Show Reel Structure: Everything You Need to Know
Every Keynote Speaker is as good as their video reel. After all, it's how to prove you are worthy to speak in a professional environment. Although you are unique, there really is a single, clear structure that differentiates the successful reels from the rest.
In this guide, we'll lay out the five elements, or sections, your Reel needs to be perceived as complete and more importantly, valuable. So many speakers overlook it.
Your Customer: What Do Event Organizers Look For In A Reel?
Whether it's an Event Organizer with an upcoming conference, or a Business Owner planning a company retreat, they are seeking a trustworthy speaker to give their attendees value. But how do they determine value?
Nine out of ten Event Planners will turn to a speaker reel to look for value
(aka speaker trailer, speaker showreel, speaker highlight video).
This video asset is intended to sell your speaking services.
For years, Speakers have been hiring the cheapest freelancer to quickly splice together a montage, but often they feel disconnected and leave questions unanswered.
You might be asking "Aren't there many ways to construct a reel?" Actually, NO. Without this order of structure, your customer is almost guaranteed to get confused.
So let's get to it!
Speaker Reel Structure: Five Piece Puzzle
Public Speakers don't get to TedX status by mistake. They communicate their value to conferences with a clear structure. Lucky for you, reels are supposed to be under 3 minutes (we recommend 1:30) and there are only 5 pieces to the puzzle!
:01- :10 Energy, energy, energy.
Whether it's a high-tempo song, heavy percussion, or rapid cuts between interesting shots, first impressions matter. If you start with an energetic tone, their attention is yours to lose.
:10- :30 Credibility.
Why should we listen to you? What experience do you have that grants you expert status? Allow your video some breathing room with testimonial quotes. These quotes are a great opportunity to tell the viewer something specific. For example, how you blew away their audience with value.
:30- :60 Core messaging.
What do you talk about? This can be the most difficult section to nail. Keep it simple. Instead of trying to over explain, make it a trailer.
Don't give everything away and you will create a sense of desire, similar to what a really good movie trailer does to you.
:60- :90 Proof. Now that we know what you're about, show us your personality. Interacting with guests. Cracking a joke. Be authentic! This is also a great time to show a Logo wall of your past clients. Wrap up your visual storytelling with 'goodbye' shots- leaving a stage, accepting applause, etc.
Final Image Contact info. Your final image is a lasting impression, so listen close. At the very end of your speaker trailer, it's paramount that you display your name and contact information. We recommend putting your email address and phone number.
Once an Event Planner believes that you are credible, trustworthy, experienced and have a core message, they will be hoping for your contact info on the last slide.
Get Started: Audit Your Current Footage
It’s time start applying these five pieces to your own reel. Review the footage you already have (if any), and think about which of these sections it fits into. If none, then it is not useful. Having studied hundreds of reels, implementing these 5 sections will already put you in the top 20% of contenders. What's more, your customer will remember you exactly how you want them to. This can lead to recalling you later down the road.
Now that you have an understanding of your structure, we recommend checking out The Ultimate Guide for Highly Profitable Speaker Trailers.
This 14-page digital PDF takes you through every step of producing a reel. Use the guide as a tool to make a professional speaking reel that actually converts into bookings.
Want to learn more about your Customer's value points?
Download our free Cheat Sheet HERE.
At Testament Productions, we help Speakers promote themselves with just one video. Book a free discovery call and we'll discuss how to help you.
Mark Ledbetter
Testament Productions
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