Working in a creative team is in my mind a little bit like the feeling a younger me had of working in a toy shop when I’m older. Its everything you ever wanted as a kid, it’s a dream that had no consequences and although I’m not working in a toy shop now, this is what I really wanted and its the best job in the world now.

I’d like to share with you a very fascinating secret. Copywriting can be done by almost anyone who can write. Good copywriting can be done by these people who also take the time and effort to do it well.

To write “copy” or to produce words to sell something is a craft that doesn’t require an English degree (in fact, perhaps that’s the worst place to start) but it does take some careful thought and consideration. Put effort into writing and you’ll do just fine if you know that you can do it.

If creativity is something you strive for (and a lot of you should even if it’s not your job), try to enact these things but don’t take it as a quick fix to coming up with great ideas. Do your own thing, feel confident in your techniques and… well, be creative.

Video increases a viewers time on a website. That’s quite a generalisation but in most cases it’s true. Video keeps visitors watching and when they watch they become accustomed to the website. That means that they’re more likely to use your website then and more likely to use it in the future.

How should recruiters be using social media to screen employees, or, should they be using it at all?

I found an interesting video on social media in recruiting and as we look to grow, it’s interesting to know how recruiters are generally using social media to screen employees.

Here it is

White time, silence and stillness next to the rhythm of the video.

Making a video infographic has made me realise the importance of non-motion, time to absorb and read information. Because that’s what’s needed in an infographic.

It sounds simple enough and really, it should be. However, editing a motion graphics piece takes a long time, watching repeatedly and in the end you begin to know it like the back of your hand. The result of that it becomes difficult to read the content and absorb it as if you were for the first time. Of course having fresh eyes watching it and giving feedback is a great way to overcome this, another may be to put the music on (if you have it), and read the information out before you start editing, record the timings which seem comfortable to you on a piece of paper and use that as your guide. This isn’t earth shattering advice, but ti might just help the next time you go for an informative video. Not just in infographics, but in all motion graphics and video. It’s important to allow reflection and space, just like white space in editorial design.

Another outcome from the existience of this “white time” is something that works for me and has become a rule in my editing. Always edit to 4 bars like your editing music. Keep a rhythm and your video will magically flow better. Sometimes I’ll find a song that inspires me to create the video I want to make. Edit to that and keep it in time. Let the music show off your video, make your video show off the music. Even if you don’t use that track in the end (which you would want) due to editorial or audience or cost, it’ll make your video better. Replace it with another that fits in or don’t use any at all. Human beings are tuned into the rhythm and will appreciate the flow of the film anyway.