Any Video Experts out there?

Hi Sean.

I think you have a great idea to use video marketing for auto sales, and since so few others are doing anything at all on Youtube, you can easily become the go-to person for Toyota products in your city.

Your execution however, needs a lot of help. You may be a good presenter (I am sure you are), but this is not translating in your videos. Why? Because they are simply boring, awkward, scripted advertisements with poor video quality and even worse audio.

No worries though, because I made many poor quality videos myself, but kept improving with practice and perseverance.

Suggestions:

1-) Break the videos up into beneficial specs for the viewer. You can make 20 videos on the Tundra alone just talking about it's unique or superior features. Pick short subjects, and keep the videos under two minutes.

2-) Brand yourself in the intro/outro with your "presentation" style, but use a real (even iPhone) camera for b-roll shots getting close ups of the car and the feature you are explaining.

3-) Don't use a script. Use your walk-around lingo like your viewer was right there with you. What you are really doing here is marketing YOU, so I - as a viewer - want to be able to say (at least sub-consciously to myself) yes or no to YOU as the person I want to deal with. Show me something about your character during this video, so we can have a digital connection to carry forward. The script takes all that away from you.

4-) Add some comedy/situation to your videos. Get interrupted on the phone. Have someone cross the video during your presentation.

5-) Get a clip on mic for yourself, or do the audio directly into a microphone connected to your computer. Your audio quality absolutely needs to be addressed, for these videos to get any traction.

6-) Add a CTA (call-to-action) to every video, of something more than "give me a call at" because everybody else does that. Instead, say something like, "call me at 555-1212 for your free black book value assessment of your trade-in value", or "check out my blog at yourURL.com, and download your free report on how you can save $500 per year on financing your next vehicle." etc.

7-) Show some other interesting stuff at the dealership, such as a video showing how a car gets delivered, prepped, priced and serviced for the showroom.

Hope these ideas help.


All the best,

Marty

Thanks.... those are some awesome pointers

I agree with everything Marty says. The first two things that came to mind when watching your videos is that it needs some b-roll showing the specifics of what you're talking about. Use a lapel mic the echo and background noise is somewhat distracting.

When dealing with video, audio is something most people don't consider.

It would help to add some text on the screen highlighting the specs of the car you are describing.

It takes some time, but you probably should work on your delivery. It's obvious you're reading as your eyes keep darting back and forth. If you have to read, put the script above or below the camera instead to the left or right which it looks like it is now.

Good on you Sean for doing this. Video is an excellent medium online.

Whilst I'm certainly no expert, I shoot videos almost every day.

Here's some pointers.

1. Test. Try different delivery methods and see which ones get the most views (eg, informal walk arounds the vehicle, test driving, scripted, non scripted, humour etc)

2. Keep your videos short (less than 5 minutes) You seem to be doing this already (not sure if this is intentional) I say keep them short to ensure higher engagement levels.

3. Get yourself some decent lighting, or shoot your videos outside. You have a lot of shadowing in places

4. Watermark your videos - include at least something (eg a domain name, a phone number etc)

5. Get a decent microphone. Split your audio and overlay it so you have a nice clean sound. Don't use the mic on the camera.

6. For static videos, use a tripod.

7. Embed the videos on your own site - don't drive traffic to Youtube. This is where you should be capturing leads.

8. Use trackable links within your videos, pointing back to your site so you know which videos are bringing the best results. That way you can do more of those.

9. Consider using "transitions" between each short burst of information. It will help "break it up".

Most importantly, get in touch with James Schramko - he's a multi million dollar internet marketer here who sold cars for BMW and Mercedes for years.

What he could teach you, would knock your socks off.

Awesome advice, thanks I will take it all to heart and work on my approach. Glad you all think I am on a good track.