Tag Archives: content-marketing

Smart Shots: Economical Video Ideas for Service Businesses That Deliver Results

As decision-makers responsible for marketing, photography, and video production, you understand the necessity of engaging visual content. However, the budget for extensive, high-end productions is not always available. The good news is that effective, high-quality video content does not have to break the bank.

At St Louis Video Services, we specialize in helping service-based businesses and organizations maximize their visual marketing spend. Here are several economical, high-impact video concepts that can significantly boost your brand without requiring massive budgets or complex setups:

1. The Expert Q&A Series: Establishing Thought Leadership

The Concept: Position your key staff or executives as industry experts by having them answer common client questions or discuss industry trends.

Economical Advantage: This requires minimal set design—often just a clean background, good lighting, and clear audio. The focus is on the value of the information, not elaborate visuals.
Production Notes: Keep segments short (1-3 minutes). Film several Q&A videos in one session to maximize crew and location time. Use basic on-screen text for the question and speaker identification.
Impact: Builds trust, demonstrates expertise, and provides excellent evergreen content for your website, social media, and email marketing.

2. The Customer Success Story (Testimonial Spotlight)

The Concept: Instead of an expensive scripted commercial, film authentic, short interviews with satisfied clients.

Economical Advantage: The location is often the client’s office or home, eliminating studio rental costs. The narrative is organic and requires minimal scriptwriting—the client tells their own story.
Production Notes: Focus on a clear “before and after” narrative: the client’s challenge, how your service solved it, and the tangible positive result. Use a dual-camera setup if possible for a more professional look, or simply use quality single-camera framing.
Impact: The most powerful form of social proof. Testimonials build credibility faster than almost any other content.

3. “How-To” and Service Breakdown Shorts

The Concept: Quickly and clearly explain a complex service, break down a process, or offer a useful industry tip.

Economical Advantage: These are typically screen-capture videos with a voiceover, or simple shots of a process in action (e.g., a hand demonstrating a technique). Minimal talent and set requirements.
Production Notes: Focus on clear, concise instruction. Use graphic overlays and simple animations (like arrows or highlights) to draw attention to key points.
Impact: Excellent for boosting SEO, demonstrating transparency, and educating prospects, leading to more informed sales conversations.

4. Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Culture & People Snippets

The Concept: Show your company’s personality and the people who make your service happen. A quick tour, an employee interview, or a snapshot of your team collaborating.

Economical Advantage: Shot within your own workspace, leveraging existing, natural light and settings. This is a very authentic style that thrives on a “less polished” aesthetic.
Production Notes: Use natural sound and a handheld, documentary feel. Focus on capturing genuine moments. Keep the music upbeat and positive.
Impact: Humanizes your brand. Clients buy from people they like and trust. This content helps forge an emotional connection with your audience.

🎥 Your Full-Service Partner in Visual Success

Achieving professional, results-driven video and photography—even on a focused budget—requires the right partner with deep experience and specialized equipment.

St Louis Video Services is a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, operating since 1982. We provide the expertise, creative crew, and technical equipment necessary for successful image acquisition, ensuring your media stands out.

We offer full-service studio and location video and photography, as well as editing, post-production, and licensed drone pilots (including the capability to fly our specialized drones indoors). Our state-of-the-art, private studio lighting and visual setup is perfect for small productions and interview scenes, with enough space to incorporate props to round out your set.

We are not just a vendor; we are your complete production team.

We support every aspect of your production—from setting up a private, custom interview studio to supplying professional sound and camera operators, as well as providing the right equipment—ensuring your next video production is seamless and successful.
We can customize your productions for diverse types of media requirements.
Repurposing your photography and video branding to gain more traction is another specialty. We are well-versed in all file types and styles of media and accompanying software, and we utilize the latest in Artificial Intelligence for all our media services.

For over four decades, St Louis Video Services has successfully partnered with countless businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies in the St. Louis area, delivering high-impact marketing photography and video solutions.

Ready to explore economical video strategies that maximize your marketing budget? Let’s discuss how our experienced team can bring your visual goals to life.

