By David Hudson, Executive Producer/Director, D Hudson Productions
Video is a very important element when marketing your dealership, but not every video needs to be a big-budget production. And by integrating various types of video content to your sales and marketing strategy, you will see increased client engagement and sales!
Managers and salespeople can create their own composed, professional, selfie-style videos to build interest and start the sales process with clients through email, social media, and YouTube.
Here are a few basic areas to understand before getting started:
- Scriptwriting: When drafting your script, focus on creating a theme and using exciting, action words (use a thesaurus to help with this). If you’re creating a video for a specific client, personalize it by using his or her name.
- On-camera delivery: Prepare your script for on-camera delivery by underlining words to punch up the dynamics and using slashes to create pauses in speech. Then, connect with your audience by smiling and looking into the camera.
- Proper gear: As far as video cameras, if you have the latest smartphone that’s essentially all you need. Accessories like a gimbal, which allows you to move the camera while keeping it steady, come in handy too. With your smartphone, you can also download editing apps.
- Filming: Mastering things like shot composition, lighting, camera movement (to keep it interesting), opening and closing shots, b-roll, and voice-overs make all the difference.
- Basic editing techniques: Using a basic editing app on your smartphone, you can enhance your videos with music, titles, and transitions.
Once you master these basic areas, it’s fairly easy to hit the ground running and create short-format ‘personal commercials’ to boost your brand and sales.
You can learn more about how to create great looking video content by joining David Hudson for his session at Digital Dealer 27 Conference & Expo (Aug. 19-21, 2019, Las Vegas). In an uplifting, fun, interactive, multi-media presentation, you will learn the art of the “personal commercial” approach to video production. You’ll explore best practices in “selfie-style” content, specifically, walk-around videos for potential buyers (the personal commercial) and social media videos.
About the Author
David A. Hudson is an entrepreneurial filmmaker from Chicago. From television commercials to viral videos to film, he has been behind the camera (and in front) for 20 years. Since graduating with a degree in Radio & Television Production, David has worked in every facet of film and stage production, with much of his recent filmmaking dedicated to car dealerships and the automotive sector.
