To view this newsletter on the Internet, please click here.

Why You Should Use Video

When Julius Caesar wrote about his defeat of Pharnaces II of the ancient kingdom of Pontus, he said, "Veni, Vidi, Vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered).

If Caesar were living today and was a businessman (ok, it's a bit of a stretch), he would undoubtedly say, "Veni, Video, Vici." (I came, I produced a video, I conquered)

Video is the modern weapon of choice when it comes to conquering your customers' hearts and wallets. Whether it's on TV, on YouTube, on a website, videos are the best way to quickly grab your customer's attention and quickly display information about a product or service.

In this Raphel Report, we'll show you a few successful videos. Some of these took months to make with a budget of hundreds of thousands of dollars. But we'll also show you videos that are affordable by small businesses and have a great impact on customers.

A fascinating video by Honda

Let's start off with a video that wows its audience. Usually, commercials for television are limited to 30 or 60 seconds. However, when you migrate your videos to the Internet, there is no time limitation. One of the most interesting videos ever put together to advertise a product is "The Cog" commercial for Honda Accord, which runs a full two minutes. If you've never seen this commercial, you're in for a real treat. Click here to see the commercial.

If you're fascinated (as we were) by this commercial which deconstructs a car and then puts it back together again in Rube Goldberg fashion, take a look at the making of this outstanding video by clicking here.

Using Creative Text in a Video

This Ford commercial has interesting visuals but it also demonstrates a new use of word graphics to drive the message home. The words in the commercial are used as visuals themselves.. Combined with great photography, upbeat music, and a strong selling message, this video gives viewers several different ways to digest the message. Form follows function. The graphics are strong and sturdy, like the truck.

Using humor to attract an audience

Videos with a sense of humor can entice consumers to use a product. Watch this now-famous Old Spice commercial.

A handsome model, interesting theme, and a WOW factor make this commercial a pleasant experience for the viewer. The visuals, spoken message, and the Old Spice jingle combine to create a strong message. Here is another commercial by the same company.

As you can see from the Old Spice commercials, once you create a character or a theme, it makes sense to develop other videos that adhere to that theme. Allstate created a character called "Mayhem" who takes various roles to show how All State offers protection if you're in an accident. Here is one of the Allstate commercials and here is another. Using the same character in different settings helps to develop the brand.

When a commercial is humorous, users will often email a link to the commercial to a friend. This can start a viral marketing campaign, the holy grail of marketing - free advertising by consumers who want to share information about a product or service.

Video Doesn't Have to be Expensive

If you have a business, you should consider adding video to your marketing mix. It's now expected on your Internet site and can create interest and sales in your products and services. Video advertising does not have to be expensive to be effective.

Here are some examples of videos with a small production budget but with a powerful impact. Raphel Marketing created all these videos for our clients. On this page is a video that introduces a historic walking tour.. This page has several examples of commercials we used on the web and TV for a Kitchen and Bath company. The video on this page shows a manufacturing and packaging company's services.

So, when you want to increase your business, think of old Julius Caesar and say, "Veni, VIDEO, vici."