Initium Creative's Create + Communicate Blog

The 3 Points of Video for Business, Part 3: Engage With It!

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Tue, 16 May 2023 23:07:48 GMT

Video has become a critical component of many businesses' marketing strategies, as it allows them to communicate their message in a visually compelling and engaging way. However, creating a video is not enough - it must also be effective in achieving its intended goals. In this blog series, we'll explore the three points of video for business: Watch It, Remember It, Engage With It.

Engage With It

The third point of video for business is to ensure that it engages viewers. Engagement is critical because it can lead to action, such as a purchase or a sign-up. Here are some tips to ensure that your video engages viewers:

Include a call-to-action: A call-to-action (CTA) is a prompt that encourages viewers to take action. Include a clear CTA in your video to encourage engagement.
Personalize the experience: Personalization can help increase engagement by making viewers feel like the video was created specifically for them. Use personalization techniques like addressing the viewer by name or tailoring the message to their interests.
Encourage sharing: Social sharing can help increase engagement and reach a wider audience. Encourage viewers to share your video on social media by including social sharing buttons or asking them to share it with their network.

In conclusion, the three points of video for business - Watch It, Remember It, Engage With It - are essential to creating a successful video marketing strategy. By keeping these points in mind, you can create videos that capture people's attention, communicate a memorable message, and engage viewers to take action.

We love to produce engaging, quality videos that audiences will remember for our clients. If you need help telling your story, give us a call at 219-230-6003 or click on the Initiate Your Project button at the top of this page.

(If you would prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the play button below.)

The 3 Points of Video for Business, Part 2: Remember It!

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Mon, 08 May 2023 23:05:33 GMT

Remember It

The second point of video for business is to ensure that it is remembered. The goal of your video should be to communicate a message that sticks with viewers long after they've watched it. Here are some tips to ensure that your video is remembered:

Tell a story: People remember stories better than facts or figures. Use storytelling techniques to create a narrative that resonates with viewers.
Use visuals: Visuals are more memorable than text, so use graphics, animations, and other visual elements to convey your message. If you are a fan of Better Call Saul, like I am, think of the difference between Davis and Main's ad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoWUfPEfmtY) and Jimmy's ad ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J31nXBfbbBI ).
Repeat your message: Repetition is key to memory retention. Repeat your message throughout the video to reinforce it in viewers' minds.

(If you would prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the play button below.)

The 3 Points of Video for Business, Part 1: Watch It!

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 23:02:51 GMT

Watch It

The first point of video for business is to ensure that it is watched. This may seem obvious, but with so much content available online, it can be challenging to capture people's attention. Here are some tips to ensure that your video is watched:

Start with a hook : The first few seconds of your video are critical in grabbing people's attention. Use a hook to entice viewers to keep watching.

Keep it short : People's attention spans have become shorter over time, so it's essential to keep your video concise. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a length of two minutes or less.

If you have a video that is longer (and we prefer and encourage longer videos that tell a story), consider making shorter cuts of the longer video to post on social media that will lead back to the longer video on a highly optimized landing page. This will ensure that the person viewing the longer video will take in the entirety of the video because you have already captured their attention.

If the video is for use on social media, Optimize for mobile : More and more people are consuming video content on their mobile devices, so make sure your video is optimized for mobile viewing.

(If you would prefer to listen to this blog post, please click the play button below.)

PRESS RELEASE: Initium Creative Lands a Win in the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 22:53:13 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Initium Creative Lands a Win in the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards

(Valparaiso, IN - March 10, 2023) The MUSE Creative and Design Awards have released their lists of winners for their first competitive season of 2023. Hosted by the International Awards Associate (IAA), the competitions had received over 6,300 entries from across the globe, proving themselves to be leading award programs that honor creative and design professionals.

For its 2023’s first competitive season, Initium Creative lands the Silver Video Budget below $3000 award in the competition. The work that delivered them this decisive victory was created by Initium Creative for Realtor Becky Wright. “We are thrilled to win this international award for a piece that we absolutely loved creating with our good friend and colleague, Becky Wright. It was an amazing project and we couldn’t be happier with the final result and accolades it is receiving.” said owner of Initium Creative, Braden Walker.

The MUSE Awards is composed of a series of competitions which are organized to honor excellence from various fields. IAA ensures that these competitions are accessible and fair, in order to guarantee recognition only goes to those who truly deserve the accolade.

“The industries have gone through significant changes through the years, yet to have these entrants showcase their ability to adapt and overcome, it is certainly surprising and encouraging to our team in IAA,” Thomas Brandt, spokesperson of IAA elaborated. He continued, “it is humbling to see the level of craft displayed in the submitted works. Our most sincere commendations go out to those behind said works and for setting such a high standard for excellence for all to follow.”

