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Is the music industry broken?

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:45:22 GMT

I’ve worked in the music industry on and off since I was 16 (which was 40 years ago). In that time, I’ve seen some massive changes.

Formats have come and gone (and come back). Entire genres have been invented. But now, for the first time, it feels like something has properly broken.

So… where did the wheels actually fall off?

Where did the wheels fall off?

In 1989 Karlheinz Brandenburg , a postgraduate student at the University of Erlangen in southern Germany changed everything. You probably don’t even know what Karlheinz did, he doesn’t get mentioned much. He invented the mp3, a way of compressing digital music which makes it easy to store and, crucially, easy to share. That one breakthrough quietly kicked off what we now call the digital music revolution.

We all know what happened next.

Music became files. Files became shareable.

First illegally via platforms like Napster , then “legitimately” via streaming platforms like Spotify and iTunes.

(Although depending on who you ask, there’s still a faint whiff of robbery in the room.)

Now streaming is the dominant format. In a short space of time buying and owning physical formats seemed just a bit inconvenient. As of 2026 67% of total music industry revenue comes from streaming vs just 16.1% from physical sales (Exploding Topics) . It seems convenience has won. Decisively.

This, combined with other technological advances has created something close to a perfect storm for musicians.

Because here’s the part that sounds like progress… but isn’t entirely: Releasing music is now easy.

Anyone can write, record, and publish a track from their bedroom. What used to take months and serious money can now be done in a few hours for free.

Which sounds brilliant.

Until you realise what happens when everyone can do it.

Here's the problem

What happened next was we didn’t just democratise music creation. We flooded the system. Around 100,000 new songs are uploaded to Spotify every single day. That’s not competition. That’s saturation.

So now, it doesn’t matter how good the music is. On any given day, an artist is now competing with 99,999 other tracks… and an algorithm that doesn’t care how long you spent writing your chorus.

With the ability self-release, musicians no longer need to rely on prostituting themselves to the labels for their music to reach the masses. Back in the days of physical sales, there were countless record labels. Big ones, small ones, weird ones.

Now there are three:

Sony Music Entertainment,
Universal Music Group,
Warner Music Group.

Together, they control roughly 85% of the market . That leaves everyone else to fight over the remaining 15% . It’s less an industry now… more a funnel.

Let's talk about the money

Brace yourself. This is where it gets really 'icky'!

Spotify pays roughly $0.005 per stream . That gets split between the songwriter, the publisher, whoever owns the master, the musicians, the producer, the coffee order ... everything!

And before our favourite musician sees a penny, they need at least 1,000 streams , with each listener sticking around for 30 seconds or more.

So yes… technically you can earn money from your music. In the same way you can technically fill a swimming pool with a teaspoon.

But can't musicians earn money in other ways?

Well, yeah - good point but in reality, that's a bit of a patchwork quilt held together with hope.

Merchandise

T-shirts, vinyl, tote bags, the occasional questionable hoodie. It can work, but only if you already have an audience that cares enough to buy that stuff.

No audience, no sales. And even when it does work, margins aren’t exactly life-changing unless you’re shifting serious volume.

Performing live

Traditionally the safety net. The place where artists could actually earn something resembling real money.

Except… small venues are disappearing.

Grassroots spaces, the kind that build careers from the ground up, are closing at an alarming rate. Rising costs, licensing issues, dwindling footfall. The ladder is still there, but someone’s been quietly removing the lower rungs.

Which leaves most artists in a slightly surreal position:

They’re not full-time musicians.
They’re full-time people with jobs… who also make music.

The reality for a huge number of independent artists is that music isn’t their income stream, it’s their second shift. Evenings, weekends, spare hours stitched together between everything else.

Passion-funded rather than profit-driven.

And then there’s this

If you are one of the few who gets signed, you might find yourself in what’s known as a 360 deal.

The label doesn’t just take a cut of your recorded music, they take a slice of everything. Touring, merch, brand deals, the lot.

From the label’s perspective, it makes sense. If they’re investing in building you, they want a return across the board and frankly just relying on making money from the recorded bit just isn't enough anymore.

From the artist’s perspective… it’s a bit like finally getting a seat at the table and realising you’ve brought the food, cooked the meal, and still owe rent on the chair.

So yes, there are other revenue streams.

But most of them either rely on having an audience you don’t yet have… or sharing the income once you finally do.

The death of innovation

There is incredible music being made right now. I hear it all the time. Even in my 50's I still get that buzz when something genuinely new hits my ears.

But here’s the uncomfortable question

When was the last major shift in mainstream music?

Hip hop? That’s over 40 years ago. Meanwhile, much of what’s pushed by the major labels feels… safe. Familiar. Proven.

Take Ed Sheeran. Hugely successful. Clearly knows what he’s doing. But nothing there that would’ve confused someone 50 years ago. How many big artists can you name that are pretty much doing what Ed does? It works. That’s the point. But it doesn’t move things forward.

The big three labels who own the lion's share of the market are just playing safe and selling what sells.

Meanwhile, the real risk-taking is happening elsewhere.

Independent artists, with less to lose, are experimenting more, pushing harder, making genuinely interesting work. I’ve heard it firsthand.

Through projects like The Jam , the live music project I run, I’ve filmed over 90 independent artists in the last year alone. Every year I produce a music video for one of them for free ( see one here ).

This is where things are actually evolving. The concern is… it’s happening way too quietly.

My worry is that the real innovators don't dissapear because they lack talent, but because they lack visibility ... and eventually money.

What about artificial intelligence?

Oh yeah! Just as things weren’t complicated enough, along comes AI.

We’re now at a point where music can be generated, styled, and even performed without the artist ever stepping into a studio. Which means talented musicians aren’t just competing with other musicians anymore… they’re competing with people who are good at writing prompts.

And in some cases, they’re competing with versions of themselves too!

AI models are already being trained on existing artists, cloning voices, styles, even entire sonic identities. The line between influence and imitation is getting blurry… fast.

To be clear, this isn’t all bad. There’s potential here. Tools like this could open up new creative directions and lower barriers even further. But it does add another layer to an already crowded space.

I’ve gone deeper into this in another post (worth a read if you want the full rabbit hole), but for now it’s enough to say: The game didn’t just change. It’s still changing.

What's the solution?

In theory it's easy but in practice much harder. Independent artists have to do everything that a record label would have previously done for them. They have to operate like a small business.

So they have to step up and learn all the things they didn't need to know 20 years ago.

Marketing
Content
Audience building
Distribution
Management
Finance

Not just creati ng music.

Because in a world driven by algorithms, visibility isn't a byproduct anymore.

Of course the other solution is the big three start growing some balls and taking some risks but I wouldn't hold your breath.

There is a future for new music but it's a very different one to the world we were living in when I had a wall of CDs in my living room.

Is there a future for new music?

It certainly doesn't look like the music industry I grew up with.

If you're a music lover

Start digging. Don't rely on Spotify's algorithm to serve up music for you (other digital streaming platforms are available - and most of them are way better). Get out there and start looking for new music. Visit small venues and support unsigned artists. Follow them on social media and encourage them. Pay them for their talent and start supporting them.

If you're a musician

T he job has changed whether you like it or not. Making great music is still the foundation, but it’s no longer enough on its own. You have to think like a creator and a distributor.

That means understanding how attention works, building an audience, showing up consistently, and giving people a reason to care before you ask them to listen.

It’s not about selling out, it’s about not being invisible. The artists who figure that out are the ones who stand a chance of cutting through. The rest… risk making brilliant music that nobody ever hears.

Are Music Videos Dead in 2026?

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:03:31 GMT

A musician messaged me recently and said I was wasting my time making music videos.

Apparently her manager told her not to bother because “no one watches them anymore.” Which is always a fun thing to hear when a big part of your job is… making music videos.

Now, before you think I told her the manager was clueless, I didn’t. Because here’s the thing.

He’s kind of right. And also completely wrong.

Why He’s Not Entirely Wrong

The music video we grew up with? The one that lived on MTV, played in full, and made artists feel larger than life, that version has definitely taken a hit.

Back in the day:

You’d hear a song on the radio
You’d watch the full video on TV
You’d go out and buy it

Nice and simple.

Now?

You hear 15 seconds of a track while scrolling. You see a clip before you even know the artist’s name. And if it doesn’t grab you instantly… you’re gone. No second chances. No build-up. No patience. That’s the bit a lot of people are struggling to accept.

But Here’s Where He’s Completely Wrong

Music videos haven’t died. They’ve just… moved house.

They’re no longer the main event. They’re the starting point.

How Music Discovery Actually Works Now

In 2026, the journey looks more like this:

You’re scrolling through TikTok, Instagram or YouTube Shorts
��
You hear a hook, see something interesting
��
You stop (this is the important bit)
��
You go and find the full track on Spotify or YouTube.

That middle step, stopping the scroll, is everything. And that’s where video still does its job better than anything else.

The Real Problem With Most Music Videos

Most artists are still making music videos like it’s 2005.

They spend thousands on a polished, four-minute piece. Upload it to YouTube, share it once on social and then wonder why nothing happens.

It’s not because the video is bad. It’s because it’s been built for the wrong job.

What Needs to Change?

This isn’t about ditching music videos. It’s about using them properly.

1. Your Video Isn’t the Product Anymore

It’s the source. When I film a music video now, I’m not just thinking about the final cut.

I’m thinking:

What moments will make people stop scrolling?
Where’s the hook visually?
How many short clips can we pull from this?

Because that one video should give you weeks of content , not one post and a hope.

2. You’re Not Competing With Music… You’re Competing With Everything

Your video isn’t just up against other musicians.

It’s up against:

Comedy clips
Football highlights
Someone making a sandwich in a weird way

So the question becomes:

�� Why should anyone stop for you?

That answer has to come through visually first. Not musically. That’s the uncomfortable bit.

3. Most People Won’t Even Hear Your Song (At First)

A huge chunk of people scroll with no sound. So if your video only works when people can hear it you’ve already lost most of your audience.

That’s why text, visuals, and context matter so much more now. You’re not just showing a song. You’re explaining why it’s worth caring about.

4. One Video, Multiple Formats

The full-length video still matters. It still has a place on YouTube, your website, and for your core fans. But it’s no longer enough on its own.

You need:

Short vertical clips for social
Hook-driven edits
Content that works in silence
Content that makes people curious

Think of it like this: Your full video is the film. Your short clips are the trailers.

And right now, trailers are doing all the heavy lifting.

So… Are Music Videos Dead?

No. If anything, they’re more important than ever.

But not because people are sitting down to watch them from start to finish. Because they’re fuelling the entire discovery process.

The Bit Most Artists Miss

The artists who are growing right now aren’t necessarily making better music videos. They’re making more useful ones . They understand that a video isn’t just something you release. It’s something you use.

Final Thought

If you’re putting time, money and energy into a music video make sure it’s actually working for you. Not just sitting there looking nice.

Want Help Making This Work?

If you’re releasing music and it’s not getting the attention it deserves, it’s usually not the music.

It’s how it’s being presented.

Take a look at how streaming and promotion fit together here: �� https://www.monokimedia.co.uk/spotify

Or get in touch and we’ll figure out how to turn your content into something that actually builds an audience.

Stop Posting Random Stuff: A Musician’s Guide to Content That Cuts Through

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:55:55 GMT

�� How to Build a Content Plan

Instagram isn’t just a stage anymore. It’s a sorting machine, a taste engine, and occasionally a ruthless bouncer deciding who gets seen and who gets quietly ignored.

So let's get down to the nuts and bolts. The things you need to do if you want to create a content plan that works, contains all the elements you need and, ultimately saves you time and stress.

At the end of this blog, look out for a special offer to help you build a bullet proof content plan.

Before we talk about content plans, let's look at the ground you’re standing on.

Which platform is right for you?

Before you try to “win” social media, it’s worth asking a simpler question: where should you actually be showing up?

This blog focuses on Instagram not because it’s the only platform that matters, but because it’s one of the few places where music, visuals, and storytelling collide in a way that can genuinely grow an audience.

With over 2 billion monthly active users, Instagram alone is already a crowd bigger than most artists could reach in a lifetime. You don’t need to be everywhere. In fact, trying to succeed on every platform at once usually leads to burnout and blurry identity. There are enough people on one platform alone to give you an amazing career.

The real move is focus. Pick one or two platforms where your audience lives, learn how they work, and show up consistently enough that people start to recognise you. It's much better to build a strong signal in one place than scatter noise across five.

The rules of the game

Social platforms shift constantly. What worked six months ago can quietly stop working overnight, which is why staying up to date isn’t optional, it’s part of the job.

One of the easiest ways to keep your finger on the pulse is to follow Adam Mosseri ( @mosseri ), he's the head honcho at Instagram and regularly shares how Instagram is evolving straight from the source.

But before we dive into the latest changes, it helps to understand the basic rules of the gam e. Instagram’s goal is simple: keep people on the app for as long as possible. It pushes content that holds attention, gets rewatched, shared, or saved, and clearly signals what it’s about. In other words, the platform rewards content that’s easy to understand, quick to hook, and satisfying enough that people want more. Once you understand that, the updates start to make a lot more sense.

Five Instagram changes you need to know

Instagram started 2026 with a lot of important updates. I've picked the top five here that I feel are important for you to know as a musician and artist aiming to grow a fan base.

1. “Your Algorithm” = Fans Choose What They See

Instagram has handed users the steering wheel. People can now filter out what they don’t like and double down on what they do.

Why this matters:
If your content is vague or inconsistent, fans might unknowingly filter you out.

�� Your move: Be unmistakably clear about your sound, vibe, and identity.

2. Topic Clarity Is Now Brutal

Instagram categorises your account based on your last 9–12 posts.

What that means:
If your content is all over the place, your reach will be too.

�� Your move: Think of your profile like a radio station , not a chaotic playlist. Pick a lane and stay in it.

3. Watch Time Is King (Shorter Often Wins)

A fully watched 30-second video beats a skipped 60-second one every time. You can actually post a video that's up to 3 minutes long but it will have to be bloody good if you want people to make it to the end.

What that means:
Your videos need to grab attention and keep it.

�� Your move:

Start with the hook
Lead with your strongest moment
Ask yourself: would someone replay this?

4. Longer + Episodic Content Is Back

I'm about to contradict myself but long reels have a place too. In fact Instagram is encouraging series-style content. This is called episodic or benchmark content. You could break this up into a 'what will happen next' format or have a theme for one day of the week. For example look at my Friday reels where I shout about an artist I love.

What that means:
This is where content planning really works in your favour.

�� Your move:

“Making this song” episodes
Studio diaries
Song breakdown series

5. Goodbye #

Hashtags are fading. Keywords are rising. Think about what words or phrases define you and work those into all of your captions.

What that means: Instagram is now basically a search engine.

�� Your move:
Write like a human, but with intent:

“UK indie artist”
“afrobeats love song”
“live acoustic performance”
Take a look at my captions. They all end with a couple of sentences that describe me for people new to my channel. I've written that as a pocket explosion of keywords.

�� Building a Content Plan as a Musician

A content plan isn’t about posting more. It’s about posting with purpose. Think of it like designing a world your audience wants to step into again and again.

1. Choose Your Lane (Platform Focus)

Trying to dominate every platform is like playing five gigs at once. You’ll just sound bad everywhere. So focus on one or two. Think about where your audience might actually live. For example if your music appeals to Gen x you won't find many of your people on TikTok. Don't forget YouTube either - after all it's the second biggest search engine after Google (who own YouTube).

2. Choose Your Identity (Your “Channel”)

You should be able to describe your content in one sentence. If you can’t, Instagram definitely can’t.

Think of this as your mission statement. If someone asks you what you do and you have one sentence to mail the answer, what are you going to say?

Then make sure every single thing you do on your channel fits with your mission statement.

That means all these are important:

All of your posts and captions
How you reply to posts and the people you DM
The people you follow and who follows you

�� Rule: Instagram looks at every aspect of your behaviour and bases it on how you show up in the Insta world. If you have other interests outside your channel, start another channel and do that stuff there. I have a private channel for that very purpose. Anything not related to Monoki happens there.

3. Set Clear Goals

Without goals, content becomes noise.

Break it down:

Long-term (1 year): Audience size, income, recognition
Mid-term (6 months): Growth milestones, releases
Short-term (1 month): Content output, engagement targets

4. Pick a Sustainable Posting Rhythm

Consistency beats intensity. You don’t need to post daily. You need to post reliably. If you post good quality content it will still be getting engagement 24-48 hours later or even longer! The longer your post remains active the more people Insta will let in the door. So give each post room to breathe.

The algorithm doesn’t “punish” older posts outright, but it prioritises showing people newer content from accounts they follow. If you post daily, your newest post will generally get the first push in your followers’ feeds, which can reduce the reach of yesterday’s post unless it continues to get engagement (likes, shares, saves, comments).

Bottom line: Posting every day isn’t inherently bad, but if every post is vying for attention, some may get “lost in the shuffle.” It’s better to focus on quality, strong hooks, and strategic timing than just posting for the sake of daily consistency.

5. Plan Around “Drop-Off Points”

Think of your plan like going on a long journey. What are the important places you want people to see along the way? Your 'drop off points' are gigs, releases. All the things you put in your regular work diary that are worth shouting about.

�� Example:

Let's say you're releasing 8 songs as a mini album. You might want to think about releasing that over time rather than all at once (called a waterfall release). Maybe you'll release 3 songs, one a month on DSP and whilst making the whole album available on physical formats. Suddenly you have 4 things to talk about over the course of 3 months.

Add to that any promo gigs or appearances you might be doing to push the album. Suddenly you're building a content plan.

�� Your Content Toolkit

Think of your content like a setlist. You need variety, but it all fits the same vibe.

Types of Content

Passive vs Active
Easy-to-watch vs requires engagement
Promote Old Music
New fans haven’t heard your old songs
Repeatable Formats
Same idea, different execution or just content you can repost again and again.
Benchmark / Episodic Content
Series people come back for
Talking Head Reels
Build connection, not just sound

Stories v feed posts

Your followers are much more likely to see your stories - the feed can often be clogged up with ads and suggestions. Therefore don't forget to share your feed posts to your stories. If your reels are less than 60s long, the whole thing gets seen in a story.

Don't overwhelm your followers with stories. Aim for a max of two or three live stories at a time.

⚙️ Content Must-Haves (Non-Negotiable)

Every post should tick these boxes:

A strong hook (first 1–2 seconds)
Keyword-rich captions (not hashtag spam)
Built for full watch-throughs
Potential for replays and shares

Longer videos are fine, but only if they earn attention. Otherwise, keep it tight.

�� How to Actually Measure Progress

Instagram gives you clues. Most artists just ignore them.

Pay attention to:

Follower vs non-follower reach
Who watches your Stories consistently
Completion rate on Reels

�� Stories = nurture your fans
�� Feed = find new ones

�� If You Remember Only 5 Things

Be consistent in style and genre
Hook attention in 1–2 seconds
Optimise for shares, not likes
Use keywords, not hashtags
Build repeatable content formats

�� Need more help?

The goal isn’t to “beat the algorithm.” It’s to become the kind of artist people actively choose to see.

When your content is clear, consistent, and addictive in small doses, the algorithm doesn’t feel like an obstacle anymore. It starts behaving like a very enthusiastic tour manager, quietly putting you in front of the right crowd night after night.

But I understand all this can still feel pretty daunting so how about you and I sit down and work this out together?

In a content planning session we'll:

Establish a system to make planning easy.
Define your channel identity.
Set clear goals and drop off points.
Build a posting schedule to include all the elements that will help you grow.

Special offer: Book a two hour content planning session for just £60

Click below to book or find out more.

Why Musicians Should Stop Freaking Out About AI (Yes, Really)

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:17:29 GMT

Let's face the elephant in the room

If you’re a musician thinking, “AI is going to make me irrelevant”, pull up a chair.

I'm about to drop a few truth bombs - in fact a lot of truth bombs!

We've been here before ... lots of times

You’re not the first generation of musician to get sweaty palms about new tech. Back when recorded music first became a thing (think: early 1900s), artists lost their minds.

They thought recording music would lead to fewer live gigs and less money. All the magic gone. Some unions even tried to ban recorded music outright. Sound familiar to the current AI freak-out?

Then, fast-forward to the Roaring Twenties: radio arrives , and musicians are once again clutching their instruments, worried that people would stop buying all that recorded music they were getting their strings in a twist about a few decades earlier.

Oh, we're not done. Thanks to those innovative Germans we get tape ! Remember that?

Now people can borrow an album from the kid down the street (you know, that album we didn't want recorded a few decades back and didn't want on the radio) (just saying). They could record their own copy for the cost of a C-90 (look it up) and they don't need to buy their own! We're doomed!

We weren't doomed.

Then there were all the innovations when it came to making the music!

Roger Linn's electronic drum kit made every drummer fear for their future. The first workable sampler, the Fairlight (well, it didn't always work) (and it did cost as much as a house) meant you could get a convincing orchestra without hiring ... a convincing orchestra!

Ready for a deeper dive?

When Sampling Was Witchcraft

The Fairlight CMI (Computer Musical Instrument), created by Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie, was an absolute game-changer.

It was one of the first commercially available samplers and sequencers, which meant you could literally record a sound — like a cash register or a piano — and play it back across different pitches. ( Wikipedia)

This wasn’t gear just for geeks — big-name artists like Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, and Trevor Horn used it to build iconic, futuristic soundscapes. Those breaking glass effects at the end of Kate Bush's Babooshka: Fairlight. Those orchestral stabs, drum fills and much much more on Owner Of A Lonely Heart by Yes (produced by Trevor Horn): Fairlight.

The Fairlight basically helped invent modern music production. If you want to really nerd out: the National Science and Media Museum has a really cool playlist and breakdown of how the Fairlight shaped so many genres. National Science and Media Museum blog

Drum Machines: Robots on drums!

