If you're reading this article and you've never watched a YouTube video or a TED talk, run out and buy a lottery ticket. You are now the exception to the rule--by far. YouTube is serving up billions of views a month. It's ranked the number two search engine. And that's just scratching the surface in terms of all the other video sites out there.
So why aren't you doing more with video?
Related
Start Video Blogging
People often ask about the gear, so included here is a list of gear and sites to try (see sidebar). But the real trick to video blogging is not the tools you use, it's knowing how to start (including getting the confidence to show up on film), knowing what makes a passable video and knowing what your viewers will want from such an experience.
The Confidence Game
The best way to gain confidence using video is to practice recording yourself. Practice brevity. Practice not saying "um." Practice looking right into the lens of the camera. Practice speaking slowly, and without letting your voice waver. These things all come with practice. I promise.
How to Start
Pick a topic you want to cover. I do a lot of book reviews and interviews at ChrisBrogan.com, so those are the types of videos I record. Yours might be interviews. Or walk-throughs of homes you intend to sell. Or reviews of products. Or customer testimonials. Having a sense of what you want to record is important.
Go for Quality
Recording someone on a Flip camera from eight feet away doesn't work. Get closer, and frame them from their chest to the top of their head. Keep the camera facing the speakers. Models like the Kodak Zi8 allow for an external lavaliere microphone. Use it.
You can find inexpensive LED lights that attach to most cameras at Amazon.com. Practice simple lighting. Don't spotlight people like you want them to confess.
If you can, edit. I use really inexpensive software, or I make sure that my recordings are very brief. People don't want to wade through garbage, so learn to cut stuff out.
Just Press Record
Your viewers want to be educated and entertained. By giving them video to go along with your words, you're enabling them to connect with you. It's a win-win. I look forward to hearing how your efforts turn out, so drop me a line on Twitter (@chrisbrogan), OK?
Tools for Making Video
Hardware
- Flip MinoHD: A mini, portable video camera with 720-pixel HD resolution, 60 frames per second and a digital zoom lens. The 4 GB is $100; the 8 GB is $140.
- Kodak Zi8: A mini video camerawith 1080p HD video at 30fps. Records up to 10 hours and has a built-in USB arm. Get it for $180.
Software
- Windows Live Movie Maker: Make and edit movies using photos and videos; add specialeffects, themes, soundtracks, transitions and more; and share videos online. Available as part of a free download for Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
- iMovie: Mac users can organize, edit and watch videos, turn them into movie trailers and upload them to the web or use iTunes to sync them with Apple devices. In the Mac App Store for $15.
Sites
- YouTube: The most popular online source for sharing and watching videos for free. Upload and edit videos directly in You- Tube, shorten or combine video clips, add music with AudioSwap and include transitions.
- Vimeo: Upload up to 500 MB of video for free each week. Customize your videos, join groups, discuss others' videos and learn how to make better ones at Vimeo Video School.
- TubeMogul: A brand-focused video-marketing company that claims to reach 700 million internet users worldwide through its PlayTime video advertising platform. Video analytics and reporting help clients monitor their campaigns' success.
This article was originally published in the September 2011 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Chris Brogan on Video Blogging.
Life insurance as low as $14/mo for $250,000 or $21/mo for $500,000 of coverage. Contact MetLife®
Comments:
We are in the process of shooting prodcut movie clips on our site. To help deal with the most FAQs. Moreover we have included movie recommendations on all of our websites and are seeing a push in alterations.
Chris, thank you so much for this post, you are a big help to me.....
Do it Jan, it is a lot of fun :--)
Straight to the point and truly basic :--) . good article Chris. I am a vlogger and I am working on shaping the vlogging culture around the world but starting with the middle east. I have written a paper (soon to be a chorus taught to interested people) with far more details about vlogging. If or when I post it online I will try to share it with you. Salam
I don't think so :--)
Do what I did, buy an external digital audio recorder use it simultaneously while recordeing then sync the audios when you edit.
Couldn't agree more. We are in the process of filming prodcut videos on our site. To help address the most FAQs. In addition we have incorporated video testimonials on all of our pages and are seeing a bump in conversions. In our business nothing is more powerful than a colleague endorsing our product.
Webcam videos are out, huh?
great article...I use video for my business and use the Kodak Zi8 ... I also use Pinnacle's video editing software...it's easy to use, and cost is reasonable (there are a variety of versions from basic to pro). Video adds a personal element to the business, especially when it comes to demonstrating products that we sell.
Loved the article, but I can't help but ask why none of it was delievered on video?
Thanks for this, I am about to bite the bullet and have a go! I have just bought a stand for my iphone4, thinking I could use that to take videos. Do you think it's good enough? Do you know if there's an external mic available for the iphone4?
Great post. I think video changes the content requirements. I would hope that anyone using video would take advantage of the medium to give the viewer something they can't get in print (ie as you suggest, a walk-through on real estate or something else where the visuals make a big difference). Video expands the pallet of for the producers but also increases the expectations of viewers. Personally, I don't want to sit through a video of talking head if the content is something I could simply read.
Video blogs also put a human face to your topic, which increases buy in from your readers/viewers and makes your content seem more reliable. This is a similar theory to user/product reviews, which affirm our value in content based on another's perception. Both of these lead users to purchase products, follow links or have a higher opinion of our thoughts. Try it - it works. Rob C. MileHighBusinessPlans.com
Thanks, Chris. I know I have to do this but am reluctant.
I bought a refurbished Kodak Zi8 from Amazon.com and love it. Video is an intricate part of my marketing efforts and being able to use a remote microphone was very important.