Minnesota Online Video » CPA

Tax Tip Video by a CPA

Eric Putkonen — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:06:51 +0000

This is a 4 minute and 21 second video…although longer than I usually like – but when covering 5 tips, it is acceptable. With proper lighting, external microphone, and some titling & text (and perhaps background music this video could have looked and sounded much better than it does. However, content-wise it is a winner.

He starts off saying hi and introducing himself…and mentioning everyone’s desire to pay as little taxes as possible. He talks about how these tips have saved clients millions of dollars. Then he covers each tip. At the end of the video is a call to action…contact us now to schedule a free tax review. But again, you can not take full advantage of video without action and something to see. Sure I get to see him…but that was it for the entire video. There are ways to make the video more engaging and appealing.

The Leverich Group (TLG) Recruiting Video for Accounting people

Eric Putkonen — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:28:50 +0000

This is why you don’t try to do a recruiting video on your own. The sound is bad, the background music is too loud and you can’t hear the people being interviewed well (not to mention lyrics make it more difficult – it is like trying to hear two people at once), subjects too far from the camera, camera shack (no tripod) at times, and the white balance looks off. It does not look very professional and so it reflects on the company poorly.

The first section is why they like working there…there was nothing said that would interest me: great lunches, they expect your best (as do all companies), it’s a fine environment, etc. Nothing was said that sets them apart…and nothing was really said with enthusiasm. Actually, I went to college for accounting…and if I was seeking a position – this would not impress me. The company did not gain any advantage with this video.

Am I being too hard on them? If you were looking for an accounting position, would this do anything for you?

Tim Hald CPA Marketing Video

Eric Putkonen — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:23:16 +0000

On his website it is shows:

“Click here now to see our new video >>> http://www.videosomething.com/listing.asp?id=573”

First of all, if you are going to make a video – embed it on your website…and DO NOT just give a link to click like this! Tacky, really tacky. Now if their host won’t allow them to embed it, they should be able to take the video they paid for and put it on Blip.tv or something and then get the embedded code from there.

The video is about 3 minutes long. It was a little long-winded about his services, in my opinion. He is a full service CPA firm. The piece about his long standing relationships was very good. Overall, a good video to get to know him and his firm. He even showed a little fun and humor with the poodle.

Lanzaro CPA Marketing Video

Eric Putkonen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:02:17 +0000

This short 2 minute 22 second video is on his main home page – http://www.lanzarocpa.com/ - under the heading: “Please Watch the Video Below Before Reviewing This Site”. Not subtle use of video…very overt. With a sign saying watch this before anything else. Not the way I suggest it for most companies, but it can be done this way.

It is good that he speaks directly to the viewer. He mentions what you will find on his website. He talks a little about his background. He mentions other “tip videos”. Not a bad video…a little salesy perhaps. When it starts feeling like a commercial…you are losing the audience. The call to action was soft…’we are accepting new client applications…give me a call or fill out the application form’. But as he was rather salesy, the soft close is probably better. A more direct call to action may be a turn off…unless he was offering a freebie - a report or something specific to his demographic – to collect email addresses of potential clients to add to a permission-based emailing campaign.

Somerset CPAs Marketing Video for Construction Clients

Eric Putkonen — Sun, 24 May 2009 15:40:50 +0000

I had to make a link to this video…they hid the location. This is a good video by a CPA firm to help market to construction clients. If you were in construction and were looking for CPAs, who would you consider more…this firm now that you see the staff and hear about them OR the faceless CPA firm you found on the web or in the phone book?

Seeing the people you would be working with goes a long way. This shows a team specializing in construction…everyone loves specialists. A construction firm is more likely to go to a construction CPA team…not a generalist.

This is also a short, 3-minute video. It is too bad there is just an indicator bar for location in the film (instead of time remaining or how far in the total length)…because it is impossible to tell if this would be a short video or a 1/2 hour infomercial.

Also, I would make the video more prominent and higher on the website.

Somerset CPAs video

Construction team website – http://www.somersetcpas.com/construction.htm