Creative Hot Takes

If you’re tired of the same old corporate videos, are struggling to make font choices, or if you’re on a quest for the ultimate video editing software, this blog is for you. Buckle up for a fresh perspective on these creative staples and get ready to elevate your strategy with our creative team’s hot takes that challenge the conventional wisdom in the world of creative media.

You have an amazing team and you want to capture their experience and knowledge in testimonial form for many reasons: explaining organizational processes and products, providing historical context, and giving a voice to your organization’s values. And don’t forget – video is king! Video performs better than almost any other form of content on web and social platforms, making it a smart investment.

Let’s take a creative leap and experiment with your video testimonials! A traditional “talking-head” testimonial is a great base model but don’t be afraid to break the mold. Let your team get out of that chair and explore their environment and play – if they’re engaged then your audience will be too. Try performing interviews in a unique, active environment that keeps the interviewee and viewer engaged. This also keeps your interviewee on their toes, giving you the chance to catch their unguarded authentic moments and answers that viewers connect more strongly with. While you’re at it keep their hands busy and give them Play-Doh, crayons, even Legos – let them create while working through their thoughts and observations. Audiences tend to interact more with posts that have human faces in them. Kick that connection up a notch by having your interviewee talk directly to camera like they’re on a Facetime call with a friend sharing the “tea” about a new product or insight. Authenticity and humanization are key when engaging with your target audience, and incorporating creative elements to tell these stories is vital. Have fun and experiment with the power of storytelling and testimonial footage.

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a good stock photo. Sure, most stock images look like cheesy 90s sitcoms, complete with awkward smiles and painfully staged scenarios. However, amidst the sea of overly enthusiastic high-fives and perplexingly happy office workers, gems are waiting to be discovered. A good stock photo can enhance your brand or campaign, especially if you lack the time and budget for a custom photoshoot. Effective stock photos can bring your story to life and make your content more relatable to your audience. A well-chosen image can often convey a message faster and more powerfully than text alone. So, next time you’re scrolling through endless images of generic handshakes, remember: the perfect stock photo is out there, just waiting to be found by someone with a sharp eye.

Here are three key things to look for when choosing your next stock photo.

• Authenticity: The best images capture genuine moments that resonate with your audience, steering clear of the overly staged or cliché. Pay attention to the emotions and expressions of the people in the photo—do they feel natural and aligned with the message you want to convey?
• Color: Does the overall color and tone in the stock photo align within your branding and the pieces it will be used in? If not, could it be easily edited? If your brand tends to carry warm tones, you may not want a photo that has a cool blue tone. For better brand recognition, find a photo that aligns with your brand palette.
• Composition: Does the photo work for the piece you’re using it for? Do you plan on putting any type over the photo? Is there negative space in the photo to allow for that? Is there a particular interaction within the photo that you could crop in on? Be sure to keep your end goal layout in mind when choosing your stock photo.

Here’s my hot take: I’m not a fan of the overused handwriting typefaces. They’re like the fake wood of the design world—trying to pass off as something authentic but falling flat. These fonts aim to look personal and unique but often end up feeling forced and inauthentic. Real handwriting has its own quirks and character that these fonts just can’t replicate. That said, I’m all for using genuine handwriting in design. Explore custom fonts crafted by a designer, look into unique script fonts with real personality, or even have someone hand write your message and scan it in. Real handwritten notes or a mix of different typefaces and media can add that personal touch without resorting to those generic fonts. It might take more effort, but the authenticity is worth it.

After working with gimbals for a couple of years, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really don’t enjoy them. They’re just no fun! Spending more time on sets with Steadicams and other stabilization methods, along with upgrading to a camera with solid in-body stabilization, has made me realize that I’m not a fan of the robotic, lifeless look gimbals have popularized among cinematographers. Too often, I’ve found them more clumsy than helpful, and I’ve completely moved away from using them. While they’re a practical tool and a good option for budget filmmakers, I have a deep appreciation for the complexity and effort involved in making a handheld shot look high-end. I’ve been loving seeing a few of my fellow creatives ditch their gimbals and embrace the authenticity of handheld shots!

It’s a tale as old as time–how do you stand out from the crowd when raising awareness for a service or product? It can be a challenge to prioritize which potential audience to speak with, and budgets don’t always allow for multiple campaigns to reach every possible niche simultaneously. The natural inclination is to cast the widest net possible in hopes of catching as many leads as possible. While this approach can bring in some results, it can also lead to inefficient usage of resources, irrelevant audiences, and less meaningful engagement.

Big Net, Big Problems

1. Lack of Personalization

2. High Cost, Low Return

3. Irrelevant Audiences

4. Short-term Gains, No Long-term Loyalty

So, What’s the Alternative?

Our campaign work for various industries and budgets prove time and again that when you focus on a targeted and data-driven marketing approach you yield better, higher-quality results. Here are a few strategies to consider when developing your target audiences and campaigns:

1. Segment and Personalize

2. Use Data to Drive Strategy

3. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

4. Leverage Inbound Marketing

5. Test and Optimize

Now this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have consistency in posts and only rely on the data, but in a world where consumers are more discerning than ever, it’s no longer about reaching everyone. It’s about reaching the right people with the right message at the right time.