ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 10, 2022 – While StorySMART’s primary work to date has been helping brands connect authentically online with services like our premium video stories , over the past year we have been developing our video storytelling services to help individuals and families.

We have adapted our premium video stories to be premium profile videos. With premium profile videos, we profile an individual, telling their story in a premium, high-quality way that connects authentically with others. It is honest, credible storytelling using brand journalism.

The best stories are always about people. Products and services are great, but let’s be honest, we connect with people not things. The best movies and TV shows have great characters we want to watch. It is the people that hold our attention.

With our premium profile video stories, a TV reporter interviews up to four people to prepare a feature story about an individual. The story could be about a scholar athlete, a career professional, a couple celebrating a wedding anniversary or anyone else who wants a high-quality professional video profile of themselves, a colleague or a loved-one.

It is our one service that caters to all our customers – business, non-profit, celebrity, individual or family.

With the cost-certain service, the client gets a 2 ½ - 5 minute broadcast television quality video and an AP style written blog post.

Today, we want to share a few inspiring examples of professional profiles. Each of these videos focuses on a career professional, conveying their own unique story using our proprietary StorySMART brand journalism model.

Gregg Sofer is an impressive attorney who has a compelling story. Our client Husch Blackwell hired us to help introduce their new partner. Gregg is career prosecutor who counsels clients on a range of criminal, civil and regulatory matters.

Reporter Paul Schankman does a great job of telling Gregg’s story in an authentic, credible and memorable way.

It is a perfect example of what we can do for other attorneys. Law firms typically have detailed professional biographies on their websites. But let’s be honest, they tend to speak to other lawyers. While I graduated Cum Laude from SLU Law, I am less interested in what journal articles Gregg wrote and much more interested in what kind of man he is if I am going to be engaging him to represent me.

A video profile can help you connect with your potential clients in a much more powerful way than a written profile on a website.

Doctor Arturo Taca’s personal story is very powerful. He is an innovative pioneer in addiction treatment who has incredible empathy for his patients and firm belief that addiction is a mental health condition that should be treated like any other medical issue.

What makes his professional profile story so powerful and memorable is it includes his personal story. He was born in Manilla, in the Philippines. His family was driven out of the country by ruthless dictator and landed in St. Louis. His father was physician and outspoken opponent of the dictator. His story is beautifully told in a professional and memorable way.

Reporter Paul Schankman was tasked with preparing professional profile videos for some members of the addiction care team at INSynergy. He did a wonderful job with each story.

Doctor Patricia Kennedy is a licensed counselor and family therapist whose path to becoming a therapist at INSynergy had lots of twists and turns. We learn that Kennedy had several previous careers, including being a home builder. We also learn that her parents dependence on alcohol informs her work with families of her patients.

Nurse Hannah Byers serves as INSynergy’s Program Coordinator, helping new patients get the care they need while also getting past their fears about treatment. Watching Hannah’s story, you get a real sense of who she is and how her kind nature makes her well suited for the work she does at INSynergy.

Rick Flanagan’s story is powerful and memorable because he doesn’t hide anything about his own road to recovery. Rick began drinking at 10 and using marijuana at 11. Rick spent over seven years in prison on his road to sobriety. Rick’s story comes alive through interviews and images. We see a man who cares deeply for those in his care as he shares his own personal story. While a written story can paint a powerful picture, there is something even more powerful about seeing his story on screen.

Video is one of the most powerful human ways to communicate today. These five examples demonstrate how effective career focused video storytelling can be to allow you to connect authentically with others.