Category: COPYWRITING

Writing powerful scripts for video

  • Redistributing the Video Production Budget: A Comprehensive Overview

    Redistributing the Video Production Budget: A Comprehensive Overview

    Many individuals and businesses, particularly small ones, prioritize cost-effectiveness when it comes to video production. This is often reflected in their event budgets, where video production and media relations typically receive a smaller allocation of funds.

    Why? Because of the misconception that video production is easy which stems from the belief that most production tasks can be completed quickly, often within hours or days.

    But is this really true? Consider a scenario where a client engages our services for video production. Their project involves creating a documentary. This will require on-location filming of various subjects to effectively convey the intended narrative.

    Prior to commencing video production, producers or production companies must develop and submit a budget outlining the anticipated costs.

    Here is how the budget is arrived at.

    Preproduction

    Preproduction marks the beginning of the video production journey. In close collaboration with the client, the team meticulously plans every aspect of the video shoot, guided by the client’s project brief. The time dedicated to this crucial planning phase is included in the client’s invoice.

    Preproduction for a project may include the following activities;

    Recce /Reconnaissance Location Visit

    Before embarking on any filming project, conducting a location visit is crucial. This on-site assessment allows filmmakers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the environment. Such knowledge is essential for selecting the appropriate equipment.

    For instance, underwater marine videos necessitate the use of water-resistant cameras. By carefully considering the specific demands of the location, filmmakers can ensure they have the necessary tools to capture high-quality footage effectively.

    Funding for this initiative must be allocated and should be borne by the client. Following the reconnaissance visit, the transport and logistics team will be able to determine various factors, including hotel accommodation costs.

    Moreover, you’ll be better equipped to plan your itinerary based on the local weather conditions.

    Storyboarding And Subject Contact

    During preproduction, the team will develop a project storyboard and identify all individuals who will be featured in the video. This proactive step allows for timely contact and preparation of all participants prior to the actual day of filming.

    A key portion of the video production budget is allocated to fairly compensating the team. This includes those who work on the storyboard and draft script, as well as those who reach out to the subjects featured in the video.

    Administration

    Administrative tasks encompass a wide range of responsibilities within an office, including but not limited to: managing quotes, maintaining accurate records through filing, processing payments, and overseeing financial accounts.

    These duties are typically shared among the office staff, contributing to the overall administration and successful execution of projects. Recognizing the crucial role of administration, every budget allocation includes a dedicated line item for administrative expenses.

    Production

    The production budget is allocated to various crew members and includes funds for transportation and logistics. These include;

    Transport and logistics

    Transport and logistics costs encompass expenses incurred for transportation and associated services throughout the production process.

    These include costs for hiring vehicles, fuel, accommodation for the production crew, meals for the team, and any other logistical expenses necessary for the smooth operation of the production.

    Production Crew

    The production crew comprises a videographer, photographer, writer, sound recordist, and the producer. Each crew member receives a daily stipend (per diem). Importantly, the compensation rate for each individual may fluctuate based on the specific tasks and requirements of the project.

    Contingencies

    It’s essential to allocate funds for unforeseen circumstances during travel and filming. Unexpected events can arise, such as equipment malfunctions, travel delays, or unforeseen medical needs, which can significantly impact progress and require immediate attention.

    Contingency funds are specifically allocated to address unforeseen circumstances.

    Postproduction

    Post-production involves a multifaceted process, encompassing a range of crucial steps. These include meticulous script editing, professional voiceover recording, skillful video editing and sound design, captivating animation, and dynamic motion graphics, among others.

    Each of these post-production tasks typically requires a dedicated individual to perform them effectively. Since most post-production work is billed on an hourly basis, employing a separate person for each task significantly increases the overall production cost.

    This is a key factor contributing to the high cost of production in many creative projects.

    Conclusion

    Beyond the direct production costs, several other expenses often go unaccounted for, such as the time invested in revisions and the time spent waiting for client payments. It can be beneficial to occasionally offer discounts that encompass some of these hidden costs.

    Video production is a multifaceted field that necessitates a robust team to consistently deliver high-quality services. Assembling a strong team requires significant investment, but a well-compensated team consistently exceeds expectations.

    This is the ultimate objective: cultivate a high-performing team capable of delivering exceptional results on schedule.

