Every narrative has three parts: the SETUP, the TURN, and the TRANSFORMATION.

The SETUP is everything that gives the background to your story. The TURN is the moment that you reveal something in your story that draws in your audience. The TRANSFORMATION is the connection that you make with your audience that moves the story from something you present to something that has lasting impact.
The balance of these three parts brings a story to life.

We had the opportunity to put these principles to work in telling the true-life story of Workforce Alliance and their NEXT STEPS PROGRAM.

The Setup: Derek spent 20 of his 40 years in jail. When he was released, he was dropped off at a bus station in the middle of town, with a pair of shower shoes and a t-shirt… no home, no job, no training and no one he could turn to at that moment.

It was then that fate brought Derek into the Next Steps Program; a reentry initiative sponsored by Workforce Alliance as a comprehensive, community wide, recidivism approach to help people with a criminal history and recently released citizens with life skills, job training, and workplace readiness.

The Turn: During the pandemic, Workforce Alliance asked us for our help. As Glenn Young, Senior Job Seeker Consultant, put it “We want a video to put a face to the names and tell a story.” They wanted to build rapport with their clients, improve engagement, and introduce topics across a variety of social media outlets.

“The videos are a great outreach tool” replied John Brancato, Manager of Quality Assurance, when we asked him about the public response to the presentation.
“The success of the videos speaks to the power of marketing,” said Ann Harrison, Communications & Development Director. Glenn Young followed up that “The videos convey the respect and value of the program and elevate the program” to a new audience.

The Transformation: Since the launch of the video, Workforce Alliance has seen an uptick in engagement both online and in person. Glenn noted “When people see the video, they are really excited, even our CEO was like WOW. The response has been great!” he went on to say that their audience has “never seen anything like this in their life, they didn’t know a program like this existed, we’ve gotten so much respect and value from these videos.”

Glenn shared that the videos “open eyes” and that through the videos their clients “see their barriers as opportunities now, it’s life changing.”

At Geomatrix we are dedicated to the craft of narrative storytelling. We have honed that craft for more than 40 years in an effort to give our clients the tools they need to effectively reach their audience. Let us help you uncover the behind the scenes story of your clients that will make a difference in giving you the best outcomes.

AEC marketing can be hard, but here are 7 things that video can do to make your job easier. Seeing examples of what others are doing can be a good way to get ideas. Take a look and get inspired!

1-Video is a powerful way to highlight the strengths of your business and showcase your good work.

2-Video helps you convey critical information, while keeping audiences engaged.

3-According to SMPS, 84% of of the top 50 AEC firms use video…. this tool here to stay. Showcase projects…feature client testimonials…recruit new talent….propose new concepts… Demonstrate what your firm believes and what it can achieve.

4-Share the video on your website, social media and other marketing channels.

5-At Geomatrix Productions, we use high-definition video, motion photography and drones to capture and present your work.

6-As natural storytellers, we have the experience and insight to help you frame your message to make it clear and compelling.

7-As a result, your viewers develop a connection with your firm, making the next hiring decision an easy one.

Build Awareness… Win Work… Frame Your Future

Get in touch with Geomatrix today to learn more about our video marketing services, and have a nice day! 🙂

Virtual trade shows are going strong and video is by far the most effective way for your organization to make an impact at one. By following the guidelines included in the list below, one CT company recently succeeded in achieving their goals while participating in their first virtual conference. Their story (and the video they produced) is an informative case study for anyone planning to exhibit at a virtual event.

Virtual trade show videos also work on your website, social media channels, or even at real life trade shows! Call Geomatrix to get started. 203-389-0001

With conferences now virtual, exhibitors are exploring new ways of conveying their products and services to attendees. Gone for now are company reps in their expensive booths; video presentations are now getting a second look as a viable alternative. But what kind of video? Can it be a generic or does it have to be tailored to the specific virtual convention? And, is it something attendees will even watch?

A case study illustrates how a simple video can yield an impressive ROI.

Challenge

Construction Solutions Group (CSG), a small business based in East Hartford, Connecticut specializing in owner’s representation and project management, made the decision to exhibit at LeadingAge Connecticut’s Annual Expo.

Originally scheduled for May 2020 and impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, the conference was rescheduled as a virtual event to be held on October 13, 2020. Upon committing to a digital display, CSG turned to its trusted marketing communications consultant, Lindsey Mathieu of Golden Egg Concepts, for direction on how to proceed given the unfamiliar requirements and quick turnaround timeframe.

Lindsey suggested making a video, while acknowledging the inherent challenges. She and the CSG team pondered the following questions: If we produce a Do It Yourself video –– do we risk compromising the image of the firm? Could a professional video be produced to meet the strict deadline of the virtual platform that required the submission of final materials an entire month prior to the exhibition? Should we produce something market-specific that speaks directly to the needs of the audience at this particular event, or go with something more general?

