hitviews FAQs

1. Are the stars considered “sell outs” by their fans if they incorporate commercial messages within their videos?

When selecting talent to promote brands, we look for those who have already successfully and appropriately promoted products inside for some time, without tarnishing their own brand name.  We believe from experience that as long as the talent are suitable for the brand, transparent about the promotion, and just simply make good content, that the audiences react positively and see our stars as informers rather than “sell outs.”  Of course, there will be a few people who decide to hate all the stars for making money, but I have noticed that a lot of fans jump to the stars’ aid – replying with comments such as, “Well, how else is she meant to make money?” or “I’m so glad they are making money because it means more content for me.”  It’s quite interesting.

2. How long will a star last?

Our Hitviews stars are not even at the peak of their popularity.  Their fan numbers grow and grow.  I have noticed that popularity waxes and wanes with the seasons, but some of our stars have been creating videos since 2005 – online videos that is – and are still growing strong.  We have noticed that an interest in “viral” stars drops faster than those who consistently push out good, quality content.

3. We have good videos that we made for a trade show, can’t we just show them?

You can push your own content out onto your video platform site of choice.  You could even pay for it to be displayed on a heavily populated part of that site.  But we have noticed that media buy videos don’t often lead to high impressions on your other content.  The Internet is so heavily populated with content that the likelihood of your video becoming a “runaway hit” is severely limited.  However, Hitviews stars are influential.  They’ve been known to “bring down” sites after linking people to them.  This is a good thing.  They can bring their audience to you.

4. How are stars selected?

Our stars are selected by matching our criteria, which includes marketability, influence, lifespan, and work ethic.  They are eager to work with us as well, but this is their video game.  They naturally understand how to market things and want to be a part of our team.

5. Are the stars dependable?

Our stars have very fast production rates and work to the best of their ability.  I would not present them to you if I did not believe them to be dependable.  They behave well, but they know that due to the rapid pace of this medium, they have to make the most of it while they can.

6. What creative control do we have?

We believe that the best videos for your brand are those which the talent have complete creative control over.  However, we do understand that this medium is new.  So, we offer you creative control in collaborating with us on the message and the creative campaign.  If you believe a star to be “off-message” or are not comfortable with the content, then we are able to re-edit or reshoot, and your brand and our stars save face.

7. How does the process work once we agree to work with Hitviews?

Once you agree to work with Hitviews, if you have not already decided on an approach to your campaign or selected the stars appropriate for your brand, then we work with you and the talent on the campaign message and present to you the most appropriate stars for your brand.  When you have selected your favorite stars and we have run the stars’ ideas by you and we all believe ourselves to be in sync, we go into production – which can be as short as overnight, and usually a maximum of two weeks.  We also present you a timetable of release dates that will do the most good for your campaign.  We then present you with the video and you may approve, and it will go into release, or you may have some notes.  Then it will either be re-edited, reshot, or – if necessary – the talent will be replaced with somebody more appropriate until all are satisfied.  Once the videos have been pushed out to the platforms of your choice, the stars promote them and we measure the results you need.

8. Who communicates with the stars?

We do not think it wise for the talent to speak with the client, so all communication goes through the VP of Talent Relations and Creative Director, Jake Fogelnest and me, Caitlin Hill, Chief Creative Officer.

9. Do you have any competitors?

Hitviews is a unique company.  There is no other company with our large talent roster, number of success stories, industry professionals, or high caliber investors.

10. Are there products that work better than others?

With the millions of people online and all their interests, we believe there is an audience for any product.  That being said, if you want to launch a site or a product such as a candy bar or a book or a CD or a film, we can create buzz.  If you want people to be at a certain place at a certain time, we can drive them there.   Product placements… check!  Discounts… check!

11. Can you reach any demographic - say middle-aged women?

There is an audience for every brand.  The trick is to find it.  We have noticed that some sites are better than others at attracting more mature viewers.  And, online video has the “helicopter Mom” effect – they watch what their children watch.

12. What metrics do you have to show that the campaign worked?

Well, what metrics do you want?  As difficult as online video can be to measure, we have the tools and people to seek out metrics to satisfy. 

13. How much time do you need to produce a campaign?

We are known to launch large-scale campaigns in as little as a week.  We prefer two weeks, but we can launch a campaign within a weekend.  

14. How many edits do we get?

No videos get posted without your 100% approval.  Most clients in the past have settled on two edits and their needs have been met within those edits.