Category: Video Production

Webinar: How Does Video Improve SEO? Get A Lot in a Little Time!

Date: September 20, 2020 Category: Uncategorized, Video Production Tags: Comments: 0

Off2On eCommerce Webinar Series Programed by Above the Fray in Portland OR. Speakers, Anna Madill, Ben Friedle, Ben Herman, and host Jessica Kienzle. "Offline to Online 20/20, a no-fluff eCommerce series for Growth" is all about leveling up your B2B eCommerce. In this episode, we'll cover everything you need to create a healthy relationship between your website and search engines (ok mostly Google with its +/-90% market share). Jessica Kienzle, Digital Manager at Above the Fray hosts the 5th installment of the series as we tackle SEO for your eCommerce and B2B sites. Outlier's own Ben Friedle put some brain-busting thought into creating a dense…

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what is a sizzle reel text with flames

What’s a Sizzle Reel? Do I Need One for My Business?

Date: June 16, 2020 Category: Video Production Tags: , , , , , , Comments: 0

Ever been asked if your company has a sizzle reel?  And you thought, uh… isn’t that a type of candy? (Spoiler: nope, that’s a Twizzler.)  A sizzle reel, on the other hand, is a short (three minutes or less) promotional video that highlights your business, product, or service. Known alternatively as highlight video, demo reel, or pitch video, the sizzle reel shows potential clients or investors what it will be like to work with your company or use your product or service. https://vimeo.com/335279894 Our clients at MarketCraft use their sizzle reel or "showcase" video to get audiences excited about the amazing displays they can create…

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3 tips to help non actors on camera

3 Tips to Help Non-Actors Ace On-Camera Interviews

Date: June 9, 2020 Category: Video Production Tags: , , , , Comments: 0

Helping non-actors get comfortable in front of a video camera can make all the difference when it comes to a successful interview. Their voice is cracking, they’re avoiding eye contact and giving unenthusiastic answers. These are just some (of the many) potential outcomes of interviewing people on camera who are not actors.  No matter who you are, it’s nerve-wracking to be in a literal spotlight. Even professional actors must learn to manage stage fright. Working in the video production space, we see this frequently and it is our job to help people navigate it and feel more comfortable on camera.  Thankfully, there are a handful…

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shop open sign in window

Reopening Retail: Using Video for Customer and Employee Safety

Date: June 2, 2020 Category: Internal Communications, Video Production Tags: , , , , , , , , Comments: 0

Reopening Retail: Video for Customer & Employee Safety Outlier is keeping a close eye on the retail industry. Today, we released a new report looking at consumer and employee health, creating an engaging in-store experience, and using video to improve the return to retail as stores begin to reopen. What's included: Current State of the Industry3-Step Approach to Training, Driving in-Store Traffic, and Engaging with CustomersInspiration for Providing Your Own One-of-a-Kind in-Store Experience View the report, "Reopening Retail: Video for Customer & Employee Safety," online or download a copy at the link below. Get the Full ReportThe full report is now available for download. Get…

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5 Tricks to Extend the Life of Your Video Content

5 Tricks to Extend the Life of Your Video Content

Date: May 27, 2020 Category: Marketing Strategy, Video Production Tags: , , , , , Comments: 0

With most of the world in lockdown, our ability to film new video content has been temporarily nixed. On top of that, many companies are reducing their marketing spend. This time has forced us and many other companies to dive back into our content libraries. Repurposing, Reusing, Rethinking:Learn how repurposing and reusing content can help you stretch your marketing budget.Get the White Paper For us, that means reinvigorating existing content and pre-existing footage. In 15 years of business, Outlier has amassed extensive video footage that we can recycle for new marketing purposes. It’s not just a second resort. It can--and should--be a strategic tool to…

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what makes explainer video great

What Makes An Explainer Video Great?

Date: May 12, 2020 Category: Video Production Tags: , , , , , Comments: 0

If you work in animation and video production you have almost certainly been asked, “Do you make explainer videos?” We see them as TV commercials, sprinkled throughout social media, and prominently displayed on the homepages of business’ websites. It’s a style of video that is a mainstay for the category, but some of its undefined features leave viewers wanting more.  Many companies fall into the trap of using an explainer video to commonly state a problem and provide a passive solution. They overspend on visuals when really they should be using their budgets on “extensive research on what visitors want to see, and deliver[ing] it…

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It Costs How Much?? Understanding the Cost of Music in Video

Date: April 30, 2020 Category: Video Production Tags: , , Comments: 0

Using several seconds of Pharrell’s “Happy” for a company recruiting video? That’ll cost you. And we’re not talking about a televised commercial. That is for any video that is not for personal use.  Companies often forget just how much goes into making a marketing video, from the storyboards to the actual filming to the final selection of music and sounds. The latter is often forgotten about until the last minute, yet it shouldn’t be... because it can cost you! Using even a couple seconds of a song can be expensive. If you’re clipping a song by a lesser-known artist in a video, that may only…

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How ‘SNL At Home’ Round 2 Showed Us Video Production Matters

Date: April 27, 2020 Category: Video Production Tags: , , , , , Comments: 0

Like the rest of us, the cast and crew of Saturday Night Live was thrown a major curveball by the COVID-19 virus. Though the show was scheduled to return from hiatus March 28, New York’s March 24 executive order completely shut down production for several weeks.  And, much like the rest of us, SNL was forced to adapt to this new ‘normal’ as quickly as possible, resulting in the heroic, if comedically uneven, “SNL At Home” episode that aired April 11th. Shot primarily using Zoom video conferencing software, the episode turned cast members into their own ‘one man band’, the results of which could only…

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Virtual Work: Tips for Being On Camera

Date: April 15, 2020 Category: Life, Video Production Tags: , , , , Comments: 0

Few people enjoy being under a spotlight. Especially a literal one. With the recent crisis causing a strong push to work from home, more and more people will have to get used to seeing themselves on camera. It may not be recorded for playback, but at the very least, it is visible to the viewer.  As a video content company, we’ve done our fair share of interviewing people on camera. And with that comes a whole bunch of awkwardness--fidgeting with their fingers, stumbling over words, and forgetting answers to simple questions. It is often cringe-worthy to watch yourself on camera, but there are some simple…

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