Sticky Sheep

“Where are your videos? “ – Me

“We really want to make some.” – Client

“Okay?” – Me

“We don’t have the right camera.” – Client (Excuse 1)

“We don’t have the money for a professional.” (Excuse 2)

“We need better software.” (Excuse 3)

I could go on and on, but you get the point.  Gavin recently wrote about giving up control.  Video is another great example of being able to let go.

Think of some of the top videos you have seen on YouTube.  Odds are they were not professionally done at all. In fact, many of the videos you remember were done on shaky, hand-held cameras by amateurs.

In some ways, the amateur quality of the videos leads to more credence. If people wanted quality video, they would watch commercials. We like casual and personal. Amateur often equals honesty, or at least in perception.

In Messy Spirituality, author Mike Yaconelli discusses how the need for perfection has spoiled many churches. They have a tendency to maintain control of everything and every message. Mike is bothered my “strategic plans”, “mission statements” and anything else that works out to being adult permission slips.

In one example, Mike refers to a church complaining because the “Jones Memorial Carpet” has a stain on it from the youth group.  As he states any church worth their salt should say with excitement, “You’re not going to believe this! The Jones Memorial Carpet has only been there 2 years and it’s worn out. Woo Hoo!”

It’s okay to be “Messy”, as Yaconelli puts it. It’s okay to be imperfect.  Celebrate your messiness and imperfections in life and in business.

The best way to not offend anyone is to not do anything.  Unfortunately, that is how a lot of people treat video marketing.

It’s not to say you should intentionally make bad videos.  Viewers can see right through that as well. What I am saying is being honest. Just don’t wait for perfection. If you have a small hand-held camera, then use that. If you have a videographer on-staff then use that.

Let your messiness shine … and your customers will appreciate you for it.

Written by John Ellis

John Ellis is a frequent online marketing industry speaker and blogger. He can also be found at www.JohnWEllis.com discussing search engine marketing ... (more)

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