Digital Workshop

Let me kick off this new Showcase section by mentioning something that has generated new revenue for me -- testimonials. I have gone back to old clients who are still using the OPUS 2.81 presentations I built awhile ago, and suggest to them they allow me to videotape their satisfied customers raving positively about their product/service.

Those I videotape feel very special being "selected," and my clients don't have to worry about wearing out their welcome by giving out the same names as references. They also know exactly what is being said.

How Do I Do It?
I'm using a Sony 8mm digital camcorder, a fancy Sony tripod (with all the start/stop/zoom controls in the handle -- very smooth operations), plus a clip-on microphone with a 30' cord for better sound. I also use a wireless microphone/receiver on occassions when I'm a greater distance from the person being videotaped. I upload the videos to one of my three hard drives using Pinnacle's Studio 8 software. This makes large, AVI files which I can edit, add titles, music, narration, "B" roll video, photos, the full works. I try to edit the testimonials to under 2 minutes. I've found viewers get bored with longer ones.

I create a multi-media MPEG-1 file, and it perfectly works with OPUS 4.1 as a Video Object. I also have the luxury of making MPEG-2 (DVD) files and a separate DVD of just testimonials on a DVD, if the client wants to spend alittle more money.

In today's busy, MTV world, people don't have time to check references, so having a non-actor telling them something, is very believable and therefore trustworthy.

If you are looking for ways to increase your business, I'd highly recommend talking to previous customers about doing testimonials using OPUS 4.1.