Create a suite of four eye-catching, snappy, and insightful TikTok videos that encourage small business owners to learn more about how they can save money on taxes with Block Advisors. Note that this is a very fast moving project, and some script copy is provided.

Running a small business is a complex endeavor, and that's before tax season descends with its own myriad complications. If you're a small business owner or self-employed, you should know about Block Advisors from H&R Block. Through personalized help and SMB expertise, Block Advisors helps lighten the load for small business owners and the self-employed with expert tax preparation and other relevant services, maximizing your small business tax deductions and guaranteeing accurate tax returns for your small business, all at a competitively affordable price.

This fast-moving project from H&R Blocks seeks to create awareness for Block Advisors with small business owners on TikTok, educating them on who Block Advisors are and how they can help small businesses thrive. To do this, you'll create four :10 vertical videos for TikTok that each bring a core Block Advisors talking point to life in a snappy, eye-catching, and digestible way. You can do this in a first-person POV, with talent speaking directly to camera, or in a more traditional portrait style approach, but your videos need to look and feel premium and appeal to small business owners with ambitious, serious goals, while still speaking to the TikTok audience.

Because this project is moving really quickly – your videos must be mastered & delivered by Wednesday 12/7 – H&R Block is providing four pre-approved copy options for each of the four videos for you to pitch against. In your pitch, you must identify which copy option you intend to produce against for each video and provide at least one scenario option to bring that video/copy to life. 

The video themes, pre-approved copy options, and some reference videos for style are included in the Background, so be sure to give that a solid read-through before pitching. For any questions or other project updates, check out the Project Forum.

DELIVERABLES: Four :10 TikTok videos (9x16)

TIMELINE: Click HERE for the extremely expedited timeline.

EXPOSURE:  TikTok, organic and paid. Potential use on IG Reels as well. Please review the platform best practices page.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Self-proprietors/small business owners without an existing business entity; 25+

TONE: Optimistic, insightful, assuring, educational, supportive.

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• You MUST be able to deliver all master files by Wednesday 12/7; speed is a crucial factor in this project!
• Due to the quick timeline, H&R Block is relaxing some of the standard pre-production approvals; therefore, you MUST be sure to film without any third-party logos or branding.
• Talent must look 25 or older.
• Talent must not pose as a tax pro. A neutral third party, small business owner and/or narrator roles are all fine. 
• Audio must come from Tongal's partner libraries; you may not use trending Sounds (sorry!).
• Additionally, the Siri/TikTok AI voice cannot be used in these videos.
• Be sure to digest the video themes and pre-approved copy options for each video in the Background Section to inform your videos. 

By participating in this project, creators acknowledge that the Sponsor is under no obligation to greenlight a pitch. Though most projects on our platform do move forward with a greenlit pitch, we will notify you in the event the Sponsor decides not to fund any pitches via the project forum. Regardless of the result, all submissions will be reviewed and evaluated by the Sponsor and the project team.

Shooting live action or stop motion? Our priority is ensuring everyone's safety, so please review our COVID-19 Production Safety Guide and check federal, state, and local rules before and during your shoot to make sure your on-set protocols are up to date. We're working hard to keep people working during this extraordinary time, and you should ensure your submission is executable within the anticipated timeline and budget, while also ensuring everyone's safety.

BLOCK ADVISORS: Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, helps lighten the load for small business owners and the self-employed with expert tax preparation and other relevant services – so you feel confident and at ease.

VIDEO THEMES + PRE-APPROVED COPY OPTIONS: H&R Block has provided four pre-approved copy lines. You may choose which copy to pitch against for each of your four videos, as well as how you'd convey each through at least one scenario option. For each, consider how VO, supers, or a mix of both can help elevate your videos and ensure that they're eye-catching and grab the attention of small business owners scrolling on TikTok.

• Video 1: Personalized Human Help / Copy Options
  • Work for yourself? Make sure your taxes work for you. Expert tax prep, year-round.
  • You work hard for your small business. Make your business taxes work for you. Expert tax prep, year-round.
  • Year-round small business tax help.  In-person or virtually.
  • Small business taxes can be hard. Getting help isn't. Expert tax prep, year-round.
• Video 2: Maximizing Outcomes / Copy Options 
  • Being self-employed may mean a home office deduction. Talk to our small business tax pros today. 
  • If your office is your car, it may be a deduction.  Talk to our small business tax pros.
  • We guarantee 100% accurate taxes.  Or we'll pay the penalties and interest.
  • You work hard for your business. We'll work hard to find every availble tax break. Meet with a tax pro today.
• Video 3: SMB Expertise / Copy Options 
  • Our tax pros have an average of 12 years’ experience.
  • We’re trained to help your small business do big things.
  • Taxes, bookkeeping, and payroll all under one roof. 100% accuracy guaranteed. 
  • Do what you love.  We’ll take care of the taxes, bookkeeping, and payroll. 100% accuracy guaranteed. 
  • Get advice based on your unique tax situation. Small business tax prep, year-round.
• Video 4: Affordability / Copy Options 
  • Note: please use these claims verbatim either in VO, super, or caption. 
  • Expertise designed to fit your business needs – for up to 30% less than the cost of a typical accountant.
  • Get expertise to fit your needs and budget. Our tax prep costs up to 30% less than the cost of a typical accountant.
  • Put money back into what matters. We’ll handle the taxes for up to 30% less than the cost of a typical accountant.
  • 100% accurate tax prep for up to 30% less of the cost than the typical accountant.

REFERENCE VIDEOS:

• Spruce Mobile Banking Awareness – "Phone" TikTok Video
• Spruce Mobile Banking Awareness – "Love Language" TikTok Video
• Spruce Mobile Banking Awareness – "Cuffing Season" TikTok Video

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

• TEXT (REQUIRED): Up to 500 characters synopsizing how you plan to approach and produce the content listed out in the Deliverables.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A more detailed and specific description of how you propose to execute all of the content listed out in the Deliverables, both in terms of what we can expect to see, and how you’ll make it. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, cinematography, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• SCRIPT (REQUIRED): Clearly indicate which of the pre-approved copy options you intend to use for each video and how you'll bring them to life on screen through characters, dialogue, locations, etc.
  
  
• STORYBOARDS (Optional): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across. You can download the Tongal storyboard template here.
  
  
• HEADSHOTS/CASTING BOARDS (Optional): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them what you're capable of. Consider submitting a pitch video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they choose your pitch. Also, test videos, animatics, etc. are welcome. For some examples of effective Pitch videos, check out this gallery. All Pitches will remain private until after the Sponsor gives creator(s) the green light to move forward.

The most compelling pitch will be greenlit, and the responsible creator will then receive an email from Tongal producers detailing next steps. All submitters will also receive an automated email notification that a selection has been announced. To ensure you’re receiving project updates, review your email settings to check that you haven’t unsubscribed.

Creators who’ve been selected will receive funding upon completing the Winner Affidavit and the IP Assignment. Payment of the pitch funds is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. 

BUILDING YOUR TEAM: Tongal supports inclusivity in all of our productions and strongly encourages you to hire diverse talent for your team. To find staff & crew in your area, check out these resources and partners.

REVISION REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: Once the Video Phase has closed, the greenlit submitters will enter the Revisions Phase. Filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. Check out our Filmmaker Resource Portal to access helpful post-production resources like Text-Safe Guides for different platforms, Project File Organization Tutorial, Export Presets, and Captioning services.

MUSIC: Tongal has partnered with three premiere music providers: Jingle Punks, Universal Production Music and Epidemic Sound, any of which can be used to source music for your video submission to this project. Music from these providers is available to registered Tongal members at no charge solely for their incorporation into submissions to this project and will not require a separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on any of the providers’ names above. 

If you choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from third-party catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with your license purchase receipt when you turn in your video paperwork.

ASSET DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS & RESOURCES: You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You are responsible for the costs associated the hard drive and shipping.

To ensure a smoother delivery, please review the Export Presets, Specifications, and Project File Organization Tutorial in our Filmmaker Resource Portal.

1. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should your submission be greenlit, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.
   
   
2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.
   
   
3. In the event you utilize any third-party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third-party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.
   
   
4. BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.
   
   
5. You may not contact any employees or members of the Sponsor’s organization, their affiliates, or any of their partners. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification of your entry in the project.
   
   
6. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
7. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
8. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.
    
9. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.
    
10. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.
     
11. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.
    
    
12. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
    
    
13. In addition to the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES, Pitches will also be evaluated on that member's ability to execute the final Video based on their prior work and experience as a filmmaker.
    
    
14. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Videos without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.
    
    
15. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, greenlit Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their Videos, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases. You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec to claim your earnings.
    
    
16. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.