Often times, new ideas can fall flat simply because a message isn’t effectively communicated and the idea isn’t properly demonstrated. Sometimes ideas for new products, etc. can be so complex that it takes an extraordinary amount of time and money to prototype them, or to communicate its benefits and functions.

This can be a point of frustration for start ups, and others, who are in the business of new ideas. The most efficient and cost effective way to get funding, get to market, and get going with your new idea is with video.

Here are 2 great examples.

Example #1: Figure8 Sternal Closure System
Developed by Dr. Tom McClellan

Dr. McClellan recognized that the closure procedure for open heart surgery needed to be better. He had an idea and went on to develop the Figure8 Sternal Closure System. It is now revolutionizing how open heart surgeries are performed.

To help promote and train surgeons – and other stakeholders – a 3D animation was created to demonstrate proper procedures, offer advice, and show the benefits of using the innovative medical device. The animation was critical in helping communicate Figure8’s message because it allows the viewer to get a clean, unobstructed, close, and accurate view of the process. Traditional video methods simply can’t capture the same angles and details.

The process in producing the animation involved careful learning and planning. We started with live demonstrations with Dr. McClellan to learn the procedure and the role of each device. The demonstration was then recorded on video to be used as a reference in animation and production. Once an understanding of the system was established, we collaborated with Dr. McClellan to create a script. After that, pre-viz animations were produced to ensure that the process was accurately captured. Once everything was solidified, the final animation and edit was created.

Example #2: Kill-Ur-Watts
Developed by KeyLogic

KeyLogic developed a great smartphone app (Kill-Ur-Watts) for helping people manage their energy efficiency. Originally, the app was entered into a Department of Energy competition along with similar products. The app eventually went on to win an award for the #1 Energy Efficiency Smartphone App in 2013.

Before the app was completely finalized, we collaborated with the KeyLogic development team to learn about its functionality and benefits. We formulated an idea and produced a video that would promote and inform viewers in regard to the new app.

The hands and phones were shot in our studio. We then went on to compose the story and finished the piece with a large dose of special effects. It’s a new and surprising way to promote this innovative product.

Video production and animation were introduced at the beginning stages of these two great ideas. It helped communicate a message, inform, and get folks excited about products that are having a major impact.

That’s what video can do as a communication tool. Do you have a new idea?…
We can help you sell it!

The post How can you make your new product or idea a reality? appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

It turns out he had recorded a video of his cat with his iPod. The video starts with his cat sitting comfortably and contently in front of the camera for a few seconds. The scene then suddenly transitions to the cat attacking the iPod. The screen goes black and the viewer – this viewer anyway – is left with one thing in mind… you can’t trust cats. Just kidding. It was funny. I mean, I didn’t giggle about it all day, but it was good content.

My first born then proceeded to tell me about how he’d captured the footage, shared it with all of his friends, and how his friends had shared it with family and so on. I was so proud. My boy was making videos and viral ones at that.

What is compelling to me about this, on an albeit small and giggly scale, is what a great impact video can have. We take it for granted, but it’s an effective and meaningful way to communicate with others… Especially with all the social media and technology we have today. All of us can participate and experience success.

As far as businesses and organizations are concerned, the optimal way of communicating a message is in the form of a commercial. It’s been used for years on TV and is increasing in effectiveness with the addition of the Internet. At Pikewood Creative, we produce commercials for TV and online campaigns on a regular basis, and we’ve seen first hand that the real power behind using video in today’s market is the social aspect. The fact that people will share your message, if it’s good content, is exciting and powerful incentive for including video as part of an online campaign. Adding the social factor makes the ROI of online video production skyrocket, and the potential is unlimited.

eMarketer reports that “video is the fastest-growing ad format online, and social sharing capabilities can only help that growth by allowing users to act as curators and promoters, passing appealing videos to a larger and larger audience of network connections. eMarketer estimates US advertisers will spend $3.1 billion this year on video ads, up from $2 billion in 2011. By 2016, $9.3 billion in online ad spending will go toward video.”