Having a jury composed of industry professionals, IAA was successful in upholding impartiality and enforcing industry-relevant assessment criteria. The jury’s role was solely to identify companies or individuals whose works showcased excellence and pushed their respective industries forward, which they had successfully accomplished.

Grand Jury Panel Out of the numerous applicants from 15 countries, the competition settled on 51 jurors. These highly-respected professionals are held in high esteem in their respective industries and are affiliated with renowned organizations in the creative and design industries. For example, President, North America at Clarity PR - Jon Meakin, Founder/CCO of Cutwater - Chuck McBride, VP, Brand & Creative Services of PubMatic, Inc. - Imelda Suriato, Associate Creative Director at McCann NY - Alexandre Kazuo Kubo, Group Creative Director at Ogilvy NY - Mohamed DiaaEldin Osman, Principal Architect and Landscape Architect at Studio Arth LLC - Rituparna Simlai, Senior Architect at Tiago do Vale Architects - Tiago do Vale, Director of DesignAware - Takbir Fatima, Founder, hcreates interior design - Hannah Churchill, Founder and Creative Director of IN.X Design - Wu Wei, to name a few.

Other than employing industry-relevant standards in judging entries, impartiality was also enforced with the blind judging method. This meant that entries were evaluated by multiple judges without being compared with other submissions, meaning that each winning work had decisively won with their own merits.

Participation of International Brands

Being part of the international scene, the MUSE Creative and Design Awards received entries that included names of globally prominent organizations. Some submissions were made directly by said companies, while others were submitted by entrants who had produced work for them. Direct submissions saw familiar names such as Coach, Gravity Global, Getty Images, Leroy & Rose, NBCUniversal, Player One Trailers, Madison Square Garden Entertainment, U.S. Secret Service, Crunchyroll, Digital Kitchen, Aedas, InterContinental Kaohsiung, LWK+PARTNERS, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., Kadeli Atelier / Delagnese Kft., Daniel Joseph Chenin, Ltd., and NEWSUBSTANCE; whereas indirect submissions included Adidas, Embraer, GAMUDA Land, Aston Martin X Alfardan Luxury Motors, LAND ROVER, The Luxury Collection - Marriott International, Yangzhou Culture Investment Management Co., Ltd., GUANGZHOU NATURAL MUSEUM, The Parker, Stevns Klint Foundation, Johnnie Walker, and City of Frankfurt.

“While the winners continue to reshape and redefine the industries with their continued display of excellence, we should not shy away from the challenge and instead share the vision in solidarity with them,” Thomas said. “IAA remains proud to be able to honor talented individuals while spotlighting their excellence. As they continue to mark the path forward, we should also unleash our boundless possibilities and join in this marvelous endeavor.”

Website: Initium Creative

Winning Video: Better Call Becky Commercial

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Initium Creative Wins 3rd Addy Award for Creative ‘Better Call Becky’ Commercial

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 23:11:19 GMT

Initium Creative, an award-winning creative agency based in Northwest Indiana, is proud to announce that they have been awarded a 2022 ADDY® Award for their popular ‘Better Call Becky’ commercial. This marks the third ADDY® Award for Initium Creative for the second year in a row and serves as a testament to their commitment to producing creative and engaging work.

The ‘Better Call Becky’ commercial was produced by Initium Creative and real estate agent Becky Wright. The commercial, which parodies the popular AMC show, Better Call Saul, follows a day in the life of a realtor, but with the intensity from Better Call Saul. Initium Creative and Becky Wright produced a video that captures the intensity of the show while incorporating humor to keep the audience engaged. The video takes you through the process of a realtor working with a young inexperienced couple looking to buy a home, from the showings, to the inspection and appraisal and finally to the purchase agreement, all while staying true to the Better Call Saul styling. The commercial stands out from the competition and was recognized by the judges of the 2022 ADDY® Awards. You can view the full commercial below or by going to: https://youtu.be/ftQ3cDiDMiA

Telling Authentic and Compelling Stories To Grow Your Business

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 22:59:40 GMT

When it comes to growing a business, creativity and storytelling are indispensable tools. An effective way to bring an audience closer is by telling authentic and compelling stories. The ability to tell such stories can be a powerful asset for any company looking to engage with potential customers in meaningful ways.

Stories offer the perfect platform to show potential customers who you are as a brand, what your values are and how you’re different from competitors. Through storytelling, businesses gain visibility, trustworthiness and authenticity — all key elements of success in any industry. It’s important for companies to create stories that feel real because people respond positively when they find content that resonates with them on an emotional level.

The best stories don't necessarily come from outside sources; businesses should be exploring their own experiences or those of their employees for inspiration.

While it might feel difficult to tell a good story or know of the best ways to do that, that is what Initium Creative is here for. We partner with businesses, non-profits, etc to help find the right story to tell and then work together to tell it in the best possible way that communicates who you are and helps drive business.

