The Research That Goes into Marketing

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Marketing companies are constantly researching to find new trends, come up with better strategies, and create more consumers in order to keep up with the ever-evolving advertising industry. There is a ton of research that goes into effective marketing (more than most people may have thought was necessary), and it is all crucial in providing your client’s — as well as your agency — with the tools necessary to succeed and stand out from the competition.

Research is the key ingredient found in quality content, successful marketing strategies, and effective campaigns. Without it, you’re bound to create something that won’t resonate with consumers. Here is just how much research marketing companies have to do in order to stay at the top of their game.

Primary Research

This is one of the two main types of research that these marketing companies conduct. Primary research is firsthand information that reflects your customers and your market. Primary research can be conducted through organized events such as focus groups, online surveys and phone interviews. As a result, the newfound research provides fresh details on the challenges and interests that your buyers have.

Within primary research are two categories, exploratory and specific. These subcategories are extremely useful when your brand is segmenting your market and establishing your buyer personas. The two seperate types are defined below.

Exploratory Research:  This type of primary research tends to focus more on potential problems that would be worth tackling as a tea, rather than focusing on measurable customer trends. This is usually the first step that marketing companies take before any specific research is conducted. It can involve open-ended interviews or small surveys.

Specific Research: This type of research follows exploratory research and is used by marketing companies to look into issues or opportunities that the company has already identified as important. Specific research helps businesses take smaller and more precise segments of their audience.

Secondary Research

Secondary research comes from data and public records that you have access to and use to draw conclusions. Trend reports, market statistics, industry content, and sales data are good examples of secondary research.

When it comes to analyzing your competitors, secondary research is the best form of research. There are three subcategories to secondary research that marketing companies utilize:

Public Sources: These are the first and most accessible form of material that marketing companies will look at when conducting secondary market research. Public sources of secondary information including facts and statistics from sites such as the U.S. Census Bureau¾ basically, any reputable site that can offer helpful and factual information.

Commercial Sources: These sources come in the form of market reports that consists of industry insight that is compiled by research agencies. This information is portable and distributable, but typically costs money to download and obtain.

Internal Sources: This form of research is something that you might already have in-house. Internal sources include the average revenue per sale, customer retention rates, and other historical data.

Marketing companies use these types of research to help clients succeed in competitive industries, and as you can see, it’s so much more than just googling your topic and reading an article about it. If you’re in need of a marketing agency to help your brand do extensive research to create an efficient marketing campaign, make sure to check us out here at Fusion 360 Studios.

Creating Emotions in Video

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Although it’s easy to grab someone’s attention with any type of video, one tricky part of video marketing is keeping a viewers attention. One key element in creating a “viral” (or rememberable) video is emotion. If a viewer feels some type of emotion while watching your video, chances are they are going to engage with your content and share it with their friends. So this begs the question, how do you create emotion in a video?

Video production companies are experts at sparking emotion with their content. Although creating emotion can be difficult when creating an advertisement and trying to sell a product, it is possible. Here are a few tips that video production companies use to create emotion in videos.

Tell a Story

A crucial aspect of creating emotion is telling a story. Without a story, you really can’t display any type of emotion in your video. Even if you are trying to make an ad, you have to tell some type of story. The best ads are the ones that don’t feel like ads. Depending on the type of video you are trying to make, the story you tell will vary. If you are trying to create an advertisement, tell a story of how the product or company helped out a specific individual. If you are making a brand film, tell the story of your company. Video production companies can help you come up with the right story to tell in your video.

Decide Which Emotion to Evoke

Emotion is a pretty broad word. There are lots of different emotions a person can feel, and you have to decide which emotion you want to evoke in your audience. Different emotions can cause different reactions. If you are looking to drive awareness with your video, the most impactful emotions will be:

  • Amusement
  • Interest
  • Surprise
  • Happiness
  • Delight
  • Pleasure
  • Joy
  • Hope
  • Affection
  • Excitement

However, if you are looking to drive conversion, you probably want to tap into some deeper emotions or even desires. Here are a few deeper emotions to look into:

  • Desire for control
  • Desire to belong
  • Love and romance
  • Desire to be smarter
  • Power and dominance
  • Family values
  • Desire to get/be the best

Figuring out which emotion to play out all depends on your audience as well as your brand. The best way to decide on which emotion to choose is by finding what your audience’s interests and desires are. Once you do this, then you are ready to build a story full of emotion based on what you find.

