Every senior community should be producing and promoting cheesy fun videos where the stars are residents, families and staff.
The Proposition: Every senior community should be producing and promoting cheesy fun videos where the stars are residents, families and staff.
A few days ago the Wall Street Journal published an article titled Spontaneity for Hire: Flash Mobs Go Corporate. The point of the article is that flash mobs have gone corporate and commercial.
You can now go out and hire “spontaneity” to promote your company or cause.
I am not sure it is something that would work for senior living, but on the other perhaps you don’t have to . . . While at ALFA this week, I crossed paths with Rick Banas the director of Strategic Marketing for BMA Management an Illinois company that develops and operates affordable assisted living communities. He pointed me to The Harlem Shake video performed by the residents and staff of Heritage Woods of Sterling. Here it is:
Here is some things you might want to know about this video:
- It was shot with an iPhone taped to a box.
- It was shot by the the maintenance director
- It was organized and executed by the community staff
- Coolest of all . . . . that video has been viewed more than 11,000 times
AND IT COST THEM NOTHING
Why This Video is Important to You
I am a big fan of video as a way to create a viral effect to the promotion of your community. There is a temptation to think the only way you can do this is to go out and hire someone to help you with this. I am convinced that if BMA had done that, the result would have been a very slick professional looking video that would have been boring, boring boring and would have gathered a few dozen views.
What are you doing with video? Have you doing anything that has gone viral in your community?
Steve Moran
From LinkedIn Groups
Videos are a very useful product. On my educational program I include elder care adn housing issues. I have produced videos on assisted living, hospice, nursing home care, congregate housing and adult daycare. As we were unable to obtain the necessary releases we, unfortunately, could not include any older adults. We did use photos. Here is a video with the executive director of an assisted living facility. FYI- We plan to reshoot this video with interviews of elder participants.
By Ramsey A. Bahrawy, Esquire
LOVE THE IDEA…Going to do it immediately. Thanks. Joan
Brilliant!!!!!
From LinkIn Groups
The top three groups of people viewing this Harlem Shake video – women 55 to 64 years of age, women 45 to 54, and men 55 to 64.
By Rick Banas
Our senior living community, Villa St. Francis released our video to the public in early March. We created a Hollywood theme night and the 41 residents which starred in the video walked the red carpet and received mini Oscar awards. We celebrated with cake and champage afterwards. Our residents are still talking about the day we shot the video. What magical moments. Link is below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At-HavDD8zY
From LinkedIn Groups
Absolutely brilliant idea. Although I question whether publishing such a video on you-tube or elsewhere would be feasible for most facilities (due to the difficulties in obtaining consents/releases from all the residents involved), the benefits of this fun shared activity for residents and staff in terms of enhancing self-esteem, sense of belonging and community, and lifting everyone’s spirits is readily apparent. The various “actors” must have been so proud of their performances. What a great idea, I will share it with the activities directors at the various facilities where I provide services. Even if it was only shown “in-house”, I know that the residents and their families would really get a kick out of it. Smiles can be hard to come by sometimes, and you can’t watch this without smiling. Thanks for sharing this.
By Deborah Abraham, Ph.D.
From LinkedIn Groups
Amazing! This use of technology is a great way to reach out in a fun way
By Christian Greenshaw
From LinkedIn Groups
Loved it! Keeping residents stimulated and engaged is way beyond Bingo and Happy Hours! Rick, the top groups viewing this video you mentioned are typically the children of prospective residents, oftentimes, the decision-makers. I believe this particular video could be looked at either way, however, the concept of showing “a day in the life in Assisted Living” is a great way to promote a vibrant community.
By Mary Polacke
Steve, the numbers support your comments. The Heritage Woods of Sterling Harlem Shake video that was posted two months ago has had nearly 90 times more views than the professional created Heritage Woods of Sterling video that was posted a year ago.
Brilliant idea, while reading your post you make me laugh and think about what you share to this post especially on the video you shared.