Effectiveness of Videos on accountants websites

Effectiveness of Videos on accountants websites

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I just want to know if anyone has any experience of placing a video on their websites. If so has this lead to longer stay on your website?

Is it good to have a  well made video on a website?

Here is an example: 2020 website With  this one I do not like the fact that play button is missing. I would prefer if I had the option to play the video.

Replies (15)

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By JCresswellTax
21st Jul 2010 18:10

funny

I dont think a video on an accountants website is a good idea. Pure cheese although it would be hilarious.

Plus the way some accountants look....... 

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By Bob Harper
21st Jul 2010 18:34

Good videos and bad videos

I've learned a lot from 2020 but I would not recommend this.  For me, it's too corproate and easily copied and I believe there are lots of reasons why it is better to have the real person.

Bearing in mind how good looking Ian, Gordon and Chris are (and how good they are at public speaking) I do not understand why they are not all over their Website. 

Having said this is too corportate, I have seen some home made efforts and believe these can do more damage.  One of the best examples I have seen is http://www.carplang.com/.  This type of video is going to cost £2,500 but you can not buy the passion and you may need a bit of coaching to let go.  But, it's worth it - you only need one client to cover the cost and it's there for free forever.

I'm just booked my first video shoot and anyone interested in seeing how I go about it can email me [email protected].

Bob Harper

Portfolio Marketing

 

 

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FT
By FirstTab
22nd Jul 2010 08:54

Video Testimonials

I am thinking about video testmonials on my website - if I can convince my clients to spare the time and agree to appear on the video.

Any recommendations of companies who would do this? Some idea of prices? I do not want it to look like a diy videos. Look at AVN videos they are good example of what I do not want the videos to look like. 

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By naomi2000
22nd Jul 2010 09:09

Video content

I'm interested by this discussion because we have had clients say that they would like to have video and audio content from us  . The suggestions we've had have been quite detailed rather than throwaway remarks - for example, we are in a listed building and we can't put up any signage , so clients have suggested putting images of the approach on google maps which seems like a good idea.

I'm a plain text person but I suspect that I'm very much in the minority.

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By cymraeg_draig
22nd Jul 2010 11:44

Dont bore clients

Dry and boring - a total turn off.  That's my opinion of most videos on websites.

As a profession accountants suffer from a poor image - dull, boring etc.  

A video of someone droning on about your services will, in my view, simply stop people reading whats on your site, and turn potential clients away, so, anything used needs to be entertaining, preferably funny, and say more about you than about technical issues.

 

 

 

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By JCresswellTax
22nd Jul 2010 18:47

good luck

Bob best of luck with your video shoot. Will be interested to see if anything is uploaded to ur website over the next few weeks.  

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By Bob Harper
22nd Jul 2010 20:56

Videos

@JCreswellTax - thanks! I should end up with two videos on the Portfolio Website; one for the About Us section and one for a landing page.  It will be interesting to track conversions.

But, the main reason for filming is to get a short video which explains/introduces a new online training/coaching programme I am launching.  This is a new initiative for me and something I think accountants can do to add value as well as winning new business.  I am seeing a growth in online training/coaching and for me it's a better model than live seminars and/or working one-to-one. 

I've said for years that accountants could/should have a bookkeeping/financial management training programme delivered from video their Website. 

Bob Harper

Portfolio Marketing

 

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By Simon Newsam
23rd Jul 2010 11:50

Videos are outstanding communication tools - and not expensive

Two points: First, regarding whether video is suitable for accountants or not, it should be seen as just another means of communication and any business - including accountants - should consider using it to get their messages across. It is also growing at a staggering rate and in two years time it is estimated that 70% of the content uploaded to the internet will be video, outstripping the written word, so you would certainly not be viewed as gimmicky.

Secondly, video is a truly outstanding means of communication. You can convey more about your business in a short video (2-3 mins) than you could say in a thousand words (and I come from a "writing" background). It's also much easier to keep people's attention (as the original question asked) and make your website "stickier" with video.