Let’s talk Linn for a second. The LM-1 drum machine, made by Roger Linn, was one of the first to use actual drum samples, not synthesized ones. reverb.com

Musicians were understandably nervous, drummers were crapping themselves. What if real drummers are obsolete? — but in reality, it became another tool. A powerful one, but not a replacement for real talent.

But for a time in the early 80's that Linn Drum sound was everywhere. Human League's massive Dare album - all Linn Drum. Even early goth shoe gazers Cocteau Twins were using it!

That Linn sound went on to influence chart-topping music. It wasn’t a cheap gimmick — it shaped pop, electronic, and hip-hop in ways people are still copying today.

But, crucially, drummers are still doing okay. After a while (in fact it was only a few years) we started longing for real drummers again. Hell, one of the biggest musicians in the 80's was Phil Collins , a drummer (and he used a Linn Drum on In The Air Tonight).

AI = Just the Next Tool

Here’s where your coach (that’s me) drops the good stuff.

AI is massive , and yes, a little scary. But we’re in the honeymoon phase . It’s shiny, it’s new, and it’s everywhere. That's why every idiot with less musical talent than my cat is dropping prompts and drowning streaming services in sub standard muzak. Because they can.

Eventually? It’s going to be just another tool, another way for you — the musician — to make stuff that sounds good, looks good, and reaches people. Think: more creative freedom, not less.

At the end of the day, the quality of the output is always dependent on the quality of the input.

Want AI to help generate melodies? Cool.
Want it to clean up vocal takes? Go for it.
Want it to write a “fake” piano line so you can spend more time on the hook? That’s valid.

None of that invalidates your skill. If anything, it amplifies the kinds of things you can do.

Embrace and Use It — Or Get Left Behind

Here’s the blunt truth: AI isn’t going anywhere. It’s not a fad — it’s part of the ecosystem now, like tape, samplers, drum machines. So you’ve got two choices:

Hunker down and resist.
— You’ll spend a lot of time worrying, but you’ll also risk being outpaced.
Embrace it, learn it, and use it.
— Use it as a creative partner . Use it to make better demos, better marketing content, better songs.

I’m firmly in camp #2. Because I want you to be empowered , not anxious. And honestly? The musicians who lean into this tech are going to be the ones leading the next wave.

Note I said musicians there and not any idiot who can type.

Bottom line: Yes, AI is big. Yes, it’s going to change stuff. But it’s not your enemy — unless you refuse to learn how to use it. And if you’re ready to lean in, I’ve got your back.

Hell I'm using it. AI helps me to edit my videos, add captions. I even used it to help me write this blog!

If you liked this, drop me a comment or share it with a musician mate who’s freaking out about AI.

Your Social Media Strategy Starts With One Word: Why

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 09:46:47 GMT

Ask Yourself This One Question Today ��

Why are you doing this?

No seriously.

Why are you posting stuff on social?

Because the answer to that will tell you exactly how to create your marketing strategy. It’s that simple.

 (And yes, there’s a very important reason I’m bringing this up — we’ll circle back to that. Pin it. ��)

Let’s Get Real for a Second

If your goal is to get as many followers as possible, just so you can bask in those juicy big numbers that make you feel like an influencer, then honestly — post whatever you want.

Cat videos? ✅
Trending sounds? ✅
A CapCut masterpiece of you leaping over a building or diving into a wine glass? ✅✅✅

Go wild. Chase the dopamine hits.

But if your why is to grow a business , then sorry — that stuff’s just noise.

Because the followers who’ll actually buy from you don’t care how good you are at CapCut. They care about what you’re selling, why it matters, and whether it’s for them.

That’s the start of every great marketing strategy:

�� Figure out why you’re doing it.
�� Then figure out who it’s for.
�� Then convince them to buy it.

Simple. Not easy — but simple.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Posting on social is marketing — whether you mean it to be or not. Any successful campaign starts with clarity .

Why you’re doing it (awareness, leads, sales?)
Who you’re talking to (and no, “everyone” doesn’t count)
What you’re offering (and why they should care)

Once you know those, the rest — your content ideas, your tone, your posting schedule — basically writes itself. If you want a bit of proof, check out these.

HubSpot’s guide to building a content strategy
Buffer’s data on what actually drives engagement
Or even this gem from Seth Godin on finding your tribe, not the crowd.

Example Time

Let’s say you’re a musician (which, let’s be honest, most of my followers are). Your marketing strategy shouldn’t be “post random stuff until something goes viral.”

It should be about persuading your audience that your music is exactly what’s missing from their life.

Share your songwriting process.
Show what your gigs feel like.
Talk about the stories behind your songs.

Then point them toward the thing that helps them get more of it — your vinyl, your tickets, your merch.

Because your goal isn’t likes.

It’s listeners who pay you.

So… Why Am I Talking About This?

Someone on TikTok called me out the other day. They asked: “How can you be an expert in social media marketing with such a small following?”

Fair question.

Here’s the answer: I don’t need a shitload of followers. Only a tiny percentage of followers ever buy — and that’s fine by me. My business model doesn’t need 100,000 people. It needs a handful who pay me well for what I do.

That keeps my diary full — and my sanity intact.

Now, if you’re a musician, your maths looks a bit different. Your product’s cheaper (say, £20 for a gig ticket, £30 for a vinyl). So yes, you’ll need a bigger audience — but still, the right audience.

Tailored. Targeted. Tuned in.

The Takeaway ��

The next time you’re planning your content, start with this one question:

Why am I doing this?

Because once you know that, you’ll know everything else:

Who you’re talking to
What to post
And when to stop wasting time on cat videos (sorry, Mittens ��)

If you’re ready to build a strategy that actually gets results — not just likes — let’s chat.

�� Get in touch or drop a comment below and tell me your why.

Why you should embrace your mistakes

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:43:20 GMT

Your videos don’t need to be perfect. In fact, striving for perfection can often makes them about as exciting as watching paint dry.

The secret sauce is owning your mistakes. Trip over a line, spill your coffee, walk straight into a lamp, whatever it is, keep it in. People don’t connect with flawless robots; they connect with humans who can laugh at themselves, make a mess, and still get back up smiling. Perfection is boring. Cock-ups are magic.

Why We Love Bloopers (and Honestly, Who Doesn’t?)

Ever found yourself deep in a YouTube wormhole at 2 a.m., watching blooper reels from Friends, Schitt’s Creek, or Modern Family? Don’t pretend you haven’t.

You start with “just one clip,” and suddenly you’re emotionally invested in whether David from Schitt’s Creek can get through one line without exploding into giggles.

Bloopers aren’t just funny — they remind us that even the so-called professionals can’t get it right all the time. They mess up, trip over props, snort-laugh mid-scene, and somehow, it makes them even more lovable. Humans being humans — it’s chaos, but charming chaos.

The Beauty of Imperfect Art

Art is meant to be imperfect. For example, some of the greatest music ever made didn’t come from following the rules — it came from mistakes, happy accidents, and bold experimentation.

Take the legendary guitar solo in Led Zeppelin’s “ Stairway to Heaven ” . Jimmy Page famously improvised a lot of it in the studio, stumbling into notes that ended up iconic.

Even Sting couldn’t resist a good laugh during The Police’s “Roxanne” sessions when he accidentally sat on a piano while recording. You can still hear his 'bum' note and laughter on the song. Even The Police were up for keeping their mistakes in.

Sometimes the best creative moments happen when you go, “Well, that didn’t work… but actually, that’s brilliant.” Perfection kills curiosity; mistakes spark it.

Keep the Chaos (It’s More Fun That Way)

That’s exactly why I leave mistakes in my videos. If something ridiculous happens, I’m keeping it.

Recently I've been producing a bunch of videos with Nate James for his Patreon , and let me tell you there’s plenty of glorious chaos in there.

The thing is, we have a lot of fun making those videos. We're often laughing at ourselves or each other and that stuff deserves to be seen.

Case in point: I was walking backwards down Brick Lane, filming Nate, and walked straight into a sunglasses display outside some poor bloke’s shop. Did we cut it out? Of course not. Bloody comedy gold. I think you can even hear the shopkeeper shouting in the distance.

Bloopers: The Secret Ingredient

It's now a bit of a trademark that I include bloopers in the end credits for every music video I produce.

Watching a musician miss a cue, trip over a mic cable, or blow a line never fails to crack everyone up on set. It’s a reminder that behind the slick production and cinematic shots, there are humans fumbling through it all, just like the rest of us. And honestly? That messiness is the magic.

Perfection is Boring (Seriously)

Nowadays, we’ve got AI tools to polish everything until it gleams. Every frame perfect, every note flawless, every word smooth as butter.

But here’s the thing — perfection is dull. Deadly dull. Humans are messy. We mess up. We stammer. We spill tea on the keyboard. And we learn from it.

Strip away the mistakes, and you lose the charm, the relatability, the bloody humour that makes people stick around.

Own Your Mistakes, Share Your Chaos

Next time you’re filming a reel, TikTok, or Instagram clip, and you cock it up — own it.

Leave it in. Laugh at it.

People want authenticity, not a digital clone that never drops a line or trips over a cable. Your mistakes are your personality shining through. And trust me, your audience will love it.

Mistakes aren’t failures — they’re free entertainment, relationship-builders, and sometimes even the best part of the video. So go on, be human. Mess up spectacularly. Walk into sunglasses displays. Flub your lines. Post it anyway.

Nothing says “relatable legend” like a proper arse-over-tit moment caught on camera.

How I made this music video

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:52:32 GMT

Producing music videos during the Covid pandemic was a bit like cooking with half the ingredients missing—you had to get creative, or go hungry. I ended up making three lockdown music videos and with each attempt the projects got braver, stranger, and more ambitious.

This one, though? This might just be my favourite. Not only because of the final result, but because of the inspiration (and a few happy accidents) that shaped it.

The Problem

Ah, 2021. Remember it? bad haircuts, scheduled outside time and, if you worked in video production, an endless headache. At the time, I was in Essex while my client, soul singer Nate James was over 300 miles away in Stirling, Scotland. Not exactly a quick hop on the train. Not that we could do that anyway.

Filming him in person for 1Kind was impossible. But here’s the thing: I really wanted Nate on camera for this because the song is personal.

Nate is many things ( MOBO-nominated artist , soulful powerhouse, all-round lovely bloke) but he's no filmmaker, So If I wanted him on camera I had to get creative.

The song

Nate’s song 1Kind is brimming with lyrical imagery—it’s his very own What’s Going On moment.

The track digs into humanity’s biggest flaw: we just don’t seem to get along. Wars of opinion, battles over ethnicity, clashes about sexuality. But as Nate so eloquently puts it: underneath it all, we’re the same. We are, quite literally, one kind.

Although written years earlier, the release landed perfectly in 2021—right in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests and the global outrage following the murder of George Floyd. Suddenly, this song wasn’t just relevant, it was urgent.

That gave me a lot of emotional material to work with. Dark, thought-provoking visuals were a given. But I still needed Nate’s face in the frame to make this work.

The inspiration

Two of my all-time favourite music videos became my guide:

Godley & Creme - Cry: By 1985 when this song came out, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme were already successful musicians (they were half of 10cc in the seventies). But they were also award winning video directors.

Their treatment of their own song Cry has always been a favourite. A simple close-up performance using multiple faces morphing seamlessly into one another. Remember, this was pre-digital. It was all made and edited using real film and they still nailed it.

Later, Michael Jackson and John Landis did something very similar with Michael's 'Black Or White' video but with some help from the latest CGI technology.

Sinéad O’Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U: The beautiful song is Sinéad's 1990 cover of a Prince original and a rare moment where the cover is way better than the original (although Prince nailed it too).

The video was directed by John Maybury and is pretty similar to the Godley and Creme video in that it was just a simple close image of Sinéad performing to camera cut with a few (in my opinion) shots of her walking through the Parc de Saint-Cloud in Paris. The video closes with a beautiful and equally deva stating moment where Sinéad cries on camera. This was genuine by the way chaneled by thoughts of her mother dying in 1985 as a result of a car accident.

I wanted to fuse all of these influences into Nate’s video—keeping the raw emotion front and centre while using face-morphing to amplify the message.

The DIY technique

So, how do I film a professional-looking music video featuring an emotive, well lit performance against a black background from 300 miles away.

A smartphone, a bed, and a very patient partner.

Here’s the hack:

I asked Nate to lay on his bed against a black sheet wearing a black top.
His partner, Gerad, held the phone directly above him.
The secret sauce? Don’t move the camera. At all. Not even a sneeze.

It took a few tries (the lighting nearly drove us mad—daylight and domestic lamps aren’t exactly cinematic), but we managed to get the raw performance footage I needed.

The edit

In post-production, I mixed Nate’s footage with carefully chosen stock video that reflected the song’s themes. During the chorus, I layered in those face-morphing effects pioneered by Godley & Creme.

And that opening in black and white? That wasn’t just artsy flair—it was a sneaky way to hide the less-than-perfect lighting we had from Nate’s footage. Sometimes necessity is the mother of… clever fixes.

The result

What we ended up with was a music video that looked intentional, emotional, and powerful—despite the constraints of filming during lockdown. Nate’s performance, combined with the morphing effects, brought the song’s central message to life.

Plus it was a great way for me to honour two music videos that remain amongst the greatest ever made. It just proves you don't need clever special effects to make a powerful video. Just a good idea.

I'm passionate about making memorable videos that bring the music to life. Sometimes that needs a little money, sometimes it can be done on a very tight budget and often is.

Oh and I revel in a challenge. This was certainly that.

If you'd like to talk about us creating something beautiful for one of your songs, you know what to do.

Your next music video made for free

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:24:05 GMT

Yep, you read that right. Every year I produce one music video for free and now is the time.

If you'd like that video to be yours ... keep reading.

I've now done this for three years and below you can see previous winners Molly Chadwick, EM Kane and Anthony Hughes.

Take a look and then scroll down to read more about the competition, how to enter and a little more about our approach to promoting your music.

What do you win?

I'm offering to create one fully finished, 4k video for one new, original song.

The winner will be free to upload it anywhere and everywhere. You'll also get edits that work perfectly on social channels like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

I'll work with you to devise a concept , put together a pre-production plan and story boards. Then shoot , colour grade and edit your finished video.

I'll also be sharing the finished video on our social channels and this website.

But that's not all

I want to share the process.

I'll also be sharing the creative process on our socials and you'll be welcome to do the same. Then all your fans will be able to follow us every step of the way as your video takes shape.

What's not on offer

This competition is to win the services of me and my team to make you one music video.

Much of this will be determined by your ideas for the finished video and your budget. Obviously any budget needed for your video can be discussed during the pre-production process. We can make this as cheap (or not) as you like.

We made all the videos you see above with no extra costs. So getting a great video for zip is more than possible.

How to apply

Click on the button below and send us an email. Here's what we need:

Your name and address.
A link to the song you'd like us to consider.
A brief outline of your vision for the video.
A brief history of you/your band.
Any social links so we can come and check out your stuff.

The closing date for entries is Tuesday 30th September. After which I'll look at all the entries, get in touch with the winner and start the ball rolling.

Good luck!

Learn more about us

Monoki's director Paul has been working in the music industry for over 30 years. He has a unique set of skills that help to make unique videos for music promo and live performance. Monoki also work with many businesses of all sizes on projects ranging from marketing and social video to feature length documentaries.

Stop chasing Spotify (it's worse than you think)

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:54:19 GMT

I'm comfortable with music streaming. It's here to stay now, we've gone too far. In fact we've gone very far. When you consider that illegal downloading from the likes of Limewire and Napster began in the early 2000's, there's now a generation of people who don't know another way.

But things have moved on and if you're a musician it's time you moved on too.

How we got here

To understand why streaming dominates (and why it has limitations), you have to rewind a bit.

1. The Illegal Download Era (Late 90s – Early 2000s)

This was the industry’s earthquake moment. Platforms like Napster made music free, instant and shareable . Suddenly millions of people stopped buying CDs and started downloading MP3s instead (holding my hands up here although I did continue to buy some physical media).

Within just a few years, convenience won and ownership lost value.

The music industry scrambled to react, but the shift had already happened. People no longer wanted to pay per album. They wanted access to everything.

2. The iTunes Fix (Early – Mid 2000s)

Apple stepped in and offered a compromise. Pay £0.99 per track, download it legally and own it forever.

It worked… for a while but it didn’t fully solve the problem because once people had tasted unlimited, frictionless access even paying per song started to feel restrictive.

3. The Rise of Streaming (2010s)

Then came Spotify and the streaming era. For a monthly fee (or even free with ads), you could access everything. Instantly. Anywhere.

This changed behaviour permanently:

Music became on-demand
Playlists replaced albums
Algorithms shaped discovery
Ownership became irrelevant

Streaming didn’t just win, it rewired how people value music.

4. The Saturation Problem (2020s)

As barriers to entry disappeared, more music than ever flooded platforms.

Millions of tracks uploaded every year
Attention became the scarcest resource
Algorithms became gatekeepers

At the same time, pay out models meant more music + more artists = smaller slices of the pie.

Streaming scaled consumption but it also diluted earnings.

Streaming still dominates the music industry.

Globally, it accounts for around 70% of recorded music revenue, with hundreds of millions of paying subscribers. In the UK alone, fans spent over £2 billion on streaming in 2025.

Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music continue to shape how music is discovered. But something important has shifted.

Streaming is no longer growing as fast as the rest of the industry.

New revenue is increasingly coming from:

Direct-to-fan sales
Live experiences
Merchandise
Physical formats

The industry isn’t just a “streaming economy” anymore. It’s becoming a fan economy .

Streams Don’t Equal Fans

Streaming gives you visibility but visibility doesn’t guarantee connection. And connection is what builds careers.

Here’s the problem:

You don’t own your audience on streaming platforms
You’re competing with millions of songs
Algorithms decide who sees your music
Revenue per stream is extremely low

In fact, many platforms now require tracks to hit minimum thresholds (e.g. 1,000 streams per year) before generating any royalties at all. So while streaming is powerful for discovery It’s a weak foundation for long-term growth on its own.

The Return of Physical Music (Yes, Really)

While artists have been chasing streams, fans have been rediscovering something else:

Ownership.

Physical music is growing again, and not just as nostalgia.

UK physical music revenue grew 11.5% in 2025
Vinyl sales increased by 13–18% year-on-year
Vinyl has now seen nearly two decades of continuous growth
Even cassettes saw a 95% increase in sales (yes, seriously)

This isn’t just a trend. It’s a signal. Fans don’t just want access to music anymore. They want something they can hold, collect and connect with.

Why This Matters for Artists

Streaming is passive. Physical and direct-to-fan is active. One is background listening. The other is intentional support.

When someone buys:

A vinyl
A CD
A limited run cassette
A piece of merch

They’re not just consuming your music. They’re investing in you. That’s the difference between a listener and a fan.

The Smart Artist Strategy in 2026

The artists who are winning right now aren’t ignoring Spotify, they’re just not relying on it.

They’re using streaming as:

A discovery engine
A top-of-funnel tool
A way to reach new listeners

And then they’re building systems that turn listeners into fans:

Email lists
Content that builds connection
Live shows
Direct-to-fan sales
Physical releases

Because that’s where real careers are built.

The Bottom Line

Spotify isn’t the enemy but it’s not the answer either. If you treat streaming as the destination, you’ll always be chasing numbers. If you treat it as the starting point, you can build something much bigger.

Streams might get you heard. Fans are what keep you going.

Quick Takeaways

Streaming dominates, but growth is shifting elsewhere
Most artists earn very little from streams alone
Physical music and direct-to-fan sales are rising again
The future is about owning your audience, not renting it

If this resonates...

it might be time to rethink your strategy. Because building a music career today isn’t about gaming algorithms.
It’s about building connection, trust and momentum.

That’s exactly what I help artists do.

�� Drop me a message and let’s see how we can grow your fanbase properly.

How to record an interview

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 14:06:26 GMT

As a documentary producer I get to film a tonne of interviews. Thankfully with a background in broadcasting I'm pretty good at asking the questions as well as running the cameras. Filming an interview is a handy skill you can benefit from too.

An interview can take a number of forms from stopping someone in the street (vox pop: voice of the people) to filming a review or even a whole interview for something like a podcast.

Doing it right can make for some compelling footage you can get the best us of on any number of platforms. So this is my guide to filming and conduct a successful interview.

Writing the questions

The best interviews aren't interviews at all, they're conversations. When your guest is relaxed you will get the best answers and from someone looking relaxed on camera. If you just have a list of disjointed questions your guest will feel more like they're trying out for a job than just having fun.

Watch the masters doing it on TV and even though the host has some questions prepared they are often delivered in a conversational style with a logical order and often interrupted by follow on questions that may not have been prepared at all.

The best skill any interviewer has is to listen . If all you're doing is thinking about the next question you might miss something important.

So when it comes to writing your questions do your research, make sure the questions are in an order that makes sense and keep the questions open. Nothing that can be answered with a 'yes or a 'no'.

The more relaxed your guest is, the better results you'll get on camera.

Are they sitting comfortably?

If you're asking someone questions it will be pretty obvious to the viewer, even if you're not on screen. So if your guest is looking straight at the camera, why are they not looking at you? That's just plain rude!

Let's go back to the TV chat show for a second. Where does the guest look when answering questions? At the person asking them. If they directed their answers to the audience or you at home that would look strange right?

If you're interviewing someone, they should be looking at you and your viewer becomes a 'third person' just watching you two chatting. We're so used to seeing TV interviews as a 'third person' that any other set up just looks odd.

Your set up should look like the beautifully crafted and prepared diagram below. Your viewer sees your world through the lens of your camera. So from their perspective they're sitting next to you while you ask the questions and just watching your guest in action. Much like an audiences' perspective on a TV chat show.

Having your guest look at you rather than the camera has the fringe benefit of helping your guest relax. If they're not confident talking to camera now they don't have to. They can ignore the camera entirely and just chat with you. Now that's much easier.

Answering questions

We've discussed a right way to ask the questions but there's a right way to answer them too. You'll want to mention this to your guest before you start.

