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People want to do business with people they know, like, and trust and an authentic video backed up by handfuls of testimonials is one of the strongest ways to create that bond online.

The Client
The soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Watson are a lovely couple that will be tying the knot on August 29, 2009. Both are Indiana natives who have recently relocated to sunny San Diego.
The Project
This video was created to announce the couple’s engagement and wedding plans in a new and exciting way. Because they’re new to San Diego and their friends and family are several states away, they wanted an interactive way to share their announcement online through their social media accounts and email.
The Result
The final product is a 2 minute micro-documentary that gives a unique insight into the couple’s relationship and a reflection of their personalities. The video has been a big hit with friends and family and has helped build more excitement for the big day.

Sure they’re cute, fun, and can make you feel at home, but at the same time they’re making everything in your house (including you) smell, they’re shedding everywhere, and they’re keeping people like me from coming over and visiting.

I have a few friends that have cats and it’s a real shame for both of us. I want to spend more time with them and grow our relationship, but they’re not making it easy to do so. Sure we can go out to eat, go to the movies, etc., but after a while the costs start adding up. We can talk on the phone, but that’s usually brief or a game of phone tag and not my preferred choice of communication. If my friend wants to spend time with me, but only gives me the option of going over to their house, it’s not going to happen.

So what do my cat owning friends have to do with business?

Friendships and business are the same really, they’re both relationships. The easier you make it to develop that relationship, the more likely it’s going to grow.

So the question is, does your business have a cat? Something that you’re used to, you’re comfortable with, or maybe even enjoy that might be keeping others from doing business with you?

Maybe it’s your less than generous return policy, your store hours that don’t make sense, your outdated website, or your customer service, but like the cat owner covered in cat hair, there’s probably something you’re not paying attention to that is keeping valuable customers from doing business with you.

Whatever it is, you’re used to it and probably don’t notice it so ask your customers. Your regular customers have probably noticed and your former customers most definitely have, so ask them what you’re currently doing that is making doing business with you more difficult than it should be.

I’m positive they’ll have the right answers.

The Client
The television show Fanatical is a documentary-style series celebrating television fans across North America for TVtropolis, a Canadian Television Network.
The Project
For this particular episode New Focal Media Producer, Christopher Francis, served as the Director of Photography. The episode tells the story of how Abby and Joe Alterio met, fell in love, and married all thanks to their Monkees fandom.
The Result
The final product is an entertaining half hour episode full of stories, collections, and unique facts about The Monkees TV show that aired across Canada.

Are you currently doing work that is taking you closer to your goal or are you practicing the piano in order to play professional football? What can you do today that will put you closer to your goal?

Never ignore it!

When you open up a dialogue between your organization and your audience you are bound to get negative feedback, it doesn’t matter how perfect your product or company is. What you do with that negative feedback can echo across the globe in a matter of seconds and leave a much longer lasting impression. If and when this inevitably happens the best thing you can do is join the conversation and tackle it head on. If you messed up, admit it and make things right. If someone has a complaint, even if it is a misinformed one, don’t obsess about defending yourself, instead calmly offer solutions to the perceived problem.

The other day Lebron James, arguably the best basketball player in the world, got dunked on by a college kid (who used to play in Indiana I might add) the other day. Two cameramen video taped it, but Nike and Lebron confiscated the tapes so his reputation wouldn’t get damaged. Now, instead of a YouTube video of the dunk being the talk of the town for a day or two and then forgotten, the whole controversy of the confiscation and ensuing coverup is creating an even bigger stir. We’ll see what Lebron and Nike end up doing with the video, but the longer they try to sweep it under the rug, the more damage they will be doing to their image and brand.

Watch some of the controversy below and see how negative the reaction is across the media:

The other night I had a question about my business and really wished I could talk to Seth and ask him.  After about five seconds I thought, well I’ll just email him.  Now keep in mind this is an author that practically lives on the New York Times Bestseller List, has one of the most popular blogs on the internet, and is highly sought after.  However, I figured I had nothing to lose so I sent him a brief email around 11:45pm west coast time.  The next morning I woke up and checked my email.  At 3:49am (6:49am his time) I had already received a personal email straight from him answering my question.

Based on his writings I expected him to respond, but when he actually did I was still surprised.  He probably has the same amount of emails coming to him as my local congressperson and by just taking a minute of time and giving it to me not only did he prove why politicians have high disapproval ratings, he also increased my motivation to tell everyone I know about the experience and recommending his books and website.  In fact, go to his website right now: www.sethgodin.com.