If you would like to start telling your story today, give us a call at 219-230-6003 or email us at info@initiumcreative.com and we can help walk you through the process.

Creative Storytelling Through Video

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 23:13:46 GMT

Video marketing has become a popular tool for businesses looking to engage their audience with creative stories. However, it’s not enough to just create videos; you must use storytelling techniques in order to make an impact on viewers. Creative storytelling through video allows businesses to capture the attention of their target audience and effectively communicate their message.

When using video for storytelling, it’s important for businesses to think outside the box. They should consider using interesting visuals, suspenseful music, and a narrative structure that will captivate viewers throughout the entire video. It’s also important to be creative with the story itself by crafting characters or situations that are relatable and relevant to your target audience. With creative storytelling through video, businesses can craft stories that leave lasting impressions on audiences while delivering key information about their products or services.

5 Creative Strategies for Engaging Websites

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 21:29:00 GMT

Every business wants to create a website that is engaging and draws in potential customers. To achieve this, it’s important to think of creative strategies that will make your website stand out from the competition. Here we present 5 must-have strategies for creating an engaging website.

Start by making sure your website looks professional and modern, with a clean design and layout.
Utilize high-quality images to draw people's attention, as well as video content if it suits your business style.
Adding features like interactive forms or maps can also be helpful for user engagement.
Include clear call-to-actions so that visitors know what action you want them to take next.
Incorporate social media into your site with follow buttons and share buttons, so users can easily promote your message and connect with you more directly.

When it comes down to exactly what your website needs, make sure you are staying on brand and the site communicates who you are and overall is your 24/7 sales tool. There are tons of things to consider, so get in touch with us by clicking the Initiate Your Project button below and we can help you create the perfect site for your business.

Happy Festivus!

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 22:51:05 GMT

Happy Festivus from Initium Creative!

Happy #Festivus Everyone! Here's to hoping that you experience a Festivus Miracle and that your Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength aren't too taxing. #festivusfortherestofus

5 Ways to Prepare Your Business & Digital Presence for Coronavirus

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Tue, 26 May 2020 22:37:41 GMT

With all that is happening right now with COVID-19, there are tons of questions that small business owners have, mainly how to adapt to the current circumstances and how to innovate their business. We have put together some information to hopefully help you start thinking of some ways to innovate and what to pay attention to during this time to help your business. If you'd like some help with innovating through web, video or audio, please give us a call or click the "Initiate Your Project" button at the top of this page.

Small Businesses in a Pandemic

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Fri, 15 May 2020 22:55:24 GMT

In the last month, Initium Creative teamed up with The Grabczak Connection to tell the stories of multiple business owners in Hobart, Indiana and how they are coping with the pandemic and PPP loans, as well as what the local community is doing to help. The video below tells that story and since we recorded this, we are happy to say that the business owners in this story have received assistance from the PPP, however there are still issues that continue.

Who is Initium Creative

info@initiumcreative.com (Braden Walker) — Fri, 01 May 2020 23:09:36 GMT

So this is our first official blog post for Initium Creative. I thought I would take this opportunity to just give a little information of who Initium Creative is as a business and what our goals are for the future.

My name is Braden Walker and I officially started Initium Creative in January of 2019. Before I started this company, I had been working as an independent contractor for a company in Texas and I have helped start and run multiple media businesses or departments for most of my professional career. After doing this for so many others, I decided it was time for me to start my own media business, therefore Initium Creative was born.

So I know most of those reading this are probably wondering, how the heck do you say the name of your business and what does it even mean? You can head over to the Identity tab on the website to get the answer to these questions, but in short, Initium is latin for Initiate. So just start by saying initiate and when you get to the end, replace the "ate" with "um".

Initium Creative was named for the purpose and culture of our business. We partner with our clients to help them communicate their business more creatively. We work very closely with them to find the passion and purpose of their business (the gold) and help them communicate that in whatever capacity we are working with them in.

As far as our goals and future, that is a larger blog post for another day, but you can always ask if you are interested. Lets just say this is something much bigger than just a local media company and we are working towards creating it in the present.

Initium Creative's Create + Communicate Blog

The 3 Points of Video for Business, Part 3: Engage With It!

Engage With It

The 3 Points of Video for Business, Part 2: Remember It!

Remember It

The 3 Points of Video for Business, Part 1: Watch It!

Watch It

PRESS RELEASE: Initium Creative Lands a Win in the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ﻿

Initium Creative Lands a Win in the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards

Initium Creative Wins 3rd Addy Award for Creative ‘Better Call Becky’ Commercial

Telling Authentic and Compelling Stories To Grow Your Business

Creative Storytelling Through Video

5 Creative Strategies for Engaging Websites

Happy Festivus!

Happy Festivus from Initium Creative!

5 Ways to Prepare Your Business & Digital Presence for Coronavirus

Small Businesses in a Pandemic

Who is Initium Creative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE