When I first stepped into entrepreneurship, I really struggled with how to stand out.
How was I going to get people’s attention?
What would set me apart?
How will they even understand what I do in the first place?
And most people probably would have turned to Google.
I decided to dig into my Hollywood background and do something a little bit different.
I created a brand video.
In tv/film, we call this a promo reel. And I’d created tons of them for myself, directors and actors. It was a quick highlight reel of their work that they could present to a producer, casting director or director to show off their work.
Which made me think…why can’t I do this for my business?
{Remember, this was before I had an email list, appearances, logos or anything to my name. If I could do it, so can you!}
In this post, I’d like to share with you exactly what a brand video is, why you need one and how to create it.
Ready?
What Exactly is a Brand Video?
A brand video, or promo reel, is a two to five minute video that is a snapshot of who you are, what you do, who you help and where you give.
It showcases your background, why you created your business, who you want to serve and how you make the world a better place through your giving or volunteering.
As I mentioned previously, when I got started with Visibility Vixen® , this is what I decided to do since it was in my wheelhouse.
At the time, it wasn’t called a brand video. It was called a “Michelle, you’re crazy”.
But I did it anyway.
I covered my personal story, what my business was about, who I wanted to serve and my favorite organization to give back to, Samaritan’s Purse.
Here’s the cool thing.
My website traffic increased. My email list grew. My Facebook Group grew.
People started asking me to guest on their podcasts, stages and even publications.
I started getting customers directly from the brand video.
And when a producer turned me down for a segment, I sent my brand video and it led to me getting booked!
I felt like I was in a crazy dream. I was awestruck that this little 2 minute video could do so much for my visibility and publicity.
Photo Courtesy of Kamila Gornia from her Heart Behind Hustle live event
First of all, you’re not alone if you’re having these thoughts.
You could either feel like you don’t have enough together to put one in place {a common fear for my students when they first start working with me} or that you’re already making enough money that you don’t need one.
Let me address both of these head on.
If you feel like you’re not in a position to have one yet, I get it.
Maybe you don’t have a great camera, get nervous on video and have no clients…that means this is actually the most powerful thing you can do for yourself and your business.
It will help you attract an audience.
Too many people sit in frustration because they’re getting clicks to their website, but no conversions or sales.
Usually the problem is brand recognition. It takes about 10-12 times of someone seeing or interacting with your brand/business to buy.
You can cut that in half, if not more, by them seeing your brand video.
Because a brand video builds one vital, elusive thing…allegiance.
People LOVE seeing what you’re about and aligning themselves to you.
If you feel like you’re already making enough money that you don’t need a brand video, all I can say is this…
“Image how much MORE you’d be making if you had one!”
This is why I encouraged Rachel to make one. Because she is, as we all know, AMAZING, but I wanted more people to understand exactly how many people she’s impacted and what her heart is.
Because, just like you’ve experienced, it builds allegiance.
And in her case, it makes people not only flock to her as clients but want to book her on every show, stage and publication imaginable.
If you’re questioning the need for a brand video, just know this.
No matter how invisible or how famous you are, every entrepreneur needs one.
Because a brand video does incredible things with making unique opportunities that seem unimaginable, possible.
Let’s wrap up by listing some final thoughts on why a brand video is so powerful:
Your existing audience will LOVE it! They’ll comment, share and fan girl because they will love seeing you putting yourself out there in this way
Your press page. Bookers will be much more likely to book you after seeing it.
Stages. Funnily enough, bookers love seeing them and are ok booking you with zero experience because they’ve seen you speak or voice over in your brand video
The email list and customer base grows because traffic going to your site will see this video and either opt in or buy. It always happens!
I’m sure I’ve convinced you by now, right? So let’s move on.
How To Create A Brand Video
Just to give you some numbers, a brand video from start to finish usually takes between 10-20 hours. This includes editing. So set aside a chunk of time for yourself and/or your team.
Let’s go through this step by step.
And, if you’re struggling with on-camera confidence, know that you can also do voice over!
STEP ONE: WRITE YOUR SCRIPT
It may seem silly, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to ramble on if you don’t have a plan.
So write out a half page that covers what we discussed earlier.
Who you are, your story, what you do, who you serve and where you give.
Practice reading this over out loud and time yourself.
The goal is to get to 2-3 minutes, so edit or add as necessary.
And remember, we always speak differently than we type, so listen to yourself and make changes as needed.
STEP TWO: Recording and Editing
Here’s where most people stall. They don’t want to do it!
I totally understand, but remember, there are so many wins waiting on the other side of this brand video!!
If you’re nervous about memorizing, use a teleprompter.
If you can’t do it on camera, do voice over.
Either way, I like to take advantage of B-Roll in editing.
This means footage of you living your life. On a coaching call, at a coffee shop, going on a walk.
You can weave this into the video throughout in editing so it feels very natural.
You’ll see tons of this in Rachel and I’s videos, so feel free to look there for examples.
What’s nice about B-Roll is that it keeps people’s attention and shows off different aspects of yourself and your business.
Once you have it captured, it’s time for editing!
Don’t stress too much about this. If it’s in your wheelhouse, go for it. If it’s not? Hire it out!
Now that you’re done with your video, we can move into sharing it with the world.
Thanks for sticking with me so far, you’re doing great!
Share It!
Once this video is done, you’re going to be SO excited and relieved!
And it will be time to show the world, so it’s time to post it everywhere you can think of.
Website
YouTube
Facebook personal page
Facebook business page
Facebook Group
Facebook Stories
Twitter
Instagram
Instagram Stories
TikTok
Email List
Press Page
Did I miss anything?
People are going to be so happy to see this, so be sure to let them know.
If you have time, amp up your audience. Get them excited that this is coming and count it down for them.
Make it into an event! And encourage your people to share.
Who knows what can happen from it!
As you can tell, I’m passionate about Brand Videos. And I hope this has shown you how easy it is to create one, how beneficial it can be for your career and exactly how to create one.
I’m so grateful to have had this time with you and I’d be honored if you’d shout me out when you release yours! I’d love to see it!
Michelle Lewis
Visibility + Publicity Strategist
Michelle Lewis is a Visibility + Publicity Expert who helps entrepreneurs skyrocket their visibility, launch their unique show strategy + start landing press for their brand with Hollywood techniques found in The Visibility Lounge® .
“The Queen of Visibility” – Founder + CEO Michelle Lewis is a leading authority on color psychology, brand positioning and publicity strategy. She’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs land their dream features and impact their ever-expanding audience with her techniques.
She has appeared on the TEDx Stage {twice}, EOFire, Good Morning La La Land, The Huffington Post, and many more. She currently lives in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho with her husband, pug and three ducklings – and can’t be parted with her garden or fresh brewed iced tea.
