Working with a Theme

May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Conference themes can be an exciting, yet challenging component to a video invitation. It can be a very powerful way to stand out, differentiate this year’s conference from last, and be memorable.

It can also be very easy to slip into “cheesy” or “they tried way-too-hard” corporate video land.

This is where hiring a professional can really make a difference. Of the in-house produced, theme-based conference videos I’ve seen (and it’s a lot) I’ve yet to see a good one. Most fall into the “cheesy” category, and some even left me feeling embarrassed for the organization that created it.  Not a great way to promote your conference.

We were recently presented with the opportunity to produce an invite video for the 2012 Advisor Forum.  This conference is the joint effort of Gemini Fund Services, LLC and Orion Advisor Services, LLC. The objective was to highlight this year’s conference activities, venues, and speakers in a creative way, while respecting the distinctive style of each organization (Gemini is more traditional, Orion is a young technology company.) That alone was a challenge. Add to that, this year’s theme:

Western.

Now, western can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. It could be wagon wheels, bbq, and a whole lot of denim. It could be Clint Eastwood. Or it could be a more modern take on western like “Cowboys and Aliens.”

If I was going to identify our solution with any of those it would be the later of the three. A classic take on western with a bit of special effects technology thrown in (without the explosions.)

What do you think of our solution?

Filed under Conferences, Events, Marketing, Video

T3: Post Conference

March 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The Technology Tools for Today conference was three days packed full of education and networking for advisors and vendors. With over 500 attendees at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, it was the biggest turn out yet for the conference. Thanks to David Drucker and Joel Bruckenstein for their hard work in building T3 and congratulations on the growth of the event. Advisor Studios made the trip to Texas for the event and we brought along our virtual set technology to demo.

When we weren’t baffling advisors by instantly placing their green screened image in a massive virtual production studio, we managed to snap a few pictures and video clips of the event. Also, Bill Winterberg conducted a series of interviews with some of the top technology companies in attendance for FP Pad’s Spotlight Video Series.

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The Art of the Conference Invite – Part 4

January 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment 

This is the fourth and final post of a series.

Our series on “The Art of the Conference Invite” has been highlighting the key benefits of using video to engage potential conference attendees.

In summary, the primary advantages of using video are the ability to:

  • Deliver a personal message to your audience that helps build relationships
  • Speak to all attendees instantaneously
  • Measure audience engagement through video metrics
  • Increase attendance and have participants sign up earlier

A post-conference followup provides those same benefits along with some additional ones. A post-conference video message allows you to:

  • Thank participants for their attendance
  • Reinforce your message and content shown at the event
  • Briefly pitch your services
  • Provide a call to action

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The Art of the Conference Invite – Part 3

January 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment 

This is the third post of a series.

Our current series on “The Art of the Conference Invite” provides details on the advantages of using video invitations. Here’s another example of a humorous video campaign. Joel Bruckenstein of Technology Tools for Today, asked us to produce two video invitations for this annual technology conference for advisors, “T3.”

It is important to think of video as part of a campaign strategy. In this case, we developed a two-part series that could be integrated into T3’s existing conference promotion efforts. The first video draws viewers in by making them question their use of technology. The second video builds upon the first, and utilizes our established character to showcase examples of how to use technology productively.

P.S. The conference takes place in February in Dallas, Texas, and registration is open now.

Video examples in full post >  Read more of this post

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The Art of the Conference Invite – Part 2

January 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment 

This is the second post of a series.

We shared many of the benefits of using video invitations in Part 1 of our conversation. Perhaps two of the most important aspects are:

  • Video lets you deliver a personal invitation to your audience
  • Metrics allow you to measure your results

Now let’s have some fun. With video, you can use humor unlike in any other medium because it gives you access to tone, inflection, body language, and eye contact. And, of course, you can always add additional detail with type on the screen. Video examples in full post > Read more of this post

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The Art of the Conference Invitation – Part 1

January 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment 

This is the first post of a series.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine how much a 30-second video would be worth. If you are hosting a conference, consider using a video invitation rather than a paper invitation. Video lets you get up close and personal with your audience, and build interest in your event faster and more completely than a paper mailing.

Other key benefits of video invitations:

  • Focuses directly on your target market
  • Delivers all your invitations instantaneously
  • Provides a sneak peek to sessions, speakers and activities
  • Initiates an immediate call to action
  • Supports faster reservations
  • Connects to online registration
  • Increases attendance, REALLY
  • Supplies metrics — see how many people clicked, watched, re-watched; something that just can’t be measured with a mailer

Want more benefits? A video invitation can easily be shared and duplicated on social media, forwarded emails, and YouTube postings. Video also lets you build momentum with follow-up invitations.

Video examples in full post >  Read more of this post

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