If you're only filming your guest I'm going assume you don't want your questions appearing on the finished edit. So you'll need to make sure the answers will make sense out of context and you'll want to ensure your voice doesn't slip in accidentally.

You can achieve both of these things with a couple of simple instructions to your guest before you start.

Ask them to pause before answering each question. Just a breath will do. This stops them from accidentally talking before you've finished making the start of their answer unusable.
Ask them to paraphrase the questions . That way their answer will make perfect sense without your question appearing at all. For example if you ask them what their favourite biscuit is, you'll want their reply to be 'my favourite biscuit is a Custard Cream'. If they say something like 'oh I like Custard Creams', that will make no sense without your question first. Oh and we both know that Custard Cream is always the right answer don't we? The king of biscuits.

Hearing the answers

Sound is important of course but if you're filming this stuff on your phone it's easy to assume that the microphone on your phone will do the job. That may not be the case.

Smart phones are blessed with incredibly good cameras and incredibly bad microphones , They are designed for your voice to be no more than an arms length away. But when you're interviewing someone else, that won't be the case.

The further away your phone mic is from an audio source the more likely it will pick up other sounds. For example, if you're filming outside you'll have things like traffic and other people to contend with.

If you're inside, even in a quiet room you have to deal with room acoustics. The bigger and emptier a room is the more you will hear your guest's voice reflecting off hard surfaces in the room. Try recording yourself in a kitchen or bathroom and then your living room or bedroom and you will notice the difference. Hard surfaces reflect soundwaves, soft surfaces absorb them.

The best solution here is to invest in a microphone you can place closer to your guest. Lavalier mics are tiny microphones you can attach to a collar or jacket. These are the best options for an interview.

Take a look at the video below for more on this.

The rule of thirds

Finally a few words about the rule of thirds. Understanding this simple principal of film making will help to ensure your guest is framed properly and looks fab on camera.

You can click here for a full explanation on the rule of thirds or watch the video below.

Still a bit stuck?

If you still feel in need of some help, that's okay. I don't for a second expect you to become Michael Parkinson or Graham Norton after reading one blog.

So if you have more questions, need more help or want me to come and show you how. Press the button, a chat costs nothing. Well, a packet of Custard Creams would go down nicely.

Instagram shut me down

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:07:39 GMT

Last Thursday I woke up to some bad news.

I was sitting having my morning coffee, I opened up my Instagram and got a message from the Meta gods.

"Your account has been deactivated"

Apparently, they thought I did something that went against community guidelines and if I disagreed with this decision I could appeal. So I appealed.

Saturday morning I checked the account again and it was working normally, like nothing had happened. No explanation from Meta about what I may or may not have done wrong.

So even though I’m none the wiser I learned a few things and if you rely on Instagram for your business you should probably be doing what I did next.

This is a common issue

Waking up to find your Instagram account has been shut down is not uncommon. Even if you think you've been behaving like an angel sent from heaven, Meta can still shut you down with no explanation and (if you're lucky) re-activate you with the same lack of communication.

The first thing I did when I found myself in Instagram jail was reach out to my friends at Social Media Examiner . They're an outfit in California who's sole purpose is to educate on how to use all the platforms. They are my experts when I need help and, as this has never happened to me before I figured, if anyone can help me they can.

Turns out this has happened to them in the past too! So even the best experts are not immune.

So with their help and a little extra research I am busy setting up a little insurance so it doesn't happen again and if it does, I'm not lost in the dark. So here are the three things I recommend you do to mitigate the chances of this happening to you.

Download your data.

If the worst happens and Meta delete your account all together (which is possible) if you regularly download your data you will have access to a list of all your followers, the people you follow and all points in between.

You can easily do this on Instagram by clicking on the three lines and going to your activity. You’ll find the option to download data at the bottom and you can even schedule a monthly download.

Get verified.

You can pay for that blue tick which means you get increased account protection and better access to support. The details are in your accounts centre.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

Now I’m a big believer that you will probably have more success on social media if you focus your attention on the one platform that suits you best rather than trying to be active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok all at once. BUT have a back up just in case.

The one thing I’m going to do more of is encourage people to access my weekly emails – that way if the worst does happen again I still have a way to get in touch with the people who want to communicate with me.

What's the take home?

Meta are in charge. They can shut you down at any time and they don’t have to tell you why or warn you that they’re going to do it. If they did it to me and they did it to a team of well renowned social media experts with 155k followers – they can do it to you.

So if you value your Instagram account - it pays to do as much as possible to protect it.

By the way, if this was valuable to you, please stay connected by clicking on the button below and subscribing to my weekly emails.

How to turn you followers into fans

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:55:18 GMT

It doesn't matter what kind of business you run, if you're using social media to promote what you do you could be missing something important.

Turning followers into fans.

Independent musicians, in particular, are terrible at this. Many focus on the numbers and post endless videos of them performing either live or in a studio. To truly succeed you need to start talking with your followers and not just singing at them.

Here I’m going explain why engagement is the key to generating fans and give you three ideas to help you start conversations with your followers.

Active or passive?

There are two types of video content on social media, passive and active. Most musicians tend to post mostly passive content. These posts don’t ask the follower to do anything. Performance videos are a good example of this. While these posts are important there needs to be a balance.

Active posts encourage comments or conversation. These are important because the algorithm is much more likely to show comment rich content to more of your followers and, more importantly, like minded people who don’t follow you.

How the algorithm works

Social platforms make money through advertising . The longer you spend on their platform the more likely you are to see adverts and maybe even buy stuff.

The algorithm is set up to show you, the user, content that keeps you hooked. This might be stuff from people you interact with the most or popular content from people you don’t follow based on your interests.

One of the ways they measure that popularity is with comments . The more comments a post has the more people the algorithm shares it with.

Ergo if your content gets lots of comments the algorithm will show it to more people .

How to get your followers talking

One thing we’re not short of at Monoki is ideas for content that gets results. As well as making videos for businesses and musicians we manage social media accounts too. That means coming up with a lot of ideas.

If you’re a musician and want to get your followers talking, here are three ways to do just that.

Show off your songwriting chops

If you’re a songwriter why not ask your followers to suggest inspiration for your next composition? You could invite them to come up with:

A title for you to work from
A subject for your next song
Key words or phrases you could include

This works well on two fronts. Firstly it invites comments (remember to answer to every post and keep the conversation going with open questions).

Secondly it encourages followers to check back in with you on progress. You could even post regular updates on how the song is developing or invite them to a concert or live stream where you debut

the song.

Musical knockout

Ask your followers to suggest a song for you to cover. You could just leave it at that and pick your favourite or take it up a notch and make it more fun .

Perhaps put two songs up against one another and offer to post a video of you performing the song that gets the most votes at the end of the week. Maybe as a live stream.

Then keep the battle going by pitching the winning song up against another. Repeat the process as many times as you like.

This will help to create a conversation and give followers a reason to pay attention to your content so they get to find out if the song they chose has won.

We actually use this idea for a radio station we manage. It encourages followers to listen at a certain time to find out if their song gets played.

Collaborate

I have to give full credit here to my Instagram friend Semaj Dee who does this regularly with brilliant results. Gary Barlow rather famously did it during the Covid-19 lockdowns too. It's probably easier to list who he didn't duet with but he created powerful 'come back' content as followers were hungry to see who he would collaborate with next.

How to do it

Ask a fellow musician to duet or play with you on a video. Just a cover version will do. I’m pretty sure Semaj creates his videos with Zoom or something similar so it should be super easy to do if you can't meet in person.

For starters this gets you to meet new musicians and, more importantly, their followers get introduced to you and vice versa.

On Instagram you can even share the love further with the collaborate option in tags. Your video then shows up on both feeds and any comments or likes count for both of you.

Turn followers into fans

When followers don't engage with any of your posts it makes them nothing more than a number. If you want those followers to start buying your music or seeing you live (which I’m assuming you do), you need to convert them to fans. In order to do that you need to start talking with them.

These ideas will help you to strike up conversations . People are much more likely to check out your music and, ultimately, spend money with you if they feel they know you.

At Monoki we love nothing more than seeing talented, unsigned musicians grow. If you’d like more help turning your followers into fans come and have a chat.

We can help get your music heard

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 14:47:56 GMT

Throughout the whole of 2024 we're doing something really special. We're donating 2,024 minutes of our time to help the future of the music industry.

Why? Well it's because we're frustrated. Frustrated by seeing so many independent and unsigned musicians struggling to get their music heard and ultimately make a living from the music industry.

Here's how you can get some of those minutes this year.

Here's the problem

Not too long ago if you were a musician looking to get noticed you really only had one option, get signed by a record label. They would sweep you up, give you an advance and provide you everything you need to make them money (and you too, perhaps).

Not only would a record label provide you with the best producers, musicians and everything you need to make your music come alive, they'd also have one key ingredient to help you get noticed; a marketing department.

Now what happens?
Things have changed a bit now and some would say for the better (I'm not one of those people and you can read my rant about that here). There really are only three record labels to choose from (Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group) but in theory you don't need them .

We're in an age where it's possible for you to write, record and publish your own music without even getting out of bed. But if you want that music to reach a lot of people and make you some money you still need one key ingredient; a marketing department.

That would be you

You now have two options:

Hire someone who knows about marketing musicians
Learn how they do it

Since I'm guessing you don't have a tonne of money to throw at option one you'll need to learn how to market your own music and that's where we can help ,

Here's the solution

I'm Paul, the CEO of Monoki Media. I've been a part of both the music industry and the marketing industry since 1985 when Live Aid was all everyone was talking about. Now I help people to become more successful by marketing themselves with two of the most powerful tools available. Social media and video (you can see some of my handy work here).

This year I'm giving you the opportunity to learn a little about how to become a better music marketer by giving 2,024 minutes of my time. It won't be for free but you get to decide how much you want to pay. You won't be paying me either - you'll be doing some good.

In 2016 I lost my Dad to Motor Neurone Disease (ALS). Last year I learned that my friend Dean Fox has also been diagnosed with this life shortening disease. He's the same age as me and he won't see 60.

All I ask in return for my time is for you to donate whatever you can afford to help the millions of others suffering with this life limiting disease.

Claim your free 30 minutes

If you'd like my help, get in touch. I'm not going to bombard you with sales messages, I genuinely just want to help. While I won't put an alarm on our time 30 minutes seems fair and enough time to make a difference to you. I will have three spaces available each month.

Stuff I can help you with:

Coming up with ideas for content
Tools to help you promote events
How to present in front of a camera
How to use a camera
How to edit a video and add captions
How to post on social media for the best results

Click on the link below and if you're the first of three through the gate this month we'll book some time and I'll answer as many questions as you can throw my way.

How we made this music video

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 19:12:41 GMT

Each year we run a competition to give away a music video. The music industry is more competitive than ever with more artists than ever before fighting for space on both streaming and social media platforms.

Our winner in 2023 was Eleanor Kane. We were hooked as soon as we heard the song and still find it hard to believe this was her very first release.

This is the story of how we made it. Take a look first though.

The competition

Every year we give away one fully produced music video. Putting a music video together can easily run into 5 figures before you've blinked so this is no small prize.

Why do we do it?

The music industry has dramatically changed in recent years and many emerging artists are finding they have to operate much like a small business in order to grow. At Monoki we're passionate about supporting new talent. Even though we do this kind of thing for money we try to support new musical talent as much as we can with low cost options or opportunities like this.

The winner

We had a large selection of songs and artists to choose from but one song stood out, EM Kane's Wasted Time. It's a powerful ballad with a real bluesy feel and a strong message. It's also beautifully produced by Ali Robertson but there's something else that compelled us to work on this song. This is the artist's debut release. When you hear it you can see why we were blown away.

Eleanor approached us with an idea for the video but we felt it needed something a little more while still keeping it simple.

The planning

Here's Eleanor's description of the song.

"Wasted Time’ is all about showing your ultimate vulnerability with someone intimately but then still not being able to love them emotionally, wishing you could love that person as much as you want them and all the weird feelings that come about as a result. The song says 'woman' a lot, and in the time since I wrote it I’ve gone through some gender identity stuff, so I want to explore that side visually."

Eleanor's original concept was very simple with one constant shot revolving around her. During the middle eight where the music breaks down the video would reveal her real self with little make up wearing nude shorts and crop top.

I felt the song deserved some more though and loved the highly visual lines in the song about watching someone get up to leave and not being able to tear your eyes away from someone.

So, sticking with Eleanor's original idea as a starting point I came up with the idea to shoot the film in three scenes. Scene one with a man in bed, scene two in a kitchen the morning after the night before with a woman and the final scene would reveal Eleanor as the woman she is rather than the other characters she was trying to be.

We met in a small cafe near Waterloo Station and discussed the idea over coffee. She loved it. With a few tweaks we were ready to start looking for locations.

The filming

To shoot the three scenes we needed three locations. We chose Eleanor's South London bedroom for the first scene and her friend's posh kitchen nearby for the second one.

For the third scene we needed a large, empty and dark space. Normally, with a budget this would just be a simple case of hiring a studio but not in this case. Luckily I live on a farm that is blessed with several large and largely empty barns. The farmer, Daniel was more than happy for us to use one.

We shot the barn scene first on a cold December day. It took us a few takes to get it right and we needed to plug any holes in the barn where any light was escaping in. The whole shot was filmed with our lighting director Kyra using one small light following me as I shot the scene with a gimbal. In post production I was able to reduce any further background light to make the whole scene look even more dramatic.

The other two scenes were pretty easy to shoot with Jake and Dima playing the parts of our two love interests. The whole video was completed with just three shots in two days but the really trickly bit was yet to come.

Matching heads

I wanted to use Eleanor's face as the transition point between scenes. So as one scene ended close on Eleanor's face, the next scene would begin with her face in exactly the same position. Easy on paper but harder in reality.

To do this we had to think about exactly where Eleanor was going to be at all times so each scene started and finished with that close up. With Eleanor's head in exactly the same position and the lighting set to compliment the next scene. With an idea in my head of how I wanted to frame that last shot it was then just a case of trial and error until we got the take we needed.

The result

With this video wanted to prove that you don't need to throw the kitchen sink in with loads of special effects to make a powerful video that supports and sells the song. In fact the only challenge was that transition shot, everything else was pretty easy to produce.

But it was all in the planning. By knowing exactly in my head how each scene was going to look we successfully shot the whole thing in two days and the edit was complete within the same week.

Every music video comes with it's own set backs and complications but what makes it a great experience for us is being able to think outside the box and come up with a result better than it could have been in the first place.

Want us to bring your music alive?

As well as producing music videos we love to film artists live too. If you'd like to discuss bringing your music alive with a great video - click on the button below and let's talk.

How to make video stress free

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 09:18:33 GMT

How to save time when making videos

If you make videos to promote your business on social media (and if you don't we really need to talk about that ) then you'll know it can be a little stressful.

In order to make a splash on social you need to be posting content consistently and that can mean anything between 2 and 5 times per week.

When you consider video is the best way by far to get noticed, that's a lot of videos you've got to make every month. Anywhere up to 20 if you're counting.

Not only does that mean coming up with a lot of ideas (more on that here ) it also means making a lot of videos. So how do you do that stress free? Let's find out.

Solution 1: Get your marketing done for you

If you run a small business that usually means it's you doing pretty much everything. If you have the budget, it's definitely worth investing in a social media manager to take the marketing stress away from you ( more on that here ).

But if that's not in your reach just yet you'll have to do that all yourself. The only way you're going to do that and get results is with planning.

Fail to plan - plan to fail!

Solution 2: batch filming

There are a number of neat little ways you can save time when making your content. If you have a plan in place and know exactly what you're going to post for a whole month, these little shortcuts can be easier to put into practice. For example:

Make several videos on the same broad topic
Make a series covering one topic in several parts
Repeat videos you have posted in the past
Plan your calls to action
Make your videos timeless so you can use them again in the future

Once you have a plan for the month and know the subject of every video you are going to post you can make them all at once. This is how.

Put it in the diary

Set aside a day when you are not going to be disturbed. This is the day you are going to film everything you need for the month.

Keep it simple

Your videos don't need to be complicated. In fact social media prefers simple. So try filming all of your content in one place. This has a huge benefit. Familiarity!

Much like your branding identifies you, so can your video location. People will become used to seeing you in the same environment. They are much more likely to stop scrolling when they see something familiar.

Set up

So set up your space, think about colour (so it matches your brand), lighting and what you're putting in your background. You can find out more here on how to set up a background .

Make a list

Have a check list of all the videos you need to make and check them off when you've filmed and edited each one. If you're editing or adding graphics I suggest finishing each video completely before starting to record the next one. This will help to keep you fresh and looking less burnt out on camera.

Also by having a check list you'll feel satisfied and that will help to keep your mood bright for the camera.

Planning

Know what your going to say before you say it. Not word for word ( scripts are bad ) but have a rough outline prepared for each video before you start. This will save a tonne of time and prevent you from getting stuck along the way.

Posting

At present, without using a third party app (which won't be free) there is no method for scheduling Reels to post in the future (annoying). There is a work around but it's not ideal.

Upload all of your Reels (and thumbnails ) to your phone.
Check your insights to learn the best time to post a Reel
Put a reminder in your diary.

We use an organiser called Trello (it's free) so we can write all of our captions, add hashtags and even set a reminder in one place.

Need some extra guidance?

We get that all this stuff can be a little daunting and it's normal not to be brilliant to begin with.

If you feel you'd like more help on your journey to presenting like a pro, click on the button below to learn more about our 1 to 1 coaching ... it's cheaper than you think and may be just the thing you need to help you feel fab on camera.

What's active content and why do you need it?

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:50:13 GMT

Here's a little problem I see often on social media. A lot of businesses are guilty of doing this. However we work with and follow a lot of independent musicians who seem to do this more than other small business.

I'm talking about posting all passive content and no active content.

So right here right now I'm going explain what both of those terms mean and why you might think about adding more active content into your marketing strategy.

Passive and active content explained

When it comes to social media and marketing in particular there are really only two types of content in their basic form. Passive and active content.

Yeah there are single image posts, carousels and of course video but they can all be either passive or active. Let's look at the difference.

Passive Content

With this type of content you're not inviting any form of interaction from your audience. That doesn't mean people won't like and comment on it, you're just not inviting them to.

Often passive content can be about you.

Here's what I did last night
This is my product/service
This is what I do
Check out my latest song

You need passive content so your audience gets to know who you are and what you do. That kind of content is okay but it can be damaging to your success if you don't post anything else.

Active Content

Active content invites your audience to interact. With this type of content you may be asking a question, inviting opinion or looking for your audience to do something specific.

What did you do last night?
What do you think of my latest product/service?
Would you like to see more of what I do?
What type of music do you like?

Often active content is more about your audience and less about you and that distinction is really important.

You need active content for two very important reasons.

Why you need both

To have real success on social media with your marketing and, ultimately make more money for your business (remember if you're an independent musician you're running a business) you need both types of content but active content is the most important for two reasons.

Your followers love it

Sorry to break this to you but your followers don't care about you . Well, apart from your mum but if she's following you we need a whole different conversation ( more here ).

What they care about is themselves . They'll follow you initially because your content makes them feel a certain way. Perhaps they're looking for the product or service you offer, they share a common interest or they just like your music.

All that is fine but they aren't actually spending money with you yet (that makes them passive). If you want your marketing to actually affect your bank balance you need to turn your followers into fans .

To do that you need to build a relationship and that means having a two way conversation. Imagine going on a date and all they do is talk about themselves all night. I'm assuming there's not going to be a second date right? That is unless they're really hot!

Active content invites your followers to interact, get to know you more, strike up a conversation, become a fan and not just a follower!

The algorithm loves it

Yes I know it's a borderline swear word but if you want to succeed on social you need to know the rules of the game, which are:

Social platforms want to show you adverts so they make money .
They want you on their platform for as long as possible.
They learn the type of content you like and show you similar popular content you might also like.
They pick content that has a proven track record for being popular.
They pick content that has more likes and comments .
They pick active content.

Ergo if you want to reach more people start posting more active content. Your followers like it, the algorithm likes it, your bank balance likes it.

What needs to change?

Now you know the difference, take a look at your last 10 posts and determine how many were active vs passive. If you have anything less than a 50/50 balance aim to make a change.

You can also become more active yourself rather than just posting stuff.

Check out every new follower.
Send a voice message to your new followers.
Comment on more content from people who you'd like to attract.
Ask open questions to start a conversation.

Basically, imagine you're at a networking event or in a bar trying to meet someone new. All the things you would do in those situations work on social media. Do more of that stuff!

Is this passive or active?

Well, up until now this blog has been purely passive content. I'm just telling you stuff that will help you with your marketing. I haven't actually asked you to do anything yet.

So here's that invitation to start a conversation. Has this blog helped you? How has it helped you? Are we following one another on social media? If not come follow and then send me a DM saying hi (remember open questions and a voice message works best).

Or, press the button below and get in touch. That works too!

How to make a review video

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:22:22 GMT

There’s no better way to demonstrate how awesome you are than asking one of your happy customers to shout about you. Testimonials and reviews are a really powerful and proven technique for growing your business and there’s no better way to do it than with video.

Lets find out why you should be making review videos and how you get started.

Why is video the best way to get a review?

The thing is with video people can actually see your customer raving about you. A written review is great but if you can actually see the person giving that review it automatically increases our trust of that review and we can get a much bigger sense of emotion by reading body language and hearing the tone of their voice.

But getting people to leave reviews is hard enough as it is. How do you get people to record a video for you? Well it does take a little extra leg work but it’s well worth it and those videos will be super valuable for your marketing for years to come.

There are two ways you can make great review videos.

Ask people to film themselves

If you already have a review process in place you will probably get some success from people leaving you a written review. Why not get in touch with those people and ask if they would be willing to send a video review?

You might even want to offer an incentive to encourage them to do this for you. Many people are much more comfortable with talking on camera these days now that video calls are becoming commonplace.

You could even record their testimonial via an app like Zoom so they don’t have to do anything at all. Well, apart from show up.