314-604-6544

stlouisvideoservices@gmail.com

Stop Wasting B-Roll: 12 Ways to Repurpose One Shoot into a 6-Month Content Engine

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As seasoned professionals in the world of commercial photography and video production, we’ve witnessed countless businesses invest significant resources into high-quality shoots, only to underutilize the resulting assets. The raw footage and images – especially that invaluable B-roll – often contain a goldmine of content waiting to be unleashed. The truth is, with a strategic approach, a single well-planned shoot can become a powerful, six-month content engine, driving engagement and reinforcing your brand message across diverse platforms.

Here at St Louis Video Services, we understand the critical importance of maximizing your media investment. It’s not just about capturing stunning visuals; it’s about smart, efficient content repurposing. Let’s delve into 12 actionable strategies to transform one shoot into a continuous stream of compelling material:

The Cornerstone Hero Video: Every shoot needs its flagship. This is your primary marketing video, typically 2-3 minutes, designed for your homepage, key landing pages, and primary campaign focus. It establishes your brand’s core message and visual identity.
Short-Form Social Media Snippets: Extract 15-30 second dynamic clips from your hero video and B-roll. These are perfect for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook stories. Focus on visually striking moments, quick tips, or compelling soundbites.
Behind-the-Scenes (BTS) Content: Don’t underestimate the power of showing your process. Use candid shots and short video clips of your team at work, the setup, or even a humorous blooper reel. This humanizes your brand and builds authenticity.Image of
Testimonial & Interview Excerpts: If your shoot included interviews or testimonials, pull out individual soundbites and pair them with relevant B-roll. These micro-stories are incredibly persuasive and ideal for social proof.
Still Photography for Web & Print: Beyond just extracting stills from video, ensure your shoot includes dedicated high-resolution photography. These images are crucial for your website, brochures, press kits, and digital ads. A single shoot can yield dozens of unique photos.
Blog Post Visuals: Every blog post needs engaging imagery. Instead of relying on stock photos, use your custom photography and stills from your video. This creates a cohesive brand experience and makes your content more memorable.
Animated GIFs & Cinemagraphs: Take short, looping video clips or slightly animated still images to create eye-catching GIFs and cinemagraphs. These are fantastic for social media, email marketing, and even presentations to add a dynamic touch without sound.
Website Headers & Banner Imagery: Your website’s visual appeal is paramount. Utilize the strongest, most compelling still images or short video loops as hero headers and banners to immediately grab visitor attention.
Email Marketing Assets: From compelling imagery within your newsletters to short video clips embedded in promotional emails, your shoot assets can significantly boost open rates and click-throughs.
Presentation Slides & Backgrounds: For internal and external presentations, leverage your high-quality visuals as backgrounds or illustrative elements. This elevates your professionalism and reinforces your brand identity.
Podcast Visualizers/Audiograms: If you have a podcast, combine audio excerpts with captivating B-roll or still images to create visually engaging audiograms for social media promotion.
Paid Advertising Creative: The diverse range of assets from a single shoot provides an arsenal for A/B testing in your paid ad campaigns. Test different video lengths, image styles, and messaging to optimize performance and maximize your ROI.

At St Louis Video Services, we’ve been helping businesses and organizations tell their stories through exceptional visual media since 1982. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company, we bring the right equipment, creative crew, and extensive service experience to ensure successful image acquisition every time. We offer comprehensive studio and location video and photography, complemented by expert editing, post-production, and licensed drone pilots – yes, we can even fly our specialized drones indoors!

We pride ourselves on customizing productions for diverse types of media requirements. Repurposing your photography and video branding to gain more traction is another one of our core specialties. We are well-versed in all file types and styles of media and accompanying software, staying ahead of the curve by utilizing the latest in Artificial Intelligence for all our media services. Our private studio offers perfect lighting and visual setups for small productions and interview scenes, with ample space to incorporate props to round out your set.

