Video is nothing to be scared of. Even now, after doing lots of videos, I still struggle with that final act of being on screen. But it’s definitely much better than it used to be. And it gets better every time. Each time I’m about to record and I feel that little twist in my stomach, I just remember last time it wasn’t so bad and whenever I mess up, I can redo it. Then I just press record and don’t worry about how good or perfect it is. It’s digital; I can throw it away and re-record. I’m the authority here, so I get to say what perfect means. IOW, if I say it’s perfect, it’s perfect. (Just a note, don’t get caught up in perfect. Perfect is overrated. We all know you’re not perfect because we aren’t either. But we are interested in what you have to say. We’re on your side, so don’t worry about it.)

No Fear Here

Unlike the #1 fear most people have, video is not public speaking. Well, in a way it is because the video plays publicly, but video is the public speaking that you get infinite do-overs (until the point that you’re just making excuses to not finish it). So relax about it. In fact, just record some video about whatever topic you enjoy. Pretend you’re talking to your best friend and sharing your hobby with them. Let your excitement and passion for the topic come through. You aren’t going to post this anywhere; it’s just to practice getting comfortable being on camera. Don’t even worry about the technicalities of audio, framing, and background at this point. Just record. It’s ONLY about you being on screen. Do this several times and you’ll get more comfortable each time. Eventually add in the technical elements to increase the video’s quality. But take your time. Even if you’re petrified to be on video, just keep working at it. You can throw it all away if you want. Just break that fear.

Then when you get to an acceptable point, share it with your friend, or a colleague. You still aren’t going to post it, but by letting someone else view it, you have brought the video outside of yourself and can now receive honest input. There’s always that self talk that tells you how a thing is, but by sharing that video you taking a little risk which will help break that fear some more. You will also get a different perspective of your video and things you may have been obsessing about are not even noticed to someone else. Because you are the one creating, you are the one that sees the flaws, but your audience won’t.

Here’s Where to Start

Plan a little bit about what you want to say, but you don’t have to memorize it. Perhaps write 3-5 points you want to cover and that’s it.
1. Chances are you have a webcam in your computer. If you don’t know how to access it, find out how. If you’re on a Mac, you can just open the PhotoBooth program. If you’re on pc, open the Movie Maker application.
2. Adjust the camera so that you’re fairly centered. Don’t have too much room over your head (called ‘headroom’). Just nicely centered is fine.
3. The camera should also be roughly at eye level. This will avoid the subconscious illusion of dominance by the viewer. Even though this is practice for now, they are some things to keep in mind even just starting so that you set a good foundation.
4. Press record.
5. Take a deep breath and count to 5 silently in your head. Then begin to speak. Talk about your kids. Talk about a fun vacation you took. Talk about the book you’re reading now. It doesn’t matter what the subject is at this point. Just make it interesting. Try not to ramble.
6. Aim for 1-2 minutes. You’re not doing a long video any time soon even when you’re ready to go public. Plus, it’s easier to watch and redo over and over when it’s shorter.
7. When you are finished talking, PAUSE. Count to 5 silently again in your head, looking at the camera with a smile. Then click Stop Recording. This way, even if you don’t have a remote and have to reach to the camera to stop and start record, you can easily edit that out.

That’s it. Easy peasy. Re-record as much as you need to get comfortable. Just be careful not to obsess about it before you can move on. Then share it with a friend.

I’d be glad to help you. If you’d like me to take a look at videos you produce, I’d be glad to give you pointers at whatever level you’re comfortable with. If you very, very new to video and just want someone else to look at it, or if you’ve done a few videos but want some tips to improve, I’m there for you.

Leave a comment below about your experience recording video, your fears that prevent you from recording video, or if you found this article at all helpful. If you want me to look at your video, just post it. I have to approve all comments before they’re made public, so you can remain private.

