[neil 47]

I know that a lot of you will have lap tops, have you ever try making a small video to show what you do.
I have done one ,just to see if it will work .

Its a bit tongue in cheek and the quality could be better but it only took 15 mins .

htt p://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZlXReTSNu8

 
 
Neil

[garyj]

I think it is a good idea, especially to show potential clients the process of cleaning.

Our target market is mostly women, the record was a terrible choice, but I would plug away at it. If you can do that in 15 mins think what you can do in an hour.

It is something I have been toying with for months, should get off butt and do it I suppose.

Its not a bad effort and as you said it was a bit tongue in cheek, but I don't see where, just lack of confidence posting it here maybe, but well done for having a go 

[Kev Loomes]

If thats your first attempt Neil then you have done very very well. Its far from perfect but no doubt it will get better the more you do it.

Not so sure how the music would go down with the elderly though :

Kev


p.s. Like the shorts

[Jim_77]

Conceptually, yeah brilliant, I think a lot of us would like to do something similar but either don't have the skills or the drive to go do it.

Ditto the comments about the music, although I'm sure you wouldn't consider The Prodigy your 1st choice for a "serious" production

Are you familiar with "Dusty" Roberts' stuff he does on the Rug Badger and rug cleaning?  His short films are just a camcorder recording of him talking and demonstrating, obviously well rehearsed but very very simple.  All that's added really are some graphic captions to reinforce and clarify the flow of the films.  If you haven't seen any, stick "rug badger" into youtube and you'll find them.

Good effort mate, very inventive, maybe you'll start a trend!

Would be good to see any further ones you do, they may be an inspiration to the rest of us to do similar

[garyj]

My ex father in law has a TV production company and his own studio, would love to phone him and put the idea to him. Not sure if I would get a "yeah come on over" or a punch in the mouth, might be worth finding out  .

[garry22]

We've been using video for a while now. My personal opinion is that it is the way forward.

We have been hosting on Youtube but discovered a major flaw for us but not necessarily anyone else (we mostly do office carpet cleaning). Basically, many commercial organisations block YouTube (to stop employees wasting time all day). Our most likely, prospective customers could not view them.

We will be going back to server based FLVs instead.

GaryJ... I have spoken to a professional video editor who gave me a few tips regarding story lines, lighting etc. I reckon the next ones could be much better than the present one. Suggest you are very nice to ex father in law. It's got to be worth a few beers.

Garry

[derek west]

quality video, bangin tune. stuff the old dears, lets convert the youth into having there carpets cleaned, the old ones won't be around forever.
10 out of 10.
do me one, but with a truckmount, 15 mins!, i'll give ya a tenner. thats the equivelant of £40 an hour,
derek

[neil 47]

Derek

I use photo story 3.
all you do is download the program here

 www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=92755126-a008-49b3-b3f4-6f33852af9c1&DisplayLang=en

Then load on your pics add text and music really easy.

  1 ) You can then burn it to disc quality is excellent.
  2 ) email it ,quality not as good
  3) save it to mobile devices
4) add your own commentary.

Just think instead off handing cards out you could hand these out on disc and go into detail what your company can offer and customers will be able to see results that they can expect ,and for truckmounters they would be able to hear and see the difference in power .




all in all a very versatile tool 

 Neil

Derek

if you need any help just email me

[derek west]

neil
before i started carpet cleaning i used to sell printer ink and dvd / cd blank discs so i can get the discs  very cheap, definately something to think about, possibly sending to companies that may be interested in having there carpets done. also put on my web site.

i'll have a nosey at that down load.
cheers
derek

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Ian, how are you finding your video, is it attracting good customers?

www.essex-cleaning.co.uk/

Cheers

Doug

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Ian have you bought Michael out?

Shaun

[garyj]

Who's Ian 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Ian Harper, nice guy spoke with him a few times and met him once.

Shaun

[garyj]

Yeah, does seem a nice chap, I have sometimes wondered if he is a bit mad though. I joined his forum  and there was some good stuff on there but I think I was the only member and I bored myself after a couple of weeks 

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I think Ian is a do'er he jumps first and thinks later (I'm opposite) but a faint heart never won a fair lady but life doesn't move fast enough sometimes.

Shaun

[ianharper]

Guys

thanks for your comments. getting good feedback from prospects. my view is that its one step up from using a photo.

I give you an example. i wear my glasses to drive and on the computer but not when cleaning. when i knock customers say they did not recognize me because i did not have them on.

This tells me that they on one level know me because they have seen a photo or video. I think this takes away the fear of buying from a stranger.

The advantages of video is that they can see much more than just your face they see your personality and can make judgments on you.

You never get a second chance at a first impression.

respect

Ian Harper

[ross12345]

i have to say ian you look and sound a right plonker video pmsl 

[derek west]

i thought he sounded really professional, but trying to read the website afterwards and the video being on repeat was a bit annoying. i suppose i could of turned the sound down.
derek

[garyj]

I just watched it 

I was surprised, I always had Ian down as someone who knew marketing, words and NLP. To be honest I thought it was poor and certainly not good enough to go on a website.

I have had loads of marketing advice from Ians website and I know he can do much better than that.

Being pedantic something cannot be "very very unique", it is either unique or it isn't! Also that product is unique only in as much as it is the same as many others!!

Having on a loop will drive customers away from the site if they are trying to read the website.

Yes I agree he does seem a nice chap and is different to what I imagined, yes I would trust him and would want him in my house but that video could be so much better.

Please do yourself a favour Ian and do a better one.