How hard is that? A very simple question, with a very simple answer. Not at all. I'm talking about an introduction video for your website. I just completed my own, and can help you get one too. I've posted my intro video on YouTube and on every page of my website in the upper left corner.

At the very least, something like this gives your website visitors a good idea of who you are and what you sell. You can't make your elevator pitch in person to the dozens of people who find their way to your website - so do it virtually. Not through boring text and a plain photo. Make your compelling pitch on video. It builds trust, or at the least, familiarity.

I've posted the video again below just to give you an idea. A simple video introduction like this will run you only $149 with Calcagno Media, and I can get you the final video within 24 hours. Stop postponing the video pitch and just do it already. If you even make one new relationship because if it, then you've just regained your investment.

Every year the latest movie sequel blockbuster, a camping or hiking trip usually mark Memorial Day weekend. Yes, it's nice to have a three-day weekend to enjoy explosions on the big screen or the beautiful scenery around us, but let's also take a moment to remember why we get this special weekend.

Let's teach our kids about the day, honor our veterans, and take a few moments to reflect on those thousands of people who gave their lives for our freedoms. My grandpa John served in Korea when he was drafted and my late uncle Nick volunteered to be a marine a few years later. I'm proud of their service and proud to live in this amazing country.

That's why in honor of Memorial Day, Calcagno Media is offering a 20% discount on all services to active duty military and veterans. We thank them for their proud service, and remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country. This special runs for the next two weeks.

Come one, come all! Tonight I'll set up shop at the Gresham Chamber of Commerce's Spring Expo. Yes... I will be handing out Snickers, and free advice too! Come chat with me about social media marketing strategies, how to utilize video on a budget, and come talk search engine optimization. I guarantee it's a lot more fun that you think it is! I'm really excited for my first official event as a new member of the Chamber.

I'll have my HD video gear on display so you can see exactly what pro-grade equipment I'm using in my productions. I'll also be featuring a short presentation on how to target your customers at every stage of their experience with your brand, using video. The whole event is a nice, casual chance to meet and get a feel for all my products and services.

There will also be dozens more small business owners on display for you to check out. Support local and get involved with the community by hanging out with all of us tonight, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Henry's (346 NW First Street) in downtown Gresham!

If you absolutely can't spare the few minutes to drop in, check out the flyer to the right of the page that I'll be handing out in person. (click on the image for a large, printable PDF file). Sorry, no virtual Snickers tho ;)

For your convince, I've added a little map of tonight's event below, in case you've never been over to St. Henry's. I hope you can make it and see all of the new exciting business that is starting in Gresham this spring!

No one is going to magically stumble across a video that no one put any effort into planning and producing — much less watch and share it. … The most important thing about a video for a brand is the “post-play interaction.” What the viewer clicks on after they watch the video is crucial. … Don’t forget about distribution and promotion. We tend to think that “viral” means free. Not the case. Videos take time to catch fire, and if you want them to make their way around the Web, you have to remember to do more than just tagging and posting to social networks.

Sorry to have a bit of a delay in the blog, but I've been hard at work perfecting our latest production: Ride With GPS. As I first talked about in this blog post, I've been working with the very sweet GPS route tracking service for cyclists on a brand new profile video for their website

I think it came together quite nicely and met the client's expectations and vision, as they mentioned themselves in a blog post on their website. I wanted to create something that not only showed off the basic tools and functionality of the service, but also showed off the motivation behind why cyclists do what they do: the beauty and nature of going on a long ride.

Take a look for yourself, and let me know what you think in the comments!

A Google/Shopper Sciences study last April showed the average American checked with 10.4 sources prior to making a purchase. This is TWICE as many as one year ago. The proliferation of information and ease of access in a smartphone world mean YOUR small business needs to be actively taking part in the conversation. Web video is an easy and effective way to get in the game.

Calcagno Media makes this process smooth and uncomplicated. Within a few hours we’ll have all the video needed to put together a great profile on your business. This video can be featured right on your website, and linked to on Twitter and Facebook. The best part is: unlike an ad that will run once in the paper, this video will be accessible forever.