We support every aspect of your production—from setting up a private, custom interview studio to supplying professional sound and camera operators, as well as providing the right equipment—ensuring your next video production is seamless and successful. Having worked with numerous businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies in the St. Louis area for over four decades, St Louis Video Services is your trusted partner for marketing photography and video that truly performs.

314-604-6544

stlouisvideoservices@gmail.com

Don’t Mess Up Your Testimonials: Hire a Professional Camera Crew for Success

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When it comes to testimonials, authenticity, professionalism, and quality matter more than you might think. A well-executed testimonial video can be the difference between captivating potential clients and losing them to competitors. Testimonials build trust and credibility for your brand, showcasing real customer experiences in a way that resonates with your audience. However, creating a testimonial that stands out and truly communicates your brand’s value requires more than just pointing a camera at a subject. Hiring a professional camera crew, like the team at St. Louis Video Services, is essential to ensure that your testimonials not only look and sound professional but also achieve the intended impact.

Why Professional Testimonials Matter

In today’s media-saturated world, your audience is looking for something that speaks to their needs and concerns—real stories from people who have experienced your products or services firsthand. Testimonials are one of the most powerful ways to create this connection. But it’s not just about turning on a camera and asking your clients to speak. For a testimonial to be effective, it must engage the viewer, create emotional resonance, and reflect the professionalism of your brand.

Poorly produced testimonial videos, however, can have the opposite effect. Bad lighting, awkward framing, or poor sound quality can make your brand seem less credible or, worse, make the viewer feel uncomfortable. This is where a professional camera crew comes into play—helping ensure that your testimonial videos look polished and reflect the quality of your services.

The Impact of Professional Lighting, Sound, and Setup

Professional lighting and sound can make or break a testimonial video. Imagine a customer speaking passionately about how your product changed their business, only for their words to be drowned out by background noise or their face obscured by harsh lighting. A professional crew knows how to set the right mood, framing, and lighting to highlight the speaker’s facial expressions and emotions. They’ll also manage the acoustics, ensuring that your message is heard clearly without any distractions.

At St. Louis Video Services, we take great pride in our private studio lighting and visual setups, which are perfect for small productions and interview scenes. Our studio is large enough to incorporate props and backdrops that can help reinforce the story your testimonial is telling. Whether you need a simple, clean background or a more elaborate set that incorporates your branding, our team can make it happen.

The Importance of a Customized Interview Studio

A great testimonial isn’t just about turning on the camera; it’s about creating a setting where the subject feels comfortable. For many people, being on camera can be intimidating, especially when they’re asked to talk about their experiences. A professional video crew can help put your interviewees at ease, ensuring that they’re comfortable and can speak naturally. This is crucial for eliciting authentic testimonials that truly reflect the value of your product or service.

At St. Louis Video Services, we offer customized interview studios that cater to the specific needs of your testimonial shoot. We ensure that everything—from the lighting to the sound equipment—is tailored to your production, creating an atmosphere that helps your client shine on camera.

The Role of Professional Camera Operators and Equipment

A good camera crew doesn’t just know how to operate a camera—they know how to capture the right shots, angles, and moments to make your testimonial engaging. Whether it’s a close-up of the subject, a two-shot that includes both the speaker and your product, or a dynamic shot that captures action, our camera operators have the skill and experience to create compelling visuals.

Furthermore, professional camera equipment, like the cameras, lenses, and stabilization tools we use at St. Louis Video Services, ensures that your video is crisp, clean, and polished. We also employ the latest in drone technology to capture unique angles, including flying drones indoors for creative and dramatic shots, providing a fresh perspective for your testimonial video.

Repurposing Your Testimonials for Greater Impact

A well-produced testimonial video is not just a one-off asset. It’s a tool that can be repurposed in various marketing materials across multiple platforms. Whether you’re posting clips on social media, including testimonials on your website, or using them in email marketing campaigns, a professional testimonial video can be a versatile asset in your marketing toolbox.

At St. Louis Video Services, we specialize in repurposing your photography and video branding to increase your reach and maximize its impact. We ensure that your testimonial video is optimized for every platform, whether that’s a full-length video for your website or a 15-second social media snippet.

