When was the last time you embarked on producing video projects for a client? For most of us the probability is high as they aren’t every day, week or month projects. So, while video production is FUN and it’s important to be aware of video marketing trends, it can also be a hectic time. We might have a vision in our head of how we want the finished product to turn out, but it takes a lot of work to get there.

From the planning that takes place during preproduction, to shooting the content during production and editing the footage during postproduction it can all become a little overwhelming. Let’s spend a few minutes walking through the process from start to finish, so your next video project is smooth sailing.

Preproduction for Video Projects Is Important

Let the planning begin! All successful video projects start with a buttoned-up plan. While the list below might not be all-inclusive, it can be used as a springboard to get started.

• Kickoff Planning Meeting(s)
  First things first, you need to gather the key players to define the objective and goals of the video.
• Create a Project Overview.
  This document outlines the following elements of the shoot:
  • Objective
  • Goals
  • Project Scope
    • Video Content
    • Shoot Location, Duration, Dates and Delivery of Final Product
  • Estimate
    • This can encompass storyboarding/scripting, videographer costs (pre/production/post), photographer costs, project management, expenses (mileage, music, stock footage, meals, hair/makeup, wardrobe, meals, talent, etc.).
• Shoot Deliverables
  Once a video projects’ overview document and estimate has been client approved, it’s time to get busy on the deliverables.
  • Create a detailed project timeline and assign team responsibilities.
  • Secure the videographer and talent, photographer, hair/makeup and wardrobe (if needed).
  • Develop the script and storyboard.
  • Scout the location.
  • Schedule the shoot. Create a detailed timeline for the day(s) of filming. Make sure everyone knows when and where to be and include contact names and phone numbers.
  • And don’t forget the food. The last thing you want is a hangry team!

It’s Time to Create Your Video Project: Production

The plan is set, and it is time for filming to commence.

It’s finally time to implement all the careful planning that has taken place. The video team will arrive well before the talent to set up the camera equipment, lighting, mikes, teleprompter. The set will also need to be prepped for filming. That might mean setting up any props, adjusting furniture, etc.

Next comes the hair/makeup/wardrobe team and talent. While the video team is finalizing film prep, the talent is becoming camera ready.

The film crew, set and talent are ready so its time for a quick walk through to make sure everyone is comfortable with their roles and knows the process/filming order for the day. And remember, there are going to be hiccups. Set or script adjustments need to be made. Someone is running late. There is a wardrobe malfunction. Remember to breathe and that every problem has a solution.

So now…Quiet on the set! Action!  

Postproduction of Your Video Project

The film is ‘in the can’ and postproduction is ready to commence.

During this phase the videographer will sort and organize all of the raw footage, edit the video to tell your story, add graphics and voice and music tracks. When you are happy with the edited piece it is ready to share with your client for feedback.

Once client approved, you can then develop the different video formats needed and deliver the finished product for distribution through your various marketing channels.

Now that you know the roadmap for video project production, it’s time for you to create your masterpiece.

In the world of marketing, advertising, and PR creativity is often king, but collaborating is the key to the kingdom. One of the most rewarding — and sometimes challenging — aspects of a creative’s job is working with clients to bring their vision to life while also ensuring it aligns with the broader strategy. This delicate balance between creativity and strategy, vision and execution, is what transforms ideas into impactful campaigns.

Understanding the Client’s Vision

Every client comes to an agency with a unique perspective, a set of goals, and a deep understanding of their brand. Our job as creatives is to tap into that knowledge, absorb their vision, and expand on it in ways they may not have initially considered. The first step in this collaborating process is active listening — really hearing what the client is saying, understanding their pain points, and grasping the nuances of their brand story.

Next, we might dive deeper into the client’s brand, their target audience, and their market landscape. This isn’t just about gathering information; it’s about building trust. When clients feel heard and understood, they are more open to collaborating and more receptive to creative ideas that may push the envelope.

Collaborating Means Balancing Vision with Strategic Insight

Once we have a clear picture of the client’s vision, the next step is to balance it with strategic insights. This is where the magic happens. Creativity needs direction, and strategy provides the roadmap. A great idea that doesn’t align with a client’s business objectives is just a great idea — it doesn’t necessarily translate into results.

To bridge the gap between creative concepts and strategic goals, we ask ourselves a few key questions: Does this idea align with the brand’s core values? Does it speak to the target audience in a meaningful way? Will it stand out in the market and drive the desired action? These questions help us shape concepts that are not only imaginative but also effective. Here we create brand elaborations, message maps, and creative briefs. These are the steering documents for all our creative work.

Turning Feedback into Fuel for Creative Collaborating

Feedback is an inevitable part of the collaborative creative process. And while it’s easy to see feedback as a roadblock, it’s more productive to view it as fuel for creativity. Often, clients provide feedback based on their intimate knowledge of their brand or their industry, offering insights that can elevate a campaign to new heights. It’s the collaborating back-and-forth between client and creative that produces a successful result.

The key is to embrace feedback with an open mind, distill the constructive elements, and use them to refine ideas. Some of the most creative and successful campaigns can come out of what initially seems like challenging feedback. Reframing feedback as a collaborative tool rather than a critique turns potential setbacks into creative opportunities.

Navigating Creative Differences

There will be times when creative differences arise — when an agency’s vision and the client’s vision don’t quite align. This is where strong communication skills and a little bit of diplomacy are important. It’s essential to clearly articulate the reasoning behind a creative choices, backed by data, market research, or past campaign success. For instance, when we present new logo ideas, we include a 2-sentence rationale for each one on why it works. We try to remain open to compromise and flexible enough to adapt our ideas.