Go and film them

If it’s possible to do this is by far the best way to get a great video because you are in control. Also if they are less confident in front of a camera you can use what I call the third person interview technique so they don’t have to look at the camera.

Third person filming

When you film yourself talking to your camera this is much like having a 1 to 1 conversation with your audience. So you would be looking directly at your viewer. However in most interviews there are three people to consider. The interviewer, the interviewee and the viewer.

In this situation the viewer will simply be watching two other people having a conversation. In the same way we watch chat shows on TV. Sometimes the host will look at and talk to the viewer (you) and sometimes the host will be looking at and talking with the guest.

You can use this technique when filming a review video so your customer doesn’t have to look at the camera, which can often be intimidating and make them feel nervous. After all, you want them to feel as relaxed as possible.

By setting up the camera and standing or sitting right next to it you can ask your customer questions and have them look at you when answering. The viewer will fill in the blanks and see this as a classic third person set up. It’s a scenario we are used to seeing on TV all the time. However when using this technique there are a few things to consider.

Make sure your customer always answers your question by first repeating your question. This way you can remove yourself from the video completely. For example. You ask ‘what did you like about using ACME Carpets?’ Then your customer would reply with ‘what I really liked about ACME Carpets was …’
Talk in the third person. You want your video to appear as if someone else is asking the questions on behalf of your company. Not only does this make the whole thing appear bigger it leads the viewer into thinking that it’s not you asking the questions. So I would begin by asking the customer to pretend that it’s not you asking the questions and to ask all of your questions as the third person. For example ‘What did you love about buying from ACME Carpets’ rather than ‘what did you love about buying from me?’

However you do it remember that video will make your testimonials and reviews appear much more powerful. Plus you will be able to post them on multiple channels … even on your website.

Let us film your reviews for you.

Of course we can do all of this for you and you can be confident of a much better result without any of the leg work. In fact there are several options you can choose from so we can make anything from a short clip for social media to a fully produced short film that showcases your business as well as the results your clients get.

Got a Facebook page? Don't do this!

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 09:20:45 GMT

When creating a business page on Facebook or a business account on Instagram, what’s the first thing most people do? If your answer is to invite all of your friends and contacts to follow you then ...

WOAH!!! STOP RIGHT THERE!

While this is really tempting it’s a really bad idea. In fact, you’re actually doing more harm than good and inviting everyone you know could actually lead to some of big problems.

Why this tactic is a big mistake

Facebook and Instagram are social media platforms. They like us to be social. These platforms want us to spend as much time with them as possible. That way they get more time to sell us stuff through advertising.

Therefore, if there’s a post on your page/feed that’s getting loads of comments and interaction, the algorithm will see that this is popular and show it to more people.

Here's the problem

Let's say you set up your page and invite everyone on your friends list. There’s a fair chance they will follow you just because they want to support you (which is nice). But this can have a damaging effect on the performance of your posts. Which isn't so nice.

Here's an example

Imagine you run a radio station that plays back to back ABBA, 24/7 to people living in Stockholm, Sweden. You set up a Facebook page and invite all of your friends to follow it.

Now not all of your friends will like ABBA (hard to believe I know), they may not live in Stockholm either. But they'll like your page because you have nice friends. However, in order for your radio station to do well you want a whole bunch of ABBA fans from Stockholm populating your page.

Your friends (the non-ABBA fans) won’t be the people you ultimately want to reach out to. So they will be less interested in the content on your page and less likely to interact with your posts. What's the result of this? Your posts get fewer comments and a lower organic reach which means Facebook is less likely to show your posts to the people that do matter. So the good people of Stockholm won’t get to enjoy Dancing Queen every day.

This same tactic will give you the same result if you have an Instagram page. If your followers are not ABBA fans your Instagram posts won't perform as well.

How does this create long term problems?

Facebook and Instagram learn from the information you give them. So it's best to give them the right information.

If your followers are mostly ABBA fans from Stockholm then your posts will be more popular, get likes shares and comments. Therefore Facebook (or Insta) will start showing your posts to more people who have shown an interest in ABBA and live in Stockholm.

If however the friends on your page are mostly from Kent and prefer listening to Metallica, then Facebook or Instagram will show your posts to more people like that instead. Result, your reach goes down and so does the audience of your radio station because your social media feeds are showing a whole bunch of ABBA stuff to Metallica fans.

You’re also less likely to get good growth in subsequent follows and likes because Facebook and Instagram will be offering your stuff to the wrong people, and less of the right ones.

The upshot is, inviting your friends to like your page, has a negative impact on your page’s performance.

So what's the solution?

How do you get followers on your new, shiny page that won’t hurt its future performance?

The answer is called relevancy!

1. Invite the right friends

To make your page popular, target the right people with your product or service. If you only populate your page with ABBA fans from Stockholm from the get go, Facebook/Instagram is more likely to find you more of the same. So, if someone on your friend list does not fit the bill, don’t invite them.

2. Share your stuff organically

There are lots of ways you can do that. Put a link or button on your website, share your posts via other social media platforms or share them within Facebook on groups. If you're on Instagram, using relevant hashtags will expose your posts to non followers who are following that hashtag.

The golden rule is however you share your content, make sure you only show it to people who might be interested in what you have to offer. For example, there may be a community group for Stockholm or a group for ABBA fans. You might want to use hashtags like #weloveabba or #stockholmlife.

3. Pay for some advertising

If you decide to set up an avert for your page, Facebook (and Insta) have a fantastic method to ensure your ad gets seen by the right people. When setting up your ad you can specify who you want to see it, where they live, how old they are and what interests them. This form of targeting is super powerful and a relatively inexpensive way to reach a bigger relevant audience.

4. Post content that will engage with your audience

If you have a page filled with the right people, offer them the stuff they want to see. Press the right buttons and their lights will come on. Give your audience reasons to comment on and share your posts. This in turn will attract more like minded people and boom! You have a successful radio station and your advertisers are happy (and ABBA will be pretty chuffed too).

What's the name of the game? (see what I did there)

The key to successful marketing on social media is not about getting the most amount of likes possible. It’s about getting likes from the right people who will turn into customers and buy from you.

I post tips like these ones all the time on my own social media channels. If you’re not part of my little social world already come and say hi.

How do you make a video go viral?

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:18:32 GMT

Big question huh? It’s like the holy grail of social media. We all want to know the one thing we need to do to hit gold. Get tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of views, likes, comments, shares, follows. Pretty much everything that turns our social media channel of choice into a money making powerhouse.

Well, the truth is, there is no one thing.

Going viral with video involves a fine balance of many different ingredients blended together carefully. That recipe is subject to constant change and there’s nobody apart from the people who run your favourite channel who can tell you what those changes are.

Hell, sometimes they don’t even know!

We’ve been doing a little experimenting lately and have turned up some pretty interesting results regarding what works and what doesn't. So let’s look at the main ingredients you need in a video AND the one thing we’ve found that works for us and could work for you too.

1: Get under their skin

We’ve covered this one in more detail here . But this is pretty much the core foundation of any marketing.

The more you know about the people you want to reach, the bigger your chance of success.

Let’s break this down a little.

Let’s say you’re a radio station that only plays Abba. What kind of people do you think that might appeal to? Well first off you’ll want people who like music. But that’s a pretty broad church. For example they might be big into speed metal. So Dancing Queen isn’t going to be for them.

So, let’s look a bit deeper and target people who like music from the 70’s. That might get you a little closer to people who like Abba. You could target fans of the Mamma Mia movie or musical. The Eurovision Song Contest may also be a good way in. People of a certain age who were around when Abba were at their peak?

So you see how this works? The more you know, the deeper you dig, the better chance you’ll have of finding the right people.

2: Get emotional

If you can get into the head of your viewer with a topic they’re really struggling with, or something that they will really benefit from. They are more likely to pay attention. Then if it’s really good. They will want to share it with like minded people.

BUT it really does have to be all about them. Find out what they want (step 1) then press their emotional buttons to make them react.

Example: We do a lot of work with musicians. These people are really keen to sell tickets to their concerts. If we posted a video that gave them tips to help them achieve that easily do you think they’d be interested? We did actually do that. We got over 13 thousand views and picked up a lot of new followers ... from people in the music industry.

3: Get to the point

Your viewers are fickle .

If you don’t give them what they want and fast. They won’t hang around. That is unless you’ve proved yourself to be super valuable to them before.

But let’s assume you’re at ground zero here. You have to hit them between the eyes and the sooner you can do that the better. More on that later.

4: Get visual

It is video after all. The first thing that will make people stop scrolling is what they see.

Plus when you consider that over 85% of us browse social media on mute, visuals are all you have left.

So you’ve got to do something visual that makes them stop scrolling. Once you’ve got their attention you’ll need to hit them with what you’ve promised, make it visually interesting and leave them wanting more.

It's also worth pointing out here that video production quality on most channels is getting better. That means if you’re video isn’t visually stunning you’re less likely to grab attention. Go look at some of the most successful vloggers on YouTube and you'll see what we mean.

5: Get optimised

Once you’ve done all of that (and not before) you will need to consider what your social medial channel of choice actually wants from you. Well, we can tell you that.

They want you to keep people on their channel for as long as possible. Then they stand a better chance of selling stuff through advertising. So that means they are much more likely to show your video to more people if it does well with a smaller audience of your followers first.

They also want your videos to be in the right aspect ratio , some captions so the 85% not listening know what you’re going on about and maybe a thumbnail image.

Then you’ll need to play into the algorithm.

That’s the secret code the boffins cook up to determine what to show to who. So understand how hashtags work, what needs to go into the text accompanying your video, what time to post it and how to react to people who take an interest.

The gold dust

Once you have all those elements in place you will stand a much higher chance of getting a high volume of traffic to your videos. But there is one other thing we’ve found to work really well.

What you do in the first five seconds of the video can have the potential to make people stop scrolling or, if you’re on Instagram and make it to the discovery page, it will make them press play.

Remember, these people will not be listening so your impact needs to be a visual one.

We always use captions to our advantage with our short form videos. Often we’ll change the font size or make words bolder to highlight key words or phrases. But the first words that appear on screen can often have a big enough impact to encourage people to hang around.

So think really hard about the words that come out of your mouth first and how they’re going to look on screen.

For example:

We shot a video recently highlighting the need for musicians to use text when they upload videos of them performing (because nobody listens as you now know). We started that video with the phrase ‘musicians are making a big mistake on social media’.

So far that video has been watched over 14,000 times and we picked up over 20 new followers purely from that one video. Not bad huh?

Our video that started with the words ‘this is going to come as a bit of a shock’ did pretty well too with over 12,000 views to date.

Oh and let’s not forget the video where I had parcel tape over my mouth the entire time. Over 25,000 people seemed to like that one (my wife watched it on repeat).

No one fix

In order to go viral or stand even half a chance, you will need to do several things in varying quantities and even then it may not work. There is a large sprinkling of luck involved too of course.

The other thing to consider is why you want to go viral in the first place. But that's a whole other blog!

Want to learn some more?

You'll no doubt be aware that, as well as making videos, we love to teach you how to make your own.

We hold many training days where we come to you and help you learn any aspect of video making or video marketing that you need to get you to the next level.

These days are bespoke to you and you can even invite a bunch off friends or colleagues over to share the cost. Click on the button below to see how our coaching works.

Stop doing this with your smart phone

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 12:47:09 GMT

Ifyou make videos with your smart phone there's a pretty big chance you'll be using the front facing camera to do it. But there's a problem and you may not even realise you're doing it.

But like most things there's a really easy fix and when you know the problem exists we guarantee you'll never do this again!

Making eye contact

If you and I met face to face at a meeting and I spent the whole time talking with you while looking over your shoulder there's a chance you'd think I was a bit rude. In fact you may politely cut the conversation short and walk away.

But many people do exactly that when they film a video. Eye contact is so important on video. You want to feel as if the person is talking directly to you and not looking elsewhere while they do it.

When you look at yourself while filming using the front screen on a camera, you are doing just that, you're looking over someone's shoulder. Or even worse, if you're filming in portrait mode, that will look like you're staring at their chest! This is why...

The camera lens is the viewer's window into your world. It's from that angle they see everything you're doing on screen. When you hold the camera in a landscape aspect (long across the top and short on the sides) your camera lens is off to one side of the screen. So by looking at the screen and not the lens, to the viewer it will appear that you're looking over their shoulder. And that's rude!

Turn the phone around to portrait and the lens moves to above the screen. So that would appear as if you're looking below the viewer's eyes and directly at their chest. That's even ruder!

How to fix this

Easy. Use the screen to check you look fab and make sure you're in the right position on screen. Then when you hit record, look directly at the lens. Then to your viewer it will appear as if you are making eye contact.

The result of this is huge! They will pay much more attention to what you're saying and trust you far more if you make eye contact. It doesn't matter if you're in a real world setting or on camera. The outcome is the same.

Want to learn some more?

You'll no doubt be aware that, as well as making videos, we love to teach you how to make your own.

We hold many training days where we come to you and help you learn any aspect of video making or video marketing that you need to get you to the next level.

These days are bespoke to you and you can even invite a bunch off friends or colleagues over to share the cost. Click on the button below to see how our coaching works.

Three things to make your videos fly

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:52:54 GMT

Well there are actually more than three things you need to make a video perform well on social media but these should really be right at the top of your list.

If you do these three things regularly on your social media channels then your videos will perform better, you'll make stronger connections and the whole process will generally be much less stressful.

Provide quality

If anyone tells you that all you need to do to be successful on any social media channel is post lots of stuff all the time then send them around to us and we'll shake some sense into them.

Even if you post twice a week you can make some serious progress. In fact on some platforms your post will still be active and getting views 48 hours after you've posted it (even longer on YouTube and LinkedIn) so by posting lots or even daily you may well be wasting content.

So don't waste that stuff. You may actually get better results if you post less frequently and focus on quality information that speaks directly to the people you want to reach.

So what do we mean by quality?

Good question - the answer depends on the people you want to speak to. Because it's different for everyone.

For example we work with a lot of musicians and if you're one of them you'll want to post stuff that develops your fan base. That might be content that centres around you more. Keeping the people who love your stuff informed of gigs, new music, developments and helping them understand who you are as a person.

But we work with businesses too. Let's say you're teaching people something. Tap into what problems your audience are having and help them with those problems. Provide value with every single post so people go away richer for having met you.

Being a success on social media is not about just posting stuff - it's about posting quality stuff for your type of people.

Be consistent

Posting one video every now and then will not work.

Spending thousands on hiring someone to make an epic advert and relying on it all the time, that won't work either.

You need to keep showing up consistently and provide quality when you do.

Your frequency will depend on three things:

The channel you're posting to
How much time you have
How sticky your content is

Choosing your channel

Your content will survive longer on some channels than others. For example, YouTube content can, potentially get great engagement many years after you've posted it. Then at the other end of the scale there's Twitter where content is super ephemeral and may not even make it to the end of the day.

So understand the normal shelf life of content for the channel you're posting to. That will help to dictate the frequency you decide on.

How much time you have

If you only have time to post twice a week then stick to that. It's far better to be consistent with your posting strategy rather than posting every day one week and none the next. Consistency is far more important than frequency with all social media channels.

How sticky your content is

How long after you post is your content alive? You can find this out by monitoring your insights on channel. For example, Instagram's burn rate is often around 48 hours but if your videos hit the discovery page you could be still getting views, likes and comments weeks or even months after you've posted.

What's more important than anything is that you're consistent. Pick the days and times when your audience is most active and hit them with something fantastic twice a week ... every week.

Planning

Getting more followers is actually not a great goal. Most followers never interact with any of your content. They are nothing more than a number. What you need are fans. People who pay attention, like, comment and share your stuff. You want people to shout about you from the roof tops.

To do that you need people to get to know you and come to rely on your as the authority on whatever it is you're promoting. Or just someone they love watching. That means you showing up in their lives regularly and hitting them in the feels with your stuff as often as possible.

That takes planning.

If you're posting all your stuff on the fly and making it up as you go along that is not a plan.

A plan is sitting down and working out every post a week or even a month in advance - making all that stuff ahead of time, showing up on social media at the right times for your followers so you're there when they're there and you've given some thought to what you're going to say.

Want to learn some more?

You'll no doubt be aware that, as well as making videos, we love to teach you how to make your own.

We hold many training days where we come to you and help you learn any aspect of video making or video marketing that you need to get you to the next level.

These days are bespoke to you and you can even invite a bunch off friends or colleagues over to share the cost. Click on the button below to see how our coaching works.

Who's behind Monoki?

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 16:18:11 GMT

I've been pretty hesitant about telling my story here. Purely because I want Monoki to stand up on its own, a product built on its own achievements.

But the more I speak with business owners and musicians the more I've been asked about my own background and why I've been referred to as 'the man who's lived a thousand lives'.

So this is a very potted history of the time before Monoki.

The man who's lives a thousand lives

I very rarely say no to anything. Sometimes that can be a problem. But the many times I’ve said yes are the reasons why some people are amazed by everything I’ve done in just over half century on the planet.

I'm not going to bore you with the whole list here but these are just a few of the things I've said yes to so far (in no particular order) (feel free to get in touch if you'd like a story).

Played drums on a song in Queen’s recording studio .
Had a book released by the same publisher as JK Rowling.
Presented breakfast shows for the biggest UK radio group .
Produced music videos from 300 miles away and the top of a mountain.
Shared a stage with Westlife, Busted and McFly (although not all at once).
Sold stuff on TV for QVC.
Broadcast on the radio from a plane 1,500 feet above London.
Entered a colleague’s car into a stock car race without telling her.

I’m just scratching the surface but I have said yes to a lot of really cool things. However at the time of saying yes, I didn’t know how to do many of these things or even have a clear idea of what I was really saying yes to.

Currently I'm working out why I said yes to producing and directing a three part documentary for the telly. I'm over a year in and still looking for the answer. More on that below.

So why share?

I am the sum of my parts. Those parts have lead to Monoki Media. As a result of all the things I've said yes to and had to learn along the way (sometimes quite quickly), I am in a unique position to offer you (or anyone else) something a little different.

In fact, with the world becoming increasingly connected through the lens of a camera it seems that all my experiences now have a place ... together.

Graphic Design
Copywriting
Broadcasting
TV presenting
Audio and music production
Marketing
Campaign creation
Video and film production
Presenter coaching

So why Monoki?

A sense of mortality I guess. Video production could possibly be my final big career shift. If I chose to call myself Paul Mumford Media (as I did for a while), that's all on me. I want everything I've learned (and it's quite a bit) to continue without me.

This doesn't mean I'm ready to hang up my many hats, far from it. I'll keep doing this stuff for as long as my body will allow me to. Why would I want to retire to a golf course when I love what I do. I have literally nothing to retire from ... and I can't stand golf.

So I found a name that was bigger than me but a sum of all my parts, MO for my Dad Maurice, NO for my Mum Norma and KI for my daughter and the future ... perhaps.

My daughter Kyra loves all this filming stuff too. She's really only just starting to make a life after graduating with honours as a film maker and digital creator. But she has been my assistant director on several music videos. Regardless of the adventures in store for her, she now has a ready made business that she can take with her.

What's next?

A documentary as it turns out. While chatting with award winning soul singer Nate James , (who I work a lot with) we discussed an idea which has now turned into a three part documentary currently being pitched to all the major TV companies. Amazingly quite a few of them are making some positive noises.

Aside from that I'm still making music videos , filming concerts and producing corporate work as well as managing and marketing for a few musicians and companies,

Beyond that who knows, but I do know it won't be boring. And it definitely won't be golf!

How the rule of thirds works

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 10:20:12 GMT

Have you ever heard of the 'rule of thirds'?

Whether you have or haven't it's something you really should be paying attention to when making your videos. In fact it's so important that without it your videos will just look ... well ... odd!

So let's find out what it is, why you need to follow it and a few other things to consider.

What is the rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is a kind of unwritten law that has been followed in visual images for centuries. Many of us don't realise it's there but we are so conditioned to seeing things in this way that when something doesn't follow this rule it looks odd and we don't know why (more on that later).

Most of us are used to watching still or moving images in two aspects

Landscape: long edges top and bottom like a landscape picture.
Portrait: short edges top and bottom like a portrait picture.

The rule of thirds splits up these two aspects into 9 boxes with two horizontal lines and two vertical ones. Like the image below.

Artists, photographers, movie makers and videographers all compose their images according to this grid. If they want the viewer to focus on something within the image, they place it at a point where the lines cross or sometimes just along one of the lines.

Normally with film or video, when there's a person talking in shot, they are placed at eye level to the viewer rather than us looking at them from above or below. For example when anyone is talking to camera or in an interview setting.

Now you know it exists you will be able to see the rule of thirds in action everywhere. The next time you watch something on TV or see a movie try to see how the director has used the rule of thirds to frame virtually every single scene.

In fact, give it a go now. Take a look at this clip from Back To The Future (best film ever, no contest) and see if you can spot when and how the director, Robert Zemeckis uses the rule of thirds.

How to use the rule of thirds

When you are setting up your camera for filming, make sure you are following the rule of thirds so your viewer sees something they come to expect from a professionally shot video. If you are talking to camera for instance, follow these simple steps:

Place the camera at eye level so it appears you are looking directly at your viewer rather than down at them or up at them.
Make sure your eyes fall along the top line of the grid.
If you are facing the camera you can either centre yourself in the frame at either of the two crosshairs.

When framing an image, always try to imagine the camera is a person. The lens of the camera is the window through which they see your world. By thinking in this way it will help you to set your camera at the right height and your subject within the frame.

All cameras and smart phones will have a setting enabling you to see these 4 lines on screen at all times to help you frame your image properly.

You'll see from the image below I've considered two points of focus, me and the microphone. Both are placed within the crosshairs. Now let's look at what happens when there are two people on screen.

