Mapping Meetings: The First Step to Video Content That Works
Think of Video Content Like a Road Trip
Creating great video content isn’t about grabbing a camera and filming whatever comes to mind. It’s about knowing where you’re headed before you start the journey.
At Minivan Productions, we guide brands through this process with what we call a Mapping Meeting—a strategic planning session where we explore your brand’s challenges, goals, and messaging before we create anything.
Jumping into video production without a clear plan often leads to wasted time, budget, and effort. A Mapping Meeting ensures that your content aligns with your brand strategy, resonates with your audience, and delivers real results.
What is a Mapping Meeting?
A Mapping Meeting is a collaborative strategy session designed to:
- Identify your brand’s goals and challenges
- Clarify your audience and messaging
- Determine which video format best suits your needs
- Ensure every dollar spent on production is intentional
This is not a high-pressure sales call. It’s a chance to step back and map out a content strategy that makes sense for your brand. Whether you move forward with us or not, you’ll leave with valuable insights on how to approach video content more effectively.
What Clients Say About Our Process
"Minivan Productions exemplifies quality and care from start to finish. Great video production that actually helps the story behind the brand, gets people thinking, and is purpose-driven. Highly recommend connecting with this passionate team!" – Madisyn Horn - 5-star review
Why Do a Mapping Meeting?
Many brands make the mistake of jumping straight into video production without a clear plan. This often results in:
- Videos that look great but don’t serve a purpose
- Muddled messaging that fails to connect with the right audience
- Wasted resources on content that doesn’t align with business goals
A Mapping Meeting prevents these issues by ensuring your content has a clear direction from the start.
Think of It Like Pre-Production for Your Brand
In filmmaking, pre-production is essential—you don’t just start filming without scripting, casting, and planning the shots. The same applies to your brand’s video content.
A study from the Content Marketing Institute highlights that brands with a clear video strategy generate higher engagement and return on investment than those that produce videos without a plan.
By taking the time to map out your goals first, you:
- Avoid costly missteps in video production
- Ensure consistency in brand messaging across all content
- Maximize the impact of every video you create
What Kind of Video Content Can a Mapping Meeting Help With?
Depending on your goals, different video styles might work best for your brand. In a Mapping Meeting, we explore the right format for your message.
1. Brand Anthem Videos
- Showcase what your company stands for.
- Perfect for website homepages, about pages, and brand storytelling.
2. Mini-Documentaries
- Tell authentic stories about your brand, team, or customers.
- Builds trust and emotional connection with your audience.
3. Ad Campaigns
- Performance-driven videos for paid advertising and social media.
- Designed for engagement, conversions, and measurable impact.
4. Culture Content
- Gives an inside look at your brand’s people and values.
- Ideal for recruitment, brand personality, and community engagement.
According to HubSpot, 91 percent of businesses use video as a marketing tool, and brands that plan their content ahead of time see higher success rates.
What Happens in a Mapping Meeting?
A Mapping Meeting is structured yet flexible—tailored to your brand’s unique needs. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Understanding Your Brand & Goals
We start with your big-picture objectives:
- What story do you want to tell?
- Who is your target audience?
- What outcomes do you want from video content?
Step 2: Evaluating Existing Content & Gaps
If you already have videos, we analyze what’s working and what’s missing. If you’re starting from scratch, we guide you toward the best first steps.
Step 3: Recommending the Right Video Strategy
Based on our discussion, we recommend:
- Which type of video suits your goals
- What format, length, and style will be most effective
- How to make the most of your budget
A study by Wyzowl found that 92 percent of marketers report a positive ROI from video content, but only when it aligns with a clear strategy. Mapping Meetings help make sure you’re investing wisely.
Why Brands Love Mapping Meetings
Our clients appreciate Mapping Meetings because they:
- Provide clarity on their video strategy.
- Prevent expensive trial and error.
- Help them feel confident in their content investments.
A Mapping Meeting is the opposite of a rushed production process. It’s an opportunity to think strategically, ensuring that every video you create has a purpose and a measurable impact.
- “Working with Minivan Productions was a fantastic experience from start to finish! Their team brought a high level of creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail to the project, making the entire process smooth and enjoyable. They truly understood the vision and went above and beyond to bring it to life. Communication was seamless, and the final product exceeded expectations. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for top-notch media production services!” - Trent Haddock - 5-star review
No Pressure. Just Smart Planning.
A Mapping Meeting is zero commitment—just an open conversation about how video can work for your brand. Whether you work with Minivan Productions or take the insights elsewhere, you’ll walk away with a clearer vision for your video content.
If you’re ready to map out a smarter video strategy, let’s talk.
Schedule a Mapping Meeting with Minivan Productions
Reviewed by Kyler Beal
Kyler Beal is the founder of Minivan Productions, where he has spent over a decade helping brands craft strategic narratives. His expertise in storytelling and video production has helped companies nationwide turn complex ideas into compelling content. This article is based on Minivan Productions' approach to ensuring brands get the right video strategy before they hit record.
Explore Our Resources
Before we part ways, here are a few fun resources to inspire you, inform you, and get your creative gears turning:
