Producing Internal Video Content
During the past few months Lucas Media has been really busy with a number of internal video projects for our clients.
This is a great position to be in however it does have some challenges. I have heard on a number of occasions that some companies and freelances tend to stay way from creating that kind of content solely because it can't be used to promote themselves or their business. I totally understand where they are coming from but are they looking at the bigger picture?
Here are some of my thoughts on how this type of work can benefit your business in the future and also some attention is taken to look at this from a different perspective and discuss how this could impact future business and relationships.
Internal video production and content creation does strengthen relationships it offers a unique opportunity to build stronger connections with clients and continue the on-going working relationship. Creating customised videos tailored to your clients’ specific needs you demonstrate your commitment to their business and their objectives. Internal video content helps to cultivate trust, loyalty, and a sense of partnership. In my personal experience clients feel more valued and appreciated whilst these projects are in process and this naturally bolsters the bond between the video production company and the client.
Before video became the powerhouse it is today internal communication departments either used email, the general notice board or the companies intranet system to feed their employees with information. Some of those processes are still in place however businesses are starting to see the powerful impact that creating video can have on the way they communicate with their staff. Internal videos can effectively convey information to selected departments or the entire workforce very quickly and effectively. Staff training, future news, changes to internal policies or working procedures can be communicated via video directly and more cost effectively. This content can be distributed though internal hosting systems or in some cases through company social media channels. Another popular way to use internal video would be to include them into online webinars. If you want to show either time sensitive content or more confidential information to a select audience with pre-recorded video then showing in a safe online place would be ideal.
Producing internal video content for clients opens up new avenues for work as the relationship becomes stronger. This could be through more internal based projects like training videos for staff inductions, for areas like health and safety and employee wellbeing. Regular video updates to share good news and motivational content to staff is also a popular use case scenario.
Internal videos present a big opportunity to showcase your expertise and creativity in areas that your clients may of not known you had. In most situations they might only know you for producing a certain type of content. If you give them something different from what they have been used to can further bond that relationship and make you become a more valuable supplier. Video animation is a prime example of this I have had a number of situations where a client wanted something explaining that was quite complex and needed to be communicated more visually. We used animation as part of a project and they were pleasantly surprised and pleased with something a little different added to the mix.
Are there any complications or limitations that you should take into consideration when producing internal video content?
Well commercially as a business you need to pay the bills so turning down this type of work might not be the best decision at the time. There are some things that you need to think about before starting these types of projects and they could have an impact on the future of your business?
One of the main drawbacks of producing internal video content is the limited audience reach. When you produce content that has the goal of promoting a business or business service it is posted, shared and hosting in as many places as possible to hit the largest number of eyeballs. There may also be a specific campaign designed around it to get it inform of the right audience. The information shared is produced to create an emotional connection with the people watching to try and get them to take action on either a buying decision or to guide them to find out more about a product or new service. Internal video can be produced with the same idea behind it however it will only been see by a smaller predefined demographic. When creating this content you should consider the limitation of a way smaller audience and the benefits of strengthening client relationships compared to generating new work from a more commercial perspective.
Internal videos are generally not able to be shared for public consumption due to the content that they hold within them. You might be politely asked not to publicly share the videos or even have to sign an NDA when there is sensitive financial information included. This directly affects the opportunity to showcase your work and promote your business. We all know the importance of promoting your business to help gain new clients and potential work so to be indirectly restricted has to be something that you factor in when agreeing new work. These marketing opportunities are very valuable to any business and seem to instantly disappear when creating internal content.
Producing internal video content requires time like all other forms of producing content so managing time between internal and external projects can be very important. As a business owner you always have to be thinking of the future and where the next week, month or even next years work will be coming from. Balancing the two sides of the fence can be tricky and the payoff on both sides can be equally rewarding if done correctly.
Although there are a number of considerations that you have to think about my general belief is that internal video is a great way to further client relationships and foster new work opportunities. It has also brought Lucas Media into the sights of other businesses through personal recommendations and also through professional business connections. Through some of those connections there has been commercial work so a big win. As long as you implement a solid strategy and dedicate enough time and effort to both areas you will benefit. Keep your standards professional and deliver first class work then there is no reason why both sides of the video production fence can not run in tandem and mutually benefit you.
