Making Your Marketing Move

When I was in college years ago, I had the opportunity to take some classes in Animation.  Now I say "opportunity," because I had hoped to take a different course of classes but had to settle that year for some other "related" classes.  What I didn't realize at the time was how valuable and enjoyable understanding the fundamentals of Animation would be.

Recently, we had the opportunity to animate some promotional images for the Olympia Film Festival and create a couple of promotional videos.  Check out the video, and then look below for some tips on things to consider when looking to create an animated video from 2D images.



Tips for 2D Aminated Videos -

1. Think of your materials in layers. Is there a background image, foreground image, and character image(s) that can be animated?

2. Sound sells the motion. Make sure to use music and sound effects to add reality to the motion.

3. Animation works on a scientific principal called persistence of vision. You are tricking the eye and the brain by moving objects just a small bit per frame, and letting your brain fill in the gaps. So like Ellie's dad says in Contact "Small moves".

4. HD video is created at 72dpi (dpi is a graphics term) and varies from 1280x720 to 1920x1080 frame size. You will need rather large images to move things around on an HD animated screen.

5. Don't feel like you are married to the constraints of the originally marketing piece. As long as you honor the style and theme of the print materials you should be able to create a creative video that your clients and viewers will enjoy.

If you would like some help producing your next animated video, call Pardiman Productions at 360-259-6672 or email us at info@pardimanproductions.com to set up a free consultation.

Using Testimonials to Get Results

Ever considered producing a video to promote your business, but just don't feel like being in front of the camera?

We run into that situation often with potential clients, and one of the great ways to get around the on-camera jitters is through the use of customer testimonials.  Your customers know your business, and there are probably lots of them that would be happy to sit in front of the camera and sing your praises.

Check out this video we did for Olympia Master Builders who let us use the testimonials of some successful builders to promote their Tour of Homes, and then see some tips for your next testimonial video below.



Tips for Testimonial Videos -

1. Don't be afraid to ask for testimonials from satisfied customers - if they've expressed their gratitude in the past they will probably be happy to tell others.

2. Create some questions for them to answer that will direct them to the subject you want them to talk about - but make sure to let them know that your are not looking for canned or scripted responses.

3. Schedule more customers than you think you may need - you never know when someone will clam up, back out, or say something that you just can't use.

4. Let your customers know that not everything they say will make the final cut - this can help to ease tension with nervous customers and smooth over potential hurt feelings if someone gets left out.

5. Make sure to let your customers talk - if you talk over them or respond on camera it will make the editing more difficult and disrupt the flow of their thoughts.

If you would like some help producing your next testimonial video, call Pardiman Productions at 360-259-6672 or email us at info@pardimanproductions.com to set up a free consultation.

6 Steps to Great Video Production

Check out this article from Video Maker

6 Steps to Great Video Production

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Visit Us at Business Showcase - Free Admission

Click here for a free admission coupon for the Thurston County Chamber's Business Showcase.

You can find us at booth #60!

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Pardiman Productions Launches Discover Thurston

Pardiman Productions launches new weekly video magazine covering the events, attractions, and businesses of Thurston County.

Watch our first 4 episodes below.

If your business, event, or non-profit would like to be featured on Discover Thurston contact us at 360-259-6672 or info@discoverthurston.com

Add Value To Your Website With FAQ Videos

How many times a day do you answer the same questions?

Do you get bogged down by explaining basic procedures, pricing structure, or simple policies to customer after customer?



Your website or print material may already cover frequently asked questions that your customers have, but you can be even more effective on your website or in emails with FAQ videos.  A short series of simple videos answering questions that every customer has, or explaining and demonstrating what the customer will experience, will go a long ways in making sure that new customers are ready to speak with you about meeting their needs.

These videos can be as simple as you talking directly to the camera, or can include other experts in your office or demonstrations.

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Promote Your Event with Video

Pardiman Productions had the opportunity to follow the attendees of the 2010 & 2011 Thurston County Chamber's South Sound Classic.



Why not use video to promote or document your event?

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Event Video For Local Non-Profit

We had the opportunity to produce this video for local non-profit Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County.

This video was shown at their wine and chocolate event celebrating their 20th anniversary.



For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

New Product Promotional Video

Ever had a new product that you were ready to launch and were looking for a great way to do it?


Here at Pardiman Productions we recently had the opportunity to produce this video for RoboLight.



Find out more about RoboLight at their website here.

