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1. Everyone has a passion- ..your job as an interviewer is to find their passion!  Everyone has a story to tell and the person who asks the right questions, can often get the “money statement” from the talent.  Don’t be afraid to ask them!!
2. Research – Facebook, Linked-In, Blog sites, look into the person you are interviewing, believe me they are out there on the social media sites and you should be able to stumble upon their hobby, or that something they do they just love.  Know it, and ask them questions on that subject your talent will appreciate it, heck they can’t wait to answer.
3. Make It Light –   I’ve said this before; if you are serious, uptight, don’t smile, seem nervous…your talent will mirror you.  Keep it light, mix up questions, have fun…it’s not an interrogation.  If you look in control, they will feel safe and talk.
4. Ask Them -  You might be surprised that as you proceed through YOUR questions, there may be something that triggers a thought for the interviewee and THEY might want to talk or expand on a point, so ask them if they have something they would like to share….never turn your back when your “talent” is motivated to talk about something.  Let them talk, it might open up a question for you!

As a kid, I tagged along on a few occasions with my Dad and watched him make sales over coffee with clients, I could have sworn he was just having a chat with a friend.  I don’t ever think I heard him open or close a sale, or anything that resembled a sale, yet he did.  Hmmm….interviewing/sales… no different  “it starts with a coffee!” 

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It’s been awhile since I last posted a blog entry.  I recently have found myself behind the camera more than in the “interviewer” chair as I typically love to be.   Anyway, that brings me to my topic…”When You Are The Interviewer.”  Interviewing a person can be a nerve wracking experience.  For starters, if you are new to the experience you will run into a few mistakes: ask a question that might offend, or ask a question that leaves the interviewee confused,  worse yet you ask a question that immediately gets a short “yes” or “no” answer, just to name a few.  Here are some great tips that will help you and the interviewee have a more enjoyable interview especially when the cameras are rolling.

• Small talk – nothing wrong when the camera is rolling to start off with something “light”….weather, work, anything that can make the interviewee start to relax and easily talk.  Stick with something easy…I’ve learned people love to talk about what they “do” at work.  Even if they don’t like their job!

• Smile – yep, I’ve done it.  It works!  Try smiling and nodding your head when the interviewee is speaking.  Acknowledge them by smiling, or tilting your head, anything that lets them know you are alive and well AND they are not boring you.  You WANT them to stay in the seat not try to “road runner” out of the interview.

• Why? I’ve heard it said (maybe Larry King?) that “why” questions are great at getting expansion on an answer.  Think of your interview as “peeling” an orange….an interviewee often has quick stock answers (the skin)….”this is what I do, this is how I do it” but WHY questions can often lead to a more genuine answer (the juice baby!!).

• Write It Down -  I’ve found that by putting questions on notecards, or Ipad, or even notepad (they still exist!!)…you often are reminded of other questions in the process of writing.  Having a few more questions is not a bad thing….again, someone you speak to over coffee, can appear more “quiet” when the camera is on them.  Know this going in!!  Have plenty of questions, you never know where the interview can go.

• Just NOD – What?  Yep…just nod, sometimes when someone is speaking and you nod your head and don’t speak…..they CONTINUE to speak.  And CONTINUE to speak.  Think of the orange analogy, when they start to answer and you continue to nod they’ll talk themselves right into the “juice” portion of what people really want to hear when it winds up on video.

• You Are In Charge! – It’s no accident you are in the interviewer chair, act like you belong there.  If you ask a question and it comes out wrong, laugh at yourself and throw out the next question, I’ve found a mistake on my part relaxed the interviewee (perhaps they didn’t feel so alone?)

These are just a few starting points, many more to follow….  If you find yourself being interviewed, or doing the interview, it’s not as easy as it looks but with a little preparation, and a mindset that this will be “fun” often the interview can be just that.  Chaz is thinking back on all his “not so perfect questions”….I think that could be months worth of blogs.

I will not smile till this interview is over!

The post When You Are The Interviewer appeared first on Dallas Video Production.

1.   Location – consider having most of your video shot at your office/conference room.  Why travel to a studio, or create a background that isn’t unique to you or your business.  Work where you are comfortable and creates an image of truth about where business is conducted.

2.  Video In Bunches – nothing new here, if you have a video crew visiting your digs..forget 1, 2 or 3 videos…involve your team in some of the videos and shoot for the day.  You have lots of material to create (more than you know).  Create topics, questions, get creative…more videos shot in a day can help with the time/money crunch.

3.  No Commercials! – not all videos are created equal here.  We tend to see the  “essence” video that “who we are..historical video” as the benchmark for all videos.  Forget that!!  Not every day has to be Hollywood!  Simple questions, simple answers…discuss a product, a service, share things you can speak fluently about with out much prep.  You can   create a group of videos quickly and without much fuss if you keep it simple.  Sometimes simple is just as effective.

4.  Chaz-  Okay, I said it.  Chaz!  I have learned after being in business nearly one year (1 year already?  I better buy a candle!) that I love to interview people and the things I want to know about you are the EXACT things your customers/possible clients are seeking to know as well.  Scripted questions….why??  How much prep do you need to explain WHY you do what you do?  Or WHY you are passionate about your industry?  OR lessons you have learned being in business?  Don’t practice, just talk!! Believe me, I can ask questions till the cows come home.   Plus I love what I do…trust me when you see me in action.

Hey, lots of questions and a chatty guy like myself with a camera crew in tow…and you can create a library of videos in a day.  Save time, save money, make great video…that’s why ChazCasts!! 

