The Importance of Video Marketing

Word of mouth is still an incredibly effective way to bring new clients through your doors.  It’s organic and requires little investment of your time or finances.

Yet, when it comes to building your business and getting more clients, you often need to jump-start that process.  One of the best bang-for-your buck investments is video marketing.

A variety of statistics show that the vast majority of consumers across industries believe video helps them make purchasing decisions and increases the likelihood that they’ll commit to a product.

Consider the following scenario:  I search for a nutritionist in my area online.  A map of local matches appears.  The first name that pops up has a website with an outdated style and it takes me a bit of time to navigate around.

Returning to the map on the search page, I click on the second nutritionist’s website link. Immediately I am invited to start the journey to health, and I scroll down to see more detailed information about what that means, without clicking around.  Overall, this second website is more inviting and I’d be more likely to contact this practitioner for help getting my nutrition on track.

Back to the search page, I click the first result below the map, which is an aggregation site featuring profiles of nine professionals near me.  They all have great photographs and full profiles detailing what they do, with testimonials, listed specialties, and more.  I visit their websites; each one is professional and polished.

However, none of them have any videos on their landing pages, and I don’t feel like reading through all this text trying to determine who is the best fit for me.

What would happen if just one of these professionals invested in a short and articulate video describing how they can help me and what makes them different from everyone else?

• They would clearly and uniquely demonstrate their professionalism and competence

• I would feel like I already know them a bit before I call to set up an appointment

• I would be more likely to commit to working with them as I pick up the phone

• I would be grateful that they provided an easy way for me to digest the information I need to make the call

Video marketing, done well, can break down the barriers that stand in the way of calls and bookings.

It may also be just the right tool to help you stand out from all the competition within your industry.

I provide video marketing services for businesses in Columbia, Ellicott City, and the surrounding Howard County area. Talk to me to start a conversation about helping your business grow.

Typewriter Poetry: Lyon Distilling, Saint Michael's, MD

Saint Michael’s, a small historic town in Eastern Maryland, known for its waterfront views, small shops, and inns, is also becoming known as the hometown of Lyon Distilling, a small batch micro distillery famous for its rum and rum cocktails.

Some months ago, I met the owner, Jaime Windon, and was invited to bring my typewriter poetry to their tasting room. So I did, on a cloudy September Saturday.

The tasting room is a wonderful space, and the staff are some of the friendliest people I’ve met this year - there’s a sense of familiarity almost immediately. If you’ve got your guard up, you’ll find it falling away. The family atmosphere and camaraderie was palpable and I loved the chance to hear stories of the distillery and of Saint Michaels from Jessi, Avery, Meghan (of Gray Wolf Craft Distilling), and other members of the staff.

There was a steady stream of interested visitors throughout the day - folks celebrating their anniversary, a bachelorette party, and a number of guests from a number of weddings.

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I enjoyed interacting with a lot of newlyweds and newly-engaged couples and getting the chance to write poems honoring their stories. On the lighter side, one regular asked for a humorous poem about William Shatner, while Jay of Eastern Shore Brewing asked for a poem to include the words “unicorns, pixie dust, and bags of glass.” On the poignant side, a gentleman asked for a poem about missed opportunities, and asked me to include the phrase “the leap not taken.”

Overall it was a fantastic day. This being my first trip to Saint Michaels, I was immediately taken by the town and fully intend to go back to spend time truly exploring - there are little coffee shops, a historic car museum, antique stores, woodworkers, and all sorts of things to see.

Not only that, but it’s the sort of place where, after a visit, you’ll leave surprised at just how many people will easily call you friend.

Dance Portraiture | Patapsco State Park | Alberton, MD

On an early Wednesday morning in the midst of this rainy monsoon season we seem to be having here in Maryland, I went to the Patapsco River to do some dance portrait work with Tori and Eliza-Jane.  We wanted a bit of a gritty look, with a single off-camera flash.  Cloudy skies and leftover puddles and fallen trees and a swollen river added an interesting mood.  Tori and Eliza-Jane brought a variety of interesting outfits and we captured a lot of great images!

Typewriter Poetry: McClintock Distilling

Together, Mark Petersen and I are the Typewriter Poets team. This past Saturday, we were honored to participate in McClintock Distilling's Rye release party.  It started off with a bang, eager fans ready for their whiskey in a line stretching up the hill and down the street.

There was a whole smoked pig provided by P.I.G.S barbecue, as well as delicious cocktail mixers provided by The Sweet Farm (I picked up some of their delicious Strawberry Ginger Beer) and Element Shrub.

We wrote poems from 12-8 and met many wonderful people throughout the day.  The Distillery employees were awesome and generous people, as were the guests!  We loved getting to know a whole heap of people and writing poems to celebrate their dogs, encourage them during a tough season, honor their engagement stories, or simply join them in a laugh.

Mark and Jeff are happy to bring their typewriter poetry to your event - not only do we do street poetry at markets, bars, and events such as this, but we can also add a unique and meaningful element to your wedding, corporate event, or party!  Visit www.typewriterpoets.com to learn more.