Add the Right Music

Music sets the tone of any video. The music you choose can make or break your video, as well as determining the emotion your audience will feel while watching your film. If you are trying to create a happy, light-hearted video, chances are you won’t choose a slow, sad song to play in the background. Video production companies spend a good amount of time finding the right music to add to their films.

When looking for music to add to your video, think about if there are any mood or emotion changes that occur. If your video starts out more sad and turns happy, a music transition can be the perfect addition to help your viewer feel that shift.

By creating emotion in your video, you can ensure that your video will be remembered by almost all who see it. You can connect with your audience and create a lasting relationship just through one video. To get started on an emotional, storytelling video for your company, contact Fusion 360, an award-winning video production company.

Exploring Non-Traditional Social Media Platforms

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Marketing companies are constantly trying to figure out new methods of utilizing popular social media platforms to boost clients’ numbers. Whether that be in sales or engagement, these marketing companies know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, but there are still some platforms out there that aren’t being given the attention that they deserve.

When the popular social media platforms aren’t doing enough for your brand or you feel that the market on them is oversaturated, your company should turn to some non-traditional sites and apps that could help boost your online presence. Here are just a few different platforms you can explore.

Quora

Quora is one of the most popular Q&A services around and while it may not seem like something that marketing companies should be using to market themselves, there are a few ways you can utilize the site to amass a larger online presence.

Brands can use Quora to create content ideas, interact with audiences on questions that are specific to the brand’s industry, and most importantly to establish authority.

Monthly, 775,000 people use Quora to ask questions about things that are important to them. If your company has the answers to these questions, you can answer them and gain the trust of potential consumers.

Reddit

This platform is regarded as the front page of the internet, and for good reason. With thousands of subreddits, you can find everything on this site. It’s also worth noting that the platform attracts 164 million unique visitors every month.

Using Reddit is simple, all you have to do is create a genuine profile and follow and interact with subreddits that are within your brand’s industry. For example, if you’re a car detailing company, you might want to subscribe to various auto threads.

Google+

Google+ has grown dramatically and now boasts an impressive 250 million users. Though many see this platform as a direct competitor to Facebook, it’s so much more than that. Marketing companies can use Google+ to upload photos, vote on content they like, watch videos, share blogs and links and even watch full-length films.

Mix

Formerly known as StumbleUpon, Mix is a social media bookmarking platform that allows users to “like” websites and add them to their individual profiles. Marketing companies can benefit from this platform in the sense that their client’s websites, as well as their own, can gain a good amount of attention if others add the sites to their profiles. There are over 30 million users on Mix, and like other social media platforms, it continues to grow.

These are good examples of non-traditional social media platforms that can benefit your company if your business gives them a chance. If you’re looking to explore new options when it comes to marketing your brand, contact us at Fusion 360.

The Best Platform for Your Business and Target Demographic

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From helping brands keep in touch with their audience to promoting themselves to more potential consumers, the only way that your company can truly succeed in today’s market is by taking the initiative in creating a strong online presence; marketing companies exist to help brands, no matter how big or how small, build brand recognition and a solid reputation.

So, where exactly do you start when it comes to making your online presence known?

Well, the first step is deciding what social media platform is going to work best for your business. Marketing companies will do all the research necessary to help you identify your preferred and most efficient platform. Here is a quick guide to finding the best social media platform for you.

Facebook

With over two million users, Facebook lets users share text, images, videos, articles and links to other forms of content. The social media giant has a strong presence in 137 countries and beats out all other social networks in 127 of them, making it a strong candidate for your social media go-to. Of course, it’s also important to take demographics into account. About 60 percent of the Facebook population are females, while about 40 percent are male. Further studies show that 65 percent of those users are over the age of 35.

