Mar
05 		10 tips on Video blogging for your business
Filed under ( marketing, media, social media, video ) by elyse @ 12:46 pm

I’m in love with my new FlipCamera and like a little kid, am carrying it around everywhere I go. 

Unleash your inner James Cameron

Unleash your inner James Cameron

Video is becoming a common communication tool.  These inexpensive and very portable cameras have made video production a snap.  But there are a lot of horrible and ineffective videos out there. Video is best suited for product demos, intensive discussion, interviews, client testimonials, or establishing thought leadership.  Here are 10 tips that will help you create excellent footage – not just add to the visual clutter:

  • Format is important. Keep it short — 3-5 minutes will hold your audience’s attention.
  • Commit to some frequency — a weekly or bi-monthly series will build momentum.
  • Use established third-party sites and services for delivery (examples: YouTube,  blinkx.com, Vimeo and others) along with posting videos on your own site.
  • Test for compatibility with all Web browsers, plug-ins, and operating-systems.
  • Record several takes and edit the best parts of each one into a single video.
  • Smile!
  • Vary the tone and pitch of your voice — do not speak in a monotone.
  • Move your head when speaking to help emphasize your words. Use subtle movements of your head when speaking to help emphasize what you say, along with eyebrow movements, widening their eyes, pursing their lips, and other facial “punctuation marks.”
  • Look at yourself in the mirror beforehand and make sure you look good, that your hair is in place, and that you don’t have a collar or a tag turned up or worse. Don’t trust the image on the screen — use a mirror and look at yourself closely.
  • Learn your editing software and be reasonably proficient in it. You should be able to:
    • Cut and rearrange clips
    • Add titles, transitions, and effects
    • Blend or overlap scenes
    • Add separate audio tracks
    • Modify audio levels

If you haven’t introduced video into your marketing activites by now, run out and buy one of these tiny gems.  You may be surprised at your own creativity!

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7 Comments on "10 tips on Video blogging for your business"
Sales Cooke on March 6th, 2010 at 11:44 am #

Thanks for these tips in your recent update. They are right on point and a great reminder to me and anyone who loves to use video to communicate their message. I have found that unless the message is exceptionally compelling, most people check out in less than 3 minutes. Keep the info coming!


Steve Crow on March 7th, 2010 at 9:46 am #

As a professional video producer I can confirm that you’ve correctly identified several important issues. Remember that the Flip currently doesn’t have a connection to attatch a external microphone and sound is perhaps even more important than the video itself. Check out the Kodak zi8 if you like the shape of the Flip.


Andrew Wright on March 10th, 2010 at 2:16 pm #

Great basic tips for video blogging! I look forward to a more advanced version in the future. And in regards to your flip camera, which version did you purchase? And what do you like/dislike about it currently?
Keep up the great posts!


elyse on March 11th, 2010 at 3:05 pm #

Thanks all for the comments.
Dave, your videos have always been great!
Andrew, Steve actually mentioned what I don’t like about the Flip – sound quality is not the best. No place to plug in a microphone if desired.

I have a Ultra HD.


Jendi on May 15th, 2010 at 12:58 pm #

Sounds like you’re having fun with it! I always carry a way to record video with me too. The Kodakzi8 is on my wish list for the same reason as mentioned above. I saw that the Vado 3rd generation has a microphone jack, but it only does 720 and the zi8 does 1080. Happy Vlogging!


admin on May 18th, 2010 at 1:42 pm #

Hi, Jendi. “A microphone jack”? What a concept! We rashly purchased the Flip video-camcorder model WITHOUT the essential microphone jack, which means that only the built-in internal Flip mike can be used; it’s okay, but getting good voice recording (eliminating ambient noise) from a subject means the Flip camera lens is a bit close to their face — creating that lovely “balloon head” effect. :-P
Our next Flip will be mo’ bettah. P.S.- You have a very helpful website!


Randye on August 23rd, 2010 at 7:00 am #

Great advice! And, in one of my recent newsletters I discussed using video on your site which also increases your SEO scores tremendously in natural rankings – up to 53x more likely to be found on page 1 in Google rankings! Now, THAT’s a great benefit.


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