There’s no better time to get started with online advertising with video. If you have content that will make folks giggle, then let’s get the camera out and produce something great.

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Yet, here we are and the mobile phenomenon is changing the landscape of advertising, marketing, web development, video production, etc. Businesses and creatives are having to change the way they do things. It’s an exciting time. It’s also a competitive and challenging time. Traditional mediums are decreasing in effectiveness and now, more than ever, content is king. Content, your message, and the way you deliver your message are of significant importance and here’s why…

It’s a well known fact that it’s important to think about your message and communicate it in a creative and memorable way… a way that’s tailored and targeted to your audience. And everybody knows that attention spans in the Internet world are short. You’ve got to be on your game. That’s not news. But when you add mobile to the equation, you’re presented with a new dynamic. People are consuming your content from more places and in a much different way than before. It’s becoming the norm—wait, it IS the norm—and users are finding that the mobile experience fits their lifestyle. They want more of it and they expect more.

eMarketer estimates that by 2016, more than 110 million Americans—or one-third of the total US population—will watch video content on a mobile phone at least once per month. This year, just under 20% of the population, or 25.2% of US mobile phone users, are expected to watch mobile video monthly.

To compete in this realm, you’ve really got to think about your content and how you’re delivering it. Websites need more sophisticated navigation systems and your website must be responsive. And clearly, you need video content. It’s what people want.

The content you’re putting out there must be engaging and relevant and custom video production for mobile devices can be the best way to go.

The post Video for Mobile Devices appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

A recent study by MediaMind indicated that “rich media and video boost metrics on both the direct response and branding sides. Rich media and video made users significantly more likely to click directly on display ads—in the case of video, the likelihood of clicking on an ad went up more than ninefold.” This research demonstrates the powerful effect video can have in the online world.

Other forms of content marketing, such as blogging, are an important part of a successful marketing strategy. However, including video as part of online ad placement and as good content on your website is quickly becoming the most effective way to communicate.

Successfully getting more website visits with online video can be achieved by carefully considering your business and the message you want to communicate. Once you have a firm understanding of what you want to say, then it’s time to get to work.

Online videos can take on many forms. Sometimes the best approach is to choose a representative to get on camera and talk about your organization and sometimes you may need a series of animated videos that describe a product or service. In this exciting time of ever-changing and advancing technologies, the possibilities are endless.

In most cases, it’s best to talk with a online video expert to help ensure you move in the right direction. By getting into the routine of consistently producing video content for your website, you can be sure to captivate and communicate to your audience in an effective manner.

The post More Website Visits with Online Video appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

Here’s an example. Recently, we produced a short promotional video for the progressive city of Bridgeport, West Virginia. The video was part of a campaign to promote the brand new online city newspaper. The website will be the primary source for news for the city.

Our philosophy is that any successful media outlet, business, organization, etc. starts with a great brand identity and message. And so, the project began with a new logo and style guide to complement an existing identity already being used by the Bridgeport CVB.

We carefully considered all the various aspects and applications of such an organization and developed an identity that would set the online resource apart from other news websites. We then carried the brand through to other promotional materials such as flags, t-shirts, and more. We also designed the user interface for the website… A complete package with personality, style, and a unique identity. And so, Connect Bridgeport was born.

To introduce this website brand to the world, we produced a promotional video. The video was meant to generate interest, describe the purpose of the new website, and convey the unique qualities of Connect Bridgeport to prospective users.

The promotional video was used on social media and on a website landing page. The new website launches on April 16, 2012, and the promotional video has served as an excellent way to jump start this new website adventure and help ensure its future success.

Please watch the video and then contact us to find out if a promotional video can help you.

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That’s a shocking number when you consider the importance of using your website to promote your business or organization and generate more leads. You must work to be up-to-date, relevant, and produce great content. Simply having a static website out there isn’t going to work anymore and other methods for updating your site can be cumbersome at best.

Why do you need content management for your website? Here’s two good reasons…

1) Content Marketing is the Best Marketing

In a recent article, Mikal E. Belicove talks about the increasing investment that companies are making in the area of content marketing and content curation. Mikal writes, “So what exactly is content marketing? It’s the creation and publication of original content — including blog posts, case studies, white papers, videos and photos — for the purpose of generating leads, enhancing a brand’s visibility, and putting the company’s subject matter expertise on display.”