Why Choose St. Louis Video Services

Since 1982, St. Louis Video Services has worked with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies in the St. Louis area to provide high-quality video and photography services. As a full-service commercial photography and video production company, we bring years of experience and a wealth of technical expertise to every project. Our team is equipped with the latest tools, including professional cameras, lighting setups, and licensed drone pilots, to ensure your testimonials are nothing short of exceptional.

We understand the importance of creating a seamless production process—from setting up a private, custom interview studio to supplying professional sound and camera operators. No matter the size or scale of your project, we can handle every aspect of your testimonial video, ensuring a smooth and successful outcome.

Conclusion

Don’t let your testimonials fall flat. Hiring a professional camera crew from St. Louis Video Services ensures that your client testimonials are captured with the highest standards of quality, providing a polished and engaging representation of your brand. We are experts in full-service video and photography productions, and we’re here to make your testimonial videos stand out and work harder for your business. Reach out to St. Louis Video Services today to learn more about how we can help elevate your marketing efforts with stunning, impactful testimonial videos.

314-604-6544

stlouisvideoservices@gmail.com

Revive and Reimagine: Smart Ways to Re-Use Old Videos for New Marketing Content.

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In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, the demand for fresh marketing content is unrelenting. However, creating entirely new video campaigns from scratch can be time-consuming and costly—especially when many companies already have valuable visual assets sitting dormant in their archives. For marketing decision-makers, repurposing existing video footage offers a cost-effective and strategic opportunity to generate fresh, engaging content that aligns with current campaigns and messaging.

At St Louis Video Services, we’ve helped countless businesses breathe new life into their legacy footage—transforming outdated video assets into dynamic marketing materials that resonate with today’s audiences. Here’s how your organization can do the same.

1. Create Short-Form Content from Long-Form Videos

Long corporate videos, training sessions, or event coverage may no longer be relevant in their entirety, but they’re often packed with usable moments. By extracting key highlights, you can create:

Bite-sized social media posts
Reels or YouTube Shorts
Video teasers or trailers
Testimonial clips

These clips can be customized with updated intros, new branding, or calls-to-action to reflect your current goals.

2. Update Graphics and Branding

Visual trends and corporate branding evolve over time. Outdated fonts, transitions, or logos can make older videos feel stale. Modernizing these elements is an easy way to give old footage a facelift:

Replace intros/outros with current branding
Overlay new lower-thirds or titles
Add fresh music, voiceovers, or subtitles
Use AI tools to enhance image quality or frame rates

At St Louis Video Services, we specialize in seamlessly integrating updated branding into archived footage for a polished, modern look.

3. Build Educational or FAQ Videos

If your past videos contain detailed product demonstrations, executive interviews, or how-to content, consider repurposing that footage into:

Training modules
Customer onboarding videos
“Did You Know?” social media series
FAQ explainer clips

Segmenting these pieces into digestible formats can position your company as an expert in your field and support your sales or customer service teams.

4. Compile Montage Reels and Testimonials

Have you collected various clips over the years from client testimonials, trade shows, or project walkthroughs? These can be woven together into:

Brand story montages
Case study highlight reels
Anniversary or milestone celebration videos

These compilations build trust and social proof—powerful marketing tools in any industry.

5. Convert to Different Formats or Channels

A great deal of older video content was created for one specific platform—often for websites or DVDs. Today, the same footage can be re-edited for:

LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok
Email campaigns
Landing pages or blog content
Webinar promotions or recap videos

By adapting older content to fit the specifications and tone of new platforms, you can reach different audiences without starting from scratch.

6. Use AI to Enhance, Transcribe, and Translate

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we work with video content. Old footage can now be:

Automatically transcribed and turned into searchable written content
Translated into other languages for global audiences
Enhanced in resolution or audio clarity using AI upscaling

At St Louis Video Services, we use the latest AI tools to streamline and elevate the editing process, making repurposing faster and more effective than ever before.

