Social Media Promo Video

The Goal

Our consultant challenged us to become more community centered and to introduce our new staff to the neighborhood. We had a new editor, a new publisher, and a handful of people who were basically ghosts to the public because they worked behind the scenes. I wanted to make something that felt welcoming and human, something that showed the personalities behind the paper.

So I created a short, lighthearted social video that put our team front and center, giving readers a peek into who we are beyond the bylines.

My Role

This was my concept from the start. I built the repeating script format,

 “I’m a [job title] for the Fauquier Times, of course I…”,

 and used it as a way for each person to show a little personality while keeping the whole piece cohesive.

I guided every teammate through their moment on camera, filmed each segment, and edited the final cut with quick transitions and a playful rhythm that matched the energy of our newsroom. You can hear me trying not to laugh behind the camera more than once. I even left a few of those moments in because they fit the spirit of the project perfectly.

The Process

The biggest challenge was convincing people to participate. A few were hesitant, a few did not see themselves as camera people, and a few needed a little gentle herding. Once they relaxed into it, the magic showed up.

We ended up with everything from a newspaper being tossed onto a front porch to papers dramatically flying through the air, plus a well timed jab from our youngest designer about the “old people” in the office. Those unscripted, goofy moments were the heart of the video and exactly why it worked.

The Outcome

The finished video captured our workplace culture in a way that was authentic, warm, and genuinely funny. It brought our team together while we were making it, and it connected with our audience once it went out.

It went on to win First Place in the Virginia Press Awards for social media video, recognized for its creativity, tone, and originality. The best part was watching our staff see themselves the way our community sees them.