You, Too, Can Be a Video Star

Every day I am approached by fitness professionals that ask me the same question: “How can I become a video star?”  If you are reading this article, then you, too, may be asking the same question.  Here is an overview of how I answer this popular question.

You, The Video Star

Every aspect of your video must compliment YOU and must set you apart from other fitness video stars.  You must be creative and specific in your approach as to how you want your customers to view your talent and personality.  You want to come across to your customers as a highly-skilled and knowledgeable instructor who is easy to follow, warm, welcoming, and approachable.  A happy person!  Remember, if they don’t feel warm and fuzzy about YOU, they probably won’t care much about your workout.  Exercisers today are more particular about the person teaching their workout than they are about the actual workout itself.  There are many ways to exercise effectively, and with all this variety to choose from you will find that today’s exerciser will take a hard look at You as one of the major factors in determining whether or not they want to choose your video.  So, be sure to highlight “You” in the best way possible.

The Product

You must have an idea for your video that is unique and creative.  Today’s fitness video market is highly competitive.  In order to get a major distributor to accept and sell your product, you must offer them something that is very different from what they already sell to their customers.  This may mean filming a completely new type of workout with a trademarked name, or it may mean filming a traditional type of workout in a non-traditional way. 

When choosing your product details, you must also think closely about who your customer is.  Are you appealing to an older crowd, a younger crowd, or maybe even moms with children?  These details must be thought out clearly so you can skillfully aim at your goal and hit the mark with video sales.  You will do well if you broaden your market spectrum to include different types of customers and then present your advertising verbiage, choreography, creativity, and complexity so that it can span several markets.  Remember, the more people capable of doing your workout successfully, the more people qualified to purchase your video.

Do your Homework

Take time to research what type of exercise videos are currently being sold that are similar to yours.  Find out who is filming them and how well they are selling.  The internet is a great resource to get this information.  Also, call distributors directly and ask them what is selling and why.  Many of them would be happy to answer your questions.  They are hearing from the customer first-hand, on a daily basis, so they are usually fully aware of the customer’s wants and needs.  Your ultimate goal is to get distributors to look at your product and say, “Wow, this would be a creative option to offer my customers.” 

The Budget

Below is an example of the line-items necessary to consider in your budget:

• Production - between $2,500 and $25,000.  Remember, the higher the quality of production, the better chance of getting a major distributor to pick it up.  They are very particular.
   
• Music - between $500 and $5,000.  The better the music, the more people will enjoy your workout. 
   
• Graphic Designing - between $500 and $1,000.  This fee usually includes the designing of your DVD cover, your silkscreen (which is the circular imprint on the middle of your DVD), and your menu (which is the graphic your customers will see on your DVD that will allow them to navigate around in your workout).
   
• Cover Printing - between $200 and $400.  It will depend on how many copies you decide to print.
   
• Website and/or Webmaster - between $50 and $80 per hour and it may take as many as 20 hours. 
   
• DVD Replication – between $600 and $1,000, depending on how many copies you replicate.
   
• Expenses and Incidentals – this will vary, and may include staff expenses, travel, accommodations, clothing, shipping costs, etc.  This is the “nickel-and-dime” category.

In closing I want to add that becoming a video “star” has been a very rewarding part of my life.  I love the idea that people all over the world are working out with me around the clock.  When I communicate with these people I hear the same thing.  They all express their friendship to me, and feel as if they know me personally.  This is because they choose to invite me into their homes each week for their daily exercise.  I feel that this is an honor, and I would highly recommend anyone that has the gift of sharing their fitness expertise to pursue this honor.  Becoming an exercise video star is an exciting goal.  Contact me at www.taylordfitness.com if you would like me to help you reach your goal. 

Christi Taylor