    And that is it from me here. I hope you have found this article helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

    Up until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai

  • Who is A Digital Media And Communications Consultant? Understanding The Role

    Only businesses that hire consultants to work for them clearly understand the role they play in a business or an organization. We are living in a RESULTS driven world. A business that have clearly defined objectives can easily find the right digital media and communications consultant.

    A Digital Media and Communications consultant briefing the client before interview
    A Digital Media and Communications consultant briefing the client before interview / Photo by Mwathi Muiruri

    The most important question one should ask when considering to hire a digital media and communications consultant is; can the consultant deliver the results that they are looking for? That’s where most corporates and organizations fail in. They value the level of education of the consultant more than their experience.

    Watch Video

    Digital media and communications industry is full of creative experts with certificate or Diploma in media and communications training. These professionals have long term experience and knowledge to deliver high quality media and communications services. If given a chance, they are able to prove that they are fit for the assignment.

    Educational level is one of the biggest barriers to breaking through in the consultancy business and getting high paying contracts.

    If a media and communications consultant with Certificate or Diploma is not careful, he/she is prone to being tricked into accepting low pay on a high value contracts owing to their educational levels.

    But what does a digital media and communication consultant do? To answer this question, lets first understand who a consultant is?

    Who is a Consultant?

    Consultants are professionals who have rich experience in their field and a deep understanding of the industry they are in e.g digital media and communications consultant like myself. Consultants help their clients achieve their business goals by providing them with expert advice and business solutions in their field of proficiency.

    A digital media and communications consultant therefore in this context is someone who combines creativity, strategy and technology to helps clients create, manage and optimize their online presence in different communication channels.

    Roles of a Digital Media Consultant

    • Developing and implementing digital media strategies that align with the client’s goals, brand identity and target audience.
    • Creating and managing digital content such as websites, blogs, social media posts, podcasts, videos, newsletters, etc.
    • Monitoring and analyzing the performance and impact of digital media campaigns using various tools and metrics.
    • Providing feedback and recommendations to improve the client’s digital media performance and engagement.
    • Researching and staying updated on the latest trends, best practices and innovations in digital media and communications. e.g Artificial Intelligence(AI).
    • Collaborating with other professionals such as graphic designers, web developers, copywriters, SEO specialists, Animators, Videographers, Video Editors etc. to deliver high-quality digital media products and services.

    Needed Skills & Competencies

    Training and Knowledge in media and communication

    One needs to have at least a certificate, Diploma or degree in media, film or communications in order to serve well as a consultant. Education helps one organize their ideas as well as prepare quotations and make money in the business as a consultant.

    Creativity and Innovation

    The ability to generate original and appealing ideas for digital media content and campaigns.

    Communication and Interpersonal Skills

    The ability to communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders, as well as to work well in teams.

    Technical Skills

    The ability to use various software, platforms and tools for creating and managing digital media content and campaigns.

    Analytical Skills

    The ability to collect, interpret and use data to measure and improve the effectiveness of digital media content and campaigns.

    Project Management Skills

    The ability to plan, organize and execute digital media projects within deadlines and budgets.

    How A Digital Media and Communications Consultant Work

    1. Freelance: Working independently or as part of a network of consultants for different clients on a project basis.
    2. Setting Up a digital Media & Communications Agency/Company : Registering a company or agency that offers digital media or communications services to various clients.
    3. In-house: Working for a specific organization or company that has its own digital media or communications department.

    Conclusion

    The demand for digital media and communications consultants is expected to grow as more organizations and businesses recognize the importance of having a strong online presence and communication strategy.

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for public relations specialists, which includes digital media and communications consultants, was $62,810 in 2020. The job outlook for this occupation is projected to grow by 7% by 2029.

    And that is it. I hope this gives you a clear understanding of who a digital media and communications consultant is.

    Are you considering hiring an experienced digital media and communications consultant to work for you? Let me know here. That’s my area of expertise and I will be much interested in working with you.

    Otherwise, I hope you found this article helpful.

    Share your feedback and thoughts in the comments section below.

    Follow me on all social media using the links on the footer of this post.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

  • Six Great Lessons I Have Learnt From Reading Books

    In this blogpost, I will share six memorable lessons I have learnt from reading books that you can apply in your life. These lessons are drawn from six different books.

    Watch Video

    10 years ago, I was not used to reading books. In short, I was poor reader. This affected my whole level of concentration in everything.

    For example, it took me a lot of time to comprehend a long feature story in a newspaper. I had to read 2-3 times in order to grasp it.