Content marketing has become the most important tool for branding and promoting your business. Mikal goes on to say that “twice as many B2B marketers now employ content marketing as they do print, TV and radio advertising.” That means that a great website is more important that ever. It also means that your website isn’t just an online brochure with 10-15 pages and that’s it. Your website needs to be put to work. It must be a scalable and adaptable tool that gives you the ability compete in the Content Marketing game.

A website built with a content management system (or CMS) is the best way to accomplish your communication and marketing goals.

2) Content Management Makes it Easy

To be successful at all this it has to be easy. You need to focus on creating good content for your website and implementing that content needs to be hassle-free.

Having a website built on a CMS provides you with the ability to produce this content and keep your website current and fresh. It’s gives you the flexibility to you need. Imagine sitting at an airport and being able to log in to your CMS to add a new blog post to your website, change a phone number, or remove a former employee from the staff page.

Other methods for updating your website can be complicated. For example, Dreamweaver is a good software application for web development and can be used as a way to update your website. However, it often requires knowledge of HTML, CSS, etc. and doesn’t even come close to providing the same level of speed and flexibility found in a dynamic website built with a CMS.

Hiring staff or companies to support you with web editing and development is a good option, but this could be expensive. It most cases, the best strategy is to get your website up-to-speed with professional design and a content management system.

Websites with content management systems are the best tool for promoting your business or organization online and will give you the ability to focus on creating the great content needed to make your company a success.

For more information on how a website with a content management system can help your business, contact us…

The post 2 Reasons for Websites with Content Management Systems appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

But what do you do with a video about a corporation? And why do you need a corporate video?

Corporate videos have multiple uses: business-to-business, business sales, shareholder meetings, award ceremonies, documentaries, training, etc.  The ever-shrinking attention span of the average internet-age person has forced everyone to think outside the box to get noticed.  Video is the user-friendly approach to accomplishing that goal.

Great corporate videos tell stories about real businesses and real people:

• The old-school corporate video is dead.  You know the one with the stiff script read by the even stiffer narrator.  The old-school corporate video contains visual images that lacked artistic composition.  They came off as fake and unprofessional.
• New-school corporate videos are thick in their texture.  They contain art-directed visual images, motion graphics, engaging music tracks, and real people speaking from their heart and not reciting the words from a scriptwriter.
• Today’s corporate videos use today’s technology to explain what was once mundane material.  Graphs and financial statements can be animated and flow with colors and sound that leave a lasting impression on viewers.
• Technological advancements also allow corporate videos a limitless number of viewing options.  Sure you can show the finished product in the ole corporate boardroom, but that’s only the beginning.  If you can digitize it, then you can watch it anywhere.  From the big boardroom to the phone in your hand.

Corporate videos of yesterday have become image videos.  They are becoming the universal language of business.  It’s not a matter of if your company needs a video, but rather how badly you’ll hurt your business without one.

Additionally, many companies are able to repurpose elements of their video production to create vignettes and commercials.  Vignettes can be used to further explain a product or service in more detail.  The vignette can be placed on the specific website page for that product or service offering.

What’s the most interesting and creative use of a corporate video that you’ve seen?

We’d love to hear about it and take a look.

The post What is a corporate video? appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

Relationships take time. It depends on you.

It’s important for the website design company to get to know the business or organization they’ll be working with and make a product that will meet their needs. It’s a process, and the client (that’s you) will be asked to participate in that process. The web company isn’t an expert in your field. We have to get to know you and your business and then take the things we learn and translate them into something that will work on the web.

So much of the web design process depends on the client. As web designers and developers, we are asking you to engage in the process with us. There’s much to consider in regard to your message and the content you provide to potential customers on your site. We don’t take this lightly and neither should you.