7. Integrate Footage into New Productions

Sometimes, legacy content still tells a strong story. B-roll, interviews, or testimonials from previous shoots can be incorporated into new videos alongside fresh footage—resulting in a cohesive, layered message that saves on production costs and filming time.

Why Partner with St Louis Video Services?

Since 1982, St Louis Video Services has helped businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across the St. Louis region tell their stories through high-quality photography and video. As a full-service commercial production company, we have the right equipment, creative crew, and post-production tools to make your visual content work harder for you.

Whether it’s studio or on-location video and photography, professional editing, post-production, or licensed drone operations—even flying drones indoors—we have every element needed to make your next production a success. Our private studio lighting and interview setups are perfect for controlled shoots, and our large studio space accommodates prop-heavy scenes and branding customization.

We specialize in repurposing photography and video branding to gain more traction and maximize ROI. From re-editing archival footage to delivering AI-enhanced content in modern formats, our team is ready to elevate your visual marketing game.

Let St Louis Video Services help you transform your existing footage into new opportunities for engagement, conversion, and brand growth.

Ready to bring new life to your old video assets?
Contact St Louis Video Services today and discover how smart editing and strategic repurposing can make your content go further than ever before.

314-604-6544

stlouisvideoservices@gmail.com

Short or Long Testimonial Videos: What’s Best for Your Marketing Communications Strategy?

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Testimonial videos have become a cornerstone of modern marketing communications. They humanize your brand, establish credibility, and provide powerful social proof—all within a few minutes of screen time. But one of the most common questions we hear from decision makers in marketing, photography, and corporate communications is:

“Should we produce short or long testimonial videos?”

The answer depends on your platform, audience, message, and marketing goals. Let’s break down the advantages and best-use cases for both formats to help you make an informed choice for your next campaign.

Short Testimonial Videos (30 seconds to 2 minutes)

Best for:

Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook)
Website landing pages
Email marketing
Trade show booths or digital signage
Paid ads and promotional reels

Why it works:
Short-form testimonials are punchy and digestible. They capture attention fast—ideal for today’s fast-scrolling digital audience. When done well, a short testimonial delivers a memorable quote, an impactful result, or an emotional hook in just a few seconds.

Key strengths:

High shareability and engagement
Easily repurposed into ads, stories, and teasers
Ideal for A/B testing and campaign performance metrics
Quick turnaround time from production to delivery

Pro Tip: Keep the message focused. Choose one core theme (e.g., customer satisfaction, measurable ROI, or a transformation story) and build the visual and dialogue flow around that single concept.

Long Testimonial Videos (2 to 5+ minutes)

Best for:

Case study landing pages
Client-focused microsites
Internal presentations
B2B sales enablement tools
Conference or pitch deck content

Why it works:
Long-form testimonials allow for a deeper dive into the customer journey. You get context, emotion, detail, and resolution—making it perfect for audiences already interested in your solution. These viewers are likely further down the sales funnel and are looking for validation and proof before making a decision.

Key strengths:

Provides a full narrative arc (problem > solution > result)
Establishes thought leadership and authority
Builds emotional trust through storytelling
Allows room for supporting visuals like B-roll, charts, or product demonstrations

Pro Tip: Incorporate multiple speakers or layered visuals to maintain energy and engagement. A two-camera setup and a mix of interview footage with authentic B-roll can elevate even the longest video.

How to Decide: Strategy First, Then Format

Choosing between short or long testimonial videos starts with your marketing strategy. Ask yourself:

Who is the audience? Top-of-funnel prospects or decision-stage buyers?
Where will the video live? On social media, your homepage, or during in-person presentations?
What’s the goal? Brand awareness, lead conversion, or deeper engagement?

A well-rounded strategy often includes both formats:

A short video to draw attention and direct leads.
A long version to convert those leads into customers.

Even better, shoot once, repurpose often—extracting social clips, gifs, email snippets, and even podcast content from a single testimonial shoot.

Why Work With St Louis Video Services?

When it comes to producing impactful testimonial videos—short or long—St Louis Video Services brings the expertise, experience, and creative tools to make every second count.

