Update to Scam Alert

Posted by Terry Wall on March 30, 2016
Posted in: SCAM. Tagged: , , . 2 Comments

Scam-Alert

Greetings, readers! As you know, a few days ago I published a post about scams, and the fact that they are around us all the time; hence the need to be vigilant. Yesterday, I got another one of those “red flag” emails, this time from “Aron Lewis.” He didn’t provide any of the who/where/what/when of his project, all he wanted to know was if I accepted credit cards. Once I stopped laughing at yet another lame attempt to dupe me, I sent him the following reply,

Hello, Aron. Yes I accept credit cards, but let’s start with a few basics: First, how did you hear about me? Second, since you know my email address, why didn’t you fill out a quote request? Third, although I take credit cards, I much prefer “cash and carry.” Next, what is the nature of the project? Where? When? What is required?

Lots of questions you could have asked, but the first thing you wanted to know was whether or not I accept credit cards. I suggest you read my blog post here before you consider pursuing this with me. Because I know what I am doing in matters like this, I have engaged with law enforcement regarding your email activity. Consider yourself warned.

Yours truly,

Terry

I didn’t hear back from Aron.

Enjoy the rest of your week and remember: keep your “Spidey-senses” active at all times!

LinkedIn Misses An Opportunity

Posted by Terry Wall on March 30, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Business, Corporate Videography, Digital Marketing, Event Videography, Internet Marketing, Interview Video, Lead Generation, Leads, Legal Videography, Marketing, Online Marketing, Video Production, Videography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

**UPDATE** As of yesterday, 5/24/16, LinkedIn has added videographers to the categories on their ProFinder site. BRAVO!!

This morning, I received an email from LinkedIn “inviting” me to participate in a pilot program with LinkedIn ProFinder. This is LinkedIn’s venture into “lead-gen,” presumably to compete with Thumbtack, Angie’s List and so many other portals used by SMBs to help grow their respective businesses. I was pleased to see LinkedIn have a go at this, but was immediately repulsed by what I saw as I attempted to set up my business to possibly get leads: THERE WAS NO CATEGORY FOR VIDEOGRAPHERS!! The closest thing I could find was ‘video editing,’ which is only one element of what video professionals do! Now comes the stake in every video person’s heart: Photography! There were all manner of categories for photographers, but only one for video! This is NOT a slam at photographers! I started in still photography over 40 years ago, so I have no beef with my still shooter counterparts. It’s just that video people have gotten short shrift long enough, and it’s time to take a stand.

LIProFinder-WithCaptions

I am sick and tired of videographers not getting their proper due–or respect! It seems that most lead-gen portals recognize photography, but rarely–on the first blush–list videographers autonomously. This is a colossal blunder and all you have to do is read the hundreds of articles that espouse the importance of video for businesses–small and large. I would expect better of LinkedIn and remember: YOU INVITED ME for the ‘beta test.’

The title of this Pulse says LinkedIn ‘misses’ an opportunity. It can still be fixed…I suggest that someone jump on this promptly. It shouldn’t be that hard to correct.

That is all. A final point: If LinkedIn makes this change and includes more video-oriented categories, I will make note of it here.

The power of video confirmed–yet again!

Posted by Terry Wall on March 17, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Business, Corporate Videography, Event Videography, First Impressions Video, Internet Marketing, Interview Video, Lead Generation, Leads, Legal Videography, Marketing, Online Marketing, Videography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

multi platform video

Borrell Associates recently conducted its Local Online Advertising Conference in New York City. CEO Gordon Borrell typically kicks off his conferences with predictions for the next 2 to 5 years. One of his overarching themes pertained to video and to amplify Gordon’s point, Brian Russell, Chief Operating Officer of Media Distribution Solutions—and a company I do work for, shared some stunning research about the power of video in marketing for local businesses:

  • Having video on your website makes it 53 times more likely to show up on Google
  • Video causes people to stay longer on your site by an average of 2 minutes
  • Video is shared 1,200% more than photos and texts combined
  • Emails with videos get 50% more clicks compared to emails without video

The takeaway is that video is clearly the new frontier in capturing attention in your marketing. I agree with Gordon and Brian!