Action

Lindsey and her team made a number of thoughtful decisions: First, they rejected the concept of a DIY video on the basis that it would be extremely time consuming and would lack the polish of a professionally crafted production. Next, it was determined that a more general video, which could easily be repurposed for future expos and other marketing purposes, would deliver the best return on investment. From there, Lindsey crafted a modular script – CSG staff are featured at the beginning and end of the video speaking to visitors to the booth, while the main feature provides a visual overture and accompanying voiceover narrative of company capabilities and experience – allowing for easy repurposing down the road.

Geomatrix Productions was called upon to create the video and get the professional look she was seeking. “I came to Geomatrix with a limited budget and an extremely aggressive schedule to deliver the final video. They responded to the challenge and helped me back the team into manageable milestones and deliverables, one day at a time, from developing the draft script and filming on-site, to delivering assets and providing final comments. We worked together and got the job done in a period of about three business days.”

Results

CSG debuted the video at the LeadingAge Connecticut show, and was pleased to receive glowing reviews from interested attendees – they thought it provided a great overview of the company and they appreciated the humor.

CSG’s video will be used for several upcoming virtual conferences, as well as to share with prospective clients outside of an online expo environment.

Contact Geomatrix today to find out how video can make your booth the star attraction of your next virtual conference!

The unexpectedly eventful 2019-2020 school year has officially ended. However due to social distancing requirements brought about by the coronavirus outbreak, this year’s goodbyes came far sooner than graduation commencements. Bridgeport’s Thomas Hooker School expressed just how much they missed their students in the best way possible: through song.

Inspired by the official music video of “Get Up” from Kings Daughters featuring Brian May, Principal Giovanna Ramos along with faculty and staff decided to make signs, learn dances, and take pictures “together” while quarantined at home, and create a video of their own. With coordination from 6^th Grade teacher Katie Smuckler, and post-production assistance from Geomatrix Productions the school was able to create a fun video encouraging students to stay strong. The teachers shared the video with their classes who viewed it over and over. Turns out if you want to reach kids with your message, video is the best way to do it. Who knew? (Well we did, actually.)  Watch the video now to see  how much the faculty and staff at Thomas Hooker School miss their students, and how creative they got while quarantined at home!

Let Geomatrix help YOU get creative with your next video project.

Connecticut is known as the home to some of the top boarding schools in the US, and they are all looking to recruit the best and brightest students. The students who have been accepted to these college preparatory programs often return for a closer look during “campus revisit days” before making their final choice. For a boarding school the campus revisit is a chance to show off their campus and make their closing pitch to students and their families.

In mid-March of 2020 the team at The Gunnery – Mr. Gunn’s School, in Washington, CT knew that the looming COVID-19 pandemic would likely make it impossible to hold their scheduled revisit days and a decision was made to look for alternatives. There was little time and quick action was needed.

Video is the best way to connect with teenagers and that is our target in the close.

According to Doug Day, Director of Marketing & Communications at The Gunnery, “The first thought was to rely heavily on video. Video is the best way to connect with teenagers and that is our target in the close. Data shows that the teenagers are the biggest driver of deciding what boarding school to attend. The challenge was we had very little time given the need to have this on our site by April 3. Your responsiveness was the difference maker. The Geomatrix team was attentive, quick, and flexible, and allowed us to get this done in an incredibly short window of time.”

Becky McGuire, Assistant Director of Marketing, Brand Management & Digital Strategies at The Gunnery shared her thoughts on the project. “We were thrilled to work with the creative Geomatrix team on formulating a quick response. The ideas of your team, and all you were able to accomplish in a crunched time frame gave us the necessary tools to bring our campus to all those that could not step foot here during this time. Being able to provide our families the insider look without having to come campus was meaningful and gave us the personal connections all of our families deserve while choosing their boarding school.”

Our average visit to the website stay on the site for a little over 2 minutes. Our revisit page, filled with 12 videos was retaining visitors for almost 12 mins.

As for results, Doug Day had this to report, “By way of data from this event: Our average visit to the website stay on the site for a little over 2 minutes. Our revisit page, filled with 12 videos was retaining visitors for almost 12 mins. Video is impactful.”

Contact Geomatrix to find out how video can help you make an impact and achieve your goals.

Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity has what every non-profit dreams about having. A recruiting and fund-raising “super-tool.” It is a two-and-a-half-minute video that captures the energy and illustrates the morale building that permeates throughout every Habitat home-build. They use it to help recruit for the organization’s Build-A-Thon, an annual event for corporate sponsors to come out and get all of the home projects built and enclosed before bad weather arrives. The organization has been able to use the video throughout several platforms, including social media, newsletters, e-blasts, their web site, and at presentations. Karraine Moody, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity’s Chief Executive Officer, makes sure she shows it at every presentation she gives.

“We have many stake holders who help us create homeownership and the video captured that. Folks walk away fully informed and they know exactly what our mission is, and what a corporation’s role is within Build-A-Thon. The video confirms that what we are building isn’t substandard – it confirms that it is hands-on – and people come away saying, ‘OK, I get it now. It’s a great opportunity for my team. We are going to leave tired, but we are also going to leave fulfilled.’”

