketing strategies work best for your business. Some will produce better results than others, so it's important to monitor the results.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

Online Presence: website, affiliation, marketing

When you begin running your own business you need to look for ways to attract new clientele. Phillip Thow says there is no better way to do this than with a strong online presence. How do you reach that goal? By following Phillip Thow's suggestions for a business website, getting affiliated, and online marketing.

The first thing Phil Thow believes any new company in today's world needs to do is to have a business website. Be sure that the content is clear and informative. Your new site must be easy to navigate, Phil Thow tells us. Use a number of pictures to display your product or services and the checkout system is quick and easy to use.

The next tool to online presence, recommended by Phillip Thow is to become affiliated with other companies. The concept is simple: two companies affiliate with one another and link to each other's websites. This drives the traffic from one site to the affiliated site for shared business. Phillip Thow points out that it benefits both companies and businesses are usually willing to affiliate with other reputable businesses.

Additionally, Phil Thow advises businesses use online marketing to reach a greater number of potential customers, and also get better results for less effort than traditional marketing techniques. Phil Thow tends to promote article-writing marketing to spread word about your business. You can publish as many articles as you can write, on many different websites. Every time a search engine looks for your business name, it will pull these up as a result. Phil Thow loves this method because for just a little time and no money, your business name is highly published.

The final marketing tool Phillip Thow suggests is email. Businesses can allow customers to sign up for newsletters, or simply send out mass mailings to a target audience.

Business consulting gurus like Phil Thow may recommend franchising as a great way to make more money from your new business venture – with less risk – than starting a completely new business model.  But you should be careful in who you hire; business consulting gurus (like Phil Thow) would also caution you to make sure your staff can get your business off the ground.  There are some major warning signs you should look out for, and avoid, in potential employees.

1. The first thing your customers notice is what they see.  While you shouldn’t be hiring on merit of good looks, if you’ve got a public face, you should take care to enforce some level of public hygiene.  The applicant who hasn’t showered in a month, has a huge mustard stain down the front of his shirt, gave himself a ball-point-pen tattoo on his nose last week, and doesn’t see any problem with any of this probably isn’t the type you want working at your front desk.
2. A worker who won’t listen to you isn’t going to be working for you.  She might warm the chair you give her, but if she’s not willing to take a little advice or follow instructions, you’re probably going to spend more time re-explaining things to her than actually working.
3. The man who is permanently attached to his own cell phone isn’t going to be very smooth in customer service, since he’ll probably be texting while someone’s trying to get his attention.  It’s not that a cell phone is a bad thing; you just might want to think twice before hiring someone who can’t get through the interview without answering it. 

Phil Thow can help you determine the kind of people you should be hiring, and the proper way to earn employee respect.  You can’t staff your entire company based on Phil Thow’s explicit recommendations, but you should remember when you’re hiring someone: you’re going to have to work with this person.  How is that going to go?

Advisors like Phillip Thow  are feee based advisors. Consultants are always willing to help with the planning.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

Staying Motivated with your Small Business

Whether you have been a business owner for quite a while or you are just starting a new business, sooner or later you will discover it can be difficult to stay motivated. Having started your own business, clearly you are a motivated personality. But if your motivation is slipping, you may need to try these tips that Phillip Thow suggests below.

Begin by having a solid business plan for your future. Break this plan into small, achievable goals. Every time you reach a small goal, you are motivated to keep going to the next goal. Not only will you keep motivated, you will also be continuing to increase and grow your business.

As a business owner, you should have a strong mission statement for yourself, included with, or aside from your business. Phillip Thow says that if your mission statement is important to you, it can be a fairly easy way to motivate yourself by reading it regularly. This is helpful in times of discouragement and struggle. If your mission statement doesn't motivate you enough, you may want to revise it and possibly with the help of a business coach.

