EXPLAIN, PLEASE!

What is an ‘explainer video’ - and why would you want or need one?? Voiceover Artist LIZ DRURY explains! We also shine the CR38IVES spotlight on Website Hosting Engineer KEITH SCHORAH, who gives his clients the time and?space to be creative! And we’ll be chatting ‘On The Couch’ next Wednesday with Life Coach KHALID ABDULLAH, whose coaching model will continue?to support you going forwards... ?

You've probably heard the term 'explainer video' a few times - but what exactly is an explainer video, and why might you want one?“

Put simply, an explainer video is a short video (usually under 3 minutes) that explains a company's product or service,” says Voiceover Artist Liz Drury .? “They are used for marketing purposes on landing pages, websites and social media.”

Explainer videos can take a number of different formats.? Liz has provided voiceovers for all sorts of different explainer videos, in many different sectors.? She breaks them down:

LIVE ACTION - real people appear in the video, talking to camera or each other. These work well for companies with a physical product, or a people-orientated service (such as a restaurant). ANIMATED - these are probably the most popular type of explainer video. They work well for service-based businesses, or where the product is intangible, such as a piece of software. These videos are easy to update if changes are needed in the future. WHITEBOARD ANIMATIONS - these are the videos that look like they are being hand drawn on a whiteboard, and are the cheapest of all the explainer videos to make, which makes them very popular. There are even packages such as Powtoon and Doodly that allow you to make these for yourself.

“As for why you might want to use explainer videos in your marketing, take a look at the statistics,” says Liz.? “They are staggering!”Here are just a few:

• Videos attract 300% more traffic, and help to nurture leads. (MarketingSherpa)
• A website is 53 times more likely to reach the front page of Google if it includes video. (Insivia)
• Including a video on your landing page can boost your conversion rate by up to 80%. (Unbounce)
• Video increases organic search traffic on a website by 157%. (Conversion XL)

?Are you convinced yet? If you already have an explainer video, is it working well for you???If the answer to both questions is ‘”no”, then maybe you should consider getting one!

Melanie and Julie will be chatting with Life Coach Khalid Abdullah next Wednesday the 26th of June @11am BST.?

Khalid Abdullah began his working life as a professional Actor in the 1980s.? He was a founder member of the ‘on the road’ theatre company, which toured Shakespeare plays to schools, colleges and venues across England.In the 1990s,

Khalid began coaching one-to-one and at a group level, specifically focussing on developing confidence, self-esteem, motivation and character building.After realising that many people stop their coaching relationship at the very point where they need to continue, he created a model which helps people to continue in their own time and at an affordable cost.?

You can visit Khalid's PLANET VILLAGE website here: www.planetvillage.co.uk or email him directly at:?[email protected].

You can watch the interview with Khalid stream out on the CR38IVES YouTube channel at 11am next Wednesday, where we’ll be commenting live: https://www.youtube.com/@cr38ives/streams

If you missed last week’s chat with the award-winning Children’s Author Venessa Taylor, you can catch up on the CR38IVES YouTube channel here:

https://youtu.be/g_XlDx7uNZA

After two decades of being a London inner-city primary schoolteacher and football fan, Venessa wrote her first children’s book ‘BALLER BOYS’.? The book, about a group of young school friends and their football team, became a best-seller - and won The People’s Book Prize in 2021 for Children’s Literature.?

Her story proved so popular among both boys and girls that she was urged to write a sequel.? ‘BALLER BOYS vs THE BULLDOZERS’ garnered so many votes among her young readers, that Venessa ‘did the double’ - and won another People’s Book Prize this year!?

You can get more info on the book here: https://peoplesbookprize.com/2023-2024-winners/

Published by HASHTAG PRESS LTD

Actor David John Clark was rather excited this past week – his podcast made a list!?

So, if you're keen on some other acting podcasts (besides your favourite The Late Bloomer Actor podcast, of course!), then check out his Podchaser listing:https://www.podchaser.com/lists/top-acting-podcasts-for-creatives-107aIbiW2B?

