Building brands for small business owners through content creation.
(1)
Reviewing our behind-the-scenes footage taught me 3 key lessons:
1. Hire the best:
A skilled Director of Photography (DP) is crucial—they bring your vision to life. Thanks,
2. Direct with assertiveness:
Clear, confident communication keeps everyone aligned and the shoot on track.
3. Prepare relentlessly:
Pre-visuals, shot lists, and thorough planning are essential for a smooth and successful shoot.
Absolutely essential for every video creator: storytelling.
Without a compelling story, keeping your audience hooked is nearly impossible.
Always weave rich, engaging stories into your content to captivate and retain your viewers! 🎥✨
What an experience.
About two weeks ago, we went and shot video for one of the coolest companies around, Audioformz.
So I figured, why not shoot a vlog?'
This one is especially great because it shows EXACTLY what goes into a complex, high stakes video shoot for a business. It can take a lot more energy than anticipated to get the end result, but the end result is always worth it.
Please enjoy episode 3 at the link below, and let me know what you think!
In his week-in-the-life vlog, videographer and small business owner Alex Trevino takes you behind the scenes of a high-stakes ATV shoot for Audioformz, a com...
Video production without a strategy is just a video. Anyone can make a video look good. With a solid strategy, video can be a game-changer for any business.
Are you a self employed business owner who struggles to find the time to create video content? You're not alone! In this post, I'll share 5 tips on how to effectively manage your time so that you can create videos that are both high quality and effective.
1- Make a storyboard or plan before starting to film.
This will help you stay organized and on track while you are filming. Investing the time, "ahead of time", in planning this out will truly save you even more time in the shoot and edit.
2- Use a content calendar to schedule your content.
A content calendar is a tool that allows you to plan and schedule your content in advance. This way, you can batch create content and have it ready to go when you need it. So if you're feeling overwhelmed by your content marketing, take a deep breath and grab a content calendar. It just might be the answer to your problems.
3- Fail quickly, and keep moving forward.
Making mistakes is inevitable when you're shooting your own content. So don't be afraid to mess up - it's part of the process!
4- Take breaks while editing to avoid burnout and come back with fresh eyes
As anyone who has ever shot video or edited knows, it can be easy to get wrapped up in the project and lose track of time. Whether it's going for a walk, grabbing a bite to eat or just taking a few deep breaths, taking some time for yourself will make a world of difference.
5- Only get feedback from a select few work before publishing it online.
Any creator who's put their work out on the internet knows that feedback is a double-edged sword. So, how do you strike the right balance? One approach is to only seek feedback from a select few people before publishing your videos online. Look for people whose opinions you trust and who will give you constructive criticism.
Now that you have a few tips to help you save time, it's important to put them into practice. Follow us on LinkedIn and I'll continue sharing more ways that you can create high-quality content without spending all day in front of the computer. In the meantime, what are your favorite tips for saving time while creating video content? Share them in the comments below!
When we work together, you have permission to fail. Here’s me failing 😂🤣😭😬👍
When you are nervous in front of a camera, even if it's your own, here's the 1 TIP that I have for you! It'll make things so simple for you. You got this 💪 🙌 👌
HAVE. A. PLAN.
Every piece of content that appears on any of your profiles needs to be there for a REASON.
Figure that out, and you'll be well on your way to engaging and building your audience online.
What tools do you use to plan out your content?
Have you taken the plunge into digital marketing in 2022? If you haven’t been creating content, consistently posting, or interacting with your audience online, you are falling behind.
But guess what? It isn’t too late to get started!
Here’s three reasons why you HAVE to be present online, as a business owner, in 2022 and beyond.
What are things that you have done already that have worked for you? Things that haven’t worked so well?
Yeah. You really shouldn't hire me.
“Give them quality. That's the best kind of advertising."- Milton Hershey
I’ve always been of the mindset that the clients I solve problems for become my marketing team. I want their experience to be so great after they work with me and the team at .thirtysix that they end up screaming about their experience from the mountaintops. Same with anyone who ever spends time working with me on a project.