We are a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company with the right equipment, skilled crew, and creative vision for successful image acquisition. From studio and location shoots to editing, post-production, and licensed drone operation, we handle every element of your project in-house.

Our private studio is tailored for interview-style testimonial production, complete with custom lighting, soundproofing, and enough space to incorporate props or stylized set designs. Whether you need a 30-second punchline or a 5-minute transformation story, we deliver compelling visuals and sound with professional polish.

We specialize in:

Custom video solutions for all media formats and file types
AI-enhanced editing and media processing
Repurposing content to give your video assets more mileage
Indoor drone operation to create dynamic visuals, even in controlled spaces

Since 1982, St Louis Video Services has partnered with businesses, marketing firms, and creative agencies across the region—building testimonial videos that build trust, drive action, and deliver results.

Whether your audience wants it fast or prefers the full story, we’re here to help you produce testimonial videos that work. Let’s bring your client success stories to life—with impact, clarity, and creativity.

314-604-6544

stlouisvideoservices@gmail.com

Common Mistakes in Training Videos and How to Fix Them

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Creating an engaging, informative, and effective training video is no small task. Done right, a training video can serve as a valuable resource for onboarding new employees, demonstrating product usage, or educating clients. However, there are common pitfalls that can diminish the impact of your training content. In this post, we’ll highlight these frequent mistakes and provide actionable solutions to help decision-makers produce exceptional training videos.

1. Lack of a Clear Structure

The Mistake: One of the most common errors is failing to organize the content into a logical sequence. Without a clear structure, your audience may struggle to follow the information, leading to confusion and disengagement.

The Fix: Start with a well-thought-out script and outline. Divide the content into sections with clear headings and objectives. Use visual cues, transitions, and title slides to break up the information and reinforce key points. Working with a professional production company, like St. Louis Video Services, ensures that your video follows a cohesive narrative.

2. Overloading with Information

The Mistake: Packing too much information into a single training video can overwhelm viewers and reduce retention.

The Fix: Keep your videos concise and focused on specific learning objectives. If the subject matter is complex, consider creating a series of shorter videos instead of one long, information-heavy video. Our team at St. Louis Video Services can help you plan and repurpose content into digestible segments that resonate with your audience.

3. Poor Audio and Visual Quality

The Mistake: Nothing diminishes credibility faster than poor lighting, muffled sound, or low-resolution visuals. Subpar production quality can make your brand appear unprofessional and cause viewers to lose interest.

The Fix: Invest in high-quality equipment and experienced crew members. Our private studio at St. Louis Video Services is equipped with professional-grade lighting and sound setups, perfect for creating crisp, polished content. Whether you need on-location shoots or indoor interviews, our team has the expertise to deliver exceptional quality every time.

4. Monotonous Delivery

The Mistake: If the presenter speaks in a flat tone or the visuals remain static for too long, viewers may lose focus.

The Fix: Incorporate dynamic visuals, such as cutaways, graphics, and animations, to keep viewers engaged. Choose presenters who are comfortable on camera, or consider voiceovers paired with visuals for variety. Our custom interview setups and post-production enhancements can bring life and energy to your training videos.

5. Inadequate Branding and Visual Consistency

The Mistake: Failing to incorporate consistent branding elements can make your training video feel disconnected from your company’s overall visual identity.

The Fix: Maintain consistency by including branded colors, logos, and fonts throughout your videos. Our experienced editors at St. Louis Video Services can seamlessly integrate branding elements to ensure your video reinforces your company’s identity.

6. Neglecting Audience Interaction

The Mistake: A training video that only provides information without engaging the audience can feel impersonal.

The Fix: Add interactive elements, such as questions, prompts, or quizzes, to encourage viewers to engage with the content. In post-production, we can add on-screen prompts, captions, and calls to action that foster interaction and boost comprehension.

7. Ignoring Accessibility Needs

The Mistake: Many training videos fail to consider viewers who may need captions, alternative audio descriptions, or visual accommodations.

