Business Magazine | BABM | Featurestory l VENI…VIDI…VIDEO

As a young boy growing up in Kansas, Bill Barclay found himself fascinated by the power of television. “From a young age, I loved television and the world it opened up to me,” he says. “I felt drawn to be a part of something that could reach out and touch lives all over the world.” So that young man from Kansas went to school in Charlotte, NC, studied hard, graduated, and got a job at a Christian television station. “I worked at virtually every production job they had to offer,” he says. “Today, having my own video production business allows me to make good use of those technical and creative skills first developed in those early production jobs."

Barclay Productions is a Dunedin-based, award-winning video production company. “My experience allows me to provide my clients with the high quality video they require to help compete in today’s marketplace,” says Barclay. “I’ve been working in television and video production since 1980. That’s 30-plus years of production experience, including over 1,000 hours of directing live and live-to-tape programming, broadcasting, and editing.”

While his expertise is timeless, the execution of, and technology involved in, video production has changed dramatically. “Today, computer skills are as important as camera skills,” he says. “Barclay Productions has the long-term experience combined with the computer technology skills of today on both Mac and PC platforms. We provide the personalized service that takes a video project from concept to completion. We are able to come to your business for on-location shoots, or we also have studio space available at great rates. We have both green and blue chroma key screens and a teleprompter system. Our expert editing services, using both Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premier software along with other supporting software, give your video a customized, cutting-edge look.” The company produces television commercials, corporate videos, promotional videos, videos suitable for the Web, and videos for social media like Facebook and other apps.

Barclay keeps his company’s overhead expenses lower by hiring contract help on an “as needed” basis only. And he makes sure he stays in touch with other professionals in the Tampa Bay marketplace. “My company is affiliated with other professionals working in print, web and marketing,” says Bill. “I enjoy working one-on-one with my clients, making myself available to help them or answer any questions they may have as we work through the creative process. The end result is a well-produced video customized to their specific marketing or sales requirements. This provides a client company with more media muscle for showcasing that business.”

Companies that make effective use of video’s ability to increase marketing power reap many benefits. Here are a few: • Video on a website helps move that site to a higher priority viewing level on the Internet Search Engines. • Video demonstrates to clients in a dynamic manner what they need to know about products and services, allowing them to make more informed buying decisions in the company’s favor. • It is a great tool for ensuring the business name and services stay top-of-mind with the target market. • It augments a company’s efforts in building customer confidence and awareness through brand recognition. • Video is the most effective means of projecting a company’s “personality” into the customer mindset, ensuring that they view the business as a unique entity. • It allows for repetition of marketing messages through multiple sources, both on TV and on the Internet through your webpage, video e-mail, and social outlets such as Facebook.

In fact, that last item is especially relevant to companies looking to take advantage of the current explosion in social media marketing. “This is a natural for Barclay Productions,” Bill says. “We had already done videos for the Web long before social media gained its powerful status. When you use video in your networking with friends and with friends of your friends, your networking base gets wider. Video helps ensure that people remember your business message.”

If, as Marshall McLuhan told us, the medium is indeed the message, getting across the message about the medium of video is difficult at times. “Getting people to understand how powerful TV and video on the Web is can be challenging,” Barclay says. “According to The Nielsen Company, people are watching TV at home and viewing video on the Internet more in 2010 than they did in 2009. This means that, today, the competition in client industries- and mine- is tougher than ever. The people who are most successful understand that video is a powerful way to gain the attention of potential customers.”

Practicing what he preaches, Barclay uses social media to increase his own business. “I have a Facebook page which I use to network for my business. I am also using Twitter,” he says, adding that getting familiar with these tools was a challenge in and of itself. “Marketing my business and getting my name in front of people, letting them know what I do, was difficult at first. I’m naturally a quiet, somewhat reserved person. However, I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone. With so much experience in television and video production, I knew I had a lot to offer, but I had to develop the skills needed to communicate my abilities to others.”

Armed with those new skills, Barclay hit the networking trail. “In getting started, I was able to work with the people and businesses I already knew,” he says. “To broaden my customer base, I joined the Chamber of Commerce and attended local networking groups on a regular basis. In just a few years, I’ve developed a good base of repeat customers and I’m getting regular referrals.”

Becoming successful and staying successful are two different things, however, and each requires a different perspective and focus. “My focus now is to make better use of the Internet,” he says. “I recently revamped my own web page at www.BarclayProductions.com to better showcase my work to potential clients. I’m becoming more proficient at working with social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter to reach new clients and to strengthen existing relationships. Now, I’m better able to help other people to be able to market their own businesses through the power of video.”

His hard work and attention to the details of his own business are paying off. Barclay says the company has seen growth from the first to the second quarter of 2010 running around 25%, while the third quarter seems to be continuing that trend. He has also been recognized for his videography and editing skills, receiving Silver and Bronze Telly awards- the video version of the Oscar, recognizing the best local regional and cable commercials and programs- for work he did on behalf of a local media company.

Barclay also credits his Christian faith with providing the work ethic it takes to be successful. His beliefs reflect not only Midwestern traditional values, but also the Kansas family in which he grew up. “I had strong spiritual beliefs and I still have them today,” he says. “Today, my faith drives me. I believe that God expects me to make the most of the talents and resources He’s given me.” Barclay counts his parents among his most important mentors. “My parents have been a big influence on me,” he emphasizes. “My father is a very ethical, disciplined, and hard-working man, while my mother has great faith and wisdom.”

Today, much of his free time revolves around his own family. “I enjoy spending time with my wife, Eden, stepdaughter Lauren, and our three, sometimes annoying cats.” When he’s not with his family, Bill can be found either noodling around in his production suite or- again going back to those boyhood roots- watching TV or movies. “Sometimes, I just sit down and watch a favorite television program or movie,” he says. “I must admit, I’m a big sci-fi fan. Again, that just shows how today’s media work on the human brain.”

Video is powerful and it is everywhere, exerting a dynamic influence that will only continue to grow. Barclay Productions has the experience and creative and technical skills that allow you to present yourself, your services and your products to your target market to your best advantage. Leveraging the power of video, particularly in your social media marketing efforts, is a great way to grow your business. Just ask Bill Barclay- he can help your business become the next big thing on video!

VENI…VIDI…VIDEO

Bill Barclay and Barclay Productions bring the power of video to your social media and sales and marketing efforts.