Issue #1089 Jan. 10, 2017
Publisher: Joan Stewart
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
In This Issue
- Quick Fixes for 3 Video Mistakes
- Clever Marketing Idea Pulls Leads
- Podcaster Wants Boomer Biz Owners
- Hound Video of the Week
This Week in the Hound House:
When the sluggish Green Bay Packers couldn’t do squat in the first quarter of Sunday’s wildcard game against the New York Giants, it hit me. I had forgotten to wear my lucky earrings! I dug them out of my jewelry box and, like magic, the team came alive. One of those Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary passes helped too. This Sunday, when The Pack plays the Dallas Cowboys, those earrings and my Cheesehead hat will be in place, well before kickoff.
1. Quick Fixes for 3 Video Mistakes
When a Rent My Brain consulting client asks me to review their YouTube videos, I often see three big mistakes that ruin otherwise terrific content.
Shaky Camera Syndrome. Don’t rely on the person holding the camera to also hold their breath. Buy a tripod. You can find a portable retractable mini version for as little as $1.70.
The Plague of Vertical Video. When you hold your phone camera vertically, it creates two big black areas, one on each side of the video. See the article “Please, Stop Shooting Vertical Video” and learn about several problems this creates.
Bad Lighting. You don’t need fancy studio lights. Go to Home Depot and buy one or more of those silver clamp lights or a halogen portable work light. Good lighting takes a lot of experimenting.
To do: You’re not done yet. Read “Video Marketing Mistakes: 6 Rookie Screw-Ups and How to Avoid Them” by Lou Bortone who concentrates on strategy.
#videolighting #videomistakes #cameravideotips
2. Clever Marketing Idea Pulls Leads
One of the best ways to get people in the door for your service-based business is to partner with another local small business and promote each other.
For Wisconsin insurance agent Matt Nelson of American Advantage Insurance – Nelson Agency Inc., the key to generating leads galore is offering a $20 gift certificate to a popular Italian restaurant near his office in Port Washington where I live. All you need to do is let him give you a complete auto and home/condo/renters policy quote.
On New Year’s Eve, my friend and I saw a postcard with the offer, tucked inside the leather folder that held our dinner check.
“Isn’t this clever?” my friend said.
Nelson says he gives away from one to two dozen gift certificates a month, almost all to people who really need an insurance quote and aren’t mooching a free meal.
To do: See the postcard and read about the promotion in the article “Insurance Agent Uses Restaurant gift Cards to Pull Leads” at my blog.
#smallbusinessmarketing #smallbizmarketing #leadgenerators
3. Podcaster Wants Boomer Biz Owners
Jeff Williams, CEO of Bizstarters.com, which has been helping launch new Boomer-owned businesses since 1991, now has a podcast, and he’s looking for guests age 50 and older.
Each “Running a Great Business After 50” interview is 22-25 minutes and features a Q&A format in which you describe how you started your business and the challenges and rewards along the way.
To do: Listen to a few of his shows to get a feel for his interview style. Then if you’re a good fit, pitch him at Jeff@BizStarters.com.
#boomerbusinesses #smallbizpodcast #smallbusinesspodcast
4. Hound Video of the Week
Sweet, shy Benny has been waiting at a high-kill shelter in California to be adopted. He flips out when he realizes he’s going home with someone who will love him. Warning: You might cry.
[Tweet “RT @PublicityHound #PublicityTips –Quick Fixes for 3 Video Mistakes #videomistakes #videotips”]
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