Of all the variables and factors that impact the development timeline for websites, it’s the relationship with the client (e.g., reviews, approvals, etc.) that has the greatest impact. For example, we’ve had almost exactly the same type of site take significantly different amounts of time to produce. Let’s call them websites A and B. With website A, there were problems with content and approvals and it took over six months from the initial meeting to launch. With website B, the client was participatory and the process went smoothly in regard to content and approvals. Website B took a little over a month from beginning to end.

Knowledge is power and leads to speed.

The technology industry (including web design and development) is an ever-changing business. Every day new things emerge that help make things better, faster, and easier. There are many options and ways of doing things. Having a solid understanding of all the available options is critical for success in the web design and development business. With this knowledge comes the flexibility to create websites with greater efficiency. For example, before the invention of WordPress, Joomla!, Expression Engine, etc., web designers and developers needed to design content management systems (or CMS’s) from the ground up. These open-source platforms can help make database-driven website development faster and less expensive. It keeps us from reinventing the wheel and allows for focus in other areas of production.

The type of website matters.

The type of website being developed can have an enormous bearing on the project time frame. A website can range in time from a few hours to a few months, to even a year or more. It depends on the project. It’s probably best to think of a website as a publication. Before you go into the process, think about all the things you want to communicate. Think of things you’ve written, or the things you need to write in order to successfully inform your audience and tell your story. How long will it take to write or develop all that content and the tailor it for web purposes? In many cases, it takes a considerable amount of time.

As with any communication piece, the content is just the beginning. (But keep in mind that the content needs to be great! The best websites have the best content.) Once that’s established, it’s important to organize and prioritize that information in a way that will lead to success through the website. Careful planning is key here. Once the content is developed and organized, the design and development process kicks in, which includes things like visual design, programming, usability testing, accessibility, and more. As we mentioned, it’s a process, and not usually a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all solution.

How long does it take to make a website? Here are some keys to success:

Stellar content
Planning, management, and organization
Relationship and communication
Great design and development

Ultimately, a professional website design company will be able to produce a website for you that will work well. However, you must realize that when you initiate a website design project with a professional company, you are in essence becoming part of the team. It’s important to contribute to the process and be a good team player.

Ideally, a standard website will take about a month to produce, but there are many variables to consider. A conversation with a professional website design and development company can help you get a better idea of your realistic time frame.

Have a website project in mind? Contact us to get started with a free evaluation.

The post How long does it take to make a website? appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

A professional website is increasingly becoming the most valuable tool and the most important investment you can make in your business or organization. There’s no disputing that a strong web presence is the central focus for any successful marketing campaign. Websites are valuable.

In the past, companies spent considerable amounts of money on media buying in efforts to increase business. Today, the focus has shifted to investing in a strong online presence including website, social media, and Internet marketing campaigns. And don’t forget, websites are created for the sole purpose of increasing business leads, generating revenue, and encouraging participation for your business or organization. Done right, the ROI can be dramatic. That’s not the case for many of the things on which we spend money.

You get what you pay for

Everyone has experienced “you get what you pay for” on some level; the cheap weed-eater that doesn’t quite cut the weeds, the generic tires that had to be replaced a year later, the refrigerator that died right after the factory warranty expired, and the laptop that… well, don’t get me started. You know how it goes, buying things and deciding to make a big investment is a big deal. It’s stressful. We’re afraid we’ll get burned and we’ve experienced that, in most cases, we get what we pay for. Websites are no different. You get what you pay for.

I think most folks would be surprised at the amount of expertise and labor hours that go into making an effective website. Web technology is an ever-changing industry and web developers are constantly having to educate, train, and keep up with what’s going on. It takes effort and commitment to stay relevant. Still, some peoples’ pre-conceived notion is that websites are somehow automated, cookie-cutter, or easy-to-make because the “computer does most of the work.” The truth is that is takes time to establish an effective message, gather and create effective content (which is very important), evaluate a target audience and produce an interface that’s usable and effective. You must also write clean code, test on various platforms and mobile devices, effectively integrate social media and Internet marketing techniques to make the website an effective business tool, develop custom features and applications, and the list goes on.

