The 6-Step Process

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Step 1: Narration
Hotels

Narration

Step 1. The content of your business video can be greatly improved when it is based on marketing research. Biveo has conduced marketing research surveys for each industry. Your industry's survey results link can be found under the industry headline below. Also below is a list of interview questions and script template. Modify as needed. Scripts are more concise. Interviews are more natural and require less preparation.

Interview Approach

What to Do: Choose the questions that best suit your small business.

How it Works: The videographer asks the narrator the questions as if in an interview. The spoken questions, as well as "um"s and pauses are edited out later.

Hotels, Resorts & Rentals

Hotels, Vacation rentals, Hostels, Bed and Breakfasts

Hotel Survey Results: 14% of customers want owner narration in the video; 49% are indifferent; 37% do not want narration in the video.
Hotel Video Length Limit Average: 83 seconds (1:23)

Interview Questions

  • How would you describe your hotel and its location in a nutshell?
  • If you’re looking for a family getaway or couples retreat, Halekulani Hotel located in Honolulu near Waikiki Beach is the ideal place to escape the colder months.
  • Outside of the room, what features does the hotel have?
  • There is an outdoor pool, fitness room, business center, restaurant, shuttle, concierge, spa services, sauna, meeting rooms, banquet facilities gift shop, vending machines, and laundry.
  • How many rooms and types of rooms do you accommodate?
  • The hotel is 12 floors of varying options from a standard guest room to a royal suite.
  • What are the features of the room?
  • Rooms can feature a jacuzzi, desk, couch, wifi, balcony, fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, and cable including HBO. Suites can have a full living room, dining room, study, patio and balcony.
  • What conveniences are open nearby?
  • We are located directly on the beach which features boat and ski rental, tiki bar, and swimming. Within walking distance are dozens of restaurants, bars and convenience stores.
  • What are some of the most popular attractions, activities, scenery or events the city or area is known for?
  • Besides the beach, other nearby attractions include Diamond Head, the aquarium, zoo, museum and Polynesian cultural center.
  • What awards, accolades, or positive press has the lodging received?
  • Halekulani has received over 40 awards or accolades in 2015, ranking #1 hotel on Oahu, and #3 in Hawaii by US News & World Report.
  • Are there any additional perks?
  • While staying at Smith motel, enjoy airport transportation, private beach access, pool access, refrigerator stocking service before you arrive, daily housekeeping, an on-site concierge and pre-trip planning services.
  • Who owns and runs the property and what is the history behind it?
  • The original Halekulani was opened in 1907 as a residential hotel called Hau Tree and was owned by Robert Lewers. It was purchased in 1917 by Juliet and Clifford Kimball before being sold to the Norton Clapp family in 1962.
  • Give customers your name and invite customers to do business with you.
  • My name is Ulrich Krauer, general manager, and I invite you to come stay with us!

Optional Questions

  • Describe the theme, history and decor of the hotel if applicable
  • How is your property different from others?
  • What is your philosophy, or key to providing a great stay?
  • How would you describe your customer service? (Knowledgeable, responsive, flexible, accommodating)
  • What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned while providing your service that helps you better service your customers?
  • How do you receive most of your customers?
  • What is one of your proudest achievements of your business?
  • What do you try to achieve for your customers?
  • What do you love about your job?
  • How does the reservation process work, is there a deposit?
  • Share some helpful advice.
  • Is the lodging child or pet friendly?
  • Talk about your staff.


Copyright 2018. Permission to post on your website or print with crediting link to Biveo.com

Things the Videographer Says to the Narrator Before the Shoot

Getting your business owner comfortable in front of the camera is one of the most important aspects of your video. Studies show that how you say it is more important than what you say. You want your subject to come across as relaxed, happy, confident, approachable, enthusiastic and eloquent. Move the camera back. Try to make the process fun for them. Shots of the subject smiling and laughing will be among your best shots. Show interest in what they are doing. Stay positive with yout feedback. Have them do an over the top take to help boost their enthusiasm if needed. Reference 10 Techniques for Getting Your Subject Comfortable in Front of the Camera.

