Watch Time

In this episode, Jess Adanich of creative agency DesignPod Studio and DesignPod Tactical is back to discuss branding and social media tips for public safety agencies.

Trade shows typically require a great investment of expense and time, but also come with great opportunity. In this episode, we speak with Jess Adanich of creative agency DesignPod Studio. She offers some tips to make the most out of your conference experience for maximum results and ROI.  

Demand generation is a marketing strategy that aims to generate interest in a product or service to attract new clients. It involves considering customer needs and how they align with company offerings to find ways to create awareness and attract quality leads.In this episode, we speak with Eric Richardson, the growth marketing manager at Qventus, a provider of healthcare operations automation systems. He discusses what you need to know to create an effective demand-generation strategy.

In this episode, we speak with Brandon Bunyak, a small business banking specialist, who shares best practices around cash flow and other financial aspects that owners need to consider.

Shooting photos and videos on a nice sunny day may seem ideal, but you may be surprised that an overcast day works even better. In this episode, we'll discuss best practices for capturing content outdoors.

Let's face it; writing isn't easy. However, it's something all of us have to do in our daily life from emails to sales proposals to marketing materials. We've all seen how poor writing can negatively reflect on a brand, so it's important to make a good impression. While mastering writing can take years of practice, here are three quick tips that can make your writing sound more professional today!

Jessica Adanich of creative agency DesignPod Studio is back for a second episode! This time, she discusses marketing tips for tactical and public safety brands. If this is your market segment, you don't want to miss this.

In this episode, we interview Jessica Adanich of creative agency DesignPod Studio. She provides some great advice on branding and why it's important for businesses of any size.

If you're a company that offers products and services to the public safety sector, it's important to identify the different pain points and needs of each persona rather than looping military, law enforcement and other professionals all together. The more targeted you get, the more successful you will be. With our backgrounds and work in public safety, we share three personas you'll want to consider in your marketing in this episode.

When you're planning for a video, it's easy to just focus on the immediate topic or need. But it's important to consider what else you may be able to capture or create from your shoot in terms of mini clips and more to really maximize your time and money. Listen to this episode to learn more about how you can expand your use of your video shoot and footage.

Working with influencers is a popular marketing tactic, providing an opportunity to share your product or service with additional audiences. However, knowing how to find and work with influencers can be confusing. If your brand is considering introducing influencer marketing, you don't want to miss this episode with Matthew Thornicroft, Communications Manager at Pierre's Ice Cream. He shares best practices and examples from his experience that can help inspire your company's marketing strategy too. 

If you're a nonprofit, it can be hard to know where you should be spending your limited time and marketing dollars. To add some clarity, we spoke with Belle Mercurio, Marketing & Communications Manager at Engage! Cleveland. Engage! Cleveland is a community engagement organization focused on young professionals, emerging talent and business/community leaders who are passionate about making Cleveland a top destination for the next generation. Belle shares some insight that other nonprofits can use on how to think about their marketing strategy and resources.

Amy Mucha, Owner and Chief Pop Artist at Daisy Pops, is back chatting with our own Bill Baraona. In this episode, they discuss entrepreneurship, from starting a business to keeping it growing, as well as their experience going through the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and why you should consider it too.

Business owners know how important it is to retain and attract new customers, but with so many digital and traditional marketing options, how do you make sure you're choosing the right tactic to ensure your message stands out and reaches your target audience?  In this episode we speak with Amy Mucha, Owner and Chief Pop Artist at Daisy Pops to learn how this math teacher turned cake pop entrepreneur has been able to grow her followers and business with marketing. 

We continue our conversation with Jim Cermak, host of Trade Show University podcast, about how to make conferences more effective for your company. 

Jim Cermak, host of Trade Show University podcast is back with more secrets to make conferences more effective for your company. Listen to this episode for his Roadmap to Trade Show Success.

It's 2024 and it's no secret that there's more video content out there than ever before. With so much saturation, how do you cut through the noise and give your videos the chance to stand out? Listen to this episode in which we describe 4 characteristics to keep in mind when you're mapping out your video strategy.

We've talked about them before (and we're sure we will again) but buyer personas are critical for refining your messaging and sales. Still, we know that many marketing teams get pushback when they try to narrow their target audience down from “everyone.” Here are some tips on how you can explain why developing buyer personas can actually make your sales strategy more effective.

If you're wondering if you should hire a professional videographer or create your own content, you're not alone. Actually, the answer isn't so black and white. Listen to this episode to learn how a healthy video strategy uses a mix of both.

In this episode, Flex Media's Bill Baraona continues the conversation with website design expert Adam Corrao of Glass Pixel Creative (from episode 65 on Website Basics) to discuss common website misconceptions and how to overcome them.

In the digital age, your website is like your storefront. It's typically the first place people go to learn about what you do and how you do it, as well as to assess your credibility. In this episode, Flex Media's Bill Baraona sits down with website design expert Adam Corrao of Glass Pixel Creative to discuss the basics of getting your website off the ground. Whether you're a small business or a marketer at a larger company, you won't want to miss these tips.

You've got your product/service messaging down on paper, but what about when it comes to how your representatives and set will look when it comes time to record? In this episode, Megan Hurley of Style Counsel discusses how wardrobe, hair/makeup and set dressing can make a difference in the look and feel of your videos.

In this third and final part of our series on user-generated content, Flex Media's Bill Baraona and Josh Lawhorn wrap up with some advice for video production and post-production.

In the second of our three-part series, Flex Media's Bill Baraona and Josh Lawhorn discuss user-generated content. Like most things, producing regular content is easier when you take time to plan. Listen to catch some practical pre-production tips.

In the first of our three part series, Flex Media's Bill Baraona and Josh Lawhorn discuss user generated content. Tune in to learn why your business should be generating some of its own content, and subscribe so you don't miss the next two episodes that will cover how to go about planning and producing it.

Flex Media's Bill Baraona and Liz Ward discuss how considering aspects such as shooting location and music selection can make a huge difference in your audio and impact the overall quality of your video.

With tradeshows, digital campaigns, website launches, social media and more, how can small marketing teams keep up with increasing responsibilities while supporting their sales teams and helping companies stay competitive? Since we know many of our listeners are feeling this pressure, we brought in the ASG (a Cleveland-based manufacturing company) team of two to discuss how they divide and conquer to lead their company to success. Hear more from Senior Marketing Manager Kelly Samardak and Digital Marketing Specialist Katherine Simmons in this episode.

While you may know the Flex Media team for our corporate video work, we also have experience with documentaries. On this episode, Josh Lawhorn and Kathie Taylor discuss how organizations can benefit from documentaries through the power of storytelling and bring attention to their cause.

In the world of content creation, video length is perhaps the most misunderstood aspect. Many businesses often find themselves at a crossroads, wondering whether their videos should be shorter for higher engagement or longer to provide more in-depth information. But the truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal video length depends on various factors, including your target audience, the nature of your content, and your platform.  In this episode, the Flex Media team helps dispel the misconceptions about video length, debunk common myths and offer insights.

Video involves a creative process. Like all creative endeavors, sometimes it can be difficult to think of topics, different shots or other elements that could make your video more engaging. Whether you're creating your first video or looking to switch up what you've been doing, and whether you're working with a video production team or doing some DIY, staying inspired is important to creating effective content. In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Josh Lawhorn and Bill Baraona discuss where they find inspiration to hopefully encourage you to discover and document great video ideas too! Check it out.

Sometimes clients will ask us to deliver their raw footage on a flash or hard drive, thinking their team may want to use it for something else. While we're happy to provide this, we often find that there is confusion about what it takes to work with raw footage and what customers are really getting into. In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Josh Lawhorn and Bill Baraona discuss what to expect when you receive raw footage from your video production company and what resources it will take to "make the soup" as Josh explains. Check it out and share your additional questions with us below!

People don't always think about using video in recruiting efforts but it can be a key tool in helping to market to potential applicants by showcasing aspects of your team and organization's culture. In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Kathie Taylor and Bill Baraona discuss how recruitment videos are essential to attract the ideal candidates for your test. With our team's backgrounds in the law enforcement and military sectors, we can not only create professional videos for public safety clients, police agencies, fire departments, EMS and industry manufacturers and service providers, but also ensure we're telling the right story to maximize your video's effectiveness. Check out this episode and find out more about how we can assist with your recruitment efforts.