So if you’re fairly new to this whole “social media” thing, you may not be seeing the results you had hoped for quite yet. The problem is, you don’t know why, and the more you search for answers, the more answers you find. There is just so much information out there, it’s almost impossible to wade through it to find the most useful bits.

So stop wading for a moment and let’s get back to basics. The first rule to a successful social media campaign is engagement. Keyword being “SOCIAL.” That means go out there and meet people; relate to them on a personal level, not just a “buy my X”. It is when people get to know you and like you that they will feel more comfortable buying from you. Repeatedly, if you do it right.

And one of the most effective ways to engage people is through video on your website. Since you can’t literally be everywhere on earth at the same time, and speak to everyone at the same time, having video on your website is the next best thing. You CAN talk to everyone everywhere at once. The new currency of customer loyalty is people buy from people. Put a face on your business. Let the consumer see who you are. You’re a real person, not a faceless entity just out for their money.

Back to video, it is through video that you can put a face, a name, a personality on that business. You are approachable, a real person. Even if you are P&G.

Now, you may be thinking, “I can’t do video…”

it’s too complicated;

I wouldn’t know what to say;

I don’t have the right equipment;

I’m having a bad hair day

…and on and on.

Well, there’s an answer to every one of those excuses, but the first hurdle is to make the decision that you are going to do video. Final answer. All the other excuses (er, reasons) can be resolved if you are determined to embrace the power of video.

So here’s where you start…make a welcome video.

Most computers these days have built in cameras, so use that. If you’re on a PC, you most likely have Movie Maker. If you’re on a Mac, you probably have iMovie, Photobooth, or Quicktime Player. If you’ve never opened a video program before, I recommend starting with Photobooth. It’s a simple click to record, click to stop recording. The quality isn’t the best, but let’s work with what you have.

Be sure you are sitting close enough to your computer so that the built in microphone picks you up well. This is not the most ideal circumstances, but it’s the best way to get started, with what you have. No excuses, no delay.

Here’s what you say…tell who you are, what you do, and how you can help. You only need a minute or so. You don’t need to explain your whole business plan or go into great detail about anything. Keep it simple.

My name is Vickie Sceifers and I’m a video producer. I show people how to use video to promote their business.

Simple. To the point. Now granted, there could be a little more substance than that, but just start with this. You can always add more to it later. It is more important that you DO IT than that you do it perfectly.

Here are a couple tips to help you avoid the need for editing.

1. If you’re recording with your computer, and there’s a big red RECORD button, when you press that to start recording, do not move your hand; then when you’re finished recording, you can just click it again to stop and there’s shouldn’t be any definable movement in the video.
2. Before you start recording, poise your mouse over that button so you can click it without looking. Now look up at your camera. SMILE. Click Record, count silently to 3, then begin speaking. When you’re done with what you want to say, pause for a 3-count again, then click Stop Recording. Depending on the ability of your computer, the 3-count is important to avoid any buffering delay. Hopefully you’ll end up with a video that doesn’t need editing. (If it’s pretty good, but there are ends you’d like to crop off, I’ll cover that in another post.)

Well, we’re off to a good start. You’ve got a video. Next post I’ll cover what to do with that video.

Please leave me a comment below. I’m ready to help you and don’t want you to hang on to these excuses any longer!

This video tells you about how to easily and quickly setup a video recording studio. If you have a good videocamera, like the Kodak Zi8 (affiliate link), which has a good internal microphone, then you’re ready to go. Using an external mic is always a good idea, but not a crucial as usual in this case.

Please take some time to record some video, and post it so I can take a look at it. I mention leaving a video comments in this video, but I don’t have that functionality set up on my blog yet. So for now, post your video somewhere and leave me a comment with a link so I can go check it out.

I’d love to see what you’re doing! That’s a wrap!

