In this interview series by Website Planet, I talk to executives from the best digital companies, who share their stories, tips and perspectives on what it really takes to create a successful website and online business. A deep dive into decades of hands-on experience and technical expertise to learn untold truths and practical advice that will immediately help you build and grow your website.
Dustin Steinkühler is a prominent figure in the film and technology industry, known for his former role as the CEO of FYNAL AG and now CEO and founder of Storyboarder.ai. He has over 14 years of experience as a director and digital brand manager, during which he has worked on various projects for both national and international clients.
Launched in August 2023, Storyboarder.ai generates shot lists and storyboards from screenplay ideas, streamlining the pre-production process for filmmakers. So far, over 1.5 million images have been made using Storyboarder.ai and it’s quickly become a favorite in the film industry.
What pain point(s) do you solve for your customers? What was the “aha Moment” that led to the idea? Can you share that story with us?
Creating storyboards is often a time-consuming and costly task, especially for small companies and creative professionals, as well as for large productions. That’s why we developed Storyboarder.ai under the umbrella of FYNAL AG, a leading film production company in western Germany.
Our goal was to integrate various AI processes to create a tool that can generate a screenplay, shot list, and storyboard from just a rough idea or existing script. The “aha” moment came early on with our first prototype, revealing the potential ahead. Since then, we’ve been updating and improving the tool almost every week.
What do you think makes your company stand out? What are you most proud of?
We’re filmmakers ourselves, and that’s where everything started. We developed a tool made by filmmakers for filmmakers. We understand the industry’s pain points and know which features are most needed.
We’re proud to say that Storyboarder.ai is the only tool on the market that offers such a wide range of features, from screenplay, shot list, and storyboard creation to animatic creation with image-to-video functionality.
In your opinion, which aspect of running a website tends to be most underestimated? Can you explain or give an example?
At the outset, SEO for the landing page is crucial for rapid growth. Without a product that’s easy to find organically, you’ll need substantial financial resources. Fortunately, with Storyboarder.ai, we had a product that is frequently searched for worldwide, giving us a significant growth advantage.
Once the website or SaaS model is live, a strong user experience (UX) becomes paramount. Users must easily navigate and understand the tool to fully appreciate it. Coupling this with excellent support sets the stage for continued growth.
What strategy has been particularly effective in growing your website audience this year?
The combination of SEO, SEA, UX, and customer support has been pivotal in driving our current growth. These elements work together to enhance our visibility, user engagement, and overall service quality.
By continuously staying ahead of new technologies and swiftly adopting innovations, we’ve been able to offer cutting-edge solutions that attract more users. This proactive approach ensures that we not only meet but exceed user expectations, leading to greater retention and preference over competitors. As a result, we’re establishing ourselves as a leader in the industry and consistently drawing new customers.
If I asked you to share the key ingredient in your “secret sauce” for inbound marketing, what would it be?
Visualize your content as much as possible to give users a clear picture of your service. Using moving images, like videos and animations, makes your presentation more engaging and helps users understand what you offer. This dynamic approach not only captures attention but also makes your service feel more tangible and relatable.
By showcasing your service through compelling visuals, you make it easier for users to grasp its value, which can lead to better engagement, higher conversion rates, and a stronger position in the market.
Based on your experiences, what trends and technologies are currently underestimated or overlooked, but can significantly impact your industry? How are you going to adapt?
What can I say other than: AI 🙂
It’s going to change everything, no doubt about it. If you’re not open to embracing AI, you risk falling behind in the development of your brand, business, or services. Staying ahead means adapting to these changes and using AI to your advantage.
Bethenny eats, sleeps, and breathes digital marketing. She helps clients take charge of brand awareness and create lead generation strategies via a number of marketing channels, including email, social media, SEO, and content. When not a marketing superwoman, you can find her playing with her three dogs on her five-acre property, or planting yummy treats in her vegetable garden. (She is also a bit of a Real Housewives junky, #guiltypleasure!)
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