    No one could help me on this. I had to fix it myself.

    Want to start Editing Videos like a Pro with Camtasia Studio? Click here to earn How to Edit Videos Fast With Camtasia here.

    Luckily, I found out the root Couse of my problem after attending a Middle Level Marketing training. There, we were thought how to start a reading culture.

    Overtime, I have read several books in the category of self development and fiction. Here are six powerful lessons I have learnt from reading books.

    Lesson #1: A Part of What I Earn is Mine For Me To Keep

    From the Book The Richest Man in Babylon -By George Samuel Clason

    Before your spend your earnings from business or salary, put aside part of it. It should be not be less than a tenth no matter how little you earn. It can be as much more as you can afford. The point is, pay yourself first. As you can see, it is pretty straight forward concept of acquiring wealth. Its simple yet powerful.

    Applying this in life will teach you patience and discipline.

    Feeling Insecure Online? Here is why you should not Sign Up Everywhere Using Your E-mail and Phone Number. Here’s Why.

    Lesson 2: The Theory of Next

    From the Book Winning Through Intimidation -By Robert Ringer

    The theory of NEXT states: The key to maintaining a positive mental attitude is to recognize that no one deal is important. The person with a true positive mental attitude possesses the power to say ‘NEXT!’ and quickly move on to the next deal when things don’t work out.

    Robert Ringer -Winning Through Intimidation

    The author writes; The reason its okay if a deal falls through is because day-to-day ‘failure’ is an integral part of a long-tern success. So part and parcel of to a true positive mental attitude is to quickly move to the next deal when the deal you’ve been working on blows up.

    I recommend to you go get the book and for other additional lessons.

    Looking For a Way to Cash in Your Earnings in Kenya or Around the World? Here are Top 5 Leading Global Money Transfer Services For Freelancers

    Lesson 3: Know Where You Fall in The Cashflow Quadrant

    From the Book Cashflow Quadrant – By Robert Kiyosaki with Sharon L. Lechter

    CashFlow Quadrant By Robert Kiyosaki

    No matter what you do in life, its very important to know where you fall in the cashflow quadrant. It represents four different methods in which income or money is generated. These are Employee, self-employed, business owner and investor. For example, an employee earns money by holding onto a job.

    The concept behind cashflow quadrant is, different methods of income generation require different frames of mind, different technical skills, different educational paths, and different types of people. Different people are attracted to different quadrants.

    When you know the quadrant you fall in, you are in good position to frame your conversation and appeal to different type of audiences. Also, its easy to plan your future.

    Have You been Auctioned because of the Covid-19 Pandemic? 5 Lifetime Lessons Learnt After Auctioneers Stomped into Our Offices and Collected Everything

    Lesson 4: Have a Formula When Launching a Product

    From the Book Launch -By Jeff Walker

    Jeff Walker is the creator the best selling course ‘Product Launch Formula.’ Many great brands in the world have a marketing plan put down for their products before its launched. This includes writing a long form sales letter that tells a story and highlights the problems that the product will solve.

    Also, before beginning to sell, creating a series of 4-5 free valuable training videos is key. The videos are only sent to users who opts in with their e-mails addresses in a span of 2-4 weeks to create rapport.

    Having a formula that is automated is the key here.

    Want to appeal to more viewers on Youtube? Here are 4 Reasons Why People Love To Watch Your YouTube Videos

    Lesson 5: Implement The 80/20 Principle in All areas of your Life

    From the Book The 80/20 Principle – By Richard Koch

    The 80/20 principle asserts that a minority of causes, inputs or effort usually lead to a minority of the results, outputs, or rewards. Taken literally, this means, that for example, 80 percent of what your achieve in your job comes from 20 percent of the time spent.

    The 80/20 principle can and should be used by every intelligent person in their daily live by every organization and by every social grouping and form of society.

    It can help individuals and groups achieve much more, with much less effort.

    Bored at home because of Lockdown? Take sometime out. Here are 10 Animals You Will See When You Visit Nairobi Safari Walk

    Lesson 6: To win in Life Learn and Master the Spiritual Law

    From the Book, The Game of Life and How to Play -By Florence Scovel Shinn

    Most people consider life a battle, but its not a battle, it is a game.

    It is a game however which cannot be played successfully without the knowledge of the spiritual law, and Old and New Testaments in the Bible gives the rules of the game with wonderful clearness. Jesus thought that it was great game of giving and receiving.