Dealing with more than one focal point

Let's say you're setting up for an interview and there are going to be two people appearing on camera at the same time. In this situation there are essentially three people to consider. The two people on screen and the viewer (or the camera). Therefore:

Place the camera at eye level so your viewer is looking at both subjects directly rather than down at them or up at them.
Face your subjects slightly but not directly facing each other (so the viewer feels included) but make sure they are looking towards each other unless they are addressing the viewer.
Place each of your subjects in the two crosshairs along the top line.

The invisible interview

There is a third scenario that works really well and that's if you interview someone without having yourself appearing on camera. Remember we are regarding the viewer (or camera) as another person in the room.

In this scenario the person being interviewed is still going to be directing their answers at you and not the camera. So they will need to look at you even though the viewer won't be able to see you.

Place the camera at eye level so your viewer is looking at the subject directly rather than down at them or up at them.
Sit or stand next to the camera but not in shot.
Place your subject in the top crosshairs at the furthest point from you.
Make sure the subject is looking at you.

Take a look at this video for an example of the invisible interview.

Using negative space

There is one other scenario we haven't considered, negative space. This is something you'll see movie makers using quite a lot to their advantage. Because we are so conditioned to viewing everything according to the rule of thirds, negative space can encourage the viewer to anticipate something coming.

Look at the image above. Helen is looking at and talking with someone off camera. We don't have to be able to see that person, our brain can fill in the blanks.

However if Helen was facing and talking to camera (remember it's a person) we are tricked into expecting that something is going to occupy the second set of crosshairs. Because this space is currently unoccupied we call it negative space.

This can be effective if you are going to use the negative space for text for example or someone is going to come and sit down next to her.

You'll often see negative space used to great effect in thrillers or horror movies. There might be a creepy door slightly open in the negative space and we subconsciously expect someone (or something) is going to come bursting through at any moment.

Take a look at this brilliant opening clip from the movie 'Punch-Drunk Love'. The director, Paul Thomas Anderson uses negative space to build tension for nearly two minutes in several different shots before ... well, you'll need to watch to find out.

Want to learn some more?

You'll no doubt be aware that, as well as making videos, we love to teach you how to make your own.

We hold many training days where we come to you and help you learn any aspect of video making or video marketing that you need to get you to the next level.

These days are bespoke to you and you can even invite a bunch off friends or colleagues over to share the cost. Click on the button below to see how our coaching works.

How does a call to action work?

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:46:51 GMT

If you're using video to promote your business then you will need to do a little more than just posting the video and hoping people will come. In order for people to part with their money you will need to nurture that relationship and invite them into your shop.

You can do all that in your videos with a call to action. So let's discover what that means, how it works and some examples that may work for you.

What's a Call to Action

It's really just a fancy marketing term to describe the part of any piece of content that calls to the audience to take action in a specific way. You can use a call to action in any form of marketing from a flyer, to a blog or website. But it works particularly well on video.

Let's go shopping

Imagine your out shopping, you walk past a shop and see a skirt in the window you fancy. So you go over for a closer look. That's just like discovering a video on YouTube, Instagram or anywhere else, stopping and watching the video. That's great but it might not get you in the door or ready to make a purchase.

The next stage of the relationship is the call to action.

Let's say there's a sign in that window showing a special offer. 25% off everything today for example. The skirt in the window on it's own might not encourage you to go in the shop but knowing it's 24% cheaper might do. The sign is an example of a call to action.

What makes a weak call to action?

Anything that invites your viewer to continue the relationship works but the more specific ones are more effective.

Here are some examples of broad calls to action.

Like the video
Follow the account
Share the video
Save the video
Leave a comment

These are okay but not very specific. Calls to action like this are a little like you standing outside your shop and beckoning people in. Some might do it but others will need a little more before committing.

Powerful calls to action

If you're reading this blog because you saw a video about it on social media somewhere you were responding to a powerful call to action. The video you saw will have given you some information on the topic them we would have invited to to visit our website to learn more on the same topic.

The reason that works so well is because the viewer is already interested in the topic which they have demonstrated by watching the video. With this type of call to action you are merely giving the viewer more of what they already want. But you are inviting them into your virtual shop (your website) in order to get it.

Episodic content

This technique works in a similar way to the first one. Instead of making one video with a call to action at the end you can make a series of videos all on the same topic.

Then you can end part one with a call to action that invites the viewer to watch part two. This is exactly how a series will work on TV. If the story continues into the next episode you will often see a montage of clips from the next episode to wet your appetite. This is a call to action.

You can even combine these two techniques together. Post the first video on social media but the rest of the series lives on your website. In order to see the next episode they need to visit your world.

Free offer

Much like a free offer would entice you into a shop, you can use a free offer for your viewers to invite them to continue the relationship.

For example we offer a 30 minute call for free on whatever you may need help with in your social media strategy. We will often post videos on social media using this free call as our call to action.

Avoid a cold pitch

Much like any relationship, in order for it to grow and a for a viewer to become a customer you need to take them by the hand and help them understand why you have the right offer for them.

We often see what are called 'cold pitches' on social media. A cold pitch is when someone you approaches you for the first time with an offer or a sale. Go back to that clothes shop again and that skirt. A cold pitch approach would be the owner of the shop approaching you as you walk by waving the skirt under your nose and telling you how much it is. Are you going to buy it? Probably not. In fact you're more likely to call the police.

Consumers rarely make snap decisions on purchases. In fact the more important the purchase is the more considered the buyer becomes. At the other end of the exchange we need to respect that and lead our potential customers by the hand with a sale. Not hit them over the head with it.

Do you need more help with this?

Obviously we're going to end with our own call to action (damn, all our secret techniques are out) but seriously, if this is something you're still stuck on and need some real help making your videos more powerful we'd love to chat.

Take a look at our coaching options below or simply drop us a message by clicking here .

How we made this music video

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 11:14:51 GMT

Making the video for Anthony Hughes' 'Body Sayin' was pretty special on a number of different fronts both personally and professionally. This is the story of how we made it and why it was so special.

The competition

In the spring of 2022, we launched a competition on social media to give away a fully produced music video. Putting together something like this can easily run into 5 figures before you can blink so this was no small prize.

Why did we do it?

The music industry has dramatically changed in recent years and many emerging artists are finding they have to operate much like a small business in order to grow. At Monoki we are passionate about supporting new talent so wanted to help.

We had a large selection of songs and artists to choose from but one song stood out, the catchy disco-house driven 'Body Sayin' by Anthony Hugues.

It also gave us the opportunity to make a music video unlike anything we had done before. One that was led by choreographed dance routines.

The planning

We met with Anthony and quickly realised that his visual ambitions for the track were very similar to what we had in mind. We went away and put together a storyboard incorporating a steamy dream sequence set in a nightclub.

Anthony also had a history as a dancer and enlisted help from Pineapple choreographer Claire Street who brought a crew of great dancers on board.

We had a false start after problems with our first venue but we had a plan b up our sleeve. We already film regularly at the Looking Glass Cocktail Club in Shoreditch and they were more than happy to lend us their club for the day.

With a new plan in place we were ready to go.

The filming (day 1)

The Looking Glass Cocktail Club is a regular bar in front and a speak easy in the back separated by a floor to ceiling mirror which doubles as a secret door.

Our plan was to use this mirror as the break point between reality and the dream sequence. However, after filming and editing we decided that the first minute of the video before going through the mirror didn't work for a number of different reasons. Primarily we felt it wasn't a big enough difference between reality and fantasy. More on that later.

The second half of the film incorporated set pieces, lavish costume changes and that tightly choreographed sequence through the chorus. We shot several takes of each section and in post production cut between takes to give the whole thing a tightly synchronised pace.

The life goal

Monoki CEO Paul and producer/director on the project had long held a secret ambition to work with his daughter Kyra. She has grown up sharing Paul's love of music and film. Paul always felt that someday it would be amazing if they could make a music video together. It was something he never felt would actually happen.

But here we are in 2022. Kyra is now a 21 year old post graduate after 3 years studying film and digital art and having a passion for lighting. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to make that dream a reality. So with Kyra leading the job of turning an otherwise dark room into a seedy club the second half of the video was in the can and looking perfect.

The filming (day 2)

A rethink was needed for the opening minute of the track and with over 30 seconds of intro before the hooky chorus, we were keen to keep the visual interest without losing the sense of story.

So the plan was to meet early on a Sunday morning at Anthony's flat in Wapping so we could catch the sunrise. We wanted to tell the story of Anthony arriving home still buzzing from the night before and using small flashbacks from the club sequence. Then Anthony puts the kettle on, collapses on the sofa and falls asleep as we replay the events of the previous evening.

The reception

This turned into a more ambitious project that we first thought with a crew incorporating dancers, a choreographer, a drag queen, make up, wardrobe, runners and, of course. lighting.

Want us to bring your music alive?

As well as producing music videos we love to film artists live too. If you'd like to discuss bringing your music alive with a great video - click on the button below and let's talk.

Why should video be part of your marketing?

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:33:18 GMT

If you've opened up any social media app lately you'll notice one big thing dominates your timeline ... video. More and more the social giants are showing us more and more video. But why is this and, more importantly, why should video now be a more integral part of your digital marketing?

Let's take a look at the evolving digital world we live in and find out.

Let's start with COVID

Well, actually let's go a little further back than that, to 2007. Back then Facebook was only a baby (born 2004) and YouTube was barely out of nappies (2005) but when Apple launched the first iPhone, everything changed.

Why?

We had access to a video camera, right there in our pockets, 24 hours a day. You could instantly record a video and share it with anyone. OK, admittedly the quality wasn't up to much but it was there and from that moment on something big shifted.

We all became video makers.

As a result, purely because it was easy, video started to grow. Then as the social media giants grew alongside it (and others were born) video became an easier choice for interacting on social.

Back to COVID

When COVID- 19 enveloped the world and forced us all into our homes, video became the obvious choice for communication. Apps like Zoom, Teams and many others grew at an explosive rate. So too did recorded video.

Now, people are watching an average of 16 hours online video every week. That's a staggering 52% increase since 2020. Plus a whopping 82% of people would much rather watch a video than read a social media post. (wordstream.com)

Then in June 2022, Instagram boss, Adam Mosseri announced a big shift for the platform by stating that Insta was going to become even more video friendly in the coming 6 to 12 months. He stuck to his word too. Their short video format, Reels, are now the biggest thing on the platform reaching at least double the amount of people vs a static post. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg even predicted pre-covid that within 5 years most of what people consume online would be video.

What should you do about it?

Promoting your business on social media is now a must. It's where your customers live, where they make a lot of buying decisions and where they are increasingly likely to go shopping. With video only set to grow even more, businesses of every size must face the fact that they need to be making videos and doing it well.

But understanding how to do this stuff can be a bit of a minefield and there are a lot of skills needed to get a great video on any platform.

You need to be good at:

Videography
Presenting
Sound design
Editing
Adding graphics
Marketing

Having a handle on all this stuff is daunting but essential. You would think nothing of investing money to learn the latest techniques within your field to increase your earning potential. Well, the same goes for video. To be ahead of the curve and stand out on social media you will need to be doing this stuff now and be great at doing it.

How to stand out using video

The golden rules to making great video content that gets noticed are pretty much the same for any platform. Here are three of the biggest rocks that you will need to understand before setting up the tripod and hitting the red button.

Who is it for?

In order for your ideal customer to see your videos and ultimately spend some money with you, you will need to make a video that specifically resonates with them. This is the golden rule of marketing and it applies to video as much as anything else.

So before you hit record stop and think about who you want to engage with. The more you know about them the better chance you'll have of getting them to stop and watch your stuff.

I tend to use Christmas as a good way to illustrate this. If you want to buy someone something special, you will do a little research first. The more you know about them the easier it will be to find the right gift. Then when they open it on Christmas Day that present is all the more special because you’ve taken the time to learn about them and pick the perfect gift for them. I'm sure you have received a gift like that before. Feels good doesn't it? In contrast the worst gifts are the ones where someone has bought something they like and just hope that you will like it too.

Making video (and all marketing content) is a bit like that. Your videos will be more special if you do that leg work first and find out what your audience loves to see.

Be fabulous but be real

If people are buying a service they will need to be sure they can trust you. You’re in luck because video is the perfect platform for doing just that. Showing people who you are, why you are fab and how great you are at what you do. However to get all that stuff across on camera you need to be good on camera.

Anyone can make a video but for yours to make people stop and look you need to be saying the right things to the right people (see point 1). You also need to look at sound great saying them.

Understanding how to operate a camera and be great in front of one are now essential skills for any business owner. But just like any skill they can be taught.

Say what you want

In marketing circles we call it the call to action. Use your videos to promote what you want. Want more followers? Ask for them. Want more people coming in your shop? Give them a good reason to visit.

Without this call to action you are missing out on a valuable opportunity. If someone has discovered you for the first time I'm guessing you don't want it to be the last. People won't always connect with you unless you ask. So be clear about what you want to make sure you get it.

Learn the skills you need to make great video

It's clear that now is the time to invest in some new skills. Learning all this stuff is the only way you are going to stand out on social media and that's where all the online buying power is.

We can teach you everything you need in just one day. We can do this 1 to 1 or if you'd like to spread the cost, why not get together with some friends or co-workers and we can all make great videos together.

We can also make the videos for you. You can choose to do the posting and interaction yourself, let us manage the whole process or our mentor programmes make it easy for you to learn as you grow.

To find out more and start making great video, hit the button below.

How to size your videos properly

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 08:49:21 GMT

You've filmed something on your phone and can't wait to share it with the world. But before you post it on every living social media channel there's one big thing you'll need to consider if you want your video to get the best impact on each channel and that's your aspect ratio.

Your video might look great on one channel but not so great on another and that can affect its performance, how many people discover it and how many people interact with you.

Let's go over a few basics here so you can make your videos look awesome everywhere.

Getting the aspect ratio size right.

The aspect ratio is the size of the frame your video will live in. There are basically two different formats here and your video will perform better by choosing the aspect ratio that best suits each social media channel.

16:9

This is the most common format that we see every day on a modern wide screen TV. Most videos posted on YouTube and Vimeo will prefer this format too. Sometimes this can also be referred to as 'landscape' because it's the same way a landscape photo or painting would normally be.

9:16

Where 16:9 is horizontal, 9:16 is vertical. All videos posted on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook (Reels) are posted in a 9:16 window that fills the whole of your smart phone screen. YouTube's shorts format prefers this aspect ratio too. Even with an increasing percentage of people preferring to use LinkedIn on mobile there is an argument for using the 9:16 aspect here.

This format can also be called 'portrait' as it's the usual aspect for a portrait photo or painting.

Which format goes where.

So now you understand both ratios, let's explore which one looks best where ... and why.

YouTube and Vimeo

Classically YouTube has been consumed more like a TV channel than a social media platform. Sure there are a huge chunk of viewers using the platform on mobile but desktop viewing is also more popular and even smart TV's have the ability for you to watch YouTube much like you would with something like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Mobile consumers have the ability to watch a YouTube video in 16:9 too by flipping the screen. Something you can't do on other video platforms (more on that later).

Therefore, 16:9 would be your preferred choice here for formatting your video.

YouTube also have a 'shorts' format set up to compete with the TikToks and Instagrams of this world. They tend to be more aimed at mobile users so you'd want to be using the 9:16 format for those.

All the others

For every other social media channel (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn) opt for the 9:16 format.

These platforms are geared primarily as a mobile friendly format as the majority of us browse these channels on our phones. In fact, Instagram's desktop browser version looks pretty much like it's mobile equivalent. Since we usually hold our phones in a 9:16 aspect (like a phone), video has become more suited to this aspect.

Even LinkedIn is becoming more popular for mobile users and that will only increase with time.

Now there is one other little thing to think about when posting in 9:16 and that's furniture.

Furniture

Take a look at any video on most social platforms and if it takes up the whole screen in 9:16 there will be a little set of icons on display over the image so you can interact (like, comment, share etc.) along with some other stuff I call 'furniture'.

It's useful to take these bits of furniture in mind when filming (and editing) because you don't want anything important (graphics and text mostly) to get hidden behind anything.

So make sure you avoid these areas.

his one is a little more complex because you have two aspect options within Instagram and they both have a place.

Is this all a little confusing?

There's a lot to take in here but in a nutshell your video will perform better if you choose the right aspect ratio for the channel your posting it to.

You may not need to re-shoot your video for different formats, just edit it differently and consider all the the formats when you're filming. Just be sure it will work wherever you intend to post it.

If you need a little more help understanding how to do all this stuff easily well you're in luck because that's what we do. Our coaching workshops can take in all aspects of video making from pre-production to presenting, editing and posting on social media. Each day is bespoke to your needs and it doesn't have to cost the earth either.

Click on the link below to explore the different ways our coaching workshops can help you and of course, come and say hi if you would like to ask us a few questions.

How to set up a great background

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 08:00:00 GMT

How (and why) to set up a great background

If you make videos where you're talking to camera it pays to spend a little time thinking about everything your viewer sees.

Sure it would be easy to just pick up your phone (or camera) wherever you are and hit record. But what about when you want to make something a little more considered?

So let's explore some why's and how's here. Why your background is more important than you might think and how to create a great looking one.

Why is your background important?

Before we dive in further it's good to point out that if you want to pick up your phone and hit record wherever you might be at the time, then you should. Those 'immediate' spur of the moment videos are great but here we are dealing with the type of presenter lead video where you might want to delve a little deeper with a topic or share some expert advice.

The longer your video is, the more work you have to do in order to keep your viewer engaged. Sure you can do that with multiple locations, special effects or b-roll footage but you can do that much easier with a good background.

Make everything they see on screen easy to watch and interesting to look at.

Your background is a perfect opportunity to show a little of who you are. For example, if you're a fitness guru it makes sense to see you in a gym with a few tools of your trade behind you. If you're a musician, let's see you in a recording studio with all the sexy speaker cabinets and instruments that come with it.

Take a look at the video above to see how we dress the background and carefully select everything you see on screen. Everything is there for a reason.

How to dress your set

First think about where you're going to appear in the frame. For this you'll need to know about the rule of thirds (click here to learn more). When you get that clear in your head you'll know where you are going to appear on screen. Then you can start thinking about all the things people can see behind you.

The golden rule with backgrounds is you want it to be interesting but not distracting. The last thing you want is a background that grabs more attention than you do. Ultimately you are the star of the show - you need to shine the most. Your background is filled with your co-stars and supporting cast.

Think about dressing your background with things that people would expect to see relative to what you do but at the same time make it appear natural. You want it to look like a normal space within your home or office but instantly recognisable as a place where you might hang out.

Let's look at everything in the background for the videos we put together with Paul as the presenter. These are all shot in his home edit suite. This is a tiny space but a dedicated one therefore he was able to design the room with the camera in mind.

Colour

The wall is painted in a brand colour. In fact the wall came first and we loved the colour so much it formed part of our branding. This is a great trick if you can do it. It's a great way to help establish brand identity and it makes your videos look like a natural part of your website.

Vinyl

One of the services we offer is filming music videos and live music events. So we chose to put a few record sleeves on the wall. Sometimes we change them around and people have often commented on them.

Microphone

While we don't choose to fill our background with camera paraphernalia we do have a few subtle nods to our industry. Paul's Audio Technica mic is a good looking piece of kit so we always like to make sure it's on screen. But it has a definite purpose too so it makes sense to see it on screen.

Lighting

Again, it makes perfect sense for our lighting to be on point so we use three lights to bring the scene to life (something called three point lighting) and often use an RGB light to illuminate the wall behind Paul with a slight blue tint.

Coffee

Finally there's the coffee cup. If you've ever watched Gogglebox on TV you'll notice there's one family that always has a perfectly displayed plate of cakes on screen and another that has the most outrageous coffee mugs. Much like the album sleeves in our background they are something our viewers look out for.

So we have a coffee cup strategically placed on screen to represent Paul's love of coffee and, well if you know someone who makes great coffee mugs, we could be featuring theirs in the future.

Constency

Finally, once you have your set dressed, make this your set for all of our videos. Over time people will get used to seeing you there as much as they will get used to seeing you. Just look at any presenter led programme on TV and you'll realise they always appear in exactly the same set ... for a reason.

Need some extra guidance?

We get that all this stuff can be a little daunting and it's normal not to be brilliant to begin with.

How to be a Confident Presenter on Camera

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 09:40:09 GMT

The Confident Presenter Series

Is the thought of appearing on camera holding you back from creating great videos for your business or brand?

Do you worry about looking silly or feel a bit sick at the thought of watching yourself back? If that sounds like you, don't panic, you're not alone!

We've created a video series that teaches you the essential skills to help you become more confident and effective on camera.

When you're talking to camera on a video the most important thing to get right is yourself. If you're relaxed and showing your personality on camera, people will get to know, like and trust you - and hopefully follow you. They may even end up buying some of your stuff!

So if you're ready to level-up your presenting game, be sure to check out each video in this series which you can find below.

How To Address Your Audience

For many, the thought of being on camera and watching themselves back is nerve-racking and uncomfortable. However, like anything, the more you do something, the better you become and therefore, the more confident you feel about doing it.

Start off on the right foot and make sure you are feeling good by looking good. We're not saying you need to wear a tux or a ball gown, but make sure you feel presentable. We all know the feeling of wearing a great outfit or having a good hair day. (Ok, sometimes our hair has mind of it's own but you get the idea).

So once you look the part, you also need to sound the part too. The first thing you need to think about is how to address your audience. To make your video feel personal, imagine speaking to an individual as opposed to a group of people. This will also give you an indication of the tone and volume you should be adopting. Think about it like this, the way you communicate to an individual in comparison to a crowd of people are two very different techniques.

Leave Someone A Message

If you're still finding it tricky to feel at ease on camera, reframe your thinking behind it. Think of your video as a message you're leaving for someone to pick up in the future.

When you leave a voice mail or voice note to a friend, you don't overthink it or script what you're going to say. You're just being yourself, saying what you need to say and signing off. Well, try thinking of your audience as that friend. Your video is a message you want them to see at a later stage and includes key pieces of information.