Whether you're a business owner or marketer, you've probably had the experience of having a videographer show up to gather B-roll of an event, a new product or your facilities, figuring they would just grab what they could and the footage could be turned into something later. However, this approach doesn't always foster the best results. Maybe you find that you're missing something important or the video doesn't look quite how you wanted it to. In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Kathie Taylor and Bill Baraona discuss why planning, again, is crucial for getting quality shots that fit your brand and tell the story you're looking to share.

You may have considered using video in your sales and marketing, but video actually has many uses for internal communications within your company as well. In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Kathie Taylor and Bill Baraona discuss how video can be used to onboard new employees, train staff on products and procedures and much more to streamline your internal communications. Watch or listen to learn more!

With the advent of AI tools such as Chat GPT, some companies are considering handing over their writing from humans to robots. But is this really the best decision for your business? In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Kathie Taylor talks with Laurel Wilder, a communications consultant and former senior director of marketing and communications at College Now, to discuss when to use AI as a tool for your messaging and when hiring a professional writer will help maximize your content's effectiveness. Laurel Wilder on LinkedIn:   / laurelwilder  

So you're ready to dive into social media, video, email, or other marketing. Have you taken a moment to consider whom you're talking to? Think it's everyone? Think again before throwing away precious marketing dollars. In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's producer Kathie Taylor talks with Allison Halco, Vice President of Neighborhood Marketing for Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, which works to revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods by strengthening the community development ecosystem. Listen to learn about the importance of knowing your audience before you start any marketing campaign to maximize its effectiveness. We also discuss why you should hire a professional content creator when you can rely on AI, and when you really need an expert to deliver your message to be successful. Connect with Cleveland NP and Allison: www.clevelandnp.org   Connect on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/allisonhalco/    Connect with Flex Media: info@flexmediacle.com To watch the video version of our podcast check out www.Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

Do you see a need for a product or service in your area of expertise? Not sure how to make the leap from what you're doing now to turn your vision into a viable business endeavor? In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Bill Baraona talks with Ryan Allen of Zero9 Solutions, which designs and produces gear solutions for law enforcement, military, and other safety forces. After serving nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Ryan saw a need for better duty gear. Here's how he turned his passion into a side gig and finally into a national product offering that's continued to grow every year. Listen to learn how to take the business in your basement into something bigger based on market need, customer feedback, traditional marketing, online marketing, word of mouth, and more. Connect with Zero9 Solutions: https://www.zero9solutions.com     Connect with Zero9 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-allen-57b146233/    Connect with Zero9 on Instagram: @zero9holsters Connect with Zero9 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zero9holsters/    Connect with Flex Media: info@flexmediacle.com To watch the video version of our podcast check out www.Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

Starting a business is full of challenges. It can be hard to know where to start with your online presence and marketing. This often leads business owners stuck without knowing where to begin. In this episode of Watch Time, Flex Media's Bill Baraona talks with Tim Eliopoulos, owner of Delta Strategic, which specializes in wholesale firearms and accessories. Tim launched his business after more than a decade in law enforcement. He discusses that while confusion around marketing can be paralyzing for new business owners, “You gotta do it, just get in and start moving.” Tim and Bill talk about how Tim grew his business from the first steps of starting a website through trial and error in his social media channels without any previous experience in marketing, hoping to inspire you to do the same! Learn some tips and tricks while accepting that done is better than perfect. Connect with Delta Strategic: www.deltastrategicfirearms.com www.linkedin.com/in/eliopoulos/ on LinkedIn @deltastrategicstipping on Instagram www.facebook.com/deltastrategic on Facebook Connect with Flex Media: info@flexmediacle.com To watch the video version of our podcast check out www.Flexmediacle.com/watchtime    

Join Kathie Taylor and Bill Baraona in this episode of Watch Time presented by Flex Media as they talk with Meg Corso, Business Growth Strategist, at her company Exclusively BA. Her team's unique approach to traditional advertising ensures successful partnerships, brand loyalty, positive experiences, and community development. Are you a small business that is looking to improve your social media presence? Maybe you aren't even sure where to start. Tune in to learn how an authentic, helpful, personable approach can be effective for engaging with your audience on social media and in doing business in general. Don't miss the practical advice Meg offers for companies of any size in this episode! Connect with Exclusively BA: www.exclusivelyba.com Exclusively BA's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/exclusively-ba/ @exclusivelyba on Instagram Exclusively BA's on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/exclusivelyba Connect with Flex Media: info@flexmediacle.com To watch the video version of our podcast check out www.Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