Episode 6, Season 3 of ‘THE LATE BLOOMER ACTOR’ is out now. ?

This month, David chats with Angela and Louise Heesom of the Adelaide-based talent and casting agency Heesom Casting.? They discuss their journey in the industry, and the role of casting directors. They emphasise the importance of collaboration and supporting actors in the audition process. ?The conversation also touches on the impact of technology on casting, including the use of self-tapes, and the need for actors to adapt to this changing landscape.

You can listen to the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1898130/15253312

or find the link to your player here: https://thelatebloomeractor.buzzsprout.com/share

Also, you can watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oAZPJu1Nt_s

THE TOOL SHED – Thursday 4th July @ 12 noon?

Fancy a free hour of creative business strategy? ?Want to get clarity on your growth actions to move your business forward?? And how about a bundle of new ideas to help you stand out from your competitors?

Come along to the Business Allotment’s Visitor Shed session on Thursday 4th?July at noon and see what we get up to in the online creative growth club!?

The session, Jodie Newman from The Business Allotment , will give you two bespoke tools to take home with you – and will be a fresh way to look at how you can grow your business. ?You’ll spend the hour working ON your business, and leave with ideas and inspiration.

A previous visitor called it “eye-opening” - but don’t take their word for it!? Book a free seat here:?https://www.thebusinessallotment.co.uk/shop/p/the-business-shed-visitor-ticket

CR38IVES Monthly NETWORKING EVENT – Thursday 11th July @ 1pm

If you’re a creative professional and have been looking for a professional networking group that will feel like ‘a good fit’ for you, then come to our next networking event on Thursday the 11th July at 1pm, and find out for yourself what CR38IVES is all about!

If you’ve never attended a CR38IVES networking event before, then make sure to click on the FIRST-TIME VISITOR button when getting your e-ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cr38ives-online-networking-event-tickets-77686002825

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the CR38IVES private networking group, then click below ??????

https://mailchi.mp/cr38ives/join-cr38ives

KEITH does it - so you don’t have to!

Keith Schorah is a Website Hosting Happiness Engineer, specialising in WordPress.?

He prides himself on making life easier for creative web designers, by taking care of the boring technical bits - such as hosting, WordPress updates, backups, uptime monitoring, moving sites between hosting companies, fixing problems and providing support.?

“And all in plain English,” Keith says.? “Or in plain German, if you prefer!”

Keith worked as a translator before getting into the world of websites, and lived in Germany for 10 years.?

“Any chance to practice my German is very welcome,” he says.

Keith’s aim is always to help his clients, so they have more time to spend on the parts of their business they enjoy, instead of wasting valuable time and getting stressed out about technical issues.

But while Keith takes care of all the techie stuff to give his clients the time and space to be creative, he also has a creative side.? When he’s not managing websites, he enjoys playing with Lego and creating customised vehicles for his mini-figures.?

So, if you fancy a chat about websites or Lego (in English or German), get in touch with Keith.? He’d love to hear from you!?

Tel: 07967 842108

EMAIL: [email protected]

Website:?https://www.hostedbydesign.co.uk/

Keith's reations:?https://tinytweaks20.com/

Unlock a world of possibilities and make new friends and business connections!?

Book your place at the next CR38IVES networking zoom event on Thursday the 11th of JULY?@ 1pm-2.30pm here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cr38ives-online-networking-event-tickets-776860028257

To find out more about joining our vibrant creative networking community, click here: https://mailchi.mp/cr38ives/join-cr38ives

Follow Cr38ives on social media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CR38IVES

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/company/cr38ives/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSI8nf1a4RfqrAUK3s7WYbw

Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and X: @cr38ives

CR38IVES is a networking community like no other! Have you been searching for your creative tribe?? Feel inspired and supported, and unlock new creative connections with people who just ‘get?you’!

If you want to know what being a creative mischief-maker and idea-shaker is all about – click here: https://mailchi.mp/cr38ives/join-cr38ives

"Creative minds are the architects of imagination, weaving innovation into the fabric of ideas, painting the world with originality, and sculpting new perspectives that defy convention."