What’s something that inspires you to be your best when it comes to work or business?
Tip 12 of 36: ALWAYS OVERSHOOT!!!!! (this one is gonna be long, sorry)
I'm serious when I say that this is in my top 3 of biggest things I have learned in video production and content creation. This idea of keeping the camera rolling beyond what I think is necessary has brought out the best in interviews, B-Roll, and overall footage. And it has also made me AND lost me lots of money.
It happened to me many times in the early days where I (it probably came from a place of me being immature and young and thinking that I was so good) would shoot one or two takes of everything I thought I needed. It wasn't until it hit me hard on a project where I realized, when I was starting to edit the project, that what I had shot was nowhere near enough to complete the project, and I screwed over the client and myself and damaged the relationship forever.
That project made me grow up so fast, and I realized that I was shooting myself in the foot by not "overshooting". By that, I mean getting more footage than you think is necessary and also taking the time to make sure: names are said clearly, ideas are spoken of clearly, proper nouns are used where they need to be used, and lastly, the talent in front of the camera is given the time and space to speak or act freely.
Now, on any footage I ever shoot, where I am behind the camera, I always over shoot. I mean, I don't go Francis Ford Coppola style and shoot 50 takes of everything, but I definitely get more than needed. For example, on a recent shoot, I knew I needed 15 different shots of B-Roll in order to produce a promotional video for a client. We went ahead and got 25 different shots. And we didn't freak out in post production because we had plenty to work with.
This was a long story to tell, but I am telling it because of how important it has been for my business, and how important it can be for you when creating your content. Take your time with all of this. It's when you try and rush it that you can really miss out on something special for you and your business.
If you need any help or advice on this topic, let's talk.
https://buff.ly/3svkFPY
Tip 11 of 36: Leave the Camera On
Does it ever happen to you where you wish you could have had your camera out while on vacation, a date, a trip somewhere, or at home with one of your kids? You feel that sense of "dang, I wish I could have had my camera out a little longer!"
That's something that happens in video and production as well. Which is why I thankfully learned early on to make sure you don't just yell CUT or that you stop recording right away as soon as you think you have what you need.
All the great content and ideas have always come after you think you have enough, which is why I always count to 5 before I cut the camera off. Especially when I am gathering B-Roll or shooting an interview. The good stuff always happens when you least expect it.
If you need any help with this at all, let's talk.
buff.ly/3svkFPY
Tip 10 of 36: Keep Still
It goes without saying that the phone you use on a daily basis has incredible capabilities when it comes to stabilizing your shots. It's incredible how these little devices can shoot some amazing content.
When you stay as still as you can while shooting, you create a distraction-free piece of content that can engage your audience, and keep their focus on you. You also eliminate the thought in their head of "Jeeze, whoever is holding that camera needs to call Project Thirty Six for some camera holding tips" 😂 😂 😂
I've always been a fan of handheld when it comes to shooting my own video content, which means you have to have a very talented person behind the camera when shooting (in this case Michael Ursua, shout out to you. He's not shaky until I tell him to show off shakiness).
If you have any questions or need some advice on content and strategy, let's talk.
https://buff.ly/3svkFPY
Tip 9 of 36: Rule of Thirds!
This is a topic that has always been of great interest to me and I hope that when you watch this, you begin to explore the opportunities the rule of thirds can provide you in terms of creativeness and practicality.
I would say this makes a lot more sense for content like interviews, testimonials, B-Roll for videos, and not quite for micro content like you'll see on Tik Tok or reels. When you are an authority in your industry or business, I have always been a fan of being front and center in your shots. As for the rule of thirds, basically, you want to cut your screen into a tic tac toe board, 9 equal sized rectangles. And the 4 points where your horizontal and vertical lines meet is where you want the focus of your "scene" or "content" to be. If you are outdoors, and you find the line where the sky meets land, don't just place that in the middle of the screen. Find your two horizontal lines, and determine which line would be best to place your shot on.
