Make A Great First Impression With A Video Introduction
Written by Sophia Moon.
It’s a dog eat dog world out there and that dream job you’re applying for has applicants lined up from here to Timbuktu. Having a neat Presskit that showcases your professional resume, wins, and media will definitely put you in the lead, but a video introduction might be just the personal touch that could set you apart from a sea of candidates.
To that end, here are some simple steps to creating your own introduction video.
First things first: You have to have a Presskit complete with bio, audio & video files, high resolution photos, a professional resume, wins, and contact information. If you get stuck on what you should include, ask yourself what a hiring manager would want to know about you.
Tips: Social Media links should link to your professional pages - LinkedIn, Band Twitter, and Musician Facebook Page - not your personal pages.
Step #1 - Create an outline of things you want to say. The video should be less than a minute, so don’t script a Shakespearean monologue. Some things you can cover are:
- Name
- Current City
- Where you went to School
- Profession/Skills
- What’s in your Presskit?
- What kind of Job are you looking for?
- How to contact you
Step #2 - Use the webcam on your computer and start rehearsing what you’re going to say. This part can take a while but have fun with it. When you’re comfortable, it will flow more naturally.
Tips: Choose a place with good lighting and a decent background. Also, be sure to dress nicely - you don’t have to wear a three-piece suit, but remember that this is a first impression. Lastly, smile and enunciate.
Step #3 - Upload the final introduction take to YouTube and title the video “Name | Introduction”. (Example “Joe Smith | Introduction”). If you have some video editing skills you want to put to use, feel free to do so, but don’t feel the need to over-edit. The idea behind this video is to be candid.
Tips: You should put the video settings as ‘Unlisted’ and be sure to make it embeddable. This will ensure that a prospective employer can view your video from your Presskit without problems, and the video itself will not show up in YouTube searches.
Step #4 - Add the video to your Presskit. Be sure to move the video to the top of the queue so that it’s the first video a prospective employer sees.
Voilà… it’s simple. But, if you have questions or want some feedback on your video, feel free to reach out to me at sophia@indieambassador.com
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Sophia Moon is the Chief Marketing Strategist for Presskit.to. She holds an MBA in Marketing from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business; and a BA in Sociology from Brandeis University. Sophia specializes in brand management, content strategy and social media marketing. She is a well-respected, independent Singer-Songwriter, currently working on her second album, Shades of Love (Acoustic R&B) .