The Fix: Include closed captions and ensure your video adheres to accessibility standards. St. Louis Video Services is well-versed in editing software and file formats that allow for easy integration of accessibility features to make your training content inclusive for all.

8. Not Repurposing Content for Multiple Platforms

The Mistake: Creating a training video solely for internal use without considering repurposing options limits its potential reach.

The Fix: Repurpose training content into shorter clips for social media, email campaigns, or client demonstrations. Our team specializes in reformatting and optimizing video content for various platforms, ensuring you maximize your investment.

9. Inadequate Testing Before Release

The Mistake: Releasing a training video without thorough testing can result in mistakes being discovered after distribution.

The Fix: Conduct multiple rounds of review and testing to identify any errors. We recommend pilot testing your video with a small group before full release. Our production team offers comprehensive editing and revision services to ensure your final product is flawless.

How St. Louis Video Services Can Help

At St. Louis Video Services, we understand that creating a successful training video requires more than just a camera and a script. Our full-service commercial photography and video production company has the right equipment and experienced crew to support every stage of your production. From concept development and storyboarding to studio shoots and post-production, we provide tailored solutions that meet your unique needs.

We offer:

Full-service studio and location video and photography
Editing, post-production, and licensed drone pilots
Custom interview setups and sound/camera operators
Indoor drone filming for dynamic shots
Expertise in all media styles, formats, and software

Our private studio lighting and visual setup are ideal for small productions and interview scenes, and our space is large enough to incorporate props and set designs. Since 1982, St. Louis Video Services has worked with businesses, marketing firms, and agencies across the St. Louis area to create impactful training videos, corporate films, and branded content.

By partnering with us, you can rest assured that your training video will not only avoid common pitfalls but will also stand out as a valuable asset for your organization. Let us help you achieve your vision and deliver professional results that drive engagement and learning.

Contact St. Louis Video Services today to make your next training video a success.

314-604-6544

stlouisvideoservices@gmail.com

How to Repurpose Old Content into Short Videos

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In the fast-paced digital landscape, creating fresh content can often feel like a daunting task. However, many businesses overlook a treasure trove of existing material that can be revitalized and transformed into engaging short videos. Repurposing old content not only saves time and resources but also enhances your marketing strategy by maximizing the value of your previous investments. Here’s a guide on how to effectively convert your old content into captivating short videos that resonate with your audience.

Cut out any unnecessary details, focusing instead on delivering the key message and call to action.

1. Identify Valuable Existing Content

Begin by reviewing your existing content library. This could include blog posts, white papers, webinars, interviews, or even older video footage. Look for content that performed well in the past, such as posts with high engagement rates or videos that garnered significant views. The key is to select material that still holds relevance for your current audience.

2. Determine Your Objective

What do you want to achieve with your short video? Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving traffic to your website, or generating leads, having a clear objective will guide the direction of your video. This focus will also help you choose which pieces of content to repurpose and how to present them.

3. Create a Compelling Narrative

Transforming written content into video requires a shift in how you present information. Instead of reading a script, think visually. Identify the core message of your content and develop a narrative that can be illustrated through visuals. Consider incorporating elements such as graphics, animations, or B-roll footage to enhance the storytelling experience.

4. Edit for Brevity

Short videos should be concise and to the point. Aim for a duration of 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on the platform and your audience’s preferences. Cut out any unnecessary details, focusing instead on delivering the key message and call to action. This brevity will keep viewers engaged and more likely to share your video.

5. Incorporate Branding Elements

Make sure to weave your brand identity into the video. This includes using your logo, brand colors, and consistent messaging. Reinforcing your brand will help ensure that your audience associates the repurposed content with your company, strengthening brand recognition.

6. Optimize for Different Platforms

Each social media platform has its own nuances, including video length and format preferences. Tailor your repurposed content for each platform to maximize its reach and engagement. For instance, Instagram favors vertical videos, while YouTube may allow for longer content. Be mindful of these differences to effectively engage your audience.