This is a great position to be in however it does have some challenges. I have heard on a number of occasions that some companies and freelances tend to stay way from creating that kind of content solely because it can't be used to promote themselves or their business. I totally understand where they are coming from but are they looking at the bigger picture?
Here are some of my thoughts on how this type of work can benefit your business in the future and also some attention is taken to look at this from a different perspective and discuss how this could impact future business and relationships.
Internal video production and content creation does strengthen relationships it offers a unique opportunity to build stronger connections with clients and continue the on-going working relationship. Creating customised videos tailored to your clients’ specific needs you demonstrate your commitment to their business and their objectives. Internal video content helps to cultivate trust, loyalty, and a sense of partnership. In my personal experience clients feel more valued and appreciated whilst these projects are in process and this naturally bolsters the bond between the video production company and the client.
Before video became the powerhouse it is today internal communication departments either used email, the general notice board or the companies intranet system to feed their employees with information. Some of those processes are still in place however businesses are starting to see the powerful impact that creating video can have on the way they communicate with their staff. Internal videos can effectively convey information to selected departments or the entire workforce very quickly and effectively. Staff training, future news, changes to internal policies or working procedures can be communicated via video directly and more cost effectively. This content can be distributed though internal hosting systems or in some cases through company social media channels. Another popular way to use internal video would be to include them into online webinars. If you want to show either time sensitive content or more confidential information to a select audience with pre-recorded video then showing in a safe online place would be ideal.
Producing internal video content for clients opens up new avenues for work as the relationship becomes stronger. This could be through more internal based projects like training videos for staff inductions, for areas like health and safety and employee wellbeing. Regular video updates to share good news and motivational content to staff is also a popular use case scenario.
Internal videos present a big opportunity to showcase your expertise and creativity in areas that your clients may of not known you had. In most situations they might only know you for producing a certain type of content. If you give them something different from what they have been used to can further bond that relationship and make you become a more valuable supplier. Video animation is a prime example of this I have had a number of situations where a client wanted something explaining that was quite complex and needed to be communicated more visually. We used animation as part of a project and they were pleasantly surprised and pleased with something a little different added to the mix.
Are there any complications or limitations that you should take into consideration when producing internal video content?
Well commercially as a business you need to pay the bills so turning down this type of work might not be the best decision at the time. There are some things that you need to think about before starting these types of projects and they could have an impact on the future of your business?
One of the main drawbacks of producing internal video content is the limited audience reach. When you produce content that has the goal of promoting a business or business service it is posted, shared and hosting in as many places as possible to hit the largest number of eyeballs. There may also be a specific campaign designed around it to get it inform of the right audience. The information shared is produced to create an emotional connection with the people watching to try and get them to take action on either a buying decision or to guide them to find out more about a product or new service. Internal video can be produced with the same idea behind it however it will only been see by a smaller predefined demographic. When creating this content you should consider the limitation of a way smaller audience and the benefits of strengthening client relationships compared to generating new work from a more commercial perspective.
Internal videos are generally not able to be shared for public consumption due to the content that they hold within them. You might be politely asked not to publicly share the videos or even have to sign an NDA when there is sensitive financial information included. This directly affects the opportunity to showcase your work and promote your business. We all know the importance of promoting your business to help gain new clients and potential work so to be indirectly restricted has to be something that you factor in when agreeing new work. These marketing opportunities are very valuable to any business and seem to instantly disappear when creating internal content.
Producing internal video content requires time like all other forms of producing content so managing time between internal and external projects can be very important. As a business owner you always have to be thinking of the future and where the next week, month or even next years work will be coming from. Balancing the two sides of the fence can be tricky and the payoff on both sides can be equally rewarding if done correctly.
Although there are a number of considerations that you have to think about my general belief is that internal video is a great way to further client relationships and foster new work opportunities. It has also brought Lucas Media into the sights of other businesses through personal recommendations and also through professional business connections. Through some of those connections there has been commercial work so a big win. As long as you implement a solid strategy and dedicate enough time and effort to both areas you will benefit. Keep your standards professional and deliver first class work then there is no reason why both sides of the video production fence can not run in tandem and mutually benefit you.