Join Kathie Taylor and Bill Baraona in this episode of Watch Time presented by Flex Media as they discuss some key findings from Wistia's 2023 State of the Video report and why those findings are important to your video marketing strategy. You will discover some essential statistics and trends shaping video strategy this year, including the best practices for creating engaging content. Kathie and Bill explore the popular distribution channels of 2023, such as Instagram and TikTok, and offer actionable insights on how to leverage them effectively. Drawing from their experiences at Flex Media, they share unique perspectives and findings to help you enhance your audience engagement and optimize your content strategy. Tune in to stay ahead of the curve and take your videos to the next level. To download and check out the full 2023 Wistia State of the Video Report, check out this link - https://wistia.com/about/state-of-video To watch the video version of our podcast check out www.Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

In this episode of Watch Time presented by Flex Media, hosts Kathie Taylor and Bill Baraona dive into the topic of why a production company might need multiple cameras and operators to produce a video. They discuss the common misconceptions, advantages, and situations where having one versus two cameras can make a significant difference. Whether you're a professional in the video field or someone interested in purchasing video services, this episode provides valuable insights into the reasons behind the need for multiple cameras at your next production.

In this episode of Watch Time, the Flex Media Team sits down with Dom Mann, owner of DM Productions, to dive into the world of short-form, medium-form, and long-form video content. Join us as we explore the misconceptions surrounding videos as a solution, the importance of aligning content with your business objectives, and how different video formats can be leveraged to achieve your goals. Gain valuable insights into when and how companies should utilize each type of video content to drive engagement, build brand awareness, and convert viewers into loyal customers. Don't miss this conversation that will transform your approach to video marketing. Connect with Dom: DM Productions - https://www.dm.productions/  Dom's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thedommann/ Dom's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedommann/  

In this episode of Watch Time presented by Flex Media, we welcome back Roman Soyko, owner and real estate developer at RS Professional Homes. Roman shares with us how he was able to use marketing, thought leadership and video to establish himself as an authority in his space. He talks about how he got into podcasting, social media, and created a course on real estate investing. Roman also discusses how he leverages Instagram and Facebook to find and sell properties, and how his business has changed over the years. Tune in to learn from his experience and insights. If you want to hear our last conversation with Roman, check out Episode #15 of Watch Time - https://watchtime.podbean.com/e/using-video-to-build-a-brand-in-real-estate-investing-episode-15/   Links from the Show: White Board Finance (Marko) - https://whiteboardfinance.com/   Connect with Roman: RS Professional Homes - https://www.rsprohomes.com/ Roman's Empire Academy - https://roman-empire-academy.teachable.com/?preview=logged_out Roman's Podcast - https://buildingromansempirepodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Roman's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/romanempire.cle/?hl=en

Lights, camera, action... and then what? In this episode of Watch Time, our host Bill Baraona interviews Josh Lawhorn, Lead Cinematographer and Editor at Flex Media again and we explore the often-overlooked world of the video post-production process so you can better understand what to expect when working with a video production professional. We know that many viewers hire professionals to create their video content, but they don't always understand the editing process, what goes on behind the scenes, why some projects cost more than others, and why editing can sometimes be a time-consuming task. We'll cover everything from how an editor starts and finishes their workflow to using video templates, and why some projects require special equipment and software. By the end of the episode, you'll have a better understanding of how the editing process works and why it can often be a time-consuming task. This knowledge will not only help you work better with your video production professional but also give you a greater appreciation for the time and effort that goes into creating a quality video.   Josh Lawhorn's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-lawhorn-a8348a191/  Josh Lawhorn's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joshuamlawhorn/ Flex Media's Team Page - https://flexmediacle.com/about-us   To watch the video version of our podcast check out Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

In this episode of Watch Time, our host Bill Baraona interviews Josh Lawhorn, Lead Cinematographer and Editor at Flex Media, to explore the video production process when working with a video marketing company. Josh shares his experiences and insights gained from his role as a main point person in the field. From staging equipment to capturing interviews and footage, this episode covers the basics of the production process, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at working with a video production company. This is a great episode to understand better what to expect before your production team arrives on site. Josh also gives excellent insight and considerations when picking locations for capturing interviews and b-roll. If you are in the process of hiring a video production professional for the first time or are looking to hire a company again this is a must listen to episode that will get you prepared before your team arrives on site.   Josh Lawhorn's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-lawhorn-a8348a191/  Josh Lawhorn's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joshuamlawhorn/ Flex Media's Team Page - https://flexmediacle.com/about-us   To watch the video version of our podcast check out Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