So, if your brand is attempting to reach a more mature demographic, Facebook might be your best bet.

Instagram

Instagram will introduce your brand to a much younger demographic and primarily focuses on the sharing of photos and videos. The amazing thing about Instagram is that there are more than 500 million daily users, which makes this platform perfect for brand recognition. But just because there is an abundance of users doesn’t mean that your brand is going to see quick results. You have to be smart about posting content and know what demographic you’re attempting to target.

Marketing companies have come up with some numbers that show 72 percent of teenagers use Instagram, while adult users reached 35 percent in 2018. It is also worth noting that young adults users total 71 percent of all users. If you’re targeting a younger demographic, Instagram should be your primary focus.

Twitter

Facebook has cemented itself as a hybrid platform where users can share text, photos and videos, while Instagram has taken text out of the equation. Another semi-hybrid platform you should look into is Twitter. While the platform is primarily text-focused, users can still share videos and photos on the platform, making it a versatile option for marketing companies.

Twitter has a more mixed demographic, with 40 percent of users being between the ages of 18 and 29, and another 43 percent being between 30 and 49 years old. Marketing companies can be sure to find their fair share of older and younger consumers.

All of these platforms bring their own unique strengths, and it might be a wise move to utilize various different platforms when it comes to marketing your brand. However, you should analyze what platform your demographic spends the most time on and make it your primary focus. If you’re looking at marketing companies as a way to simplify the process of narrowing down what platform works best for you, make sure to give us a call here at Fusion 360 Studios.

Advertising Methods You Should be Using

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Advertising is always changing, and marketing companies know that to stay relevant in today’s industry, they have to be able to keep up with those changes. While there are staple methods that don’t change much, things like social media algorithms are constantly evolving, making it hard for marketing companies to thrive if they keep producing the same content and using the same strategies.

If your brand has been struggling to see results, you might want to take a step back and reconsider your current marketing strategy. Marketing companies can help you out and they’ll most likely recommend that you use a few of these advertising methods.

Use Banner and Display Ads

In a time where video is dominating the market, some marketing companies might forget that static, visual content like banners and display ads can still produce serious results. These types of ads are an extension of search ads and follow a PPC model, however, instead of text-based ads, users are presented with a more visual advertisement. If marketing companies have talented graphic designers, this is a sure way to drive more traffic to your client’s site by providing consumers with fresh visual content.

Try Appealing to Emotions

Commercials by organizations like The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), tend to appeal to consumers’ feelings. Though some of the commercials might be hard to watch, they tug at your heartstrings and make you more likely to donate to the organization.

This example is used to emphasize the fact that people rely heavily on emotion just as much as they do research. Marketing companies cannot forget about this. If you’re looking to mix up your advertising approach, try creating content that might emotionally appeal to your audience.

Give the Bandwagon Effect a Go

It’s human nature for people to want to fit in, so if someone sees a group of people using a specific service or buying a certain product, they’re more likely to invest in that service or product as well. For example, Maybelline has been established as “America’s Favorite Mascara” because their top-selling mascara is purchased every two seconds. If your brand can offer a top-quality product or service and you come up with a solid marketing strategy, people will start spreading the word around and you’ll see the bandwagon effect in action.

If you don’t make an attempt to switch up your advertising game, you’ll soon find yourself falling behind. Marketing companies like Fusion 360 are here to help your brand come up with new strategies to help keep your brand relevant in an evolving industry.

Why You Need a Video Distribution Strategy

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Everyone knows just how important videos are when it comes to marketing, but do you know how to fully utilize your completed project to get the results that you’re looking for? Video production companies work hard to create high-quality videos that help brands reach new audiences and connect with their current consumers, but it takes more than just uploading your video to YouTube and Vimeo. This is why video production companies use what are called distribution strategies.

Distribution strategies are the reason marketing companies are so successful. The way that a company strategically distributes their content is what draws in audiences and keeps current ones loyal to your brand. If you’re looking to use video content to market your brand, here is why you need a video distribution strategy.

