COMMENTS
Nice post, but I think we can use a little tweaking here. I could go on for pages, but I'll just add one thought.
In addition to your suggestion of #4, I like your thinking, but it's important for your viewers to understand the Sequential Shooting Theory - wide, medium, tight.
This is a basic videography principle that can be incorporated in a multitude of settings.
Start with a wide shot, let the tape roll for 10 seconds, zoom half way, roll for 10 seconds, zoom in tight, roll for 10 seconds. (Time and distance can vary)
You can save yourself some time doing it this way, as opposed to having to pick up, walk, set up, level, shoot, stop, pick up, repeat.
Again, good tips. If we can get EVERYONE to start incorporating some of these basics into their videos, the online world would be a better place!
Very interesting. I've known that having video on sites can help a lot in online marketing but I didn't realize that they were so beneficial for SEO.
Great insights. You can also use tools like Tube Mogul, to upload it to various video sites. But I have another thought. Is there any benefit to live streaming marketing messages, using tools like Ustream or Livestream (as long as you follow their terms os service - same with YouTube, etc.)? They also have the capacity to record.
Great tips! We have several clients interested in using video for inbound marketing and I will share this information with them...the Flip cameras are making this kind of tactic easy for most small businesses to try.
I bought the Kodak Zi8 on Hubspot's recommendation and was completely displeased. Those hand held style cameras are of very low quality. Sure it may record in HD, but that's only means the dimensions have to be a certain size. The lens is too small for it to make a difference. Plus unless it's mounted on a tripod, you get really shaky footage, even with the steadiest of hands.
If you want to make video for your site, you are better off spending a little more money and getting the quality that is not going to make you look "cheap." Poor quality video is worse than no video at all.
great tips- worry more about the messages than the type of camera..can your calls to action come to fruition to drive sales? If you are offering downloads of whitepapers, think about using more video to create a buyer aligned process that allows them to interact. Make the process easy to follow and engage at opportune points.
Whitepapers belong in libraries and videos belong on your site/ blog to assist people, build trust and grow your business!
I understand your point and for the most part I agree with you, BUT ...
Don't ever forget that your brand is judged everyday by the quality of the messages and images you put in front of your audiences.
It may not be fair, but if your web site, printed materials or video look amateurish -- that's EXACTLLY the impression your prospects will now have about your organization. Amateurish. Unsophisticated. Unprofessional. Small. Not a major player.
You know you've thought the same thing about other companys' sites when you've been online.
So, it's true -- the low cost of HD video cameras and laptop or even web based editing software is making video production much more accessible to everyone.
And, for video testimonials and simple short messages from executives -- most companies can and should be able to create good video on their own.
But before you take on a video project with no outside professional help, remember some of the tough lessons companies had to learn back in the 90s when Desktop Publishing was all the rage.
I actually worked with a company that purchased Corel Draw and a color printer and told the RECEPTIONIST to learn how to use both so that they could "spice up" their proposals. Care to guess how that all worked out?
OK, so the point is this: just because you CAN layout a brochure -- or point a video camera in the general direction of your CEO -- doesn't mean you SHOULD.
It sounds trite, but it's true -- you only get one chance to make a first impression.
Good advice. We coach many of our clients to do video and might have to point everyone to this post.
I host a podcast at http://succesu.com covering all aspects of new media marketing including Social Media. I would love to interview someone from HubSpot for the podcast. It all happens online and takes no more than half an hour. We would discuss any topic related to that of the podcast you would like to cover.
Cheers,
Christian
Great insights!
Also consider adding subtitles/CC on YouTube (now it's much easier than ever before). Doing this will definitely increase the chances to be found (increases SEO).
Very helpful information, thank you. As someone who can easily get bogged down in the details, I appreciate the simple approach outlined in this article. Have FlipVideo will start video making!
Funny, I literally just posted a blog on this same topic today. Unlike some people in this post though, I do not feel that videos have to be extremely professional. Now granted, they shouldn't be awful but the reality is that most small businesses are not even utilizing the awesome Sales 2.0 tool and they should be. And this idea that a video has to be 'just right' is bogus. A decent video will always be better than no video at all.
I agree that the videos do not need to be that high of quality. But quality does increase the sense of professionalism etc.
No doubt the quality of the video increases the professionalism, but I think the most important thing a business can do is flip that camera on and push record. 'Failure to Launch' is a big issue for businesses throughout the world.
I think you can have your cake and eat it too...We send our clients Flip and Kodak (easy to use cameras) as mentioned above and get great quality. I think our intro video, that was shot on one of those can attest to that. Tripod and lighting make a huge difference.
And helping clients craft their message...
The combination can't be beat, so start shooting and posting!
Yes failure to launch is simply failure. Recently I've started saying "Perfection is the enemy of Profit" trying to get clients to get it out the door
Very helpful info. I would stress the
royalty free music section a bit more. In many cases the video is great, informative, well executed, yet you feel something is missing ... That's usually because there is low quality or unfitted music. Good and
original background music tracks can get you that thumbs up that your expecting, either from your client or your audience.
Some real useful tips to develop a great video for a business website or a blog.A lot to learn as am also working on a video for my blog.
Thanks for sharing the info.
Great tips - all applicable to small businesses that want to keep their spend low, but want the power of video. Problem is that this really can only apply to small businesses, at least for official marketing videos. Medium and large businesses should be cautioned about producing their own video because the reality is that it is not just equipment and some basic intuition that makes a video worth watching. There are specific shooting and editing techniques that are combined with exceptional storytelling that make a video compelling - compelling enough to drive action. So, while any video is going to attract some attention, the question is not only how you want your brand represented in quality of production but also in quality of storytelling.
Otherwise, I'm all for flip cameras and posting as much casual video as possible.
I am a realtor who specializes in Sandy Springs Ga. I know the area
very well and want to share my knowledge. I have been wanting to
put a video on my site and to crete a blog. I have been told to get a flip camcorder. I hope your post will help give me the courage to do it myself.
WWW.ForSaleSandySprings.Com I want to put the video in the box that says is Sandy Springs for you.
Thanks Very Helpful post. You guys are the kings of content. The gold standard in my book of content marketing.
Great ideas...can't wait to get started.