We blasted through a lot of information on the first day of the Training Course and I’d love to hear your feedback and discuss this topic. Let’s use this space to discuss demo reels and any other promotional related topics.
More to come in Day 2! Thanks for coming along.
Barry
RSS
40 responses so far ↓
1 Jerry
I used to like looking at my video but now I’m thinking it’s got some problems. My best stuff happens at 7:10 and what leads up to it isn’t exactly talking about whats in it for them. I have some new footage and I think I can do a 4 minute video using what I learned in this video. Thanks, bro.
2 Bryan
I understand the need for the short and sweet version of your promo reel but I’ve heard that you also need an additional video that shows your entire show uncut and raw. Do you really need this video? Are the producers and clients really gonna watch your whole show if they barely make it through 3-5 mins?
3 Corporate Juggler
yeah! Record one copy of your show even if it’s a shorter version. If you have the full version that’s the best. It doesn’t have to look perfect, but many bookers will watch when they have already booked you to check for vulgarity or sound issues or to get final approval right before you’re booked.
4 admin
Hey Bryan,
I can count on one hand the number of times a prospect has asked to see a reel of the full-length show. I have a lot to share on this topic but the quick answer is not to sweat it. And if you do have one, don’t offer it up too quickly! Save it for when you are asked for it. Even then, kindly ask WHY they need to see the entire show – is it to show to a bigger group? Help one person who isn’t getting it? If they like you after watching your short demo, then the long tape has to be FANTASTIC for them to like you more.
On Day 6 I talk about something way more powerful than a longer video.
Here’s the deal… if you aren’t selling them on the short, well-edited version, a longer, non-edited one ain’t going to offer any magic bullet. You have nothing to lose by being real tight with that full-length version of your show on video.
Let’s face it, how many full-length shows play well on video? It’s probably not edited well (if at all) and a room of people judging you on a flat screen picture without hearing the audience’s response (which is rarely recorded) isn’t going to show you in the best light. Seriously, hold out on making that video available.
5 Atta Boy Steve
Barry (and others),
What are the merits and pitfalls of publishing online (YouTube and such)? Is there an issue that YouTube actually suggests competition (by offering “similar” videos? Does YouTube do you any good?
Steve
6 admin
Hi Steve,
YouTube is the best thing that ever happened to the likes of us. It takes away the power of “The Man” and puts it squarely in our own hands. Yep – if you had a great idea back in the ’80s or ’90s you had to jump through all sorts of hoops to get anyone besides your live audiences to see it. With the introduction of online publishing, you can have a great idea and people all over the world can be watching it (and sharing it!) within minutes.
But – always the but – that power has a cost. It takes away one of the greatest excuses acts have used for decades – “I just can’t get a break!”. That’s over. Done.
Seriously, if you have something that could make you famous if only you could get on TV – forget TV! You can be in people’s homes, offices, and on their phones!
Think of all the viral videos you’ve seen in 2008. It has been an incredible year for that particular piece of the internet pie. And 2009 is going to be bigger and better.
Competition, yeah, it’s always there. Be tight in your editing. Make sure every second on the screen offers something for the viewer and you aren’t wasting their time. Be creative and you won’t have to worry about competition.
I’m going to post an article here tomorrow called ‘Think Local’ and it’ll tie into this real well.
Thanks for the question… Atta Boy, Steve!
7 admin
Jerry,
Missed your entry up there… sorry about that.
Good catch on your late arrival of the ‘good stuff’ and on the lack of ‘what’s in it for them’. I’m glad you watched that lesson and took it to heart… keep doing that stuff!
And, if you can get your video from +7:10 down to 4 I want to see it! Send both versions, will ya? I’d love to post them here as a case study.
Which reminds me, I’m planning another live video review here for next week… anyone want to volunteer up their demo?
Barry
8 Marcus
Three Questions
Right now I have a 2 minute promo video. My plan is to have the promo video and then 3 or 4 other videos of specific routines which will be 3-5 minutes each. Now I only have the promo video but that is what I am working on and will eventually have. My thought behind this is the promo video is short enough that people will watch the whole thing not get bored and get an idea of what my show is like. Then the other videos will be for people who like what they see but want to see more of the show.
