No direct business application to this video. Just an intriguing aspect of nature that we don’t often get to see. If you can come up with a business theory/application, I’d love to hear it.

Or just enjoy.

Here’s another amazing stop motion video. This one has got to be the best one I’ve ever seen. I love how a story is told through the song as well as the video.

Over 2.5 million hits, it’s definitely viral. Please check out their other videos as well.

At over a million hits this week, this video has definitely gone viral. I’ve seen it mentioned a lot this week, but hadn’t taken a look at it till now. As a videographer, I can appreciate the difficulty of making this. While I watch it, my mind is spinning trying to figure out how they did it. I can come up with a few ways it can be done, but, as stop motion has never been my thing, I can only go so far.

If you watch this video to the end, there will be an option to see the “Behind the Scenes”, which in itself is fascinating. What I do know about stop motion, however, is that it is an absolutely tremendous amount of work. The video said they matched each frame, but I wonder if it could also be done by removing frames from the video shot. Just a thought.

So take a look at this and enjoy!

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.

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.

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.

This is an exciting time of year for VS Productions. This is our first year in Loveland and, as an active Chamber member, we are excited to use our skills to promote the “love” of Loveland. It started January 9 with the announcement of the Valentine Lady, and the unveiling of the official Loveland Valentine card. It’s an easy sell, really. The card is absolutely beautiful–a painting of a park gazebo by a local artist–and being blank on the inside makes it appropriate year round.

Normally I might not send Valentine cards, but such a beautiful card has inspired me to do that this year. I didn’t send out Christmas cards or New Year’s greetings to my clients, so I thought this would be a fantastic way to express my appreciation and stand out from the crowd as well. Now, you may think Valentine’s Day is not quite appropriate for business, but believe me, it is. What better time to express your gratitude to your current clients, or get back in touch with previous clients you maybe haven’t worked with in a while, or even prospects you want to pursue?

So now for the special part…after you’ve addressed and stamped your cards, send them to (in a big envelope) or drop them off at the Loveland Post Office. The Valentine Lady, along with area business owners, will stamp them and hand cancel them so your notes are postmarked from “LOVEland, the Sweetheart of Ohio”. Now I know you’re really thinking “mushy,” but remember this…it’s about relationship. Even though you’re doing business with a company, you’re doing business with people. Everyone likes to know someone is thinking of them. And appreciates them.

So show a little love this month. You can pick these gorgeous cards at Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Loveland Kroger and several other Loveland business, or email me and I’ll arrange to get you some.

Check out our official Valentine events at AllAroundLoveland.com and our 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!