In this episode of Watch Time, host Bill Baraona and our returning special guest Najada Davis discuss the wide range of pricing in video production. They explore why some video services cost more than others and how to determine how much your next production could cost. Najada shares insights from his experience running his own video production company, and working with other production companies, and companies in the film industry. Tune in to learn how video production and film industry professionals determine price so you can be more informed the next time you hire a pro to work on your video project.   To watch the video version of our podcast check out Flexmediacle.com/watchtime

In this episode of Watch Time, special guest Najada Davis shares his expertise on lighting and its role in telling a compelling story. This is a must-watch episode for anyone unsure of the role lighting plays in the video production process and who wants to understand better how it is an essential tool for storytellers. As Najada explains, the importance of lighting in video production goes beyond simply illuminating the subject. Lighting can help shape the tone and mood of the video, and can even influence how the audience perceives the subject. In order to create high-quality video content that is consumable and presents the brand in the best possible light, it's essential to invest in the proper lighting equipment and expertise. Najada and host Bill Baroana will also break down the common questions and misconceptions around the role of lighting in video production, and provide practical tips and tricks for achieving a professional look and feel in your own videos. Whether you're new to video production, trying to gain more insight prior to highering a professsional or looking to take your DIY content to the next level, this episode of Watch Time is a must-listen for anyone interested in the power of lighting in visual storytelling. To watch the video version of our podcast check out Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

In this episode of Watch Time, Kathie Taylor and Bill Baraona discuss why video doesn't have to be as expensive as you might think. While past episodes have explored why video can be costly, Kathie and Bill explain that there are options for creating high-quality video content without breaking the bank. They discuss DIY videos and offer tips on using your phone, a tripod, and affordable microphones to improve the quality of your videos. They also suggest filming a series of videos in a studio like theirs, where the equipment is already on-site, and it doesn't require as much staff to set up. They discuss the versatility of a studio setting, which allows for customizable backdrops and stock footage or personal photographs if you are looking for ways to create cost-effective video content for your business then you won't want to miss this episode!  To watch the video version of our podcast check out Flexmediacle.com/watchtime  

In this episode, Bill and Kathie discuss the top three fears that businesses have when it comes to creating video content. Whether it's the fear of being on camera, the fear of not having enough resources, or the fear of not getting a return on investment, these concerns can hold businesses back from taking advantage of the powerful tool that is video. But fear not! Bill and Kathie share their insights and tips for overcoming these fears and creating compelling video content that resonates with your audience. From finding the right video production team to crafting engaging scripts, they provide practical advice that can help any business get started with video marketing. So sit back, relax, and get ready to conquer your fears and take your business to the next level with video. To watch the video version of our podcast check out Flexmediacle.com/watchtime

Are you curious about what goes into creating a video? Have you ever thought about working with a video production or video marketing company, but don't know where to start? In this episode of Watch Time, we explore the video creation process and what to expect when working with a company like Flex Media. From the initial discovery meeting to the final delivery and implementation, we'll guide you through each step of the process. Join us as we explore video strategy, pre-production, on-site production, post-production, and more. Whether this is your first time navigating the video creation process or you've worked with a video marketing company before, we'll show you how Flex Media handles each stage to ensure you know what to expect the next time your company creates a video.

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Cermak, founder of Trade Show University, to discuss how exhibitors and show organizers can maximize their ROI at trade shows through effective video marketing. With over 30 years of experience in planning and exhibiting at trade shows, Jim knows the ins and outs of this powerful marketing tool. He'll be discussing the common mistakes companies make when investing in trade show marekting and how to avoid leaving money on the table. Jim will also be sharing his tips for creating attention-grabbing videos that not only draw in attendees, but also effectively convey your messaging. If you're looking to up your game at trade shows and see a better return on investment, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to learn from Jim's wealth of experience and expertise in the trade show industry. Links from the Show: Trade Show University - https://tradeshowu.biz Trade Show U LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/trade-show-university-podcast/ Jim's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcermak/   #TradeShowTips #TradeShowMarketing #VideoMarketing  #Videostrategy