1. Would it be better for me just to have one promo video and have it longer?
The level I am at right now it is seldom that I am on a stage that I want film of. So when I get the chance to perform on a nice stage I make sure I get it on film. I will be doing a nice corporate show this week and I am planning on filming that. The fear I have is that if I have a CEO or VP on film they wont want me to use it on my promo video.
2. Are there any issues I need to worry about of using video of my show which have volunteers in it and do I need to get the volunteers permission to use footage of them in my promo videos?
I don’t have a ton of money to pay a professional to come film and then edit my footage.
3. What is the best way to get professional looking promo video without spending a ton of money or is it possible?
9 admin
Hi Marcus,
We are planning a teleseminar for just after new year’s day and it will be announced. During that call we’ll have a section on videos. Here are some quick answers to your questions:
1. Only make it longer if it engages the conversation in the prospect’s mind. Don’t make it longer just to show more tricks.
2. I have never asked for permission and have never had a problem. I always have clients provide me the footage so they are obviously comfortable with me having it. One time I was given the footage to an event I did and the parts with their peeps were cut out. The message was clear.
3. Call up a film or production department of a local university… you’ll have people FIGHTING over the chance to do it for you for free.
The teleseminar is going to be awesome and it’ll go into more depth on all the great questions people asked.
Barry
10 Marcus
Thanks Barry,
Those answers help a lot but my biggest question is, Is having more than one video a good idea?
Marcus
11 admin
You bet, Marcus!
See #1 above… that’s the answer to your question. Don’t give prospects anything unless it engages the conversation in their mind which is: What’s In This For Me?
Barry
12 Marcus
thanks
13 Chris
If you’re still looking for a video volunteer, I’ll do it!
I think I’d like to use this one:
14 Henrik
I’d be happy to share our video for further critique
15 Veronica
Hi,
Great tips and advice day 1! it inspired us to have another look at our clip and as a result have cut our promo video down from 7.30 minutes to 3.19!
We have been doing lots of street theatre but are looking at getting into some coporate gigs as well. Trouble is, like a lot of people (it seems) its hard to get decent footage of our shows. We’ve made a mixed clip of Mario doing a indoor coporate gig and mixed it with some street clips. We know we can get better and its a work in progress. Thanks for tips and advice so far. Its great having a guide through all the potential pitfalls!! Looking forward to more….
Veronica
16 admin
Congratulations on cutting your reel down to an extremely respectable length… I haven’t seen the result but if you were able to preserve the integrity of what you do and keep it moving, A++!!
What I want to tell everyone about footage is that it’s really hard to get ‘perfect’ footage. No doubt, it’s the challenge we all have. Every once in a while we will all get lucky. If your video shows the client what you do and they want you, you’ll get the gig.
Don’t wait around for the great footage! You’ll get a case of Analysis Paralysis and a year from now you’ll have the same video and the same gigs.
Obviously no one is going to get a $15,000 corporate gig if their demo was shot at a $1,000 show. Can you use that video to get a $2,500 gig? Hell yeah! It’s about taking steps and moving up over the next year, two years and getting the demo, the promo, and the presentation. These elements must grow symbiotically. Know this going in and work to create the best video you can from the footage you can get and always aim for the next step.
Thanks for all the comments Veronica… I’m really happy you’re getting a lot from the course. Stick with it for the next 6 days and you’ll be miles ahead of most of the people trying to work corporate entertainment.
Barry
17 Darren Marlar
WOW. This is all such common sense stuff that just never occurred to me. I’m a radio veteran, and have been in the position of Program Director – in charge of hiring radio personalities for the station I was managing. Many of these tips are exactly what I was looking for in an audio demo from an aspiring employee. If it didn’t grab me within thirty seconds I probably hit the “OFF” button on the cassette tape… and placed it in the “recycle” pile. I had to be dazzled right up front. Why this never came to mind when it came to creating my own comedy demo just dumbfounds me. Thank you SO MUCH for this!!! I’ll be hopefully doing a video recording in the next couple of months and I am going to MANDATE my producer take your suggestions!
18 Barry
That rocks, Darren. Glad the message connected with you.
You really nailed something in your comment… what things are we all subconsciously aware of yet don’t apply to our own business? Your comment gets me thinking. Thanks.
