Hi! I'm a cinematographer and media entrepreneur. As a filmmaker, I use cinematic storytelling to make powerful, impactful connections. And as an entrepreneur, I firmly believe that one of the most powerful ways to change the world is through businesses run with empathy and soul. I get to be a creative artist while exploring the art of business, and for that I'm grateful. Sign up for my newsletter to read interesting bits about modern media and film.
Introducing Hafren Media
Hello, 2023
Hey there!
Happy new year! This is the first ever Hafren Media newsletter… So if you’re reading this, thank you.
What’s in this email:
- Introducing Hafren Media
- Project Spotlight: Unbound Masterclass
- 2023 Video Marketing Trends
Introducing Hafren Media
Last year I began the long-overdue process of clarifying the direction I'm headed in the world of video and media. One of the things I know I eventually want to do is return to working on narrative films and episodics — it's what attracted me into production over 16 years ago.
With that, I'm splitting out all commercial-type production under the umbrella of Hafren Media. Stembridge Mill as a brand will be for any eventual narrative work.
The Hafren Media name comes from the Severn River in Wales (in Welsh, "hafren"). This river ends in the Bristol Channel a bit north of where the Stembridge Tower Mill is located. Can you guess what I named my original brand after?
Spotlight: Unbound Masterclass
A huge congratulations to Lauren Rainey Tenney for launching her new video course! Unbound: A Boundaries Masterclass is all about helping people restoring peace and finding the confidence needed to love ourselves and others well.
I've worked with Lauren for about two years now, and it was a joy to help her bring this project to life, both in filming an in-person event she hosted last April and recording some additional content in December.
2023 Video Marketing Trends
We've seen an explosion in growth for video marketing in the past couple of years, particularly as social media platforms add more ways for people to consume short-form content (YouTube Shorts, Instagram's upcoming algorithm updates, etc.). We'll continue to see a focus on this throughout 2023, because:
- Video is an incredibly personal way to connect with audiences.
- People stay more engaged for longer through video content from people and brands they want to interact with. Even if the content is short, people spend a lot of time consuming it.
According to Hubspot, "...90% of marketers who currently leverage short-form video will increase or maintain their investment in 2023."
More than ever, it's crucial to be able to cut through the noise with video content going into this next year. Some of my thoughts on ways you can do this:
- Jumping on the latest things like TikTok trends can be super fun and attract more eyes to your content and brand. But keep in mind that long-term superfans are made through content that brings value to their lives.
- Spend time considering the audience and type of content, and create content that's aligned. Both quick iPhone videos and highly-produced media can be incredibly effective, but they each have their place to make the most impact.
- Showing up consistently will always give you an edge. Algorithms love this of course, but more importantly it's about the powerful long-term process of building trust with the people you want to reach.
One more thing! I'm spinning up a referal program in 2023. Know someone who might want to work with me to create video content? I'd be grateful for an introduction. As a thank-you for any referals who become a client, I'd love to give you a Hafren-branded bottle of a 2020 California rosé of zinfandel!
Here's to making 2023 great!
-- Chad
Chad Stembridge
Hi! I'm a cinematographer and media entrepreneur. As a filmmaker, I use cinematic storytelling to make powerful, impactful connections. And as an entrepreneur, I firmly believe that one of the most powerful ways to change the world is through businesses run with empathy and soul. I get to be a creative artist while exploring the art of business, and for that I'm grateful. Sign up for my newsletter to read interesting bits about modern media and film.
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