    The author uses simple language to help readers understand the spiritual law. We are our on saviors.

    And that is it from me.

    What lessons have you learnt from reading books?

    Let me know in the comments section below.

    If you need help to create and produce professional screencast videos, let me know here.

    Until next time, take care.

  • Does Fast Service Delivery Mean More Money?

    Does delivering your freelance services faster than the others means more work and more pay? My answer is no. But again It depends. In some occasions, yes. But if you are thinking of offering this in a long term, it’s not sustainable. I am saying this based on my personal experience.

    Watch video

    When I started Freelancing, I gave outrageous promises so as to get as many jobs as I could. I was very ambitious. This does not mean that I was not delivering to my promise, but the consequences of me doing so has costed me several years of wasted time and energy.

    In this blog post , I will share you with 3 long term damaging consequences of offering fast delivery services at a fraction of the price. Many people do this with the hope of making more money only to end up in a freelancing rat race.

    Fatigue

    Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. Here is a case scenario of fatigue in Freelancing. Lets say you send 5 bids, and you get hired for all of them. The clients motivation behind hiring you is faster delivery at a fraction of the price.

    If the normal delivery time for the project is 3 days and you are doing it in a record time of one day for the same quality, you will have to work day and night so as to deliver.

    While it’s possible to hire other freelancers and subcontract some projects to them, the main question will they be able to meet your standards? Are you making a profit even after sub contracting the project? How much are you paying them out of your negotiated price? When all this is combined, you will always be anxious and fatigued.

    And what happens when you are fatigued? You have no motivation and no energy. You become a loser but you don’t want to admit. If you are not careful you will be dealing with dispute after dispute because of failure to deliver assignments on time or failure to meet the standards required by the client.

    No time for Yourself

    You will not see this until you realize that you can never get enough of the money you want even if you are hired and assigned a hundred similar jobs at the same price.

    By the time this awareness hits, you will be years deep on the rabbit hole. On the other hand, if you are not careful, your relationships with friends and family will be fully disintegrated. You will start building them again from square one.

    While this experience will prepare you to be an entrepreneur, you will never recover lost time and stress trying to overdeliver.

    Poor Diet

    When you are fatigued, your appetite is lost. It’s even worse when you are living alone and you are busy working. It means you don’t have time to go out and do some shopping. On the other hand, you can’t afford to pay someone to do shopping for you because you want to save money. I mean your motivation is money.

    When this two are combined, your health becomes the last priority. You eat just to satisfy your hunger which is very dangerous in a long term if you are eating the wrong food.

    It becomes even worse if you don’t exercise. If you want to make more money, invest in good diet.

    Conclusion

    You can only make as much money as you want if you are reasonable in your freelancing work. Don’t take actions or make decisions based on greed or desperation. Offer todo a job because you want to add value. When this is the motivation behind what you do, you will not rush.

    And when you don’t rush, you will deliver the best. At the end, high value jobs will follow you instead of following them and it be upon you to set the terms of engagement.

    Do you think offering fast delivery on your freelancing services will make you rich? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

    If you need professional screencast video production services, let me know here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care. Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • 4 Video Elements That Should Come Last in Your Priority List When Pitching For a Video Project

    In video creation, there are many important elements that when combined, results in a very successful quality production. But all of them are pointless if the story-line is not good.

    In this, I mean the script. It has to be very easy to understand. From here, when creating the video, you can incorporate other elements that you see necessary to spice it up and make it appealing.

    https://youtu.be/TAcSHXu-HKo

    While many newbie video creators think that Video resolution, audio quality, video effects, sound effects, and video format are necessary, it doesn’t beat how the video script is written.

    In this blogpost, I will focus on 4 video elements that should come last in your priority list when pitching for a project in video production.

    Video Resolution

    Don’t get me wrong on this, video resolution do matter especially in this day and age. Most young people own 50+ inches Television sets that are able to stream 4K to even 8K resolution videos. With this said, before any production, one should look at reasons they are producing the video as well as the behavior of their target audiences.

    black video camera
    Photo by CoWomen on Pexels.com

    In 2020, across the globe, 4K video resolution or higher is still a luxury to many as a lot of people watch videos on their mobile phones in HD. Secondly, It takes time to produce videos of this quality and uses a lot of data when streaming.

    Additionally, if 80% of the targeted audiences will watch the video on their mobile phones and PC’s, it will be pointless to produce it in 4K.

