• Vital Video Web Stats

    June 23rd, 2011

    Some companies still are stuck on text on their websites, missing out on the marketing power of video. Here are two statistics that scream:   Make video an integral part of your interactive marketing strategy.

     

    Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Web Video | No Comments »

  • 1+1= 3 When You Pair Up Kids

    June 22nd, 2011

    We’ve all seen how engaging kids can be — but what about two kids together?

    My colleague Regent Ducas and I thought pairing siblings at KidsRKids Academy, a daycare center that’s really a school, would create engaging moments.

    We wanted to capture their candid comments about the fun and education they were getting.  That would make for a great web video for their site, branded YouTube channel, and Facebook page.  Part of a social video marketing strategy.

    The dynamics were entertaining and funny.  But we didn’t capture nuggets that were on brand for KidsRKids.  And that was after we, then one of their teachers casually questioned them about their experience at the school.

    We’re certainly not going to tell the kids what to say.  That wouldn’t be right.  And it would look right!

    OUR TAKEAWAYS

    • You may not get exactly what you want, but the looks and comments are entertaining.
    • You don’t have to use what you get.
    • Try it.

    Here’s the link to the video:

     

    Posted in Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, Social Media Video, TV news training, Web Video | No Comments »

  • Two Shot Power

    June 22nd, 2011

    Take another look at your two shots.

    Two people — even married couples — tend to leave a big space between themselves.  But if you encourage them to get close together, you’re better able to fill your frame.

    As a result, they connect better.  You can capture their personalities and interaction.

    This is from a marketing video my colleague Regent Ducas and I produced and shot for The Four Seasons Resort to increase awareness of the benefits of joining their Sports Club.  Meredith and Bryce are both under 30, and the resort is promoting it’s 30 Under 30 special offer.  This was a 70 second testimonial aimed at their demo.

    Ultimately you want the subjects of your video to connect with viewers, and that’s what Meredith and Bryce did.

    We shot several videos.  This is one:

     

     

    Posted in Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, Web Video | No Comments »

  • “Should I Go with YouTube?”

    June 22nd, 2011

    Clients often ask whether they should set up a branded YouTube channel.

    You can see YouTube’s growth.

    You think of Google as the most popular search engine, but did you know that YouTube is the second most popular?

    It helps that Google owns YouTube.

    Also, video attracts Google and other search engines better than text.

    So we recommend you make YouTube a priority.  And if you haven’t done so already, establish a branded YouTube channel.

    It costs nothing and will increase your ROI.

    (Graphic from Brightcove)

    Posted in Power Tools for TV Journalists, Web Video | No Comments »

  • What You Can Learn from a Merrill Lynch Video

    June 19th, 2011

    You can learn alot from this video appearing on Merrill Lynch’s website. Rather than the expected commercial, the investment firm tells a story focusing on a couple’s financial challenges.  You’ll see how cleverly the role of the Merrill Lynch adviser weaves through the story.

     

     

    More and more companies are unleashing the power of web videos distributed via social media to build their brands. Using our knowledge, we’re shooting videos and developing a social media video marketing strategy to spread the word.

    Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media | No Comments »

  • Breaking Through What’s Holding You Back

    June 19th, 2011

    A news director, seeing the investigative “Watchdog” reporting about the government trying to hide where tax money goes, asked why it’s so difficult for reporters to cover these stories. He points out many MMJs have trouble with the basics and with going the extra step, and wants a solution.


    My response:

    Great question. Best practices point to seeing your station as a learning organization, looking at staff members as individuals in different stages of their development.  The idea is to identify where each person is in their learning/development, what their next step is, and to help them get there. Otherwise, many people flounder.

    A basic way of looking at it is “What’s holding each person back?” This is very clear as I lead a team across the country training new multimedia journalists. Each person is at a different level. Get them to the next level, and the improvement is obvious. Many of the learning videos on my blog address just that issue.

    For example, some reporters’ stories are weak because they lack a news hook. That’s why you’ll see several videos on developing sources, which generate more relevant stories, which engage viewers. If you go to www.kaplitzblog.com, you’ll see a search box just above Recent Posts where you can search “enterprise.”

    News directors who critique on a daily basis, sharing the best examples of people’s work and challenges at least weekly, find they can accelerate learning. Plus clients call on me to conference with small groups in person or by phone, so we can identify specific flash points and tackle them.

    You can see the original report the news director liked and is sharing with his staff:  Investigate Where Your Tax Money Goes

    And follow me on Twitter.  Search for “bobkaplitz,” and “Follow.”  Here are examples of tweets.  The links will be live at the Twitter site:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    If you’re a multimedia journalist and news manager not getting the feedback you need to succeed, don’t complain. Ask for it.  Every news director I know welcomes those opportunities.

    You’re the one ultimately responsible for your own development, which builds your value and your personal brand.  Take advantage of every opportunity.

    Posted in Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training, Twitter | No Comments »

  • Strong Example of Investigative Follow-Up

    June 18th, 2011

    Ask the tough questions, and keep on asking. Even if you don’t get answers to all your questions, viewers appreciate your extra efforts.

    Here’s a strong follow-up from ABC News to an investigative report about how much tax money goes to a deeply discounted gym for U.S. Senators and Congressmen.

     

    Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, Power Tools for TV Journalists, TV news training | No Comments »

  • Investigate Where Your Tax Money Goes

    June 15th, 2011

    Viewers go out of their way to watch stories revealing where their tax money goes. This is especially the case when the people in charge want to keep information secret. This story represents a good example of revealing where the money goes while showing the news gathering process.

    ——-
    About Bob Kaplitz: He knows something about investigative reporting. Back when he was a reporter, Bob was honored as Best TV Investigative Reporter in the U.S. and Canada by the Radio-TV News Directors Association. Many of his stories appeared on the CBS Evening News.

    Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists | 1 Comment »

  • Getting Viewers to Create Videos

    June 14th, 2011

    Great if you can get others to generate  content. Here’s an example from American Airlines, tapping into the goodwill of their frequent flyers.  It’s a smart approach if you can pull it off.
     

    Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media | No Comments »

  • Great Example of Show and Tell

    June 8th, 2011

    You don’t need to be a football fan to appreciate this example.

    Posted in Bob Kaplitz video, broadcast journalism, Multimedia Journalism, Power Tools for TV Journalists, Social Media, TV news training, Twitter | No Comments »

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