It Targets Your Users

Distribution strategies make it easier to target users that will potentially be interested in your content. It also helps your brand easily recognize what these potential viewers want to see, which helps video production companies create the perfect content tailored to those audiences.

When posting on social media, tools like Facebook’s Ad manager can help you target certain interests or likes so that you can build up an audience and increases your post engagement. You should also use SEO strategies to optimize your videos so that your search engine ranking rises.

You Can View Metrics

Outlining your metrics is essential in creating a solid distribution strategy. Once your video is posted online, you’ll use the metrics to gauge your videos’ success. While looking at the videos’ reach and engagement is important, you should also pay attention to stats such as the number of video starts, average view times, and the number of viewers.

You’ll Achieve Your Marketing Goals

Creating a distribution strategy also helps you achieve your marketing goals. Video production companies will always ask you what the main purpose of your video is, and that will determine what approach they will take in creating your video project. By creating a quality distribution strategy, you’ll be able to narrow down the appropriate platforms to post on.

Going Viral Takes Work

The most experienced video production companies know that going viral is a lot harder than it sounds; going viral isn’t a strategy, more so a goal. You have to ask yourself questions such as how you’re going to achieve that goal, how you’re going to reach your audience, and if you’ll use paid or earned media.

Creating a distribution strategy will help your brand grow indefinitely, and you’ll see an opening in your creative and communication channels. If you’re in need of a professional video production team to help you create a distribution strategy, give us a call here at Fusion 360 Studios.

Why Hiring a Video Production Company Sets Your Video Apart

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With millions of videos being uploaded online every single day, it can be difficult to know what tips and tricks to follow so your video gets noticed. You probably already know that videos are the king of online content, and have the ability to capture a viewers attention quickly. However, what can you do to keep that viewers attention?

Video production companies like us at Fusion 360 know all the secrets when it comes to creating video content. If you are getting ready to start a new marketing campaign and need some video content, here are a few reasons why hiring a video production company can set your video apart.

Storytellers

Video production companies aren’t just good with a camera and editing software, they have the ability to tell meaningful stories with their videos. A quality video producer will take the time to write a script and storyboard a video to make sure it tells the right story. The story doesn’t just have to be told through words though, a video producer can tell a story through the aesthetic of the video, the different shots they get, the music they put behind it, the colors and different editing techniques. In addition, they have the ability to make the subject feel comfortable and confident while on camera, which is something that can be difficult to do.

When your video tells a story, it gives it more of a purpose. Whether this is the story of your brand, a product or service or even a customer review, a video production company knows how to reach your audience’s emotion and keep them engaged in your content.

Constantly Changing Video Trends

If you choose to create your own videos, you might be missing out the new video trends. Video production companies are always staying on top of the new video trends. When you know what viewers are interested in and want to see, you can implement them into your own content and set your film apart from the competition.

Not only do video producers stay on top of video trends, but marketing trends as well. They know exactly how to reach their target audience and how to effectively market their video once it is posted online. It’s one thing to create a video and upload it to YouTube, but how are you going to get that video noticed by a larger audience?

Top of the Line Equipment

Video production equipment can get really pricey, especially if you want the best of the best products. When you hire a video production company, you ensure that you are getting the top of the line equipment without having to pay for each individual product.

High-quality equipment equals a high-quality final product. Wouldn’t you rather watch a video with beautiful cinematography and clear audio than a blurry or grainy video that sounds muffled? Part of having good, engaging content is making sure it looks polished and professional. Not to mention, high-quality content adds credibility to your company.
It really is in your best interest to hire a professional video production company to handle all your film needs. Not only will your video be set apart from the competition, but you will be saving yourself both time and money. If you have any video production questions or are ready to get started on some killer video content, give us a call here at Fusion 360!

How to Film a Stop Motion Video

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Video production companies utilize a variety of different video techniques to create the most engaging and visually appealing content possible for their clients. One of the most popular types of videos that video production companies tend to rely on when it comes to delivering a pleasing approach to visual data are stop motion videos. People tend to avoid these types of videos because they can be somewhat time-consuming, but if done properly they can be a creative approach to informational videos.

If your business hasn’t yet approached stop motion videos but you’re looking to ramp up your video production game, here are some tips to get you started.

Planning a Story

Just like any other video, you’re going to want to plan out your story. Video production companies will usually start this step by coming up with a purpose or objective for their video, and then the story tends to start flowing shortly after. Creating the story is going to be the first step in creating your storyboard, which is crucial in video production.

The beauty of stop motion videos is that you can use simple, everyday objects, an actual cast or you can get fancy with it and draw out your video content on a whiteboard or on paper.

Setting Up a Studio

The next step in creating a successful stop motion video is finding or creating a studio in which you will shoot the video. Video production companies like to set up indoors where they can utilize a stable surface to move the selected items around. Indoor lighting can be manipulated much easier than outdoor lighting can but it is important to have light balanced in the frame for the best result. Your studio can be something as simple as a table, solid colored backdrop, a soft-box or key light to create constant light and a tripod and camera set-up.

Shooting the Video

Once you have your story set and your studio ready, you can begin shooting your stop motion video. As mentioned before, you’re going to want a tripod setup for this type of video; you’re going to move the object around a lot and the camera cannot move! The tripod will ensure that your camera stays in the same position and that your final product looks flawless.
Video production companies like to shoot at higher frame rates so that the transitions look smoother, so you should aim to follow the same steps. In stop motion, slighter movements and more pictures make smoother animations — patience is going to be key.

Post-Production

When you’ve shot all of your scenes, you’re ready to start piecing them all together. Plug all your footage into your preferred editing software and start putting them together, making sure that the footage flows as smoothly as possible.

These tips will help you create smooth stop motion videos but if you feel like you need help creating the perfect video for your brand, contact us here at Fusion 360 Studios.

What Software Do Video Producers Use?

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Video content has come a long way and some of the videos we see today have incredibly beautiful cinematography. Although a good portion of a high-quality video is dependent on the camera you use, many of the video characteristics you see and love are done in the post-production phase. Editing is a crucial aspect of creating video content, even professional video production companies have to edit their footage to make it look as good as possible.

There’s a lot of different editing software out there, but there are a few common ones that most video production companies use. If you are looking for quality video editing software to use yourself, here are some of the best ones.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Premiere Pro is probably the most common video editing software and is known as the “industry standard.” Most video production companies are going to hire individuals who know the ins and outs of Premiere Pro, and bonus points if you know other Adobe programs like After Effects, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator or InDesign.

Why is Premiere Pro so common? Well, it’s compatible with both Mac and Windows machines and it has the best selection of video editing features. You have unlimited video tracks, 3D editing, 360º VR content and Multicam editing. Not to mention it’s fairly easy to learn, especially if you are familiar with other Adobe programs.

Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro is Apple’s top video editing software. Unfortunately, Final Cut Pro is only compatible on a Mac but if you use a Mac then Final Cut Pro will be your best friend. Because it was created by Apple, it syncs with your iTunes and Photos collection to help you import content. Video production companies love Final Cut Pro for this reason alone.

Some of the best features that Final Cut Pro offers are different effect options, simple ways to add and edit audio, and keyword tag media. Final Cut Pro is a great option for beginners and is very easy to learn. If you are a beginner and don’t want to spend the money on Final Cut Pro, Apple’s iMovie is very similar and free for Mac users.

Adobe After Effects

As popular as Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are, they can’t do everything. Adobe After Effects is a program for creating motion graphics. Once you create a motion graphic in After Effects, you can easily import it into Premiere Pro and add it to the rest of your video. Video production companies love to use motion graphics in their videos to display a logo or add some moving text.

By using these video editing software, you can create beautiful videos and really transform your online image. Video production companies like us at Fusion 360 can help you create an incredible video (or videos) to boost your online image and help you stand out amongst your competition. Contact us today to get started!