How a Video Business Card can Help Build Your Business

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1.    You want a quick way to promote your business.
2.    Video is a popular method to Show and Tell information.
ergo
3.    Why not consider a Video Business Card to promote your business, your services, yourself!

A Video Business Card (VBC) is meant to be a succinct means for conveying information about you and to provide contact details – much like a printed 2 x 3.5 business card.  Once you create a VBC, you can use it as…

  • A link in your email signature,
  • A video on your personal YouTube channel,
  • A video on your website (e.g. in your About Us page),
  • You can upload it to your Social Media profiles (e.g. your Facebook Business Page)
  • You can send it to referral sources who can share it with their networks

How to get started?

 

Example:  Above is my VBC.  It’s my first one, and I would only expect to improve as I create future versions.  Thus, keep in mind, this is the ground-floor for me -- yours would be better, of course!  So, why not learn from my experience:

Things I would improve:
What I wore and hair, makeup.  This was created by SyncLab Media who were gracious enough to let me re-shoot from the original version, primarily because the look was sub-par.  (I refer to me, not their work!)  This look is better, though I would definitely enhance the “professional appearance” next time.  I was satisfied with this version because I wanted to produce something quickly.

I developed the script myself.  I like the control and ease of drafting a script, a focus, and a motivation/call to action for viewers.  When SyncLab shot this, I did seek their input for tweaks (because it’s always advisable to have at least one other review your work).  I would probably continue to produce/script my own efforts on behalf of my business – because I have a background in writing, staging, public speaking, etc. – and I would still seek outside feedback for improvement.

Background.  The blank wall behind me allows room for my logo to be superimposed  on the left side of the screen and my list of services, values, offerings, contact information, etc. to be listed on the right.  Going forward, I might prefer to have my own logo’d backdrop, so that the background isn’t so bland, or I might just ask for accent lighting – like something in my company’s shade of blue, so long as it doesn’t distract from the overall styling, energy, etc.

Review.  I purposefully did not ask to review the video at the shoot and prior to SyncLab’s edited version.  I did this because the shoot was a courtesy arrangement, and I wasn’t compelled to be overly picky in light of their generosity of time (and the re-shoot).  Next time, though, I will ask – and always do this on behalf of clients.  Review and changes before a project goes into editing (any project:  a printed publication, photo shoot, or video shoot, for example) is advisable prior to post.

9 steps for your own solid Video Business Card:

  1. Have a purpose for the VBC.  If you will undertake to produce this – how can you maximize its use within your overall marketing initiatives?
  2. Have a plan regarding what you will say with this particular message.  Something that envisions & encompasses the steps below.
  3. Write your script.  I recommend laying out your phrases in a spreadsheet – to enable you to plan the theme and associated text/visuals.  Seek creative help on the writing, if needed.
  4. Include a Call To Action.  Your CTA might be general contact information, or might urge people to do something (register to attend…, call to arrange a consultation, take advantage of discounted rates before the end of the month, etc.)  You really ought to have some type of CTA...otherwise, what was the purpose for the effort?
  5. Practice.  Ideally, practice in front of a mirror.  Have your clothes, hair, jewelry, make-up (even for men) as you plan to use in the video – so you can look at your delivery, and address any funny habits or ticks.  Practice sitting up straight to give full support to your breath and vocalization.
  6. Smile.  Merely smiling during delivery brightens the audible message, and makes you more appealing, engaging visually.
  7. Verbs.  This is a technique I learned in a Shakespeare-focused acting class from a notable instructor, a technique reinforced by my knowledge and experience with voice-over work:  emphasize the verbs, the active words, to bring life to your message.  Now, you wouldn’t want to do this in every sentence – you want vocal variety.  (You audience wants vocal variety, too!)  Avoid emphasis on words like I, me, you, the, and – and similar – in exchange for active words.  In the sentence, “Your gift to the Trinity Fund makes a big impact, providing today’s students access to opportunities that distinguish the Trinity experience,” important words are in bold – though you would still want to vary the style of impact you use to highlight each one.
  8. Articulation.  Practice will also help you articulate, and articulation will enhance the message for the viewer/listener and will enhance the professionalism of your video.
  9. Take your time.  Less is more.  You will likely want to create a 45- to 75-second video.  That’s a brief amount of time, so you don’t need too many words.  Write your script in such a way that allows for pauses, both for the video editor and for the comfort of the audience.

COMPLIANCE WITH TDRPC/BAR RULES

a.    If the VBC conveys only your contact information and basic services, you do not need to submit it for approval.  
b.    If the VBC, in addition to contact (tombstone) information, also mentions a particular event, offering, or promotion, I suggest you contact the SBOT Advertising Review office to confirm whether they would prefer to review it.

Please also see SyncLab’s blog post on this topic, from earlier this summer.

What is your message?  Who are your targets?  What means are best-suited for you to communicate with them and build business?  Flip Cat helps our clients answer questions like these.  If you are looking to solve similar issues -- give us a call!