Event Highlight Reels: Incorporating Video into Your Chicago Corporate Event Photography Services
Covered in this post—
Creating engaging video content
Ways to use corporate event footage
Future event promotion
Chicago-based video production
You’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” If a single image is worth so much, how much more valuable is a minute of engaging videography? The industry standard for cinematic video footage is 24 frames per second. That means with some simple math there are 1,440 frames per minute, which equates to 1.4 million words according to the old adage.
You likely didn’t come to this article for a math lesson, but the simple fact is that video has become the undisputed king of content. Whether you are creating a marketing campaign, celebrating a milestone event for your company, or trying to shine a spotlight on corporate recruiting, video is now essential.
Still, many corporate event planners are solely focused on photography services, without thinking about the added ROI that comes with professional video content.
The Mark Campbell Productions team has helped bring countless events to life through professional video production across the Windy City. With our experienced team in your corner, we can help you breathe life into your event, making it easier to tell your story and reach a wider audience.
Creating Engaging Event Video Content
Trying to encapsulate why video generates more engagement than any other type of content in a short article is a pretty tall task. Video content can go a million different directions depending on the event, the videographer, the shot list, and more. As you plan your event, and marketing strategy, consider the following.
Specialization Matters
An image is a great snapshot of a time and place and is very versatile in its own right. Video, however, has the added benefit of creating a compelling storyline through motion. Still, images are by their very nature are fixed, whereas video content is a dynamic way to engage with participants, guest speakers, or create energetic B-roll.
You may be saying – “we already have a professional photographer on staff, can’t they just shoot some video footage?”
While some photographers may have experience with videography, most event planners quickly realize that asking a photographer to capture both a specific shot list and footage stretches them thin right out of the gate.
Expanding your team to include a professional videographer allows both to work together, but specialize in their specific components to generate the greatest ROI. Where the photographer may be great at telling a story through a single image, they may struggle with creating dynamic video content that a videographer would produce without hesitation.
Pro Tip → The videographer should be involved in the process as early as possible. During the planning phase, they will be able to share creative input and help you find different angles to showcase the event.
Specialized Equipment Creates Endless Possibilities
Capturing high-quality video footage has come a long way in recent years. What was once only possible with a Jurassic Park-type budget, is now attainable because videographers have a wide range of tools at their disposal.
Today, the footage isn’t limited to a videographer hoofing it around the event as they capture the predetermined shot list. Tools like drones make it possible to shed new light on the event, the venue, and even the crowd.
This is particularly powerful if you are utilizing one of the iconic event venues within Chicago. Being able to showcase an instantly recognizable event space in a new way makes the story more compelling and drives engagement up.
When only working with a photographer or an amateur, these types of tools may not be readily available, and even if they are, additional expertise may be required to pull off a dynamic shot.
Shifting the Mood
What happens after the camera stops rolling is just as important as the footage itself. While you may gravitate toward crowd engagement, subject matter expert interviews, and other conversational video content, B-roll can also be incredibly powerful in your marketing strategy.
An often overlooked component of any event video is the ability to add music or sound effects to evoke a specific mood or energy. An experienced production team can take a run-of-the-mill sizzle reel and turn it up to eleven with a few added audio components.
Pro Tip → If your event will showcase a local artist, use their music in B-roll footage for an added jolt of energy.
Ways To Use Corporate Event Footage
Video content can be sliced and diced to your heart's content. The fact that it can be packaged and presented in a number of different formats is one of the biggest reasons it should be a focal point within your event promotion strategy. Here are some of our favorite ways event footage can be used.
Sizzling Social Media
There is a good chance that you already had social media at the top of your marketing list, and for good reason. Platforms like Instagram, see videos generate three times as much engagement as a still image. The great thing is that a single piece of video content can be leveraged in a number of different ways, even on the same platform.
Because it can be cut into smaller snippets, you can have the production team create sizzle reels, short clips of SMEs providing advice, and more. This combined with the ability to livestream, means that you can get great video coverage at every stage of the event.
Evergreen Website Content
Perhaps the upcoming event you are currently planning is a company-wide celebration. This type of footage makes great marketing material for the human resources team, as it can highlight company culture.
During the planning stage, be sure to work with your executive team to carve out a few moments to with the videographer to share a message to future employees for phenomenal evergreen content that stands out on your website.
Future Event Promotion
While all of your time and attention may be focused on the event at hand, don’t discount the video’s ability to help you promote future events. According to the MCP team, one of the best ways to use video footage is to show how the event has grown over the years.
For industry-level events, this can help create buzz leading up to the event which leads to better engagement and more registrants. On the company side of things, it is a great way to highlight how much your company has grown over the years, especially when conducted at must-attend events like a holiday party.
Chicago-based Video Production
Understanding that video content is a dynamic way to highlight your brand, your company, and your event is only half of the story. The process comes full circle when you work with a local production team.
At Mark Campbell Productions, we have experience working at all of the iconic venues in Chicago, across a wide range of different industries and event sizes. If you are in the planning process for your next event, we are here to help and make sure that you get amazing content that helps you tell your story. To learn more about working with the MCP team, and how to add video to your Chicago corporate event contact us at (312) 219-4339.