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Thurston EDC Awards Video - Small Business

Recently we had the opportunity to produce this great award video for the Thurston Economic Development Council.



For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Thurston EDC Awards Video - New Business

Recently we had the opportunity to produce this great award video for the Thurston Economic Development Council.



For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Thurston EDC Awards Video - Non-Profit Organization

Recently we had the opportunity to produce this great award video for the Thurston Economic Development Council.



For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Thurston EDC Awards Video - Corporate Business

Recently we had the opportunity to produce this great award video for the Thurston Economic Development Council.



For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Lacey Company Uses Video to Promote New Magazine Launch

This video was produced to help promote the new Business Values Magazine.

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Writing A Better Profile Script

Ever wonder why no one is watching your profile video?

The profile video is unique among promotional videos.  This is typically the first video a customer will see introducing them to you or your company.  It's like a "Digital Elevator Speech" as Jeffrey Hayzlett calls it, or you might know it as a 30 second introduction if you belong to a leads group.

Customers might find it as a link on your email, or while searching YouTube, or looking at your social media profile.   What you put in the video, however, is vitally important in catching their attention and getting them to take action.  The following outline will help you to create a better script to use on video or at a networking event.


Step 1 - The Bait
This is where you grab the viewer's attention.  This isn't where you introduce yourself, talk about your accomplishments, or list what your business does.  This is where you spend 10-15 seconds painting a mental picture of how you can solve the customers known or unknown problem.  This is where you offer a solution to what ales them.

Step 2 - The Taste
Here is where you introduce who you are, and what you do.  Don't just list your name and services.  This is where you spend 15-30 seconds talking about your knowledge and passion for what you do.  Don't waste time name dropping, let them hear about who you are.

Step 3 - The Tug
Spend another 5-15 seconds describing your uniqueness in your industry, and why you're the best choice to solve this particular problem for the customer.

Step 4 - Reel 'Em In
The last 10-30 seconds should be your call to action.  Your audience needs to know what to do next, or they will move on and forget about you.  Be specific and instruct them to call your phone number today, click on a particular link on your web page, or direct them to a web page designed to move them through to the next buying process.  This is the most important part, and often forgotten, part of your script.

Forgetting to include the call to action is like cutting your line, and letting the fish swim away.  They're probably not going to bite again.

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Optimal Video Ad Length

*from Online Video Report 2010 by TubeMogul.com

When length is factored in, medium length (1:00 – 1:30) video ads outperform both longer and shorter videos in terms of completion rates, regardless of production format, length or industry category. This sample includes 100 major brand video ad campaigns, spanning 19,759,430 streams.

In short, when making content custom for the Web, one minute to 1:30 is the sweet spot in terms of length -- longer or shorter loses viewers faster.

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Audiences Appreciate Videos for Awards Events

One of the greatest things about a video produced for an awards event, is that in just a couple of minutes your audience will get to hear exactly what it is that makes the recipient deserving of the recognition.

Video is a great way to be considerate of your audience's time, by keeping the presentation short and engaging.

Here is a video we produced for the Thurston County Chamber's Boss of the Year Award's 2010 presented by Express Employment Professionals.


(for best viewing quality choose 720p)

For more marketing ideas and advice contact Pardiman Productions at 360.259.6672 or info@pardimanproductions.com.

Local Business Profile

We recently produced this business profile video for local business Cabinets by Trivonna.

This video includes a profile of the business, introduces customers to the business owners, and provides a great customer testimonial.

Want to know how you can get a profile video for your business?


Call 360-259-6672 or check out www.pardimanproductions.com

Is Commercial Advertising Expensive?

At Pardiman Productions we often deal with the misconception that commercial advertising is extremely expensive and that a small business owner could never afford something like that.  Actually, the opposite is true.  Advertising with a :30 commercial can be very affordable.

:30 second commercial costs on television can be in the single digits per broadcast slot depending on channel and time of day.  And with cable media buys you can target just Thurston County if that is where your customers are.

As for the cost of production, while a :30 commercial will cost you more to produce than a print ad, the overall value of a :30 commercial can be infinite.  Unlike media that is produced and then never seen or heard again, the internet gives your :30 commercial the ability to keep selling years into the future.

Want to find out more about the costs of commercial advertising?

Call 360-259-6672

The Rack Uses Video to Promote Store

Pardiman Productions has had the opportunity to work on a series of spots for Olympia retailer The Rack Furniture Solutions.  These spots have been showing on television, their website, their YouTube channel, Facebook, and most recently, in the local movie theaters.