Whenever you’re working on video content, attention to detail is everything. While we often focus on the big picture—capturing the perfect shot, ensuring crisp audio, and delivering a compelling piece of content that will resonate with the audience—there are subtle (or not-so-subtle) “blind spots” that can cause major challenges if not dealt with. But how can you know a blind spot when you don’t know what you don’t know? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
1. Lack of Preparation and Planning
One of the most significant blind spots in video marketing and production is the lack of thorough preparation and planning. I see it all the time. Jumping straight into filming without a clear plan can lead to mixed messaging, unclear objectives, errors (lots of errors), and ultimately missing the mark on the goals of the video. The other side of lack of planning and prep work that is often missed is getting access to actually film. Make sure you get the proper permissions from folks to film, especially if you are filming in a client/customer location. Don’t forget the added stress and potential arguments it could start. Not fun at all.
Solution: Start with a thorough pre-production process. Develop a storyboard, create shot/scene lists, outline the narrative structure, and develop interview questions before you begin filming. Understand your audience’s goals and message, and plan your shoot days accordingly. Effective preparation ensures that the filming process is smooth, efficient, and aligned with your marketing goals.
2. Neglecting Audio Quality
While visual elements often take center stage, poor audio quality can ruin an otherwise perfect video. Loud background noise, echoes, and inconsistent audio levels or unclean, distracting audio are common blind spots that can easily be overlooked during filming, especially if you’re DIY-ing and not an expert in the video-making process.
Solution: Use high-quality microphones and always monitor audio levels during the shoot. If you’re filming in a business environment, ensure that ambient noise like office chatter or machinery doesn’t overpower the dialogue. In post-production, take the time to balance and clean up the audio, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout. There are cool AI tools that are helping make this process easier.
Storytime: A few years ago, we had a project where we had to film an interview in a science classroom. Unfortunately, science classrooms often have tile flooring, making it harder to capture clean audio. When I got back to review the footage and audio, it didn’t sound as bad as I thought it would, but I used a cool AI tool inside Premiere Pro to fix it, and like magic, it sounded 100% better!
3. Overcomplicating or Stuffing the Story with Too Much
Sometimes, in an effort to be creative, we can over complicate the narrative. This blind spot can result in a video that is confusing or loses the core message, ultimately causing you to lose trust from the audience.
Solution: Simplify your story. Strip away unnecessary elements and focus on the key message. Whether you’re a private school, a non-profit, or a business, it’s important to convey the message clearly and concisely. A well-told, straightforward story is often more powerful than one bogged down by too many details or complex structures. Also, try to avoid too much marketing lingo and brand vernacular. It’s not to say you shouldn’t incorporate them, but try to phrase it in a more human way. Simple almost always wins!
Conclusion
By addressing these common blind spots, you can ensure your video productions are not only technically sound but also engaging, professional, and impactful. At Monzo Media Productions, we understand the unique needs of schools, non-profits, and businesses, and we’re committed to delivering videos that not only meet but exceed expectations. By keeping an eye on the details, we help our clients tell their stories in the most effective way possible.
