While immersing himself in photography and videography with his company, Dark Water Creatives, Spencer Douglas tapped into an even stronger passion – collaborating with local businesses and forming The Content Club.
“Over the last few years, the way businesses communicate with their audience has changed dramatically,” he shares. “Long form brand films and full scale productions still have their place, but most small businesses need something different to stay visible today – consistent, authentic, high quality content that shows who they are day to day.”
His initiative means small businesses can show up, adapt quickly and stand out, despite all the other noise!
“We live in an attention-scarce world where audiences are inundated from every direction,” he explains. “One great video simply isn’t enough to stay visible. Businesses need ongoing support – consistent, high quality content that keeps them top of mind and genuinely connected with their customers.”
It’s no secret that social media isn’t simply a “nice option” these days – it’s one of the top tools small businesses rely on to reach customers. Approximately 96% of small businesses in the United States include social media in their marketing strategy, and about 77% use social platforms to support key business functions from marketing and sales to customer service. Nearly 41% of local businesses depend on social media to directly drive their revenue.
“Small business owners don’t always have the time or resources to create fresh content that truly represents them,“ shares Spencer. “In addition to offering full scale video production and photography, I launched this new service to equip them with quality video and photo content on a regular basis.”
If you’re a small business owner, you already know you should be posting more and are reminded of it every time you scroll social media. But, between running a business, serving customers, managing operations and wearing a dozen different hats, content creation usually falls to the bottom of the to-do list.
Spencer also stresses the importance of strategy, as he explains a few copy-and-paste posts or trendy viral videos won’t move the needle. Copying trends often does more harm than good, as it blends your business into a sea of sameness and rarely communicates anything meaningful. Trends can be fun, but don’t build long term connections.
Focusing on authenticity, clarity and purpose, Dark Water Creatives helps businesses show up as well as show off what makes them different. The Content Club is a flexible, scalable retainer designed to give businesses continual access to fresh, strategic video and photo content. It’s fully customized and built around the goals and platforms of each business.
“Every partnership begins with understanding,” shares Spencer. “I get to know your business, your audience, your goals and your challenges. From there, we build a personalized plan that outlines what content you need, how often you need it, where it will live and how it supports your long term goals.”
Most Content Club sessions are video-focused, but photography is included for clients who need it. Many businesses benefit from a mix of both, and that’s the beauty of the program – you get exactly what you need and nothing you don’t. From planning to production to editing, Dark Water Creatives handles everything, so you always have a steady pipeline of high quality content.
“This is not social media management – I always like to make that clear,” Spencer adds. “We create all the photo and video assets you need – start to finish – so social media posts or website updates take mere minutes of your time instead of hours or even days.”
To collaborate with Dark Water Creatives and enhance your own small business, learn about their services at darkwatercreatives.com, email [email protected] or call 336.462.8789. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @darkwater_creatives.