In many cases, these differences can lead to a healthy dialogue that pushes both parties to think more creatively and strategically. Finding common ground isn’t about one side winning, it’s about aligning efforts to serve the brand’s greater good. Afterall, we’re all in this together!

Celebrating Wins, Big and Small

Collaborating successfully with clients isn’t just about delivering great work; it’s also about celebrating the journey together. Whether it’s hitting a key milestone, launching a new campaign, or achieving impressive results, recognizing these wins fosters a sense of partnership and shared accomplishment. When they win, we all win!

Celebrating these wins strengthens client relationships and builds trust. It also sets the stage for future collaborating on other projects, creating an environment where clients feel confident that we are just as invested in their success as they are. It’s the Front Porch way.

The Art of Creative Collaborating

At the end of the day, collaborating with clients is an art. It requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to see things from another perspective. It’s about merging the client’s vision with creative strategy to create campaigns that are not only beautiful and bold but also strategically sound and results-driven.

When done right, this collaborative process becomes a powerful tool that drives innovation and success for both the client and the agency. And that’s what makes every project, every meeting, and every brainstorm worth it. It’s not just about making marketing; it’s about making a difference.

What’s your business growth opportunity for next year? Identify it. Now is the time. Q4 is upon us. Before we know it, it will be January 2025. So take the time now to really contemplate where you want to take your business next. Once you have that nailed down, you’ll have a clear place to steer yourself in Q1.

Your Growth Opportunity Is Not Swayed by Circumstances

Your business growth opportunity for next should be based on YOUR business. Not so much on outside forces happening in the world. Despite the economy. Or the uncertainty due to the election. Strong brands will survive and thrive in 2025. What makes you a strong brand?

Uncover Opportunities With Probing Questions

Ask yourself some of these questions when you review your business in Q4. These questions will help you determine your success for 2025 based on your successes in 2024.

1. Review your 2024 key clients or customers’ successes. Where have you seen the most business growth this past year?

Make a list. This will give you insight into where your business growth opportunity might be for next year. Looks for patterns and trends in your business’ success. You might just be getting started in some area of your business that will continue to pay off.

2. Is your team convicted that the brand is important?

Review your brand’s foundation. Is your brand strong? Does your leadership team articulate your brand clearly at every internal touchpoint? Your audience needs to be able to recognize you and count on you. They want to see you as the voice of authority, every time they turn to you for answers.

3. Are you communicating consistently?

Consistent communication is key to having a strong brand, and a strong presence in the marketplace. If you are not communicating clearly and consistently about your brand, you are diluting your brand and the competency of your organization.

4. Does your target care about what your brand stands for?

The stronger the emotional connection to your brand, the more likely the target will be predisposed to your organization. What were your successes with your audience this past year? Plan to do more of whatever that was.

Other questions to ask yourself about your business, looking for your business growth opportunities in 2025:

• Are you leveraging your senior team’s strengths?
• What are your strategies? Define these and then everything else should fall under that.
• What are your holes in marketing resources? What do you need help with?

Pro-Tips For Growth

Identifying your business growth opportunities is just your first step to a successful 2024. Reviewing 2024, there are areas where we see success for small to midsize businesses and nonprofits in 2025. Make sure you have this Pro-Tip list covered in Q4 this year, and follow the path to uncover your own insights and build your business in 2025. If you need help along the way, Front Porch has your back.

• Identify your growth opportunity.
• Make sure you have the team needed to realize your goals for your clients.
• Have a plan. Be focused. A marketing plan is important to maximize resources and reduce unneeded spend.
• Sharpen messaging. Review your message map. Make edits where necessary.
• Be strategic. Define strategies and then tactics that will help you accomplish the strategies.
• Remember, tactically, less is more.

Several factors can help a client’s message stand out if you’re pitching during an election year. It’s a politically charged period when pitching to the media, so here are tips to navigate a pitch.

Unraveling the Influence of Regulation and Laws

Understanding the influence of regulations and laws is a pivotal factor in effectively positioning a client’s message in the media if you’re pitching during an election year. The outcome of an election can significantly impact regulations and future legislation. By understanding and articulating how a client’s skills and knowledge align with these potential changes, you can empower your client’s audience. This can be done by highlighting specific bills and policies that could have legal implications after the election.

Be Patient and Persistently Pleasant When Pitching During an Election Year

Patience and persistence are not just important, they are crucial. The media landscape is unpredictable, especially during an election year, and journalists, reporters, and bookers are feeling the pressure now more than ever. If they don’t respond to your pitch email right away, don’t be discouraged. It’s acceptable to follow up, but be kind, compassionate, and understanding when you do so. The media is under unprecedented pressure to keep their audiences informed as quickly as possible.

Presenting Expert Commentary, Not Punditry

Positioning clients as experts who can offer informed commentary on specific topics is not just a strategy; it’s a key strategy. This approach not only sets them apart from mere pundits but also adds depth to their contributions, helping them avoid the pitfalls of engaging in politics.

Featuring Lifestyle Content When Pitching During an Election Year

PR agencies encounter special challenges if they’re pitching during election years. Journalists understand the value of promoting uplifting, inspiring, and powerful lifestyle messages. Despite global events, lifestyle content remains relevant, and people will continue to seek positive stories amid political unrest. Whether it’s about health, wellness, self-improvement, or feel-good stories, there’s a place for it. The key is to find angles that naturally fit within the broader media landscape while maintaining a balance.