19 Gabriel Q
Barry,
This course dropped onto me at a perfect time. I’ve been learning a lot by stumbling and have humble gratitude for all this practical wisdom!
My question today is, Do I remove my contact information from my online and reel materials? Some agents I’ve worked with have been “unable” to share my materials with clients because the clients could then contact me directly. Is there a common practice here like duplicate materials with and without contact info? I’m wondering how that would work for instance on UTUBE movies.
thanks,
Gabriel
20 Barry
Hey Gabriel,
When the student is ready the website will appear – modern day twist of an old adage.
I stumbled for the first 10 years in this market and would have given anything for a guiding light so I hear what you’re saying.
Quick answer on the video, because I have a whole article and interview about this in the membership site: yep – take your contact info off your videos. No one in a position to pitch you to their clients will touch any promo that is branded with a 10′ pole.
Keep doing the lessons…
Barry
21 Lothar
Hey Barry, can I send you my printed promo for your critique?
22 Barry
You bet, Lothar! I’ll email you my address.
23 Jeffrey Daymont
I’ve found some nice advantages using DVDs we couldn’t do with VHS cassettes. In a DVD menu I have my 5 minute promo reel plus an option to click on ‘Routines and Extras’. In that section I have edited versions of specific routines that I can direct certain clients to if I want to show them something specific. A better choice may be to have the video play automatically with the menu to follow so the producer won’t have to take the time to click on the menu to watch it. I’ve also made a video version of my resume and Bio that they can watch. I haven’t had any feedback if it helps or not, but I don’t think it could hurt.
Also I understand that you can get blank DVDs printed with your artwork. Then as your video footage improves you can burn new DVDs as you need them.
24 James Sanden
Barry,
First, thanks for the first lesson. It got me to thinking about my promo video, which is a good thing. I put a lot of work into it previously, including bringing it down from over 8 minutes to 5 minutes. However, I haven’t looked at it from the perspective that you talk about in the Day 1 lesson. With so much to do to build my business, my question is should I spend serious time retooling it right now, or is it sufficient for now and I should just focus on adding in better footage over time as I get it from corporate gigs as I have the opportunity? The link to it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2I3aJXefLY
25 Barry
James! I like this reel. You are hilarious and irreverent and it really works for you. I haven’t made it through a 5-minute demo in a long time.
That said, there is no reason that this reel can’t be 3 minutes and have even more impact.
I wouldn’t recommend spending much time retooling that reel. Work on building your relationships with producers and put your time, energy, money into the 20% that are making you 80% of your money.
Thanks for the comments. Hope to see you around.
Barry
26 James Sanden
Barry,
Thanks for the kind feedback! That’s very reassuring! I’ll definitely keep honing the video, but will put my time and energy in building relationships. That’s a major focus for me right now and I am anxious to utilize your tips to assist me in that process!
Thanks,
James
27 Olivier
Hi Barry,
Thanks for the motivation you’re giving.
I’m working on my video as well as on my website. Hope to see some new dates coming from it.
From what I know,the french market for corporate events is ruled by agencies that hire artists to build a show around an event, meaning who’s the artist is not important. But your advices totally apply for the festivals I’m trying to get.
More to come,
I’m really pleased I found your website barry.
28 Olivier
oh, I’ll be very busy over the next days, is it possible to watch the rest of the lessons later ?
29 Barry
Oliver,
Watch the lessons at your convenience. I’d love for you to spend 6 months on actually DOING what they teach, instead of watching them all in 7 days and doing nothing.
Good luck!
30 Jezza Screen
Hi Barry,
Absolutely awesome stuff here!!! I have self promoted for many many yrs now and most of the time had great ideas but couldn’t put them into action through lack of funds. You’ve made it much easier and way more accessible, and also your 7 day course mentions one of my goldn rules…Turn a dream into a plan,then action it.
My showreel atm is only a few mins long but I personally feel it could be much better.Luckily I got some students to film me last yr for their uni course work so I’ve been given 16 hrs of footage that I now gotta sift through to make it short and direct.
Here is the link to my youtube : http://www.youtube.com/user/JezzaScreen
Plus there are a few others on there. Please feel free to send me your thoughts, on what and how I should make my new one different (this one was done professionally).