    So, it makes sense to weigh options and consider HD video as the best option in order to save time and money.

    Finally on the same note, if the video is being published on Youtube, it’s worth to note that video resolution is only used as the keyword to filter content when searching. It thus means that, even if the video quality is say, 4k, and the storyline is poor, the viewer will opt out early.

    Sound and Visual Fx

    Hollywood movies are good at this. They know how to blend it with the story. But if the story-line is not good, sound and visual Fx would not do much.

    low angle view of lighting equipment on shelf
    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    Ever watched a movie and after 15 mins you still wondering what the movie is all about? That’s what I am talking about. Sound and Visual effects might be good, but if the story is poor, it won’t bring the value desired.

    Variety of Shots

    Variety of shots are good. I can compare it with the spices added on food to taste. Sadly, some spices don’t work on some food. For the spices to blend well, the right procedure has to be followed when preparing the meal.

    This is same with video. A variety of shots with a poorly written script will result in a very poor video output. While this is important, again, it is never a first priority when planning a production.

    Casts/Actors

    Casts are people appearing on a video. Now, beauty and sex sells. That is a fact. Incorporating this on any video will create a lot of traction. But you need to ask yourself; how can I create scenes that makes it possible for every character in my imagination to appear on the video?

    Young audiences enjoy watching clips with beautiful girls until they realize they are being duped into watching it because of the amount of skin the girls are exposing. It’s here that they are awakened to identify the value they are getting from watching the video.

    Again, this means that the story-line or script is the King.

    In conclusion, every good video starts with a script and storyboard and then the rest follows based on your budget.

    If you find this article helpful, let me know in the comments below. And if you need help to produce high quality video tutorials, let me know here.

    You can send me an e-mail to connect@cheptiony.com

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Scared of Freelance Work Disputes? Here Are Top Tips to Working Around Disputes Before or After it Arises

    When it comes to work disputes, your freelancing experience doesn’t matter. Contract disputes are unpredictable and can come knocking at your door anytime.

    That is why its good to be vigilant from the time a client contacts you. When you do so, you will be able to foresee a problem before a dispute arises.

    Remember, in a situation where a dispute has arose, all the communication you had with the client will be used as evidence and can act against you or in your favor.

    It is therefore important to state your terms clearly and ensure that your client is ok with them- by them writing back to you.

    Also, ensure that the language you use in your communication exchanges with the client is respectful.

    With this said, always try to eliminate predictable disputes by detaching your feelings or personal life with the work/contracts you are engaged in.

    In this blogpost, I will share with you top tips that will help you harmoniously work with clients and never be scared of disputes.

    Disputes are filed by either client or a freelancer if the;

    1. Client is not happy with work delivered by the freelancer and the freelancer wants to be paid.
    2. Freelancer has delivered opposite of what was needed.
    3. Client wants a refund after the freelancer has delivered the service.
    4. Terms of the contract changes along the way and the parties do not agree on additional costs arising from it.

    These are four among other many reasons why people file disputes on contracts assigned to freelancers.

    Here are my top tips to working around disputes before or after it arises.

    BEFORE THE DISPUTE

    Make Your Stand Clear From Start

    Propose a collaboration plan to your client. Be clear on how you work the moment the client expresses their interest in working with you.

    If you are on a different timezone, tell them. Let them decide if they are going ahead to work with you or not.

    If you offer 3 rounds of revisions, say it. Tell them how much they are expected to pay for the 4th round.

    Serious clients love such terms and will help them make a wise hiring decision.

    Be Kind and Professional in Your Communications

    Now, this is the key. Use words that are respectful to the client.

    Let them know that they are safe working with you. Show what you guarantee and stick to your word.

    If the client is mad at you, be sober, take time to look at the issue at hand and explain to them in detail why they shouldn’t be mad.

    You are a salesperson and by all means, you need to be very persuasive in your freelancing business.

    Persuasion should be your cup of tea/coffee.

    WHEN THE DISPUTE ARISES

    Don’t Panic

    I know it’s scary to read an e-mail saying the client has requested a refund.

    That is if you are in a case where you are in good communication with a client today, then the next day when you wake up, he/she has ended the contract with no reason and requested a refund on the funded milestone.

    Many people will panic and worried of what to do next. Freelancing sites will encourage freelancers to communicate with their clients and resolve issues with them before raising a dispute.

    While this is a good idea, if your communication with the client was not clear while on contract, you will proceed and file a dispute.

    But first, put yourself together before doing so. Take a deep breath boy:-)

    Compile Your Evidence

    For your to win a dispute, you need to have evidence.

    As I mentioned at the start of this blog post, if your message exchanges was clear with the client, compiling your evidence will be easier.

    Don’t forget to put your anger aside and stick only to facts supported by evidence.

    Argue Your Case

    Argue your case and let the mediator (which is your freelancing site) to intervene. It’s very important that you don’t digress out of the main topic. Give reasons why your have to be paid .

    Be patient and Wait for a Ruling

    Wait for the mediation representative to rule on your case.

    Don’t bother yourself by contacting Freelancer support team for an update. Once the ruling on your case is reached, your will receive an e-mail on what was decided.

    NOTE: If you feel the decision reached by your mediator is not fair, you can decide to take your case further to be handled by the an arbitrator-who in this case will be someone outside the freelancing site you are working on. This will cost you around $300. In my opinion, this is not a good path to take if the contract in dispute is less than $300.

    What if The Contract in Dispute was Entered Directly With the Client?

    If the client offered you the job directly, it is a different case. The complexity of it depends on the terms you agreed upon when you entered into contract.

    Chances are, you will end up not getting paid if you were not vigilant enough from the beginning to insist that the client makes a down-payment before you start work.

    The down payment is a confirmation that the client is committed to working with you.

    In conclusion, courtesy and clarity should be a way of life in the freelancing business. If you don’t have a clear stand, prospects will take advantage of you.

    That’s it from me here.

    If you need help you create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials for your mobile applications, software’s or web apps, let me know here.

    Until next time, take care.
    You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Five Reasons You Should Purchase Genuine Software to use in Your Freelance Business

    As we come to the end of the year 2019, many freelancers are reflecting on how the year was and putting down their resolutions for the coming year 2020.

    One of the driving forces behind putting down the new year resolutions is the ‘misfortunes that begot us’ in the past. In most occasions, the misfortunes is as a result of our negligence to small things that contribute largely to success.

    While some believe that ‘new year resolutions’ idea is a scam concept engineered by motivational experts to grow their businesses, to an extent, its effective if you apply it your own way without following anyone’s script.

    With this said, what many freelancers don’t always realize is that 80% percent of their bad luck is as a result of using pirated software’s to accomplish their work. Now, if you read this post to the end, you will be able to figure out the 80% that I am talking about.

    man using stylus pen for touching the digital tablet screen
    Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

    Fact is, almost all work done online relies on using a certain software to complete the job. And what does many freelancers use? Counterfeit software’s to complete the job.

    That is why I think purchasing software license should be one of your biggest 2020 resolution.

    In this blogpost, I will share with you five reasons you should prioritize purchasing licences to all the software’s that you use in all your work.

    Also, I will also tell you why this will help appreciate what you are doing more.

    Success Lies On Using Genuine Software

    I have been a victim of pirated software for years. Many IT experts who help install software’s in your computer are the main cause of this.

    You will pay them, and they will install cracked or torrent software in your computer. Owing to the trust you have on them(IT expert in your area), you don’t find out if the software is genuine or not.

    person using macbook pro
    Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

    When it hangs and crashes, and you call the IT expert who installed it for you, they tell you that its your computer which is slow and needs some upgrade. Other will say its a virus infection.

    Here they will recommend that you purchase an antivirus that they sell. At the end of the day, you will have wasted a lot of time trying to resolve an issue with your computer. Besides, the IT expert will be making money out of your ignorance without any resolution.

    In fact, you may find yourself wanting to purchase another computer. In many years that I have been tricked into this, I have found myself in an endless loop of wanting to purchase a new computer, a new software which in turn got me no where. I mean, you will be broke spending all your money in something not related to the problem being solved.

    Learning to acquire, install and resolve issues with software’s installed in your computer you use for work is very important.

    When you do so, you will be able to quickly resolves issues before they get out of hand.

    Purchasing Genuine Software’s is Connected to Good Luck

    In the spiritual realm, good luck and success come hand in hand with gratitude. When you purchase genuine software’s, you are expressing gratitude to the genius developer who created the software.

    And whenever you do so , good things comes back to you. So if you want good luck in your freelancing business, put your house in place by getting a genuine software before going out to look for work.

    That way, you will be confident in assuring the client that they will get what you promise.