Professionally done, a website project is not like changing a tire. It is a subjective and unique process, with many variables, which requires participation and collaboration from the client. It’s a partnership that includes getting to know the business, determining goals and priorities, developing an appropriate solution, and providing support throughout the process… and beyond. You really can’t walk into a web design firm and say “give me a new website please.” It doesn’t work that way.

The companies out there offering special deals such as a $200 website, or the “tech-savvy” brother-in-law that will do it for cheap, the do-it-yourself website building methods, and so on will not likely get the results you are looking for in the ever-increasing competitive digital world. You need something you can use as a tool and a site that is built to last. It’s also important that you are engaging, memorable, and credible. This is achieved only through creative professional design and great content. Have I mentioned that content is very important? Well it is, and it’s typically one of the most challenging aspects of the web development.

So how much does a website cost?

Many people use the example of buying a car as a comparison for pricing a website and other forms of creative mediums. This analogy holds pretty well for web design and development. For example, if you look at the base price (or starting price) for a car, you will be looking at a number that will likely change by the time you actually make the purchase. As soon as you start adding the navigation system and other items, the price starts going up. In the same way, the price of a website can increase.

I think the car analogy is a okay illustration, but may be too “product-oriented” for an accurate depiction of website pricing. Cars are priced based on mass production. They are inherently cookie-cutter. Go ask someone to make a unique and custom car for you and I’d be willing to the bet the price will be insane. Websites can’t be priced like commercial cars because they are unique. They are one-of-a-kind and must be tailored to be effective. Making a website is more of a process than a product.

So, I’ve often used the analogy of building a home to that of building a website. In many ways the process if the same: you plan/estimate (blueprints), conceptualize (renderings), build (construction). It is based on time and materials and the estimate is just that – an estimate. The numbers may need to be adjusted along the way to compensate for things that occur during the building process. The builder manages and works hard to come in under, or on the original estimate. And that’s always our goal as professional web developers.

It’s also important to mention that, once a website is launched, it doesn’t stop there. It’s like a baby that never grows up or leaves the home. Again, a website is a tool that you have to use in order to grow your business. It takes effort. This is one reason why it’s important to build a strong foundation and do it right the first time.

With this in mind, the following outline will help give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for a website:

Standard corporate websites, that may or may not include content management (the ability to edit your site), can range in price from $2,500 to $15,000.

Websites that include content management and more professional features such as secure customer login areas can go from $15,000 to $25,000.

Websites that include all the bells and whistles like content management, secure user/client areas, mobile versions, eCommerce, and other types of online tools such as custom finance calculators, etc. can start at $25,000 and go as far as $60,000 and beyond. It really depends on the project requirements and the level of commitment and labor that will be needed to produce the website.

Again, making a website isn’t an exact science. It is a custom project and should be thought of as a partnership between the web development company and the client. An initial discussion is needed to help determine requirements and the price of any professionally produced website.

Do you have a website project in mind? If so, contact us for a free evaluation and estimate.

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For the creative excellence demonstrated in the commercial, Dan Lohmann – Executive Producer at Pikewood Creative, was presented with an Emmy® by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) in the Commercial category. The Ohio Valley Emmy® Chapter covers thirteen markets in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The judging is composed of a rigorous process where peers, from other markets around the nation, judge each piece according to guidelines established by Emmy® Awards staff.

In the marketing/advertising and video production business, the main goals are to communicate and be memorable. It’s a highly competitive industry where many creative professionals work hard to improve the business of their clients. Potential customers are constantly bombarded with all forms of visual advertising; from print, to web ads, to TV commercials. Their attention spans are becoming shorter, expectations are higher, and leaving an impression on viewers becomes more difficult. And so, the effectiveness of creative video production can be difficult to measure. That’s why it’s important to enter into the realm of competition and to let creative professionals from other markets evaluate your work. It’s a chance to obtain the constructive feedback needed to validate the video production methods used to produce a particular piece. In the case of United Bank’s “Anticipation,” the concept was to show raw, unscripted footage of WVU football players getting ready for the upcoming season.

