Creating a video for your plumbing business is important–probably more important than you might realize. In 2020, video is king. The medium sees use in social media, websites, advertisements, and emails by companies of all sizes. Your customers expect to see businesses this way, even humble, local plumbing operations. Make sure your company gets on board by creating your own promotional video. In this article, we will cover some of the elements your video needs and explain how to go about creating a professional promotional video.
1. Create a goal.
Have you ever listened to someone talk and wondered, "What point are they trying to make?" It happens. Too often, companies get the idea to do something like a promo video and they jump right in without a plan.In order to create a successful promotional video, you need to set a clear goal first or you will end up making something with a muddled message. Decide if you want to boost brand awareness, provide a behind-the-scenes look at your operations, or educate customers. Above all, make sure you have a clear direction and a call-to-action.
2. Keep it simple.
If you have more than one goal, make more than one video. Trying to cram too much information into a single video is a rookie mistake. You may want to showcase many things about your business, tell everyone all the reasons why they should choose your plumbing service, or explain everything at once. Don’t do it. You will clutter your message and confuse your customers. Instead, focus on a single message, product, service, or call-to-action. If you want to cover another topic or pursue another objective, do it in a second video.
3. Have a plan.
Create a plan for your content. At the very beginning, decide what sort of tone you would like to have. Are you trying to be funny? Is your video supposed to inspire confidence and establish your expertise? Do you want customers to see your team as friendly? Decide from the outset. This direction will shape your video style. Also, define the length of the video. The approach (and cost) of a 30-second video will often significantly differ from one that lasts five minutes or longer. Think about where you will place your video. If you want to run it on TV, you'll need either exactly 15 seconds, 30 seconds, or a minute of material.Once you have these parameters in place for your promotional video, take the time to outline your idea. Know before you begin how many people you will use in filming and what sort of scenes you’d like to feature. Likewise, decide whether you will use graphics or still images and voiceovers.
4. Write a script.
Next, write a script. Look at each scene you want to film and map out the details. Ideally, you will want to include a description of each scene and the dialogue that your characters will use.It should look something like this:
SCENE 1INT. KITCHEN - DAY
A PLUMBER speaks into the CAMERA to deliver advice to homeowners. As he talks, we cut to the items and processes indicated.
PLUMBERWhen your sink is clogged, you may see standing water. Sometimes you can take care of the problem yourself, but if you can't dislodge the clog, you may need to hire a professional.
Some people even sketch out what will happen in each camera shot to get an idea of what the promotional video will look like before they record it. The drawings do not have to be professional–stick figures will do. Really, this process simply helps you visualize what will happen in your video (and ensure you don't forget anything when it's time to shoot.
5. DIY Video Production
With the right tools, you can create a promotional video for $100 or less. Just record a voiceover, create some visuals, and put it all together using video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut. You can gather stock elements from free directories online. You may even be able to record video with your phone. Don’t overcomplicate it. The big thing to remember is that you need everything to be clear. Images should be sharp, and audio should be easy to understand.
6. Hiring Professionals
Some companies prefer to hire a professional to help create their promotional videos. They may fire a freelancer, contract with a production company, or hire actors to make sure the video goes smoothly. You can do this too. Search online or talk to other business owners. It is easier to find video professionals than you may realize. In fact, you may already have a relationship with a company that can help.
The Perfect Promotional Video
Creating the perfect promo video for your plumbing business takes planning. To be successful, you will need to create a goal and have a plan. Don’t complicate your message. Writing everything down in script form helps. Tech-savvy business owners may be able to create their own promotional videos, but there are many professionals for hire that can help streamline the process.
