You know that at some point, you’re going to have to start producing video about your company for the web. It’s actually a lot easier than you think: you need a digital camcorder and video editing software and then someplace like Youtube to upload it to.
Why? Because using the web to watch video is exploding. It’s one of the best ways to get your message across, it’s low-cost, and it’s more interesting for people than a lot of text.
Don’t believe me? Here’s an interview with U.S. News and World Report’s David LaGesse, who says that USN&WR’s web site is featuring PR-created video more than ever. “The idea here is that journalists need to drive people online and people like to watch video clips. If you can help with that, all the better,” he says.
One thing you may find you need at your company is someplace to serve as your “studio.” Sybase, the enterprise software company, figured this out, and had a very creative solution: there was this windowless conference room that no one liked using, so voila, it’s now the video studio, complete with a neutral background wall, lighting and video equipment. You can check out a Sybase video at their page on Youtube: http://youtube.com/user/SybaseInc.
Sybase uses video to create a “richer media experience” and to make its products and services more tangible to customers, says Mark Wilson, VP of Corporate Marketing for Sybase.
I learned this while talking to Wilson for my latest PR Management Roundtable webinar, sponsored by Bulldog Reporter, which is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2 @ 1pm ET. It’s called “Management Secrets of High-Performance
PR Departments: Traits Every Communications Team Must Embrace in Changing Times,” and in addition to Mark, I’ll also be joined by Matthew Broder, VP of External Communications for Pitney Bowes. I’ve already talked to both of them about this subject and can assure you’ll learn a lot from these experts if you can join us.
