How can you build trust with video storytelling?

Choose authentic stories that resonate with your audience. Be genuine and transparent in your storytelling. Connect with your audience on a personal level by using real people and genuine testimonials to enhance credibility. Make your message relatable and believable. Humanize your brand with real places and not fantasize or polish them.

?? How do you make video storytelling your secret weapon for building trust? First, ditch the polish—opt for raw, real stories that resonate. Viewers aren't just looking for content; they're hunting for connections. And here's the kicker: occasionally toss in a blooper or an unexpected cameo. This isn't just authenticity, it's a peek behind the curtain. Let them see the real you, quirks and all. It turns out, a little vulnerability can make your audience stick like glue.

I think the challenge for a lot of creative film and video people is the seemingly daunting process or concept of "inventing a story" from scratch... While all stories come from somewhere... That doesn't necessarily mean they originate wholly in your mind... We have no idea often where the seed for a story comes from... It could be a random collection of thoughts or experiences that have just coalesced... I find a great place to start is with something authentic and real... Whether that is a story from my own experience or finding someone else's story that aligns with the story I want to tell to the audience... This will always give you a way into a story that feels real and makes the process much more straightforward creatively...

??? Ramp up your game with top-notch visuals and crisp audio. Remember, your story's impact is only as good as its clarity. Throw in high-definition shots and studio-quality sound to make every scene pop. Surprise twist? Use ambient sounds or visual Easter eggs to add layers of depth. These aren’t just details; they're trust-building threads woven into your narrative. A sonic boom or a hidden visual treat can transform passive viewers into active participants.

Quality audio would be the primary tool to help tell a ground break story. This does not mean that visuals do not matter. Both work hand in hand, with audio leading the way. If people can hear and experience your story through audio and sound design, quality visuals are just the cherry on top to drive home the video.

Quality visuals and audio are important but what is more important is making sure that those quality visuals and audio are succinctly telling a story in the most straightforward and simple fashion possible using editing to cut a perfect uninflected image with another perfect uninflected image much the way Eisenstein did when he pioneered montage theory... Over complicating the visual language for no other purpose than drawing attention to what you are doing as the filmmaker doesn't bring clarity to the story and often leaves the audience behind instead of taking them with you.

Many times we think that the inherent quality in a video comes from having the best camera, lights, and audio. While production value certainly raises the bar in terms of what will technically be possible, it does not guarantee true quality. See, effective storytelling and video production, and really all content creation, rises and falls on the elimination of distraction. Does your audio suck? Is your shot out of focus or framed poorly? Is your video improperly lit? The audience will be distracted. An iPhone video can always do a better job telling a story if the creator behind it is meticulous about removing distractions. Learn to remove distractions by mastering your current gear and upgrade along the way.

?? Transparency is your ace in the hole. Be upfront and honest in your storytelling. Got a flaw? Highlight it. Made a mistake? Own it. This isn’t just about sharing; it’s about showing you’re human. And here’s the unexpected twist: sometimes, reveal the 'why' behind a decision that didn't pan out. This level of candor doesn’t just build trust, it invites your audience into your decision-making process, making them feel like insiders. True transparency turns viewers into advocates.

An important lesson I have learned is that it is sometimes the elements you or your client think may reflect a little poorly on their brand or organisation in the story often end up being the gold that makes a video soar and connect with audiences... Because they are real... If something is by its current nature or state of being/development - imperfect (you are still developing your DEI policy or ESG policy, you haven't gotten your customer feedback just right - just yet), don't lie about it to make yourself sound better in the video... Use the facts to state your truth about the journey you are on, where you are at on that journey and where you aspire to be in the future. This honesty connects much better with the audience... Always.

Putting your audience first is key to building trust. Remember your videos should be for someone to help them in some way (e.g., educate, entertain, inspire, connect). Also, respect the viewer's attention and time. For example, it's ok for a title to include a little drama for marketing purposes, but make sure you can deliver on the promise. And don't waste time with "filler content." If it's not essential to the story or main idea, you have a responsibility to chop it out.

One of my core values is to take the stress away from the production process for people. Most people are trusting you with their product, so being transparent and clear with what you will achieve for your clients is essential.

When making any video or film as the director you are absolutely the first direct audience for everything that is captured on the set... And that is a large part of your responsibility. To watch everything from the audiences perspective and to create the situations and control the elements that lead to creating an authentic experience for the audience. You can't do this without having empathy for the story you are telling (if you don't care about it why should anyone else) and you certainly can't do it without respect for your crew and the talent who go on camera (whether they are actors or real people)... Getting over your ego is the first step in really being able to connect with all of these elements and telling better stories on screen.

Kunde/Zuschauer ist K?nig und dies erreicht man nur, wenn man sich in diesen hineinversetzen kann! Immer auf Augenh?he bleiben, Respekt zeigen und die Inhalte authentisch in einer Story verpackt rüber bekommen.

Feedback is how you get better. While not all feedback is created equally it can fast track your filmmaking career. To start find 3 trusted advisors with some experience and ask them for their feedback. Questions like "what would you change?" or "how could this be better?" are great starting points. However most importantly implement the feedback! You should not make the same mistakes twice

As a director it is important not just to have "a vision" but also to have a keen pair of ears and the common sense not to just outright dismiss an idea because it didn't come from you... Listening to your talent, your crew and your clients is important... Also being open to take feedback and actively listening to how other people feel a certain shot or sequence is working (or not working) helps you to take on other perspectives (that often reflect the perspectives of your intended audience). It doesn't matter where the idea comes from if it is good... Use it.

My best advice would be this: consistency and quality of information build trust the fastest. Listen to feedback from your audience, lock in on what resonates most, and do that on repeat.

Le type de narration doit coller à l'histoire et l'ambiance de la vidéo pour assurer que la vidéo soit cohérente et procurent la bonne émotion auprès de l'audience cible.