Production companies like to charge thousands for this type of spotlight video. We charge a fraction of that. Get in touch with us today to learn about our services, our process and our affordable pricing.

Skeptics and cynics of the world may disagree, but I believe in-depth product documentaries have the ability to present a much deeper connection to the things we decide to buy. Yes, in a way it’s marketing, but no, it’s not a flat out lowest common denominator pitch to sell you something. Video marketing like this shows the customer how and why the company decided to sell a product. It’s actually enlightening, interesting and engaging – like all brand journalism should be.

From the Source - Olympia Coffee Sourcing in Central America

These adaptations are a great step as more people are turning to websites and social media in their search for their new home. And don’t be fooled – more people are looking to buy this spring. As the market resurges with prices at their lowest levels and buyers itching for a new place to call home, the real estate agents that are ahead of the technology and marketing curve will gain the most in terms of publicity, business and revenue.

An article posted in Forbes, “This Spring Could Be The Best Home Buying Season In Years,” paints the picture:

Increased demand from buyers has pushed inventory levels 19% lower than they were this time last year, with an estimated 2.43 million homes available for sale. In fact, housing inventory is at a 45 year low nationally right now … Owners have less competition to contend with, compared to the past five years. It also means housing may be inching toward a long-awaited recovery.

Smart realtors will not only see opportunity this spring, but they will lead the wave by closing more homes than their competitors with skill, and the right approach to showcasing their best properties. By shining a spotlight on your featured listings with a video walk-through and profile you can create the “must-see” emotion serious buyers will act on. A cost-effective video that you can share on your website, Facebook, Twitter and even your iPad when you’re out and about around town could generate more interest and more offers than any open house would.

Brand Journalism is basically the concept of telling the story of your company by letting real people and real stories dominate your message, rather than some manufactured 30-second spot dreamt up by marketers. This is a good article on the topic. More companies are realizing organic and honest storytelling can do more for a brand than all the ad time in the world.

Watch the video below created by General Electric to promote their health care manufacturing unit. It’s two-minutes, 53-seconds of heartfelt, emotional and genuine video. Was it set up by GE ad execs? Sure. Is it more effective than a crappy commercial? Absolutely.

The Healthcare Marketer Blog says this: “GE recognizes that technology is relevant because of the impact it has on real people. Connecting its employees with survivors lets us know that there are caring, motivated people behind the technology. In the end, it is much easier to relate to them rather than some multinational corporation.

“With this video, and others like it, GE gives itself a human face.”

McDonald’s is also wising up to the game. Their new marketing campaign revolves around the stories of their suppliers. The fast food chain wanted to take the focus away from low-quality and unhealthy foods by placing emphasis on the real people who your money is (supposedly) supporting. The series of three videos makes an emotional connection to the families who supply the ingredients we’re buying at McDonald’s. And these videos do a great job at holding the viewer’s attention and delivering the latent message.

You can see the effectiveness of brand journalism. You can see the biggest companies are doing this. Now it’s time you utilize brand journalism to tell the story of your company and grow revenue. You don’t need a huge budget or a four-month production timeline. You just need a creative thinker and solid journalist who can help your brand thrive. Let’s talk

That's handsome old me in the flannel alongside Cullen King and Zack Hamm of Ride with GPS, an awesome website where you can plan your cycling route or search from thousands of user-created ones, load the route on a GPS unit and analyze your stats after the ride. They're two very likable guys who've been building out this site and the powerful, professional-grade tools since 2007. Their site explains better:

We offer tools to analyze cycling performance, including graphs of heart rate, cadence, watts (power output from a power meter), speed and elevation gain. Using all this data, we can offer training plans and other insight into your fitness.

Check out their brand new logo, and click on it to head over there!

We spent a few hours outside shooting all the footage we needed. We went to some great scenic spots along the Historic Columbia River Highway like the Stark Street bridge, Vista House and more. I can't wait to get this video done and share with you!