However, with any powerful tool, if badly used you can shoot yourself in the foot so use professionals.

Regarding price, they don't have to be anything like £2,500 quoted above. We put excellent 2-3 minute videos together from £600. I've just sent a videographer out (it's been his sole job for 20 years) to start filming for a Blue Chip client in the finance sector; three interviews, five different locations in South Wales plus all the editing - it will come in at well under £1,000.

 

Simon Newsam

Effective Communication

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By taxhelpukcom
23rd Jul 2010 12:13

Yes, videos can be very effective

I have had videos on my website for nearly a year now, on several pages, with good feedback from new clients:

http://taxhelp.uk.com/

I had them professionally produced and also have them available on YouTube, iTunes, etc. so that they are easily discoverable.

My videos were shot by an ex BBC cameraman, and were very affordable - the company I used is based in Guildford if anyone would like a referral to them.

I have found that it makes the initial new client meeting run more smoothly as I don't have to repeat the same information, and the clients also have a feel for who I am as a person too rather than just a plain website:

http://taxhelp.uk.com/about-us.htm

Kind regards

James

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FT
By FirstTab
23rd Jul 2010 13:14

Tax Help UK

Thanks Tax Help UK. You have demonstrated how videos can be used effectively. It is more likely vistors to your site will watch the videos rather than read text. Also they demonstrate clearly what you are about.  Furthermore your videos do not come across as DIY. These do more damage than good.

I will contact you for a referral of these videos.

 

 

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Mark Lee headshot 2023
By Mark Lee
23rd Jul 2010 19:21

echoing James from Tax Help UK

On the general point about videos - it's about recognising that some people prefer to watch a video than to read text on a website.  I have had 3 videos made recently. One is now on the Accountants page of my website, the second is for a different audience and the most important one is for my home page (but it's not there yet).

On the specific point about videos on accountants' websites - it depends. Professionally shot videos that show the key people are worth while. Home made videos talking to the web cam on your pc are much less likely to be of value.

Mark

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FT
By FirstTab
02nd Aug 2010 11:47

Great example of video that really works

I just viewed a video on Sage 2011 http://www.sage.co.uk/software_and_services/finances/sage_50_accounts_family/sage_50_accounts_professional.aspx 

In my opinion this really works. If I did not that much about Sage, it would have left me with a positive view of Sage.

Any ideas how much this would have cost to make and who made this?

This to me proves the importance of marketing and presentation. The product is not great but the marketing is superb.

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By Bob Harper
12th Aug 2010 18:21

Here is my take

@All - here is my take on using video on the about us page.

In doing this I have develop a bit of a system:

CreativeLocationScript developmentShootEdit

I'd be interested in what people think and if they feel they could use something similar.

Bob Harper

Marketing Consultant for Accountants

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By SociallyConnected
11th Jul 2011 02:26

Video use on Accountants website

 Hi guys

I create videos for accountancy websites through my Social Media company.

Embeded below is my  Accountant Specific video with some interesting statistics on generating longer page views etc using video.

More importantly, video is excellent for page ranking your practice higher on Google. I have a case study video showing how I used video to get to page1 on Google.

Here are some statistics you might find interesting from my own online research;

 

Adding video to small business profiles can increases number of business profile views more than 100%

Increases number of profile clicks more than 30%

Increases number of calls generated by more than 18%

Video drives a wide range of customer actions:

Increases number of visits to advertiser web site by 55%

Increases physical store visits by 30%

Increases incidence of purchase by 24%

 

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By taxhelpukcom
02nd Apr 2012 13:33

New videos

Following on from the success of my videos, I was in the studio last week shooting some more.

The next ones have graphics combined with video and as they are studio based it's a different style to the current ones on my website.

 

http://taxhelp.uk.com/blog/in-the-video-studio-this-week/

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