Here’s another installment in the series Video THAT Much Better. Let’s talk audio. Specifically, camera mic audio. Have you ever watched videos where the person talking seems further away than the video shows or the vocal quality is not rich enough? That’s because they ARE standing further away from their camera and depending on the camera mic. You can pick them out instantly, can’t you? It’s a deadringer, telltale sign of an amateur. It is so easy these days to get an inexpensive wired lapel mic and plug it into either your camera (like the Kodak Zi8) or your computer to record. Now it may take a bit of editing to sync it to your video, but if you start both recordings at the same time, and don’t shut either one off until you’re finished recording, it can be very easily done.

Because there are so many people that don’t bother with an external mic, instead depending on the camera’s mic, that if you use an external mic, your videos will stand out from the crowd, and sound OH so professional!

If you shoot a lot of video at your desk, or in your office, how about a change of scenery? Shooting video outdoors can be a great change of pace, more engaging and give you better lighting. Watch out for loud noises, like your neighbor’s weed whacker, or passing traffic. Pay attention to the background. Remember how we watch out for busy backgrounds indoors? Well, watch out for literally busy background when outdoors, like highway traffic or children playing at recess. Now, of course, there can be circumstances where these backgrounds can be appropriate, but if you’re just doing short, instructional-style videos, I wouldn’t recommend it. Watch out for anything that may distract the viewer from paying attention to you. And, finally, don’t forget that external mic!

Next month I am giving a presentation to the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors and they had me create a promotional video for it. So here it is.

Here, too, is the description I submitted for the workshop.

Perhaps nowhere as in Real Estate is a business so dependent on relationship. And video is the best way to begin and grow that relationship. People LOVE video! Last year, 86% of the US online population viewed video content. That’s 178 million; compared to “only” 150 million in 2008. The average online viewer consumed 187 videos in December of 2009, up 95% from December 2008. Videos are 50 times more likely to receive an organic first page ranking than traditional text pages. Unlike traditional media, video has the ultimate ROI value because it can be created once, and used forever.

Come to the Video for Fun and Profit workshop at the CABR on June 16 at 10am-12pm. This workshop will show you how to create your own videos, how and where to post them. We will also have an interactive panel of users of these and other technologies. Come learn more about these simple to use tools and how they can make a significant impact on your marketing success.

If you can relate to these agents, you need to come to this workshop!

Unfortunately, unless you’re already involved with CABR, this is not open to the public. HOWEVER…I am starting a list of people who are interested in learning how to use video to promote their business. If that is you, please comment below, send me an email, Twitter me (@editVDO), or leave a post on my Facebook Fan page.

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!

Eventcasting is another new media term that most people are not familiar with. It is simply streaming video from an event live over the internet. The uses for this technology are endless.

Eventcasting is another tool to help you grow your business. Broadcasting your events is a great way to market your business. It can draw people to your event, allow people who cannot attend to view the event, and open your business up to new customers.

If you’re familiar with podcasting, it is much like that except it takes place at an event and “covers” the event much like a radio station would. Eventcasting does allow 2-way communication. Fans, or attendees, can interact with each other as well as the broadcaster themselves, which is the way to build a community.

For private events such as a conference, staff or sales meeting, where people from all over the country (or the world) need to come together for a common purpose, eventcasting can save travel costs for attendees who may have to come a great distance. One can incorporate certain other technologies, such as Skype, for even greater flexibility.

These eventcasts can even be recorded for later viewing. Whether you wish to “broadcast” an entire event, or just show highlights, or you wish to offer an eventcast (at a lower cost) as an alternative to physically attending an event, this medium can be a cost-effective, flexible tool to meet your needs. Any event your company holds on a regular basis is a prime candidate for eventcasting.

Here’s an example of an eventcast Don and I facilitate every month for New Media Cincinnati:

VS Productions will be eventcasting the Loveland Business Expo. on October 28, 2009. We invite you to come to the Expo (admission is free) and check out what we’re doing. Of course, the eventcast will also be streamed live at AllAroundLoveland.com. You’re welcome to check it out there and talk to Don about how to put eventcasting to work for you.