Moody says at the end of the day, 8 out of 10 potential sponsors now say yes to the commitment. 

“Once we present the video, it’s done. All the questions have been answered and everyone loves it. At that point it’s ‘OK, what dates are available and what does the sponsorship look like?”

 Habitat for Humanity’s believes everyone deserves the right to live in a decent, affordable home. The Habitat mission is to help families and individuals in need live in dignity and safety by constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes they can call their own. The non-profit organization simply can’t fulfill that mission without the help of volunteers and corporate sponsors.

To ensure that potential sponsors who are approached say “yes,” Habitat decided they needed a video to “seal the deal.” They chose Geomatrix Productions to produce it.

“It was the first time for us to make this investment. It was really about how we could market Habitat beyond the base we currently have to introduce our affiliate and explain our mission to a wide range of new potential sponsors and volunteers. It also gave us the opportunity to spotlight some of our long standing sponsors and generate individual video clips for those sponsors to share the work they had done. To have real life testimonials and be able to give back to our long term sponsors was the biggest gift.”

Moody says the organization looked at a few production companies, and because of Geomatrix’s open attitude to being on a construction site and the ease that was presented at their first meeting, they said “This is the firm for us.”

According to Moody, Geomatrix did not disappoint.

“We had a great experience. All of our questions were answered. While shooting video on the work site, we felt we had input by being able to see the clips and have the opportunity to make changes on the spot. To have that opportunity was amazing, especially because it was our first time doing a video. You want to have a partner who is going to be receptive, and who allows us to be at the table consistently throughout the process. I give Geomatrix a 10 in terms of customer service, follow through, input and feedback.”

Geomatrix producer Patrick Volk says capturing the energy of the build on video was infectious.

“The energy on the construction site pulled us into the project even more, and I think it shows on the finished product. We truly enjoyed collaborating with all the staff at Habitat and are thrilled they are happy with the outcome.”

Moody plans to work with the Geomatrix team on other videos in the near future.

“We’re coming back. What I love about the Geomatrix team is that everyone is engaged and everyone is bringing their A game to the table. To be on-site with professionals who are looking to give you their best product and who make sure you are content with the outcome – that’s priceless.”

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With a rich tradition and a vision for the future, the Fairfield County, Connecticut town of Monroe is on the move. So when the members of its Economic Development Commission wanted to share the town’s appeal and economic advantages with the world, part of their plan was to have a video produced.

Hands down, they chose Geomatrix Productions to take the wheel on their journey.

The EDC’s goals were to ignite commercial development in their business and industry zone and attract skilled workers and families, thus increasing the tax base to continue to provide the town with a stable economy.

Monroe First Selectman Kenneth Kellogg:

“We wanted to have a robust marketing plan and I view this video as a key component of the bigger picture. For families and businesses deciding where to locate, this video tells our story. It showcases what we as a town have to offer and how we are changing with the times while retaining our town’s charm and character.”

In a collaborative effort, Geomatrix’s team wrote and produced a three minute video that captures the real essence of the town, from its history and heritage to its population, award winning schools, quality of life, neighborhoods, architecture and the arts. It highlights Monroe’s strong retail and corporate base and proximity to highways, large cities and the beautiful Connecticut coastline. And it concludes by referring to steps the town has created to make a move there easier for businesses – a new era in economic development.

The pace of the video combined with a welcoming voiceover and uplifting music evokes confidence and opportunity, as it encourages viewers to “stop and spend a day or two” to discover the town’s wealth of benefits for themselves.

The video is on the town’s web site, and has been shared with prospects on an ad hoc basis. It has been shared with the State Department of Economic and Community Development, and distributed on flash drives to commercial brokers.

“I’ve yet to hear anything but positive feedback on it,” said Kellogg. “It has helped us in more ways than we probably even know”.

Kellogg shared the process of working with the professionals at Geomatrix:

“When we went to that first review of the script, I said to myself, ‘Wow, they covered all the main points that were important to me and that we wanted to make sure were covered.’ We had a few ideas to maybe refine things a little, but they really did a great job in making sure that the message we were trying to get across was there, and it was all done within a limited amount of time. Additionally, they did so in a way that flowed really well. I was very impressed in their ability to get that script done as well as they did.”

As for the video itself, Kellogg said Geomatrix was right on target:

“It was important to get across the type of community we are. We have a farming history and a desire to not lose that New England charm and character but at the same time we understand that we need to grow our commercial and industrial base. The things like our parks and education system and farmers’ market – the things that show how engaged people are in the community and the fact that we have a lot of opportunity here with undeveloped land were key, along with the fact that we recognize responsible growth. The folks at Geomatrix hit it on the mark. It was an extremely positive experience. All of our interactions with them were excellent and professional and they listened and they delivered.”

You can build the future of your town or city with a video as well. Contact the professionals at Geomatrix to talk about how we can help.