Lights, Camera, Customers!

In a still tough economy, many small businesses are giving video presentations to market themselves. Master presentation skills and you can attract new customers. Use your business video to educate, create awareness and advertise your services.

Particularly exciting are the many ways to use video. For instance, you can create a high-definition video with a digital camera and turn it into an affordable advertisement.

More and more small businesses are flocking to video for commercials, infomercials, documentaries and film series to attract new customers.

According to the Los Angeles Times, slick ad campaigns are now much more affordable to small firms. There are bargains available such as radically lower production costs and remarkable ad rates.

Yet, even with the most affordable production and bargain rates, as a small business owner, there is one very real hurdle to overcome.

Getting up in front of a video camera and telling your story!

So, I’ll leave it to you to find the best local production company in your area. Just be sure to take advantage of all the bargains out there.

While you’re getting your production crew in order, use these tips. These 3-quick and simple video tips will help you enhance presentation skills. Get confident and get ready for being on camera – the easy way.

Video Tip 1: Be Authentic
Your customers and prospects want to see you – up close and personal. They aren’t looking for another phony or slick ad. Instead, they want to see you talking like a real, down-to-earth person.

Hint: Talk to the camera as if you were talking to your best friend.

Video Tip 2: Say Less
Viewers want to hear a short, catchy message. They don’t want to know all the nitty-gritty details about your business. And they definitely don’t want to hear you drone on about your precise business plan or strategic timeline- that’s for your planning wall only.

When you’re making a video, continuously challenge yourself to say less. Strangely enough, this will help you sound much more believable. Less is not truly easy. It’s hard work and you may have to struggle to define your core message.

Don’t give up. A short, pithy message in fewer words is the way to go!

Video Tip 3: Give Specific Instructions
Video messages are short and punchy. Tell people watching what to do next – and be specific.

For instance:

• Download a special report
• Stop by for a limited offer
• Get a discount until Friday midnight
• Be the first 100 people and get ‘X’ for free

Short, understandable and specific next steps are best.

Come up with a specific action that anyone can understand.

Hint: If you are short on ideas, look at television ads and infomercials. While you don’t have to recreate the ads on late-night television, this will give you loads of ideas for specific instructions.

Put these three tips together and get comfortable presenting your business story on video. Then, go get the visibility your company deserves.

Now, what are you waiting for? There’s customers to attract and money to be made with your new business videos.

If you are serious about presenting effectively on video, get instant access to presentation skills training. Discover how to simplify your story, connect with your audience and inspire people to take action.

Even if you’ve never stood in front of a camera before, on-demand training is the fastest and most affordable option. Boost your presentation skills on camera and become a powerful presenter.

Just think: smart business owners are already promoting their solutions with powerful video presentations. Get comfortable with presenting on camera and make this your best summer ever!

Many people do not understand that you can negotiate when you buy a house too. Just because the amount is huge or because the people opposite you look formidable, you don’t have to be scared to negotiate. In fact, most of the salesmen quote a slightly higher rate as they expect you to negotiate.

Most of the new high rise apartments have a price tag + a price for floor rise. For example, the rates currently at Khandivili (Mumbai, India) are around Rs 6000 + Rs 20-40 per floor rise. So, a house at the 10th floor would be around Rs 6200-6400 per square foot.  

Recently, I was talking to a salesman of a reputed builder, who happens to be a friend of mine, about what negotiations go on and what results. Though I knew he wouldn’t disclose all, he gave away one secret – most builders do away with the floor rise during negotiations. So, you should not worry about floor rise prices when you desire higher floors.           

Apart from this, you can also negotiate for the price per square feet. However most builders are not comfortable doing this as they feel it would lead to a falling trend or a reduced image for their company. The price is not the only thing that you can negotiate. There are heaps of other costs that you will incur relating to your house and you can try your hand in negotiating for them too. For example, 

i)   A reduction in the price of the parking that you purchase

ii)  A reduced booking fee

iii)  A reduced cancellation fee

iv)  A request to bear the stamp duty and registration fee. (Many resale dealers accept this !)

v)  If your builder is an interior decorator/ has experts on his payroll, you can negotiate and get him to make modular kitchens/ bedroom cupboards etc. for your new house. My brother-in law has got himself such a deal for his new house in Chennai.

So, don’t limit yourself to negotiating only for the price of the house. If things don’t work well in that dimension, try the other ones I have listed above.

Do you have anything more to add to the list that has helped in your real estate negotiations? 

Public speaking can increase anxiety and nervousness. Most of this stress caused over a presentation can be avoided if we are prepared ahead of time. What are some points you need to keep in mind before you can give an effective public presentation? Some main points we should be aware of are, our appearance, the audience, the place of the presentation and visual aids we use.

Appearance: You are the first thing your audience will see, even before you start speaking. Always remember that 90% of your message is non-verbal. Watch your body language, avoid distracting dressing style, bright gaudy colours or heavy jewellery. In short, look professional. Your head should be neatly pinned up or styled in such a way that you don not need to run your hands through it frequently. Avoid too much make up. If it is possible, always check your appearance in a mirror just before you start the presentation.

Audience: Collect background information about the group you will be talking to – such as what is the age group of the audience, gender whether all are males, all are females or a mix of the two. What is the knowledge, educational level and understanding level of the group. What is the objective of your talk and what does the audience want to know. Always keep in mind that your presentation should not make either the audience or yourself appear small or you try to display favoritism by making some members feel superior or others inferior.