Got video?

 

Scam Alert!!!

Posted by Terry Wall on March 14, 2016
Posted in: Business, Digital Marketing, Internet Marketing, Lead Generation, Leads, Marketing, Online Marketing, SCAM. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

They’re out there…we know they’re out there! We have to be vigilant 100% of the time; they only have to be lucky some of the time–and they are! So please indulge me–if you have time–and read the thread shown on the attached pdf below, starting at the end and working yourself back to page 1. You will see the story emerge as to what the scammer ultimately wanted me to do…needless to say, I didn’t take the bait.

There are a number of red flags in the perp’s initial message and subsequent replies, starting with a sudden change of her (we assume it’s a ‘she’) email address. She relentlessly refused to fill in my online form or provide any other concrete information about herself and the event she wanted videotaped. And although I didn’t fall for the scam, countless others have been victimized by approaches similar to this one. I suspect that “Kim” thought she had her “fish on the hook,” and moved in with her ask: that I carry out the entire transaction using her credit card, which included a generous overage to the bill, if I would only do her a ‘favor’ and send cash to the other participants in the deal. Well that just wasn’t gonna happen!!

You must protect yourself at all times, and if you get one of these BS inquiries, report it, as I did!

That is all. I will now go back to blog posts about videography and related subjects…things I would much rather write–and talk–about.

https://firstimpressionsvideo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/subject-scam.pdf

More about Drones

Posted by Terry Wall on March 12, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Airborne Video, Corporate Videography, Drones, Event Videography, Marketing, Real Estate, Real Estate Video, Video Production, Videography, Wedding Videography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

I don’t know about you, but my bank account couldn’t take a quarter-million dollar hit! But for those who own a drone (I still haven’t bought one yet) and are careless about its use, the penalty could be just that steep, not only by putting a dent in your wallet, but also by getting your butt tossed into the slammer as well!!

Last month, the FAA updated its regs regarding unmanned aerial vehicle operation and for those who own one, you will want to pay close attention to these rules. All Digital, a tech company based right down the road from me in Irvine, created a great infographic that articulates the “dos and don’ts” of drone operation. If you have one, you will want to keep this infographic nearby!

“Via con Dios!”

New Drone Infographic-AllDigital

Source: All Digital

Number Two

Posted by Terry Wall on March 11, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Business, Corporate Videography, Event Videography, First Impressions Video, Funeral Video, Heritage Videography, Interview Video, Legal Videography, Life Story Video, Marketing, Memorial Video, Real Estate Video, Video for Health & Wellness, Video for Non-Profits, Video Production, Video Resume, Videography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Thumbtack 2016

I just received my second recognition from Thumbtack, as one of its “Best Of” videographers across the nation for 2016. I work hard to get excellent reviews from my clients, including re-shoots, in the rare instances where they may be necessary. Doing “whatever it takes” helps define my business and I am grateful for the customers who voice their positive thoughts.

Thank you!

For the D-I-Y’ers out there!

Posted by Terry Wall on February 17, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Business, Business Networking, Corporate Videography, Do-It-Yourselfer, Event Videography, Interview Video, Marketing, Online Marketing, Real Estate, Real Estate Video, Video for Health & Wellness, Video for Non-Profits, Video Production, Videography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

In my 30+ years in marketing, advertising and business development, I’ve always been quick to share a nugget or two of knowledge–even with an occasional competitor. The generosity has served me well over the years! Today’s piece is for those of you that have decided to take the plunge and shoot your own video. It would be easy for me to say, “…just call me,” but I’m never going to get 100% of the business I pitch, so I’m willing to offer a few of those “nuggets” to those that want to go it alone. Or at least “in house.”

The chart below lists 9 things you need to pay close attention to, to make your video something people will want to watch and respond to (see last point). There is no order of importance…all are equally relevant when it comes to producing a quality video product. And if, after having a go at it, you would prefer that the task be delegated to someone who has a good handle on these things, that is when you give me a call.

