A friend of mine just posted this on Facebook. It reminds me of the Sienna Minivan family video. This is absolutely the most hilarious video I’ve seen. Besides being well written and “sung”, great video effects and images, the best part is…IT’S CLEAN. I’m so tired of seeing great videos and wham! there’s a potty word. That really detracts from my enjoyment no matter how good a video is.

So gather the family around and watch this…

Here’s the next installment in the series Video THAT Much Better. If you’ve been doing videos for a while now, this video encourages you to consider changing things up a bit and try screencasting. Screencasting is simply recording the actions that happen on your screen and creating a movie out of it. It’s a great way to demonstrate your software product or how to navigate your website. I use Screenflow from telestream.net for my screencasting videos.

If you have an online website or computer-based training that you would like made into a video resource, please email me or leave a comment below.

I recently had an experience at a networking event that set me off, just a little. So I decided to share it as a little networking tip from me to you as to why you might not be getting as many connections as you think you should…

Sorry for the late posting of this video. You know, sometimes life gets in the way. I’ll do better next month!

Questions from a Hat is a New Media Cincinnati favorite. Attendees write down questions concerning anything new media, social media, Twitter, Facebook, video, podcasting…these are all put in a hat and, guess what? The emcee, in this case Daniel Lewis, draws a question and the group answers it.

Here are photos I took at April’s New Media Cincinnati meeting. I think I’m improving, don’t you? Enjoy!

Vickie

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This is a video review of the Kodak Zi8. If you would like to purchase this camera, along with some recommended items, please visit my online store. It’s at the bottom right. Don’t get the remote through this store; it’s out of stock. It’s out of stock a lot, so I purchased several last time they were available. If you want the remote, email me and I’ll get you one.

If you’re finding yourself spending a lot of time going to several blog sites to read articles, there’s an easier way to stay up on your blogs. You can use a blog reader. There are several readers out there; select the one you like best and subscribe to your blogs using that reader. Here’s what you do…

1. Select the blog reader you want and set up an account. The standard ones are Bloglines, Google Reader, Netvibes, and Pageflakes. I personally use Bloglines. I really like the ability to organize my blogs into categories/folders, like “Faves”, “Video”, “Thesis”; and then sort the categories in whatever personal order I want; Within those folders, I can further sort the blogs by ones I most don’t want to miss. I’ve used Google Reader, and it does that as well. I also have a bookmark to the Bloglines site so I can immediately go to it.

2. Go to the blog you wish to subscribe to. Somewhere on the page, usually near the top, will be an RSS icon, typically orange with white “waves” on it. When you click on it, it will pop up with a list of readers for you to choose.

3. Select the one you want. There are also usually settings options. Set it how you like.

Another advantage of a blog reader is that every time the author publishes a new post, it is automatically sent out their RSS feed directly to your reader. No more wasting time constantly checking blogs to see if there’s a new post. And you won’t accidentally miss one.

So tell me, what is your favorite blog and why?

New Media Cincinnati is a group that meets at Rookwood Pub on the second Saturday of every month. The group is made up of enthusiasts for all things social media, such as photography, podcasting, facebook, linkedin, twitter and of course, my personal favorite, video. It’s open to the public so if you would like to attend, contact me.

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Well, I hate to completely jump on the bandwagon of setting goals, but we are in that season. I don’t set resolutions, but I do take a look at different areas of my life and evaluate what’s working, what’s not, where do I want to go, and what do I need to do to get there. This is especially true about my business. My business had terrific growth in 2009, and as that success grows, so does my confidence that I can reach higher goals. I see the possibilities and know they are truly possible and not just lofty.

This year, more than ever before, I’m looking what I accomplished in 2009, where do I need to improve, and what do I want 2010 to look like. And I’ve actually SET goals this year. Concrete goals. Not just “I’d-like-my-business-to-grow-this-year” kind of goals. “I want to do xx this year, which means I need  to make $xx this year.” I can put my hands around that. It gives me direction and helps me stay focused on those goals.

So as you may be evaluating 2009, in the arena of marketing your business, are you happy with your efforts? Did they get you what you wanted? Are you tired of doing the same things and getting the same results? Are you ready to try something new? Even if all the answers to these questions are yes, let’s try something new anyway.

If you’ve never used video to promote your business, there’s no better time than now. With the continuing exponential popularity and growth of video, there has never been a better time.

Reasons You Need Video

1. It’s there 24/7. When you can’t be. Imagine hiring someone to promote your business all day every day. No bathroom breaks. No meal breaks. No sleeping. It’s there when you can’t be. Why not take advantage of every tool possible to market your business? Salvage some of those hours that you’re just sleeping anyway.
2. Consistent message. Now imagine that message being delivered 24/7 is the same message every time. You don’t have to worry if you forgot something one of those times or perhaps even missed a point entirely. Can you say that about a sales staff? Video will give your same message every time.
3. It’s Personal. Human nature just likes connection. And video gives you connection. Video is literally you, talking to them. People can see you, read your body language, get to know, like and trust you.
4. Google Love. Now connect all this power to the power of Google and Youtube, and you’re set.

If you’re open to new possibilities, new markets, and new growth for your business, give me a call now. Let’s get video working for you!