This rule, which also is essential to photography, has quickly become an easy way for me and my team to determine camera set ups, lighting set ups, where to place our subject, our lighting, and most every other feature when it comes to video production. Study it, and use it well, and your videos will come out looking great and nicely composed 👍
If you need any help, advice, or have any questions with video content and strategy, let's talk.
https://buff.ly/3HzeDEc
Tip 8 of 36: Keep Your Background Simple
The biggest client I have ever had was a 180 part series of videos aimed at evangelizing Catholic youth and young adults. It was an incredible project that truly changed my life. It was the biggest budget I have ever worked with individually (north of 6 figures), and it was also the simplest setup I have ever worked with.
When it comes to content that educates/teaches/informs, I have always been of the mindset that the simpler the background, the better for your audience. Why is that? Because your audience won't be distracted visually with anything going on in the background, they won't be shifting their thoughts around, thinking "oh cool, I wonder what the name of that book is in the background" when you are trying to teach them something. A simple background in a neutral color forces your audience on the one thing you want them to focus on: you.
Is that an absolute rule? Of course not, there is always going to be room for nuance and subjective opinions. What I am saying is that what has worked best for me from a production standpoint, as well as the audience reaction, is to keep your backgrounds as simple as possible when you are creating content that educates, teaches, or informs. When it comes to video, you want all the attention on you and the words you are saying 😀
If you need any help with this at all, let's talk.
https://buff.ly/3HzeDEc
Tip 7 of 36: Lighting Part 2
This is basically hammering down on #6: lighting is key to determining the look and feel of your video. Imagine if I shot these videos at the end of the day, with a sunset? It would be an entirely different vibe.
When it comes to things like Zoom calls, always make sure you have a source of light hitting you directly in your face. Be in a bright room, so you don't look like you're being held hostage in your own house/office 😂
Check out my website to learn more, and let's talk if you need any sort of help with video.
https://buff.ly/3svkFPY
Tip 6 of 36: Find Your Lighting
When creating and sharing video content, it is always so important to know where your light source is coming from. If you have only one light source to work with, NEVER let it be behind you, unless you're shooting a horror film 😂 .
I have always been a fan of using as much natural light when it comes to content creation, especially in things like client interviews. It becomes such a huge help in understanding where to place cameras, props, and of course the client.
Understanding (through trial and error) how lighting can drastically affect a shoot has been one of the biggest things I have learned over the years, and I encourage you to take your time with lighting before you record anything.
If you need any help with this at all, let's talk.
https://buff.ly/3HzeDEc
Tip 5 of 36: Portrait vs Landscape (BACK FROM VACATION!)
While I have always been a fan of landscape video, the reality is that the world is more and more geared towards mobile users. In fact, in almost all the recent ad campaigns I have been a part of for my own business and those I work for, the percentage of mobile users has gone up to 90% of all users that we target!
That doesn't mean that landscape doesn't have a place in all of this.
Ask yourself these questions when you're trying to figure out how to format or shoot your video content:
Am I posting on my timeline/feed or on reels/stories?
Am I trying to engage personally or am I sharing information?
Am I going for a more cinematic style, or off the cuff style?
These will help you determine whether you should just pull out your phone and talk, or if you need to bring someone in like me to help you out.
www.projectthirtysix.com
Tip 4 of 36: Have A Strategy!
Here's how the calls typically go.
Potential Client: "We need videos to promote our business!"
Me: "Awesome, sounds great. Who's your audience?"
Potential Client: "Well, you know, they...umm...not sure."
Me: "What platforms are they typically on? What are their dominant buying factors? Where do they live? What do you want them to feel after they see your content?"
Potential Client: "........"
Me: "And what kind of strategy will you employ with video?"
Potential Client: "FACEBOOK ADS!"