The truth is, when you consider the value of your time, and that of any co-workers engaged in the project, never mind the cost of professional cameras, microphones and lighting equipment, it just may be cheaper to have it done by folks like me.

But in the meantime, good luck, and good shooting!

SHOWBOAT Handout

Why Video???

Posted by Terry Wall on February 4, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Business, Business Networking, Corporate Videography, Digital Marketing, Event Videography, Interview Video, Lead Generation, Legal Videography, Marketing, Online Marketing, Real Estate, Video for Non-Profits, Video Production, Video Resume, Videography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

I can give you five reasons! Well actually, I could probably give you more than 5, but Explainify did such a great job with this infographic, I think I’ll leave well enough alone for today. If any of these reasons prompt you to get up and grab the phone, be sure it’s me on the other end of that call!

Enjoy, and have a great February!

5_Reasons_Video_Must_Be_Part_of_Your_2016_Marketing_Budget_Infographic

Sources/Attribution: Vidyard.com, Explainify.com & many others (see the URLs at the end of the infographic).

The Truth About Organic Search

Posted by Terry Wall on January 10, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Business, Digital Marketing, Heritage Videography, Internet Marketing, Life Story Video, Memorial Video, Online Marketing, Video Production, Videography. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

With so much going on in digital marketing these days, it might be easy to forget about organic search, or just dismiss it as being too difficult to execute–especially with so many updates to Google’s search algorithm. I should know. As many who read my blog are aware, I spent over a decade in digital marketing of all sorts and types, before starting the video business. So here’s my take or organic search: it still works!!

Yesterday, I shot a funeral for a family. It was a very moving ceremony and was held at Forest Home Memorial Park in Glendale. I received a call about a week before the service from a photographer friend of the family asking if I was available. He was a pleasant gentleman and I could tell that we both had the right kind of sensitivity in our approach to this unique assignment, so I agreed. Through several calls and emails, I forgot to ask him how he found me, since we didn’t know each other, but I was able to ask after the service and he said, “I Googled you!” Understanding search queries, I asked further, what search terms (keywords) he used? His reply, “I Googled ‘funeral videography orange county.’ ”

I was very pleased at this revelation as it proves positively the value and importance of good search engine optimization (SEO). I ran the same query this morning and found this search result:

Funeral videography - Google Search

First Impressions Video appeared–after the ads, that I don’t buy–in the first four positions of the search engine results page (SERP), and the map! I think it’s safe to say that I would likely NOT have received the call that turned into a nice piece of business had I not invested the necessary time to optimize my website.

No matter what your business is, taking the time to build robust SEO for your website can be…no, should be…a critical component of your overall digital marketing strategy. Do not overlook organic search…it is a cornerstone to effective online visibility!

GoodWell

Posted by Terry Wall on January 5, 2016
Posted in: Advertising, Business, Business Networking, Charitable Giving, Civic Activity, Digital Marketing, Internet Marketing, Networking, Online Marketing. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

GoodWell Logo

As many people know, I spent the last decade or so before starting First Impressions Video in digital marketing. During those years, I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Gombert, who, at the time, was CEO of Balihoo. Pete has been wildly successful over the years and took an extraordinarily bold step a little over a year ago, by stepping away from Balihoo. Some might call it a sabbatical, others might call it a leave of absence, and a few might even call it crazy (see below). Whatever one chooses to call it, Pete returned with a new vision for an organization that, by its commission, would help to leave the world a better place. That vision is GoodWell.

I wouldn’t dare to explain more about GoodWell, since no one can do it justice but Pete, so I will simply point you to the GoodWell website, and ask that you learn all you can about this worthwhile organization. I would also invite you to become a Founding Member, and then ask three people you know to do the same. It’s only 50 bucks, but leveraged across thousands of–dare I say one million–people, we CAN make a difference.

Please join me and Pete, and become one of “the crazy ones!” Or as Pete might say it:

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Thanks for reading.

GoodWell Founding Member #117