Studio Silence: Is Your Abandoned Video Space Saying More Than You Think?

If you too have a studio (or three) gathering dust, consider this your wake-up call - a friendly nudge to unlock the true potential of your video team (and maybe score some brownie points with the facilities manager). Let's dust off those cameras, metaphorically speaking, and explore how a strategic refresh can transform your video content from tumbleweed tumble to viral victory.

Understanding the Problem

Abandoned studios are a canary in the coal mine - your team has access to the tools, but they’re not being used. This indicates that something is missing - you might be missing a video strategy that makes sense for your company’s culture, the personnel required to manage video production, or the systems and processes necessary to sustain video production over time.

Your empty video studio is like that elaborate tool chest that sits in your garage untouched. You design and build it with grand visions of what you will do with it but you lack the knowhow, time, or process to actually do anything with it. Companies often invest in studios without a clear plan, leading to underutilization and inefficiency.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a client say, “we designed it to be plug-and-play, where team members could just walk in and start recording. But it ends up being such a time suck. Even getting someone in there who knows how to use a teleprompter can be difficult.”

If you’re in this position, you’re not alone - and there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

First, adopt a strategic approach to video production

Assess Current Resources: Look at all the resources you have within your company. These include equipment and studio space, but also the skills and interests of your staff, and the systems and processes you use - web services, software like simple editing platforms or video conferencing software. Are you maximizing what you have? Are those resources being used effectively?

Define Clear Objectives: What do you want to achieve with your videos? (e.g., demand generation, brand awareness). This starts with understanding the exact audience that you’re trying to reach, then asking how you can deliver clear value to that audience, and finally figuring out what your company truly wants out of it’s video strategy… what’s in it for you?

Develop a Sustainable Production Model: Build a content plan that balances the desire for high-quality content with the objectives you want to achieve, and the realities of your company's resources and capabilities. To achieve sustainability, you need three things:

• Production strategies that are realistic and achievable, focusing on reducing lift.

• Systems and processes for all elements of production, from ideation to distribution. The more systems, the more automation, the more clearly defined roles, the more sustainable.

• Institutional buy in - this could not be more key… if leadership is aligned with the objectives and invested in the program, then the staff views the work as a value-add to their career at your company and demand to participate from within goes up.

Then, execute your video strategy

Leverage Existing Infrastructure: Utilize current studios in creative ways, like converting them into remote studios for efficient use.

Adopt a Flexible Production Approach: Here, the most important question is, “What systems and strategies work in my company’s organization and culture?” Instead of a one-size-fits-all studio model, tailor your production approach to your company’s specific needs, and each project's unique requirements.

Focus on Authenticity: Again, here the question is “What is authentic to your company - your brand and your culture. Reflect that honestly, and you will be authentic. Strive for a "business casual" look in your videos - professional yet relatable.

Embrace New Tech: Challenge yourself to make your strategy dynamic- reflecting what is possible today, not last year. Utilize advancements like AI and remote video technology to enhance production quality and efficiency. The world of video is changing radically, allowing companies to do much much more with less money and effort than ever before.

Collaborate with Experts: Work with video production professionals who understand how to get video done in a corporate context. They can provide customized, sustainable solutions.

Train Your Team: Educate your staff on the parts of the system that they need to access, and then don’t let it get stagnant. Design your video strategy so that your team is engaging those skills on a regular basis.

Current Resources: Look at all the resources you have within your company. These include equipment and studio space, but also the skills and interests of your staff, and the systems and processes you use - web services, software like simple editing platforms or video conferencing software. Are you maximizing what you have? Are those resources being used effectively?

Define Clear Objectives: What do you want to achieve with your videos? (e.g., demand generation, brand awareness). This starts with understanding the exact audience that you’re trying to reach, then asking how you can deliver clear value to that audience, and finally figuring out what your company truly wants out of it’s video strategy… what’s in it for you?

Regular Review and Adaptation: Continuously assess the effectiveness of your video content and adjust your strategy as needed.

An abandoned video studio isn't just a wasted space; it's an opportunity to rethink and revitalize your video content strategy. By focusing on sustainability, flexibility, and authenticity, you can transform your video production from a burdensome task into a powerful tool for business growth and audience engagement.

Remember, the goal isn't just to create content, but to create content that resonates and achieves your business objectives.

Learn how we can help

The best way to get a feel for how we work with our clients is to schedule a call.

We offer a free 45 minute strategy session focused on your needs and circumstances.

We'll learn about your specific goals and challenges, and do our best to provide you some actionable advice.

This is a free call with absolutely no obligation, so don't worry if you don't have a project in mind.

Even if you're just looking to find out a little bit more about what we do, or have a question about something video or social content related, book a call today!