This isn't to overwhelm you at all. This is to help you understand the importance of a strategy when it comes to content creation. What I always say about a video without strategy is that it's just like playing a game of cricket on a dart board, closing your eyes, and hoping you land somewhere on the board. STRATEGY is focusing in on the 17, since you know you have to close that number out, and firing at that specific number.
Add strategy to all your content. Think of your target customer, where they are seeing that content, then provide them value and a call to action, and you'll see that you will get more engagement, more impressions, and ultimately, more business.
Click on the link below if you'd like to talk with me about Strategy.
www.projectthirtysix.com
Tip 3 of 36: Picture One Person
In all seriousness: I absolutely hate seeing you struggle in front of a camera or in front of an audience.
Let me explain: I know exactly what is going through your mind when you are in front of an audience or a tiny little device that shoots out a red dot to let you know it is capturing your every move. It's one of the worst feelings in the world to be in front of so many people, or in front of a camera you know is recording, and freezing up because your mind is going nuts. You are thinking about dozens of things OTHER than the only thing you should be thinking about: who you are speaking to.
In school, studying drama, this was always the biggest hurdle I had to overcome. I felt like had to talk to everyone, be big, loud, general. But that was not the way to connect with an acting partner, or an audience. It applied to acting then just as much as it does to content creation now.
Now here's what I learned, and here is something you can apply to your own content creation that will make you come across much more authentic and much more like yourself: picture one person to whom you are delivering your message to, and speak only to them.
You'll see (after a couple tries and getting it) that your content will be much clearer, you'll spend less time creating it, and you'll look much less robotic and more like you.
If you want to go deeper into this topic, let's talk.
www.projectthirtysix.com
TIP 2 of 36: Keep It Simple
I get approached throughout the week by people who want to create their own content for their own social media channels, their website, or their blog. I always support my friends and family when they want to put themselves out there and do something that feels weird or strange, this is always good!
The problem you can run into, though, is you spend hours and to shoot a little 30 second video, and you still have to edit it, splice it, add music, maybe add captions or color correction to it, and by the end of the whole process, it took you 6-8 hours just to fully produce a 30 second promo video highlighting you or your business. Jeeze, I got pretty tired just reading through that.
So keep it simple. Use simple backgrounds, simple concepts, keep things short, don't worry a whole ton about quality (yet). If you have something interesting to say, just say it and get it out there. But please, don't let it take up your whole day.
if it ever gets overwhelming, let's talk.
www.projectthirtysix.com
Shot 36 tips (get it) for DIY video and marketing while dribbling a basketball around and putting up some shots. I'll be getting these posted throughout the next couple of months, and I hope you get something out of one of these videos.
TIP 1 of 36: Your Platform Matters
One of the first questions I get when it comes to video production and DIY videos for the socials is "well, what should I do?"
My answer is always something like: "Well, it depends."
LOL at not being super helpful. But hear me out.
No two platforms are the same, no two social networks are the same, and a website is not a landing page. There are a ton of factors that come into play when it comes to creating video content, but all the different platforms have certain characteristics that, if you follow them, allow for a greater chance for better awareness, higher engagement, and overall better reception of your content.
Facebook and Linkedin users tend to consume content for longer periods of time than those on Instagram, for example.
So, in short, tailor your content to the platform you are posting on.
New website, check it out!
www.projectthirtysix.com
Alex is a film and video producer based in the Dallas - Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, specializing in branding, corporate, testimonial, and other types of video based content for web and social media. He specializes in realtor and real estate videos and videography including house tours, real estate p
Day 2 for Imlach & Collins Brothers LLC today, let’s get it!
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Standing for your beliefs can't be overstated. Why is it in our society today, only certain people who believe certain things can freely state those beliefs and come out completely unscathed? In some cases, they get rewarded for their beliefs. For me, it's quite simple: "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting."
