Ten Online 2012 Video Stats That Will Amaze You

Online video ad viewing increased dramatically in 2012, with audiences choosing to watch video ads 4.6 billion times, or about 13.2 million times every day.

Records were broken by the likes of M&M’s Superbowl Ms Brown or Kony 2012, with the former getting 85% of online views driven the ad’s virality (not by paid ads) and the latter counting 41 millions video views in just one day.

Online videos are effective for branding and can deliver your message on any platform and any scale, from internal communications to global campaigns. Read about other outstanding videos trends in 2012 here.

And your company? What does your video communications plan look like for 2013?

Ready for the next level? See the  iFilm portfolio and let's schedule a meeting to discuss the next project. Email Dave Henry or call 713-504-5765.

Awards Season

Hollywood can have the Oscars.  Houston also rolls out the red carpet each spring, for both the ADDY Awards and Marketer of the Year, and iFilm Productions will proudly accept accolades (without the long speeches) at each.

The American Advertising Federation Houston holds the ADDY awards each February to "recognize creative excellence in the art of advertising."  It's the biggest night of the year in Houston advertising.  Winners advance to regional and then national competition.

iFilm Productions will bring home a coveted ADDY at the big gala (silver? gold?) for producing an animated web movie for GankIt.com.

 

The American Marketing Association Houston gives out its Marketer of the Year Awards (MOTY) for "innovative and effective marketing programs."  iFilm submitted a detailed report for vote by AMA Houston members and a judging panel of local marketing professionals.

 

iFilm Productions won in the Business-to-Business Services category, and is now a finalist for overall Marketer of the Year in Houston.

Other finalists include CenterPoint Energy, ConocoPhillips, Rice University, the Houston Rockets, MD Anderson, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.  It's an honor to even be mentioned among them.

Law Firm Marketing: 5 Advantages of Using Video on Your Website

The use of video is becoming important to staying competitive on the web. As more law firms develop an online presence, it’s imperative to differentiate your firm by including video on your website.

While nothing guarantees an increase in business, the use of video is a smart and relatively inexpensive way to market your law firm. Here are five advantages of using video on your website.

1. Introduce yourself to potential clients.

The process of meeting with an attorney for the first time can be unnerving for some clients. Introducing yourself through an online video can remove this anxiety. Potential clients will be looking to get an idea of who you are and what you can do for them. A brief video that introduces you and describes your law firm can accomplish that. Another advantage of introductory videos is the amount of time they save you. Instead of physically meeting with every potential client, the video can act as a filter to bring in primarily clients who have already decided that they might hire you.

2. Convey emotion and personality.

You can show only so much emotion with text and images on a website. Video, on the other hand, gives you an opportunity to show viewers the way you look, sound and act. It is a wonderful way to project emotions such as empathy and compassion to potential clients. A visitor who is sold on what you say in a video is more likely to choose your firm over a competitor. Videos also are incredibly helpful for firms that practice personal injury or criminal law. Someone who has been injured or arrested may want to hire a lawyer with a bold, assertive personality, and simply put, video is the best way to convey your personality to viewers online.

3. Improve search engine rankings.

In the near future, video will be an integral part of search engine result pages. Google already has begun to factor in the presence of video on a page when determining where the page ranks on Google search results. Posting videos on your site sooner rather than later will put you a step ahead of other firms competing for top slots on search engine result pages. After posting a video to your website and optimizing it for search engines, potential clients will more easily locate your site and its video content. Seeing a video on a search results page instantly gives the searcher a good reason to visit your website rather than a competing site. Make sure your search engine optimization service understands how to take advantage of your video content in getting your site the best possible search engine results.

4. Improve overall website experience.

If done correctly, putting video on your website will improve the browsing experience of your visitors. For maximum effectiveness, it should be integrated seamlessly into your site. An introductory or biographical video typically is placed on the homepage. Similarly, a page dedicated to your firm’s bankruptcy practice might include a video explaining basic aspects of bankruptcy law. The more that potential clients use your site to learn about the law and how it affects them, the more likely they are to give your firm a call.

5. Impress potential clients

Let’s face it, a law firm website with embedded video looks impressive. At present, few law firms use video, so those that do give a clear sign that they’re a step ahead of everyone else. Quality video on your site indicates to potential clients that you are a quality law firm. Of course, not just any video will make your website and law firm look impressive. The most effective videos utilize well-prepared content, shot on high-definition video in a properly lit studio. Top-quality post-production work, including editing, graphics and sound effects, is also crucial to achieving results that will impress visitors to your site.

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Make Better Promotional Videos

Businesses of all sizes are turning to videos to drive conversation, traffic, and sales. According to Internet Retailer, e-commerce website visitors who view product videos are 85 percent more likely to buy than visitors who do not. As with most marketing tools, originality is key to the success of any video. Finding inexpensive ways to create high-quality videos is any company’s best bet to get the most for its money while ensuring that the content is original. Keep the following tips in mind:

1. Know that production quality matters. While the majority of the most well-known viral videos are home videos, most consumer-focused viral videos often have solid production quality. Don’t even try to fake shaky-camera "homemade" film. Do it straight, or don’t do it at all.

2. Understand "relative virality." Don’t get caught up in creating a video you hope will be seen by millions. Pay more attention to the quality of views rather than the quantity. In the end, your ultimate goal is to promote your product or service, so make sure your video appeals to the end customer and your marketing goals.

3. Have fun with it. Your goal is to have people talk about your company, product, or service, so give them something they will remember and want to share.

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Video in Healthcare Communications

It's time to take off the sunglasses and use the binoculars to see out farther. HD video done right gets the message across better than the written word, it's faster and it's more engaging. Video will be part of the future for online healthcare communications on many levels as it creates a better human connection.

iSnap du Jour Revisited

Heights tree carving. 

On my Facebook page, I do an almost daily "iSnap du Jour" that is a random snap from scenes I encounter in my daily life. Here are a few of my recent ones.


Friend me on Facebook for the ongoing series.

New Orleans Option B

New Orleans Option A