Also here’s a link to my site: http://www.jezzascreen.co.uk it does req flash but i’m sure it’s been done in html also. I hope that I got most things covered on there after looking at the 7 day course I was thinking wow,thats a lot coverd on my site already;o)
Your feedback is very muchly appreciated along with needed. NOW is the time to move forwards using this site,ty ty ty for starting this motion!!
Best wishes and kindest regards to all
Jezza
31 Barry
Jezza,
Great to hear from you. So glad you are getting a lot from the 7-Day course. Keep digging… love your video and your website. I think both could be more client focused – right now the video is like a TV special about you – problem is that clients don’t really care about us – they care about them
Hope you stick around… come onto the community site when it makes sense… lots going on in there.
Best,
Barry
32 Irina
Hi, Barry, I am a face-painter by trade – it’s really between art and entertainment, and I wonder – do I need a promo video? And how do I make a short one? It takes at least 3 minutes to paint a face from start to finish – shall I just have 10 seconds of me painting somebody and then have whole bunch of pictures of painted faces changing in some funky way? I have whole bunch of my videos on youtube – I just give a video-camera to parents and ask them to videotape while I am painting their kids – but they were never intended for corporate promos…I am thinking my best bet will be making a video as a collage of photographs changing with some New Orleans music. Any suggestions? Thank you so much for the free webinar, it gives me whole new perspective – I never even though to add key words “corporate entertainer” to my web-site or any social media, I just push ‘New Orleans face-painter” assuming that this is what clients are looking for…I really should re-think my strategy…Thanks again!
33 Bruce
Hello! I am really impressed with what you have put together here. Thank you. I have been doing shows for over 20 yrs now but never put a whole lot into promoting myself until lately.
I am curious to your thoughts on my demo. It is aimed for festivals and fairs and any outside events. After reviewing lesson 1, i already have some changes in mind.
Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0yKfQoB96Y
Thanks
Bruce
34 Barry
Hi Bruce,
You have been working a long time – wonder why we’ve never met. Looks like a fun time you give people. What market are you most interested in working? This tape is all about festivals and then there is the buzz word ‘corporate’ tossed onto one of the pages.
I’d advise shortening it a bit (there are a few things shown repeatedly) and adding a voice over to really guide the buyer where you want them. It’s so effective – yes, even more effective than Mission Impossible
Glad you are getting some good out of the course.
Wishing you the best,
Barry
35 Barry
Irina,
Important to find out what market exactly you are speaking to. A promo video – yeah! Very important unless you are one of the blessed souls that just has so much referral business you don’t need to market.
There is a place for face painting at special events – not a big corporate meetings in my experience, however I wouldn’t let that stop you from chasing any market you feel you can serve.
I’d be interested in knowing what markets you would like to step into? That would be interesting to see where you can take this art that has traditionally been a staple of fairs, festivals, and parties.
Dream your biggest dream!
Barry
36 Sandy
I am so glad I found this course and can’t wait for the rest of the 6 days! We have a few “promo” videos. And you are so right Barry, the WII-FM “station” needs to always be tuned in. It is so critical to “paint the picture” for the audience to visualize how the show will relate to his/her group.
We actually have 3 promo’s; one for general show, one for the corporate market & one for schools. I would love to share the link but not sure if it’s allowed on the blog. Let me know (as it’s a different site than the website I put above).
Again, I am so excited to find this resource since I am not the entertainer…I am the business support behind the scenes and need to get the group to the next level. Barry…you’re just what I’ve been looking for!
Sandy
37 Toni
Can’t wait to get day 2. I had thought about creating a demo but now I know exactly what I want it to be like. Thanks!
38 Barry
Sandy – take that enthusiasm and channel it directly into the act you are supporting. I’m so happy you found us, too!
Sure – post your site. Would love to take a look at it.
Barry
39 Barry
Hi Toni,
So glad that Lesson 1 got you on track for your promo video. It’s really counter-intuitive to make a video that serves the client when we are just so darn good!
Good luck… keep going with the course.
Barry
40 Peter
Hey Barry can I send you a link to my promo reel? It would be great if you could to have an experienced eye look over it!
Thanks!
Pete
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