CREATIVES: AVIOD THIS MISTAKE. Giving your potential clients a "Cheesecake Factory" menu of options. INSTEAD Think of In n Out. So beautiful. So simple. 3 options. Upgrade to Animal or Protein Style. Done. Your leads will love you. #video #marketing #dfw #dallas
I thought I had to give it all up and move on with my life. Almost two years ago, this is exactly what I was feeling about owning my business. I had no direction, no clear goals, and felt like I was spinning in circles. I hadn't unlocked this one thing, and once I did, I felt like such an idiot. It was right there with me the entire time. My personal network. Sure, I had worked it in the past. But had I "worked it" worked it? Of course not. So I hit the phones, the DMs, the emails, the texts. And it's been uphill since. Do I still have challenges and issues with running the business? Of course. But, one thing I know is that I can generate business whenever I need to, thanks to an incredible network that I've built. #business #businessowner #video #marketing #dfw #dallas
Does anyone around here intermittent fast? Been doing it for a couple of years now, and it's been such a game changer for my personal, professional, and spiritual life. I usually do a 18-6 split. How do you do it? Let me know!
Why didn't I focus on this the first few years of owning a business? No idea. But I'm here now, and I'm never going back. I've become more and more OBSESSED with client success, and it's led to some incredible growth. What strategies have you found most effective for ensuring client success? Share your stories!
Catholic? Business Owner? Big decisions weighing you down? Have you tried Confession? No? Go. Jesus is waiting for you. Go see him and let him do his thing. #catholic #sacraments #businessowner #entrepreneur #catholicchurch
Helping you be the most "you" possible is the most enjoyable part of what I do. That's what separates me from a lot of other video production agencies. I've been on TV, movies, commercials, and a million auditions, I know what it's like to get nervous, forget what you're going to say, and feel like you're gonna puke. It's that experience, overcoming that to be the most authentic "me" that I can be, that I bring to the table with each and every one of my clients. Be you. The real you. Your network will love you for that. #dallas #dfw #video #videoproduction #marketing
Your business lives and dies based on how you treat your clients. Treat them well, and your business will thrive. Treat them poorly, your business will die. I've learned this the hard way. #video #videoproduction #dfw #marketing #entrepreneur #smallbusiness
Reviewing our behind-the-scenes footage taught me 3 key lessons: 1. Hire the best: A skilled Director of Photography (DP) is crucial—they bring your vision to life. Thanks, @joeynicotra 2. Direct with assertiveness: Clear, confident communication keeps everyone aligned and the shoot on track. 3. Prepare relentlessly: Pre-visuals, shot lists, and thorough planning are essential for a smooth and successful shoot.
Imposter Syndrome. We all deal with it. It's something inevitable, it'll come alongside growth. I still feel it almost every week it seems like. I finally understood that the reason why I feel it is because I am experiencing something that I never have before. The "not knowing" is what makes me feel inadequate. Solution: do. What has helped you overcome imposter syndrome? Let me know below 👇 #video #videoproduction #dallas #entrepreneur #marketing #businessowner
Absolutely essential for every video creator: storytelling. Without a compelling story, keeping your audience hooked is nearly impossible. Always weave rich, engaging stories into your content to captivate and retain your viewers! 🎥✨ #ContentCreation #Storytelling #AudienceEngagement #VideoMarketing #DigitalStorytelling #ContentCreator #EngageYourAudience #VisualStorytelling #CreativeContent #VideoProduction
Yes, I’m expensive. And here’s why. 💰💰💰Because quality ain’t cheap. 🎥If you’re looking to improve the quality of your content and video strategy, shoot me a DM, and let’s talk! 🙌
We have no strategy! That’s something I don’t enjoy hearing when I ask my clients what they plan on doing with their video. Look, every piece of content you post has to have strategy attached to it. Here’s three great questions to ask when it comes to creating content AND attaching a strategy. - What short term/long term goal does this content serve?- What do I want my target audience to do when they interact with this piece of content?- What call to action am I attaching to this piece of content?Follow me for more tips like this, so that you can always have a clear strategy and plan for all of your content. #socialmedia #video #contentcreation #videoproduction #videoproductioncompany #socialmediamarketing #dallastexas #dfw #dfwbusiness #dfwentrepreneurs