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1.  You have an audience -  with all the gripping and grinning, behind each handshake is an individual who has an email.  Why not ask if it would be okay to send them a video that recaps your speaking points?  Go ahead count up all the people you have met…that should be a big list!!  After 1 week, most folks forget who all the candidates are…not you, remind them by sending a video!

2.  Video IS Easy! – forget your fears, or worries about memorizing lines.  What you say to the person you meet at a live event, or the questions you answer at a political forum is the same message you put on tape.  Let someone who is good at interviewing and has the equipment do what they do best…I know this guy named Chaz (if you are interested).

3.  Video Is Recyclable -  I don’t know what damage happens to yard signs, or where business cards/mailers end up…the only medium that has recycle potential is video.  Send it out on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube channel, website…send them to the political groups that invited you to speak.  THEN…send it again a month later…trust me your competition isn’t.

4.  **Bonus** Tip!! – Use your video on your business website too!  That’s right, thinking outside the box right now, but if you are in the community and running for an office put your video on your business website and let your neighbors know your qualifications and what matters to you.   Maybe you don’t make Judge, or State Rep….but you still perform a service or deliver a product don’t you?

Okay.  Enough of my blogging…I’m going to get off my soapbox now.  Vote ChazCasts greatest videographer alive! Oh yeah, watch my client Gene Sera choose to use video wisely!  He get’s it!!

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1. “Top Of Mind” – Hey a video can surprise your client and remind them what makes you unique.  They don’t see it coming, and if done appropriately can really keep you ahead of all the competitors who are trying to get “in front” of you.   A video has a “sticky” factor in the mind of the client….like a heart shaped lollipop.
2. “Sentiment” – A video can be genuine, thoughtful and heartfelt, like a teddybear (see all the Valentine references?).  Sometimes an email just doesn’t have the same effect!
3. “Effectiveness” – a video can also contain some historical elements (pictures, sounds, other video) of your working with the client.  This brings home the “history” of working with the client, the experience they had working with you (Okay…I’m breaking out the Bridges of Madison County right now!)

In my opinion, video can be the best valentine for your customer…it’s the stereo lifted above your head with the rain pouring all over you.  C’mon you savvy folks….remember the movie? Remember the song?  Thanks and I love you….in a business kind of like way.   

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1.  Audio – C’mon this is a no-brainer.  Your video has to sound good!!  No one listens to bad video.  Why should your client??  If you are working with a recently purchased video camera, more than likely there is a microphone input.  If so, buy an “external microphone” and give yourself a great boost to your video with better quality sound.  If you hear a video that sounds like the voice is rich and right in “front of your face” more than likely that camera is using an “external microphone.”  So…don’t rely on the “internal microphone” (the built-in camera microphone), rather rely if possible on an external microphone.  It gives you great control over background noises, hums, and much easier to work with when you are editing….AND your audience will definitely appreciate it.

2.  Tripod -  Ok, another easy one.  A good tripod will make your video less shaky, and less for you to worry about when you are editing.  Standing with the camera and trying to give yourself a perfect shot…is trying for even the pros.  Put the camera on a tripod and give yourself a video that is easy to edit, and not distracting to your viewer….remember you want your audience to watch the video “all the way through.”

3.  Light -  Often stated, and I will say it also.  If you have a window…open it up!  Have a lamp..turn it on!!  Your camera needs light, and you don’t want to cast yourself or your product in darkness…hard on the eyes, you know??  Better to brighten up the video as much as possible to ensure that the video which is posted to YouTube or Vimeo doesn’t come off too dark.

Simple rules right?  If you keep it simple and use these tools in your video production you can be assured that a “10 round video shoot” will feel like a light breeze. Okay…at the sound of the bell I want you to come out ready to shoot!

The post The “1 – 2 – 3″ Punch!! appeared first on Dallas Video Production.

1.  Create 1 video a month – whether a video blog, or just an announcement of a new offering.  Don’t tell me in print, show me in enthusiasm!!  A video is an excellent way to show this, so start off slow.

2.  Think “STORY” – behind every great video should be a STORY.  Your clients are always seeking fresh material that reminds them of why they do business with you.  Don’t hide your passion or education…share.  Don’t worry if you share you won’t run out of passion.

3.  Forget Commercial -Okay, this is crucial.  You are introducing YOU to your newest member…you don’t need graphics, pulsating music, and dizzying effects.  Leave that for T.V. and music videos.   A great STORY can trump graphic sizzle every time, so when you make a video think “story” first, be authentic, show passion…now get out on the marketing road and lose the rest of the pack with VIDEO.

Speaking of that cool million…ChazCasts is ready to create more videos.  Contact us and let us help you make that next marketing move a financially smart and engaging one.

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The post Your Newsletter….Let It Breath!! appeared first on Dallas Video Production.

1.  Pictures – of course, pictures…you can purchase from a number of websites, check out istock.com but don’t forget to add them to your blog and take your time.  Don’t just paste any picture, be creative does the picture resonate with your article…does it make the page ‘pop’, is it engaging?

2.  Videos – sure, videos are becoming more and more popular, but do you include them in your blog?  Hmm, if you have already produced your video why not also blog about the video.  Anything of interest in making the video?  A valuable take-away for a customer or visitor? Get some mileage out of it.

3.  Podcasts – why not give your customers something ‘short and sweet’  (I’m thinking of about 10 minutes or so…)  Unless you are as entertaining as a morning show on the radio, keep it simple with a relevant topic and try not to rehearse your QUESTIONS or ANSWERS.  A podcast is a conversation, have fun and take the ‘deer in the headlights’ out of your voice!

Enough for now, ChazCasts will continue to practice what we preach….we will be updating more “sounds” on our SoundCloud channel; and we are editing several more videos and a number of “interesting” blogs are on the way.

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