  1. Speaking on camera is easy. If you have experience speaking face to face at work, it will a breeze to look good on camera. And for any reason you don’t like the way you look, we can just use the audio.
  2. There is no reason to be nervous. Most of what we are shooting will only be used for the audio as shots of your business will be shown while you speak in the background.
  3. This should only take about 20 minutes, but there's no hurry. We can redo it until we get you looking your best.
  4. Look at the camera person, not the camera lens. Imagine you’re having a conversation. Or if your marketing calls for a script that is geared toward speaking directly to your customer, and warrants looking directly into the camera, look past the lens. Visualize your audience.
  5. Answer interview questions off the top of your head. (If you are reciting a prewritten answer, or using the modified script approach, try to recite the lines to sound as if you are answering the questions off the top of your head.)
  6. Your first take is often your best take because it is the most natural. So if you make a mistake, or "um" or pause, just keep going as these can be edited out.
  7. While answering, if you think of a side point, talk about it even though it wasn't asked. It is good to go off on a tangent.
  8. Include the question in the answer. For example, if asked, "How long have you been in business?", instead of answering "6 years”, answer "Smith Roofing has been in business for 6 years."

After the interview is complete, watch parts of it back, and show the client how they are coming across. This will help them do it again with more confidence and enthusiasm.

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Step 1: Narration
Hotels

Modified Script Approach

For tighter control, and more thorough analysis of your business's strengths while still sounding conversational, use this modified script approach.

What to do: Use the following script as a starting point to develop a custom Insert your company's information and philosophy into the following script template. Keep what works, remove what doesn't. There is about 2 minutes of script below, most videos only need to be about 1:15.

How it works: The narrator recites the script one sentence at a time as if speaking to an interviewer, repeating each sentence until it sounds natural.

Script Template

Hotel Survey Results: 14% of customers want owner narration in the video; 49% are indifferent; 37% do not want narration in the video.
Hotel Video Length Limit Average: 83 seconds (1:23)


[In a Nutshell]
With over 300 feet of beach frontage, Sugar Beach Hotel is located on Grand Traverse Bay, in Traverse City, one of Michigan's most popular family vacation destinations. With 60 units that feature private balconies facing the water, 12 suites, water activities, beach chairs and umbrellas, and restaurants within walking distance, Sugar Beach Hotel is more than a great place to stay. It's a place to relax, recharge and have fun.

[Hotel Features]
Sugar Beach features a dining room that serves free continental breakfast, and stays open to serve evening dinner, and room service late night. There is a fitness room, gift shop, boat rental, and a heated indoor pool.

[Room Features]
Rooms feature wood flooring, free wifi, refrigerator, microwave, and just down the hall are vending and ice machines.

[The City's Attractions if Appropriate]
Traverse City is known for it's great dining, wineries, breweries, and shopping down on Frontage Street. There are several large public beaches and hiking trials, sailing and scuba dives you can sign up for. It is known for its mid-July Cherry Festival, and December Film Festival.

[Invite]
We're open 24 hours a day and located just off of highway 31. My name is [First Lastname], I am the owner of Sugar Beach Hotel, and I invite you and your family to come stay with us!

Top 6 Script Content Tips

  1. Focus on the honest facts. Instead of saying "We are the best", try to give specifics such as, "We were recognized for providing great customer service by...", or "We performed serviced over 400 customers in 2015", or "Our staff is trained and certified by...".
  2. Good customer service is the most important thing to most customers. Demonstrate your level of customer service in your video. (Responsive, Accommodating, Knowledgeable, Flexible)
  3. Focus on the facts that show how you are different from other services. What is your niche?
  4. Demonstrate Candor. Do not try to portray your company any differently than how it truly is, and don't hide what your company truly offers. Use negatives to your advantage. For example, older equipment has the advantage of showing lower overhead and lower cost to the customer. What you think may be a negative can actually be a positive. Just be honest.
  5. Understand your niche and target your market accordingly. A portion of customers shop for the lowest price, a portion shop for the highest quality service. Charge fairly for the level of service you offer. Do not try to charge large corporation rates if you are a small local business. Do not drop your price to bargain hunters. Accept that you cannot win every customer that contacts you.
  6. If you are set on presenting your business by telling a story, be careful not to be self-congratulatory. Instead, focus on how your story benefits the customer.


Copyright 2018. Permission to repost with crediting link to Biveo.com

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Step 1: Narration
Hotels

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