Being recognized by peers from all over the nation is important, not only for the client, but for business growth, and the creative professional as well. Winning an Emmy® means that your production level is the best of the best. It says that your work is effective and that the creative professional, and the client, are striving to achieve excellence with the products and services they provide. It opens doors to new opportunities and raises the bar in competitive markets throughout the United States.

The prestigious and coveted Emmy® Award is a major accomplishment for any television and video production professional and it is a strong validation that the pursuit of perfection is alive and well at Pikewood Creative.

About Dan Lohmann

Dan Lohmann is the Executive Producer at Pikewood Creative. He is a graduate of Bethany College and West Virginia University. His career has included video production work for West Virginia University and the Mountaineer Sports Network (MSN), the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Olympic Games: Salt Lake, Torino, Athens, Beijing, and Vancouver.

In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his two children, Ben and Anna, and his wife Bethany. He also likes to play a little hockey on occasion.

About the Commercial

The award winning television commercial was designed to capture the essence of the anticipation that fans feel in the month leading up to the college football season – specifically the West Virginia University football season. Dan Lohmann came up with the concept of shooting really raw, unscripted footage for this spot.

Find out and more and watch the commercial…

Find out how an award winning commercial can help you…

Find out more about Emmy® Awards

The post Emmy® Award Winning Television Commercials appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

A professionally produced web video will communicate that you take your business seriously and that you are willing to invest the time and effort to communicate in a clear and concise manner. It communicates that your business is efficient, professional, and has a story worth telling. Establishing these qualities with customers or clients at the beginning of a business relationship can greatly improve the overall business relationship. Web video can also drive people to your site and draw them in as customers/clients. WebVideography.com says that with web video “you get your message and your link out there to draw people to your website” and that leads to more revenue.

Professional Web Video Production: Flexibility

By choosing professional video production for your website, you are investing in a product that will not only increase the overall effectiveness of your website, but can be used in presentations, trade shows, in creative leave behind packages, and many other forms of marketing materials. Web video is a flexible marketing product that can be used in most any situation.

Professional web video also allows you communicate your message in way that no other medium can, and when you consider the capabilities of animation and motion graphics, the possibilities are endless.

Professional Web Video Production: Results

In a recent article, “eMarketer estimates 158.1 million Internet users will watch video online at least monthly in 2011”, and further studies show that retailers are seeing increased sales due to the increased use of web video. When an Internet user can watch a video and see exactly what they are getting, they are much more likely to make the purchase, contact you, or get involved. Web video fosters certainty and helps consumers feel more comfortable. Web video also adds a great deal of convenience to the Internet user by providing the answers for which they are looking without having to read through pages of content. The success of video in the retail world translates to businesses and organizations as well. Seeing is believing and the ultimate call to action. When potential customers can see what you are all about with web video, the result is a healthier business and more revenue. Web video is the key to a more successful online marketing strategy.

Professional Web Video Production: Getting Started

There are many options when investing in professional web video. In some cases, testimonials or interview-based video production is the best approach and, other times, animation and motion graphics are needed to effectively tell a story. Ultimately, a professional web video production company, with the capability and flexibility to evaluate and produce the right story, can help get the best results for any business or organization.

As an example, check out this video for Fairmont State University…

View some of the other web videos we’ve produced…
Or, get a FREE web video consultation today to find out how you can increase your business with web video.

The post Professional Web Video Production for More Revenue appeared first on Pikewood Creative.

We produced this commercial to promote Muriale’s Restaurant River Terrace. The River Terrace is used to host large events and specials occasions such as weddings and anniversaries. The terrace is located along the banks of the Monongahela River in Fairmont, West Virginia.

The idea for the spot was inspired by the river itself. It includes flowing lines and butterflies that guide the viewer throughout a peaceful, outdoor experience. The graphics were drawn completely by hand to provide just the right expression and a parchment paper texture gives the spot an “old world” feel.

Muriale’s is an award winning Italian restaurant in Fairmont, West Virginia. Since its founding in 1969 by brothers Frank and Sam Muriale, the Muriale’s name has stood for quality and value. Now in its second generation of family operation, the tradition continues.

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