A business coach can be an excellent source of motivation. They can be a sounding board for you to think your ideas through with. They can help you move past an idea or problem you may be stuck on. Phillip Thow says a business coach can help you identify the things you are passionate about. When you remember what makes you passionate, you are more likely to be enthusiastic about the things you are trying to accomplish in life, and that will reflect in your business. A business coach can also be a helpful outsider that can offer you a fresh perspective on what you are doing with your business, and what you might change.

Another tip from Phillip Thow is that communication in business is key. If you can easily communicate to your employees what you expect of them, you will be easier to work for and both you and your employees will be happier. If you can communicate to your IT team the things you hope to accomplish online, you will find the success you are looking for. If you can easily communicate with customers, they will be satisfied and return to you. All of these successes can keep you motivated. A motivated business owner will be a successful business owner.

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

Why Article Marketing?

Every new or seasoned business owner knows that to keep his or her business growing, there will need to be new marketing strategies in place. One marketing idea you may not have tried yet is article writing. This is definitely worth looking into, and Phillip Thow goes on to tell us why.

Articles can probably be written by you the business owner, but Phillip Thow advises hiring a writer. This is also a good idea if you are lacking in communication skills. A writer can spend their time composing many informative articles for your business which you can publish in more than one type of media. The more articles you put out there, the more potential customers will find you, and use your services. Make sure that each article highlights the products your business offers, as well as any strong points you have such as customizing or a quick delivery time. Be sure that the articles are different, eye catching and informative. Work closely with your writer so that you are clear on what you want written.

Businesses large and small have published articles in local newspapers for decades. Sometimes a newspaper will run an article like this to save themselves money on reporter's articles. This is great advertising for your business and will absolutely attract local customers, but newspapers will only do this occasionally. In today's internet driven world, Phillip Thow says you will definitely want to consider publishing your articles online.

Phillip Thow points out that there is no limit to the number of articles you publish on the internet. There is also no limit to the number of potential customers you can find online. Business owners can publish articles on a number of websites that are designed to gather business articles just like this. You could try blog-style articles that are published on business blogs. There are also social media options for publishing articles. Every one of these choices will be listed as a result of someone using a search engine looking for your product or business. And every one of these articles will help drive more new customers to your business's website!

If you follow this advice from Phillip Thow, and you publish articles both in local newspapers as well as all over the internet, you will soon see the results of this marketing campaign. Your business will continue to grow and thrive, and your reputation both online and locally will too!

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona

Success comes from Motivation

If you are looking into starting your own business, you already have the motivation you need. However, as tough times are upon us, it may become difficult to stay motivated. Start now to find ways of staying motivated, no matter what hardship that may come your way. Phillip Thow has just the ideas you are looking for to stay motivated in your new business venture.

Phillip Thow suggests you first begin by finding a reputable business coach, or business consultant. These are trained professionals who help business owners in every way possible. They can help you by being a listening ear while also having a mind for business. You can use them to discuss your ideas with and they can help you think things through. They are able to help you find your passion, which in turn helps you be enthusiastic about the things you are trying to accomplish with your business. A business consultant can even help you fine-tune your communication skills. This can be especially useful when you need help marketing and advertising your business ideas.

If you have employees under you, Phillip Thow recommends you participate in leadership training. This helps you -as the boss- to stay motivated and also gives you the tools and resources you may need to help motivate your employees as well. Having employees is another area your communication skills will be important. They will need to understand exactly what is expected of them, as well as precisely what it is you are selling.

Another great idea from Phillip Thow is to break your long term goals into shorter, more attainable goals. This can help you stay focused on the job you need to do today, and but also serve as steps to help you reach where you want to be some years in the future. You might set daily goals, or quarterly goals, depending on your needs and plans. Reaching your smaller goals will keep you motivated to keep you going, whatever may come.

Your motivation and enthusiasm will be visible to your clientele, and they'll be happy to return for further business with you. This translates into more sales, which is obviously the key to running a successful business. Consider areas you may need assistance in, and then seek out the help you require. As Phillip Thow knows, you'll be surprised how much a little extra motivation can help your entire business plan!

- Written By: Phillip (Phil) Thow, Scottsdale, Arizona