Also, while we don't tend to recommend writing a fancy script and learning it to 'present' to camera (unless you're a real pro), we understand it may be tricky to remember what you want to say. There is a trick to doing so and sounding natural at the same time. Firstly, split your talking points up and speak aloud what you want to say for each as opposed to writing it down. You may jot down a few key words or phrases as a visual reminder before you start filming, but avoid writing anything too complicated or lengthy. Then repeat your dialogue several times before you record each talking point.

Talk To A Real Person

Another way to feel relaxed and to be yourself on camera is to imagine talking to a real person and to focus solely on them. One way to guarantee this is to start by having a real person in the room with you, behind the camera. While you'll still need to look down the lens and talk to camera, you will be immediately heard by an individual receiving your message.

This technique will help you engage your audience in a natural way as you would if you were speaking to someone in real life. The more you practice, the better you'll be at imagining a real person without actually needing a physical presence there.

Another way to relax and 'get out of your head' is to focus solely on the individual you're talking to. Think about when you speak to someone in real life - you're focused entirely on them and any reaction they have to what you're saying. You focus on them because you want to gauge their reaction to know if you're being understood. Well, it's the same premise on camera. Prioritise your audience and the message you are trying to convey.

Just Be Yourself!

Don't try to be anything other than yourself! You want your followers and clients to get the true sense of you as a person. Many times, people feel the need to put on a bravado or a false persona in a bid to be more 'interesting' on camera. However, it's far better to just be inherently you. Don't try to hide any mannerisms or colloquialisms. That being said, you can have fun with it and show personality but always keep it professional.

So, ignore the little voice in your head that tells you you've got to be anyone or anything other than you!

'You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great'

Need some extra guidance?

We get that all this stuff can be a little daunting and it's normal not to be brilliant to begin with.

How to make your Instagram Reels stand out

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 17:45:18 GMT

If you have an Instagram or Facebook account you will no doubt know what a Reel is. But just on the off chance that you don't, stick around and we'll tell you. More importantly you may already know why these little 90 second videos are super important if you want to get noticed.

Now Reels have been around for a little while there are a couple of problems if you want yours to stand out and get noticed. Firstly, Instagram are showing more Reels to more people and secondly more people are making more Reels. This means your Reels have to compete with more video content that could potentially be better than yours.

So how do you make your Reels better than the rest? Let's find out.

What is a Reel?

We'll just make this brief because there's a fair chance you know this already but just so we're all on the same page, let's briefly explain what a Reel is and why they are so important for video marketing.

Instagram introduced Reels to their platform in August 202o in response to the growing popularity of short videos on TikTok. At first they were only 15 seconds long but they have since expanded to 90 seconds.

Since they were launched, Instagram's algorithm favoured these short form videos over other content and this made Reels an essential tool for anyone wanting to reach new people. With Meta increasingly favouring video this is very unlikely to change. In fact in 2022, Reels were introduced to Facebook too (albeit with a 60 second restriction).

Now Reels have been around for a while there are tonnes of them out there. So getting yours in front of new people is becoming harder. But there are some things you can do that will make your Reels stand out. Here are 3 things you can do to get yours noticed more.

1. Don't blend in

If you want to stand out in a field of sunflowers it makes sense not to be a sunflower. The same can be said for Reels. If you want your little videos to get noticed, it's best not to blend in.

Here's the problem

Instagram have a limited (but growing) suite of options for creators who want to make a Reel within the Instagram app. With limited options there are a lot of Reels that tend to look fairly similar. So it becomes more difficult to spot your Reels within all the others. Or spot your sunflower in a field of sunflowers.

Here's the solution

Don't make your Reels within Instagram. If you use a third party app or some video editing software to make your video you will have a limitless number of options so your Reels will stand out. The better you get at filming, editing and adding graphics the better your Reels will look and the more people will pay attention. It's also important to make your videos appropriate for your audience. More on that later.

TikTok is not Instagram

Since it's inception, TikTok trends have been super popular. It started out with dancing and miming to music but trends have since developed into a wide variety of little challenges, some more popular than others. Often these trends have migrated over to Instagram and developed a life there too.

Do not copy them!

Can you guess why? Yep, everyone else is doing them and if you do too you won't stand out! So stop following trends and start your own. Plus some trends can come over looking unprofessional on a business account and may not be appropriate for your chosen audience. More on that later (promise).

One more thing about TikTok. NEVER make a video in TikTok and then copy it to Instagram. TikTok watermarks all of their videos. We've heard from a number of sources that Instagram don't like showing thousands of people videos that contain the logo of their competitor (which makes a lot of sense). Therefore your video may not perform as well with a TikTok logo on it.

Plus it just looks plain lazy and unprofessional if you are trying to build a brand. So, referring back to our first point. Make your videos using something that's not Instagram or TikTok.

2. Follow the format

We know we said that you should try to stand out and not fit in but there are certain rules you should stick to if you want your Reels to do well. Some of these may seem obvious but we regularly see people not following them.

Fill the frame

Instagram is a mobile app first. Reels are designed to be watched on mobile therefore your Reels should follow the portrait format and should fill the space entirely.

However, watch a few Reels on your phone and you'll notice there are several buttons and some text that covers up some of the image. So make sure your action (and text) does not fall within these spaces.

Don't fill the time

On Instagram you currently have 90 seconds to do your stuff. So make sure your stuff fits in the time allowed. If you're talking to camera you will want to make the best of the time you have and offer a beginning, middle and end to your video whilst offering some value at the same time.

You really want 3 elements within your Reel.

Grab attention with a headline.
Give away some expert knowledge or entertain the audience.
Provide a call to action (follow, visit our website, grab our offer, that kind of thing).

Getting all that info in within 90 seconds will take some practice but it's worth it because your videos and your content will stand out as a result. Plus you will look like a presenting master.

Having said all that you don't have to fill the 90 seconds. In fact there's a lot of research to suggest that even though there are 90 seconds up for grabs, Reels that are less than 60 seconds still perform better.

Add some captions

Your videos always need to make as much sense without sound as they do with sound. Always! Over 85% of Instagram users choose to have their devices on mute so you MUST spell everything out with captions. Take a look at this blog to learn more about this one.

3. Know who you're talking to

This is a biggie. In fact it's the most important aspect of all marketing, not just video marketing. If you have something to sell there will probably be a specific audience out there who will want to buy it.

Before the internet (yes, there was such a time, ask your parents) advertising your product or service could be a little hit and miss. Let's say for example that you sell bathrooms. If you placed an advert in your local paper, everyone who buys a copy would potentially see your advert even though only a small percentage of them may be in the market for a new bathroom.

With social media you have the opportunity to target only people who are looking for a new bathroom. If you put money behind an ad on Instagram (or Facebook) you can even tell the platform only to show that advert to potential bathroom buyers. Pretty clever huh?

In a nutshell, the more specific your content is the more chance you have of hitting the right people between the eyes. Take a look at this blog which takes a deeper dive into this topic.

Is this all a little confusing?

If you need more help coming up with ideas for Reels or learning how to make yours stand out you're in luck because that's what we do. As well as this we offer one day coaching workshops where we can take you through all aspects of using video for marketing. Each day is bespoke to your needs and it doesn't have to cost the earth either.

We can cover:

Coming up with ideas
Pre-production ... why and how to do it
How to present in front of a camera
How to use a camera
How to edit a video and add captions
How to post on social media for the best results

Click on the link below to explore the different ways our coaching workshops can help you and of course, come and say hi if you would like to ask us a few questions.

Step one to making videos that get noticed

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 11:06:37 GMT

You've probably reached this page because you understand the importance video has on your marketing, realise you need to do something about it but you're not sure where to start.

Either that or you're already making videos, posting them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or everywhere and not getting great results.

Well I'm here to tell you about the number one, most important thing you should tick of your list before you even think about making any videos ... and there's a fair chance you haven't done it yet.

It's not about you ... well, it is, but it isn't

The first step to successfully selling whatever you're selling is to understand more about the people who are most likely to buy. Who is your product or service for?

Oh and if you're saying everyone, that's the wrong answer.

Sure there may be a large range of people who could buy your stuff but that's going to make your marketing really hard to do. I mean how are you going to create content that will appeal to literally everyone? Not easy right?

Your customers will always share a set of characteristics or needs. In order to successfully sell your stuff you will want to start by finding out what common values people have that lead them to your door in the first place. Here's an example.

The Candle shop

You make and sell candles. Maybe you sell other similar products too like incense, oils, candle holders, that kind of stuff.

Who is your audience?

Well it's people who like candles clearly but what type of people are they? What do all of them have in common? Sure they could be 18 or 80 and they could come from a whole bunch of different social or financial circumstances but there are a few thing we do know about them.

The all like a nice smelling home
They value the calming, therapeutic benefits of burning candles
They enjoy giving candles as a gift

And that's just off the top of my head without even trying. With a little digging you'll be able to find out a whole lot more. You may even decide to aim your products specifically at people with a higher income for example and offer more expensive, desirable products. there's nothing wrong in that.

What happens next?

When you discover what things make your customers come to you, it becomes instantly much easier to make videos that appeal to them. You're no longer trying to appeal to everyone. Let's be honest, if everyone in the world started buying your stuff you couldn't cope anyway.

Successful marketing is about kicking a ball in a goal. The wider your audience is, the further away from the goal you get and the harder it is to score.

The more you can find out about what your audience needs, the closer you get to the goal.

Want more help making videos?

I get that all this stuff can be a little daunting and you may have more questions than answers right now and that's okay.

If you feel as if you'd like more help getting all this right, click on the button below and get in touch.

Thumbnails: Why you need them and how to make them

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 16:08:43 GMT

How do you get your videos noticed on social media?

Well one thing many people forget to do is to create a thumbnail. This is the static image that appears when you first discover a video in your timeline. Think of it like an advert for your video in much the same way that a movie has a poster to promote it.

So let's find out why you need one and, more importantly, what elements make up a good one.

Why do you need a thumbnail?

On most social media channels your video won't auto play when someone discovers it. If you don't add a thumbnail then Facebook for example will just choose a random frame from your video which usually means the first thing people see is you pulling some hideous face or at the best you'll get an image which offers the viewer no clue about the content of the video.

Upshot is if someone is scrolling through their Facebook feed and comes across your video they are more likely to keep on scrolling because you're not telling them what your video is about.

However, you can create a graphic like the one above that you can upload at the same time as you upload your video. Then instead of people seeing some hideous face, they get a graphic that clearly illustrates what they'll get if they click play.

What to put in your thumbnail.

I've put four key elements on this thumbnail that maximise the potential of someone actually clicking play.

A clear title

Remember, your viewer will be spending mere seconds in front of your thumbnail image so you will want to be blatantly obvious with your title so there's no illusion about the content. So spell it out clearly using as few words as possible. Also think about what type of title might want to make them click play in the first place.

A clear typeface

Your title should be super easy to read too. So go for an uncomplicated typeface and go for contrasting colours so your title really stands out. Remember you don't have long to get your viewer's attention so you'll want to make it as easy as possible for people to read your title in the shortest time possible.

A pretty face

OK, before you say it I know I'm no Chris Hemsworth but it's important to have my face on my thumbnail images. For starters, faces perform better in thumbnails than anything else and if my face is in every one of my thumbnails it makes all the thumbnails for my videos look similar. Which brings me on to ...

Make your thumbnails all look similar

Go for the same font, the same colours, the same layout on all of your thumbnails. If someone bumps into one of your videos and watches it they are more likely to watch another one if they come across one. So if it's instantly familiar you'll have more chance of getting their attention over and over again.

Is this all a little confusing?

There's a lot to take in here but in a nutshell your video will perform better if you add a thumbnail and make it a good one. Places like Canva or Adobe Spark are great places to find templates and get some inspiration.

If you need a little more help understanding how to do all this stuff easily well you're in luck because that's what I do. My coaching workshops can take in all aspects of video making from pre-production to presenting, editing and posting on social media. Each day is bespoke to your needs and it doesn't have to cost the earth either.

Click on the link below to explore the different ways my coaching workshops can help you and of course, come and say hi if you would like to ask me a few questions.

How we made this music video

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:18:06 GMT

Monoki's creative director Paul is a frustrated musician.

"I was in bands as a kid, I played multiple instruments but, on the whole, was terrible at all of them. However it was a childhood dream to one day work in the music industry in some form and I grew up in the 1980's the era that defined the music video."

Now Paul can say he works in the music industry. Monoki reguarly work with musicians filming live content and fully formed music videos. However, this project for award winning soul singer Nate James was a huge challenge.

"The video for Chasing The Sun was made during the second Covid lockdown in 2021. With Nate living in Scotland and me in south east England, shooting and directing a music video 300 miles apart was going to be tough. Oh and Nate wanted it to look like we were in Ibiza ... when we clearly coudn't be".

The brief

So Nate drops a summer anthem ready for release in, well, the summer. It's a great song and demands a great video filled with all things summer. Under normal conditions that's pretty easy. Fly to Ibiza for the weekend, find a quiet spot on the beach, start filming. However there were a few problems.

It was April.
The UK is in full lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. No travelling outside your town, let alone to somewhere remotely sunny.
Nate lives in Scotland, 300 miles north of me in Essex.

So how do we make a video that looks summery, in April, in Scotland with me 300 miles away?

The filming

First off, Scotland is blessed with some stunning beaches and, although it would be cold, if we were lucky and got up early enough we thought we may be able to pull it off. Apart from Nate being freezing cold there was a chance we could make it look warmer than it actually was.

Our second problem was how to film it. Luckily Nate knew of a local wedding photographer who also made a bit of video. I met up with Austin Mitchell via Zoom and we got planning.

The difficult part of making a video in this way is, although we can plan what shots we'd like and I could come up with a rough storyboard based around the song. We were really relying on what Austin could come up with on the day and how kind the Scottish weather was going be.

It could have very easily all gone wrong.

Nate and Austin chose the stunning Silver Sands Beach in Aberdour . and Nate's friend was kind enough to join them to look after make up. So after giving Austin a wish list of shots all that was left to do was wait for the weather to break. An early start was booked and we were blessed with the most beautiful Scottish sunrise.

It's always hard editing someone else's footage because before anything can be done I have to look through everything and then, much like a jigsaw puzzle, work out which bits work best at certain points through the song. Thankfully I had some great footage and drone shots to work with.

On first hearing Chasing The Sun I picked up on the hand clap rhythms that reminded me a little of The Cure's song Close To Me. I decided that aspect would make a great motif through the video with some short choppy edits between footage to pick out the rhythm.

The final and most time consuming task was the colour grading. This is the process of manipulating the colours on every single shot so the whole thing looks similar.

Remember this is Scotland. Even though we had an amazing morning the shots all looked very blue which could have made the finished video appear cold (which it was). So I had to bring the Ibiza to Scotland by adding lots of orange and yellow tones to Austin's footage. I also took some of the footage back to almost black and white to add some drama and provide some strong contrast to the hand clapping edits.

The reception

I think this is the best video I made with Nate. In particular because of the problems we had to overcome to make it happen.

Many people have since asked me how we made it and did we indeed fly somewhere hot. that's a big win for me because that's exactly the look we were aiming for. I can still remember Nate's excited voice on seeing the first edit and is surprise at how Mediterranean the finished product looked. The only small give away to how cold it actually was is that you can occasionally see some warm air smoking it's way our of Nate's mouth as he was singing.

Want me to bring your music alive?

I continue to work with Nate on his video projects and would love to do the same with you.

If you'd like to discuss bringing your music alive with a great video - click on the button below and let's talk.

How to avoid Content Creators Block

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 10:08:03 GMT

How often have you sat there scratching your head trying to come up with ideas to promote your business? Being successful with your social media marketing means having a constant supply of ideas that will resonate with the type of people you want to do business with.

However we all get those moments when coming up with even one half decent idea is harder than tickling a mosquito under the elbow with a telegraph pole. so in order to make Content Creators Block a thing of the past I've come up with 5 places to find an endless supply of ideas for videos or any other type of content for that matter.

1. Frequently asked questions

How many questions do you get asked about your business over and over again? Every time you tell someone what you do out they come. You’re constantly repeating the same answers to the point that you could do it in your sleep. So why not turn those answers into videos?

This is perfect video material. First off you can post it on your social channels because it's a great way to demonstrate that you know what you're talking about. But even better than that … why not embed that video into a little blog post on your website?

Then the next time you’re asked ‘that question’ you can perhaps give a short answer in person and then say … look here’s my card, take a look at my website because I’ve done a video that will explain more.

This is super powerful for three reasons.

It gets people to check out your website
More video on your website improves your SEO (the ability for Google to find your website in search)
Because you will always get people asking those questions your videos will never get old. I’m still sharing FAQ videos I made two or three years ago.

Also you can do something really clever on social media with these FAQ videos.

2. Re-cycling

Don't get caught in that trap of thinking that you constantly have to come up with fresh ideas. You really don't. Re-cycling and refreshing existing content is a really great way to keep the ideas flowing.

Why does it work?

There are two ways of looking at this.

If your social media following is growing you'll have a fresh set of followers who won't have been following you the last time you posted that video.
Not all of your followers get to see everything you post. That's all down to the algorithm. It's more likely to show your posts to people who have recently interacted with you. Therefore running back a second time with the same video when the algorithm is choosing different people will expose that video to a whole bunch of fresh eyes.

How do you do it?

Lots of ways really. Here are some options that are great for re-cycling existing content.

Simply re-post the same video.
Refresh it with a new edit, change the graphics or a new thumbnail image.
Look at other content you have and see if you can re-purpose it as a video. Take a look at your blogs for example, still images or graphic posts you've used in the past. You could have reams of new content for video already created.

3. Current affairs

If there’s something in the news that relates to your business or field of expertise – you should so be making a video about it. Because other people are talking about it and that means your video could perform better as a result.

Trending topics

A trending topic is simply a topic that a lot of people are posting content about on social media. The more of that topic there is out there, the more you are likely to see it. So if that topic relates to your business or area of expertise, jump on the bandwagon and make a video with your thoughts or expert opinion.

Because that topic is high on people's agenda, your video will be exposed to a whole new set of people. You can also help this along by using relevant hashtags to support your post.

Recycle the topics

There could well be a topic that you know lots about which comes up in the social conscience time and time again. For example, if you're in the fitness industry you can guarantee that every January people are talking about weight loss, new goals and joining gyms. If you made a video last year about that very thing you can post it again and hit a totally new audience.

4. Check out the competition

At least once a month I spend half an hour talking a look at what my competitors are doing. I'll also check out other people who do similar things to me. Then I use what has worked for them as inspiration for future content.

I would never suggest that you steal content. That's never good plus it doesn't come from you. Put your own take on their idea or take inspiration from it and create something new.

This is a good way to have a reserve tank of ideas in a notebook or folder so when you're own tank is dry you can dip in and suddenly you're filled with a big pile of ideas that will get your creative juices flowing again.

5. Ask your existing customers

It may seem bonkers but we all forget this final way to come up with great video ideas. Ask the people who love you already. I'm assuming you want more customers or clients just like the ones you already have. Therefore you have the best resource available already.

So why not invite a few of your favourite clients to join you for a coffee morning. Buy some cakes, sit them down and ask them a bunch of questions.

Why do they buy from you?
What were they looking for?
What do they love about your service?
What problems do you help them with?
What else can you do for them?

I'm sure you can come up with a bunch of other questions to ask but you get the idea. Find out how your existing customers tick and right away you've got a big pile of ideas that will speak directly to the kind of people you want to attract.

If, however, you're looking to attract some people with different values or needs to your existing clients. Begin by working out what type of people you want to do business with and look for a few of your friends that may match that profile. Then invite them around for a Q&A.

Is this all a little confusing?

If you need a little more help coming up with ideas well you're in luck because that's what I do. As well as this I offer one day coaching workshops where I can take you through all aspects of using video for marketing. Each day is bespoke to your needs and it doesn't have to cost the earth either.

Coming up with ideas
Pre-production ... why and how to do it
How to present in front of a camera
How to use a camera
How to edit a video and add captions
How to post on social media for the best results

Click on the link below to explore the different ways my coaching workshops can help you and of course, come and say hi if you would like to ask me a few questions.

How I made this video

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:41:02 GMT

I'm often asked how I make my videos and as I've now ventured into the world of music video I get this question a lot more.

This one took a lot more work to put together than it might seem at first. But the part that seems to capture the most attention is when I clone myself. So let's take a look at how I did that and other elements in this product video for the Vibram FiveFinger See-Ya shoe.

The brief

I have been providing video and social media content for Barefoot Junkie for many years now. As the leading retailer in the UK for Vibram FiveFingers they hired me to be the face for their brand and present their videos as well as produce them.

As with every video it can be a challenge to get noticed in a crowded social media so it helps to pull a few tricks out of the bag to make these videos stand out and become memorable. So I needed something that was going to visually catch the eye within the first 20 seconds.

It helps that I'm also a fan of these shoes. I've been running in them for years and the See-Ya was my favourite model until they stopped making them. So when they brought them back I took the opportunity to use a rather obvious joke and show that I was beside myself.

The planning

Making any kind of video like this takes a certain level of pre-production. The planning process here involved creating a story board to determine which shots I needed and in which order I needed them to appear in the edit.

The two main elements that needed a little work were the cloning effect (which I'll come on to) and the hamster. I wanted to show a comparison between the shoe and something else. So I simply went onto Google and asked what other things weighed the same. Google's first reply was a Russian Hamster. So all I needed to do was find someone who had one and shoot the relevant footage in their back garden.

Then I went ahead and shot all of the b-roll. That's the term used for any footage that supports the narrative. So the shots in the gym and of me running we're crossed off my shot list.

Finally I got to stand in front of the camera (in the middle of my road) and shoot all the headshots. Including that cloning effect.

The cloning effect.

Technically, achieving this effect is pretty easy. The hard part is delivering both parts to make it look convincing.

Essentially the finished product is two separate videos blended down the middle. Therefore the camera needs to stand on a tripod and I need to shoot both elements in short succession so there are no discrepancies in the lighting.