7. Promote Your New Video

Once your video is ready, promote it across your channels. Share it on social media, embed it in your email newsletters, and feature it on your website. Encourage your team and followers to share the video within their networks to broaden its reach.

Conclusion

Repurposing old content into short videos is a strategic approach to maximize your existing assets while enhancing your digital marketing efforts. By following these steps, you can breathe new life into your old content, making it more engaging and accessible to your audience.

At St. Louis Video Services, we understand the importance of effective video production and content repurposing. As a full-service professional commercial photography and video production company with over 40 years of experience, we have the right equipment and a creative crew with extensive service experience for successful image acquisition. We offer comprehensive studio and location video and photography, as well as expert editing, post-production, and licensed drone piloting services.

Our team specializes in customizing productions for diverse media requirements, ensuring that your photography and video branding gains maximum traction. We are well-versed in all file types, media styles, and accompanying software. Our private studio, equipped with professional lighting and visual setups, is perfect for small productions and interview scenes. Large enough to incorporate props, our studio can help you create the ideal backdrop for your next video project.

Whether you need a private custom interview studio setup, sound and camera operators, or specialized drone services, St. Louis Video Services is here to make your next video production perfect. Partner with us to unlock the potential of your old content and create impactful short videos that resonate with your audience.

314-604-6544

stlouisvideoservices@gmail.com

Video Formatting Guide for Social Media

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In today’s social media landscape, the influence of video content continues to surge. To harness its potential, it’s crucial to comprehend the art of formatting your videos for optimal reach and engagement. This guide delves into the world of video formatting, covering the ideal formats and dimensions for various social media platforms, along with strategies for enhancing searchability and accessibility.

We often reformat client training videos for social media.

Video Formatting When it comes to video formatting, MP4 stands out as the universally accepted format across all social media platforms. It boasts efficient compression, which ensures that video quality remains high while keeping file sizes manageable. While formats like AVI and MOV might also be compatible, it’s advisable to stick with MP4 for maximum compatibility.

Video Dimensions Different social media platforms prescribe distinct dimensions for video content. Here are the recommended dimensions for some of the most popular platforms:

Facebook: 1080 x 1920 pixels (landscape) or 1080 x 1080 pixels (square)
Instagram: 1080 x 1920 pixels (landscape) or 1080 x 1080 pixels (square)
Twitter: 720 x 720 pixels (square) or 1024 x 512 pixels (landscape)
YouTube: 1280 x 720 pixels (landscape) or 640 x 360 pixels (portrait)

It’s essential to note that these dimensions are recommendations, and videos can still be uploaded in other sizes. However, for the best viewer experience, adhering to these recommended dimensions is advisable.

Video Length The ideal video length varies depending on the platform and the nature of the content. Here are some general guidelines:

Facebook: 1-2 minutes
Instagram: 1-60 seconds
Twitter: 2 minutes and 20 seconds
YouTube: 15-20 minutes

Remember, these are general guidelines, and it’s wise to strive for concise and engaging video content regardless of the platform.

Video Captioning and Subtitles Incorporating captions and subtitles in your videos can significantly boost engagement and widen your reach, especially for users who are hearing impaired or have the sound turned off. While many social media platforms offer built-in captioning tools, you can also add captions and subtitles using video editing software.

Video Optimization for Search To maximize the visibility of your videos on social media, optimizing them for search is paramount. Here are some tips for optimizing your videos:

Utilize relevant keywords in the video title and description.
Add descriptive tags to your videos.
Include a transcript of the video.
Implement a call to action both in the video and the video description.

Meta Description This guide has provided insights into the best video formatting and dimensions for various social media platforms, as well as strategies for optimizing your videos for searchability and accessibility. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your videos reach the widest possible audience and drive engagement with your brand.

Conclusion As video content gains prominence on social media, mastering video formatting is key to maximizing reach and engagement. By adhering to the recommendations in this guide, you can ensure that your videos are tailored for different social media platforms and resonate with a broader audience. Furthermore, optimizing your videos for searchability and accessibility can enhance engagement with your brand. If you need further information, don’t hesitate to ask!

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