Visuals
ConnectWise icons
Icons are an easy way to portray complex ideas through an image. ConnectWise brand icons are available in medium gray or white and can be used on Tier 1 and Tier 2 secondary colors and darker grays.
Deliverables
Icons are used on all deliverable types.
Purpose and value
Icons are used to break up long bodies of text to make the deliverables easier to read. They can be used in a repeating pattern to create interesting backgrounds and are good to use on busy pages to add pops of color and interest where a photo wouldn’t work.
Size
Icons should be used to full up smaller spaces. The only time a large icon should be used is when it’s being used as a watermark and supported by other content. They are meant to complement the content, not take away from it.
Need the entire set of corporate icons?
Shapes and textures
Geometric and offset shapes and outlines can be used to draw attention to photos, icons, and blocks of text. Shapes and outlines are an easy and effective way to highlight important information like quotes, graphs, or stats.
Textures
Soft textures can be used sparingly in backgrounds to create depth. Textures should be subtle and not distract from the main content of the design. Textured backgrounds should be geometric and structured. Avoid abstract textures.
ConnectWise photography
ConnectWise photography aims to be warm, clean, bright, and casual with an emphasis on diversity in both people and environments. The people in the photos are relatable, use our software to improve their lives, and interact in a comfortable, business-casual environment.
Deliverables
Photos work best on top-of-the-funnel deliverables, though they are not limited to this. They are often used in lead gen campaigns, the website, powerpoint presentations, and organic social ads.
Purpose
They work best on deliverables that are meant to be emotion-based and attention grabbing. Using a photo will create a focal point for the audience to connect with.
Value
You want to use photos in spaces where their use brings value to the piece. Does adding a photo correlate with the purpose of your deliverable and bring value or does it feel out of place and distracting?
Size
Photos can be used to fill spaces that are medium and large. If you have a small space that needs filling, a photo may not be the best solution
Photography that works with ConnectWise branding principles
Photography ConnectWise avoids using
Video brand guidelines
The brand guidelines for ConnectWise videos are consistent with ConnectWise corporate guidelines for font usage, corporate logos, and the ConnectWise color palette.
Camera presence
Dress appropriately and look like a star when the camera rolls! Wear a dress shirt or equivalent, preferably something with ConnectWise branding.
- Solid patterned colors
- Muted colors (Ex. gray, dark blue)
- Warm colors (Ex. coral, teal, and purple)
- Jewel tones (Ex. ruby red, emerald green, and sapphire blue)
- Small, busy prints (Ex. polka dots, paisley)
- Chevron, plaid and pinstripes
- Tight patterns
- Shiny material
- White, bright red, and all-black outfits
- Pastel colors
- Smile and be conscious that you're on camera at all times
- Sit up straight
- Watch your body language. Find a natural place to rest your hands
- Address the camera while speaking unless you’re doing an interview
Best practices during webinars
Don’t be messy. Clean up your desk and background. Make sure your presentation area isn’t cluttered, and the background is simple and not distracting.
If you expect a lot of questions during your recording, consider bringing a subject matter expert on as a guest. Introduce the expert at the beginning and let viewers know they’ll be answering questions in real-time.
Practice, practice, practice. Get everyone who will be on camera together and rehearse well before the webinar recording. We don’t want viewers to think we’re ‘winging it.’ We want to share a well-polished presentation. Practice!
Remember, the content you’re sharing provides value to the viewer and will make a difference.
Make sure your camera is at eye level and angled straight ahead. Center yourself in the frame and avoid angles where the camera is positioned above or below your eye line.
Filming and lighting
You’re looking good for the camera, so make sure everyone can actually see you! Here are tips to properly film and light your video recordings.
- Use windows during the day for the best natural lighting. Make sure the window is generally in front of your when filming
- Use an external LED light or ring light on your cell phone to accent your face
- Use lamps for lighting while filming during the evening
- Seek a shady area while filming outdoors
- Sit in front of a window
- Film directly into the sun
- Mix lighting (Ex. a lamp (warm lighting) and a window (cool, blue lighting))
- Shoot under overhead lighting, unless you want raccoon eyes, but we don’t recommend that
Lighting examples
Audio
What you’re saying is important. Make sure you’re being heard. Here are tips for recording the best audio possible.
- Have your external microphone as close to you or your subject as possible without being in the shot
- Use portable digital audio recorders (Ex. Zoom, Tascam)
- Use lavalier microphones (Ex. Seinnheiser, Rode)
- Use shotgun microphones (Ex. Boompole, Seinnheiser, Rode)
- Use handled microphones
- Use shotgun microphones when the on-camera talent is going to be moving around during recording
- Use your computer microphone
- Allow ambient noise if possible (Ex. dogs barking, other voices in another room or office)
Audio equipment
Lavalier microphones are small microphones attached to your talent’s shirt and minimize ambient noise. These are great options if your talent is going to be moving around a lot and work great for company tours, man-on-the-street, and testimonial videos.
A shotgun microphone focuses on capturing sound coming from one direction. This makes your audio sound closer without being in the talent’s personal space. Shotgun microphones work great for documentaries, journalistic, and corporate videos.
Make sure you’re using an adequate headset. Use headsets that have a dedicated microphone or headphones with a microphone built-in.
Branding
Types of video
Company culture
These type of videos give candidates a “day-in-the-life-of” behind the scenes look into your company.
Interview or testimonial
Customer testimonials sharing their experience with products or events.
Explainer (informational)
Main goal is to educate audiences regarding a topic like products or services and increasing brand awareness.
Webinar
These types of videos are live events showcasing product demonstrations, speaker panels, and best practices.
Event (Hype, promotional, teaser)
These types of video show brand’s online presence as well as highlight upcoming or past events.
Animated explainer
Similar to an explainer video, but heavy with animations to convey the message.
Tutorial/how-To
These videos offer actionable steps viewers can take to accomplish a task.
Behind-the-scenes
These type of videos show a unique perspective, by showing the production behind a video.
Thought leadership
Good for when you’re trying to build thought leadership and establish expertise within your industry.
File formats
Recommended resolution and aspect ratios
2160p: 3840x2160
4K (Testimonials, keynotes, B-roll)
1440p: 2560x1440
2K (Testimonials, keynotes, B-roll)
1080p: 1920x1080
Full HD, FHD, HD, high definition, maximum resolution for HD (Testimonials, keynotes, B-roll, demos)
1366x768
*Acceptable for recording demos only*
720p: 1280x720
High definition, minimum resolution for HD (Webinars, demos, streaming)
File types
Video
.MOV or .MP4
Audio
.WAV or .MP3
