Business Profile FAQ

"Is this a commercial?"

Yes.  Another description might be "Virtual Handshake" because you are meeting clients for the first time.  This may be their first impression of you.  The entire process of capturing what makes your business special is a lot easier than you think.  This package is meant for the business looking to highlight a specific product, service, or message within two hours.    

Think of restaurant commercials.  Their menus are enormous, but the commercials focus on one item.

"But my business does a lot of stuff."

Understandable and rightly so.  Salons, mechanics, clinics, and even video producers provide a range of products and services.  For one video, focus on what makes you stand out from the rest.  Is it a process, guarantee, or method? 

"What if I don't have an office?"

Many businesses travel or work from home.  Recording a business profile can be done on site with the proper release forms.  Lawn care, construction, electrical, and other commuting businesses actually have a huge asset for on-location footage.  The best time to schedule a video shoot is during the most visually interesting step in your service.  Never schedule the video at the same time of your arrival to your project.  Be absolutely certain that your client is not only aware that their property will be recorded, but also that they are not likely to cancel.

"Would my client have to be there?"

If your business can perform on-site without the property owner, then so can we.  The property release form must be signed prior to any recording if the owner will not be there.

"I am really busy.  Do I have to stop working to record a video?"

This package is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible.  Only the interview would occupy your time for as long as necessary.  Since the sound bites are brief, the interview can take as little as 15 minutes.  You are more than welcome to offer input and creative suggestions.  You may also get back to work if other matters need your attention.  The footage gathered that day is to visually represent what was said in the interview.  Should you or your representative mention awards that your company won, then the logical shot would be of the award.  Shots may be suggested and requested.  However, the ultimate discretion of the camera operator determines what the final look is.

"I don't sell any products and my office is boring."

In the world of business advertising there are usually two types of clients.  You may be providing a service or product that speaks for itself.  Flooring, rug cleaning, food service, fabrication, and the like fall into that area.  Attorneys, accountants, counselors, consultants, or other personality-based services tend to be driven by approach-ability.  Are you likable?  Can you stage a meeting or consult with a client.  That "client" may even be a friend, family member, or employee.

"Can I add more locations?"

You may customize a different package that includes more than one location.  There are many unpredictable factors when changing locations that can cause scheduling conflicts.  With the right preparation, there are enough opportunities in one location to fill ten videos.

"The location I want to use is hard to find."

Please provide any access codes or special instructions to get onto or inside any property.  Locations that require paid parking, admission fees, special/restricted access, travel beyond Houston city limits, alternate means of travel, or anything besides a simple parking spot at a reasonable location are all billed separately.

"What about locations that might be dangerous?"

Anything requiring special safety equipment or PPE must be provided by the client.  If none can be provided, then any cost in obtaining it will be billed separately.  Any recording at night is considered a risk and thereby charged a 20 percent fee.

"May I schedule a video during an officially recognized holiday."

Absolutely!  There is a 20 percent charge for bookings on the following holidays:

New Year's Day

Christmas

Memorial Day

Labor Day

Independence Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Thanksgiving Day

Columbus Day

Washington's Birthday

"How much notice do you need to schedule a shoot?"

Seven days' notice is preferred.  Rush bookings are available if scheduling permits.  A 20 percent rush booking charge applies to any business profile packaged booked with less than seven days' notice.

"Do I have to speak?"

You do not have to speak.  However, would you watch a video where nobody speaks?  Any interviews recorded during the shoot will be edited so only the best sound bites are used.  You may appear on screen for a few seconds, but footage of your business in action will fill most of the final edit.  The audio will be voice with an music bed.

"What do I say?"

Prior to shooting, please complete the Business Profile Checklist.  This is a great tool to help you and your team organize your thoughts.  So much can be said about this topic that a separate page was made for it.  It really depends upon the service or product being promoted.  The best interviews "sound" candid.  Writing a statement is fine, but it tends to become a crutch during the actual recording.  Keep your statements brief.  Remember that the footage will be edited so messing up and getting better takes is a part of the process.  You will be speaking directly to a person instead of the camera.  Think of it as an actual conversation with coaching.  Coaching will be in the form tone, energy, and intent.  Again, refer to the page about interviews for more tips.

"What is the final product?"

A video file under two minutes that can be used for online playback.  It is 1920x1080 progressive scan. It will consist of your interview, footage, music, your logo, titles, and contact information.

"What if I want to change something?"

Two rounds of revisions are included with this package.  Maybe you want to move some footage around or delete a statement you made.  

"Can I give you anything I have recorded in the past?"

Photos, animations, voice over, scripting, or other media are billed separately.  This is a package built around the time constraints of the busy entrepreneur.  Custom packages are available with a consult and are intended for clients with a specific vision.

"May I have the raw footage, too?"

Raw footage may be purchased after final deliverable is completed and all obligations in the contract are fulfilled.  

"What about paperwork?"

After the initial deposit, you will receive a contract along with release forms.  No recording can happen until the contract has been signed.  Release forms relevant to you and your property will need to be completed prior to any recording.  If you plan to record on somebody else's property, then they may sign the appropriate releases on the day of the shoot.

"What if I have to cancel, postpone, or reschedule?"

Once a deposit has been made and the contract is signed, then any schedule change will incur additional charges.  Inclement weather, disasters, extreme emergencies, and other problems cannot be predicted.  It can happen to anyone.  If the entire video depends upon one employee or client, then you may want to think about contingencies prior to recording.  Those charges are as follows:

Postponements or cancellations on the shoot date, in whole or in part, 50% of the quote.  

Postponements or cancellations with less than two business days’ prior written notice, 100% of the quote.  

Client will in any event pay all expenses and charges incurred in connection with any postponed or canceled shoot date or other Service.

It is extremely important to be aware of scheduling a shoot around your client.  If you are planning a shoot at a location other than your own, then it is your responsibility to prepare your client.  

In cases where it is simply impossible to record due to random chaos like weather or disaster, a new date and time can be reached as long as both of us are able after the fact.

"What am I not asking?"

Please send an email with questions.

©2018 James W. Price