I've used this cloning technique before indoors which is far easier to do because you can control the light (see below). However outside, things can change fairly rapidly. For the end product to look seamless, the lighting conditions need to be exactly the same. Even a shadow out of place can give the game away.

To carry this effect off and make it look convincing a few things need to happen.

The timing needs to be right so I can have a seamless conversation with myself
I need to know where I'm going to appear on the other side of the blend so I can look at myself.
I need to know where I am in the shot (on both sides) so I don't go out of the half of my frame and suddenly lose an arm out of shot.

Once both parts of the scene are shot and I'm happy with the result I can head back to the studio and blend both elements together. If you're going to try this make sure you're prepared for lots of trial and error. It often takes several goes to get this right.

The reception

Both Barefoot Junkie and it's customers often comment on this video because the cloning makes it memorable. My own clients often mention this too and want to replicate this effect in their own videos.

Want to bring your products alive?

I'm still making creative little videos for Barefoot Junkie and would love to do the same with you.

If you'd like to discuss bringing your products alive with a great video - click on the button below and let's talk.

When is the right time to publish your video?

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 12:24:40 GMT

Let's say you've made a great video and you're really proud of it. Obviously you want as many people to see it as possible. So how do you do that?

Well, there are a number of things to consider when you’re marketing your business with video. Picking the right time to you post can have a big impact on your results.

Let's look at why and how to get your timings right.

Getting in front of the right people

Thinking about your target market is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your video marketing campaign is a success. Knowing some key facts about your target market can help you make better decisions about when to post.

Who is your product or service aimed at?
Who do you want to impress?
Who do you want to buy from you?

In determining your target market you might want to ask yourself a few questions

How old are they?
Where do they live (geographically and on-line)?
What do they do for a living (if they work at all)?
How do they spend their money?
What do they need help with?

Where are they?

Answering some of the questions above will help you understand the habits of your target market. This will help you determine when they are more likely to be browsing through their favourite social media channel.

You can even nail down your ideal client/customer even further and give him/her a set of characteristics that typify your target market. You can even give your 'avatar' a name.

Let's say you've chosen Carol as your perfect avatar. If you want Carol to buy your products you will need to know three important things about her so you can determine when to post your videos.

Where she lives.

What’s Carol’s favourite social media channel? If she spends most of her time on Facebook that’s where you need to be. There’s no point posting on Instagram if Carol prefers Facebook. If Carol is in her 50’s there’s a pretty big chance she won’t be browsing Tik Tok or Snapchat. In truth, Carol may live in two or three places at once. But if you know where she hangs out you can go and knock on her door ... providing she's in of course.

When she’s in.

Let’s say Carol doesn’t work and looks after a young family. What times will she be busy? If you post your video at 8am there’s a high chance she’s going to be running around like a headless chicken packing school lunches, shouting after her children and getting ready for the school run. She certainly won’t have time to scroll through Facebook. However once she’s dropped the kids off she might sit down for a nice cup of tea. Now that could be a better time to get her attention.

By understanding your target audience you will understand their behaviours and this will determine when it's best to get their attention.

What she needs.

Of course it's not enough to know where she lives and when she's at home. You also want to be able to say something that she's going to be interested in. What’s going to attract Carol’s attention? What problems does Carol have that you could help with? What questions is she likely to post in Google that you have a solution for?

Penetration ... not a naughty word (not in marketing anyway)

In order to penetrate the lives of your target market you will need to know as much about them as possible. Knowing where they are, when they’re going to be in and what needs they have that you can help with.

In fact social media makes this easier than ever before. Remember those days when marketing meant having thousands of flyers printed that went into a whole bunch of letterboxes? Is it any surprise that methods like that often returned a very small success rate?

If you’re running a business page on Facebook or a business account on Instagram for instance, you will have access to insights that clearly tell you when the majority of your followers are active on the channel. If your followers are within your target market, then that may be the best time to get their attention.

A BIG BUT (rather than a big butt - now that is naughty)

Please, please please make sure you populate your pages with followers who fall into your target market. This is paramount. If your followers are not your ideal customers, none of the above will work very well because...

Your followers are not behaving the way your ideal customer would.
Your followers may not be interested in your product/service to begin with.
Your insights won't give you the information you want.

I've prepared a whole page about this mistake because it's a BIGGIE! Click here to read more.

Learn to avoid the mistakes

Finding your target market is the difference between success and failure. It will drive every single decision you make during your marketing campaign. But it can be a bit of a tricky process to get right. We know … in actual fact it’s a bit of a science.

If you’d like more advice on finding your target market and building a successful campaign that will reach them please get in touch.

Three common video mistakes (and how to fix them)

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:38:58 GMT

When you’re making a video, for the first time it’s tempting to take a look at what everyone else is doing first. However that means you are in danger of making the same mistakes they make. There are a lot of mistakes that novice video marketers make and that can result in a poor performance.

So here are three of the more common mistakes I see and how to fix them.

1. Grabbing attention

The mistake:

When you hit record on the camera there can often be a few moments of fiddling around or getting into the zone before doing your thing. The first few seconds of any video are vital as these are the moments that will grab your viewer’s attention. If those first golden moments are not golden then you become prey to the scrolling finger of doom. Most video views last no more than a few seconds and nobody wants that.

The fix:

Edit that stuff out before uploading your video or at least be ready with a compelling way to grab attention. Remember you have to make people stop and watch and that means the first few seconds need to clearly spell out what’s going to happen or at the very least make people stop scrolling.

So make sure you are ready to stop them in their tracks.

2. Spelling it out

The mistake:

You’ve made your video, uploaded it and hit go but the views are really poor. What happened? You were clear, the microphone was on. What went wrong?

An amazing 85% of people watch video on social media without sound. So your video needs to make as much sense with or without audio. If you forget the captions a large percentage of your viewing public won’t be able to understand you.

You will often see graphics or captions on videos saying something like ‘turn the sound on’ but that’s another mistake. Most people have sound off because they are somewhere they don’t want the sound on in the first place. If they can’t listen, telling them to won’t help them

Imagine if 80% of your audience were deaf. How would that change the video you made?

The fix:

Make sure your video contains captions. There are some apps available that will do that for you. YouTube and Facebook will do it for you too but it needs checking. They use voice recognition software to convert what you said into text so if you weren’t clear, have a strong accent or there are some other noises on the video, the software will make mistakes. Also there won’t be any punctuation so you will need to add that. It’s a time consuming process but an essential one as such a large portion of your audience will need it.

You can read more about adding captions by clicking here .

3. Telling them what's next

The mistake:

You’ve made a great video and it gets lots of views, great. Now what? If you just end the video with a goodbye and do nothing more that’s a huge missed opportunity. You have them in the palm of your hand. They’ve paid attention and heard everything you said. Now is your chance to hit them with something else. If you leave them with nothing that might be the last time they see you.

The fix:

Always leave with a call to action. Give them the opportunity to find out more about your products or services, take advantage of a special offer or maybe just follow you but give them something. This is also a great opportunity to invite a conversation. Social media loves conversations so ask your viewer something so they might comment. If your post gets lots of comments then the algorithm will see this as a popular post and show it to more people.

Learn to avoid the mistakes

If you'd like to learn more about the best ways to construct an online video course, why not get in touch and book a 20 minute call. I'd be more than happy to answer your questions.

Alternatively you might want to get together with some friends or colleagues and book a workshop where we can cover many aspects of making video. From lighting and editing to filming and a whole lot more. Click here to take a look.

How to create a passive income with video

Wed, 26 May 2021 15:01:27 GMT

If you run a business or have a skill that someone else would like to learn then you can use video to create online content that people will pay good money for.

This would enable you to generate a passive income. A valuable additional revenue stream that can continue earning you money for years to come ... you don't even need to lift a finger.

Building an online course

Sure there's some initial work to do creating all the videos, any additional content and then loading it all onto your website but once that's done, you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Do you make a living doing something that someone else would pay money to learn? You may even have a hobby that you've done for years. Building an online course or workshop is something I've done with amazing results. My first course was launched in 2014 and I'm still earning money from it every month. I've since built a second course and set up similar revenue streams for clients.

Let's go over the steps you need in order to make it happen.

1. Planning

The first stage is to decide on the subject and how you're going to deliver it.

You might decide to split up your course into sections delivered over several weeks or months. Alternatively you could provide one off workshops or even ongoing content where you can charge a monthly membership fee.

However you decide to do it. Step one is to map out a timeline. Decide what you want to teach, how you're going to split that up (if at all) and what happens at the end of each episode.

Then comes the long job of writing out the content. If it's appropriate you might even consider providing a written manual for your course that people can download as a part of the price. Doing this can have a hidden benefit which I'll come on to later.

2. Filming

Once you've decided on everything you want to say, it's time to get out the camera.

Remember you are intending to charge for people to watch this. So while the information you provide needs to be clear to understand and delivered in an easily digestible way, you also need to provide a good quality video product too.

Think about what you want to film, Will your videos benefit from adding some demonstrations? You might need to provide a little more than just you talking to camera. Remember that video is a visual medium and some people learn by watching video more effectively than just reading from a book.

Take a little time with this and make great videos that will almost sell themselves.

It's also of benefit to think about any time sensitive content here. If your videos are liable to date very quickly because the information you provide may change this is a good time to refer to a manual. You can briefly outline what you want to say in the video and then suggest your viewer learns more in the manual you have provided for them. Remember, making video is a time consuming process. So if you can make your videos timeless, you won't need to re-film them when the information changes.

3. Delivery and promotion

Once you've made all of your videos and written your manuals (if you need to). Then it's time to consider how you are going to deliver it to your hungry customers.

This can all be done on your website. Your content hides behind something called a 'pay wall'. This is a special page where customers have to make a payment before they get to see your course.

Your course is all tucked away on a hidden part of your website only available to those who have paid to see it. Once a payment has been made you can provide your customer with the link where they can watch your video and download your manuals or supporting information.

Then your work is done. Well almost. You will still have to tell the world about your shiny new course but it could become an additional source of income for many years to come.

Want to learn more about making an online course?

If you'd like to learn more about the best ways to construct an online video course, why not get in touch and book a 20 minute call. I'd be more than happy to answer your questions.

What kit do you need to make great videos?

Wed, 19 May 2021 16:21:26 GMT

You might think that to make a great video you’ll need to invest thousands in a camera, lighting and audio equipment. Then you’ll need a degree to understand the software so you can edit what you’ve filmed.

The reality is very different. You can make a great video with very little equipment – in fact you’ve probably got most of it already. So what equipment do you need?

Camera

As many as 99% of the UK adult population own a smartphone.

So there’s a pretty big chance that you already have a high end video recorder right there in your pocket. The latest smart phones come with a camera that can record in high definition.

Standard definition is usually defined as 480 vertical lines whereas high definition can be up to 1,080 lines. Some smart phones can even record in 4k (up to 4,000 lines). However for most social media use high definition is more than good enough.

Sure you can invest in a DSLR as most of them will be able to shoot video too. That will give you a number of additional options like multiple lenses and more manual control but for most of us, a smartphone is more than enough for the job.

However there are a few other items we suggest you invest in.

Tripod

Without a tripod your options for filming become more limited. This can throw up a few problems too.

Without a tripod you have three options. Holding it yourself, propping it up somehow or asking someone else to hold it for you. None of these are ideal.

Holding the phone at arms length while you film yourself can make the camera shaky which is hard to watch. Y ou will also have one hand occupied which limits what you can do.

You could ask someone to hold it for you but they won't be as still as a tripod either. Plus you'll need to find a friend to help in the first place.

Finally, leaning a phone against something usually ends up with the camera being below your eye line and pointing up at an angle. In the finished video this can appear as if you’re looking down on the viewer, pretty intimidating.

Upshot is a tripod is a must have. There are plenty of inexpensive options to choose from ranging from full height floor standing to flexible tripods that you can wrap around any object. The type of video you intend to make will often dictate which option is the best for you.

We recommend:

Ulanzi MT-33 flexible tripod ( get it here )

Geekoto 79" light Aluminium tripod ( get it here )

Microphone

While the microphone on your smart phone can do an ok job at close range, take it any more than an arms length away and it starts to struggle. Remember it's really designed for recording voice notes or actual phone calls (remember those?)

Your phone has an omni-directional mic which means it will pick up audio from all directions. The further away you get from your phone the more sounds your voice will have to compete with. So if you want to film someone else or you're popping your phone on a tripod, you'll need to invest in an external microphone that can do a better job for you.

Lavalier microphones are tiny mics that clip to your collar or top. Because they are closer to your voice it doesn't matter how far away from the camera you get.

You can buy several different types, some work via Bluetooth while others will connect to your camera or phone with a cable.

Your other option is a better quality mic that attaches to your phone or a specially adapted case. This may be an option if you're interviewing someone and don't have time to faff around with attaching a lav mic to them. It's also good for picking up audio from a whole room for example.

We recommend:

Movo WMX-2 wireless lavalier microphone ( get it here )

Movo VXR10-Pro Exernal video microphone ( get it here )

Lights

While not essential you'll find that, in time you will probably want to invest in some lighting. To get professional looking results you will need to first learn a little about how to light whatever you want to film. Then, armed with that knowledge you'll be better placed to know which lights work best for you.

For example if you're lighting a face (perhaps your own) you will get better results with not one, not two but three separate lights (called three point lighting). We've written a whole other blog about lighting and you can find out about three point lighting by clicking here .

What we don't suggest is that you rely on one light for faces. Especially ring lights. These can make your face look flat and often un-flattering. However if you want to film something else (like an object or product) you can get pretty good results with a smaller, single light.

We've given you a few suggestions here based on what you want to achieve. They are all under £100 too but you can get much higher end, more durable kit if you are willing to invest some more.

We recommend:

Aputure Amaran AL-M9 LED light ( get it here )

Vevelux 3000k - 6000k softbox lighting kit ( get it here )

Neweer Tabletop LED video light kit ( get it here )

Editing software

There are lots of options here. Choosing the best one is a little like choosing a car.

Some of the free apps and software options available will get you from a to b but if you want to do it in style with a few more whistles and bells you will need to invest in a little more money (and probably up the spec on your computer so it can cope).

The software we use the most comes from Adobe. They have a suite of programmes that work together that provide you with a myriad of tools.

Premiere Pro for editing video
Audition for editing audio
Photoshop and inDesign for graphics
After Effects for special effects

The Adobe suite is fast becoming the industry standard for film (even movies like Deadpool and Avatar were edited using Adobe).

We recommend:

Adobe have a paired down ‘Fisher Price’ version of Premiere Pro called Premiere Rush. It has a much simper interface but contains all the essential tools so you can perform simple editing techniques. There's even a smartphone app version.

Rush comes with a tutorial when you launch it for the first time that holds your hand through all the features. It's perfect for beginners. Click here to find out more.

Anything else?

You will be able to make a really good video with the shopping list above but there are endless other things to consider and you can spend more money investing in higher end versions of the kit we have suggested here. This will be mostly dictated by the types of video you want to make.

However all of the options above are fairly easy to get to grips with and you can make a great looking video with relative ease.

Want to learn more about making video?

If you'd like to learn more about the best ways to make your own videos, why not get in touch and book a 20 minute call. I'd be more than happy to answer your questions.

Alternatively you can get together with some friends or colleagues and book a workshop where we can cover lighting and a whole lot more. Click below to take a look.

How to light your videos

Tue, 11 May 2021 16:58:32 GMT

Spending a little time on lighting can make a huge difference to your videos.

Lighting can make you appear, friendly, scary or even invisible. However, fixing your lighting is easy and vital to make you (or your subject) look fantastic. You might not even have to spend anything to do it.

Good lighting can make your video (and you) look fantastic. It can make you appear friendly, approachable and healthy.

If the lighting isn’t right sometimes your background can appear clearer than you are (which can be a distraction). If there’s only light on a part of your face it can make you look hostile, un-approachable or even scary.

If you're filming outside

If the weather is great and you have the perfect location get outside where you’ll find the best lighting rig there is, the sun. And it's free!

Just remember that you are lighting the most important part of the video which may be your face. So the sun needs to be behind the camera and facing you. Even if it’s off to one side this can create shadows which will make one half of your face appear darker than the other.

The best time to do this is when the sun is lower in the sky. So later in the afternoon or early in the morning.

If you're filming inside

You can still shoot your video indoors but make sure you follow the same rules when it comes to the direction of light. You may be able to use natural light but you might also need to light your subject artificially.

Pick a room that has a large window and shoot on a clear bright day. Place the camera pointing away from the window so you are facing the light.

If you do this the other way around, with the window behind you, your background will be nicely lit and you won’t. This will draw the eye towards the well lit background and away from you.

If you need to use artificial lighting try to avoid yellow light. Most domestic lights and lamps will have a warm, yellow glow. They can be pretty unflattering on a video.

You might be better off investing in a ring light or maybe a softbox light. You can pick them up relatively cheaply on Amazon and they will make a massive difference to the finished video.

What's three point lighting?

If you decide to shoot inside and use some artificial lighting you can get some really great effects. Well positioned indoor lighting can flatter your subject. It can also have the opposite effect.

The best way to light something using artificial light is with a method called three point lighting. This means you'll need three lights rather than just the one. If you're thinking about investing in something like ring light then don't bother. Lighting your subject head on with one light can make your subject look flat, two dimensional and can often be pretty unflattering.

With three points of light you can give a subject depth and create depth within the image too. Take a look at the diagram below to see how three point lighting works then take a look at any of my headshot videos to see this method in action.

Want to learn more about lighting?

If you'd like to learn more about the best way to use lighting for you own videos, why not get in touch and book a 20 minute call. I'd be more than happy to answer your questions.

Alternatively you can get together with some friends or colleages and book a workshop where we can cover lighting and a whole lot more. Click here to take a look. New paragraph

How to choose the right video title

Tue, 04 May 2021 11:13:25 GMT

So you’ve made this great video, you’re ready to share it with the world but what are you going to call it? Believe it or not, choosing the right title can mean the difference between getting results and falling down the cracks.

Why is the right title so important?

The title to your video is just as important as naming a movie or TV show. There should be some clues in your title that gives your audience some idea of what to expect.

For example, take the movie ‘Star Wars’. Without knowing anything else about that film apart from the title it’s pretty safe to say it’s going to include space and some kind of a battle. So if you’re the kind of person who takes a box of tissues into the cinema hoping for a weepy romantic drama, there’s a fair chance you won’t be off to see Luke, Chewie and chums saving the empire.

In this instance, the right title instantly tells you a little about the film. Your title should do that too because it will help people to find it and maybe watch too.

Your title will need to spell out what’s in your video. If your video answers a question or provides some kind of insight into what you do then your title should demonstrate that. For instance, the title of our video above is a clear indicator of what we’re going to help you with.

Think about the key words or phrases that your audience might use when looking for the solution you can provide.

Asking a question

A good way for your video to attract views is if the title is set out like a question. Most of us will use search engines to find a solution to something and will often type a question into the search bar.

What’s the best way to lose weight?
How can I repair a leaking tap?
How do I apply for a mortgage
Where is the nearest Yoga class?
What’s the best hotel in Cambridge?

If you’ve already published a video and it’s not performing in the way you had hoped, the title may be your problem. So you can change it. Maybe even experiment with options and upload it twice with different titles to see which one works the best.

Want to find out more?

Obviously there's much more to it than just the title. There are many elements that make up a great video and a video that gets great results. If you want to learn more about getting better results from video on your social media channels. Click on button and let's have a chat.

Three reasons to avoid live video

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:03:21 GMT

There's no denying that live video on social media is huge. More and more people are doing it and the likes of Facebook and Instagram (and all the others) are favouring it in their algorithms.

But should you do it? Well the fact that it's so popular and social media loves it may be a good reason to go live. However here are 3 reasons why perhaps you should think twice.

1. It's all about timing

There's no point in just rocking up on your social media platform of choice and hitting that button unless you know your followers are online at the same time and available to watch.

Doing a live video is a little like turning up at someone's house, just virtually, ideally you want them to be in otherwise what's the point of doing it live in the first place? You might as well just record a video instead and post that.

What's the solution?

Well there are a couple of ways to get a better audience with live video. Firstly look at your insights. This is the data that tells you when your followers are looking at the platform. That's the time when you want to go live, knock on their door when you know they are in.

The other thing you ought to do is tell them when you're going live. That way they are more likely to show up when you show up. For example if you plan to go live at 7pm on a Friday, schedule a couple of posts during the week to let people know that's when it's happening. If you plan to do regular lives then aim to stick to the same time, eventually people will get used to your schedule and your audience will grow.

2. You're just not ready

How much time have you spent in front of a camera? If you're not confident with video - live can be a disaster.

Being great on video and generating interest is largely about confidence. Imagine you're at a business conference, the speakers that you will remember (for the right reason) are engaging, they are in charge of the room and their energy is compelling. If you sit in a room with a timid, nervous, unconfident speaker that can feel uncomfortable pretty fast and you just won't remember what they said.

The same applies to video. If you haven't done much of it before you may not be confident or experienced enough to engage with a live audience as well. Therefore it might be a better option to practice with recorded video first. That way your audience only gets to see the good bits. As you develop your presenting chops you will then be more capable of getting a bigger audience with live video and keeping them.

3. What's the reason?

Just forget for a second that it's popular, why are you going live in the first place? Could you get your message across better in another way?

Don't just do lives for the sake of it or because someone told you it was the way to go. It might not be the way to go for you. There are plenty of other ways you can get your message across and your message may be better suited to another method of delivery.

For example, done right recorded videos can get great engagement and the benefit is they last longer. Done right you can re-cycle them too.

Once your live is over, it's over. Sure there is the option to replay it afterwards but for several reasons (which I won't cover here) they may not get great views after the event. A recorded video ( with captions ) will always get better engagement than the re-play of a live one.

There are other methods to consider too. Carousels for example, or even a good old fashioned email marketing campaign might hit the spot better (remember those?)

