Ask This One Secret Question to Create Answers that "Pop!"

Want to know how to capture a memorable, one-of-a-kind, on-camera comment from the person you are interviewing?

You know...get the line that will stand out and "pop?"

Imagine going home frustrated that you didn't get THE answer you really needed to capture.

I learned this question 20 years ago, while studying with Master Film Director, Peter Werner. It has worked flawlessly ever since.

Here's the question:

Most likely, you'll get this response: "What do you mean 'what's at stake?' For our customers? Our employees? Our stakeholders? Our vendors? Our suppliers?"

Boom! Exactly.

---Tom

P.S. You can ask "What's at stake?" to anyone, for any video, on any subject.

One Secret Question

3 Reasons Why I'm Going to SOBCon07

sobcon07

1. To say "THANKS!"

So many people gave selflessly of their time helping me create an engaging and successful blog about remarkable corporate videos...at times, I was overwhelmed by their generosity.

Blazing through the 2.0 world without them by my side would have been painful. I want to shake their hands, look them in the eye and say, "Thank you for helping me when I needed it."

2. To SHARE.

If I can continue the cycle of helping people find their "voice" through blogging...I'll be there to help.

3. To LEARN.

The pioneers and pathfinders of "conversational marketing" will be there...helping me and everyone else get to their "next level."

And around and around it goes...

---Tom

Is Your Corporate Video "Perfect" or "Real?"

It's something to think about.

"Real" corporate videos tell stories that are life-giving, genuine, heartfelt, authentic, engaging, emotional, thought-provoking, conversational...they are remarkable; believable.

Customers believe them. Employees believe them. You believe them.

"Perfect" corporate videos are just that: perfect. Without fault. Flawless. Too good to be true. Utopian.

Doesn't leave much room for a conversation, does it?

Perfect and flawless? Or real and remarkable? It's your choice.

---Tom

5 Laws of a "Remarkable" Corporate Video

That's what Bob Walsh, author of Clear Blogging, was seeking when he asked me to write a guest post for his "MyMicro-ISV" blog. (Now 47 Hats.)

Bob posed this question: How do you inspire 70,000+ micro-internet software vendors to produce their own marketing corporate video like the "big guys?"

My answer? Use "The 5 Laws of a Remarkable Corporate Video."

The "5 Laws" serves as a creative "springboard" to help micro (1-2 person) companies use video creatively and uniquely...like an "escape route" from the "same old, same old" video techniques.

Bonus: The "5 Laws" work equally well for micro and macro companies.

Thanks for reaching out, Bob.

---Tom

P.S. Seth Godin is right...Bob is an excellent guide throughout "Clear Blogging" and you'll learn a lot!

Catch the Corporate Video "Wave"

Marty Neumeier's new book, "Zag: The #1 Strategy of High-Performance Brands," is a simple, 17-step process to find your ZAG...that "thing" that makes you different. When everybody zigs...you ZAG!

Marty suggests that there are trends, or waves, that are powering high-performance brands. Combining several trends with your "focus" and "differentiation," provides an energy and charismatic youthfulness customers love. Think of like this: would you rather paddle a surfboard or ride the wave?

This got me thinking. There are several trends powering corporate videos these days. Marty identifies 36 trends in his book. Here are the trends I see powering corporate videos; now, and into the future.

1. Authenticity.
2. Design.
3. Health Care.
4. Personal Technology.
5. Openness.
6. Instant Communication.
7. On-Demand Technology.
8. Mobile Computing.
9. Personal Creativity.
10. Interactive Entertainment.

Surf's up!

--Tom