When we work together, you have permission to fail. Here’s me failing 😂🤣😭😬👍
When you are nervous in front of a camera, even if it's your own, here's the 1 TIP that I have for you! It'll make things so simple for you. You got this 💪 🙌 👌 #marketing #video #dallas #dallasfortworth #dfwbusiness
HAVE. A. PLAN. Every piece of content that appears on any of your profiles needs to be there for a REASON. Figure that out, and you'll be well on your way to engaging and building your audience online. What tools do you use to plan out your content? #marketing #video #dallas #dallasfortworth #dfwbusiness
Yeah. You really shouldn't hire me. #marketing #video #dallas #dallasfortworth #dfwbusiness
Tip 12 of 36: ALWAYS OVERSHOOT!!!!! (this one is gonna be long, sorry) I'm serious when I say that this is in my top 3 of biggest things I have learned in video production and content creation. This idea of keeping the camera rolling beyond what I think is necessary has brought out the best in interviews, B-Roll, and overall footage. And it has also made me AND lost me lots of money. It happened to me many times in the early days where I (it probably came from a place of me being immature and young and thinking that I was so good) would shoot one or two takes of everything I thought I needed. It wasn't until it hit me hard on a project where I realized, when I was starting to edit the project, that what I had shot was nowhere near enough to complete the project, and I screwed over the client and myself and damaged the relationship forever. That project made me grow up so fast, and I realized that I was shooting myself in the foot by not "overshooting". By that, I mean getting more footage than you think is necessary and also taking the time to make sure: names are said clearly, ideas are spoken of clearly, proper nouns are used where they need to be used, and lastly, the talent in front of the camera is given the time and space to speak or act freely. Now, on any footage I ever shoot, where I am behind the camera, I always over shoot. I mean, I don't go Francis Ford Coppola style and shoot 50 takes of everything, but I definitely get more than needed. For example, on a recent shoot, I knew I needed 15 different shots of B-Roll in order to produce a promotional video for a client. We went ahead and got 25 different shots. And we didn't freak out in post production because we had plenty to work with. This was a long story to tell, but I am telling it because of how important it has been for my business, and how important it can be for you when creating your content. Take your time with all of this. It's when you try and rush it that you can really miss out on so
Tip 11 of 36: Leave the Camera On Does it ever happen to you where you wish you could have had your camera out while on vacation, a date, a trip somewhere, or at home with one of your kids? You feel that sense of "dang, I wish I could have had my camera out a little longer!" That's something that happens in video and production as well. Which is why I thankfully learned early on to make sure you don't just yell CUT or that you stop recording right away as soon as you think you have what you need. All the great content and ideas have always come after you think you have enough, which is why I always count to 5 before I cut the camera off. Especially when I am gathering B-Roll or shooting an interview. The good stuff always happens when you least expect it. If you need any help with this at all, let's talk. buff.ly/3svkFPY #videoproduction #marketing #video #dallasvideo #irvingvideo #irvingsmallbusiness #dfwsmallbusiness #videomarketing #videotips #irving #irvingtx #dfw #dfwbusiness #dallasbusiness #socialmedia #website
Tip 10 of 36: Keep Still It goes without saying that the phone you use on a daily basis has incredible capabilities when it comes to stabilizing your shots. It's incredible how these little devices can shoot some amazing content. When you stay as still as you can while shooting, you create a distraction-free piece of content that can engage your audience, and keep their focus on you. You also eliminate the thought in their head of "Jeeze, whoever is holding that camera needs to call Project Thirty Six for some camera holding tips" 😂 😂 😂 I've always been a fan of handheld when it comes to shooting my own video content, which means you have to have a very talented person behind the camera when shooting (in this case Michael Ursua, shout out to you. He's not shaky until I tell him to show off shakiness). If you have any questions or need some advice on content and strategy, let's talk. https://buff.ly/3svkFPY
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