authentic

Finding Joy and Understanding Failure

“But I think we’ve been also raised in a way to understand that it’s okay to not always be perfect, it’s okay to fail, as long as you learn from that failure.”

In this clip from episode 49 of our podcast, Michael reflects on how his upbringing taught him important life lessons that continues to guide him throughout the choices he makes today.

Michael Dumlao is an activist, artist, brand director at Booz Allen Hamilton, and the author of “Wisdom of Guncles: Living Life from a Queer Perspective” scheduled to publish in summer 2021.

Listen to this episode again as we discuss the role migration plays in his identity and creativity and how his upbringing as a Filipino immigrant and coming out as a gay Asian person was incredibly tough. We also talked about his upcoming book and how it uplifts untold LGBTQ stories.

Listen to episode 49 on iTunes here: How Culture Influences Creativity, Being Queer In The Late 90's, And The Importance Of Authenticity!

How Culture Influences Creativity, Being Queer In The Late 90's, And The Importance Of Authenticity‪

Let’s welcome our next guest to the podcast activist, artist, and author Michael Dumlao! Michael is the brand director at Booz Allen Hamilton and the author of “Wisdom of Guncles: Living Life from a Queer Perspective” scheduled to publish in summer 2021.

Join us for this stimulating conversation as we discussed the role migration plays in his identity and creativity and how his upbringing as a Filipino immigrant and coming out as a gay Asian person was incredibly tough. Additionally, we talked about his upcoming book and how it uplifts untold LGBTQ stories.

Listen to episode 49 on iTunes here: How Culture Influences Creativity, Being Queer In The Late 90's, And The Importance Of Authenticity!

Succeed in Video Marketing Following This Guide

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How often do you approach videos as you're browsing the web? Have those videos taught you something new, introduced you to a new brand, or gave you a behind-the-scenes of a company? That's the beauty of video. Videos entertain, inspire, and inform users, engaging them to learn more about the company outside the products and services they offer. If you haven't quite figured out your video content marketing strategy and need some pointers, continue reading this guide on using video marketing for your business.

Videos have been increasingly popular over the years, with more and more businesses using videos to reach their target audience. If you haven't branched into the world of marketing yet, you're going to need to with 81% of businesses implementing videos into their content strategy according to HubSpot. As you create or modify your content strategy, figure out the purpose of the video you want to convey. There are different types of videos; explainer, interviews, product reviews, and live videos; you can use them for that goal. For example, if you would like more viewers to see and know about your products, enlisting the support of an influencer for a product review gains access to their viewers and lets you know what viewers think about your product or service. Once you establish and film the video, decide which platforms or pages on your website you want your video displayed. Include a CTA at the end of your video and optimize the video for the viewers watching on different platforms and devices.

Now, let's get into some of the reasons why implementing video marketing is important for your business. There is a projected increase of over 80% of traffic containing videos by 2021. As many businesses are uploading videos and telling their stories, to stay with the competition, post authentic-driven videos that share your story through live or animated videos, as examples. Creating these authentic and engaging videos lets your viewers know who you and your brand are and eventually help drive conversion rates. According to Social Media Today, 90% of consumers say watching a video helps them in deciding to buy a product. Videos are an accessible and versatile content medium that lets your viewers learn something from you, whether it's educational, entertaining, or truly inspiring.

Credit: Written by Digital Marketing Institute THE IMPORTANCE OF VIDEO MARKETING

The Importance Of Creativity In Marketing, How A Cool Website Kills A Business, & How Stress Inhibits Our Brain Function And Creativity

Come listen to our latest podcast episode with Dr. Terry Wu! As a Ph.D. holder in neuroscience for his learning and memory research, Terry has showcased his research and understanding of how consumers make buying decisions into his own online marketing firm. He has also given a hugely popular TedX talk on the same topic. In this episode we discuss how the human brain works when we see ad campaigns, the slight downside of being too creative with content and design, and the importance of keeping content looking "real" rather than "fake".

Listen to the full episode on iTunes here:The Importance Of Creativity In Marketing, How A Cool Website Kills A Business, & How Stress Inhibits Our Brain Function And Creativity

Staying Authentic In Your Artwork

“It’s important to be free of what you think, I think it is important not to follow too much of what is cool at this time. Fashion, or whatever is cool, it’s for a moment, it’s not forever”. Simona Pavan’s quote reflects her belief that you shouldn’t have to follow trends to be an artist. Her advice serves as a strong reminder for any artists to stay authentic in their artworks. Simona is a seasoned photographer whose resume includes working with reputable brands such as Gucci, Nike, Reebok, and many more! Revisit this episode to hear us discuss topics such as how to keep your voice when working with brands, not taking art too seriously while having fun with it and not following trends in art so that your artwork can remain authentic.

The full episode is available under Creative Haven on iTunes Here - Fighting to Keep Your Creative Vision When Working With Brands and Not Taking Your Art Too Seriously To Enjoy The Process

Ensure That Your Sound Quality Is On Par With Your Video

Bad sound can ruin your pretty video.

A video can be shot perfectly but the person talking is barely audible - not a good move.  Some say that sound makes or breaks a short film, and that also applies to your video if it involves audio as the main component like tutorials, testimonials, or interviews.  

Invest in a good sound person or sound package to make sure your sound is captured correctly.  It’s important for your video’s survival and makes it more understandable for your audience.  If I can’t hear the person talking, then the visuals better entice me to keep me on board.  

Have you watched a video recently with bad sound and it forced you to turn it off? 

Video Marketing Guide - The Authenticity Of Your Message And Video Is What Matters Most

Fans want authentic videos, not polished pieces

Have you ever worked so hard on a video that looks amazing but doesn’t get a lot of views, and your video shot on a cell phone is your most watched content?  I’ve had this happen to me before and it’s frustrating but also relieving.  You don’t need high quality for engaging videos.  Most people want relatable, organic, un-polished content that doesn’t look like a commercial.  Viewers want to see something “real” and believe videos that come from their favorite influencers that are usually shot on cell phones.

So consider User Generated Content, Live Videos, Boomerangs, and Phone footage to get your message across to your audience.  You don’t always have to use a DSLR or Cinema Camera to shoot your videos to get the results you want.