Video – Make it a Meal

Taylor Kearns • November 22, 2023

Say the word ‘Thanksgiving’ out loud and the image of a beautifully glazed turkey might immediately come to mind. It’s hard to mark the occasion without it – even though some in the buffet line will whisper, as if admitting to a crime, that it’s not their favorite part of the meal. No, those folks have their sights set on something else.

For them, it’s all about the fixins.

Whether it’s Grandma’s stuffing (or dressing, if you’re of that persuasion), dad’s mashed potatoes, or mom’s broccoli casserole, these are the dishes that make the entire meal worth preparing. Much like preparing a Thanksgiving dinner, digging into video production can be a time-consuming and sometimes costly endeavor. So how can you make the most of it?

Let’s ride this metaphor – we’ll call Thanksgiving the day of your video shoot. The focus (the turkey) will be a 2-minute overview video you’d like to have produced to feature on your website or maybe to showcase at your non-profit’s big yearly fundraiser. You’ve got employees signed up for interviews, the workplace is immaculate and ready for the spotlight, and you’ve cleared a whole day to ensure everything goes smoothly. While the primary focus will be putting together that longer prestige piece, keep the fixins in mind.

By fixins, I’m talking about the side pieces – the quick interview soundbites that you can break down into smaller, bite-sized pieces to sprinkle throughout social media. For Facebook, consider a 30-second clip of an employee talking about why they love the company. On TikTok, go for something fun and quick – a “how it’s made” snippet or a quirky piece of information about your company/employees. For Instagram, share some picturesque sunrise/sunset videos of your headquarters. By doing some of those things, you’ll maximize your investment.

As someone who’s painstakingly cooked turkeys for the past few actual Thanksgivings, I take great pride in making sure it’s prepared just right – the same kind of care NPS+ puts into all of our client video work. But the fact of the matter is that not everyone will stop scrolling to take in 120 seconds of content – just as not everyone will be looking forward to your turkey (even if it’s as juicy as mine).

But the fixins could have a better chance of stopping people in their tracks and bringing them back for more. So, invest the same care in your fixins – those bite-sized video delights – to maximize your investment and transform your online presence into a feast for the eyes.