How to get better at being live

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a better presenter on screen and how video can boost your business presence on social media, click below and let's have a chat.

How to look awesome on a video call

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 16:50:00 GMT

Even when Covid becomes something we can live with, there's no denying that our world has changed. Video conferencing is now a part of our daily life and, regardless of what the world throws at us, it looks like it's here to stay.

As many of us are facing an increasingly large amount of time either conducting or participating in meetings on Zoom, GoTo Meeting, FaceTime, MS Teams and other apps like it, we need to be sure we look the part.

So how do you give the right impression on camera as much as you do when meeting people in the flesh?

1. Get your framing right

It's important that to get the position of your camera and your position in relation to it right.

When it’s wrong you will know it’s wrong but perhaps not why. When it’s right, you’ll look professional, approachable and friendly. Anyone who uses a camera professionally knows about the rule of thirds. In fact, artists as far back as the 18th century were using it.

When you watch anyone talking on telly they will always be in a certain position on the screen and that position is determined by the rule of thirds.

The Rule of Thirds divides the screen, four lines dissecting the screen, two horizontally and two vertically to form 9 equal rectangles. The main point of focus (in this case probably your eyes) is always sitting along that top horizontal line, either in the middle or slightly off to one side near the vertical line.

The next time you look at someone talking on TV pay attention to where they are within the frame and you’ll see they are situated with the rule of thirds in mind.

Even all those people being interviewed on TV from their homes (usually sitting in front of their impressive book collections) will have been set up by a producer so they’re in the right position on screen before they go on air.

Because we’re subconsciously conditioned to seeing things set up in this way, when they’re not like this it just looks a little odd.

2. Get your angles right

To come across as a friendly, personable person, your angle is important.

Most of us will be making video calls using our tablets, smartphones or laptops and many of us will have them propped up at an angle somehow.

For the viewer, this will look as if you are looking down on them. Even the angles of everything in the background will give this away. Subconsciously this can appear a little intimidating and uncomfortable.

Again, it’s not something you’re likely to see on TV. Plus, they get a good look up your nose and you’re more likely to be showing off a double chin. Not a good look.

So set the height of the camera on your device so its directly in front of you. Think of the camera as the eyes of the person on the other end of the video link. This will make you appear more friendly and approachable.

3. Get your lighting right

Most web-cams are not great at dealing with bright light, so make sure there's none for them to have to contend with.

If there is a strong light source anywhere on screen it will saturate most of the image. Therefore it pays to think about where any light is coming from.

For instance, if you’re standing in front of a window the light will be behind you and put you in shadow or maybe even silhouette. Even if there's a window anywhere behind you that can put you in the shade.

Ideally you want the light in front of you illuminating the most important part of the image, you. If that’s not possible aim for the light source off to one side but avoid any light flooding the space behind you.

If you’ve got a window back there somewhere, close the curtains.

4. Get the background right

Whatever there is behind you is a reflection of you.

Ideally, you want your background to be interesting but not distracting. Because you want people to pay attention to you and not what’s behind you. Your viewer WILL be checking out your living room or office no matter what. So make sure there is something to look at but not too much.

And make sure it’s tidy too.

Some video conferencing apps have background options so you can pretend to be in some exotic location. While these are fun they do look a little naff and to be honest we just want to see where you live.

So use this as an opportunity to show off a little of your personality. If you invited all the people on your Zoom call into your house, you’d make sure it looks fab. This is really no different with a video call. The good thing here is that people can only see what they can see. If there’s junk out of shot they won’t be able to see it. So you don’t have to tidy your whole house, just the bit that they will see.

The ideal opportunity

All these little tips are no different whether you’re on a video call like Zoom or if you’re recording a video for social media and if you’re not marketing your business on social media or using video to do it you really are missing out.

So why not use all this practice time in front of a camera to good use? This is the perfect time to practice your camera skills and think about how you can use them moving forward to showcase what you do and generate new business.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a better presenter on screen and how video can boost your business presence on social media, click below and let's have a chat ... on Zoom of course!

3 reasons why your video does not need a script

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 06:34:04 GMT

When you’re making a video, you may be tempted to write a nice script to read to camera so you avoid making mistakes.

But we don’t suggest you use a script at all.

Here are three reasons why.

1. Reading a script is really hard to do

People on TV read from scripts all the time and usually use something called an auto-cue (or a teleprompter). This is a screen that sits on the camera tripod with the script on it.

Reading from an auto-cue and making it look and sound like natural speech takes a LOT of practice and some amount of talent to get right. In order for it to look natural it should be impossible to tell if someone is reading anything at all.

In fact the script is even written differently to begin with. We simply use language in a different way when talking vs reading so the script has to be written to say out loud and not to read. It might even be written in a style to suit the presenter’s own personality.

Really good presenters even skim read the script on auto-cue and then improvise around it, this can make it seem even more natural.

2. Say goodbye to your personality

Start reading this out loud right now and see what happens? Does your inflection or the way you phrase things change? When we read something that’s written down it’s hard not to sound different. In fact we lose some of our personality and begin to sound a little more robotic.

Video works best when people can get to know you a little so showing your personality is vital if you want to make a real connection with your audience.

If we met you at a business event and came to say hi, we’d just talk. There would be no real prep beforehand and certainly no script. Sure we might know some of the points we’d like to mention but that’s pretty much it.

If we started reading from a script it would instantly sound wrong. That’s because reading from a script and making it sound natural is really hard to do. So don’t even try.

3. We know what you're doing

It’s a like a 6th sense when you know something is a little off. When someone comes across slightly less than human we can tell.

We spot the subtle loss of personality, changes in natural speech patterns and different language patterns. We might even be able to see their eyes moving from side to side as they scan over the words in front of them.

In short, reading from a script might seem like an easy option but you will lose so much of you in the process that the video will suffer as a result.

There is a solution however.

How to do it naturally

The easy way to avoid looking and sounding bad is not to even try reading from a script at all. Just resign yourself to the fact that it’s not going to happen.

People will warm to you more if your delivery is natural. Just talk to the camera exactly like you’re talking to a person. Imagine that you’re delivering a presentation, giving a talk on stage or just talking to another human being. Because essentially that’s all that video is.

You can help make the process easier by making some notes to refer to. Then if you lose your way you'll be able to pick things up again. You can add in key phrases you'd like to use to help jog your memory but don’t write a script and don’t read one.

Above all this stuff takes practice. With some clever editing you can make the finished product look like you’ve delivered it in one take so don’t worry if you lose your way. Anyway, a few errs and ums are part of natural speech. We all do them.

So lose the script and your videos will look and sounds much more personal as a result.

Want more advice to help you towards video success?

I post tips like these ones all the time on my own social media channels. If you’re not part of my little social world already come and say hi.

I'm also on hand if you want to ask me a question or book some Zoom time with me so we can get hands on and really make your videos fly.

Captions: why you need them and how to get them

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 17:04:10 GMT

There are many elements that make up a successful video posted on social media. However there's one element that's probably more important than any other and most people forget to include it.

ADDING CAPTIONS OR SUBTITLES

So Let's take a look at why your videos needs them, what happens if you don't include them and ... most importantly, how you add them to your own videos.

Why your video needs captions Stand by, shock statistic on the way. Over 85% of people using social media are browsing without sound. That's bonkers right? But when you think about it, this makes a lot of sense.

Think about all the places you casually dip into your Facebook or Instagram feeds. You might be standing in line at the supermarket or waiting for a coffee, you could be at home in the living room while your other half watches something boring on TV, you might even be sitting on the loo! Go on, own up, you do that right?

What do all these places have in common? You're way ahead of me. These are all places where you really don't want everyone else knowing what videos you're watching.

You may have seen some videos that use one caption right at the start, 'turn your sound on'. Well that's a pretty useless tactic because most of the time we really can't or don't want to turn the sound on.

So, while 85% might seem like a super high number it really isn't.

So what does that all mean for your own videos? If they make no sense without sound that's 85% of your potential audience lost.

Oh! They're even more important on YouTube

This is because YouTube is owned by the biggest search engine in the known galaxy, Google.

When you type something in Mr Google's search bar, you get lots of different options. These options include links, photos and videos. If you want some of these videos to be your ones you need to add captions.

Here's an example.

Let's say someone asks Google 'how do I change the oil on my car' and you've made a video that demonstrates just that. How does Google know your video exists?

Well, if you've uploaded your video on YouTube, Google can find it by searching for the title of your video and the description but that's pretty much it. Google can only understand text, not dialogue. Google is clever, but not that clever.

So if you have a version of everything you've said that Google can understand you have a better chance of popping up as an answer when someone searches for 'how do I change the oil on my car'. Google can understand captions.

Captions or subtitles

There's a subtle difference between them and you're perfectly okay to use either. Subtitles contain all the dialogue in text form and captions contain all the dialogue plus audio effects, sounds or other noises represented as text (dog barking for example).

Now we have that cleared up let's deal with the big question.

How do you add captions?

There are lots of ways to add captions to your videos and it really depends where you post them. Be warned though, some options are better than others.

Facebook and YouTube

When you upload a video to Facebook or YouTube you will be given the option to add captions. If you choose this option, little robots get to work, listen to your video and make a best guess at everything you've said.

It really is a best guess too. Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) is better on some platforms than others. They normally don't play well with strong accents, background noise and have no clue what grammar is all about. So after they have done their best, you will need to go through the text they have generated and correct all of their mistakes. That's where your problems start.

As I said, some ASR bots are better than others so be prepared to make a lot of corrections. Also the software for making these corrections can be pretty pants. In my experience editing captions on Facebook for example is an experience that can lead to severe emotional trauma and many lost hours of your life.

A little word about LinkedIn

Sadly, LinkedIn is behind the curve with captions. They do give you the ability to add them but only (at present) via an srt file which you have to upload along with your video. An sr what now? Exactly! Put a pin in that - I'll explain.

Good news on the LinkedIn front is ASR captions are coming. How they'll work and if they'll be any good is, as yet, uncertain. So for now you'll have to find a work around. thankfully there is one.

YouTube to the rescue

YouTube have a great bit of software for generating captions. It will use US spelling but it generally does a pretty good job at working out what you said and the editing process afterwards is relatively stress free.

What's even better is once you have edited your captions you can download a special file (called an .srt or .sbv file) which contains all of your nicely edited captions. You can then add this file to your video when publishing it on Facebook and LinkedIn. I often find myself uploading a video to YouTube just so I can create this captions file.

Click here to learn more about adding captions on YouTube.

Instagram.

Instagram caught up in October 2021, as part of their big push towards more video content, they now have a sticker which kicks their own caption generator into gear. Again, the results are hit and miss though. So better than LinkedIn but still not great. Personally I wouldn't use it. I don't want my Instagram thinking I'm saying one thing when I'm clearly not. By the way, AI caption generators know what swear words are and they also think innocent words said with an accent can be swear words. So watch out!

Third party apps and other options

There are some third party apps that will add captions to your video before you post it. Some are free, some are not. Some are okay, some are not. To be honest I've yet to find a solution better than the YouTube one I described above. Yeah, I know it's not the best but alarmingly it's the best there is.

The other options is to pay someone to transcribe it manually. There are services that do this and they will send you a nice shiny caption file you can use as you wish. However, expect to part with some cash here.

The bottom line

Really the bottom line is that the likes of Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram so really need to pull their fingers out of their butts. We really need a user friendly option for adding captions because it's an essential part of any video you post.

That said, the work around I've talked through here is very much worth all the effort involved and things are changing all the time. Hopefully I'll be back to update this blog with some gladder tidings very soon.

Want more advice to help you towards video success?

I post tips like these ones all the time on my own social media channels. If you’re not part of my little social world already come and say hi.

I'm also on hand if you want to ask me a question or book some Zoom time with me so we can get hands on and really make your videos fly.

5 ways to get attention with video (and keep it)

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 13:39:32 GMT

There’s one vital element of any social video that can make or break your success.

THE FIRST FIVE SECONDS!

Let’s explore why those golden moments are so important and what you can do to get the best out of them.

Why is the start of your video so important?

A lot of people will scroll through social media on their phones and only stop when something gets their attention. Therefore your video needs to stand out from all the other noise and stop that scrolling finger.

The problem doesn’t end there either. Making someone stop is one thing but encouraging them to stick around is quite another.

On Facebook you can see vital statistics (called insights) that not only tell you how many people viewed your video but how many of those viewers watched beyond 10 seconds.

The upshot is that you don’t have long to get their attention. If you get their finger to stop scrolling you will need some compelling content to hook them in and keep them watching right to the end.

So here are 5 ways to get people's attention and keep it.

1. Understand what they want to see

If you have done your audience research you will already know how your target market thinks. That puts you in the perfect position to serve up video content they want to see.

If you give them what they want in the first place they are more likely to stop, watch and interact with your post.

2. Get right to the point

Remember you can’t hang around here. All that pressing record, gathering your thoughts, adjusting your clothing, picking your nose and generally getting ready to speak should be reserved for the cutting room floor.

Instead get right to the point. Tell your viewer what they are about to see and do it as clearly as possible.

Remember every second counts.

3. Be visually impactful

If you want that finger to stop scrolling you need to hit them between the eyes with something that's visually appealing to them (see point 1).

Put yourself in the mind of your ideal customer and try to imagine what they would like to see. What will make them stop scrolling?

4 Tease the end at the start

If you want your audience to watch all of your video it might help to tell them what they’ll get for hanging around.

Let’s say you have an offer, a free e-book or something else they can go check out. Tease that content right up front. For example your opening gambit might be something like:

“I’m about to show you some the exciting new products we have in our Summer collection. Take a look and at the end I’ll tell you how you can get an exclusive 25% off voucher”.

5. Be seen as well as heard

Over 85% of social media users do not have the sound turned on. Yep, they watch but they don’t listen. Therefore your video needs to make as much sense without sound as it does with it.

You will no doubt have seen some videos that begin with a caption asking you to turn the sound on. This doesn’t always work. The reason most people have sound off is because they are in a place where they can’t (or don’t want to) activate the speakers on their phones.

Therefore it’s vital that you use captions or graphics to show your audience what you are saying … as well has having great audio.

Want more advice to help you towards video success?

The key to successful marketing on social media is not about getting the most amount of likes possible. It’s about getting likes from the right people who will turn into customers and buy from you.

I post tips like these ones all the time on my own social media channels. If you’re not part of my little social world already come and say hi.

3 ways to get better results from video

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 15:18:16 GMT

If you’re using video on social media it can be mighty hard to get people to watch, interact and share your stuff. Even though video is the best way to engage with people on social media, there are lots of other people posting videos too. So cutting through can be tough.

Here are three sure fire ways to get more comments, more likes and more people loving your stuff.

1. Know what they want

Don’t just guess at this stuff. Spend some time learning all about the people you want to attract. If you know what they want to see you can make videos they will love to watch.

If you've done your audience research you will already know how your target market thinks. That puts you in the perfect position to serve up video content they want to see.

So before you hit record stop and think about who you want to engage with. The more you know about them the better chance you'll have of getting them to stop and watch your stuff.

I tend to use the Christmas present as a good way to illustrate this. If you want to buy someone something special you will pick something you know they will love. The more you know about them the easier it will be to find the perfect gift. Then when they open it on Christmas Day that present is all the more special because you have taken the time to learn about them and find out what they will love. I'm sure you have received a gift like that before. Feels good doesn't it? In contrast the worst gifts are the ones where someone has bought something they like and just hope that you will like it too.

Making video (and all marketing content) is a bit like that. Your videos will be more special if you do that leg work first and find out what your audience loves to see.

2. Be seen and heard

Over 85% of social media users do not have the sound turned on. Yep, they watch but they don’t listen. Bonkers right? So your video needs to make as much sense without sound as it does with it.

The reason most people have the sound off is because they are in a place where they can’t (or don’t want to) activate the speakers on their phones. You will no doubt have seen some videos that begin with a caption asking you to turn the sound on. This doesn’t always work because people may not be in a position to turn sound on.

The upshot of all of this is ... without captions you will lose engagement. Therefore it’s vital that you use captions or graphics to show your audience what you are saying … as well has having great audio.

Now how you do that is a totally different kettle of fish and perhaps a whole other blog. However if you need help putting captions on your videos, get in touch and I will show you how.

3. Say what you want

We call it the call to action. Use your video to promote what you want. Want more follows? Ask for them. Want more comments? Ask a question so people will respond.

Without this call to action you are missing out on a valuable opportunity. If someone has discovered you first time I'm guessing you don't want it to be the last time. People won't always connect with you unless you ask. So be clear about what you want to make sure you get it.

My call to action

Yes you can do this kind of thing on a blog post too. Calls to action work anywhere.

If you have any questions or need more help on the topics I've covered here please don't hesitate to get in touch for a chat. Oh and I post tips like these ones all the time on my own social media channels. If you’re not part of my little social world already come and say hi.

How to make your own granola

Sat, 05 Oct 2019 14:15:22 GMT

I love granola, but unfortunately most of the shop-bought varieties are not as healthy as they appear. Unless you’re prepared to check every packet in the supermarket, finding one that’s not rammed full of sugar is going to be tricky … unless you make your own.

It’s not as hard as you might think either. The real deal maker here is that you are in control of what ingredients you use and therefore how much sugar you put in.

The recipe below uses only two tablespoons of honey. Now while that sounds a lot, this recipe will make you enough granola for around 10 to 12 portions so break that down and the sugar content in each portion is pretty small.

When you’ve made your batch you can store it in an air-tight container and it will keep for several weeks. That is assuming you haven’t eaten it all by then. Feel free to play around with the basic ingredients here too. If you don’t like almonds or cranberries you can always replace them.

Give it a go and let me know what you think.

WHAT YOU NEED:

85g porridge oats
30g desiccated coconut
40g mixed seeds
80g chopped almonds (you can use whole nuts and chop them in a food processor)
100g dried fruit (I used cranberries)
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon cacao powder (optional)
25g coconut oil (melted)
2 tablespoonds of honey
salt

WHAT YOU DO:

In a bowl mix together the oats, coconut, seeds and almonds. I like to leave some whole almonds in too.
Pour the dry mixture onto a thin baking tray and spread them out as thinly as you can.
Put your tray in the oven for around 15 minutes at 175c to roast.
While they are roasting, in a bowl mix together the dried fruit, cinnamon, cacao and a pinch of salt.
Add in the melted coconut oil and honey.
When the roasted ingredients are ready pour them straight into the bowl and mix them well so everything is covered in the oil and honey.
Blend in the dry ingredients and add some extra dried fruit if desired.
Pour your mixture back in the baking tray and spread it out over the whole surface.
Use the back of a spoon or spatula to press the mixture down so it compresses together.
Put your tray back in the oven at 150c for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn around the edges.
Finally, when it’s cooled down you can break up the mixture pop it in an air tight container and you’re good to go.
I usually have mine with Greek yoghurt and some fresh berries.

Get the best from your videos

Is the music industry broken?

I’ve worked in the music industry on and off since I was 16 (which was 40 years ago). In that time, I’ve seen some massive changes.

Formats have come and gone (and come back). Entire genres have been invented. But now, for the first time, it feels like something has properly broken.

So… where did the wheels actually fall off?

Where did the wheels fall off?

We all know what happened next.

Here's the problem

Let's talk about the money

But can't musicians earn money in other ways?

Merchandise

Performing live

They’re not full-time musicians. They’re full-time people with jobs… who also make music.

And then there’s this

The death of innovation

But here’s the uncomfortable question

Meanwhile, the real risk-taking is happening elsewhere.

What about artificial intelligence?

What's the solution?

Is there a future for new music?

If you're a music lover

If you're a musician

Are Music Videos Dead in 2026?

A musician messaged me recently and said I was wasting my time making music videos.

Apparently her manager told her not to bother because “no one watches them anymore.” Which is always a fun thing to hear when a big part of your job is… making music videos.

Now, before you think I told her the manager was clueless, I didn’t. Because here’s the thing.

He’s kind of right. And also completely wrong.

Why He’s Not Entirely Wrong

But Here’s Where He’s Completely Wrong

How Music Discovery Actually Works Now

The Real Problem With Most Music Videos

What Needs to Change?

1. Your Video Isn’t the Product Anymore

2. You’re Not Competing With Music… You’re Competing With Everything

3. Most People Won’t Even Hear Your Song (At First)

4. One Video, Multiple Formats

So… Are Music Videos Dead?

The Bit Most Artists Miss

Final Thought

Want Help Making This Work?

Stop Posting Random Stuff: A Musician’s Guide to Content That Cuts Through

�� How to Build a Content Plan

Which platform is right for you?

The rules of the game

Five Instagram changes you need to know

1. “Your Algorithm” = Fans Choose What They See

2. Topic Clarity Is Now Brutal

3. Watch Time Is King (Shorter Often Wins)

4. Longer + Episodic Content Is Back

5. Goodbye #

�� Building a Content Plan as a Musician

1. Choose Your Lane (Platform Focus)

2. Choose Your Identity (Your “Channel”)

3. Set Clear Goals

4. Pick a Sustainable Posting Rhythm

5. Plan Around “Drop-Off Points”

�� Your Content Toolkit

Types of Content

⚙️ Content Must-Haves (Non-Negotiable)

�� How to Actually Measure Progress

�� If You Remember Only 5 Things

�� Need more help?

Special offer: Book a two hour content planning session for just £60

Click below to book or find out more.

Why Musicians Should Stop Freaking Out About AI (Yes, Really)

Let's face the elephant in the room

We've been here before ... lots of times

When Sampling Was Witchcraft

Drum Machines: Robots on drums!

AI = Just the Next Tool

Embrace and Use It — Or Get Left Behind

Your Social Media Strategy Starts With One Word: Why

Ask Yourself This One Question Today ��

Let’s Get Real for a Second

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Example Time

So… Why Am I Talking About This?

The Takeaway ��

Why you should embrace your mistakes

Why We Love Bloopers (and Honestly, Who Doesn’t?)

They’re not full-time musicians.
They’re full-time people with jobs… who also make music.