Tips from Hollywood for Creating Videos That Get Watched

Video can be a powerful sales outreach tool — but only if your prospect watches it!?A great subject line may get your video opened, but a lackluster or meandering delivery will get you quickly deleted. As the number of videos sent out by sellers has exploded, prospects have gotten ruthless with the delete button. So “how do you record a prospect video that gets watched?”

Fortunately, Hollywood knows a thing or two about creating videos that people are willing to devote time and money to watch. While applying these pro tips to your prospecting videos may not win you an Oscar, they can help you win your prospect’s attention and convert more sales!

4 Tips from Hollywood for Creating Videos that Get Watched:?

Pro Tip 1: Cut to the Chase

Filmmakers know that audiences have little patience for long, meandering build ups. That’s why most films start with the most interesting part of the story, like the car chase or the “meet-cute.” And this is why you should too! Unsolicited videos in particular need to be compelling right out of the gate. Cutting to the chase gives your prospect an immediate and compelling reason to watch. ?

What is “The Chase” in your video? It could be a key issue, an insight, or unexpected value. Whatever it is, don’t bury it in the middle or save it for the end. If you do, your prospect will likely never see it!

Pro Tip 2:?Crank up the Energy?

Many well-scripted videos still get deleted in those first few seconds. Why? Even good scripts need good performers to bring the words to life for the audience. Unfortunately, most sellers don’t hit their stride on video until 15-30 seconds into the recording. This is much too late. Like an actor, you need to be at peak performance before that recording light goes on. This requires a good pre-video warm-up, which should include getting rid of tension and elevating your energy beyond your comfort zone. For a quick shot of adrenalin before your next video, try this “over-the-top” rehearsal technique.????

Pro Tip 3:?Get Personal

Research shows that personalized video content improves your results. After all, video is a very personal medium. But if you deliver personalized content in a generic manner - as if you were talking to a stranger, or “Insert name here” - you have defeated the purpose and depersonalized the entire experience for your prospect.

Truly personalized video makes your prospect feel like you are talking just to them. But it’s hard to do when you’re talking to a green dot or a black circle! ?It’s not a natural skill. But actors have learned a process to make it more natural, and so can you. ?It starts by mentally projecting a specific person into the lens of your camera (FYI, putting up pictures rarely work here as they are too static and artificial. Your imagination is much better at filling in the gaps!) Enough practice and you start to feel and act like you are in an actual face-to-face conversation. This powerful technique makes your gaze and tone more intimate, and your body language less presentational. Your prospect will feel the difference.

Learning to speak to a camera in a way that makes your prospect feel like you are sitting right across from you is part technique, part art, and part practice. I break down the steps for you in my book, Look Me In the Eye.

Pro Tip 4:?Lose the script

You’ve likely seen videos where the seller is obviously reading from a script. It’s not hard to tell.?Eyes moving across the screen from left to right, a wooden delivery, odd sentence breaks, and little if any natural inflection. Prospects can’t turn those videos off fast enough! ?

There’s a reason why actors have their lines memorized before they get in front of the camera. It’s difficult to be fully present and connect with your audience if you’re looking for lines. But the good news is you don’t have to memorize your script word for word. Memorize these three areas for a short two-minute video and you will have it made:

1.????Your first line. In those first few seconds your prospect is deciding whether to stay or go, so don’t leave your first line to chance. Nailing your first line starts you off strong and gives you the confidence to carry you until your preparation naturally kicks in.

2.????Key point(s).?What do you want your prospect to remember? Make sure you know them and can state them clearly and succinctly.?Associating a movement or gesture with your key point(s) can also help commit these to memory.

3.????Your last line. I’ve seen people blow perfectly good videos because they weren’t certain where to stop.?Know your ending (often a call to action or key point). And for added impact, hold your eye contact with the camera for a few beats before you stop recording.

Follow these four tips f and watch your conversion rate dramatically improve!?

If you want to know more about how to create videos that get watched or make a greater impact in your virtual meetings, reach out to me at [email protected] or check out my programs at Juliehansen.live