    Peace of Mind

    We all work in order to make money. When we have money enough to gather for our personal needs, our minds are at peace. This is the same with purchasing genuine software’s. You will have peace of mind.

    You will work knowing that if the system crashes regularly as a result of using the software, you will have someone experienced to help you out.

    Since the major interest of the developer is your success, they will help you resolve the issue amicably without tricking you to purchase another plugin or hardware to support it. In this case, the help you will receive will save you a lot of money.

    Quality Assurance

    In any case, before you invest your money in anything, you are aware of all the qualities they offer. Now, what I have found out over years is that pirated software’s or torrents do not deliver what the developer promises.

    cutout paper appliques of insurance inscription under umbrella
    Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

    That is why you will be lied into thinking that your RAM is not enough, your windows is good thus your computer needs formatting and many more.

    I can tell you for sure that genuine software’s rarely hang or crashes. If it crashes and you send the crash report to the developer, in few days, you will receive a notification that there is an update. That update will resolve your problem.

    So, when I compare the performance of a torrent software and non torrent software installed in the same computer, I am amazed by the performance and quality it delivers. It’s out of this world.

    I now love and enjoy my work more.

    Show of Commitment to Your Success

    We all do what we do because we trust it will lead us to success. Now the question is, what shows you are really committed in succeeding? Having the knowledge in what you do is half the journey.

    So investing money to purchase genuine software despite knowing that you can get counterfeit software is showing full commitment.

    There is no guarantee that you will get job when you purchase genuine software, but why not purchase it anyway?

    There are many more things that comes along with owning a software licence. You will be proud to say you are a freelancer.

    My question is, do you own a genuine software that you use in your Freelancing business? Do you know if the software you are using is genuine?

    Let me know in the comments section below.

    And if you need help to edit video or develop video content for sharing on your website, let me know here.

    Until next time, take care.

    You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • 5 Things that Will Make Clients Work in ‘Your Own Terms’

    Most freelancers would rather work under the clients terms and overlook theirs. Well, that has been the way all along. I mean, even educational institutions teach people this – work ethnics, how to retain your job and climb up the corporate ladder e.t.c

    Watch Video: 5 Things That Will Make Clients Work in Your Own Terms

    But have you ever attempted and reverse this psychology using the freedom that Freelancing offers?

    Well with proper planning, it is possible. That’s how highly paid freelancers do and it thus makes them stand out.

    In this blogpost, I will share with you 5 things you should do in order to make your prospect work in your own terms and love you more.

    Master Your Craft

    Any person who has mastered his/her own craft stands out from the crowd. Be the master of your own. Now- the secret lies on the time when the opportunity is presented to you. ‘Show don’t tell’ rule applies here. Let the client be wowed by your deep knowledge and understanding in the field they are hiring for. Don’t leave anything to chance. Find your clients sweet spot based on their job post in the freelancing site of your choice. This way, he/she will be wanting to know more about you or your Agency.

    Clearly Outline Your Approach

    After you have shared briefly about yourself, start addressing his/her need and how you plan to go about it. Be as detailed and clear as possible. From this, they can gauge whether it suits them or not. When outlining your approach, indicate the timelines for each item as well as each milestone. E.g scripting – 2 days- $250 e.tc. It might be helpful to share a simplified workflow from previous projects.

    Don’t Quote Cheap Because You Want the Job

    If you are a Top rated Freelancer or a Freelancing Agency, and you quote low, big companies will not take you seriously. Provide a reasonable quote and let the client know that you are not working alone. Mention the people in your team, who will be working with you on the project.

    This way, the client will not think that you will be working on it alone.

    Make Your Terms Clear in Your Proposal

    At that point in your proposal where you are sure the prospect is impressed by your work, introduce them to your terms service.

    Inform them that these terms are very important and it enables you to deliver high quality service to them on time without any delays or excuses. Your assurance to solve their problem hassle free is what will inspire them to hire you.

    If they hire you, it means they have agreed to work on your own terms. And they will be excited to do so.

    Tell them what to Expect

    Even though the client already know what they want, still, tell them. Add some bonuses to the deliverable’s. This will raise their eyebrows. Do everything to ensure you win the contracts. That should always be your aim.

    Summary

    Making a client work on your own terms is not a crime. Most of them like it that way because they can penalize you if you fail to meet some of their terms. If you have mastered your craft, your terms will work in your favor and you will stand out as the highest paid Freelancer or Agency.

    And that is it.

    If you need help to create and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials for your website, software or app, let me know here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care. You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Write a Video Script Like a Pro Even if You are Beginner

    While I am writing this blog-post from the video producers perspective- the secret formula of video script writing I am going to reveal in this blog post is very practical to any newbie in video script writing business.

    It took me many years to believe that I could write a video script. This is despite having several of them at my disposal that I used in producing videos. Video production and script writing is like art it revolves around imagination. Art is universal. It shares the same goal; to tell a story.

    If you don’t already know, copy-writing is the grandfather of story telling. A small tweak on the words that you use in selling and you get more sales or you lose more sales.

    Video relies on a written copy with an aim of persuading a prospective customer to take action. The ultimate end goal is to sell something to whoever watches the video.

    The formula I am going to share with you today on this blog-post is ridiculously easy. Please don’t complicate it by getting IMPATIENT or letting PRIDE take over. Creative inspiration come slowly and it is inspired by simple things.

    STEP 1 – Identify 3 Marketing Videos That Are Inspiring to Watch

    This step is quite obvious and you might be tempted think that you already know the formula I am going to share with you. I advise you to follow through to the end. You will notice that there is one or two things that you have not been doing right thus you are still certain of your ability.

    If your list of videos are more than 3, re-watch them and narrow them down to 3. This is for practical purposes. Most clients will refer you to a style of video they like and ask you to write a script of something related.

    STEP 2 – Transcribe The 3 Videos Into Scripts

    Yes. watch them and transcribe the videos into scripts. Study your scripts’ structure. See the approach that they have used when introducing the problem, offering solutions and asking the prospect to take action. What makes you get hooked to it?

    Step 3 – Take a Break For a Day and Think of Products That Fits into the Script Structure You Have

    Change a few keywords in the script and put in your words from the new product(s) you have picked. While doing this, read it loud and hear how it sounds. You will get encouraged when doing this exercise. The more you do it, the more you master the process. Also, you will realize that you can apply the same structure on many products and it will inspire you to write more using your own language.

    Step 4 – Use This Formula To Write Scripts For Use in Your Portfolio

    Believe you me, when a client says he/she wants a similar style of storytelling, they mean it. If you can write a script similar to the one they are referring you to in your own language, they will love it. And when this happens, you confidence and creativity will blow up. Before you know, you will be writing more and more for TV.

    Step 5 – Use the Same Formula in Writing Scripts For Use in Different Industries

    When you master this formula in writing scripts for short videos, it will be easier to apply it on longer version of video copies. You just need to be a good story teller.

    And that’s it.

    If you need help to script and produce professional screen-cast video tutorials, let me know here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • 5 Promising Artificial Intelligence Tools For Freelancers

    Is artificial Intelligence(AI) simplifying your Freelancing business or are you scared that it will replace your skills? You don’t have to be worried at all. Instead, you need to embrace it and look at different ways of using it to grow your business.

    At the moment, there are several AI tools out there. In order to remain relevant as a freelancer, you need to enhance your existing skills, build your personal brand and view AI as an aid not an hindrance.

    Here are 6 Promising AI tools that you check out and try.

    Calendar

    Calendar harnesses the power of machine learning to give you smart suggestions for when, where and how your meetings can take place. The app is still in alpha mode.

    SpinnerChief

    What this app does may scare many writers who write original content. Not only is able to generate hundreds of new articles in minutes for you, but also in one click it can rewrite articles to a very high level of readability and uniqueness because it uses the best natural language analysis and artificial intelligence techniques to understand your articles in the same way as google does.

    EveryPixel

    This is a search engine for stock images powered by AI. You can filter your search to show only FREE images.

    I started using it this year and so far so go, it is serving me well. The downside of this app is that it does not show videos.

    Logopony

    An awesome logo for your business is just a few clicks away with logopony. By entering the name of your business and a slogan, the app will generate several logos so that you can choose the one you like and customize it.

    Smartertime

    Smartertime is an intelligent assistant to measure, analyse and improve your time use. Currently the app is available on Google playstore and the iOS version of it is still in Beta.

    There are many other AI tools out there being developed. Do you know of an AI tool you think other Freelancers can benefit from? Please let us know by sharing it on the comments below.

    If you need help to produce professional screen-cast video tutorials, you can request a free quote here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    You can follow me on twitter @cheptiony